Smooth Talkin' Stranger [Mass Market Paperback]

Lorraine Heath (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 30, 2004

USA Today bestselling author Lorraine Heath pens the simmering story of two star-crossed souls who find a passionate love under the expansive Texas sky.

Serena Hamilton has never had a one-night stand, but the supreme loneliness she feels after the loss of her husband drives her to a bar and into the arms of a sexy stranger. Afterward, she's racked by guilt...or at least she knows she should be. But there's something about her one-time lover that makes her think they may share more than just out-of-control chemistry.

Hunter Fletcher isn't a commitment kind of guy, but the woman he meets at the honky-tonk stirs a new kind of longing. A covert operative for the CIA, Hunter carries his share of secrets. But when they intersect with Serena's tragic past, he fears she won't want to know the truth...or that once she does, the only woman he's ever loved will leave him forever.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

With this sweetly simple contemporary romance, Heath abandons the historical Wild West setting her fans have come to love, but she hasn't forsaken her beloved home state of Texas. Like Heath's first contemporary outing, Hard Lovin' Man, this book takes place in Hopeful, a little town chock-full of charm. After spending just one night with beautiful single mom Serena Hamilton, CIA agent Hunter Fletcher realizes that he'd like to spend many more nights with her. This realization may raise some readers' eyebrows, especially given Hunter's fear of both relationships and commitment, but there's no denying that the attraction between the two is mutual. When a baby results from their brief affair, they decide to try to build a life together. However, they must first learn to trust each other. For Hunter, that means coming clean about his past association with Serena's late husband. Heath's prose is smooth and evocative, and her characters are refreshingly down to earth. But the big secret on which the protagonists' relationship hinges feels contrived. Be that as it may, Heath is such a master at her craft that she still manages to wrap readers up in the daily dramas of her characters' lives.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

The second in a trilogy that began with Hard Lovin' Man (2003) is also set in Hopeful, Texas, and features Serena Hamilton, the widow of the hero's best friend in book one. Her mother has just died, and she's come home to help her father while still grieving for her husband. Feeling especially lonely, she stops at a bar, which is something she never does, and goes home with a stranger, another first. Hunter Fletcher, an operative for the CIA, is secretive by both nature and training. He knows Serena's special, but he can't bring himself to open up to her. Between his reluctance to share a past that might drive her away and guilt on both their parts, their relationship looks doomed. Then they find out their first encounter resulted in more than just a lot of enjoyment. Happily, the best-selling author of such popular historicals as Texas Destiny (1997) and Texas Glory (1998) successfully brings her strong characterizations and emotionally engaging plots to contemporary romance. Shelley Mosley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Pocket Star (March 30, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743457455
• ISBN-13: 978-0743457453
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,231,348 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lorraine Heath always dreamed of being a writer. After graduating from the University of Texas, she wrote training manuals, press releases for a publicist, articles, and computer code, but something was always missing. In 1990, she read a romance novel and became not only hooked on the genre, but quickly realized what her writing lacked: rebels, scoundrels, and rogues. She's been writing about them ever since, for both adult and young adult readers (as Rachel Hawthorne). Her work has been recognized with numerous industry awards including RWA's RITA(R), a HOLT medallion, a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award, three Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Awards, and several Texas Gold Awards. Her novels have appeared on bestseller lists, including USA Today, Waldenbooks, and most recently, the New York Times.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well Done, Ms. Heath., April 11, 2004

By 

MaryGrace Meloche (Ontario, Canada.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Smooth Talkin' Stranger (Mass Market Paperback)

Lorraine Heath writes a straightforward, enthusiastic page turner in "Smooth Talkin' Stranger." From the beginning, I devoured this heartening storyline and I truly regretted the final page when it arrived.

As a widow, Serena Hamilton lives a lonely life, raising her young son alone. As a government agent, Hunter Fletcher lives a lonely life, existing only on the outer edges. Two lonely people who intersect in a bar and spend the night together in fiery passion. Two people who cannot ignore the heat of that night. Using this power of passion, Heath pens a touching story about two strangers accepting life's fate.

The book flows with a loving essence. Hunter Fletcher is an isolated man, the product of a violent childhood, the man has no starting point from which to build. He views Serena as the essential Adoration Goddess. This beautiful woman overflows with tenderness, devotion, and love as she deals with her son and her father. Understandably, Hunter Fletcher is terrified of Serena's angelic world - a world for which he yearns.

Again Lorraine Heath bewitches this reader. When it comes to creating heartwarming and heart wrenching stories brimming with penetrating emotion, sensuality and humor, this author knows no bounds. This is a splendid book. I can hardly wait, for the next installment, in the Hard Lovin' trilogy. Good work Ms. Heath.

Grace Atkinson, Ontario - Canada.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Oh just loved this book, June 15, 2004

By 

Judy "book reader" (Cincinnati, ohio United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Smooth Talkin' Stranger (Mass Market Paperback)

Serena Hamilton is helping her dad deal with the loss of her mother. Serena herself had lost her spouse 6 years ago and with this new loss sends her out to a bar to forget for a while. She wakes up the next day in bed with a stranger. Hunter Fletcher is like no other man she has ever known. Serena realizes this man has to many secrets but she keeps coming back to him.

Hunter Fletcher has never let anyone get close to him. This woman he has just met will not get out of his mind or his heart. Hunter has always kept things close to himself, for with his job with the CIA he can trust no one. He is struggling with how far to let Serena into his life.

Lorraine Heath writes a tale of deep-seated passion that leads to a love of a lifetime. Serena and Hunter have such amazing chemistry and a connection it make you route for them to make it for the long haul.

I am so glad my good friend Melissa told me to read these books. Thanks

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Smooth Talkin' Stranger is Smooth Reading, August 24, 2004

By 

Sandra J. Blair "Sandy Blair" (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Smooth Talkin' Stranger (Mass Market Paperback)

If you've not read USA Today best-selling author Lorraine Heath you're in for a treat. This contemporary love story is a smooth, powerful, character-driven book without gimmacks. It's beautifully written, engaging, and well worth the money. I highly recommend it.