Harlequin American Romance #369: Stranger in Paradise

by Barbara Bretton

Book Overview

Stranger In Paradise by Barbara Bretton released on Oct 25, 1990 is available now for purchase.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 037316369X
• ISBN13: 9780373163694
• Release Date: November 1990
• Publisher: Harlequin Books
• Length: 250 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Excellent, multi-layered 1950's romance

This story, a sequel to "Sentimental Journey" by Barbara Bretton, is the 1950's entry in Harlequin American Romance's "Century of American Romance". Mac Weaver, an American reporter sent to England, to cover the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, meets English journalist, Jane Townsend. After a whirlwind courtship, they marry and return to America to live. Mac's parents and their best friends, the Wilsons, receive them with open arms. Mac and Jane settle into Levittown; Jane even becomes close friends with Nancy Wilson Sturdevant, Cathy's younger sister. (Catherine Wilson was the heroine of the previous book, "Sentimental Journey".)Mac and Jane do their best to fit into suburbia, where everyone is expected to be exactly the same. They make plans to start a family. But when some of Mac's possibly "Red" newspaper articles come back to haunt him, and a book from Jane's "Socialist" uncle is regarded with fear by suspicious and gossipy neighbors, Mac and Jane contend with the dark side of 1950's America. How will they rise above their problems?This book was wonderful! I liked the vivid details of everyday life in 1950's suburban America. There is also the concurrent story of Nancy and Gerry Sturdevant, and their three small daughters. The conflict here is that Gerry wants to leave Wilson Manufacturing, and open a drive-in movie theater, while Nancy is opposed to his leaving a steady job for an uncertain proposition. How they resolve this difference -- and find themselves again in the process-- makes for an extra-special read. And there's even a wraparound section featuring Mac and Jane's daughter, Liz, who may headed for a romantic encounter of her own. Highly recommended!

A wonderful gem of a book...

I was the fortunate winner of a contest by the author Barbara Bretton and received this book from the always gracious author. I also received her other book which precedes this one: SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY - The 1940's. I loved the characters and the storyline and how effortlessly the author put in historical details without bogging down the story. Harlequin put out a line of books in the early 1990's called "A Century of American Romance" which had a story set in each decade. What a gift it would be if the publisher re-released these treasures to the readers. I, for one would buy them all.