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Beloved Trilogy #2
Beloved Stranger
With Beloved Impostor, a novel "wrought with emotion, tender in its telling, and heart-wrenching in its beauty" (The Best Reviews), bestselling author Patricia Potter launched a trilogy of three Scottish brothers bound by a dark destiny. Now, she returns with the story of Lachlan Maclean, a man who has lost his past and faces an uncertain present of peril and an impossible love.
Once Kimbra Charlton rode side by side with her bandit husband. But after his untimely death, she has lived at the mercy of his thieving clan. To protect her daughter and keep her home, she must follow their wishes, even if it means scavenging from the bodies of the dead on a battlefield. But when she comes across a wounded Scottish warrior, she cannot leave him to die...
Unable to remember anything about his past, Lachlan Maclean is haunted by fleeting images of violence and betrayal even as he is nursed by the spirited English widow, who hides him in her cottage and heals his wounds. The feelings that Kimbra stirs in his broken soul give him the will to survive. And though Lachlan is her sworn enemy, Kimbra slowly warms to his quiet strength. But a Scotsman killed her beloved husband—how can another claim her heart?
Once Kimbra Charlton rode side by side with her bandit husband. But after his untimely death, she has lived at the mercy of his thieving clan. To protect her daughter and keep her home, she must follow their wishes, even if it means scavenging from the bodies of the dead on a battlefield. But when she comes across a wounded Scottish warrior, she cannot leave him to die...
Unable to remember anything about his past, Lachlan Maclean is haunted by fleeting images of violence and betrayal even as he is nursed by the spirited English widow, who hides him in her cottage and heals his wounds. The feelings that Kimbra stirs in his broken soul give him the will to survive. And though Lachlan is her sworn enemy, Kimbra slowly warms to his quiet strength. But a Scotsman killed her beloved husband—how can another claim her heart?
341 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 7, 2006
17 people are currently reading
156 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 6, 2019
I really enjoy this book. It’s the 2nd or 3rd time I read it. Patricia Potter is a good author and is one of my new favorite authors for highland romances, historical western romances, and contemporary romantic suspense. This book is very good at setting the moral dilemmas in the time of uncertainty in the border regions of England and Scotland and the strife between the two countries. The book is adapt at describing the actual horrors of war in that time period and what some had to do to survive(such as scouring battlefields afterwards and looting the dead people). It also shows, unlike today, a single mother has few options not only in how to survive and support her child/children...but also few options over a choice in her future. It shows the distinct class lines between noble and the underclass. Just loved the H&H. I find of the three brothers in this series, I like Lachlan’s story the best and always end up reading it first...then after I finish book 1, I reread it again. I love that our heroine is very strong and able to eek out a living in the borderlands. Love her dog bear and how she also loves her horse, chickens and cow. Highly recommend this book, author and series.
October 9, 2014
Uma boa leitura com personagens cativantes, bons diálogos e uma menininha que conquista logo de cara...
June 8, 2022
It’s a familiar story, but an entertaining read just the same. I definitely feel like I came across this at the right time after reading a string of bad books. Reading this felt more like a comfort blanket. The pov is primarily from our two main couples, but occasionally you get a pov from another character as the plot dictates. This definitely is not as confusing as I’m making it sound. Our heroine is a single parent to a sweet little girl thanks to her widowhood. I felt the contented beauty of every moment our couple spent together. It also reached a point in the story where I got frustrated with it all lol. But I was holding my breath for this hero because I wanted him to make it across the border safely. I was definitely invested in the outcome.
February 24, 2021
Lachlan and Kimbra’s story and the second book in a trilogy. Lachlan is a character that is so lovable and Kimbra is a widow with an amazing young daughter. She is a strong lead female character that was even more endearing as the book went on. Definitely complimented the first book and it was wonderful to get tidbits throughout the book on how the first book’s couple was doing. Can’t wait to see where book 3 goes. Definitely worth picking up the trilogy and escaping into this well written story.
November 13, 2022
4.5⭐️ This definitely exceeded all of my expectations! I really liked Kimbra’s character. She was so strong and independent but vulnerable and caring at the same time. Lachlan was great too! I loved how unique his character was. He didn’t want to be a warrior but felt like he had too. Such a fun read.
January 10, 2021
I actually... liked it? Found in my junior high bookshelf. It could very well be a reread, though it's not exactly original. But as far as romance novels go, not once did this piss me off. Debating about keeping or donating.
February 21, 2021
This was probably the first "romance" book I ever bought, and kept it stashed away in secret when I was in junior high, lol. Reread it, and am agonizing over to keep or to donate. On one hand, unmemorable. Just like any romance book ever. But it was also nice.
