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The Fragrance of Her Name
The stranger gasped, released her hand, and demanded angrily, “Who are you? What kind of trick is this?” “Sir, I assure you...I’m only here to help. My name is Lauryn Kensington. I’m bound for my home in Franklin, and I only—” she stammered. “Kensington? Franklin?” he mumbled, seeming confused. Then much to her dismay, he began tugging at the lighter patch that protected one eye. “Sir, please! I meant you no harm! I only wanted...” Lauryn began, tears unexpectedly filling her eyes and threatening to spill. He took her chin firmly in one hand, his thumb traveling caressively and rather intimately over her soft lips as he whispered, “Who am I?” ...She felt the moist tenderness of the soldier’s lips caress her own in the softest, rather saddest of kisses...The sensation of his lips meeting with hers, however brief, was almost unendurably perfect. Then he pressed his unshaven cheek to her own soft one and whispered quietly into her ear, “The only person alive who understands exactly what you’re looking for.”
372 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2009
45 people are currently reading
499 people want to read
About the author
Marcia Lynn McClure
74 books1,366 followersBorn in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Marcia Lynn McClure grew up influenced by the reminiscent stories of rugged, rural Colorado farm life fascinatingly recounted to her by her parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts…tales of runaway buckboards, mule-drawn plows and dust pneumonia; verbalized images of stream-flooded meadows, frozen over in winter, where a child could peer through the crystal clear ice in wonder at the small fish, snakes and mice sealed in the meadow grasses beneath; stories of hardship and tragedy, love and loss. But always the stories, and the people telling them, bore evidence of the wonder and worthiness of simpler, yet sometimes brutal, times.
These influential people and the family legends they detailed, coupled with her own life experiences and utterly romantic nature, led Marcia to begin writing novels as Christmas gifts for her closest friends…friends who long for a breath of the past and miss the romance of bygone eras; friends searching for moments of distraction from the stressful, demanding times we live in.
And so, knowing that it is the breath of the past and the "take me in you arms and kiss me" kind of moments that so many women long to relive, Marcia spins her tales of love, life and laughter…adventures woven around those compelling, romantic instances that most appeal to a woman's loving heart. Marcia feels that if her readers close one of her books with a contented sigh and a delighted smile, feeling rejuvenated, cheerful and edified, then she has achieved what she set out to do…shower refreshment and happiness on anyone having experienced the story.
Marcia lives in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. There she writes her stories surrounded by her beloved friends and family...and the beautiful desert landscape of New Mexico!
These influential people and the family legends they detailed, coupled with her own life experiences and utterly romantic nature, led Marcia to begin writing novels as Christmas gifts for her closest friends…friends who long for a breath of the past and miss the romance of bygone eras; friends searching for moments of distraction from the stressful, demanding times we live in.
And so, knowing that it is the breath of the past and the "take me in you arms and kiss me" kind of moments that so many women long to relive, Marcia spins her tales of love, life and laughter…adventures woven around those compelling, romantic instances that most appeal to a woman's loving heart. Marcia feels that if her readers close one of her books with a contented sigh and a delighted smile, feeling rejuvenated, cheerful and edified, then she has achieved what she set out to do…shower refreshment and happiness on anyone having experienced the story.
Marcia lives in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. There she writes her stories surrounded by her beloved friends and family...and the beautiful desert landscape of New Mexico!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
August 27, 2008
Marcia McClure is one of my shameful secrets. Not because she writes dirty books, she doesn't, but because she writes purely romantic fluff. I have a theory that all women need a bit of romantic fluff occasionally. Marcia's books are my fix.
Her heros are handsome, brooding, and passionate. Her heroines are beautiful, innocent, and romantic. And, her other characters are fun. One thing you can count on is passionate kissing, though it never goes beyond that. All of her heros are honorable men.
This book was the first of her books that I actually purchased. I had read her novellas as ebooks and liked them, but this my first book book of hers. ;) I enjoyed it emensely and have reread it a few times now. Hopefully others have enjoyed it as well.
Her heros are handsome, brooding, and passionate. Her heroines are beautiful, innocent, and romantic. And, her other characters are fun. One thing you can count on is passionate kissing, though it never goes beyond that. All of her heros are honorable men.
This book was the first of her books that I actually purchased. I had read her novellas as ebooks and liked them, but this my first book book of hers. ;) I enjoyed it emensely and have reread it a few times now. Hopefully others have enjoyed it as well.
