Customer Reviews

Arms of a Stranger

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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

"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.

After the destruction of Hurricane Katrina, Simone Ladner decided to
put her life as a New York chef on hold to return to her hometown of
Biloxi, MS to help her family and friends rebuild. While home, Simone
wasn't looking to start a relationship with a man; however, Fate had
other ideas.

Keithen Knight was a very wealthy land developer who decided to lend a
helping hand in the rebuilding of the Gulf Coast. Instead of just
sending the much needed development supplies, Keithen became a
hands-on volunteer. While laying shingles on a roof, Keithen met the
most beautiful woman who immediately took his breath away. The
instant Keithen saw Simone he knew there was something special about
her. But can their union stand the test of time and the people who
were trying to destroy their relationship?

Arms of a Stranger was a touching, engaging romance that depicted the
aftermaths of a natural disaster. It was easy to envision and to feel
what the survivors of the devastating hurricane went through and to
understand their determination to rebuild what was lost. From the
first moment they laid eyes on each other, there was instant chemistry
between Keithen and Simone despite of their racial backgrounds. They
took things very slow before acting upon their desires. But when the
time finally came for them to unite in a sexual manner, it was a
delightful, sensual, heated encounter that left me breathless. As you
can imagine with any interracial relationship, there were a few people
who did not want their relationship to succeed for various
reasons-namely, jealously, hatred, greed and status. I truly enjoyed
getting to know Keithen and Simone in Arms of a Stranger and I think
readers who enjoy sweet, traditional romance will love this story also.


Nikita Steele
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Arms Of A Stranger.... Giselle Carmichael hits a home run...AGAIN!. The concept and flow of the book are very good. I enjoyed the interchange between the characters which were realist. A black woman, who was not light-skinned, attracted a blond, tall, wealthy, and green-eyed handsome white man and made it believable. This was my type of book. As usual, the author, developed a wonderful story that entwined with all of the things going on around them. It is not as good as author's "I Will Be Your Shelter" but it is a very close second. I loved it!

This was a nice story but it lacked the punch of this author's other work. This story is about Keithen Knight a wealthy developer and Simone Ladner, a gourmet chef, who are working on the relief effort in the Gulf Coast region after Hurricane Katrina. Their intial meeting was on the rooftop of a home they were both rebuilding. The attraction to each other were mutual. However due to the economic disparity between both of them, made Simone feel uncomfortable. Keithen wanted to give her the world, he bought a large piece of property and named the development after her. Keithen came to the gulf region because he felt he needed some growing up to do, his past life was very unfulfilling. He finds a new life helping out the victims of the hurricane and with his relationship with Simone. However this change made Keithen a little too syrupy sweet and beta male. Through out the story we found out in his previous life he was a ruthless business man and womanizer. I would have like to see more of his alpha side portrayed and then witness the change/growth in him. This story had a great buildup, they fall in love and get married, then it falls flat. I do agree with another reviewer, the mystery at the end made little sense. I think it would have been better more in the middle of the story. Overall I believe most of Giselle Carmichael's fans will like this book. I do look forward to next one she writes.

I have read several titles by Giselle Carmichael and she has stood true to form with her interracial romances. In Arms of a Stranger Simone Ladner is an African American women who returns home after Katrina to help her community. She meets Keithen Knight, a developer from California, while repairing a roof and the sparks immediately fly! Simone knocks Keithen off his feet - without even trying but better yet she helps him to become a better man for it. I also like the strength of the secondary characters who surround and supports the characters. And although there are those who would like to throw a monkey wrench into their relationship - together they withstand. Great interaccial read and I recommend it highly.

This is a BEAUTIFUL story..."Arms of a Stranger" is a touching and CAPTIVATING romance that also portrays the aftermaths of a natural disaster in a small town...Mrs. Carmichal makes it is easy to visualize and to feel what the survivors of the devastating Hurricane Katrina struggled through...it's also easy to understand their determination and desire to rebuild the things they lost...I was totally CAUGHT UP in the instant chemistry between Simone and Keithen...I also enjoy the leisurely pace in which their relationship develops...I love that they don't RUSH into a sexual relationship...but they take the time to get to know each other...so when they FINALLY act on their mutual attraction and desire it's such a SENSUAL, fun and heated encounter and it just leaves me breathless...and even though Simone and Keithen encounter a few obstacles in their budding relationship...such as hatred, jealousy, greed, revenge and social status...these challenges ONLY aid in making their love connection STRONGER...this is an endearing, CLASSIC romantic tale with a bit of mystery/suspense...Well done, Mrs. Carmichael.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was descriptive and well told. The main characters interracial love story was told along with capturing the reality of Hurricane Katrina in Biloxi. Definitely recommend.

I must say that I finished this book in less than two days. It was a very good read; a great love story was told as it revolved around Hurricane Katrina and the damages that she caused. I would recommend this book to anyone who's a fan of romance.

Giselle has once again done a wonderful job! She hasn't written a dull book in my opinion to date! Good work Giselle!