[.ca] The Beautiful Stranger: The Rogues of Regent Street (ISBN 0440236908)

From Amazon.co.uk:
In Julia London's The Beautiful Stranger a pretty Scottish widow Kerry MacKinnon 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 the quiet rural life she lives. Kerry is desperate to save her debt-ridden glen home and struggles to find a way to pay the overdue mortgage and outwit the lecherous neighbour 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 honourable people, the sum total is a novel with all the elements necessary for a thoroughly absorbing historical romance.--Lois Faye Dyer, Amazon.com

Wonderful Story:
I loved this book.. It is actually the third in a series called the Rogue's of Regent Stret. (the first two are Dangerous Gentleman, and Ruthless Charmer) The first two were good, bu the third was wonderful! The two characters acknowledge their love reltively early in the book, and the reader is able to enjoy their love and experience the tensions and trials along with them. The class conflict and battle to overcome it was realistic and well-done. Worth a read!

Love is all around in this novel:
I don't believe it possible NOT to fall in love with Arthur Christian (the hero). Arthur is a noble man with no pretense in anything he does. His kindness and sincerity was portrayed exceptionally well, keeping the realistic human behaviour well in check. His boldness in proclaiming his love for Kerry (heroine) is in such a way that when you finish with the book, you would sit there and reflect on the words Arthur spoke throughout the book and the many things he did for Kerry. Kerry McKinnon was written extremely well too! She is one of my favorite heroines now. Here is a lady who knew exactly what she wanted and never paused in showing her love and her true thoughts to our hero. In many romance novels, the hero would be the instigator in most intimate moments, yet in "A Beautiful Stranger" Kerry knew where she stood and was not afraid to go to Arthur in many circumstances during the story. "A Beautiful Stranger" was the perfect finale for the "Rogues of Regent Street" series. I don't want to let on too much here so I'll simply say that the plot is quite far off from the average regency romance that you get and it was done perfectly! To support the story through...to bring it across to the end, the friendship between the Rogues (and you will be touched by it, especially Adrian's part) play an important role, plus the many characters around the couple make this book unforgettable!

Great Series Conclusion:
The last of the unmarried Rogues, Arthur Christian, the untitled son of the Duke of Sutherland, is attempting to make reparations for his misspent youth - bored and still blaming himself for not having done more to prevent Lord Phillip's death. Now, three years later, Phillip's father barges into a soirée, hosted by Arthur, demanding that he clear up a bad investment he neglected to steer Phillip away from which added further dishonor to his memory. The request would take Arthur to Scotland and the most enchantingly down to earth female he had ever met. The widow, Kerry MacKinnon, was a beautiful and loving woman who had spent the last seven years caring for her sickly husband. He had died not quite a year ago and try as she might to keep what was left of the clan MacKinnon together at Glenbaden, the days mail had brought about the straw that would be breaking the camel's back. She is desperate to save her home from ruin and travels to Perth to try to find a way to pay back the debt. After several mishaps with Kerry, accidently shooting Arthur, they find themselves stranded together on the road and have to hike through the Scottish highlands to try to get back to Glenbaden. Arthur, always the gentleman, does get her back home with neither realizing that he was the one that initiated the eviction that is forcing her from her land. While waiting to complete his business, he stays in Glenbaden, helping Kerry with the mundane chores of keeping up the property and gains a deep appreciation for the land, the people, and especially for Kerry, whose strength and lack of artifice is so enchanting to him. Kerry has by this time fallen thoroughly in love with Arthur, and Arthur has yet to realize that what he feels for Kerry is love. Through a tragic event, Kerry is forced to flee Scotland with Arthur. I really enjoyed this story. They were from two totally different worlds - she the widow of a Scots farmer and he the son of powerful Duke. He quite optimistically thinks that because of his standing, the ton will accept her. Even though their completely different backgrounds could never condone a marriage, he just knows that he really cannot live without her, and he proceeds to try to shape her into someone else. It was Kerry who realized that though they loved one another, his world was not one that she could live in. I really liked the fact that she could see what Arthur could not and though it broke her heart, she was strong enough to stand by her principles. She left Arthur, fleeing back to Scotland to save her cousin, from the crime she had committed in self defense, and possibly lose her own life in the process. It was finally the reality of losing her so completely that brought Arthur to realize what was really important to him and what really mattered if only he would not be too late! This was an absolutely wonderful story written with enormous feeling that just draws you in from the very beginning. You will find yourself really living this story and rooting for the good guys.