February 9, 2011
I really loved this book! This one is a little different than Marcia's typical romances, since the main characters see and interact with ghosts, but it's such an important part of the story. This one has a good mystery, along with a lot of *clean* romance and was a great read while I was sitting home with a sick little girl.
Lauryn has a ghost, "Captain," who has lost his wife/lover. He is her companion and comforter. She meets a wounded soldier (WWI) on a train home to TN with her Nana. Brant has a ghost too--Lauralynn, the lost wife. They try and track down the body of Laura before it's too late and fall in love along the way.
I love how Brant started falling for Lauryn, even before he could see her.
Lauryn has a ghost, "Captain," who has lost his wife/lover. He is her companion and comforter. She meets a wounded soldier (WWI) on a train home to TN with her Nana. Brant has a ghost too--Lauralynn, the lost wife. They try and track down the body of Laura before it's too late and fall in love along the way.
I love how Brant started falling for Lauryn, even before he could see her.
April 25, 2011
LOVED THIS!!!! This was different from Marcia's other books, but in a good way! I never wanted to read this because it sounded so different, but when it was on a good sale, I had to try it, and I was pleasantly surprised! I got so wrapped up in the mystery of this story and enjoyed the descriptions of the cellar, the spring house, ect. I almost enjoyed all that more than the romance to the point that I started to find the romance/kissing parts seemed to drag on too long - I wanted to get on with the story! This book had the best of romance, mystery, and history. I loved the Southern background and feel of the story. So very good, and nothing like anything I've read before. Brilliantly done!
January 14, 2011
This is a favorite of mine by MLM!!! It was definitely a distraction from daily life, very hard to put down. I think Brant might be my favorite hero of Marcia's books that I have read so far. He is Mr. Perfectly Imperfect. I really enjoyed the mystery in this book. I loved laughing at all the impetuous things Lauryn did to embarrass herself. I love how Brant always sought her out and found a way to make her feel better about her silliness. While the kissing is still a bit over the top, I am more inclined to let my daughter read this MLM book if she asks someday. I like how Brant works hard to control his feelings.
June 14, 2019
I have always been a little iffy about reading this book. It just sounded I don't know weird to me. Well when there was a sale on the e-books I thought why not give it a try. So I did and let me say it is a great book. You can feel the emotions in this book the heartache that the family is going through. I loved it a great story I had a hard time putting it down I wanted to know how it ended. Very good and I am sad that I didn't read it before now. Great job once again Marcia.
July 11, 2025
Reread this book for the umpteenth time for a book club and it still never disappoints! Always and forever one of my favorite stories.
July 22, 2016
Lauryn Kennsington met “The Captain” when she was 8 years old and grew up with the ghost as a friend. He was the dead husband of her great aunt and he has spent the last 50+ years looking for her ghost, so they can be reunited. When Lauryn grows up, she meets Brant Masterson, the great-nephew of her beloved captain, who grew up being friends with a ghost of his own, that of Lauralynn, the missing bride. When these two meet, they realize that they must work together to unite these two lovers who have suffered for so long, just wanting to find each other. It proves to be much more complicated than they imagined.
I loved this book! Although it deals with ghosts, I would not classify it as a paranormal because no really spooky or strange, scary stuff happens. These ghosts are simply there as friends and all four of them work together to try and solve what happened to Lauralynn’s body when she died so that her ghost and “The Captain’s” can finally be reunited. Of course, the love story is between Lauryn and Brant, but the depth of emotion between the two ghosts and their longing for each other is really beautiful and made me cry a few times as I read the novel. It is set in the south, right at the end of World War I and it is a beautiful historical, giving us lots of marvelous details about family and setting. There were no discordant notes in this story, even given the family aspect, which so many authors manage to mutilate. The characters are wonderfully crafted with everyone being drawn very realistically in my opinion. It also hearkens back a lot to the Civil War and since Brant just returned from the horror of his own war experience, the novel draws some touching parallels between why men have to go to war and what it is they fight for. I thought the ending was marvelous, surprising without being crazy, and it hit all the right strings for me. If you enjoy reading books where the romance is so much deeper than just sex, but instead a true meeting of souls, this will definitely appeal to you.
