Customer Reviews

Beloved Stranger (Beloved Series)

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Setting --- Flodden Field, September 1513 --- Lachlan Maclean never wanted to be a soldier. Guilt ridden and blaming himself for his father's death when he refused to kill an enemy, he sought to restore his honor by taking the place of his brother Rory and standing at the side of King James to battle the English. Fighting valiantly and severely wounded Lachlan was cut down, pinned beneath his horse.

As the widow of an English reiver after his untimely death, Kimbra Charleton supported herself and daughter by joining with her husbands thieving family in scavenging the dead of their valuables. Instructed to kill any Scots still breathing, Kimbra hesitated after noting the fine Scots plaid and jeweled brooch of the injured soldier. Assuming him to be a noble and ripe for ransoming, she planned to restore him to health and ransom him for herself and daughter. When after some days he awoke with no memories of who he was Kimbra was disappointed. Though he presented a danger to both her and her daughter should the Charleton discover him to be a Scot, feelings Kimbra had never felt before and her determination to not let him die compelled her to keep him alive.

Little by little, Lachlan's returning memories were of violence and great sorrow, unfortunately, NOT of who he was. It seemed to be an impossible situation, but the passion both felt just might be the medicine that would heal both their broken lives as Lachlan laid claim to Kimbra's heart.

--- This is an absolutely stunning read, rich in historical details, fast-paced and riveting in suspense as both Lachlan and Kimbra skirted danger as the smoldering attraction between sworn enemies ignited. It's an emotional tale that will leave you with a lump in your throat and a tear or two in your eyes. Potter brings together a cast of new and fascinating characters as well as old friends from the first book (BELOVED IMPOSTER) in this wonderful historically set series of the Maclean family. Stories from Patricia Potter are jewels to treasure - gather some for yourself!

STORY BRIEF:
Lachlan is one of the nobles fighting alongside the Scottish King James. They are just over the border in England fighting King Henry's army. Most of the Scots are killed. Lachlan is wounded. After the battle, the reivers (thieving communities living near the border) go through the dead soldiers to take valuables. Kimbra is a widow trying to support her daughter. One of her duties as part of the community is to take valuables from the soldiers. While there, she discovers Lachlan, and she wants to help him. She covers him with leaves to hide him and returns later with a horse to take him to her cottage. She nurses him back to health, they start to fall in love. Lachlan has amnesia and doesn't know who he is. She coaches him on how to speak and what to say so her community will think he is English. The English king wants all Scots killed. When the Charleton (the leader of the local Charleton clan) learns about Lachlan, he insists that Lachlan stay at his residence/compound in a locked room, until more is known about him. Cedric is the Charleton's evil nephew. Cedric causes conflicts throughout the story. He wants to marry Kimbra and get rid of Lachlan.

REVIEWER'S OPINION:
This was ok as a typical historical romance, but I wasn't pulled in enough emotionally, either by the events or the characters. Throughout the story there was not much of a romantic relationship happening. Most of the time Kimbra and Lachlan were afraid and at risk. They both could be killed if someone learned the truth about what was going on. There was nothing wrong with the story. I just wanted something a little different or that had an interesting effect on me. One event bothered me. Someone discovered Lachlan was a Scot and reported it to the local leader. The author did not explain how this person learned Lachlan was a Scot. It felt like the author couldn't think of anything interesting so she just skipped it and moved on to the next conflict.

DATA:
Story length: 341 pages. Sexual language: none. Number of sex scenes: 2. Total number of sex scene pages: 2. Setting: 1513 along both sides of the English/Scottish border. Copyright: 2006. Genre: Scottish historical romance.

OTHER BOOKS:
To date, I've read one other book by Patricia Potter. My 4.5 star review of "Behind The Shadows" copyright 2008 was posted 1/29/09.

This was the first historical romance from Patricia Potter that I have read (I have read several of her romantic suspense books) and I was pleasantly surprised with it. I have found that although many of the romantic suspense authors started in historical romance, their story-telling there is not as full. This is not the case with Patricia Potter. Beloved Stranger was a good book that I would recommend to anyone looking for a pleasant read on a quiet day.

Lachlan Macclean and Kimbra Charlton are natural enemies with him a Scot and her an Englishman. Their countries are at war and Lachlan's people killed her husband, but neither knows that. Lachlan's memory has fled and all he knows is how much he cares for the young widow and her daughter. Even as Kimbra nurses the injured Scot, he begins to take on an important role in her life, but the past is sure to catch up with him and ruin their seedling of happiness for they live in dangerous times.

*** This emotional read uses many conventional tools of romance in a way that though not completely original is well done. Ms. Potter effectively uses shadows and light to paint word pictures that will linger in your mind. ***

Amanda Killgore

In 1513 guilt-ridden Lachlan Maclean never wanted to become a soldier, but does because he holds himself culpable for the death of his father when he failed to kill an enemy; redemption is what he is willing to die for. He hopes to restore honor lost by replacing his brother at the side of King James in the upcoming battle with the English at Flodden Field. During the skirmish Lachlan fought like a man possessed, but ultimately was wounded and buried underneath his steed.

Widow Kimbra Charleton supports herself and her daughter by scavenging for the values of the war dead along side her late husband's odious family. Her in-laws demand she kill any Scot who remains alive. She finds Lachlan still breathing but wearing a costly plaid and a valuable jeweled brooch so she assumes he is of noble birth. Unable to kill him, Kimbra rationalizes that she will nurture him before ransoming him. However, as he heals, he suffers amnesia, unable to remember his name. Worse she finds that instead of dumping him or informing her in-laws that she houses a Scot so they kill him, she wants her patient like no one ever before not even her late husband.

BELOVED STRANGER, the sequel to the superb BELOVED IMPOSTER, is a fine early sixteenth century romance. The tale stars a beleaguered ethical hero seeking to redeem his honor though amnesia makes him wonder if he has done evil things and a fabulous lioness willing to do anything for her cub except turn in her patient to certain death as she clearly sees he is an honorable soul. The action packed story line moves forward at a fast pace, but it is the lead pairing that drive a fine return to the MacLean clan

Harriet Klausner