Title: Come Love a Stranger
Author: Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
First published January 1, 1980
501 pages, Mass Market Paperback
ISBN: 9780380899364 (ISBN10: 0380899361)
Rating: 3.94
Overview
A woman wakes up with no recollection of her past or her identity, only to be claimed by two men who call her by different names. One of them is fueled by love, while the other is shrouded in fear.
In this gripping tale of passion and secrets, the woman finds herself torn between the two men who hold her heart. When she is taken in by the caring Ashton Wingate, she cannot help but feel drawn to him.
However, her newfound happiness is threatened by the arrival of Malcolm Sinclair, who claims that the woman is his wife, Lenore. Ashton, determined not to lose her again, risks everything to protect the woman he loves.
The truth of her past may be revealed, but their love will endure in the face of any danger. Come Love a Stranger is a captivating story of lost love and a miraculous second chance, written by the incomparable storyteller, Kathleen E.
Woodiwiss.
About the Author
Kathleen Erin Hogg was born on June 3, 1939 in Alexandria, Louisiana. She was the youngest of eight siblings born to Gladys and Charles Wingrove Hogg, a disabled World War I veteran.
Since she was a child, Kathleen enjoyed creating original stories and would tell herself bedtime stories at night.
When she was 16, Kathleen met Ross Eugene Woodiwiss, a U.S. Air Force Second Lieutenant, at a dance and they got married the following year.
While living at a military outpost in Japan, Kathleen wrote her first book in longhand.
Kathleen is known for creating the modern historical romance novel.
In 1972, she published The Flame and the Flower, which became an instant bestseller in the New York Times and set a new literary precedent. The novel changed mainstream publishing, featuring an epic historical romance with a strong heroine and passionate sex scenes.
Despite being rejected by agents and hardcover publishers for being “too long,” Kathleen submitted it to paperback publishers. Avon, the first publisher on her list, quickly purchased the novel and arranged an initial 500,000 print run.
The Flame and the Flower sold over 2.3 million copies in its first four years of publication. The success of The Flame and the Flower led to a new style of romance writing, focusing on historical fiction that followed the monogamous relationship between a helpless heroine and the hero who saved her, even if he was the one who put her in danger.
The romance novels that followed Kathleen’s example featured longer plots, more controversial situations and characters, and more intimate and steamy sex scenes. Kathleen was an enthusiastic horse rider and lived in a large home on 55 acres in Minnesota.
After her husband’s death in 1996, she moved back to Louisiana. Kathleen passed away from cancer on July 6, 2007, in a hospital in Princeton, Minnesota, at the age of 68.
She is survived by two sons, Sean and Heath, their wives, and numerous grandchildren. Unfortunately, her third son, Dorren, predeceased her.
Editoral Review
Kathleen E. Woodiwiss’ Come Love a Stranger is a timeless romance novel filled with passion, intrigue, and suspense.
First published in 1980, this novel has stood the test of time and continues to captivate readers with its enchanting story and well-developed characters. As one of the most celebrated authors in the romance genre, Woodiwiss’ writing offers a perfect balance of sensuality, story, and depth.
In this novel, we meet the protagonist, Skye, a young woman with a troubled past who is running away from her demons. Skye is forced to marry a stranger named Brandon, a wealthy landowner, to save her father’s business.
As expected, the two initially struggle to find love and understanding, but as they spend more time together, they begin to develop a deeper connection. However, as Skye’s secrets and Brandon’s business dealings begin to reveal themselves, they are faced with numerous obstacles that threaten their newly formed relationship.
Set against a backdrop of the rolling hills of Pennsylvania, Come Love a Stranger is a novel that not only charms its readers with its story but also provides interesting historical and cultural significance. The novel provides a vivid portrayal of life in the nineteenth century along with a glimpse of the difficulties faced by American women during that time.
The novel is impressive with its descriptive writing, character development, and strong pacing. Woodiwiss paints a vivid picture of the setting and the characters that readers can easily visualize.
She also excels in developing the characters, bringing them to life with their unique eccentricities, personalities, and emotions. The pacing of the story is perfect, making it easy for readers to stay engaged throughout the book.
However, some readers may find that Come Love a Stranger moves too slowly, although it is a trait common in historical romance novels. Additionally, some of the conflicts and twists in the book may not seem as shocking compared to contemporary stories.
Nevertheless, this does not detract from the book’s overall appeal and does not take away from the beauty of Woodiwiss’ writing. In conclusion, Kathleen E.
Woodiwiss’ Come Love a Stranger is a well-written, entertaining, and captivating novel for anyone who loves romance and history. The book’s eloquent writing, vivid characters, familial bonds, and hidden pasts make it a recommended read for both newcomers to the genre and long-time romance enthusiasts.
This timeless classic deserves a 4.5 out of 5 rating for its impressive storytelling, engagement factor, and its ability to transport readers to another time and place.
