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"Fantastic historical romance with just the right touch of conflict and suspense."
Reviewed by Tanzey Cutter
Posted April 14, 2004

Following the elopement of his fiancée with another man, Arthur Lancaster, Earl of St. Merryn, finds himself in need of a prospective wife. However, this time he's going to approach the matter in a more logical fashion, just as he does his investments. Besides, it's not as if he's looking Read more...

"Exhilarating historical romantic suspense"
Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted May 18, 2004

In Regency England, Miss Elenora Lodge had a beautiful estate, a wealthy inheritance, and a fiancée that she loved until her stepfather used her money to invest and lost it all. The new estate owner tosses her off the property and her fiancée dumps her. Elenora travels to Read more...

"Exciting Regency Romantic Mystery"
Reviewed by Linda Hurst
Posted May 18, 2004

In THE PAID COMPANION Jayne Ann Krentz writing as Amanda Quick, proved again to me why she has remained my number one author for many years. I read THE PAID COMPANION in one sitting, as I couldn't wait to see what this wonderful couple was going to do next. Once Read more...

Summary

The Earl of St. Merryn needs a woman. His intentions are purely practical—he simply wants someone sensible and suitably lovely to pose as his betrothed for a few weeks among polite society. He has his own agenda to pursue, and a false fiancée will keep the husband-hunters at bay while he goes about his business. The simplest solution is to hire a paid companion.

Finding the right candidate proves more of a challenge than he expected. But when he encounters Miss Elenora Lodge, the fire in her golden eyes sways him to make a generous offer.

Her sorry financial circumstances—and dreams of a life of independence—convince her to accept. But St. Merryn appears to be hiding a secret or two, and things seem oddly amiss in his gloomy London home. Elenora soon discovers that this lark will be a far more dangerous adventure than she'd been led to believe. And the Earl of St. Merryn will find that the meek and mild companion he'd initially envisioned has become a partner in his quest to catch a killer—and an outspoken belle of the ball who stirs a bothersome passion in his practical heart.