A Perfect Stranger

Raphaella's comfortable life as the wife of a millionaire banker is disrupted by the love of a younger man

Raphaella de Mornay-Malle grew up in the sheltered world of the Mediterranean aristocracy under the careful tutelage of her stern father and her dutiful duennas. Married at age 18 to a much older American, John Henry Phillips, Raphaella fills her life with his wishes and desires. But when John is incapacitated by a series of strokes, she finds her world shrinking to the size of a sickbed.

Though Raphaella has an uncommonly strong sense of her duty in marriage, she can not ignore her attraction for Alexander Hale, a handsome acquaintance. As John's condition worsens and Alex grows insistent that she acknowledge what lies between them, Raphaella faces a classic duty-versus-love dilemma.

Though readers may see the plot twist coming a mile away, Danielle Steel's got her grasp on the pulse of romance fiction, and she's not going to let go without a fight. Groan and giggle, ignore the laundry and make excuses, but make no mistake--you'll enjoy getting swept away by this one.--Nancy R.E. O'Brien