Customer Reviews

Dark Stranger (Severn House Historical Romance Series)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ms. Graham proves once again that she's a master of Civil War fiction with "Dark Stranger." Set against a usually-ignored theater of the war - Missouri - this novel seethes with sexual tension as well as the dark horror of the war. Missouri suffered the ravages of Quantrill's raiders and Lane's butchers, and Graham's heroine is caught in the crossfire. Graham easily achieves the usually-impossible task of creating a sympathetic hero from the nearly-savage and ruthless Cole by painting a vivid picture of the personal suffering so many men and women experienced in this war, and embodies the desperation of the women left to survive alone in heroine Kristin.

Ms. Graham's knowledge of the period is flawless and she blends history seamlessly into her story. Refreshing to see Civil War fiction that wasn't either sloppily researched, overpowering in detail, or overly burdened with attempts to be politically correct.

Bravo, Ms. Graham. Also recommend her "One Wore Blue" and "One Wore Gray."

Heard of the saying "timing is everything"? Well, his sure was.
Kristin McCahy was struggling to hold her family and land together out west while the battles of the Civil War were still taking place in the north and south. The families in Missiouri and Kansas were having their own wars with John Brown supports coming through ravishing the land and killing when the Union supports weren't around and visa-versa. Kristin had already lost her papa when a group came through killing and burning. Then her brother left to go fight on the Union side. So her sister and she were trying to hold things down on the ranch until her brother came back when a group of riders came by determined to rape her and destroy the homeplace. And then along came Cole Slater riding by. All it took was his sharp shootin' to change the minds of the riders but a threat was left as they rode off that they would be back. Now Kristin was going to have to convince Cole to stick around to give them protection. But when Kristin gave Cole a proposition- Cole told her it was going to be his way or no way... So how does marriage come into play? I'll let you discover that.

It's a great story. HG doesn't let her readers down. Cole is mysterious and leads the reader to want to know more about him. The passion that is between him and Kristin is strong- along with the relationship Kristin has with her sister and then brother and the relationship between Cole and his 2 brothers really adds to the story. The reader won't be disappointed. I really enjoyed and highly suggest it! Now I am looking for Rides A Hero.

I loved this book, I will definitely have to read the book(s) related to it. The characters were well-written, if not a little over-bearing in Cole's case. That was my only problem with the book, he wanted things HIS way with no room for compromise, but at least he leared. Highly recommend this book, especially if you already enjoy Graham's books!!!

Cole Slater is out for revenge and nothing is going to stop him.

That is until he saves and meets Kristin McCahy.

Zeke Moreau is a killer and rapist of the worst kind. He enjoys their pain. And he wants Kristin and he doesn't like being spurned, especially in front of his men.

Kristin and her sister hated Zeke because he and his gang had murdered their father, Gabriel McCahy.

She knew that she had to protect her 17 year old sister, Shannon from the maurading men. Even though she was only 18 herself. [Both girls were accurate shots and well trained in the use of guns.]

Her brother, Matthew had taken off and joined the Union Army. She was bound and determined to hold onto their ranch for Matthew no matter what it took. To help her was the freed slaves of her father, Samson and Delilah and their small child.

Cole knew that he had to move on before the trail got cold but maybe he could stop for a day or two and get a good meal. And this beautiful blonde gal was willing to make a proposition. Yup! he was willing to accept, but it would be by his rules.

With all their fighting and arguing it sure took them quite a while to figure out that they loved one another.

And the only way Cole could get Quantrill to rein in Zeke was to marry Kristin. Quantrill promised Cole that the McCahy girls would have his protection.

Then the Union Army stepped in.

The second part titled "The Lover" was a bit dragged out with all the emotional hang-ups before we began to see some real action again. Ah, but then Cole had to leave and so he called in his brothers, Malachi and Jamie who was only 20 years old. Never did get a take on Malachi's age.

All of this action starts in the summer of 1862.

Cole had a definite problem when he found out that Kristin had born him a son and not told him she was pregnant.

When he found Fitz he brought more trouble on himself and his brothers and of course his wife and sister-in-law.

This is an excellent story except for the dragging spots of the seductions, when I want action of the breath-stopping kind. Danger and romance go together but not prolonged emotional hang-ups. She just jumps in with both feet and hang the consequences.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED [M] Shannon and Malachi's story follow in RIDES A HERO [1865] with Jamie's story follows that in APACHE SUMMER [1870]. Happy reading!

This book for me was a turn on I LOVE the story line the dark stranger and the plot of it. I thought Cole was sexy strong breathtaking and just a good man, Kristin is a lovable heroine doing what she has to do for her family.. Great love scenes and i think if you like historical romance novels (civil war) then this is for you and the thing is i'm not much of a civil war romance person....

Not really a review except to say that I did enjoy the book-but more to answer the question, Yes there are actually 2 books-(two brothers)! These are reprints-she just recently-about a year ago released a book called "Summer Fires" which actually was a 3-in-1 and covered the entire series! Happy reading.

I loved this book! I did not want it to end. The characters Kristin and Cole really come to life. Great romance, I really felt as if I were there. I would love to read the next book in this series.

If you love civil war historicals as I do you'll love this one.

As soon as I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down. Heather Grahm beautifully creates these unforgettable characters that you fall in love with. I could read this book a dozen times and never get tired of it.

Reading an immediate love scene before any romantic tension is created always makes me feel like I'm outside of the story. It had potential, but I just didn't dig it.