Native Stranger

Lazare Family Saga #3

by Elizabeth Bell

Since girlhood, Clare Stratford has dreamt of marrying David Lazare—until she meets the brother he left for dead on the Oregon Trail.

Charleston, South Carolina, 1859. After earning his medical degree in Paris, David returns home to discover that the impish girl he remembers has blossomed into a beautiful young woman. A young woman who proposes marriage. David longs to have Clare by his side and in his bed—but if he lets her that close, she’ll discover his secrets.

Then David’s greatest secret returns from the dead. Thoroughly Cheyenne in spite of his blond hair, Ésh has come East seeking answers. He finds not only the brother who abandoned him as a baby but also the woman he’s seen in visions.

Desperate to escape her father, Clare is torn between the childhood friend she thought she knew and the stranger who’s capturing her heart one secret riding lesson at a time.

At once intimate drama and multigenerational epic, Native Stranger is the third book in the sweeping Lazare Family Saga that transports readers from the West Indies to the Wild West, from Charleston, Paris, and Rome into the depths of the human heart.

472 pages, ebook

First published August 10, 2020

About the author

Elizabeth Bell has been writing stories since the second grade. At the age of fourteen, she chose a pen name and vowed to become a published author. That same year, she began The Lazare Family Saga.

New generations and forgotten corners of history kept demanding attention, and the saga became four epic novels. After three decades of research and revision, Elizabeth decided she’d done them justice. 

Upon earning her MFA in Creative Writing at George Mason University, Elizabeth realized she would have to return her two hundred library books. Instead, she cleverly found a job in the university library, where she works to this day. 

Her historical series The Lazare Family Saga follows a multiracial family struggling to understand where they belong in the young United States. The first book, Necessary Sins, was a Finalist in the Foreword Indies Book of the Year Awards. The second and third books, Lost Saints and Native Stranger, were Editors’ Choices in the Historical Novels Review.

Reviews

[Susan Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Native Stranger is a sweeping saga that is rich in history, filled with passion and emotion. The author delves honestly into subjects such as slavery, unrequited love, and and perceived sins and debauchery, on this journey to Charleston and the Great Plains in the mid 19th century. This is the third book of this series, and I encourage you to read the first two, to learn firsthand the history of this family, their loves, their losses, and their pain.

[Carla Suto · Rating 5 out of 5]

NATIVE STRANGER is Book Three of the multi-generational Lazare Family Saga by Elizabeth Bell. Having previously read and loved the first two books, NECESSARY SINS and LOST SAINTS, I was thrilled to pick up where the last story left off and to be reunited with the intriguing cast of characters. Tessa Stratford’s beautiful daughter, Clare is the main character in this book. The tragic loss of her mother has left young Clare bereft and alone. Her best childhood friend is David Lazare, nephew of Father Joseph Lazare and a ward of Clare’s father. She dreams that one day, when she is older, she and David will marry. Years pass and when David returns to Charleston after earning his medical degree in Paris, he finds that Clare is now a beautiful woman who wants to be his wife. Unfortunately, her father, her Aunt Hortense and her father’s sinister secretary, Cromwell have different ideas. Although he desperately wants Clare, David can’t let her learn of the secrets he has kept buried his whole life. Everything changes when Ésh arrives in Charleston searching for his long lost family. Abandoned as a baby by his brother David, Ésh was raised by the Cheyenne. Now a grown man, he has come seeking answers about his heritage. When he meets Clare by chance, the two begin a secret relationship that will change the lives of everyone around them. As with the first two books in the saga, I was totally engrossed in this novel. There are many thought-provoking themes in the story and they are captured with compassion and sensitivity. I highly recommend this beautifully-written book and I can’t wait to read Book Four when it comes out in Spring, 2021. Thank you to the author for the chance to read an early copy.

[Susan Thuvanuti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series. Book three ended with several characters in very difficult circumstances. Can’t wait to read #4 and am sad that it’s the last book in this family saga.

[Trick Wiley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Native Stranger is the third book in this fantastic series of a family in Charleston,S. C... what a amazing historical story that unfolds right before your eyes!! A continuing story of a family of many generations,telling the on going story of the Lazare Family and the friends that are intertwine with this family. In 1851 and on..it tells the story of different characters that are in the past,growing up,that are to come...I read the last ten chapters of the second book so I could catch up again and remember where I left off so this one could continue the story. This series you will so enjoy and it will stick with you and some of the events that happen or going to happen and the characters will remain with you forever..once you start to read you will not see only see a story you become the story..Elizabeth Bell knows her stuff and once you read her writing and how she writes and how she is with words, Elizabeth has a way of putting you in the story as if you are right there seeing the story unfold! Start with the first book, so you don't miss anything and you know the background to all the Lazare Family Saga..I believe there another book coming ...looking forward to see what happens to the family and close friends as you continue to live with this family.. Excellent read!! Wanting to mention as you are reading,pay attention to all of the events at the time this story is going on,all the medical research that was done for that time in Paris and in South Carolina. Pay attention to the research they was done in what was happening with slavery and how people believed what they did and how the Church fits in and what the Catholic church beliefs were..to me,this is very important in all three of her books in the stories..the history in this book has so much to do with the time,the people and why they acted as they did in that time and the location of being in the deep south! Find out about the Indian beliefs and how you are a Indian one day and and they want to take that away and have you become someone else.

