1996

Above All Others  is about a penurious young woman who had previously sacrificed her innocence out of loneliness. She enters into an unholy bargain with a rake who is already rearing an illegitimate child.

You can probably tell from the paucity of that description how I feel about the book now.  It is my firm belief that writers grow in their craft.  At least I hope I do.  There are two books I've written in the past that I would not write today. (Neither is an Avon book, by the way.)

It's not that the writing is terrible, although it could have been better.  (There are parts that I love.) Or that the story is ghastly, although the plot harkens back to the 70's.  Freddie, the hero, certainly could have been nicer.  And dear Kat could have been kinder.  And both of them could have been MUCH smarter.  

There are still people who write me and tell me how much they like this book.  I can only thank them for their generosity.  And their kindness.  

REVIEWS

RT  - KISS Award

Above All Others - With powerfully emotions, heated sexual tension, eloquent prose and well drawn characters, Karen Ranney has packed her romance with everything romance readers want and more. This is a not to be missed read by an author whose star is on the rise. Romantic Times, 8/96

Above All Others is the tale of such passion and deep emotion that I felt drawn into their lives and relived every moment. The story line is told with a vividness that shines throughout. Beautiful and powerful, this is one you'll want for your keeper shelf. Rendezvous, 7/96