What's HOT in Inspirational Suspense!

Marji Laine here, and we have TWO IN A ROW! Another brand new book releases today by a Suspense Sister. This time, it's with Roxanne Rustand! DANGEROUS STORM is a new element of Roxanne's Northern Pines Suspense series, boasting a small-town, clean romantic suspense story.

This book sounds amazing! Here's a little more about it.

Claire has inherited her sister's small, rustic resort on Lake Superior. Given her business experience in New York, running it won't be much of a challenge. Right?

The cabins and quirky guests she can manage. She hopes. But now she has guardianship of her orphaned five-year-old nieces and their rebellious brother. With no experience as a mom, can she help them feel secure and happy once more?

The children and their more unusual pets make life interesting. But when Logan, her late sister's first husband, shows up at her door and pushes her to sell the property back to him, everything changes.

Someone is threatening her...
She might feel a simmering attraction to him, but is Logan behind it, trying to drive her away? Or is it someone else...someone who will stop at nothing to get what he wants?

And now, the danger is rising.
Lake Superior's North Shore is stunningly beautiful. But it can erupt with incredible, deadly force when a N'Easter slams into its rocky cliffs. A massive storm is on its way.

And life just might depend on knowing who to trust.

Get your copy HERE! 

I hope you LOVE it! ~Marji Laine

FINAL TRUTH BY ROXANNE RUSTAND ~ REVIEW BY PATRICIA BRADLEY

Final Truth is by our very own Suspense Sister Roxanne Rustand. I stayed up until 1:30, flipping the pages of this amazing book to find out who was trying to kill Jolie Maxwell. 

Here's the first sentence: When she left Montana at seventeen, Jolie Maxwell knew she would never move back.

Of course, you always have to eat your words! I loved this story of going home. Let's look at the back copy and the cover first:

Dr. Jolie Maxwell had never planned to move back home.

She knew her sisters wouldn’t welcome her with open arms. But her family needs her. Her brother is in serious trouble with the law, and her dad’s health is failing.

The town needs her, too. It hasn’t had a local doctor in years.

Yet many of the locals aren’t happy about having another Maxwell in their midst.

And now, a hidden enemy will do anything to drive her away.

Coolness from her family, hostility from the townspeople, and a very real threat of danger make Jolie appreciate her new neighbor and his two young children all the more...

Unless he isn’t what he seems.

Start reading today and stay up all night!--That's the truth!

This is the sixth novel in the Montana Secrets series. The books can be read in any order.

Jolie Maxell had more courage than I would've. Her dad had made life around him almost impossible. Robert Maxwell took being in control to the Nth degree and had all but destroyed his relationships with everyone around him, including his family.

Because he'd foreclosed on many of the people of Garrett Bluff, Montana, no Maxwell was welcome in the town where Jolie had returned to start a medical practice. But she hadn't expected anyone would try and run her out of town by trashing her clinic and house. But it's more than that--one person wants to kill her.

One of the characters I really enjoyed was Mandy Wheeler. Jolie gives her a home after she escapes from her abusive father who wants to use the baby Mandy is carrying to get money out of the Maxwells. 

And Matt Dawson is swoonworthy good! After losing his wife, he's afraid to love again, fearing that he will lose someone else. His two kids, Charlie, who is always getting into something, and Annie with a new diagnosis of diabetes, add a lot to the story. 

This is a great story readers don't want to miss with characters the reader will root for and a town that comes to value Jolie. 

You can read Final Truth in KU or buy at Amazon.

Leave a comment with your contact information and I'll enter you in a drawing for a digital copy of Fatal Truth!

The winner of last month's post of an audio copy of Counter Attack was...

L. Murphy.

WHAT'S HOT IN INSPIRATIONAL SUSPENSE

 Wondering what's new in inspirational suspense and mystery?

Our own Roxanne Rustand has a new book out! DEADLY BETRAYAL: Christian romantic suspense (DEA Special Agents Book 3)

He lost everything that mattered. Getting it back could cost him his life.

TJ Coughlan spent five years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. His reputation has been shattered and his career as a DEA Special Agent is over, but what hurts most is losing those years with his precious little girl.

Finally free, he's determined to uncover the truth.

TJ goes undercover in Silver Springs, Wyoming, and takes a room at Abby Hilliard's boardinghouse, determined to find the man who set him up--no matter the cost.

Whether she knows it or not, his beautiful landlady is his key to unraveling the truth and finally clear his name.

He just hopes she's as innocent as she seems.

You can buy it on Amazon or read it on KU.

I have it waiting on my Kindle tonight!

AND December 14, The Holiday Puppy releases! 

SHE WANTED TO FULFILL A LIFELONG DREAM. SHE DIDN'T EXPECT IT TO ENDANGER HER LIFE.

