Houston and Zavala Springs, Texas – Present Day

Clare Chandler and her two-year-old son, Jimmy, are at the bus depot in Houston, waiting for a bus connection. Clare has run away from her Middle Eastern ex-husband, but she knows Ramzi will be sending his men to bring his only son back. Two men appear out of the dark, shooting at Clare and grabbing at her son. When Josh Ryan sees the woman and child in trouble, he quickly rescues them, gets them in his old pickup, and takes off.

Josh is recently back in Texas from Afghanistan and his deployment with the Rangers, and he's suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He has not been home for fourteen years and is on his way to his grandfather’s funeral. When he realizes the problems Clare is facing, he decides to take her home to the Delgado Ranch in Zavala Springs until she can figure out what to do. He is happy to see his sister, Maggie, and his brother, Ethan, but has issues with his father, who gave up his family when his wife died.

Josh comes from a long line of witches, and he, his brother, Ethan, and sister, Maggie, were cursed so that they can never bear children. Josh has tried to forget witchcraft and live a normal life. He is very attracted to the beautiful Clare, but knowing that she wants a large family, he realizes he cannot get too involved with her. Along with Maggie and Ethan, they formulate a plan on how to keep Jimmy in the United States. Josh and Clare pose as husband and wife and leave for Washington D.C.

For the first time in a long while, Clare feels safe and is determined to save her child from his wealthy and influential father. The air sizzles between Clare and Josh. Will he be able to help her? Will witchcraft come into play?

SAFE WITH A STRANGER is a romantic and suspenseful tale of a woman who loves her son, and a father willing to do whatever it takes to get his child back. Clare is a good mother who wants the best for her child. She is very attracted to Josh, who is battling his own problems of PTSD and alcoholism. He is a true hero as he comes to the fore to help a woman in distress. Excitement builds when Ramzi comes after his son.

Well written with romantic tension, SAFE WITH A STRANGER is a story with a little of everything -- romance, suspense and a little witchcraft. It is the first in a new Safe Keeper series by Ms. Conrad, which will be followed by Ethan’s story in SAFE BY HIS SIDE. It is a series you won’t want to miss.

Marilyn Heyman