Sojourn With A Stranger by K. Celeste Bryan

Winter ROR Challenge #8. Title with four words
Rating: 5 stars

Blurb:

Penniless when she arrives in Norfolk , her mother and father drowned at sea, Raine Brinsley would give anything to return home to her grandfather in Maine . When Derek Stafford, owner of a large plantation, offers a solution to her dilemma, she’s stunned, if not outraged. She’d prefer to fulfill the contract to have his child and forget about him and his self-serving scheme. But she hadn’t counted on the decadently-delicious passion he’d awakened in her.

Derek’s only desire was to father an heir for Stafford House, thus securing his future. He didn’t count on the Scottish lass with dark green eyes to interfere with his well-laid plans. But after one night in her arms, guilt, not to mention the loss of his heart, became his penance. Now he’d do anything to get her back, anything to quench the hunger and passion tormenting his soul.

My Thoughts: ***Sigh*** What can I say... this was such a good book! K. Celeste Bryan did a superb job in this story!!! I was immediately pulled into the story of Raine and Derek.
Raine is a young woman full of Scottish blood... and we all know how stubborn those Scots can be! When faced with the tragic loss of her parents she finds herself stranded in Norfolk without a penny and refusing to write to the only relative she has left. She will not except Derek's offering to pay her way home, willing only to work in his employ to save money to make her own way home. Derek comes up with another plan... a very selfish one at that. If Raine agrees to Derek's schemes she will have enough money to get home, take care of her Grandfather, and never worry about money again.
Bryan makes you love, hate, and pity Derek. He was selfish and selfless. He blames himself for his late wife losing her mind, that and the decisions he has made since Raine showed up on his doorstep sends him running from Stafford Hall when Raine needs him the most.
I didn't want the story to end. It was another late night of reading...
There was love, loss, mystery, and ghosts in this book. It is a must read that has landed a permanent spot on my shelf under favorites!!

Land of Falling Stars by Keta Diablo

Description from Amazon.com:

Penniless, her parents and brother dead, Sophia Whitfield struggles to save her beloved childhood home during the Civil War. Another bluecoat is staggering down the hill, but before Sophia allows him to rob and pilfer like the others, she shoots him. How is she to know it is Gavin, the dark knight of her youth, carrying secrets too horrific to imagine and a passion that ignites her deepest desires?As Sophia gradually learns Gavin’s secrets—and enjoys his talents in the bedroom—she discovers how to finally know her own heart. Can she save the Land of Falling Stars, or will she lose it all to the horrors of the War and Reconstruction? And will the Southern lady and the Yankee soldier be able to recapture the bliss of their youth – this time in each other’s arms?

My Review: I read an excerpt of this book online before purchasing it. I have to admit that I was totally caught within the first chapter and for two days could think of nothing but this story. I broke down and purchased my first ebook in order to read Land of Falling Stars.

Like I said I was hooked from the word go. I could not wait to find out how and when Gavin was going to tell Sophia his dark secrets. Would she forgive him and still love him? I was totally engrossed.

These two were childhood friends harboring a strong love for each other. Sophia was promised to another, their other childhood friend Jesse. Gavin committed himself to loving Sophia from afar and Sophia was not ready to delve into her feelings for Gavin believing that she needed to find and nurture her love for Jesse. Tragedy strikes during the Civil War. The two best friends (Gavin and Jesse) are fighting on opposite sides of the Civil War and Sophia loses her entire family to a fire.

Gavin travels to Arbor Rose after being released from military duty to find Sophia and share his secrets. These two were both riddled with inner turmoil. It seems that Gavin was a slave to his love for Sophia and Sophia was too bull headed to admit that she loved him. Sophia had no problem using Gavin for her needs however never giving him what he wanted in return. It was sweet, heartbreaking, and angering to watch Gavin do so much for Sophia... constantly doing what was right for her but struggling with his love for her and his guilt over his secrets. Sophia really started getting on my nerves after a while, which is why I cannot give this book a 5 star rating. Her stubbornness to admit what everyone else could see and her treatment of Gavin had me wanting to reach into my computer and strangle her. I don't know maybe it is me reading late into the night and taking my lack of sleep out on this heroine, but I couldn't get over how Sophia just refused to admit her Love for Gavin.

Over all I really enjoyed the story, I really loved Gavin and as I have already stated could have strangled Sophia. I am giving Land of Falling Stars 4 stars. I highly recommend reading Land of Falling Stars!

side note: What a beautiful cover page!!!