The Companion (The Companion Series)

There seems to be a trend lately amongst the writers to find their nitch in the ever popular paranormal field, specifically with blood sucking being tales, be they vampire, upyr, werewolf, etc. Some have an amusing humor aspect, or the `to die for' romantic hero, and then are those with `bite' and that is where THE COMPANION lies. Ian Rufford as a younger son on his way to a career in the diplomatic services had the misfortune of having been captured by pirates, sold as a slave to an evil being whose delight in subjugation, depravation, and torture was beyond human comprehension. For two years, he'd endured all the while praying for death. Abandoned in the desert he was later rescued and would soon come to the realization that within him he carried a parasite he would later come to know as "The Companion" Elizabeth Rochewell's home was Africa. Born of an Egyptian mother and her beloved English archeologist father, the Dark Continent was her home. With her looks, she didn't quite fit into either society; too dark for England; too light for the Egyptians. After the untimely death of her father, she found herself on board ship reluctantly heading for her only surviving relative in England. With little to amuse herself on the voyage home, she found herself drawn to another passenger, the mysterious Ian Rufford who seemed to awaken and excite feelings that disturbed her. After a fierce sea battle Elizabeth would make a startling discovery about the stranger that defied all logic. Yet, beyond all reason she would see past, what would have sent most rational young women running in terror, to the soul of the man, and she would link her destiny to his as they battled together an evil bent on destroying the world. *** After reading diverse reactions to this novel I read it with an open mind. While some portions of the book may not be to everyone's taste, (it can be grisly and contains some very explicit sexual degradations) I found the writing itself to be brilliant. The characters of Ian and Beth were fully fleshed out. In flashbacks, you learn of Ian's background, his rape and depravation at the hands of Asharti. Elizabeth was remarkably drawn with intelligence, compassion, and a strength of character that was totally refreshing and unique. Though one could say it lacked a truly romantic feel the author built a progressive relationship from trust, respect, and admiration that ultimately turned it into a beautiful story of love. For me a totally satisfying book from an author I've put on my watch list and intend to backlist as well!

Susan Squires has really never written romance. If you look hard at her backlist, while sold as romances, her books really aren't. They are so much more. She writes complex character studies, and since romance is a part of the make up of the human condition, it will play a strong thread through the stories. But foremost, she is a writer who like to go where most romance writers fear to tread - or is permitted by their editors! She like to challenge the reader, provoke them, make them think, so up front this is not your typical romance book. For those seeking a richer story, told in the fashion you don't have see in romances today, then you will want to snatch up Susan Squires newest book. Squires has been off the market for a year. Changed publishers. This switch gives her elbow room with the word count and the ability to tell her story as she wanted. And wow what a story!! As with most Squires' book, the hero is the grabber. Ian Rufford is an English, living in the early 1800s. He is sailing when pirates attack his ship. He is taken prisoner, carried to Africa where he is sold into slavery to the very beautiful, but extremely heartless Asharti. Ian is forced to trek across the desert while being cruelly punished by the vicious Asharti. He comes to realize that Asharti is not just an evil woman, but a creature of the night, a vampire. He thinks his nightmare is at end when he escapes. Only there is no escaping Asharti and now Ian is that which he hates. He is trying to make his way back to England and hopes there is and end to what he now is. Elizabeth Rochewell has worked with her father an eminent archaeologist. They are on a dig when a ancient pillar falls and kills her father. So Elizabeth is returning to England. On the ship, Ian and Beth meet. They find kindred spirits in the other, a commonality in their love of adventure and foreign places, both abhorring their return to England and the strict dictates of Regency society. They fall in love, with Ian resisting leading Beth into the life of what he has become. Ian and Beth are strong characters in Squires vivid fashion. They compel you to travel the emotional tangle of their lives as they seek the answer to what possesses Ian. People looking for a vamp tale with fangs and all, should be warned the vampirism is handled in a very understated, compelling drama that takes you from Africa to Spain and England and then back. Squires delivers on all levels. Let's just hope it's not such a long wait until her next book!!

Out of all Susan Squire's books, this one is my favorite. The story telling has a dreamlike quality, but the emotions are sizzling hot. I like my romance books to have exotic locales and exciting heroes and heroines. I prefer them in plenty of dangerous situations and with dangerous enemies. This book provided all of them. Therefore, I loved it. I will watch out for this author's other books.

Squire's THE COMPANION takes a familiar theme - the handsome and tortured vampire longing to escape his curse - and remakes it with a blend of exquisite historical detail and deft characterization. Beth is a strong, intelligent character - no ignorant ingenue here. And Ian is a beautifully damaged superman. He is essentially a rape victim, not something one often sees in Alpha Male heroes, yet Squire pulls it off. Tortured as he is, however, he never whines. This is a wonderful book, and I'm recommending it to everyone with a taste for things that go bite in the night.

Ms. Squires' latest book was a page turner in many ways. Readers should be prepared for the slow build up in the romance section of this read. Although this is billed as a "romance" I must say that I felt that this was more of a paranormal read with romantic overtones. Still Ms. Squire has taken the "vampire myth" and worked it in such a way that this story was fresh, fast-paced, and very dramatic. Ian and Beth our lead characters are strong, but sympathetic and as a result the relationship that develops between them is not only believable but this reader quickly turned the pages hoping that these two very different but deserving people found love. Ian was taken as a slave by the Barbary pirates sailing along the coast of Africa. Soon he is sold to a master that is cruel, and his servitude is marked by harsh punishment and a grueling trek through the desert in search of something that is beyond him. When they finally come to their destination amidst the sandy landscape of the North African desert he realizes that evil is not just his master Asharti a woman that is a creature of the night and that this place is the home of evil beyond his wildest nightmare. Just when he thinks his suffering is at an end one simple but crucial mistake changes Ian for the rest of his life. Now he has become that which he has despised and fought against. On his way back home to England he is about to meet his match. Where he only sees darkness a nature and sweet light has formed. But will Ian realize that even he deserves the one thing he never thought to have which is love and acceptance? Beth has lived her life in the desert. One quirk of fate changes all that. Her father has been killed in a tragic accident and now she finds that she must return to England and assume the ways of the genteel. She is a scholar, a blue stocking and this is the last thing that she wants. One board the ship that will take her to her destiny she meets a very unusual but handsome man that seems to be different. His explanations all seem possible but...it's not until she follows him one night in Spain that her questions are finally answered. Or at least a few are answered...more take their place, and she finds that no matter how hard she tries to be afraid of Ian...she still finds herself drawn to him. Do they even have half a chance at being happy? Ian and Beth were such complex characters and as a result they took control of the story and told their own tale. We are told of Ian's past through flashbacks, and this was a very effective way of "catching" the reader up with what had gone on before without slowing down the pace of the story. Ms. Squires has penned a very sensual read that will take readers from Dark Africa to Spain, England, and than back to Africa again for the amazing finish. I highly recommend this read if you are a fan of the paranormal genre or if the sensual vampire is your choice of danger.