Customer Reviews

In Safe Hands (Silhouette Romantic Suspense)

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Courtesy of CK2S kwips and Kritiques

Major Colin Fairfax is on a mission. He is determined to hunt down the killer of his brother, John, and demand his own brand of justice. He believes the lord of one of Mexico's largest drug cartels is behind the death but he has no proof. Until the fiery Maggie Ryan shows up at his door with a wild story about witchcraft, magic, and her own stake in Colin's mission... John's daughter Emma.

Maggie has her own reasons for hunting down Emma's uncle, wanting nothing more than to adopt and protect little Emma. Maggie's own family is cursed by a bruja (Mexican black witch) as a result of a tragedy years ago so her only hopes for a family of her own is in adopting, and Emma has stolen her heart. Maggie never expected the intense emotions she'd face upon encountering Colin. Then there is the fact everything is complicated by one of the most dangerous Mexican drug lords' interest in Emma.

Colin and Maggie must overcome their differences to stand together against the enemies, who seem to have a few extra abilities of their own, all to keep Emma In Safe Hands.

I'm a more recent fan of Linda Conrad, having just discovered her about halfway through her Night Guardians series, but she became an autobuy for me after I read my very first Conrad book. In Safe Hands is a wonderful addition to the Linda Conrad library. Here we have everything I expect of from one of her books, and then some. We have a highly suspenseful adventure full of sizzling sensual tension between our lead couple. There is also a paranormal theme carrying throughout The Safe Keepers trilogy in the form of Mexican witchcraft, dark curses, and a touch of magic as well.

Maggie is the epitome of what it means to be a woman, a key component of this series. She has limitless courage when it comes to protecting those close to her, a mothering instinct which is given room to rein through little Emma, as well as the adoptive children of her two brothers, Josh and Ethan. Then there is the immense amount of love Maggie has to share with Colin and everyone in her life. Her feelings for Colin are strong and true, as they get to know each other under such tense circumstances.

Colin deals in truth and things that can be proven so he has a very hard time accepting Maggie's claims of magical abilities and evil witches out to get them. His military background is at complete odds with Maggie's beliefs and is makes for plenty of emotional conflict and growth between them. His primary goal from the moment we meet him is to get to the bottom of the mystery surrounding his brother's death so for much of the book, Colin has internal struggles as his feelings for Maggie grow, conflicting with Colin's personal mission.

Suspense and intrigue are brilliantly handled as Maggie and Colin's plans put them in the direct path of one of the most powerful Mexican drug cartels there is. Time is running out for them, keeping us on the edges of our seats. Of course, we also are aware of the looming family curse against the Ryans and we worry that the dying bruja will be gone before she can remove the curse if Brody Ryan meets the requirements laid before him.

Though I leave the Ryan family with a smile on my face, I am sad to know my visit with them is at an end in In Safe Hands. I can only hope I will not have too long of a wait until Linda Conrad brings me a new series and new friends.

© Kelley A. Hartsell, March 2009. All rights reserved.