Book Review: The Stranger by Anna Del Mar

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Publication Date: August 22, 2016
Publisher: Carina Press (August 22, 2016)
Link to Follow Tour: Kismet Book Tours
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Blurb:

When a mysterious stranger is your only hope…

The scars of the past have left their mark, both physical and emotional, on former military pilot Seth Erickson. Off-grid in the far reaches of the bitter Alaskan wilderness, he wants only to be left alone with his ghosts. But he can’t ignore a woman in need—beautiful, stranded and nearly frozen with fear.

Summer Silva never imagined that the search for her missing sister would leave her abandoned on a wintry back road, barely escaping with her life from a cold-blooded killer for hire. Now, hiding out in the isolated cabin of the secretive wounded warrior who saved her, Summer knows she must do what she fears most. Putting her trust in a stranger is all she has left.

All defenses are down

After a fiery first night together, Seth and Summer are bound by a need as powerful as a Bering Sea superstorm—and vulnerable to enemies just as fierce. For Seth, reawakened by desire, there is no sacrifice too great, no memory too dark, to keep Summer safe. But murder and treason lurk everywhere and Summer may not survive Alaska’s ruthless winter.

Review:

Summer Silva has landed in hot water in a very cold place. In an effort to find her wayward sister, she winds up in Alaska – face to face with a very cynical, untrusting Seth Erickson- who happens to be handsome as hell, despite the damage that’d been done to his still perfect body.

Summer has a secret that makes her leery of trusting others. That secret, as well as the fact that her ex took advantage of her in a weakened state. She’s the fixer – she fixes everyone else’s lives. She doesn’t want anyone screwing with hers. The problem, however, is that the grumpy, kind-hearted ex-soldier she ends up shacking with (out of necessity) is also a fixer. And he, too, doesn’t want anyone messing with his plans, even if his plans include screwing with their lives.

Summer and Seth both have good hearts. They are strong and independent, and they don’t take crap from anyone. They’re each loyal to the ones they love, and their strength has gained them a lot of love and admiration in return…well, from most folks.

Others are intent on ruining – and killing – them.

I enjoyed the witty banter and the sexual tension is enough to choke a moose. I was shocked when I learned about Summer’s secret, and the unveiling of it was pure genius on Del Mar’s part, which doesn’t surprise me. I’ve read some of her other books, and as with the others, I was totally taken in by this one. Del Mar has a very vivid way of story-telling, with well-developed and often complex characters. The supporting characters always leave a mark, which is the perfect setup for the next in any series. There’s a lot of action, sex, surprises, and heart-tugging. True Del Mar style. There’s nothing cliche about her works, and it’s her unique writing style that keeps me coming back for more.

I was left chilled to the bone and ready to visit Alaska.

Won’t you join me?

Rating system: Cups of Coffee (the less the better)

0: You won’t need any coffee to stay up for this one. It’s intriguing enough all on its own.
1: You’ll stay up late, but not all night. Brew one cup.
2: You’ll read as long as you’re not tired. If you are, two cups should do the trick.
3: I hope you got plenty of rest; you’ll need it, or at least 3 cups.
4: If the cable goes out, read the book. It’s better than nothing, I guess. Oh, don’t forget your brew!
5: Find anything else to do- it doesn’t matter what it is. Don’t waste your coffee. Too much caffeine is bad for you.

My rating: 1/2 cup of coffee

Buy Links: Amazon | B & N | Google Play | Kobo | Carina Press

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About Anna Del Mar

Anna del Mar writes hot, smart romances that soothe the soul, challenge the mind, and satisfy the heart. Her stories focus on strong heroines struggling to find their place in the world and the brave, sexy, kickass, military heroes who defy the limits of their broken bodies to protect the women they love. She is the author of The Asset (Carina Press), the first novel of her Wounded Warrior series and three other novels scheduled for release during 2016.

A Georgetown University graduate, Anna enjoys traveling, hiking, skiing, and the sea. Writing is her addiction, her drug of choice, and what she wants to do all the time. The extraordinary men and women she met during her years as a Navy wife inspire the fabulous heroes and heroines at the center of her stories. When she stays put—which doesn’t happen very often—she lives in Florida with her indulgent husband and two very opinionated cats.

Find Anna online: Website | Facebook | Twitter

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