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A Stranger's Touch
Single mom, MAGGIE HOLMES, is a by-the-book Calgary cop, until her seven-year-old asthmatic son, Davie, is kidnapped. Frantically grasping at any hope, she turns to STAFFORD WEBB, a psychic who retrieves information through his sense of touch.
Stafford is reluctant. Unbeknownst to Maggie, he helped with the Tommy Hutchinson kidnapping case six months earlier, but didn’t get to the child in time. Haunted by images of the boy, Stafford retreats inward and focuses on his other private obsession: finding the killer, James Ryan Morley – the man who also murdered Stafford’s older sister when she was sixteen.
But the desperation in Maggie’s eyes is too great for Stafford to ignore. Following his visions, they set off on a journey through the rugged terrain of the Northwest Territories – and along the jagged line between faith and reason.
61,000-word Romantic Suspense. Adult language, some violence, sexual situations.
Stafford is reluctant. Unbeknownst to Maggie, he helped with the Tommy Hutchinson kidnapping case six months earlier, but didn’t get to the child in time. Haunted by images of the boy, Stafford retreats inward and focuses on his other private obsession: finding the killer, James Ryan Morley – the man who also murdered Stafford’s older sister when she was sixteen.
But the desperation in Maggie’s eyes is too great for Stafford to ignore. Following his visions, they set off on a journey through the rugged terrain of the Northwest Territories – and along the jagged line between faith and reason.
61,000-word Romantic Suspense. Adult language, some violence, sexual situations.
225 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2012
99 people are currently reading
627 people want to read
About the author
Roxy Boroughs
20 books199 followersBefore launching her writing career, best-selling romance author Roxy Boroughs was an accomplished stage and film actor who appeared in the TV series DEGRASSI JUNIOR HIGH; and top-rated movies such as IT MUST BE LOVE, starring Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen.
Look for her romantic comedy CRAZY FOR COWBOY; her suspense series PSYCHIC HEAT, featuring the award-winning novel A STRANGER'S TOUCH; and the popular FROST FAMILY CHRISTMAS series, marrying sweet romance with cozy mystery.
November 2021 marks the release of two original heartwarming holiday stories. Watch for THE SPRITE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, published in the sweet romance anthology HUGS, KISSES AND MISTLETOE WISHES; and A CHRISTMAS CAROLE, featured in CHRISTMAS ROMANCE DIGEST 2021: HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, edited by Tracy Cooper-Posey.
Roxy is married to her first love, so she not only writes romance, she lives it! If she’s not typing away at her desk, she’s reading, quilting, whipping up a fabulous new recipe, or hiking around the Rocky Mountain village she calls home, where mule deer and bighorn sheep roam the streets.
Look for her romantic comedy CRAZY FOR COWBOY; her suspense series PSYCHIC HEAT, featuring the award-winning novel A STRANGER'S TOUCH; and the popular FROST FAMILY CHRISTMAS series, marrying sweet romance with cozy mystery.
November 2021 marks the release of two original heartwarming holiday stories. Watch for THE SPRITE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, published in the sweet romance anthology HUGS, KISSES AND MISTLETOE WISHES; and A CHRISTMAS CAROLE, featured in CHRISTMAS ROMANCE DIGEST 2021: HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, edited by Tracy Cooper-Posey.
Roxy is married to her first love, so she not only writes romance, she lives it! If she’s not typing away at her desk, she’s reading, quilting, whipping up a fabulous new recipe, or hiking around the Rocky Mountain village she calls home, where mule deer and bighorn sheep roam the streets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
March 28, 2012
Having read Roxy's novella, A Stranger's Kiss, ahead of its release, I came into this novel knowing that it would be about child abduction, and knowing that if it was anything like her novella, I'd be biting my nails and turning the pages. Indeed, my expectations were met, and I love the introduction of Stafford Webb (who had a much smaller part in the novella).