I loved this book! Although it deals with ghosts, I would not classify it as a paranormal because no really spooky or strange, scary stuff happens. These ghosts are simply there as friends and all four of them work together to try and solve what happened to Lauralynn’s body when she died so that her ghost and “The Captain’s” can finally be reunited. Of course, the love story is between Lauryn and Brant, but the depth of emotion between the two ghosts and their longing for each other is really beautiful and made me cry a few times as I read the novel. It is set in the south, right at the end of World War I and it is a beautiful historical, giving us lots of marvelous details about family and setting. There were no discordant notes in this story, even given the family aspect, which so many authors manage to mutilate. The characters are wonderfully crafted with everyone being drawn very realistically in my opinion. It also hearkens back a lot to the Civil War and since Brant just returned from the horror of his own war experience, the novel draws some touching parallels between why men have to go to war and what it is they fight for. I thought the ending was marvelous, surprising without being crazy, and it hit all the right strings for me. If you enjoy reading books where the romance is so much deeper than just sex, but instead a true meeting of souls, this will definitely appeal to you.
March 23, 2012
I am not one for ghosts, and hauntings, so I was a little leary of this one. However, it is written by one of my all-time favorite authors, so I had to read it!! I must say, I was not disappointed. It took me a little longer to read than my usual 1-2 day turn around for a McClure book, and that is ok! I found I actually had to really think through some of the plot to make sure I understood what was going on. The details and plot twists are fantastic, and intriguing! In a nut-shell, Lauryn meets Brant. Lauryn is related to Lauralynn, who died some 50+ years ago during the war, in her own home. Shot in the belly :( Brant is related to Brandon (Brand) who also died during the war, a week after Laura (his wife). Lauryn is 'friends' with Brand, the Captain as she calls him, and has been able to see, converse, and generally hang out with since she was 8. Brant has had the same situation take place in his own life, but with Lauralynn. A chance, or fateful encounter, however you want to see it, brings Lauryn and Brant together with the joint purpose of putting their ghostly counterparts to rest. To do so, they must find Lauralynn's remains. Good luck!! Lauryn has been trying to help her Captain find his honey for over 10 years already!! Together, they search, fall in love, feel guilt about not focusing 100% on their ghostly endeavors, and struggle to find the truth.
This one will keep me thinking for a little while!
This one will keep me thinking for a little while!
November 13, 2014
I've finally made it through all of McClure's published books. It's kind of fitting that I saved this one for last, since it's about ghosts and it's Halloween weekend.
Anyway, I ended up enjoying this one more than I thought I would. It's a bit different than her other books. I enjoyed the mystery and the characters. I liked Brandt and Lauryn, they were sweet together, but weren't fully able to develop their relationship because of the mystery surrounding them. Anyway, a fun mystery. My only complaint is that the story takes place in the early 1900's, but I didn't feel that. When they talked about the civil war I could picture all of that, but otherwise it seemed too current or modern? I still really enjoyed the story though and wouldn't mind a spinoff book for Penny. She had a fun, sassy personality and it'd be fun to hear her story. :)
I guess now that I've read all her books I'll have to start re-reading them until her new books come out! :)
Anyway, I ended up enjoying this one more than I thought I would. It's a bit different than her other books. I enjoyed the mystery and the characters. I liked Brandt and Lauryn, they were sweet together, but weren't fully able to develop their relationship because of the mystery surrounding them. Anyway, a fun mystery. My only complaint is that the story takes place in the early 1900's, but I didn't feel that. When they talked about the civil war I could picture all of that, but otherwise it seemed too current or modern? I still really enjoyed the story though and wouldn't mind a spinoff book for Penny. She had a fun, sassy personality and it'd be fun to hear her story. :)
I guess now that I've read all her books I'll have to start re-reading them until her new books come out! :)
August 22, 2014
Final feeling: glad that's over
Dragged on and on... Way too syrupy sweet.
Dragged on and on... Way too syrupy sweet.
June 19, 2023
every time this makes me CRYY at the end
August 28, 2022
It's that time of the year again to devour the deliciousness of Marcia Mcclure's journeys to destiny books. Okay, I'm a month early starting but who cares!
8/27/22
I love this story. I love the mystery and the powerful time-distance love that brought two lovers together. The middle took a long time but it adds to the love story and the mystery. My favorite is the end. "They'd never believe us, would they?" It just brings the generations together.
Other years
This is only the second time reading this story. It's still mesmerizing, saddening, and a feeling of needing to find out the mystery. It's an intense read even still. Plus an intense read. Their kids at eh end crack me up too.