With her daughter starting college far from home and her job ending, widow Lucy Brookes wants one big adventure before starting over.

SHE FIND A LOST PUP THAT LEADS HER INTO DANGER....

The stray puppy on Waikiki Beach looked so bedraggled that she couldn't help but pick him to try to find his owner. When she meets a kind, handsome man on the beach who offers to help, sparks fly. But when they get closer to finding the puppy's home, danger mounts.

AND NOW SHE'S THE TARGET OF A DANGEROUS MAN WHO WANTS TO SEE HER DEAD....

Start reading this novella now, and stay up all night! Pre-order now!

We Love Books!

WHAT'S HOT IN INSPIRATIONAL SUSPENSE

 By Patricia Bradley

Wondering what's HOT in Inspirational Suspense? It's Roxanne Rustand's latest release, Collateral Danger, that's what! 

Josh Bryant is back in Wolf Creek. And now, mountain guide Tessa McAllister has more to fear than drought, wildfires, and underhanded rivals.

Years ago, the handsome photojournalist had broken her heart, leaving her with a secret to harbor alone. Now he is back in town. Distracting her. Making her remember their past.

But someone is watching them. Waiting. Someone dead-set on destroying any chance for second chances. And perhaps, planning to do far worse.

Immerse yourself in another suspense-filled inspirational romance by USA Bestselling Roxanne Rustand, author of forty novels.

You can read it on Kindle Unlimited for free or purchase for $3.99

We love books!

Cold Case Danger, and other events to celebrate!

 

So many parts of the country experienced severe weather this summer that the news on television and in the papers was overwhelming. I hope you were able to escape all that, and that you have lots of happy memories from the summer of 2022!

Ours centered on family and friends and simply being grateful for each other, as we hit our 46th anniversary on August 26th. 💕

I have a couple of happy bits of news to share, though!

COLD CASE DANGER, the first book in my new Wyoming Danger series, is available for pre-order as of today!

Here's a quick peek:

Janna figures she has everything under control. But maybe not…

She can handle raising her daughter alone. Refurbish at least part of a remote mountain lodge and derelict cabins in time for tourist season income. Care for her increasingly forgetful mom.

But when her ragamuffin dog digs up human remains behind a cabin and she starts seeing a shadowy figure lurking in the surrounding forest, danger mounts.

Will her new boarder and his troubled son prove helpful, or is she completely on her own?

Here is a link so you can read more about it on Amazon!

My other happy news is that our two newest grandbabies will be baptized this month, and we are so happy!
I don't yet have a photo of both in their outfits, but here is one of them.

Isn't it interesting how even an eight-month-old can have such strong opinions about her Christening dress?

Her momma made sure there were no itchy or scratchy seams, but as soon as the dress was on, she burst into tears--perhaps overwhelmed at the profusion of pearls, lace, and ruffles. As far as she's concerned, I imagine a nice play outfit would suit her just fine for her big day. 😇

Do you have some fun or special memories from this summer? Leave a comment, and you'll be in a drawing for a free e-copy of my Christian romantic suspense FINAL WITNESS!

Wishing you all a beautiful autumn,

Roxanne Rustand

Final Pursuit, a new inspirational romantic suspense, and a drawing for a free book! ...Roxanne Rustand

 

It seems like time has flown since the last day of 2021.  

Since the mid-1990's I have marked the passage of the years in family events and book deadlines set and met, and time steadily marched on.   But boy, have I ever been distracted since the end of December, when our daughter and her husband had their first baby, and our son and his wife had their fourth.  Two grandbabies within a week!

So now, I live for the sound of text messages chiming into my phone, because it is so exciting to see new photos of these little ones. 💓   If only they both lived closer! But the immediacy of these texted photos and messages is a wonderful blessing compared to the old days--when new moms (like me) would have to send letters with photo duplicates enclosed or make long-distance phone calls on Sunday nights for a lower rate.

What memories do you have of how different so many things were just a few decades ago?

With all of the texting, calls, and trips to see these new members of the family, everything else has been on the back burner. So now I am trying to catch up.  Whew!

The first two titles in my Montana Secrets inspirational romantic suspense series were published last fall, and I'm happy to announce that the third book, FINAL PURSUIT, is now up on Amazon for pre-orders, and will be released March 14th.  

Each book can stand alone. It's free for the readers who use Kindle Unlimited, and it's at a bargain price right now for those who don't!  CLICK HERE to find out more. Why not take a peek?  

Leave a comment, and you will be entered in a drawing for a free copy of FINAL REFUGE, the first book in this series!

All the best,

Roxanne Rustand

A new release, a new puppy and distractions!