With consummate skill, Roxy easily brings you into the story, sympathizing with both Maggie and Stafford, and with little Davie. The plot is full of twists and turns, and I had a hard time figuring out the motivations of the perpetrator. That's a rarity for me, and I was kept in suspense until the end.
I highly recommend A Stranger's Touch. It's well worth the read, and you won't be able to put it down.
With consummate skill, Roxy easily brings you into the story, sympathizing with both Maggie and Stafford, and with little Davie. The plot is full of twists and turns, and I had a hard time figuring out the motivations of the perpetrator. That's a rarity for me, and I was kept in suspense until the end.
I highly recommend A Stranger's Touch. It's well worth the read, and you won't be able to put it down.
August 29, 2014
Another book that I find that the cover has nothing to do with the storyline. This book is about a kidnapped little boy and the journey and hell that his mom goes through to find him. Well written and very interesting.
July 13, 2013
3.5 This started out pretty good. Its every parents nightmare to find out your child has been abducted. Maggie's son was taken in the front of school and there are little to no leads. Enter Stafford how has an ability to touch objects and see what that person saw. Maggie is a nonbeliever and it takes a long time for her to get with the program.
I really liked Maggie at first and her emotions were so real. I even understood her disbelief and short temper with Stafford. By half way through she was became detached to me. Not as a mother looking for her son but just as a character. I mean her emotions were there and all over the place and that's completely understandable. But things just felt weird and off. I no longer enjoyed reading her pov. Maybe it was the way that she treated Stafford and was constantly hurting him. Honestly the best parts of the book for me were when we had sweet seven year old Davie's pov.
Overall this wasnt bad at all and the writing was nice.
I really liked Maggie at first and her emotions were so real. I even understood her disbelief and short temper with Stafford. By half way through she was became detached to me. Not as a mother looking for her son but just as a character. I mean her emotions were there and all over the place and that's completely understandable. But things just felt weird and off. I no longer enjoyed reading her pov. Maybe it was the way that she treated Stafford and was constantly hurting him. Honestly the best parts of the book for me were when we had sweet seven year old Davie's pov.
Overall this wasnt bad at all and the writing was nice.
November 12, 2012
It's every Mother's fear that someone will abduct their child and for Maggie the guilt of she being late to pick Davie up and him being abducted is twice as painful. I felt for her and I also felt for Stafford always having to try and prove himself to Maggie about his abilities. I thought Davie for a 7 year old was a very smart little boy he wanted to try and escape but was afraid what the woman would do so he thought to leave a trail of bread crumbs so to speak. wont say anymore don't want to spoil it. I would recommend this book.
September 17, 2012
A boy is kidnapped; his Mother talks a stranger into helping her find her son. The Stranger is a psychic and between his visions and her determination they follow the kidnapper and the young boy. This story is told from all four main character's POV.
I loved the characters in this story and the HFN, hopefully, HEA ending; they both deserve one.
I loved the characters in this story and the HFN, hopefully, HEA ending; they both deserve one.
May 28, 2013
This is an emotionally-gripping, fast-paced story that had me on the edge of my seat from the first page.A Stranger's Touch is a must read, a story that will not only leave you breathless with anticipation, but remind you what truly matters most in life. I guarantee you won't be disappointed!
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November 21, 20125***** This was certainly a change from most romances that I have read. A policewoman's son is kidnapped and a psychic is trying to help her find him. In the story you get her journey and the boys its a very intense book. I enjoyed it the action is all through it.
June 18, 2017
A gripping, fast-paced paranormal mystery. Get ready to be fall in love with Maggie and cheer her along as she struggles to find her kidnapped son. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
November 10, 2019
A Stranger's Touch (Psychic Heat Book #1) by Roxy Boroughs.
I enjoyed reading this story, it has a crime (kidnapping of Maggie's son), mystery (who is the culprit), suspense (will they find Davie in time) romance (Maggie and Stafford interactions) and a happy ending. 4 stars.
