An interview and a giveaway with Roxanne Rustand!

We're excited to welcome Roxanne Rustand today! She will be giving away an ebook version of her book, Falling for the Rancher, to one lucky commenter! 

Tell us a little about yourself 

I’ve been published since 1999. I started out writing secular light romantic suspense, then switched to writing inspirational romance and romantic suspense for Love Inspired in 2007.  I’ve also been writing for the indie market—full length novels and also some novellas that were part of multi-author anthologies.  It’s been fun to see the huge change in publishing opportunities over the last few years!

And your newest book?

My June, 2017 Love Inspired novel, Falling for the Rancher, is the last title in my Aspen Creek Crossroads series for Love Inspired. All five novels in the series are set in the scenic St. Croix River Valley area of Wisconsin. Some readers like to own an entire series before they start reading any them, but the Aspen Creek books are loosely connected, and each is a stand-alone story.

Falling for the Rancher was such fun to write!  We live on an acreage in the country, where we have three horses, two rescue dogs, and five cats.  I love animals, and could never say “no” to any pets our kids wanted while they were growing up.  So this novel, about two veterinarians who couldn’t be more wrong—or more right—for each other meant I could incorporate subplots involving animals.  The story also involves loss and betrayal, and the challenges of moving beyond past wounds to finally reach the joy of an abundant life.

What are you working on at the moment?

Our daughter and her husband lived along the Gulf for the past three years, but sold their house in May and are living with us while house hunting.  It is such a delight having them back with us.I know that all too soon, they will be moving to their next home, and then we won’t get to see them nearly enough! So this summer has really been all about “family time,” though I also need to finish a novella during the next week.

What is the hardest thing about writing?

Juggling time for family, a day job, other interests and writing has always been a challenge, as it is for every writer. I did quit my day job a few years ago (as a clinical dietitian) which helped a lot!

What is the easiest thing about writing?

Coming up with new ideas is the easy part. Implementing them is the challenge!

Writing despite...everything

Hi everyone!

Deepest apologies to our blog followers, who come to suspensesisters expecting timely content...yet here I am, posting near the end of the day.

I'd intended to blog about writing (and being timely despite all of the things in life that get in the way), and I guess my post is a prime example when things don't  get done!  Have you every had one of those days?  :)

We're remodeling our kitchen, and does that ever throw an iron in the works!  Everything is in complete disarray--the contents of cupboards resembling mountains on our dining room table and our guest bedroom.  Stuff piled everywhere--and good luck to anyone needing a particular item! Our daughter and her husband are living with us while they search for a house to buy in a town an hour away, and she is a wonderful cook.  Last night we were all searching for the instant read thermometer so she could finish her entree...and heaven only knows when or where it might turn up.  And, between joining them on their trips north for open houses and private showings, and running errands in town for whatever I need to buy for our remodel, it seems like the car is my second home.  :)

Which means that quality time on the computer for a book I need to finish is hard to come by!  How about you? Have you had times in your life where everything seemed to happen all at once? Where you seemed to meet your self coming and going?  And how did you maintain your productivity and also deal with stress?  I would love some ideas!



Best wishes to you all for a wonderful summer!

Roxanne Rustand



USA Today Bestselling Author
Falling for the Rancher, LI 6/2017
An Aspen Creek Christmas, LI 11/2016
The Single Dad's Redemption, Love Inspired 7/2016
www.roxannerustand.com
www.facebook.com/Roxanne.Rustand
http://www.SweetRomanceReads.com
https://www.pinterest.com/roxannerustand

THIS WEEK ON THE SUSPENSE SISTERS

We’re planning another great week on the Suspense Sisters. Check out our posts, our interviews, and our awesome giveaways!

THIS WEEK:

On our review page, senior reviewer Iola Goulton reviews BENEATH COPPER FALLS by Colleen Coble. Iola says: 

“Recommended for thriller fans. Best read the day before your manicure appointment, not the day after.”   

You can find her complete review HERE.

On Tuesday Dana Mentink will share What’s Hot in Inspirational Suspense and Mystery.

On Wednesday Suspense Sister Roxanne Rustand will share something special with us.  