 

After a very cold spring, we are now launching into the 90's as of today.  Still, spring and the start of summer are always beautiful--a time of new beginnings. 

Our perennial flowers are blooming, the grass is lush and green. We may not have stunning mountains or a gorgeous rugged coastline here in the Midwest, but the soil is rich and everywhere you look, there seem to be a thousand shades of green. 

The scents of lilacs, Lily of the Valley, and new-mown grass fill me with joy.  The emergence of wood ticks and gnats, not so much!  ☺

Speaking of new beginnings, have you ever received a completely unexpected gift? Folks who follow me on Facebook or my blog know I'm a passionate animal lover. I've had horses since first grade, and have rarely been without an assortment of rescue animals. When Elmo died, the sweetest border collie ever, my husband insisted that our golden retriever rescue Sage was all we needed as a house dog. He was adamant, but apparently, secret plans were afoot. 

When he surprised me with an eight-week-old golden puppy for Mother's Day this spring, I was both speechless and overjoyed! Little Doogan is such a sweetheart.  Still covered in plush puppy fur, he is adorable...but boy, has life changed. For the first couple weeks, he was like a new baby--without diapers--who could run through the house like an antelope.  Crate training has helped a lot, though the incessant, piercing barking while he plays with "grandpa" Sage is something else we need to address. If you have any ideas to curtail the barking, please let me know!

I'm very grateful for the new puppy and the work going on now to repair the exterior of our house, due to the damage from the derecho that hit Iowa last August. But I have to admit it's a bit distracting, so I haven't gotten a lot done...and I'm behind on my tasks than I want to think about! The moment I realize the puppy has gone quiet for a few moments, it's time to launch out of my chair and go check on him!

Still, I'd like to share that the first two books in my romantic suspense Northern Pines series are available now.  ONE MORE DANCE is at $.99 for a short time!  CLICK HERE for more information and buy links. 

Also, ONE MORE WISH came out in May. 
You can CLICK HERE for more information on it.

Leave a comment here, and you will be entered in a drawing for a free copy of ONE MORE DANCE!

Wishing you a wonderful summer,

Roxanne Rustand

Life in the time of the coronavirus .....Roxanne Rustand

Hi everyone,

Wishing you my very best while we all deal with the Coronavirus. 

My heart breaks over the stories of people who were barely subsisting on minimum wage paychecks, and who have now lost those jobs. Over anyone who has lost their job, had to shutter a business, who has their children home from school for the foreseeable future and needs to work but has no childcare for the little ones. And the elderly who have limited money, no transportation and must somehow get to a grocery store only to find the shelves bare.

In our area, there has been the canceling of non-essential medical appointments, and canceling of non-emergency surgeries, to keep beds, staff, and supplies free for increasing Covid-19 cases.  Here is a sign at the Iowa University Hospitals and Clinics which limits even families of surgery patients to a single visitor per day. Can you imagine sitting alone in the waiting room for hours throughout a loved one's very serious surgery? Yet, it's all good--for the health of the hospital patients who are already in compromised health.

I'm so glad that this country is now taking Covid-19 very seriously, to help save lives. And I pray that we will all get past this with less illness and loss of life than predicted.

How are you all coping with this? Are you in an area where you've been told to shelter in place? 

In light of the extra time at home for some folks, that none of us would've predicted just months earlier, have you taken on some big projects at home? Found excellent books to read from your TBR stacks?

Do you have any recommendations for good books to read--old favorites or new? Recommendations for fun projects for yourself, or for entertaining kids who are at home?

Leave a comment, and the winner of a drawing can choose any book from my newest and throughout my backlist!  If I no longer have what the winner would like, a different book can be chosen.

All my best,

Roxanne Rustand 

Konmari, my office and long winter days...Roxanne Rustand

Do you find it's easier to tackle indoor projects during the short, dark days of winter? The temptation to be outside sure isn't very strong here in Iowa, given all the snow and the ice layer underneath! 

I will never be a minimalist, but the main concept of Marie Kondo's book The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up (which I interpret as simply "get rid of stuff I don't truly need!") has inspired me.

Every few months I tackle another project, and currently, it's my office. This time I'm going through every last storage tub in the closet, every document in the file cabinet, every novel, every book and magazine on writing.

Good heavens! How did I have so much tucked away in there? With everything now stacked out in the family room, I took a photo to add to this post...but I'm too embarrassed to show it!  Even after hauling away four laundry baskets of books, loads of recycling and multiple black trash bags of shredded papers, I have a ways to go! But when it's done, I can envision a sweet sense of peace, of feeling lighter and more motivated than ever to get back to work on my next book.

Are you tackling some extra projects these days? Doing something special this winter?  Leave a comment and be entered in a drawing. Four winners can choose one of my books (38 paperback titles, plus three e-books and five novellas) from my latest releases all the way back to the first one from 1999!  