I enjoyed reading this story, it has a crime (kidnapping of Maggie's son), mystery (who is the culprit), suspense (will they find Davie in time) romance (Maggie and Stafford interactions) and a happy ending. 4 stars.
November 3, 2019
This book grabbed my attention from the very first page.
Calgary police officer, Maggie Holmes, is introduced to psychic, Stafford Webb, when her son Davie goes missing. At first Maggie didn’t believe Stafford’s psychic abilities but it didn’t take long to change her mind. Stafford could actually see what the missing person was going through by touching something they had touched. It was a wild ride through the Canadian countryside searching for Davie and I couldn’t put the book down until the very end.
This story took me by surprise. I could not figure out who the kidnapper was. Usually, I am pretty good at figuring them out. I like the intrigue of the story and also like the little bit of romance in it as well. I look forward to reading the rest of this series.
Calgary police officer, Maggie Holmes, is introduced to psychic, Stafford Webb, when her son Davie goes missing. At first Maggie didn’t believe Stafford’s psychic abilities but it didn’t take long to change her mind. Stafford could actually see what the missing person was going through by touching something they had touched. It was a wild ride through the Canadian countryside searching for Davie and I couldn’t put the book down until the very end.
This story took me by surprise. I could not figure out who the kidnapper was. Usually, I am pretty good at figuring them out. I like the intrigue of the story and also like the little bit of romance in it as well. I look forward to reading the rest of this series.
February 26, 2014
This was a really interesting story and the writing I thought was top notch. Frankly I am surprised it doesn't have better ratings. It had all the things I look for-but rarely find in one story. Stafford was a dreamy former FBI agent that is a psychic empath. When he literally runs into Maggie the first time she renders him a quivering mess. The nightmare that Maggie was going through was powerfully written and you really feel her distress over her son being missing and her strange attraction to Stafford. Maggie being a police officer is frustrated with herself that she can't seem to focus on her son's disappearance and finds herself daydreaming about Stafford. As Stafford and Maggie join forces to track Davie down things start to heat up between them. Fast and furious would be a good description of their time together. Stafford wanted more but Maggie didn't want to get connected to him. I did get a little frustrated with Maggie and her treatment of Stafford. He was the hero in this and I really liked how he couldn't help attraction to her even though she wasn't very nice to him. I liked how the story had her son's perspective and you also had the dreams/visions that Stafford had to give you an insight on what he would go through with his psychic abilities.!
February 24, 2017
Whipsaw Between Terror and Hope
I learned of A Stranger’s Touch through Facebook friends, and was intrigued by the psychic angle.
The story starts in Calgary with the abduction of police officer Maggie Holmes’s son. Holmes meets former FBI psychic, Stafford Webb, and together, against her better judgement, they follow his psychic instincts north.
I loved the way Boroughs portrayed the emotions of these two characters. The whipsaw between terror and hope was well crafted. A Stranger’s Touch kept me on the edge of my seat and I devoured it in no time. The romance was a nice touch.
I will definitely read more from Boroughs, and recommend A Stranger’s Touch to anyone who enjoys well-written characters and a little paranormal with their suspense.
I learned of A Stranger’s Touch through Facebook friends, and was intrigued by the psychic angle.
The story starts in Calgary with the abduction of police officer Maggie Holmes’s son. Holmes meets former FBI psychic, Stafford Webb, and together, against her better judgement, they follow his psychic instincts north.
I loved the way Boroughs portrayed the emotions of these two characters. The whipsaw between terror and hope was well crafted. A Stranger’s Touch kept me on the edge of my seat and I devoured it in no time. The romance was a nice touch.
I will definitely read more from Boroughs, and recommend A Stranger’s Touch to anyone who enjoys well-written characters and a little paranormal with their suspense.
August 29, 2012
The basic storyline gripped me. From the first chapter on I needed to keep reading to find out what happened to Davie, the abducted child. Having recently spent time in High Level and having toured the waterfalls in NWT, I enjoyed the setting.
