The Stranger She Married

by Donna Hatch

Formats

Included in Subscription

A scarred cripple with the heart of a poet, or a handsome rake with a deadly secret. Who would you choose to marry?

When her parents and twin brother die within weeks of each other, Alicia and her younger sister are left in the hands of an uncle who brought them to financial and social ruin. Desperate to save her family from debtor's prison, Alicia vows to marry the first wealthy man to propose. When she meets the dashing Lord Amesbury, her heart whispers that this is the man she is destined to love. However, his tainted past may forever stand in their way. Her choices in potential husbands narrow to either a scarred cripple with the heart of a poet, or a handsome rake with a deadly secret.

Cole Amesbury is tormented by his own ghosts, and believes he is beyond redemption. Yet, he cannot deny his attraction to the girl whose genuine goodness touches the heart he'd long thought was dead. When another bizarre mishap threatens her life, Cole & Alicia suspect that the seemingly unrelated events are actually a killer's attempt to exterminate every member of her family. Cole must protect Alicia from the killer before she becomes the next target.

Note: All books in the Rogue Hearts Series are standalone, closed-door, Regency romances that can be read in any order. Book 1 introduces members of the charming, roguish Amesbury Family who appear in each of the books, with the focus on one brother or sister finding true love. Readers can begin at any point in the series and then read the rest in order, or jump to book 1, The Stranger She Married, and read the series from there.

From the publisher: This romantic story of loss and betrayal, forgiveness and redemption, and strangers in marriage, will leave you laughing, crying, and swooning. Sprinkled liberally with suspense, mystery, and heart-melting kisses, this is not your ordinary historical tale of an arranged marriage nor of redeeming the rakes. Fans of Victorian and Regency Eras, as well as those seeking clean and wholesome romance with plenty of chemistry, will love this story!

Formats

Open reader Upgrade Account

Included in Subscription

Book Details

Genre

Historical Romance

Subgenre

Regency (1811–1820)

Series

The Rogue Hearts Series • Book 1

Audience

New Adult

Bell Peppers

🫑🫑

Profanity

1 None

Violence

3 Moderate

Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco

2 Mild

Publication Date

October 10, 2008

Language Versions

English

Fiction Form

Novel

Sensitive Themes

Abuse (physical, emotional, or verbal), Arranged or forced marriage, Grief or loss of a loved one, Gun violence / shootings, Murder or attempted murder

Representation

Depictions of prayer, worship, or scripture

Editorial Reviews

“Donna Hatch is one of the masters of clean romance with electric tension and smokin’ hot kisses.” ~ Reading is My Super Power Reviews

"Recommended to all historical romance fans." ~ Julie Whiteley, InD' Tale Magazine

"Written with heart and depth, Donna Hatch’s books are absolute must-reads for any fan of swoon-worthy historical romance."~ Sarah M. Eden, USA Today best-selling historical romance author

Confusing stranger

This is a fantastic mystery/ romance book. I enjoyed reading this book. This book keeps you in suspense. One minute you think you figured out which character plays which part and the next minute you doubt that's how much the twist is. Interesting and unable to put the book down. I am looking forward to read the next book in this series.

Zu lang, zu unrealistisch

Nach dem Tod ihrer Eltern und ihres Bruders leben Alicia und ihre Schwester Hannah bei ihrem Onkel Willard und dessen Sohn Robert. Als sich die Investitionen ihres Onkels als verheerend erweisen und er auch noch Geld beim Glücksspiel verliert, bleibt der Familie nur noch eine Hoffnung: Alicia muss einen reichen Ehemann finden, der bereit ist, die Schulden ihres Onkels zurückzuzahlen. Doch die Männer, die ihr Onkel in Betracht zieht, kommen für sie nicht in Frage. Stattdessen verliebt sie sich in einen zuvorkommenden, attraktiven, jungen Mann – bis sie erfährt, wer der Fremde ist.Als der Aristokrat Cole Amesbury erfährt, dass er schuld am Tod von Alicias Zwillingsbruder ist, möchte er ihr unbedingt helfen und macht ihr einen Heiratsantrag, den Alicia erzürnt ablehnt. Um ihr trotzdem beizustehen, vergrault er die Kandidaten ihres Onkels und überzeugt stattdessen seinen Cousin Nicholas, Alicia zu heiraten. Da Nicholas im Krieg schwer verwundet wurde, trägt er stets eine Maske vor dem Gesicht. Alicia und Nicholas heiraten, doch Cole taucht immer wieder auf und macht Alicia den Hof. Außerdem geschehen seltsame Unfälle und schließlich wird klar, dass jemand versucht Alicias ganze Familie auszulöschen.Diese Geschichte spielt in England im Jahr 1818. Mir hat die Storyline zu Beginn recht gut gefallen, aber je länger die Geschichte dauerte, umso unrealistischer wurde sie. Das Motiv für die Morde und Mordversuche fand ich weit hergeholt und die ganze Geschichte um Cole und Nicholas habe ich von Anfang an durchschaut. Wenig Verständnis hatte ich auch für Alicias anhaltenden Widerstand gegen ihren Ehemann. Ich fand die Geschichte zu lang, obwohl ich die Hauptprotagonisten und auch viele Nebenprotagonisten mochte.

Oct 2024

Brilliant. It has mystery, suspense romance and humour. This would make a pretty good film I think. Didn't guess the villain very easily. Suspected the plot and realised about the deception but not immediately.

Five Stars

I loved it. The plot was not predictable. It kept me wanting to go on to the next page!

The stranger she married

Wow, simply wonderful. Touching, emotional and full of warmth. The tension n feeling between the two is so palpable u can feel it as if to be real. Congrats a wonderful book to read.