Traveling to a rugged country to meet her new husband for the first time, Bessie wonders, Can love truly conquer fear

Bessie Randall is shocked to discover that, thanks to her sister’s meddling, she is married by proxy to Jasper Mendenhall, a man she’s never met. Believing she has no choice but to honor the marriage, Bessie travels from Boston to Jasper’s military quarters in Fort Bridger, Utah Territory.

Jasper Mendenhall is equally shocked when he meets his wife at the stagecoach and realizes she is not the beauty from the picture he holds. But Jasper has orders to move to Arizona Territory, and he has no choice but to take Bessie with him.

Bessie and Jasper’s mutual distrust is hard enough, but snakebites, Apache raids, and food shortages present even more challenges as they head to the Southwest. A story of quiet commitment despite the odds, To Love a Stranger explores how love can grow in the most difficult land.

USA TODAY bestselling author Historical romance with a hint of mystery Stand-alone novel Other historical fiction from Colleen Coble: The Heart Answers, Butterfly Palace, Freedom’s Light, Blue Moon Promise, Safe in His Arms Includes discussion questions for book clubs