However, Maggie was so stressed (and rightfully so!) over the kidnapping of her son that the romance elements didn't work as well for me. I found her constant flip-flopping of belief/disbelief in Stafford's psyhometric powers a little wearing--not because it wasn't believable, but because as a reader I saw from Stafford's POV that he was legit, making it a non-issue.
However, Maggie was so stressed (and rightfully so!) over the kidnapping of her son that the romance elements didn't work as well for me. I found her constant flip-flopping of belief/disbelief in Stafford's psyhometric powers a little wearing--not because it wasn't believable, but because as a reader I saw from Stafford's POV that he was legit, making it a non-issue.
March 28, 2012
Calgary cop Maggie Holmes' son goes missing and the only man who can help her find him is psychic Stafford Webb, but Webb has his own demons to battle. Time is running out for Maggie's son. Will she find him before his kidnapper takes him to their final destination? Or will she lose her heart to a man haunted by the ghosts of his past? Full of rich characters, unexpected twists and outstanding story-telling, A Stranger's Touch will enthrall you!
January 3, 2016
This book held my attention; I usually read around three books at a time and I every day I found myself reaching for this one. It is appropriately titled, however I think the cover should be different. When I look at the cover, I immediately think this is a romance book. Yes, there is romance but I felt it was only a slight portion of the story. I feel fairly positive that I will purchase more work by this author.
August 9, 2018
A believable psychic
I liked the character development of the main players. The storyline was pretty straightforward with few surprises, but it moved along well. ##SPOILER ALERT## I really don't understand why the author made the kidnapper be related to the woman her ex husband had been associated with. That fact was just sort of plopped in at the end with no rhyme or reason to it. It didn't hurt the story but neither did it add anything.
I liked the character development of the main players. The storyline was pretty straightforward with few surprises, but it moved along well. ##SPOILER ALERT## I really don't understand why the author made the kidnapper be related to the woman her ex husband had been associated with. That fact was just sort of plopped in at the end with no rhyme or reason to it. It didn't hurt the story but neither did it add anything.
March 30, 2012
An edge of your seat ride!
This review is from: A Stranger's Touch (Passionate Strangers) (Kindle Edition)
A page turner from its beginning, this is a fast-paced, well-written book that encompasses every parent's worst nightmare. Strap yourself in as Ms. Boroughs takes you on a breathless ride!
This review is from: A Stranger's Touch (Passionate Strangers) (Kindle Edition)
A page turner from its beginning, this is a fast-paced, well-written book that encompasses every parent's worst nightmare. Strap yourself in as Ms. Boroughs takes you on a breathless ride!
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Want to read
May 18, 2012Free on Amazon 05/18/2012.
February 6, 2013
Awesome book about a female cop who's son was kidnapped and a man with some pshy. abilities helped her find him. They helped each other on the path there while falling in love with one another.
June 25, 2013
Wonderful read... Couldn't put it down
Want to read
October 15, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (10/15/2019)! 🎁
October 24, 2021
Annoying
The MC Maggie is annoying. She possessed many of the aspects that I hate about the men, but worse. She treats the guy who is helping her like crap even though he keeps giving her proof. Other people even backs his proof and she still doubts him with hurtful words. It was annoying.
Then the self-shame and calling herself a slut after sleeping with one guy over a year after her divorce. Yet, he husband has a girlfriend in weeks and she doesn’t refer to him as a slut. Love the double standard.
Finally, Maggie is a police officer. For a woman looking for her son, she does not ask many questions and never asks for video. You don’t have to be a cop to think of these things. She does not have the feel of a cop.
The MC Maggie is annoying. She possessed many of the aspects that I hate about the men, but worse. She treats the guy who is helping her like crap even though he keeps giving her proof. Other people even backs his proof and she still doubts him with hurtful words. It was annoying.
Then the self-shame and calling herself a slut after sleeping with one guy over a year after her divorce. Yet, he husband has a girlfriend in weeks and she doesn’t refer to him as a slut. Love the double standard.
