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

2003-04-25 A justifying conclusion of the Rogues of Regent Street

"The Beautiful Stranger" is a satisfying finish of this masterfully written historical trilogy taking place in early 19th century Scotland and England. Arthur Christian, the untitled son of the Duke of Sutherland is one of the notoriously scandalous four Rogues of Regent Street with a shocking reputation among the ton. After the tragic death of one of their childhood friends the remaining three rogues change their attitude to life and vow to take care of each other better.Arthur is a world-weary bored aristocrat full of regrets and guilt who cannot find his place in society. An unfinished business takes him to Scotland and in a way he is glad to get away from London and his matchmaking family. He encounters attractive Kerry McKinnon who is a poor farmer's widow and who mistakes him for a highwayman. They are forced to spend considerable time together on the roads of Scotland and they fall under each other's charming spell. Kerry is a desperate hard-working and very responsible young woman who doesn't know much about love but she cannot resist the deep sensuality emanating from the most attractive man she has ever met. Arthur is strongly pulled to this beautiful woman who doesn't know how to flirt but who makes a man desperately fall in love with her wanting to protect her forever.Their love grows from day to day and so does their heartache and despair. Not only their social backgrounds are totally different but their many unsolved mysteries too. Ms. London's writing is so realistic that the reader wonders how well she must know her characters to draw us so deeply into their lives, hearts and souls. Kerry's and Arthur's fight for happiness makes us strongly believe in love that conquers all obstacles and social standing. I loved the duo's growing understanding for each other's needs and Kerry's strong honourable will to sacrifice her happiness for justice to others. The novel contains some criminal elements, which are very realistic and convincing for the time period. The love scenes are full of longing, passion and tasteful sensuality.
THE BEAUTIFUL STRANGER is a compelling historical romance dealing with powerful emotions like love, guilt, friendship and loyalty with deep satisfaction. I wish the story would continue and warmly recommend it to all readers who appreciate a high standard in their reads.