March 15, 2025
Such a sympathetic leading lady, kind and trustworthy as well as a great healer.
September 28, 2010
2.5 stars. Typical Scottish historical. Not different enough to stand out from the rest. Not enough emotional appeal.
STORY BRIEF:
Lachlan is one of the nobles fighting alongside the Scottish King James. They are just over the border in England fighting King Henry’s army. Most of the Scots are killed. Lachlan is wounded. After the battle, the reivers (thieving communities living near the border) go through the dead soldiers to take valuables. Kimbra is a widow trying to support her daughter. One of her duties as part of the community is to take valuables from the soldiers. While there, she discovers Lachlan, and she wants to help him. She covers him with leaves to hide him and returns later with a horse to take him to her cottage. She nurses him back to health, they start to fall in love. Lachlan has amnesia and doesn’t know who he is. She coaches him on how to speak and what to say so her community will think he is English. The English king wants all Scots killed. When the Charleton (the leader of the local Charleton clan) learns about Lachlan, he insists that Lachlan stay at his residence/compound in a locked room, until more is known about him. Cedric is the Charleton’s evil nephew. Cedric causes conflicts throughout the story. He wants to marry Kimbra and get rid of Lachlan.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
This was ok as a typical historical romance, but I wasn’t pulled in enough emotionally, either by the events or the characters. Throughout the story there was not much of a romantic relationship happening. Most of the time Kimbra and Lachlan were afraid and at risk. They both could be killed if someone learned the truth about what was going on. There was nothing wrong with the story. I just wanted something a little different or that had an interesting effect on me. One event bothered me. Someone discovered Lachlan was a Scot and reported it to the local leader. The author did not explain how this person learned Lachlan was a Scot. It felt like the author couldn’t think of anything interesting so she just skipped it and moved on to the next conflict.
DATA:
Story length: 341 pages. Sexual language: none. Number of sex scenes: 2. Total number of sex scene pages: 2. Setting: 1513 along both sides of the English/Scottish border. Copyright: 2006. Genre: Scottish historical romance.
OTHER BOOKS:
To date, I’ve read one other book by Patricia Potter. My 4.5 star review of “Behind The Shadows” copyright 2008 was posted 1/29/09.
STORY BRIEF:
Lachlan is one of the nobles fighting alongside the Scottish King James. They are just over the border in England fighting King Henry’s army. Most of the Scots are killed. Lachlan is wounded. After the battle, the reivers (thieving communities living near the border) go through the dead soldiers to take valuables. Kimbra is a widow trying to support her daughter. One of her duties as part of the community is to take valuables from the soldiers. While there, she discovers Lachlan, and she wants to help him. She covers him with leaves to hide him and returns later with a horse to take him to her cottage. She nurses him back to health, they start to fall in love. Lachlan has amnesia and doesn’t know who he is. She coaches him on how to speak and what to say so her community will think he is English. The English king wants all Scots killed. When the Charleton (the leader of the local Charleton clan) learns about Lachlan, he insists that Lachlan stay at his residence/compound in a locked room, until more is known about him. Cedric is the Charleton’s evil nephew. Cedric causes conflicts throughout the story. He wants to marry Kimbra and get rid of Lachlan.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
This was ok as a typical historical romance, but I wasn’t pulled in enough emotionally, either by the events or the characters. Throughout the story there was not much of a romantic relationship happening. Most of the time Kimbra and Lachlan were afraid and at risk. They both could be killed if someone learned the truth about what was going on. There was nothing wrong with the story. I just wanted something a little different or that had an interesting effect on me. One event bothered me. Someone discovered Lachlan was a Scot and reported it to the local leader. The author did not explain how this person learned Lachlan was a Scot. It felt like the author couldn’t think of anything interesting so she just skipped it and moved on to the next conflict.
DATA:
Story length: 341 pages. Sexual language: none. Number of sex scenes: 2. Total number of sex scene pages: 2. Setting: 1513 along both sides of the English/Scottish border. Copyright: 2006. Genre: Scottish historical romance.
OTHER BOOKS:
To date, I’ve read one other book by Patricia Potter. My 4.5 star review of “Behind The Shadows” copyright 2008 was posted 1/29/09.
June 2, 2024
Kimbra Charlton was unlike the other women of her acquaintance. Kimbra is daring and once rode with her late husband on raids and their short time together was precious and then once she had given birth to her daughter, her child became her priority. When her husband is killed, she is at the mercy of their clan and her husband’s cousin Cedric who would rule their home with abuse. Desperate to keep feeding her daughter, she goes with others to Scavenge from the dead from a recent battle. While searching, she finds a live injured man, who is Scottish. She can’t bear to have him killed so she secretly brings him back to her home, a man that doesn’t have any memory of who he is or where he has come from. As Kimbra starts to aid Lachlan into healing, she knows that despite their feelings for each other, she doesn’t know how they could be together. She is English and he is a Scot, but can she give her heart to a man that may abandon her when she needs him most?
