16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Scottish Companion, September 23, 2007
The tenth Earl of Straithern, Grant Roberson, is seeing his mortality. Both of his brothers have suddenly died from mysterious and completely unexpected illnesses. Illnesses that were alike in each man, so Grant knows that it is only a matter of time before he becomes afflicted with what he knows is probably a genetic disorder. He decides then and there that he must wed and produce an heir before the unthinkable happens, so he arranges to marry the daughter of the local physician. He doesn't count on being attracted to his betrothed wife's Scottish companion.
Gillian Cameron has been the companion to Arabella Fenton, the contracted bride, for years. Gillian was taken in by Dr. Fenton, Arabella's father, after becoming destitute as a young woman. She is told to accompany Arabella to the Earl's home so as to acclimate the spoiled woman to her surroundings and duties. As soon as Gillian is introduced to the Earl, she knows she is in trouble and wonders how in the world will she be able to convince Arabella to marry Grant when in an instant she covets him for herself.
Grant and Gillian are unable to suppress their desire for each other. Embarking on an affair, they each know that one day their trysts will have to end. Before that day, however, they must find the danger that seems to be stalking Grant. A danger that neither suspects, but which brings them closer.
Oh how I loved The Scottish Companion! Karen Ranney wrote a simply delightful and often times steamy historical romance that kept me guessing the entire book. I could not for the life of me figure out `the bad guy' and when it was finally revealed, I could have smacked my forehead. It seems that I was entirely focused on the love Grant and Gillian had for each other. Their turmoil at the thought of being without the other made me tear up more than once and even I was looking for ways to keep Grant from marrying Arabella. Throw in a subplot the likes of which I had not seen before, and this historical loving reviewer was in pure reading bliss
Talia
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed
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7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Glad to Be a 21st Century Female..., October 7, 2007
This is a slow, elegant, almost old-fashioned story about loving the wrong person at the wrong time and poisoning people in the name of justice. OK--let me clear things up a little. Lots of well written characters, deeply felt emotions--both madness and passion, however, the style reminded me of Georgette Heyer-type Regencies of decades ago. I was interested in the resolution, but it was pretty obvious how the ending would occur, not much to say about the setting because it stayed close around the old castle--still this is not one easily discarded. Might be a good start for an skilled teen reader with patience or someone
recovering from an illness. For me--not a keeper but worth the cover price and then pass it on. Filled with constant reminders of how poorly women were treated just a little over a century ago, their limited options and the consequences of deep emotions.
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1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best Book I've Read in Months, November 14, 2007
Loved it from begining to end. I am an avid romance book reader, and set very high standards. What I liked best about Grant and Gillian is that they are very real people. At lot of times romance novels get so caught up in righting a wrong or trying to change the world with distorted views for that time peroid, they loose the essence of good characters. There isn't a;ways a happy ending in life that doesn't cause for sacrafice. This book give you that. A love that is troubled and imperfect. Read it. You'll love it!!
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