Heaven Forbids

By Karen Ranney

Book Overview

After her husband dies, Kathyrn Siddons accompanies her newly married niece to the Scottish Highlands, where she meets the powerful and sensual Hugh MacDonald, the Laird of Nenverness and her niece's husband, and after a devastating incident occurs, they embark on a journey of forbidden passion. Ori

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0821758675
• ISBN13: 9780821758670
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: Zebra Books
• Length: 303 Pages
• Weight: 0.36 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.2" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

A true love story

The theme of adultery will always be hard to connect with our ideas of true love. For most, it represents greed, selfishness, lust, you name it. I'm not surprised that it was allowed as the main theme of the book, probably because it is published by Zebra (instead of mainstream Avon). To be honest, it's the very first Karen Ranney title I've come across. And it won't be my last either. I love her flow of words and the way she injects just the right emotion. I came to admire the characters of Kathryn and Hugh, and I was glued to their story of forbidden love from the very beginning. What I liked about the hero was that he seemed very "deep" in an intellectual way--he lacked the superficiality of most "Regency" men from the more common historical romances today. He is forever questioning the ways of the world, always seeking answers. Meanwhile, the heroine is finally breaking out of her shell...her decision to enter an adulterous relationship with Hugh was born out of a conscious desire to set herself free, to stop being always told what to do, to stop being a self-sacrificing martyr...and to start living life the way she wants to. She was a good mother and a great woman inside out, and I thought she and Hugh were perfect for each other. (He was a well-loved leader of the clan himself) The only unusual thing I noticed about this book was the lack of Scottish burr. All the Scot characters spoke in perfect English--and they were supposed to be "hardcore" Highlanders! As for the historical content, I wasn't overly concerned about the accuracy. I was too engrossed in the unfolding drama between Kathryn and Hugh. Talk about "When a Man Loves a Woman"! I thought it was very romantic how Hugh adored every inch of Kathryn's skin (stretch marks and all). As for Sarah, she was a very decent, well-brought-up lady, and there wasn't a malicious or manipulative bone in her body. However, she was obviously ill-suited as Hugh's wife, let alone soulmate. She was too pampered, too self-absorbed, too childishly naive, too BORING. I couldn't really relate to her character, even though I sympathized with her unfortunate loss. I can't wait to read other titles by Karen Ranney. I've been searching for something different and sensually satisfying. I've gotten kinda tired of those "generic" Regency romance books. I've read through nearly every Mary Balogh, Lisa Kleypas, Cathy Maxwell, Julia Quinn, Nicole Jordan, Jillian Hunter... and lots of others. (A big fan of the late Kathleen Woodiwiss though) This book is a genuine love story--I loved it!

HEAVENLY

It's a shame this book is out of print. Used ones are available, and it is worth purchasing.With this book, Karen Ranney gives us a glimpse into an historical period where women suffer abuse and neglect in the guise of marriage. Kathryn is one of these women who, after her husband dies, takes advantage of an opportunity to change her life, only to be caught in another marriage web. Kathryn is flawed but deserving, and we follow her choices with compassion.One of her choices is Hugh. With description as only Ranney can deliver, we "feel" the attraction between Kathryn and Hugh from chapter one and are drawn through the book by their sensual magnetism. In a brutal world filled with life and death choices, Kathryn and Hugh search the heavens for understanding and truth, and that is where their story rests...among the stars.

Not your most typical love story

Kathryn Siddons, was finally free of an abusive husband but her freedom was short-lived as her half brother ordered her 5 yr old son William, from their home to accompany his daughter Sarah, as her companion, to Sarah's new home in the Highlands along with her new husband the Laird of Nenverness, Hugh MacDonald. After the abuse she had experienced at the hands of her deceased husband, it was with astonishment that a look from the new husband of her niece could set her heart on fire - a fire and a longing that she must overcome. As for Hugh MacDonald, his new wife was everything a man could hope for - beauty beyond compare, a virtual goddess, a virgin who was not afraid and warmed immediately to the marriage bed. Hugh married for political reasons, to bond the lowland Campbell clan to the Highlands - he would grow to love her he thought. What he did not factor in the equation was the powerful pull that the Widow Siddons and her son William would have on him. Theirs was a love that defied logic, honor and duty. Fight as they could they seemed doomed to forever want what could never be.Set amidst the highly volatile time period of political unrest in Scotland as the proud Scottish clans would gather to try to bring back the Bonnie Prince to be King of Scotland - and feel the wrath and the blood lust of the Duke of Cumberland prior to the Battle of Culloden - their love would be tested and only God and Heaven itself could say whether it would survive.Again, the characters are written with passioniate feelings, beautiful dialog, and enough descriptive views for you to feel as though you are part of the unfolding drama. Wonderfully beautiful love scenes - very sensual! A good read, but a warning for those who might have a problem with adultery and marital infidelity - if this type of behaviour offends you, then this book is not for you.

An unusual, passionate love story that defies description.

Heaven Forbids is a wonderful love story. The main characters, Hugh and Kathryn, are not the typical lovers we find in romance fiction. Hugh is married to a woman he does not know and cannot love. Kathryn is a widow bound to his bride as a servant and blood. There is instant chemistry between them and although they try to deny it, their love is so strong that they cannnot be parted in spirit. They face many hardships and a great deal of trama but you know that their love will survive and triumph. Beautifully written, hard to put down. I wanted it to continue, to know what the future held in store for them. Highly recommend it.

deep, heartfelt, stunning

excellant story. very well written. Ms. Raney explores the depth of loving someone, the effects of war, and dissapointments one has in their life. Yet despite it all, love endures. Not your usual fluff story. No one outshines the others, very realistic in her descriptions of ones inner feelings. I hope to read all of her books and i hope they are all equally touching. thank you Ms. Raney.