The Beautiful Stranger (Rogues of Regent Street, Book 3) [Mass Market Paperback]

Julia London (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 3, 2001

He was dangerous, infamous, scandalous... and the most beautiful man she'd ever seen.

Fighting for her land, widowed Kerry McKinnon can't believe the handsome Arthur has come to seize her home and leave her to a terrible fate. Yet from the moment they meet, a scandalous passion ignites between them — impossible to resist.

Then a crime will force Kerry to flee with Arthur to England — where a challenge to their love could drive them apart forever...

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Setting: Scotland and England 1837

Sensuality: 7

Kerry McKinnon, a beautiful Scottish widow, and Arthur Christian, a rich and powerful peer of the British realm, are thrown together by fate on a deserted Scottish road. Together they travel cross-country to reach her Highland home, and although society would never condone a match between them, they fall in love. Arthur knows that he can never offer the lovely widow a future, but in the days he spends at her manor, he becomes increasingly enchanted by Kerry, her beautiful glen, and her quiet rural life.

Kerry is desperate to save her debt-ridden home and struggles to find a way to pay the overdue mortgage and outwit the lecherous neighbor determined to foreclose. Too late, Arthur learns the extent of the danger that threatens her. He's determined to rescue her, but before Kerry is truly safe, they will have to risk everything, including their very lives.

The Beautiful Stranger has an abundance of twists and turns in an intriguing plot, strong secondary characters that include an unscrupulous villain, and a convincing period setting. Combined with a passionate and indestructible connection between two honorable people, the sum total is a novel with all the elements necessary for a thoroughly absorbing historical romance. --Lois Faye Dyer

From Publishers Weekly

The final installment of London's Victorian-era Rogues of Regent Street trilogy (following The Ruthless Charmer) explores the consequences of living recklessly. Dashing Lord Arthur Christian, the untitled son of the Duke of Sutherland, is attempting to make reparations for his misspent youth. Consumed with guilt over the untimely death of Phillip Rothembow, his friend and fellow rogue, Arthur determines to go to Scotland to settle a debt accrued by Phillip when he invested in a failing cattle farm. In stead, Arthur finds himself lost in the Highland woods, where he meets Kerry McKinnon, a beautiful and resourceful widow who is struggling to save her farm. Arthur is strongly attracted to Kerry, but he finds that winning her heart is easier than winning her hand; Kerry must wed the dim-witted son of one of her creditors or face eviction. Although Kerry and Arthur are well-drawn and engaging characters, the story is muddled by poorly developed secondary characters and a cumbersome plot involving land-transfer, tenant eviction and villainous aristocratic neighbors who will stop at nothing to resolve a debt. London's writing is smooth, and the sensuality quotient here is high, but the book stumbles to a hasty conclusion.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Dell (July 3, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440236908
• ISBN-13: 978-0440236900
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #553,543 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Julia London is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than two dozen novels, including the popular Secrets of Hadley Green historical romance series (including The Year of Living Scandalously), the Cedar Springs contemporary series (including One Season of Sunshine), and numerous other works. She is a four time finalist for the presitigous RITA Award for excellence in romantic fiction, and RT Bookclub award recipient for Best Historical Romance for Best Historical Romance for Dangerous Gentleman. She lives in Austin, Texas.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Julia London just keeps getting better and better!!!, July 3, 2001

By 

Stacey Timmins-Newman - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Beautiful Stranger (Rogues of Regent Street, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

One of the biggest problems with finding a wonderful new author is their lack of a backlist! The Beautiful Stranger is only the fifth release from this woman of extraordinary talent and already I can't wait for her next book! I first met Lord Arthur Christian in Wicked Angel, admired him in The Dangerous Gentleman, was intrigued by him in The Ruthless Charmer and absolutely fell in love with him during The Beautiful Stranger.

Haunted by guilt and goaded by his friends, Arthur travels to Scotland to clear Phillip's name and to escape a doomed relationship. Fresh air, beautiful scenery and a change of pace is exactly what he is looking for ... hopeless directions, a gunshot wound and a maddening beauty is what he finds in Scotland.

Kerry McKinnon is having a really bad day.

Her late husband Fraser has left a mountain of debt.

James Regis, Esq. has sent her an eviction notice from her home, leaving Glenbaden and her clan to the mercy of Moncrieffe.

She has been left stranded on a deserted road for hours waiting hours for the Crieffe Coach.

And now she is responsible for shooting an unarmed gentleman... who just happens to be the most gorgeous man she has ever laid eyes on.

What a day!

Little does Kerry know this handsome gentleman is Lord Arthur Christian, a Rogue of Regent Street, wealthy in his own right, son and brother of a duke... little does she know that she will lose her heart to the man responsible for her eviction!

You will fall in love with this story. The characters leap off the page and jump square into your heart. Kerry is all the more beautiful for her charming personality and practical nature. Arthur is everything you want in a man, and a few things you don't... When circumstances force Kerry to flee with Arthur to England, she believes he is the answer to her prayers. But as his optimistic view of the Ton causes life to crash down around them, Kerry is sent running right back into hell. Only now does Arthur realize how very much he loves and needs her - but will it be too late? Will he be in time to save her very life?

The Beautiful Stranger illustrates the talent of this gifted author. You will be adore Arthur and Kerry, enjoy meeting new people, old friends, and of course the occasional visit from Phillip's ghost! Grab a pillow or pull up a chair and read this series. I promise you will enjoy yourself!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a beautiful book!, July 11, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Beautiful Stranger (Rogues of Regent Street, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

Julia London is a gifted writer. This, her final book in the Rogues series, is as good if not even better than the first two. There are no dead spots in this book, just a few chapters at the start to put the scenario in place and then it is non-stop delight to the very last page. Arthur is a true heartthrob and Kerry is a smart, witty, delightful heroine. All the characters are well thought-out and depicted with affection and detail. The love scenes are sensual but done with impeccable taste. The very original plot is smart and not cliche-ridden. It is an emotional roller coaster, especially the last few chapters. I read it in two days. And I was busy at work!

The only drawback to a writer who consistently hits it out of the park like Ms. London is that she truly crafts her novels and that takes time. How we all wish we could enjoy one of her books every month. But...she is well worth the wait.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Historical, July 3, 2001

By 

Sheri Melnick (Enola, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Beautiful Stranger (Rogues of Regent Street, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

It is 1837, and Arthur Christian, younger son of a duke, still holds himself responsible for the death of his friend Phillip three years prior. In and effort to cleanse his soul and sooth his sense of responsibility, he travels to Scotland to tie up some loose ends relating to Phillip's legal affairs.

While in Scotland, Arthur happens upon Kerry McKinnon, a beautiful young widow who is stranded along the road where Arthur is traveling. Circumstances force the pair to return to Glenbaden, the home Kerry is struggling to keep though faced with insurmountable debt.

When tragedy strikes, and Kerry must return to England with Arthur, she comes face to face with the realities separating them. Will their love for one another be strong enough to endure their differences?

Part of the allure of this novel is that the hero and heroine are from such totally different backgrounds, but this ceases to matter as their purpose becomes one in working the land of Kerry's home. Julia London cleverly uses this earthy setting where Kerry and Arthur are able to explore their attraction for one another without the artifice of the London drawing room.

The protagonists are so complex and multifaceted that the reader can almost feel the emotion seeping from every page. For characters and a story to fall in love with, don't miss this latest by Julia London-she's definitely done it again.