8/27/22
I love this story. I love the mystery and the powerful time-distance love that brought two lovers together. The middle took a long time but it adds to the love story and the mystery. My favorite is the end. "They'd never believe us, would they?" It just brings the generations together.
Other years
This is only the second time reading this story. It's still mesmerizing, saddening, and a feeling of needing to find out the mystery. It's an intense read even still. Plus an intense read. Their kids at eh end crack me up too.
June 15, 2022
I loved this story! The mystery, both love stories. However, I'm giving it three stars because I thought if the author had Brant take his shirt off for no good reason under heaven one more time, that I would pull my hair out. I also thought the whole going on about kissing at every turn was a bit too much. Don't get me wrong, I love a good kiss, but there is much truth to the old adage "less is more". Adored every character! Marcia Lynn McClure does know how to spin an amazing romance - especially the build up.
April 22, 2012
I really like Marcia McClure's books and this is my favorite of all that I've read. I did think it kind of bogged down in the middle, but I loved the beginning and the end. I guess the story of the ghosts was so melancholy that the length of the book seemed to drag out their suffering.
I think I would have been happier with a condensed version with less pain and frustration since I'm a wuss. Usually Ms. McClure's happy romances tend to be short, but this one had some serious heartbreak and wasn't.
I think I would have been happier with a condensed version with less pain and frustration since I'm a wuss. Usually Ms. McClure's happy romances tend to be short, but this one had some serious heartbreak and wasn't.
August 6, 2008
this was the first one of hers I read and I loved it which lead to me searching out each as soon it came out.
McClure knows how to tell a romanctic tale that can make you shoon and she knows how to write a kiss every drtail of it.
This story is not her usual story not many of us can put ourselves in the charters shoes. it is still one of my faves.
McClure knows how to tell a romanctic tale that can make you shoon and she knows how to write a kiss every drtail of it.
This story is not her usual story not many of us can put ourselves in the charters shoes. it is still one of my faves.
June 2, 2010
Another great book. I thought this one was a little different from her others since there were actual ghosts as characters and it revolved around helping the ghosts. Still had all the elements of a typical MLM romance: handsome male who protects the beautiful female's virtue, lots of kissing, and feel good happily ever after.
February 2, 2012
Marcia Lynn McClure has been keeping me company with her fun romances. She's all about kissing but no sleeping together before marriage! I prefer her westerns and period romances to most of her modern stories. I can usually read one in a few hours and they put a smile on my face, even if I sometimes how to roll my eyes at the cheesiness.
February 29, 2008
Sometimes a great romance is a "must read!" This one is a great "take me in your arms and kiss me" book without going any further than that. There is a fun mystery to solve and a bit of an almost magical relationship. This is one of my favorites!
June 17, 2008
I really enjoyed this story. It is an old fashioned romance with a little bit of mystery thrown in. I can't decide if the best part is when they solve the mystery or when love finds two unsuspecting people.
August 4, 2009
IT WAS AMAZING...LOVED IT!!!!
I actually got this book from the library off the shelf as a backup if i ran out of other books to read. I finally had a chance to read it and i cant believe how good it was. I couldnt put it down. Great romantic mystery.
I actually got this book from the library off the shelf as a backup if i ran out of other books to read. I finally had a chance to read it and i cant believe how good it was. I couldnt put it down. Great romantic mystery.
February 2, 2008
She is my favorite! She did great in this book mixing mystery and romance it kept you turning the pages!
November 25, 2015
Loved it again!
March 27, 2024
so i take back what i thought about this book 2 years ago....once i read it again....i liked it....i liked the mystery behind it all and i most definitely loved the romantic parts :D
August 15, 2008
This book was a little long. The first time I read this it seemed to go on for forever. But I love the blind hero!! So exciting!
October 7, 2008
This one could very well be one of my favorite of McClure's clean romances. So good!
December 16, 2008
I have read for books in the last week! A little crazy! My neighboor called and asked where I had been! Reading!!
February 28, 2009
Another romance novel from my favorite author!
February 3, 2010
Very good! McClure is a genius!!
February 22, 2010
My favorite book of hers that I have read so far.
February 26, 2010
A ghost story?!? Yeah, and I loved it. Her books draw me in so quickly and I seriously am entertained throughout. From the moment they met on the train..... my oh my!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews