Customer Reviews

An Unlikely Governess (Avon Romantic Treasure)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Again Karen Ranney proves to me she is still one of the top writers of flawless, elegant, and intelligent dialogs. Her words alone can create the most sensual and stimulating moods without her characters ever touching one another. In her latest novel, AN UNLIKELY GOVERNESS, she does just that.

Over the last twelve months Beatrice Sinclair had survived a cholera epidemic that claimed her parents' lives. Impoverished, untitled, and hungry, she'd sold what she could in order to eat, but further survival left her seeking work. Overlooking her village is Castle Crannoch, a dark forbidding monolith - home of the Duke of Brechin where she discovers that the `duke' is none other than a spoiled, ill-tempered and arrogant seven year old. Offered the job of governess to Robert, `His Grace' Beatrice would eventually come to view the young child with both compassion and empathy once she realized that his arrogance was to disguise the frightened terrorized child that he was.

On the other hand, Devlen Gordon, cousin and son of Robert's guardian, was a charming and arresting man whose verbal discourse both infuriated and excited Beatrice. Devlen was a temptation that she was finding harder and harder to ignore. He was challenging - opening new worlds for her to explore - both exciting and filled with danger as she became entangled in the attempts on the young duke's life. Would trusting Devlen be her salvation or her worst nightmare?

*** Ranney does a marvelous job with creating mood, and developing compelling characterizations of her characters. The sensuality built between Devlen and Beatrice was beautifully scripted and a joy to read. Likewise, the level of trust Beatrice developed with Robert, was also carefully scripted and perfectly paced. Additionally, the revelation of the culprit behind the murder attempts offered a twist. One fault I had trouble overlooking was the unexplored and unexplained bitter animosity between Devlen and his father. Regardless, this was a read I fully enjoyed and found enormously entertaining, even though I'd still love the answer to the animosity question! What WAS that all about?

What a good book!

This one was hard to put down. I loved the interaction between the characters of Beatrice and the Duke.
I felt a real tenderness for the child. The horrible relationship between Cameron and Rowena was a real mystery (until the end) and was quite intriguing.

The heartaches in Beatrice's life were almost more than I wanted to read about, but the heroine's quick wit and self-assurance kept her character from being depressing. I was so grateful for the relationship she developed with Devlen.

Oh, Devlin! What a darkly mysterious, confident and desirable hero.
I loved watching the development of his interest in Beatrice from just lust to lust and
respect, and ultimately, love. The chemistry between these two was excellent.

The ending of this book held a real surprise. I absolutely love being shocked by the solving of a mystery.

Karen Ranney's books are never light-hearted reads.
There is usually a somewhat dark undercurrent throughout that makes the happy ending for
the lead characters that much more rewarding.

Good read!

I liked this book, really I did. I found the characters wonderful, and the plot was outstanding and exciting.
I was disappointed in two things.
1. The art work did not match the description of the heroine in the book, it lists her as having "The blackest hair he'd ever seen" and it certainly is not black on the cover art work. It just bugs me when they do not match the description in the story. It would have been better served without an illustration at all.
2. I liked the ending, but felt I needed further closure. I thought it ended too abruptly. What happens to young Robert? Does he finally feel comfortable in his own home? How about Cameron, does he come out of his shell and become easier to be around? An epilogue would have been nice.

a good book, worth the read.

Beatrice Sinclair is on the verge of starvation after losing her family and most of her friends in a cholera epidemic. She accepts a position as the governess of the 7 yr old Robert,Duke of Brechin, who seems to be ill-mannered as well as believing someone is trying to kill him. The boy's rake of a cousin, Devlen, is the only one who seems to care for him, while Devlen's father who is the Duke's guardian, discounts his fears as overimagination.
The plot moves very slowly, as very little develops except atmosphere for two thirds of the book. It also makes little sense on several counts: 1. There is no explanation as to the animosity between Devlen and his father 2. Devlen is supposedly fond of Robert, yet discounts his fears as well as leaving him to uncaring caretakers while he goes off to Edinburgh, while a governess who knows him a few days immediately realizes the danger 3. No one seems to believe that the boy is in danger in spite of several obvious incidents 4. How can someone try to kill a 7 year old boy for months with so little success - especially if no one seems to believe he's in danger?!
The romance between Beatrice and Devlin consists of a great deal of talking and very little action - neither very interesting. When their first sexual encounter takes place, it is preceded by three pages of dispassionate discussion in Devlen's bedroom as to whether it is or isn't a good idea. In the middle of the encounter itself, there is another long discussion of how uncomfortable it all is. "I'm very sorry but I did tell you" (Devlen) and "well that's done" (Beatrice, believe it or not) are samples of the inspiring dialogue. Emotion is never mentioned. Later, when finding Devlen taking a bath, the two of them have a discussion of what the other is thinking or feeling - physically, not emotionally - not very realistic or moving. Much of what is written seems to be written for effect, instead of because it develops either plot or characters. After reading it I felt like repeating Beatrice's line "well that's done."

I loved this book! But I also loved Nine Coaches Waiting by Mary Stewart. An Unlikely Governess was way too close to the plot of that book for comfort. I believe even some of the dialogue was similar. Did anyone else pick this up? An editor, perhaps? The only difference was who turned up as the villian in the end. This was an excellent read but I was uncomfortable with the similiarities to Nine Coaches Waiting.

Cholera, the mysterious and dreaded disease, of the nineteenth century, has taken all that is dear to Beatrice Sinclair - all for which she has lived! Now, Beatrice Sinclair has nothing. Each new day is a struggle; each new day brings loneliness, painful memories, and hunger. Yet, Beatrice Sinclair will not give up. She will go on. She will accept the position of governess and deal with the demands and rudeness of one seven-year-old child - a child who is the Duke of Brechin.

