BOOK REVIEW: DANGEROUS PAST by Suspense Sister Roxanne Rustand

Marji Laine here. 

Last week, our Suspense Sister, Roxanne Rustand, released book nine of her Northern Pines Suspense Series. I realized that I’ve never gotten to read one of her books, so I quickly rectified that situation. I didn’t want to start at book nine, so I picked up book one. I’m so glad I did.

Roxanne reminds me of one of my all-time favorite authors, Phyllis A. Whitney. Whitney had a habit of setting a heroine in the midst of unknown hostility where unexplained events covered intentional attacks. Her writing, if memory serves, was either from an omniscient (narrator-type) viewpoint or only from a single point of view, bu
t as the stories progressed, attacks grew more pronounced and more dangerous.

Roxanne, thankfully, uses a dual point of view between the hero and the heroine and even throws in a few other characters from time to time to give a more colorful background. But in the same way as Whitney's heroines, Lauren, faces seemingly inescapable problems.

This is an emotionally-charged story with a good amount of tension and rich characters. It adds multi-layered characters, Lauren and Michael, with strong back-stories, reasonable reactions, and even defining quirks. Amidst past problems and their current hopes and goals, both Michael and Lauren find joy, laughter, and make embarrassing and even heart-breaking mistakes.

A troubled young daughter and an entourage of various pets add to this heart-warming story. Even the goat has a personality!

Dangerous Past has a mild level of suspense, particularly at the beginning as the backdrop of the story is laid with the initial interactions of the characters. Michael and Lauren, though, with their various secrets, hidden needs, and quiet desperation, intrigued me. The story itself amped up its flavor of suspense throughout, and the final scenes satisfied completely, leaving me eager to read more of this series.

Here’s a little more about this story.

She needs to hide from her past. He only wants to be left alone. What could possibly go wrong?

A DISILLUSIONED ATTORNEY
Michael is searching for a quiet life in a small town. Alone. When his elderly, vagabond Aunt Bertie announces her plans for yet another summer in Europe, he agrees to stay at her home on the shore of Briar Lake. It’s perfect timing, while he hunts for a house to buy and a location for his law practice. 

Perfect---until he meets a flamboyant stranger at Bertie’s front door, who refuses to let him inside. A very nervous one, at that.

A WOMAN WITH A TROUBLED PAST
A housemate? No way. Bertie’s menagerie is of epic proportions—thanks to the homeless animals she constantly adopts. Lauren promised to move in and care for them this summer. It’s a promise she cannot break to the woman she has loved as an "extra grandmother" since childhood—even if she fears this forced proximity to a man who could uncover her darkest secrets.

But there’s another problem… one that could end her life.

Roxanne Rustand is the USA Today Bestselling author of forty romance and romantic suspense novels—in both Clean & Wholesome and Christian genres. Her books have sold over 2.9 million copies.

Get your own copy HERE!

But don't miss out on all the books of Northern Pines Suspense - particularly the brand new release, book nine! Learn about them all HERE! 

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I so enjoyed this book with my snowy backyard as a backdrop, wrapped in my sweater and crocheted throw and stretched out in my recliner. What did you do during this year's snowy/icy/frigid days? Share your answer below and you just might win a copy of Roxanne's book. (Don't forget to leave your email address!)

BOOK REVIEW: Hang on Every Word

Even in a small town, things and people aren't always what they seem. 

This fourth, stand-alone book from Julie Cosgrove's Wordplay mysteries once again marries some of the best things together - mysteries and word puzzles. 

I love them both, so this totally works for me. But let me catch you up to speed. 

Wanda Warner is a closet sleuth that is suddenly not so closet anymore. In fact, she's the head of the neighborhood watch for the whole town of Scrub Oak, Texas, and she takes that role seriously. 

In this fourth stand-alone book of the Wordplay Mysteries, Wanda herself is up against it. Somehow, she has foreknowledge of terrible crimes, and a lot of the townspeople are beginning to doubt her integrity. 

Horrors. 

