Arms of a Stranger (Paperback)

by Giselle Carmichael (Author) "Throw another bundle of shingles up here," Simone Ladner yelled down from the roof she was working on..." (more)
Key Phrases: San Francisco, Simone Place, Giselle Carmichael (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Millionaire Keithen Knight has gotten so caught up in the cycle of making money and keeping track of it that he has lost sight of the important things in life. Small town girl is living an unfulfilled life in the fast paced city that never sleeps and has lost her way. Brought together by th devastating hurricane that tore across the Gulf Coast region, these two people will unite in the rebuilding efforts, and in the process discover the meaning of life, love, and happiness in the Arms of a Stranger.

Product Details

• Paperback: 239 pages
• Publisher: Parker Publishing Llc (October 17, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1600430201
• ISBN-13: 978-1600430206
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #223,524 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Arms of a Stranger, December 20, 2007

By	R. A Rippy "rarippy" (Shelbyville, Tennessee United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is one of the best interracial love stories that I have read. The storyline is awesome and the characters are wonderful. The story is based on the devastation and rebuilding of homes on the Gulf Coast after hurricane Katrina.Small time girl and chef Simone Ladner sells her half of her restaurant business to come home and help with the rebuilding. She meets handsome millionaire Keithen Knight and the attraction is instant. As most interracial relationships goes, there are a few folks who are against it and try to break the couple up for different reasons. One because of jealously, one for hatred and one for fear of losing money and status in the family business. This is a great story and a must read for all. Giselle has done it again with another great book.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Perfect Couple, December 27, 2007

By	CHayes "Cheryl" (Bronx, NY) - See all my reviews

Arms of a Stranger by Giselle Carmichael is an interracial romance novel. This book is full of great relatable characters, scheming evil doers, and women full of wisdom. The storyline takes place during a horrible time in New Orleans; when the city was hit by Hurricane Katrina. The devastation and loss hit hard for everyone from coast-to-coast. Hurricane Katrina shows how its impact helped bring opposites together, to work and create a serene environment, and help people to start rebuilding their lives.

Simone is a restaurant owner and chef, who returns home to help rebuild the city she loved as a child. Giving of herself is second nature, and Simone cannot fathom how there are people in the world who have so much and give so little.

Keithen is a wealthy contractor who owns his own company and builds homes and condos for the wealthy, but when Hurricane Katrina hit Keithen felt obligated to go down and give as much of himself as possible.

Simone is a very independent woman, and does not have a problem with getting down and dirty. Looking over the roof that she is re shingling, she notices a fine strong man heading her way. Not looking for a romance, but possibly a friendship, this dynamic duo sets out turning the devastation that Katrina left into homes and work for the people who live there.

This was a very touchy subject that was described to make you see and feel what these people were going through. I loved the storyline; the fact that they were both from different parts of the world, but never looked down on each other or the poor people that were left homeless. When Keithen has a revelation and becomes aware that he does not like the man he was, things start to turn around and the two make a love connection like no other.

Will Keithen's parents approve of the new woman in his life? What about his friends back home, will they accept this new improved version of the slick, dealing contractor that they knew and loved?

I recommend this book to all romance readers who are looking for a great love story.


Reviewed by: Cheryl H
APOOO BookClub

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Okay Read, December 21, 2007

By	S. Thomas - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"Arms of a Stranger" was an okay read that quickly fades from memory. Simone Ladner is a small town girl, who made good in New York City. After the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, she returns to her hometown to help rebuild. Keithen Knight is a California millionaire who was so touched by the destruction left by the hurricane that he went to the Gulf Coast to help out.

Simone and Keithen are almost instantly attracted to each other. The chemistry between them was good, but the story suffered because the dialogue was a little stiff. Changes in mood and tone were sometimes abrupt and strange. (One moment someone is happy, the next for no apparent reason, they are angry.) Characters also do not act realistically at times. (Simone giving up almost all of her financial security to help rebuild without a backup plan and Keithen naming a development "Simone Place" after a few weeks of knowing Simone are a few examples.)

Good points include the fact that although attracted to each other, Keithen and Simone do not just fall into bed right way. Their relationship blossomed before it became physical. I liked both Simone and Keithen. They were characters that a reader could root for.

I also liked that Simone had issues with the disparity between her and Keithen's financial status. She had to learn to accept some of Keithen's gifts, just as he had to learn that he couldn't offer Simone everything his money could buy and expect her to accept it.

There were the stock characters that disapproved of their relationship, as well as a mystery that was ridiculous and completely unneeded. All in all, it wasn't a bad book, but it was not great either.