The Stranger's Secrets

In 1875 Sarah Spalding looks forward to seeing her brother Micah for the first time in years as she leaves Virginia for his home in Colorado. Mavis Ledbetter accompanies her on her journey west. Also in their train compartment is Yankee Whitman Kendrick heading to Kansas to marry. Sarah and Whitman are attracted to one another, but she loathes all Yankees because she lost everything she owned including her ability to walk without a cane due to their invasion. However, when she fires Mavis, Sarah allows Whit to assist her. Soon after letting her companion go, someone murders Mavis with Sarah being the only suspect. She and Whit pretend to be married in a risky effort to root out the real culprit. As they fall in love, his war activity if revealed to her would end their relationship without her taking a look. This sequel to The Redemption of Micah is a terrific Reconstruction Era romantic suspense starring two great lead characters still struggling with the horrors of the Civil War one decade after the hostilities ended. The story line is driven by the dynamic lead pair who fall in love, but to have a future together must overcome her loathing of everyone Northern and his hiding his war activity from her while also solving the whodunit. Beth Williamson provides a strong Americana thriller. Harriet Klausner

The Stranger's Secrets by Beth Williamson Historical Western- Dec. 29th, 2009 4 1/2 stars The Stranger's Secrets is a stirring and heartwarming romance. It features genuine characters that I grew to love. This novel was surprisingly deep and emotional, one that I will not forget. In this story, 2 strong but wounded characters find a haven and an unexpected attraction with each other although their backgrounds would normally keep them apart. Sarah prides herself on her strength and control. The Civil War left her lame and disillusioned. When a sudden invitation to visit her long lost brother arrives Sarah decides to leave her old and traumatic life behind her. Filled with determination, Sarah finally feels hope and is looking forward to a fresh life far away from the South and the bitter memories of suffering and abuse. She boards a train that will reunite her with her brother. Unfortunately, she finds she must share the compartment with a dreadful Yankee. He represents much of the pain she has endured. And although she finds his eyes and smile beguiling she wants nothing to do with a man that represents all that she has lost. Whit is on his way to San Francisco where his hopes for a new life with a fiancée he only knows through correspondence. He is tired of war and his mother's expectations. He longs to escape the dark memories as a Union solider. On the train he finds a kindred spirit in the form of a Southern female named Sarah. He is fascinated by her strength and as circumstances throw them together he finds he cannot stop the intense attraction he feels for her. But he knows any relationship with her is futile since he is already engaged. When the sudden murder of Sarah's traveling companion places them both as murder suspects they must try to work together to solve the mystery while trying to keep their mutual attraction out of the way. To complicate matters Whit realizes that Sarah was the woman maimed by his leader during the war and doesn't want her to realize he knows. This book brings out strong emotions. What 1st drew me to this story were the characters. They are very real and fully fleshed. I really felt connected with them. The hero is not exactly alpha, he is extra-ordinary man trying to make the best of his life against difficult circumstances. The heroine is very admirable and tough. I respected Sarah's grit and determination and felt that the hero was exactly the right man for her. Their relationship had a poignancy that was wonderfully moving. Neither was perfect but together they were a perfect match! Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club