The Scottish Companion (Avon Romantic Treasure) (Mass Market Paperback)

by Karen Ranney (Author)
Key Phrases: Miss Cameron, Earl of Straithern, Miss Fenton (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Desperate for an heir, he hastily chose a fiancée.

But it is another woman who sets his heart aflame.

About the Author

Karen Ranney began writing when she was five. Her first published work was The Maple Leaf, read over the school intercom when she was in the first grade. In addition to wanting to be a violinist (her parents had a special violin crafted for her when she was seven), she wanted to be a lawyer, a teacher, and, most of all, a writer. The violin discarded early, she still admits to a fascination with the law, and she volunteers as a teacher whenever needed. Writing, however, has remained an overwhelming love of hers.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon (September 25, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061252379
• ISBN-13: 978-0061252372
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #581,661 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Scottish Companion, September 23, 2007

By	M. Nix "Joyfully Reviewed" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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

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

By	C. Farley "seafaire" (Bakersfield, CA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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.

1.0 out of 5 stars Zero Stars, April 18, 2009

By	Queen Margo "Buttercup" (Arlington) - See all my reviews

One of the worst romances I've ever read. Not one good thing to say about it. It starts off with a completely unbelievable decision of Lord S. to marry his doctor's daughter sight unseen. Then, from day one, he talks only to her companion. Not explicable either because there's nothing to show why she would attract him. The way both women speak to the earl - rudely - is also unconvincing.

The romance is lukewarm at best. But worst of all are the long and dull conversations sprinkled thoguht the book as well as detailed descriptions of castle rooms, including wallpaper, gardens, etc. It's hard to believe Ranney is the author of So In Love, one of the best romances around.
I literally skipped entire sections just to get through the book and the end was as unexciting and as tepid as the rest of it.