Confident and magnetic, Devlen Gordon is a man of the world. He is extremely wealthy, extremely charismatic, and he is extremely attracted to Beatrice Sinclair! Devlen returns to Castle Crannoch, to check on his willful cousin, the young Duke of Brechin. Devlen is concerned for the child's welfare, concerned because someone is trying to kill the boy. Could the monster be Devlen's own father?

Karen Ranney's writing style is expressive and poetical; there is just no other way to describe it. Ranney's words are always eloquent and exquisite! This author takes ordinary words and creates beauty. Her unique style, keen sense, and articulation gain AN UNLIKELY GOVERNESS a big 10; however, 6 marks the plot. Although, AN UNLIKELY GOVERNESS is a pleasant read, Ranney's plot has vexing holes and these loose ends ruin the effectiveness of her wonderful writing. Furthermore, the big WHY question looms! Why did the father and son dislike each other? Why was the monstrous looking servant Gaston (pg. 9 for his ambiguous description) so faithful to his master? Why did the lovers take every conversation and analyze it to death? Why did the book finish with such a rushed and fabricated ending? Why? Why?
Grade: B-

MaryGrace Meloche.

A year ago, her parents died from the cholera epidemic leaving Beatrice Sinclair impoverished, but in the last three months she finds herself in dire straits. Desperate to eat, she seeks work as a tavern wench in Kilbridden Village, Scotland, but the owners reject her as not being right for their customers due to her "airs". They tell her to go to nearby Castle Crannoch where her kind will find work. Though she knows of the rumors that no moral woman would accept a job at the castle, Beatrice concludes that is her last hope.

Near the castle in the rain she meets Devlen Gordon, who takes her to see the nine year old Duke Robert, as she requested. The Duke insults her so she begins to leave, but faints from a lack of eating. After she is fed, Beatrice is hired as governess to teach the rude Robert manners. Beatrice soon finds herself drawn to her host though she considers him a devil, but also feels sympathy towards her lonely employer. Someone wants Robert dead; Beatrice vows to risk her life to keep him safe though she wonders who will keep her heart safe from the sharpest cut of all, Devlen.

This interesting 1830s gothic romantic suspense is filled with surprisingly delightful twists centered on Beatrice's efforts to uncover who in the dark castle is determined to see Robert dead. The suspects surround Beatrice with each having greed as an obvious motive; her biggest fear is that the brooding Devlen is behind the assaults. Fans of early nineteenth century romances will want to read Karen Ranney's fine historical thriller.

Harriet Klausner

Karen Ranney has a style to her books which she tends to have a slower based novel that explores the characters and environment. This novel was the story of Beatrice who finds herself the governess to 7 year old Duke who someone is trying to kill. Devlen is his cousin who suspects his father in the attempts on the young Duke. Devlen and Beatrice work together to protect the young Duke and also fall in love...

In chapter 1, Beatrice Sinclair grips the wall to avoid being crushed by the carriage barrelling along the winding road -- this moment reinforces Beatrice's tenuous grip on life and foreshadows an ending that enthralls and thrills. The carriage becomes a symbol of protection as it carries her away from the danger of starvation and into dangers at Castle Crannoch and into the world of two most unlikely rescuers...Devlen and Robert Gordon.

Ranney does not feel compelled to reveal everything about her heroine nor does she demand our pity; but Ranney does demand our respect for Beatrice, and thereby we recognize Devlen truly loves Beatrice for herself. We love Devlen.

Ranney provides a highly romantic story that twists and turns on sensuality -- smells, glances, touches, feelings, sounds, tastes -- and not on graphic sexuality. Yet, we get the "picture" of the snow, the soap, the bath, the leather, the fabric, the books, and the past.

Beatrice's first line "I'll work very hard, I promise" draws us into Ranney's story as effortlessly as Beatrice is drawn into the carriage and into Devlen's arms. Ranney and Devlen have us from "hello."

In the past, I have enjoyed Karen Ranney's books and found them well written with great characters. However, this one was a dud and I am not sure I will be returning to her in future.

For a start, I find it annoying when there is not a single clue as to when a story is taking place, particularly if it is "historical". Why not tell us when the action is set? Also, I am not sure exactly what sub-genre this books fits into. At first, I though it was vaguely "gothic" in the sense that Victoria Holt's books were many years ago - you know the sort - governess comes to work in isolated spooky house, dark and mysterious hero, weird children in the schoolroom. However, I soon brushed that notion aside and decided it might really be simply a book about the Child from Hell. The main character in this book - at least the one who manipulates the H/H's actions - is the seven year old Duke of Breckin who might as well be 57 for to judge by the dialogue the kid should be a member of Mensa. He is unlovable and not particularly pleasant and was only a means to moving along the action of the book.

Our hero, Devlen Gordon is one-dimensional. I could not feel even the slightest pull of attraction and, sadly, I was bored by him. Our heroine, Beatrice Sinclair, was credulous to say the least. I simply don't accept that a school master's daughter, living in a small village, would be allowed by her neighbours to literally starve unless she was too stupid to ask for help. This scenario at the beginning of the book was just silly.

I found Cameron Gordon, Devlen's father, to be much more interesting although he, too, was not really a believable character. As for his second wife - let's get real. She was so OTT as to be hilarious - surely one of the most irritating characters I've come across recently.

The semi-gothic overtones of the story were annoying and not pertinent to the action in my view and if developed properly might have worked.

I could not finish this one. After some 200 pages I felt I was wasting my time as there are many other books in my TBR pile so I abandoned it without a second thought.