Beloved Stranger is the second book in the trilogy, and I have just started reading books from this author, and have fallen in love with her writing style. When I started reading this I didn’t know what to expect, especially since I loved the first book. Once I started reading Beloved Stranger I literally couldn’t put this one down, and I didn’t, not once. I was so involved in the story, I refused to go to bed until I found out what happened, and boy was I satisfied by the ending. The story is riveting from the beginning, and I loved seeing these two together. Kimbra is a fighter, and I loved seeing her ingenuity with the circumstances she is put in. I really was charmed by her little girl, that had me wrapped around her finger, definitely made me want to have a child just like her, she was very endearing. Lachlan was the perfect hero. He was caring, protective, and loving. I loved how he treated Kimbra and Audra. And once he gains his memory, he becomes even more hero worthy in my book. I enjoyed seeing these characters interact with one another, and I loved how powerful their connection is to each other.
Overall a outstanding romance that won my heart! Beloved Stranger is a powerful and riveting story that flows with emotion and vivid detail, with distinctive characters, a compelling blend of desire, danger and historic detail. A ENCHANTING PAGE TURNER!!!
Beloved Stranger is the second book in the trilogy, and I have just started reading books from this author, and have fallen in love with her writing style. When I started reading this I didn’t know what to expect, especially since I loved the first book. Once I started reading Beloved Stranger I literally couldn’t put this one down, and I didn’t, not once. I was so involved in the story, I refused to go to bed until I found out what happened, and boy was I satisfied by the ending. The story is riveting from the beginning, and I loved seeing these two together. Kimbra is a fighter, and I loved seeing her ingenuity with the circumstances she is put in. I really was charmed by her little girl, that had me wrapped around her finger, definitely made me want to have a child just like her, she was very endearing. Lachlan was the perfect hero. He was caring, protective, and loving. I loved how he treated Kimbra and Audra. And once he gains his memory, he becomes even more hero worthy in my book. I enjoyed seeing these characters interact with one another, and I loved how powerful their connection is to each other.
Overall a outstanding romance that won my heart! Beloved Stranger is a powerful and riveting story that flows with emotion and vivid detail, with distinctive characters, a compelling blend of desire, danger and historic detail. A ENCHANTING PAGE TURNER!!!
September 5, 2013
Patricia Potter weaves a very touching story of love and sacrifice. The love that blossoms between the hero and heroine is set amidst turbulent, historical times. The author uses the brutality of real events in a war torn country where inhabitants survive the savagery of everyday life by ignoring their consciences and living by the barbaric rules of "survival of the fittest." Within this hopeless setting, compassion, caring, and love blooms. Not all humanity is crushed and true strength is found hiding behind the weakest faces. Disregarding boundaries, culture, and longstanding loyalties a love flourishes in the least likely place. The reader cannot help but admire the characters brought to life in this romance. They are real enough to be anyone's next door neighbor. Still, within the true tragedies of life, the "happily ever after" dries our tears at the end. Although not the fast paced, highly passionate, erotic love-story I usually gravitate toward, Ms. Potter kept me turning pages and thoroughly involved. A strong 3.5-stars and recommended for those who love romances that tug at the heart strings.
May 26, 2012
I loved this book the first time I read it. And I still love it after reading it three times. This book brings you back to the wars between Scotland and England, the border skirmishes, and rivalry of the clans. It brings in the tedious ways of life, especially for a widow. I loved the gentle, trusting nature of Lachlan. The ending is great. Definitely a great read to pass between intense books. It's like a spoil myself because it is a "pleasure" read rather than a stimulating read. I have read this book only, so far. I plan to pick up the others as soon as possible.
January 14, 2013
Flodden Field, England 1513
Story was really good. I liked the whole memory loss thing. Cedric was a great bad guy till the very end. I even liked how the Charlton even grew to change. Even though he was a good character all the way.
Story was really good. I liked the whole memory loss thing. Cedric was a great bad guy till the very end. I even liked how the Charlton even grew to change. Even though he was a good character all the way.
April 18, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. I would have given it 5 stars - it had adventure, romance, an awesome H and h, an adorable child and animals - everything I love, BUT I found the ending rushed and I wanted an epilogue further into the future.
April 13, 2017
Unfortunately just a mediocre nothing really happening here Scottish romance, with mostly forgettable characters although the little lassie Audra and her dog Bear both stole my heart. Not sure why I finished it....?? ⭐️⭐️ of 5
April 24, 2018
2.5 It was good, but very slow moving.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews