After Rebecca’s mother dies in what she believes was a car accident, her father takes her to live in America.
But although he gives her everything she possibly needs, he fails to provide her with the love and attention she so desperately craves.
Eighteen years later Rebecca is handed a letter by her father from an English solicitor informing her of a legacy left by her maternal grandmother.
Her father’s refusal to discuss the past means that Rebecca is completely surprised by the fact that she had any living relatives in England.
With no memory of her childhood in England or of her mother, Rebecca is left feeling betrayed and lied to by her father.
And when she walks in on her fiancé in bed with a Brazilian model, Rebecca makes the decision to leave America immediately and heads to England in search of her past.
What truths will she uncover about her family’s history?
Or will she find solace in The Intimacy of Strangers?
Reviewed by Jane Finch for Readers' Favorite GIVEN FIVE STARS
The Intimacy of Strangers by Lynne King tells the story of Rebecca Jones who found herself at the age of eight living in a strange country, and all her security and everything that had been familiar to her was left behind in England. Her memories are repressed as she was told by her father that her mother had been killed in a car accident and that was the reason for their moving to America. Her father is wealthy and Rebecca wants for nothing in the way of material things, but what she really wants from her father is something he seems unable to provide. Rebecca’s life reaches a turning point when, at the same time as her relationship with Greg ends abruptly, she receives a letter from a solicitor in England, advising her she is a beneficiary under her grandmother’s will. Rebecca is upset that she had not known of her grandmother’s existence, and on a sudden impulse leaves her life in America and travels to England to try to discover the secrets of her past. There she meets a neighbour, Ross Devlin, and her life takes a totally unexpected turn.
The author, Lynne King, weaves a mystery with a romance and creates a captivating story of intrigue and heartache. The writing is polished and smooth and the characters well developed and believable. The reader is whisked along as the past unfolds and Rebecca’s life changes forever. There’s a touch of Captain Von Trapp in Ross Devlin that makes the reader root for the budding romance between the two protagonists, at the same time sparking an interest in the mysterious secrets that have been kept for so many years. An exciting and engaging read.
REVIEWS: A brief sample of other 5 star reviews- Read full reviews at: AMAZON.COM
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved the Intimacy of Strangers November 21, 2014 By Karen Ruggiero Format:Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
Interesting story from start to finish. I love Rebecca's journey and how dedicated she is to finding out the truth. Highly recommend.
5.0 out of 5 stars A very deep novel December 1, 2014
By Dan Clarke
Format:Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
Lynne King has made an intriguing and often sad romance/mystery that I found to be an honest to goodness page turner, not something I often find in romance novels.
5.0 out of 5 stars `Perhaps she chooses not to be found' November 16, 2014 By Grady Harp HALL OF FAMETOP 100 REVIEWERVINE VOICE Format:Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
THE INTIMACY OF STRANGERS, in which her pacing is precise and she manages to draw the reader into her story in that wonderfully old-fashioned way of beginning with some suspense from unexpected sources that provides the background for her drama before the central character makes her appearance.
EXCERPT:
“You scared me half to death.” The first terrifying event that had woken me loomed up. “And what the hell did you send in to attack me.”
His dark brows knitted together in puzzlement and then realisation hit him. He let out a short laugh. “Well Marty over there has been known to resemble a small bear. Big and furry he might be but his diet consists of mice and birds, not squatters.”
There sitting on the hearth side rug preening was the biggest cat, I had ever seen. He was built like a panther. That did it, accusing me of breaking in, my aggravation at boiling point now. “I’m Rebecca Jones and this was my grandmother’s house which has now been passed down to me. You are the intruder so once again, who are you?”
A slight smirk appeared as if he hadn’t been surprised by my revelation. He stepped back folding his arms and held my glare.
“Ross Devlin, your closest neighbour and the one who has been keeping an eye on this place and the livestock since your grandmother’s death.” Those dark intense eyes never wavered as if he was expecting or searching for some sort or recognition from me.
All I could think about was what a huge blunder I had made in thinking Captain Devlin was going to be some retired old eccentric. This hunk could only be in his early thirties. Of all the introductions, he must think I’m some hysterical city type with the way I had behaved over a damn cat.
EXCERPT:
For a whole year I didn’t speak and became locked in my own little world. When I finally spoke, it was to my nanny, a woman who had become my mother.” I paused and looked across at his wary expression.
“Don’t worry, I’m perfectly sane now. I learnt to accept the past was gone, dead and buried until that is I received word that my grandmother has only recently passed away. I was told my mother had no family, that I had no-one alive that is, so now I need to know what else my father hasn’t told me about and…” I hesitated.
He waited knowing that I wasn’t finished and waved the waitress away when she tried to clear our plates away.
“What do you want from me?” That question came out before I could stop it or know where it came from. Maybe it was the way he was looking at me, the intensity, I could feel it, he wanted something from me and it wasn’t to do with getting me into bed regrettably.
But although he gives her everything she possibly needs, he fails to provide her with the love and attention she so desperately craves.
Eighteen years later Rebecca is handed a letter by her father from an English solicitor informing her of a legacy left by her maternal grandmother.
Her father’s refusal to discuss the past means that Rebecca is completely surprised by the fact that she had any living relatives in England.
With no memory of her childhood in England or of her mother, Rebecca is left feeling betrayed and lied to by her father.
And when she walks in on her fiancé in bed with a Brazilian model, Rebecca makes the decision to leave America immediately and heads to England in search of her past.
What truths will she uncover about her family’s history?
Or will she find solace in The Intimacy of Strangers?
Reviewed by Jane Finch for Readers' Favorite GIVEN FIVE STARS
The Intimacy of Strangers by Lynne King tells the story of Rebecca Jones who found herself at the age of eight living in a strange country, and all her security and everything that had been familiar to her was left behind in England. Her memories are repressed as she was told by her father that her mother had been killed in a car accident and that was the reason for their moving to America. Her father is wealthy and Rebecca wants for nothing in the way of material things, but what she really wants from her father is something he seems unable to provide. Rebecca’s life reaches a turning point when, at the same time as her relationship with Greg ends abruptly, she receives a letter from a solicitor in England, advising her she is a beneficiary under her grandmother’s will. Rebecca is upset that she had not known of her grandmother’s existence, and on a sudden impulse leaves her life in America and travels to England to try to discover the secrets of her past. There she meets a neighbour, Ross Devlin, and her life takes a totally unexpected turn.
The author, Lynne King, weaves a mystery with a romance and creates a captivating story of intrigue and heartache. The writing is polished and smooth and the characters well developed and believable. The reader is whisked along as the past unfolds and Rebecca’s life changes forever. There’s a touch of Captain Von Trapp in Ross Devlin that makes the reader root for the budding romance between the two protagonists, at the same time sparking an interest in the mysterious secrets that have been kept for so many years. An exciting and engaging read.
REVIEWS: A brief sample of other 5 star reviews- Read full reviews at: AMAZON.COM
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved the Intimacy of Strangers November 21, 2014 By Karen Ruggiero Format:Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
Interesting story from start to finish. I love Rebecca's journey and how dedicated she is to finding out the truth. Highly recommend.
5.0 out of 5 stars A very deep novel December 1, 2014
By Dan Clarke
Format:Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
Lynne King has made an intriguing and often sad romance/mystery that I found to be an honest to goodness page turner, not something I often find in romance novels.
5.0 out of 5 stars `Perhaps she chooses not to be found' November 16, 2014 By Grady Harp HALL OF FAMETOP 100 REVIEWERVINE VOICE Format:Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
THE INTIMACY OF STRANGERS, in which her pacing is precise and she manages to draw the reader into her story in that wonderfully old-fashioned way of beginning with some suspense from unexpected sources that provides the background for her drama before the central character makes her appearance.
EXCERPT:
“You scared me half to death.” The first terrifying event that had woken me loomed up. “And what the hell did you send in to attack me.”
His dark brows knitted together in puzzlement and then realisation hit him. He let out a short laugh. “Well Marty over there has been known to resemble a small bear. Big and furry he might be but his diet consists of mice and birds, not squatters.”
There sitting on the hearth side rug preening was the biggest cat, I had ever seen. He was built like a panther. That did it, accusing me of breaking in, my aggravation at boiling point now. “I’m Rebecca Jones and this was my grandmother’s house which has now been passed down to me. You are the intruder so once again, who are you?”
A slight smirk appeared as if he hadn’t been surprised by my revelation. He stepped back folding his arms and held my glare.
“Ross Devlin, your closest neighbour and the one who has been keeping an eye on this place and the livestock since your grandmother’s death.” Those dark intense eyes never wavered as if he was expecting or searching for some sort or recognition from me.
All I could think about was what a huge blunder I had made in thinking Captain Devlin was going to be some retired old eccentric. This hunk could only be in his early thirties. Of all the introductions, he must think I’m some hysterical city type with the way I had behaved over a damn cat.
EXCERPT:
For a whole year I didn’t speak and became locked in my own little world. When I finally spoke, it was to my nanny, a woman who had become my mother.” I paused and looked across at his wary expression.
“Don’t worry, I’m perfectly sane now. I learnt to accept the past was gone, dead and buried until that is I received word that my grandmother has only recently passed away. I was told my mother had no family, that I had no-one alive that is, so now I need to know what else my father hasn’t told me about and…” I hesitated.
He waited knowing that I wasn’t finished and waved the waitress away when she tried to clear our plates away.
“What do you want from me?” That question came out before I could stop it or know where it came from. Maybe it was the way he was looking at me, the intensity, I could feel it, he wanted something from me and it wasn’t to do with getting me into bed regrettably.