[Piepie | The Napping Bibliophile · Rating 5 out of 5]

THANK YOU, Elizabeth, for my advance copy! I LOVED it, and I love the magic spell I'm under as I read about characters I've come to care about. I'm addicted to this series!

[denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a set of four books. Almost done with the fourth one. This set has been wonderful. Highly recommend, but plan on doing nothing but reading. I have had many sleepless nights staying awake to read this series. Love them!

[mary smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Total Page Turner

I loved this book. So far the best of the three I have read so far. I can’t imagine the research this took to write! I loved the different cultures brought in— Indian and African, and European. So well written. I enjoyed every minute and I am just about to start book 4 even though I should really go to bed!

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful entry in the Lazare Family Saga. This book focuses on the next generation and what happens when a long lost brother returns. I love the characterization - they feel like real people. Can't wait to read Sweet Medicine which is the next book in the saga.

[Diane Moyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth Bell is back at last with the long awaited third installment of the Lazare Family Saga, Native Stranger. This story is well worth the wait! It follows the third generation of the family, David and Esh and Tessa’s daughter, Clare as they become adults. In order not to spoil any of the tale, I cannot say more.

This novel is amazing. I don’t know how Ms. Bell keeps coming up with her ideas, but each tome is different with unique trials and tribulations for each generation of characters. Starting with Grandfather Rene, continuing with Father Joseph and now David and Esh, the drama continues with a distinctively exceptional story line.

You can read this book separately from the others but I recommend reading each one. All are spellbinding and you won’t be able to put them down till you turn the last page. I would suggest that these novels are for a more mature audience from late teen to adult because of the adult subject matter.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lazare Family Saga

I have read the first three books to fast. Now I have tree to wait three weeks to read the fourth one. I have enjoyed these so much. Thank you four good reads.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series. Just started the final book. It's a historical fiction romance series about a biracial family in the 1800s pre-civil war.

[Susie Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all three books in Elizabeth Bell’s Lazare Family Saga to date and this is my personal favourite in the series so far. It was riveting and an absolute pleasure to read.

I thought the progression of the story was clear and fluid, and the love story was extremely satisfying. I particularly liked the character of Ésh and was very pleased to see him take centre stage in this book.

I am in awe at the depth of the research the author conducted for Native Stranger, and her previous books too. It’s plain that she has read widely and researched thoroughly and this gives all her books an impressive level of authenticity.

There is a historical quote at the beginning of each chapter and these are all so well-chosen. Many of the quotes are in relation to slavery, which is to be expected given the time period and storyline of the series, and some of them are downright shocking. The author presents these less savoury parts of history with great sensitivity.

Elizabeth Bell is a truly talented writer. She uses beautiful turns of phrase and she has created characters who are very special. Native Stranger is a strong addition to the Lazare Family Saga and it has left me eager to get my hands on the fourth book, Sweet Medicine.

Edit 26th January 2024: I reread this book in audio format and below are my fresh thoughts on it!

Native Stranger is a marvellous continuation of the Lazare Family Saga. I'm now three books into the series and I remain deeply invested in all the characters - they are portrayed so vividly that they seem like real people. In this instalment, I was particularly moved by the character of the slave Easter who had to endure so much. The blossoming of the relationship between two young lovers in the second half of the book was beautifully written and flawlessly narrated. Hats off to both author and narrator for combining their talents to produce a gripping story that had me enthralled from start to finish.

[Elizabeth Bell]

🎧 My audiobook narrator, Dallin Bradford, continues to outdo himself! I chose him because I knew he'd be awesome at portraying my male characters. No matter their accent, he's proven me right. Now, Dallin has amazed me by channelling my teenage heroine. That's a great actor! "Swoon-worthy" is the best way to describe his performance of this novel, from the love scenes to the epigraphs. Yes, even the epigraphs! And it isn't an affected sexiness, which makes it even sexier. ❤️

Native Stranger is available on:

Audible US: https://www.audible.com/pd/Native-Str...
Chirp: https://www.chirpbooks.com/audiobooks...
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/...
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/audiobook/...
Everand (Scribd): https://www.everand.com/audiobook/709...
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/audiobo...
Audiobooks.com: https://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/...
Libro.fm: https://libro.fm/audiobooks/978173703...
and more...

[Shelby Duckworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing series. I will be sad to see it end. Book 4 here I come🙂

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Native Stranger is the third book in the Lazare Family Saga. There were a number of hints in the second book of things to come in this one and I was keen to find out how these events played out. I wasn’t disappointed.

This one is set in Charleston and Paris and continues the story of the younger generation Clare, David and Esh with the appearance of a few old favourites. Joseph’s work with the slave train really helped redeem him after the last book.

