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Rating: 
Summary: An original plot, but just not intriguing enough
Review: After reading another book by Patricia Rosemoor called The Desperado and absolutely loving it, I decided to search for other books by her. This was the first one that I found and read. The Desperado pulled me in from the first page, and I found it very difficult to put down. This book, on the other hand, did not. Yes it has a very interesting premise, but for some reason, the first 100 pages moved as slow as molasses for me, and I thought about not finishing the book. I forced myself to keep reading, and it did start to pick up a bit, and I became more interested in what was going to happen, but it never became a page turner for me. I read The Desperado in two sittings, but this book took quite a few sittings. I'd read a chapter or two and then put it down. I was rarely left with a burning desire to know what would happen next. I have heard that Ms. Rosemoor's earlier McKenna Legacy books are better, and I plan on seeking those out. Despite the fact that this book didn't thrill me, I still think that Ms. Rosemoor is one of the best romance writers out there. She at least tries to be original with her plots, where as some other romance writers get by on recycling the same plots over and over again. I did like the supernatural elements of the plot, and wish that more Intigues had characters with supernatural gifts in them. Curran McKenna, the character that has the psychic gift, is very likable. He is also fleshed out well, and you can imagine him being a real person. The heroine of this story, Jane Grantham, was not fleshed out well, and not very likable at all. She is more of a damsel in distress than she is a heroine, and she makes a lot of stupid decisions throughout the book that lead to her almost getting killed. If Curran wasn't there to save her butt every time, she would have died early on in the book, and to be quite honest, I wouldn't have really cared. I like strong heroines who can fend for themselves, and Jane is definitely not one of those. I know that Rosemoor is capable of writing strong female characters, since the heroine in her book The Desperado is one, but for some reason, she decided to have the heroine in Mysterious Stranger be wimpy. Jane was physically assaulted before the story starts, and it has had quite an affect on her, but instead of having her wallow in self pity for most of the book, I wish that Rosemoor would have had her decide that she wasn't going to be a victim anymore, and have her gain some self confidence. By the end of the book she has gained some confidence, and has stopped victimizing herself, but it is just too little too late. I hope that the other female characters in the McKenna Legacy series are stronger than Jane, because she was definitely a disappointment.
Rating: 
Summary: Mysterious Stranger
Review: The McKenna Legacy continues in "Mysterious Stranger," Curran McKenna's turn to discover his grandmother's legacy. When Jane Grantham and her prize horse are attacked, Curran comes from Ireland to see if the horse he trained can be saved. He doesn't expect to be drawn to the horse's fiery owner, a woman he instinctively knows is in danger. Jane needs the crazed horse to run in an upcoming race that could save her farm. She doesn't want to admit she needs the mysterious Irishman. She doesn't have a choice when the attacker begins to stalk her again. "Mysterious Stranger" is Rosemoor's best Intrigue since "Cowboy Justice" three years ago. It's not as extraordinary as the first four McKenna books, some of her all time best, but a definite improvement over some recent efforts. While the mystery is somewhat muddled and easy to figure out, there's a good sense of danger lurking around every corner. The romance is very strong. Both characters are well developed with their own reasons for not wanting to get involved and we see them grow and get used to one another over the course of the book. This isn't the kind of story where they're immediately falling into bed. It feels more natural, as we get to see initial attraction lead to something deeper and more meaningful. Jane is no weepy ninny, but a tough woman with a vulnerable side. Fans of Nora Roberts-style Irish heroes or anyone who likes a real Irish charmer should find Curran appealing. Both are thoroughly likable and their romance is charming. The McKenna Legacy is in full effect as Rosemoor delivers a magical tale that will please fans who've been waiting for this story and send newcomers searching for the other books, "See Me in Your Dreams," "Tell Me No Lies," "Touch Me in the Dark," and "Never Cry Wolf."
Rating:
Summary: Mysterious Stranger
Review: The McKenna Legacy continues in "Mysterious Stranger," Curran McKenna's turn to discover his grandmother's legacy. When Jane Grantham and her prize horse are attacked, Curran comes from Ireland to see if the horse he trained can be saved. He doesn't expect to be drawn to the horse's fiery owner, a woman he instinctively knows is in danger. Jane needs the crazed horse to run in an upcoming race that could save her farm. She doesn't want to admit she needs the mysterious Irishman. She doesn't have a choice when the attacker begins to stalk her again. "Mysterious Stranger" is Rosemoor's best Intrigue since "Cowboy Justice" three years ago. It's not as extraordinary as the first four McKenna books, some of her all time best, but a definite improvement over some recent efforts. While the mystery is somewhat muddled and easy to figure out, there's a good sense of danger lurking around every corner. The romance is very strong. Both characters are well developed with their own reasons for not wanting to get involved and we see them grow and get used to one another over the course of the book. This isn't the kind of story where they're immediately falling into bed. It feels more natural, as we get to see initial attraction lead to something deeper and more meaningful. Jane is no weepy ninny, but a tough woman with a vulnerable side. Fans of Nora Roberts-style Irish heroes or anyone who likes a real Irish charmer should find Curran appealing. Both are thoroughly likable and their romance is charming. The McKenna Legacy is in full effect as Rosemoor delivers a magical tale that will please fans who've been waiting for this story and send newcomers searching for the other books, "See Me in Your Dreams," "Tell Me No Lies," "Touch Me in the Dark," and "Never Cry Wolf."
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