Friday, we’ll visit with Roxanne again as we interview her about her new book, FALLING FOR THE RANCHER. You could win a copy of this great book!      

Darcy Leighton hopes to someday inherit the veterinarian practice she works for. Before she gets the chance, Logan Maxwell buys it and now she may even lose her job. She’ll do anything to convince Logan to let her stay on. 

The Suspense Sisters! We love books!

Interview with Lisa Harris

Patricia Bradley here and today on Suspense Sisters I'm pleased to introduce Christy Award winner, Lisa Harris who comes to us all the way from Mozambique! And she's giving away a digital copy of her newest book, Ghost Heart to a lucky commenter.

If you had to describe yourself in one sentence, what would you say? 

I don’t always make it, but I’m just someone just trying to serve God where I am.

Lisa, I think you make it much better than I do! What do you do when you’re not writing? Any interesting hobbies?

I enjoy both photography and cooking, but have also started learning photoshop and discovered I really enjoy graphic design.

Oh, Wow! I’ve tried to learn photoshop and it’s quite the steep learning curve! 

What was your favorite book as a teen or child?

I loved all of Victoria Holt’s novels, and in fact as a teen decided I was going to be a gothic novelist when I grew up.

 I read Victoria Holt! 

Tell us three things about yourself that might surprise your readers.

I’ve swam with pink dolphins in the Amazon, eaten piranha, and don’t drink soda or (rarely) coffee.

*Sigh* I would love to swim with the dolphins! I can’t even imagine living where you live. I’m sure there must be some downside to it, but to live there would be so exciting.

What took you to South Africa?

We moved there almost fourteen years ago to begin working with African Outreach Ministries, and have been working in church planting and humanitarian work ever since. We currently live in Mozambique, which is the country next door.

What brings you back to the States?

We are getting ready to spend the next six months in the states to help our daughter settle into University. It’s hard to believe I will have two college age kids. . .young adults!

You look like a college kid yourself! I know this is a bittersweet time…letting your kids stretch their wings and fly.

What genre did you start out writing? Have you changed course? Why or why not?

I started out writing romance novels but always had to sneak in some kind of mystery. And that thread was what I enjoyed writing most. So it was a natural progression to move into romantic suspense.

I totally get the mystery thing. 

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?

When I first began writing, I gathered up all the courage I could muster and went to a critique group. While everyone was incredibly nice, I was told to go home and rework my chapter, because my characters were cardboard. Not what I wanted to hear. But they were right! Fast forward about twenty odd years, and I’ve had several reviewers say my novels read like movies and I’ve always loved that compliment.

I can attest that they read like movies! Love your books.

Any other genres you’d like to try? If yes, what and why?

Maybe gothic historical as mentioned above, but other than that I really love the suspense/thriller genre.

If you could go back in time and do something differently at the start of your career, what would it be?

Honestly, besides being more patient, I can’t really think of anything. It takes time to learn a craft and I’m still learning and trying to write each book better than the last one.

What is the most important thing you’d like readers to take away from your books?

That God’s light can shine through in even the darkest of situations. And that He can and does use ordinary people to make a difference in this world.

And your books show that so well!

What is the most valuable piece of advice you’d like to give to unpublished authors?

Don’t give up. Keep writing and learning and growing in your craft. It’s a journey, not just a destination.

AMEN. It took me a long time to realize it was a journey, but once I did, it became so much more enjoyable.

Lisa's fascinating new book Ghost Heart releases in August and was co-written with Lynne Gentry. Be sure to leave a comment to be entered in an e-copy of her book! The winner will be announced next Thursday in the comment section. 
Comment question: What would surprise our readers about you? 

A brutal murder convinces surgeon Mia Kendall there’s more than she imagined to the mysterious spike in heart transplant rejections. Determined to find answers before she loses another patient, Mia gets sucked into a dangerous international medical web. With time running out for her youngest transplant recipient, Mia is forced to partner with a disillusioned ex-military pilot who flies brokered organs across East Africa. But searching for the truth will prove costly for the unlikely duo racing to stop a madman before he annihilates a rare and cursed bloodline.

Here's a link to pre-order: Amazon