We move on from forbidden love in the first couple of books to a love triangle- I was keen to see more of David as I enjoyed his grandfather’s role as a doctor and wanted to see more of that. Alas he ended up more like his uncle Joseph rather than his grandfather. Fortunately for both Clare (and me) Esh didn’t have any of those hang ups. (Thank you Elizabeth for the descriptions of Esh, from Clare’s point of view!).

As well as the main three characters we did get a bit more insight into some of the peripheral characters- Edward, Hortense and Mr Cromwell. Whilst all were fairly unlikeable they really helped illustrate the thoughts of the time period. I always did wonder if Edward knew about Tessa and Joseph’s relationship.

I found the exploration around gender roles and racism and slavery quite fascinating. In particular Esh’s point of view, coming from his Cheyenne background and seeing it through a different lens. As with all Elizabeth’s books they were well researched and don’t shy away from showing what it was really like at the time. This can certainly make some bits hard to read and I would make sure you do your research before diving in. I enjoyed the relationship between the two slave sisters Easter and Verily. I really felt for Easter as she made sure she protected her younger sister from Mr Cromwell. I also loved the interactions between Clare and Verily.

Again, I really appreciated the research and attention to detail throughout the novel. In particular I really enjoyed the descriptions of the clothing and medical procedures and the wonderful epigraphs. The audiobook narrator continues with his amazing narration and making all the characters and accents. Be warned there are some very spicy bits in the second half of the novel so make sure you listen with headphones!

[Sarah W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked how this book still have the perspective of Esh, but it added Clare and a servant, Easter, to the mix as well. I really liked getting to know Clare more than what previous perspectives have said about her and Easter added an element to the story I didn’t realize was missing. Each feel like they have their own story, but they all connect wonderfully. I never know where the story is going to go and it touches on topics like slavery, marriage/family, sins in a way that shows all sides but in a respective way. The research that the author put into this novel comes through. I am invested in the characters was not expecting it to end on a cliffhanger. I am interested to see what happens in the next book.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sappy and flawed, but absolutely the best of the series so far. There are a variety of POVs and, finally, some female characters get the lead.

I would rate it 4 stars if it hadn’t slipped back into so much unending porn. What will this family do when they lose Rene’s sex advice? I’m not offended by the porn, but I also find it boring, especially when there’s way too much of it and it’s ridiculously unrealistic. I want the story and the characters to progress and evolve, I don’t need the details on what amazing lovers these virgins all are (nor do I want rape scenes in detail).

[Suzieq2]

~TU 5 stars

[Jeannie N Sommers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am truly enjoying this series. Esh is my new favorite character.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one in the series. Looking forward to the final book.

[David Fitz-Gerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal Series/One of My Favorites

I am only one-third of the way through this book but I can already tell that it is just as captivating as the two books that came before, Necessary Sins, and Lost Saints. I will stop back and update when I finish. Wish I had this book when I was on vacation because it makes for a great summer read. This author is one of my favorites.

UPDATE:
Native Stranger is a fantastic book, from start to finish.

I love multigenerational family sagas, and this is one of the best ones I’ve read. I think there’s something for everyone here. From the Cheyenne Nation in Nebraska to Sullivan Island off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina, this book took me on a memorable journey.

Author Elizabeth Bell has a knack for setting a memorable scene. Near the beginning, there is a funeral scene that is full of rich details that evoke a powerful emotional response. Here’s an example, “a red camellia shed petals like tears of blood across their path.” That’s just a fraction of the detail in that chapter. I won’t soon forget that tomb in the plantation’s cemetery.

The star of the story is a young woman whom we know well from previous installments in the series. She possesses the rare beauty of her mother, though she isn’t particularly ladylike, at least not from the perspective of her meddling Aunt Hortense. She has a passion for wild creatures, including insects, reptiles, and amphibians. As it says in the book, “Clare saw beauty even in toads.” As a girl, Clare idolized an older orphaned boy named David, that her mother took in. They were close as children, and Clare expected to marry him when he returned from getting an education abroad. I could tell you about the painful reasons that David avoided the girl he adored, but the author tells it so much better than I could. I found myself believing they belonged together, and aching for them as their circumstances kept them apart.

This book contains adult subject matter and is appropriate for a more mature audience. The romantic elements appear within the coming of age, young love, first love category. Somehow the author manages to portray these scenes from the perspective of both characters simultaneously. Readers who enjoy romance will be particularly drawn to this book, but I think there is something for everyone in this book, including contemptible villains, heart-wrenching drama, and the Native Stranger himself appears as if born from a classic western.

For me, the best part of this book is the story of a young woman named Easter, who is a slave. Her story is devastating, and her character is nuanced, complex, and memorable. What Easter goes through provides a striking contrast to what Clare experiences. I fully expect these two women will have their hands full with the evil villain in the finale of this series, and I can’t wait to read it. Good thing it is “coming soon.”

Native Stranger is beautifully written, carefully crafted, painstakingly researched, seeping with symbolism, and packed with dramatic angst. Like a fine garden, it’s decorated in the beauty and fragrance of all manner of flowers, just like all of Elizabeth Bell’s novels. I highly recommend this book and series.