Relative Stranger

Starr Spenser cant handle another day in Las Vegas trying to cope with messes made by her irresponsible brother and low-down dad, especially after being “Text Dumped,” by Alana, the girl shed thought was ‘the one. So, when shes summoned to her hometown of Portico Ferry, Missouri, Starr doesnt hesitate to pack her up her Jeep Wrangler and drive to the sleepy river town. Sophie, the housekeeper who helped raise Starr, is worried that Letisha, Starrs step-mother, is being conned out of her life savings and the bed and breakfast she owns.

But when she arrives home, Starr finds that Letishas problems arent the only ones she must sort out. Her childhood friend, Firah, has just learned she has a sister and wants Starrs help in finding her. During the search, feelings Starr buried about her straight best friend surface. Only this time around, her friend is not so straight. Repercussions for loving Firah, a second generation Iranian-American, could be severe. Firahs family has an arranged marriage in mind for her, and Firahs family adheres to a strict old country code of conduct that does not include lesbian love.

Then, when Starrs dad and brother show up in Portico Ferry with Alana--and a hit man on their trail-- Starr finds something much more sinister afoot in Portico Ferry that must be resolved before the problems of the only mother shes ever known go away.

Barbara Treat Williams was born in California, then left home at age seventeen and moved house often as part of an Air Force family, finally settling near Wichita, KS. Retired from a career in banking, writing now keeps her semi-sane, her grandchildren keep her grounded, and her motorcycle gives her wings.