Here are the details from the back of the book: 

It can't be happening again!

Wanda Warner is delighted to design the wordplay puzzles in The Oakmont Gazette. But when the clues to her Hangman puzzle are used to coordinate robberies, some people in tiny Scrub Oak, Texas wonder if she's masterminding the thefts so she can "solve" them in order to bask in more glory.

Then her own nephew, one of the town's cops, hauls her into the police station as her neighbors look on. The totally embarrassed Wanda is determined to crack this treacherous word puzzle crime spree, but can she do it before her fellow citizens hold a lynch party?

My Take

Since I'm already a fan of word games (Can't get enough of Wordle!) these books are right down my alley. But I also really like the way Mrs. Cosgrove has built consistent characters with realistic responses and genuine friendship. 

Take Wanda for instance. She has a cute little dog. She doesn't forget the dog, draws her into the "at home" scenes, and generally pays attention to her dog. Like a normal person. And she struggles with exercise and her eating habits. She's even been known to put her foot in her mouth and regret a harsh word to a friend. 

Never once does the author paint Wanda outside of those lines. She doesn't change her stripes for the sake of a scene. She's consistently kind, sometimes a little impatient, sincere in her faith, and very sharp. I love it when characters are so real. They make an impact, and their stories (or in this case the entire series) are more memorable for it. 

I also like the interplay between Wanda and her nephew and friends. It isn't the same type of interaction with any of them. Another example of real life. I tend to speak differently to my husband than I do to my grown kids, than I do to my neighbor, than I do to my best friend. So does Wanda. The depth of these characters is keeping readers coming back again and again. 

Add to that a twisted little mystery that kept me guessing to the end. With a well-woven story, I can always reflect and see the details that led to the revelation of the culprit, even if I don't catch them upon the first read. While it's always satisfying to beat the sleuth to the punch, I love being able to plainly see what I missed if I fail. Mrs. Cosgrove does a brilliant job of layering the details that will ultimately make a difference.

I really enjoyed this book as I have enjoyed all of the Wordplay Mysteries. While you don't have to read them in order, it is more fun to watch Wanda's progression through them. 

HANG ON EVERY WORD is available on Amazon as an e-book or a paperback. 

Are you more a fan of cozy mysteries or of word puzzles? Which type of word puzzles do you like the best? (I'm a fan of logic problems along with Wordle!) Share your thoughts in the comments and you might win an e-copy of the first book of this series. 

One More Dance...a romantic suspense, and chance for a free book..... Roxanne Rustand

 How badly can a relationship be broken before there's just no chance to save it?

When veterinarian Kate Mathers drives past the scene of a terrible accident and sees an ambulance race away, she whispers a prayer for those involved, not realizing that it's her husband's car in flames down in the ditch--and that a woman died in his car.  A complete stranger. Now Jared is in the ICU on the verge of death, and only a miracle can save him.

Kate is at his bedside, trying to face Jared's precarious condition and also deal with the fact that someone is targeting both her husband and her veterinary practice. How had their marriage gone so wrong?

If only they can one more chance to talk and forgive, and one more dance in each other's arms...

On sale March 19th at all e-book retailers, and available now for pre-order.  Here is the AMAZON link.

Since it's bitterly cold, snowy, and icy here in the Midwest, it seems like a perfect time to enjoy cozy evenings by the fire with a good book or something to watch on PBS...though I really ought to be in my office every waking hour. There are four more books coming out this year in the Northern Pines romantic suspense series!

How have you been faring during these short winter days?

Are you enjoying the arctic weather we have now, or are you appreciating the balmy sunshine of a southern state?

And, now that Valentine's Day is just around the corner, do you have a favorite memory from 
Valentines Days in the past?

Ours will certainly be quiet...at home as always, during these pandemic times. Even so, it will be a day to remember how grateful we are to still have each other and to pray for those who have lost their own loved ones this past year.

Leave a comment and be entered in a drawing for a free e-copy of Snowbound with the Cowboy!

Wishing you blessings and peace,

Roxanne