Robin: Yes, Anne Gracie has a voice that is like Carla Kelly’s.

The mix of humor and pathos with very likable characters on the road, were what made me think of the Kelly book. The tone of the book in many ways reminded me of another book with a similar setting, Carla Kelly’s The Wedding Journey. Linda: I really enjoyed it also – and also gave it a B. What did you think, Linda, and what is your grade? Overall I like Anne Gracie’s “voice.” and I almost always like the setting of Spain and France. Linda: This month we welcome Robin Uncapher to discuss Anne Gracie’s The Perfect Stranger, the third book in the Merridew Sisters series. In spite of his best efforts, Nick finds himself caring about his bride…and wanting her physically more then any woman he has ever known. But he did not count on a bride determined to be a wife in deed as well as name. Faith and her twin sister were brought up by a tyrannical grandfather and awful memories of the abuse she suffered continue to haunt her. The solution would solve his problem and also Faith’s, for Faith dreads the prospect of returning to her family in disgrace. Nick’s widowed mother has long begged him to marry, but he believes he cannot. Nick intends to wed Faith for her safety and reputation, ship her off to England to live with his mother, and be on his way…he has a mission to accomplish that he will not reveal to Faith. He is soon joined by two companions all three are veterans on a pilgrimage of sorts through France and Spain to return to battle sites where they lost brothers in arms.Īfter Nick understands her situation, he proposes a marriage-of-convenience. Nick is having none of that for he sees she is a gently bred woman in trouble. Faith is frightened and alone but pride makes her want to leave as soon as possible. He’s not about to allow anyone to be raped in his presence and he fights the men and saves Faith. Nick, an ex-soldier, has both a gun and a dog. But she is lucky because just as her pursuers are about to catch her, she comes upon Nicholas Blacklock, a seemingly lone Englishman camping in the woods.

People assume the worst…her shabby but expensive clothing must mean she’s a prostitute.Īs the story opens Faith runs through the wilderness, fleeing three men bent on raping her. She flees Paris intending to return home, with little money, no resources, and with only the clothes on her back. Months later, though, when they are married and living in Paris, she discovers her husband is a bigamist. Faith Merridew left the safety of London society to elope with the love of her life.

The Perfect Stranger by Anne Gracie