Blessings,
Roxanne Rustand

New book release...with a free book give away!

Happy New Year!

I hope this finds you all in good health, with great goals and a happy outlook for the coming year.

Have you set any goals for 2020?  I don't mean New Year's resolutions, but concrete goals. A newsletter from a local doctor's office suggested the following:

1. Make five short-term goals. Write "due dates" for each one on your calendar. Add five more when those are done.

2. Make five long-term goals.

3. For each goal, list three action steps that you can take.

4. Print a document listing all of these goals and post it where you can see it every day.

I've been working on two short-term goals already--decluttering the house after the holidays, and clearing out and organizing our cupboards.  One of my long-term goals will probably take me until the end of summer--reaching the healthier weight I was at when I was thirty.  :)  Thirty pounds gone, but still far to go.

What are some of your own long-term or short-term goals for the coming year?

 On another note,  I am so excited about the release of my new Love Inspired novel, SNOWBOUND WITH THE COWBOY, which appeared in Walmarts, book stores, and online on January first.

I so loved writing this one and was sad to say farewell to the characters when I typed "The End."  And I adore the cover.  I always have dogs and/or a variety of other animals in my books, and perhaps it was just a subconscious thing when I added a golden retriever mix and a stray border collie to this one--but it was a poignant moment when I first saw my author copies a month or so ago.

I proved some generic dog photos from a photo site online, as an example. The cover artist painted two dogs that look exactly like our two rescues...and those books arrived just a day or so after we had to say a heart-wrenching farewell to our beloved border, Elmo. I will treasure this cover forever!

Best wishes to you all for a wonderful year!  Leave a comment, and you'll be entered in a drawing for a free e-copy of SNOWBOUND WITH THE COWBOY!

Wishing you a year of happiness,

Roxanne Rustand

Sunshine!

Sorry for this very brief post. I'm on a book deadline and I haven't even started the collection of data for having our taxes done. So this is just a quick "Howdy!" from the Upper Midwest!

I hope you are safe from the flooding and other inclement weather across the country, and that you are seeing blue skies and sunshine today, like we are!  This is the cover of my upcoming release, in June. It makes me think of spring!

Do you have a super easy, family favorite recipe you'd like to share? For these hectic days, here is one I will be making tonight!

Leave a response, and you'll be entered in a drawing for an e-copy of any one of my books listed on Amazon.





Parmesan-Pecan Chicken

1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan (not from a shaker can)
1/2 cup flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans (or walnuts)
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup butter (not margarine)
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

Combine first five (dry) ingredients for crumb mixture.
Flatten the chicken if necessary, so pieces are approximately the same height.
Dip  chicken briefly in milk, roll in crumbs.
Let sit a couple minutes to "set", then quickly dip in milk and coat again in the crumbs.
Let the chicken sit for a couple minutes to again let the coating "set."
Heat butter in skillet, medium heat, (not too high or the chicken will brown but not be done inside.) and saute chicken about 4 min per side.
Serve with wild rice and fresh asparagus.

Roxanne Rustand

Where the bears and dollies might lead....

Do you ever look back through the years to your childhood and remember little things that hinted at what you would become in the future?  Or, see those small signs in your children? What fun it is, to look back at the way those gifts, talents and interests develop in one’s children.

This morning I’m thinking about our daughter Emily, who at three would line up her bears and dollies on the sofa, and then tell them long, complex stories. By four she figured out that a live audience was better, so she would make “tickets” and have her brothers, dad and I on that sofa, and her stories got longer and longer.  I recall needing to repeatedly grab one boy or the other and rope them back into staying put through her performances.  J

Turns out (no big surprise) that Emily grew to love reading, and has loved writing since, well, she learned to write.  When she was old enough, I started taking her with me to regional and national writing conferences, which were such fun!  Those shared mother-daughter experiences of travel, taking workshops and all of the long, late night discussions with other authors have been such a special part of my life, and of hers, too, I hope.  What are some of the memorable experiences you recall with your mom, or with your kids?

Emily (now Emily Vasquez) ended up with a Masters in English and Special Ed, and has finished three full manuscripts. I pray she keeps at it, finds success in the future with her writing career, and that she finds as much joy in writing as I have over the years.  

And in the meantime, she has become an independent content/developmental editor. So you just never know where stories told to the bears and dollies will lead!

I would LOVE to hear about how you might have followed your own, early interests to something you enjoy as an adult....or how you've seen your children's interests develop as they've grown.   

Anyone leaving a comment will be in a drawing for an e-copy of MURDER AT GRANITE FALLS.

Blessings, Roxanne Rustand