Finally, Maggie is a police officer. For a woman looking for her son, she does not ask many questions and never asks for video. You don’t have to be a cop to think of these things. She does not have the feel of a cop.
December 3, 2020
Premise was good; the writing was horrible. It was like reading a novice author’s book for a college creative writing g class.
November 13, 2013
I picked this e-book up a few months ago when it was offered for free. The description intrigued me and was right at the beginning of my new affinity for mystery stories. Overall, I enjoyed the book.
The story is told through alternating voices: Maggie's, Stafford's, and Maggie's son, Davie's. The effect is a smooth story line where the reader can keep up with the plot twists without the author needing to employ some kind of "meanwhile" mechanism. The story begins with Maggie going to pick up her son from school only to find him missing. She spots his backpack and knows something is wrong. She's a police officer, so the author shows the reader a really nice balance of the emotional war she's having between being a mom and knowing the realities of abduction cases. Maggie's instructed to go home and told that, while the force will keep her informed, she's too close to the case to be involved. On her way out, she runs into Stafford Webb and something tells her that he's there about Davie's abduction.
Stafford is a former FBI agent with very special skills. His sense of touch can reveal psychic information, making him a valuable asset to law enforcement. Straightaway, he's drawn to Maggie and soon finds himself unable to refuse her request to visit the scene of the abduction. From their, the pair head to Canada's Northwest Territories in search of Davie, finding their way by following Stafford's visions and readings.
A Stranger's Touch was a good read. I didn't make the connection between the kidnapper and the relationship to Maggie and Davie until the author chose to reveal it to me, so that impressed me. There were a few instances when I felt as though the visions and revelations were a little too forced/that Stafford and Maggie had a little too easy of a road, but those cases didn't overshadow my suspension of disbelief or hamper my enjoyment of the story.
Stafford and Maggie are drawn well and the author does a very nice job of illustrating the feelings and emotions both start to develop for the other, as well as their resistance and reluctance to make more out of their relationship. My main point of contention is about the romance . . . were I a mother whose child were missing, would I be dipping into the romance pool? I don't know, so I can't fairly judge, but it did give me pause.
Would I read more by Roxy Boroughs? I don't quite know. But I did enjoy A Stranger's Touch.
The story is told through alternating voices: Maggie's, Stafford's, and Maggie's son, Davie's. The effect is a smooth story line where the reader can keep up with the plot twists without the author needing to employ some kind of "meanwhile" mechanism. The story begins with Maggie going to pick up her son from school only to find him missing. She spots his backpack and knows something is wrong. She's a police officer, so the author shows the reader a really nice balance of the emotional war she's having between being a mom and knowing the realities of abduction cases. Maggie's instructed to go home and told that, while the force will keep her informed, she's too close to the case to be involved. On her way out, she runs into Stafford Webb and something tells her that he's there about Davie's abduction.
Stafford is a former FBI agent with very special skills. His sense of touch can reveal psychic information, making him a valuable asset to law enforcement. Straightaway, he's drawn to Maggie and soon finds himself unable to refuse her request to visit the scene of the abduction. From their, the pair head to Canada's Northwest Territories in search of Davie, finding their way by following Stafford's visions and readings.
A Stranger's Touch was a good read. I didn't make the connection between the kidnapper and the relationship to Maggie and Davie until the author chose to reveal it to me, so that impressed me. There were a few instances when I felt as though the visions and revelations were a little too forced/that Stafford and Maggie had a little too easy of a road, but those cases didn't overshadow my suspension of disbelief or hamper my enjoyment of the story.
Stafford and Maggie are drawn well and the author does a very nice job of illustrating the feelings and emotions both start to develop for the other, as well as their resistance and reluctance to make more out of their relationship. My main point of contention is about the romance . . . were I a mother whose child were missing, would I be dipping into the romance pool? I don't know, so I can't fairly judge, but it did give me pause.
