Contemporary
Arms of a Stranger
By Natasha Smith
Apr 1, 2008 - 11:21:36 AM

Calliope Marshall decides that she needs to do some soul searching when her wedding is canceled. Taking a vacation to Costa Rica instead of a honeymoon, she is ready to relax and find herself once again. Immediately upon arriving, she meets a wonderful and eccentric woman who in turn introduces Calli to her grandson. Sparks fly and Calli has no idea what has just happened. All she knows is that she can’t stop thinking about Matt Holloway.

Matt Holloway is on babysitting duty.  Keeping an eye on his witty and doting grandmother, he never expects to meet anyone interesting while in Costa Rica.  It seems, however, that he has done something right because as soon as he meets Miss Calliope Marshall, Matt knows that she has to be in his life and his bed.  Preferably the latter as soon as possible.

Matt and Calli come together in blazing sensuality and raw emotions.  Each is scared to death of the feelings the other invokes in them, and while they tell themselves they can leave this vacation romance in Costa Rica after the vacation is over, neither of them is able to do so. What happens once they are back on the mainland? Will this only be a once in a lifetime fling or will they finally admit that they can’t live without the other?

ARMS OF A STRANGER by J. A. Clarke explores the feelings and emotions people experience while away from their normal lives. Calli is not used to being desired and feeling desirable so she is a bit unsure as to whether or not her feelings for Matt are genuine as well as his for her. She wants her independence, and I can’t blame her. Luckily, for me as a reader, she wanted Matt in her life.  Their love has its ups and downs. I laughed at their strip poker antics and got teary eyed at their reunion. Nothing says romance to me more than star crossed lovers finding each other and that is exactly what happens in ARMS OF A STRANGER. I enjoyed this book immensely.