Stranger by Zoe Archer
December 7, 2010
Historical Paranormal Romance
Paperback, 370 Pages
Zebra
Reviewed by Mandi
Gemma Murphy has been following Catullus Graves and his friends for some time now. After first seeing him in the Northwest Territory of Canada, she now finds herself on a boat, to England. A reporter, she loves to investigate, and she knows Catullus and his crew have many secrets.
Catullus is a member of The Blades of the Rose, a secret organization that protects Sources, those items that hold magical power throughout the world from the evil Heirs of Albion. The Heirs now have the primal source, and have plans to use it for world domination. The Blades are hot on their trail, and are willing to sacrifice whatever it takes to stop them.
The first time Catullus set eyes on the red haired, freckled beauty in Canada, it stirs him. A genius inventor, Catullus has a very scientific approach when it comes to romance, which means he isn’t quite the ladies man. Soon Catullus becomes aware that Gemma is following them, and when the Heirs spot her with the Blades, her life becomes endangered. She wants to prove to the Blades she is a competent fighter, and she wants to break down Catullus’s serious ways, and show him just how wicked romance can be.
Stranger is the fourth book in Zoe Archer’s The Blades of the Rose series and held much anticipation for me to discover Catullus whom we meet in great detail in book three, Rebel. Catullus is reserved, a bit shy and awkward when it comes to women. He loves fine waistcoats and is extremely smart. His match, Gemma is just the kind of woman who can break him out of his mold. She has spunk and spirit, yet she is very kind and from the start understands who this man is. Although Catullus is black, she never once sees his skin color as a deterrent. I absolutely adored their romance. The uncertainty Catullus has in the bedroom is very endearing, and once he gains confidence – watch out.
The adventure in this one weaves in the King Arthur legend, as the Blades rush to prevent the Heirs from using the primal source. I didn’t love the adventure as much as the previous books. Besides an evil form of King Arthur being resurrected, for some time Catullus and Gemma find themselves in Otherworld, an alternate fairy world. It just didn’t grab me like the other books did. I did thoroughly enjoy the banter between Catullus and other blade members Bennet Day and Nathan Lesperance and their spouses. The pages where all of them are working together are some of my favorite. And of course the pages with the hot smex in a tree house.
After finishing this series, four books in four months, I can say they have been a joy to read. With the mixture of historical, paranormal and adventure, Zoe Archer brings something different to these books. I really hope we get more Blades in the future, and Catullus has just made his way onto my boyfriend list.
Rating: B-
Recent Reviews:
All About Romance – C
Goodreads
This Series Includes
Warrior
Scoundrel
Rebel
Stranger
Zoe Archer is offering up one copy of Stranger today! To enter, leave a comment and please include your email address if not in your profile. Contest open through Saturday, December 4th. Open to US/Canada.
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!! Pick me Pick me Pick me!!! :P
I'm reading Rebel right now!
Didn't you just ass Catullus to your book boyfriend list?
spazp at me dot com
Great post!!! and kind of the author to offer a copy!
I'm from Canada and I'm a follower :)
moonlightgleam(at)gmail(dot)com
Don't put me in the contest, I'm just commenting. As someone who is not into the book boyfriends much, Catullus is totally, totally, one of the best romance heroes ever in my humble opinion and Gemma just needs to move on out of my way! LOL!
Oh I've been wanting to read this series. I'll wade in for a copy. Your review makes me more curious.
sounds good to me. i have warrior to read to start me off.
vvb32 at yahoo.com
I would love to win this book! I have Warrior in my TBR pile.
kissinoak at frontier dot com
I'd like to win Stranger, and I'll put it in my TBR&R (To Be Read and Reviewed) pile…
with all the other books of this series. (I'm so ashamed!)
FredTownWard@aol.com
That cover is amazing- I love the coloring and use of light!
the[dot]distant[dot]light[at]gmail[dot]com
OoooO been waiting on this one. :)
I have seen Catullus mentioned on twitter ;) Yes a series I really should start
This whole series is on my TBR list. So many great books; so little time. Thanks for hosting the giveaway. (Email in profile.)
I do love this series! I have not bought this one yet, so yeah for the contest (and the review)! Thanks Zoe & Mandi!
I have REBEL in my TBR, would love to add STRANGER to it.
Thanks!
jenma76 at hotmail dot com
I've heard such great things about Ms Archer's books — just got the first one from the library to start over the holiday. Thanks so much for the giveaway!
Oops, forgot my email! unabridgedchick at gmail.com
I would love to read this book, thanks for the giveaway!!!
myra0502@yahoo.com
Oh, I want I want I want! Um, I mean please enter me into contest please. I can't wait to read this book. Catullus is smart and smart men are sexy. And he can kick ass! What more would you want?!
The covers are awesome. Eeep I need to read the first one in this series.
Looks and sounds like a great series. Looking forward to read it.
sstrode@scrtc.com
I would love to read this book, thank you for the great giveaway.
seriousreader at live dot com
Круто. Добавлю блог в избранное и друзьям посовету. Ждите новых читателей
I really need to read this series. I have the first 2 and how to get to it soon. :)
I've read Warrior, but I still need to get going on the rest of The Blades of the Rose series. I'm going to be picking them up soon.
Barbed1951(at)aol(dot)com
I'm currently reading Rebel and enjoying it so far. I like the mix of romance, paranormal, and adventure. I like that the story is set in Canada.
I would love to win a copy of this. Will e-format be offered as an option? If not, print would be good, too :)
kathybaug at aol dot com
I've heard fantastic things about this series! Can't wait to read it!
This whole series sounds so awesome!! I can't wait to get started! Thanks so much for the chance to win!!
inthehammockblog at gmail dot com
Lovely review Mandi – thank you. (I know I probably shouldn't have read it as I haven't read the first book yet, but I couldn't resist :)
Thank you for the opportunity!
Oh! Pick Me! I LOVED "Warrior" and "Scoundrel." I haven't had a chance to pick up "Rebel" yet and am so looking forward to it and "Stranger." LOVE Ms Archer's writing. So much fun. I'm buying tall boots for my hubby for Christmas this year. *wink*
akbabcock at gmail dot com
Great review! I love the cover of this book :)
throuthehaze at gmail dot com
Thanks for the giveaway and for the review.
spettolij AT gmail DOT com