Would I read more by Roxy Boroughs? I don't quite know. But I did enjoy A Stranger's Touch.
July 12, 2012
This books started with a bang, heart wrenching and emotional. I really loved the hero Stafford, but I struggled to like the heroine. I felt sympathy for her but in the end her actions didn't prove true to form for me. Writing was really good and this is an author I will read again.
Spoiler---
I had a few issues with the book, but the main issue I had was...
I found it hard to understand that a police officer and mother no matter what would have driven away from somewhere that anyone doesn't matter if they are physic or not would have said their child might have been. She had tons of clues that her son wasn't south including his stuff so why would she suddenly believe he was else where and leave. leaving the man who selflessly came to help her.
Spoiler---
I had a few issues with the book, but the main issue I had was...
I found it hard to understand that a police officer and mother no matter what would have driven away from somewhere that anyone doesn't matter if they are physic or not would have said their child might have been. She had tons of clues that her son wasn't south including his stuff so why would she suddenly believe he was else where and leave. leaving the man who selflessly came to help her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
July 11, 2012Not a fan of romance novels but this was a selection on POI and as I was reading the description I saw this line:
"Look, I don't have anywhere to turn. My baby is gone. And I will do anything and everything I can to find him. I'm not a person who prays, but I've been praying every minute. I don't believe in Santa, the Easter Bunny, or the Bogeyman, but if I thought one of them could help me, I'd be tracking them down and hauling them off to the crime scene too."
It made me LOL so I figured what the heck I'll read anything once. Review to follow once I've gotten to it......
"Look, I don't have anywhere to turn. My baby is gone. And I will do anything and everything I can to find him. I'm not a person who prays, but I've been praying every minute. I don't believe in Santa, the Easter Bunny, or the Bogeyman, but if I thought one of them could help me, I'd be tracking them down and hauling them off to the crime scene too."
It made me LOL so I figured what the heck I'll read anything once. Review to follow once I've gotten to it......
September 2, 2013
I'm going with 5 stars I debated what rating to give but am shocked that the average isn't higher. this was a good book.
spoiler.
okay so you know this is a child abduction but the thing that shocked me was sex with the psychic. I mean I'm reading this from a mom point of veiw revolted thinking if my son was kidnapped I wouldn't be thinking about sex...... or would I a year divorced side by side in a car across country grieving mother or not I'm still a woman so yep going with 5 stars action romance mystery a little bit of everything.
spoiler.
okay so you know this is a child abduction but the thing that shocked me was sex with the psychic. I mean I'm reading this from a mom point of veiw revolted thinking if my son was kidnapped I wouldn't be thinking about sex...... or would I a year divorced side by side in a car across country grieving mother or not I'm still a woman so yep going with 5 stars action romance mystery a little bit of everything.
July 18, 2014
This was okay... the story line was a great idea but the book went by slow... I did a lot of skimming through... even though it was a great plot it was kind of boring to me. I don't know if it was the way it was written or what.
What measures would you take if your son was taken? Would you put your faith in a clairvoyant who had a knack for seeing snippets of a timeline by touching an object? It's hard for a cop to let go of control, especially when she's the mother of the missing child...
What measures would you take if your son was taken? Would you put your faith in a clairvoyant who had a knack for seeing snippets of a timeline by touching an object? It's hard for a cop to let go of control, especially when she's the mother of the missing child...
June 11, 2012
I guess I missed didn't see the cover or read the cover or something before I download this book. It's a story about a mother whose child gets kidnapped. She works with a psychic to get him back. It wasn't a terrible story, but I just can't condone psychics or sex outside of marriage. The mystery was good though.
July 3, 2013
This book follows the journey of a mother, Maggie, trying to find her kidnapped son. She coerces a psychic and friend of her police chief to join her on a cross-country search for her son. Along the way, their dislike for each other turns into attraction. Although the book felt a bit slow at times, it was over all an enjoyment to read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews