Above All Others

By Karen Ranney

Book Overview

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Karen Ranney tells the story of a penurious and foolish young woman who becomes the governess of the illegitimate child of a rake. After accepting the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0821753770
• ISBN13: 9780821753774
• Release Date: January 1996
• Publisher: Kensington Pub Corp
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.46 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.0" x 1.3" x 4.3"

Customer Reviews

Intense & emotional

By the end of the book, I was emotionally exhausted. The conflict between Freddie and Katherine seemed too drawn out, covering nearly the second half of the story. I admired the two characters, though. They both had the courage to search inside themselves and admit they were wrong. They were just to proud to do anything about it, which was too bad. I think the best part about Karen Ranney's writing style is the intense introspection she gives her chararcters...they can delve deep down and do a bit of soul-searching. Most readers may find this tedious, preferring instead to skim ahead to the interactions between hero and heroine, but for me, it is what sets her main characters from being rash, shallow, superficial or just plain boring. I especially like the heroes who attempt to analyze their emotions, or at least, who can step back and review what they did wrong (if they can actually bring themselves to admit it). Freddie did a lot of this, and I ended up liking him in spite of his many deplorable acts of stupidity, stubbornness, cluelessness, even cruelty. Not the most ideally romantic man to graze the pages of a love story...but I learned to deal with it. Katherine, on the other hand... she was something else. Strong, determined, courageous, and even more stubborn than Freddie. What a pair these two made. I only wish they had spent more time making up instead of constantly sparring. There was a point when I just couldn't feel the love anymore--they've become total strangers to one another. Overall, I'd say this honestly isn't her best. The style, intensity, and emotional level is there, but was sadly clouded by a huge communication gap between the main characters.

TAKE NOTHING FOR GRANTED

If you're looking for a good read, look no further. If you're looking for sexuality, you can find it here. If you're looking for a story that probes human nature, you can find it here. If you're looking for characters with soul, you can find them here. Then, just when you feel things are finally working out, Ranney throws in a twist and a turn, and you're begging for an ending. Ranney's characters are flawed, human, needy, and in control of themselves...most of the time...readers should take nothing for granted...just read on!

Passionately Sensual

I had to think about how to rate this book. The writing is quite beautiful, passionately sensual and seductive, dialogs are witty and intelligent. The story is unusual and fast paced. Now the characters, they are very strong and complex and I think that is where the difference in the previous two reviews come, especially as one gets caught up in the story. In the beginning, Freddie, the Earl of Moncrief is portrayed as what he is, arrogant, proud, stubborn, yet - rather than forgetting about his illegitimate daughter as would generally happen to the nobility - he does recognize her and takes the responsibility to have her raised on one of his estates. You have to admire him for that.Katherine Sanderson, newly arrived from the country, is discovered coming to the aid of an accident victim by the Dowager Countess Miriam(Freddie's mom). Miriam recognizes the care and compassion in Katherine and hires her on the spot as governess to her infant grandaughter. When Freddie, finally gets out to the estate to check on the Governess and his daughter, there is an instaneous attraction from both Katherine and Freddie. Eventually, an accord is reached (rather businesslike) whereby Katherine agrees to sleep with Freddie for a pre-arranged length of time with the provision that she be allowed to remain Julie's governess for as long as Julie needs one. For the next few weeks the passion is HOT and heavy and the reader gets wrapped up in the enjoyment of this couple. Katherine is more than a match for this rake in the bedroom department. Of course, it does not last - Freddie discovers a slight handicap with regard to his daughter and turns into a pompous [person] thinking that he has been deceived - Katherine gets on her high horse when she cannot reason with him and before you know it - they are avoiding each other during the day but still coming together in their passion for each other!When, Katherine finds out Freddie's plans to send his daughter away, she retaliates. It is a battle of wills - an emotional war that no one wins. Throughout the second half of the book you want to scream at Katherine for her pig-headedness and convince her of her folly! Which by the way is exactly the way the book is written - perhaps so one can learn the lessons presented here. I don't want to give any more of the plot away, I strongly urge you, to use all means to find a copy of this extremely passionate, sensual, and moving book. It is a keeper and I definitely see myself re-reading this in the future!

For the Sophisticated Reader

The signature style of Karen Ranney is her realism. A lot of romantic fiction writers use similar prose with wimpy women and sterling men but not Karen. In this story an impoverished daughter of a baron is found in the street by the mother of an Earl. The mother is looking for a governess for her granddaugher that was born out of wedlock.The daughter of the baron, Katherine, is young but shaped by her experiences. She is sophisticated in the ways of the world which makes her very different than a typical romantic heroine. The earl, Freddie, is self serving, arrogant and handsome. Unashamed of the choices he has made and unwilling to compromise for a child or for Katherine.When the two meet the attraction is immediate.But remember the earl is self-serving and Katherine is no fool.The story develops from there to be a very real story about love and forgiveness.