Great Series Conclusion:
The last of the unmarried Rogues, Arthur Christian, the untitled son of the Duke of Sutherland, is attempting to make reparations for his misspent youth - bored and still blaming himself for not having done more to prevent Lord Phillip's death. Now, three years later, Phillip's father barges into a soirée, hosted by Arthur, demanding that he clear up a bad investment he neglected to steer Phillip away from which added further dishonor to his memory. The request would take Arthur to Scotland and the most enchantingly down to earth female he had ever met. The widow, Kerry MacKinnon, was a beautiful and loving woman who had spent the last seven years caring for her sickly husband. He had died not quite a year ago and try as she might to keep what was left of the clan MacKinnon together at Glenbaden, the days mail had brought about the straw that would be breaking the camel's back. She is desperate to save her home from ruin and travels to Perth to try to find a way to pay back the debt. After several mishaps with Kerry, accidently shooting Arthur, they find themselves stranded together on the road and have to hike through the Scottish highlands to try to get back to Glenbaden. Arthur, always the gentleman, does get her back home with neither realizing that he was the one that initiated the eviction that is forcing her from her land. While waiting to complete his business, he stays in Glenbaden, helping Kerry with the mundane chores of keeping up the property and gains a deep appreciation for the land, the people, and especially for Kerry, whose strength and lack of artifice is so enchanting to him. Kerry has by this time fallen thoroughly in love with Arthur, and Arthur has yet to realize that what he feels for Kerry is love. Through a tragic event, Kerry is forced to flee Scotland with Arthur. I really enjoyed this story. They were from two totally different worlds - she the widow of a Scots farmer and he the son of powerful Duke. He quite optimistically thinks that because of his standing, the ton will accept her. Even though their completely different backgrounds could never condone a marriage, he just knows that he really cannot live without her, and he proceeds to try to shape her into someone else. It was Kerry who realized that though they loved one another, his world was not one that she could live in. I really liked the fact that she could see what Arthur could not and though it broke her heart, she was strong enough to stand by her principles. She left Arthur, fleeing back to Scotland to save her cousin, from the crime she had committed in self defense, and possibly lose her own life in the process. It was finally the reality of losing her so completely that brought Arthur to realize what was really important to him and what really mattered if only he would not be too late! This was an absolutely wonderful story written with enormous feeling that just draws you in from the very beginning. You will find yourself really living this story and rooting for the good guys.

Give this book a miss!!!:
The first and second books from Julia London were fabulous. But this third book was a total disappointment! Basically the story revolves around Arthur Christian, one of the Rouges of Regent Street. He had his heart shattered before by a lady due to the fact that he does not have a title. He made his way to Scotland to help to clear his deceased friend's name. And here comes along Kerry McKinnon, a widow of a farmer. So predictably, they fell in love and something happened (which I'm not going to tell you) which causes Kerry to flee to England with Arthur. And as you all know the hero saves the day in the end. Now here are the problems. Firstly, I first started reading the book it got off to a slow start. It really did not give the reader any interest to carry on reading and to get to the end. Secondly, Arthur as stated in the previous 2 books is supposed to be the sensible one, the one that is acute with the matters of the heart. NOT! He only does what he think is right and does not care about Kerry's opinion. Thirdly, this book has a lot of sickening drama, the courtroom, and the travel. It just seems to go nowhere. Lastly, the ending! Oh my god the ending! It was dragging on and on and on. I wanted to throw this book against the wall in frustration! Don't get me wrong; Julia London is a great author! I loved Dangerous Gentleman, adored Ruthless Charmer and never forgetting The Devil's Love. But trust me you can give this book a miss!!