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Arms of a Stranger
Millionaire Keithen Knight has gotten so caught up in the cycle of making money and keeping track of it that he has lost sight of the important things in life. Small town girl is living an unfulfilled life in the fast paced city that never sleeps and has lost her way. Brought together by th devastating hurricane that tore across the Gulf Coast region, these two people will unite in the rebuilding efforts, and in the process discover the meaning of life, love, and happiness in the Arms of a Stranger.
250 pages, Paperback
First published October 17, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 8, 2014
The premise of the story was interesting, the execution not so much. It's a story of a rich man, Keithan going down to Biloxi, MS to help with the reconstruction of homes after seeing the destruction on TV. He realizes that he leads a shallow life and how he doesn't have that sense of community and true friendship until he meets the people of Biloxi. He meets a woman named Simone who shows him what life is really about through her actions. Keithan is attracted to her not only from her outer beauty, but inner beauty as well because of how she cares for others.
I don't know what to say about this book without being sarcastic. The book started off well enough with Keithan and Simone actually getting to know each other without automatically jumping into a physical relationship with one another. Their build up was nice to see, but the story was ruined by Keithan put down his life so much saying that all his friends were shallow, they only care about image and money, none of his friends had any good qualities, and the author made it seem like these people were hedonistic to the highest degree. The southerners on the other hand were the epitome of family and community and they couldn't do any wrong. Simone made everything come together, and without her nothing could have been accomplished in that book. Because of Simone those who didn't understand the plight of the Katrina survivors were enlightened after having a conversation with her. She was goodness and justice personified.
There was too much good (southerners)versus evil (rich people) going on in this book. I had to read in small doses because the problems were contrived and it was becoming ridiculous. It took me too long to finish this 230 page book.
I don't know what to say about this book without being sarcastic. The book started off well enough with Keithan and Simone actually getting to know each other without automatically jumping into a physical relationship with one another. Their build up was nice to see, but the story was ruined by Keithan put down his life so much saying that all his friends were shallow, they only care about image and money, none of his friends had any good qualities, and the author made it seem like these people were hedonistic to the highest degree. The southerners on the other hand were the epitome of family and community and they couldn't do any wrong. Simone made everything come together, and without her nothing could have been accomplished in that book. Because of Simone those who didn't understand the plight of the Katrina survivors were enlightened after having a conversation with her. She was goodness and justice personified.
There was too much good (southerners)versus evil (rich people) going on in this book. I had to read in small doses because the problems were contrived and it was becoming ridiculous. It took me too long to finish this 230 page book.
September 7, 2009
This is a BEAUTIFUL story..."Arms of a Stranger" is a touching and CAPTIVATING romance that also portrays the aftermaths of a natural disaster in a small town...Mrs. Carmichal makes it is easy to visualize and to feel what the survivors of the devastating Hurricane Katrina struggled through...it's also easy to understand their determination and desire to rebuild the things they lost...I was totally CAUGHT UP in the instant chemistry between Simone and Keithen...I also enjoy the leisurely pace in which their relationship develops...I love that they don't RUSH into a sexual relationship...but they take the time to get to know each other...so when they FINALLY act on their mutual attraction and desire it's such a SENSUAL, fun and heated encounter and it just leaves me breathless...and even though Simone and Keithen encounter a few obstacles in their budding relationship...such as hatred, jealousy, greed, revenge and social status...these challenges ONLY aid in making their love connection STRONGER...this is an endearing, CLASSIC romantic tale with a bit of mystery/suspense...Well done, Mrs. Carmichael.
October 18, 2012
Simone was a woman after my own heart ...she was attracted to Kethan but did not losse herself...she did not sleep with him right away.. how many IR have i read were the girl sleeps with the man from day one or two....thank you Miss Carmichael for portaying black women with class, dignity and value... thank you... your books are always so great and well writing with great character ... that have amazing chemistry and romance... their love life and difficulties are easily felt ... i loved the story of Simone and Keithan... they were honest from the start. i grow tried of characters playing games with each other .... this was a beautiful love story.... i enjoyed reading this book... thank you
March 14, 2009
Beautiful love story set in the post Katrina South
January 27, 2016
Arms of a Stranger nearly became the worst book I 19ve ever read. It would have been the worst had the last three or four chapters not picked up in pace. That said I have a book mark that has the word BELIEVE inscribed into it. I noticed I referred to it often while reading this book and I 19ve come to the realization that I did so to reaffirm my belief that I could/would finish the book.
There was nothing special about this book. The characters were flat. None of the people in the book popped off the page, well none of the ones we were supposed to care about. The best character in the book is Courtney. She 19s outrageous and your first instinct is to not like her. This character had fire and passion. Then there 19s the hero 19s name, Keithen what 19s up with that? All the other characters had normal names you didn 19t have to stumble over to read. An unusual name or spelling does not make a character different or interesting. The dialog was stilted and boring. The scenery of the gulf coast popped more than the story or characters.
What did come through is the author 19s passion for the gulf coast. It 19s too bad that passion didn 19t translate to her characters and story.
There was nothing special about this book. The characters were flat. None of the people in the book popped off the page, well none of the ones we were supposed to care about. The best character in the book is Courtney. She 19s outrageous and your first instinct is to not like her. This character had fire and passion. Then there 19s the hero 19s name, Keithen what 19s up with that? All the other characters had normal names you didn 19t have to stumble over to read. An unusual name or spelling does not make a character different or interesting. The dialog was stilted and boring. The scenery of the gulf coast popped more than the story or characters.
What did come through is the author 19s passion for the gulf coast. It 19s too bad that passion didn 19t translate to her characters and story.
November 29, 2012
This book was ok. Not as engaging as her other nooks. I did enjoy the inclusion of Katrina's devistation and continual efforts of many volunteers to revitalize the Gulf Coast area.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews