New York!

The national RWA conference was in New York this summer, and it was a blast!  My daughter Emily and our usual roomies  enjoyed our room on the 40th floor of the Marriott Marquis, where we could see the dazzling lights of Times Square.  The RWA Board did a wonderful job of picking the conference site! Wonderful restaurants, Broadway shows all around...such fun.  We even got to see all of the premiere hoopla in Times Square,  in celebration of  the release of the new Transformer's movie.

Horse lover that I am, I just loved seeing all of the beautiful police horses on patrol around Time Square.  The cop in this picture was giving her horse his "break"--and though she is seen here tying him to a scaffolding that would be no match for a powerful horse heading in reverse,  she actually bow-tied a little leather shoelace around the pipe, then looped the reins through that--a nifty quick-release set-up in case he spooked.

The horses pulling carriages for hire around Central Park and Times Square were beautiful, too--sleek, fat and healthy looking, their white carriages so festive set against all the bright neon lights.

But the conference week was more that just the dazzling lights, crowds and wonderful restaurants.  The workshops, and all of the industry buzz in the hallways, left me re-charged and excited about getting back to work!

What are some of your favorite places to visit?  What vacations have been your most memorable? 


Wishing you a wonderful summer,
Roxanne Rustand
www.roxannerustand.com
Home at Blackberry Hill, 7/2011

Murder at Granite Falls Interview

Today we're welcoming Carrie Randall, the heroine of Murder at Granite Falls, in the Big Sky Secrets series, an April 2011 Love Inspired Suspense release by Roxanne Rustand.

Wow, you've just had quite an adventure.

1. Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense.

When I fell in love with a bad boy charmer who followed the rodeo circuit, I had no idea how that mistake would haunt my life later on. Billy was a handsome, daredevil bull rider, but he was also turned out to be possessive and lazy, with a mean streak a mile wide. Leaving him was a dangerous move, but my brother Trace (who had his own book, FATAL BURN) took me to his ranch. I was safe there--safe enough to finally develop the courage to move out on my own again. I moved to another town where I thought Billy couldn't ever find me and I would feel safe. Was I ever wrong...and worse, Billy wasn't the only threat to worry about, once I got there!

2. So, during the book you met Logan Bradley. Yep--I got a job teaching summer school in a small mountain town, with the promise that I would become full time in the fall. The tourist trade in those parts ratchets up the cost of living during the summer, and the only place I could find was an apartment above a river rafting office, quite a ways out of town. Logan and his sister own this business and business was good...until he was framed for a murder last summer and had to go to trial. Needless to say, there were a lot of townsfolk who still thought him guilty no matter what the jury decided--and then there was plenty of gossip being fueled by someone who wanted Logan out of the picture. At first, I was wary of him. But after getting to know Logan, I couldn't believe the gossips were right--even when another murder took place soon after I moved there.

3. What strengths/skills do you have? What is your greatest weakness?

I think I'm a good teacher. I sure love my job, and the kids in my classes! I can't believe our society doesn't value dedicated teachers more. We are educating the future generation, and where will they be without a quality education? Weaknesses--it's hard to know where to begin, because there are so many ways in which I should be a better person.

4. What scares you?

After dealing with my ex-husband Billy, I find my heartbeat faltering when anything goes "bump in the night." Unfortunately, he taught me that evil can lurk in dark places, and that some people take real pleasure in hurting others. But I take great comfort from my faith, and one of the verses I call to mind is, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me, Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me." Psalms 23:4

5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I would be taller. And, I would be more patient and more trusting.

6. Where are you in your faith at the start of your story?

After Billy, my faith was shaken. There were times when I prayed for help and I didn’t seem to immediately receive the answers I wanted. But in time, I realized that my prayers were answered. Not in miracles heralded with thunder and flashes of lightning, but in the people God brought into my life just when I needed them most. And, in the events that helped me become stronger and helped me escape my former life.

9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why? I guess I've been rather like crème brulee in the past--soft-hearted on the inside, but with a brittle, protective shell of wariness and fear. And now? There's so much joy in my life; everything seems brighter, with more possibilities. Hmmm....maybe a nice rainbow sherbet?

END GAME

Today we're welcoming Megan Peters, the heroine of END GAME by Roxanne Rustand, which is out right now (June, 2010.)


Wow, you've just had quite an adventure.


1. Tell us how you came to be in the midst of such suspense.

There's no place I'd rather be. I'm a Marshall County deputy sheriff, in the Montana Rockies. I settled on my choice of a career when I was fifteen, after the murder of my cousin. I refuse to ever be a victim and I want to make sure I keep the women of the county safe as well.


2. So, during the book you met Scott Anders. What was your first impression of him? Tell us a bit about him.
My first impression was that he seemed like a definite person of interest in a series of local murders. He turned up in the area during the right time frame, and chose to live in an isolated area. He was wary when questioned. When he finally admitted to his actual profession, I was sure surprised...though in retrospect, maybe I always knew in my heart that he was one of the good guys after all.

3. What strengths/skills do you have? Skills--I guess absolute focus on finding the truth, and stubborn determination are the two that have helped me the most. Friends tease me about being afraid to have dinner at my place, with all the reference books on homicide, poisons and weapons on my shelves. But, I really do like to cook!

4. What scares you?
Failure. If I miss subtle clues in a case, a criminal might more time to strike again. And on the job, nothing matters more to me than keeping Marshall County a safe place to live.
5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? There are so many things, it's hard to choose!

6. Where are you in your faith at the end of the story? I admit--I had a lot of growing to do. I was always a believer, but after my cousin's brutal murder, I lost a close relationship with God. I mean, Laura was the sweetest girl ever, and had true faith. Why would God allow a vicious person to terrorize her, then end her life? She had so much to offer this world. But finally, I understand that God never plans or wishes terrible things to happen. There are people in this world who do awful things of their own free will. But, God is here with his wonderful open arms, offering peace and comfort. Offering eternal life. I know Laura is with Him now...far beyond the reaches of the evil in this world. And, I now understand that God does answer prayers. Always--even when the answers come in His time instead of mine. His answers can come in incredible ways--through people here on earth, or through a "coincidence" that really wasn't a coincidence at all. Or through that still, small voice in my heart, which guides me toward the right path.

7. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant.
I had two--and both are so important to me that I'm going to share them both!

The first is the one I think of every time I go on one of my twelve-hours shifts, because I do want God to guide me, and help me bring peace and safety to the mountains where I live. It's Psalms 43:3: "Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let me bring peace to your holy mountains, to the place where you dwell."
The second is one that I keep in my heart always, now. What a wonderful sense of peace it gives me!

"Don't worry about anything. Instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Jesus Christ." Philippians 4:6-7

9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why?
I have no clue!

Thank you Roxanne for sharing Megan with us!! Can't wait to read this.

FEATURED BOOK: END GAME BY RUXANNE RUSTAND

I'll be seeing you again: The attacker's words still ring in Deputy Megan Peters's ears. Her attempt to trap the serial rapist terrorizing Lost Falls failed, but she has succeeded in becoming the target of his attention. Undaunted, Megan moves forward in her investigation, and Scott Anders, the only newcomer in town, draws her suspicion. Is his gentleness just an act? Yet as Megan and Scott grow closer, she finds herself questioning her instincts. What will she believe—her heart or the evidence that seems to be mounting against Scott?

FATAL BURN INTERVIEW

Today we're welcoming Kris Donaldson, the heroine of FATAL BURN, a February, 2010 release by Roxanne Rustand. Wow, you've just had quite an adventure. Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense.

Honestly, there are parts of my life that are a little hard to discuss--especially the violent death of my best friend when I was a child, and my years in the foster care system, for starters. I'm not proud of the roads I traveled as a teenager, believe me. So when I learned that I'd inherited some property in the Montana Rockies from a distant relative I'd never even heard of, it seemed like a wonderful chance for new beginnings. And what perfect timing, with my other new beginning! If God hadn't reached out to me when he did, I probably wouldn't be here today.


So, during the book you met Trace Randall Tell us a bit about him. What was your first impression?

The first impression on his part was that I was a thief breaking into the property next to his ranch. The first impression I had of him was he was one very tough, uncompromising man who wasn't going to allow anyone to burglarize his late friend's house! I was sure glad that I had documents to prove I had a right to be there. Those same attributes of his were what later drew me to him, because I certainly hadn't had very positive male figures in my life until Trace came along.



What strengths/skills do you have? What is your greatest weakness?

I guess my strengths are mainly the determination and drive I developed during my early years. Those strengths certainly helped when I earned a county contract to establish a privately-run animal shelter on my property, then discovered that someone not only wanted me out of the county, but wouldn't mind seeing me dead.

My greatest weakness is something I've worked on for a long time. I'd always longed for the loving support of a real family, and that empty place in my heart led me to some naive and even dangerous choices in making friends. Moving to the Rockies and meeting Trace, his sister, and the other good people in the area taught me a lot about true friendship, love, and the wonderful feeling of being part of a close-knit community.


You've got scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant.

The verse is one of my favorites: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

It's a wonderful message for all of us, and it certainly fit the journey I was on during this part of my life!

If you could be a dessert what would you be and why?

A hot fudge sundae with vanilla ice cream, because the ice cream is soft, sweet and simple--what I want to be like now, innocent of the pretense, danger and complexity that marked my earlier life. And, it's wrapped in the rich, flowing warmth of hot fudge. That warmth makes me think of the wonderfully secure, loving feeling of being with Trace, of being a part of a community where people care deeply about each other, and especially, the sense of warmth, security and completion I feel as one of God's children.


Thank you, Roxanne for sharing Kris with us. This sounds so exciting! Can't wait.

Final Exposure Interview

Today we're welcoming Erin Cole, the heroine of FINAL EXPOSURE by Roxanne Rustand, released this month (September, 2009.) Wow, you've just had quite an adventure.


1. Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense.

My personal experience with suspense began when I was a child. My two cousins and I were best friends with another little girl who was abducted and murdered. Her death was horrible enough. The nightmares, after she was found buried in a shallow grave, were worse—made all the more terrifying because her killer wasn’t found for a long, long time.

We all dealt with the grief and terror of those times in different ways. I moved away from Montana right after high school and never looked back. Never dreamed I’d ever return for any reason, except for brief visits with relatives. And why would I? The old nightmares continued to slither back into my restless nights at the most unexpected times…especially whenever I went home.

But finally, it was time to make peace with the past. To settle my feelings over that tragedy as an adult. And, my elderly grandfather wanted to retire and sell my grandma’s little general store in a tourist area up in the mountains. With no buyers and failing health, he was struggling, and I just had to help him--even if it meant going back to the place where my nightmares all began. I’m glad I did. But I sure didn’t expect that there would still be terror lurking in the darkness when I returned.


2. So, during the book you met Jack Matthews. Tell us a bit about him. What was your first impression? When did you know it was love?

Well...I sure didn't expect expecting tall, dark and mysterious landing on my door--or the fact that this guy would have a young boy with him. There's something so...well, just so sweet and touching and heroic about a big guy, who has no clue about being a father, trying his best to parent a little orphaned child. Just watching Jack with Max made my heart melt.

3. What strengths/skills do you have? What is your greatest weakness?
I learned to take care of myself, over the years. To be independent, and strong, and determined. My greatest weakness was perhaps also a strength, in a way. It was my deep fear that someday, a killer would come after me, and I'd be helpless--just like my childhood friend was. That emotion drove me to take self defense classes, and to develop a stronger sense of wariness and self preservation. If I hadn't nurtured that side of me, I would've been dead by now.

4. What scares you?
Strangers. Dark, shadowed places. Fierce storms at night, when I wouldn't be able to hear footsteps creeping around the outside of my house. But, I'm much better now.

5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
If you'd asked me earlier, I'd say that I wish I'd been a better judge of men, in a romantic sense. But now? I think every step of my life has been part of God's plan for me. That everything unfolded as it should. If I had settled for Mr. Almost Right years ago, I never would've met Jack and Max.

6. Where are you in your faith at the start of your story?
I've always believed in God. But when my best friend was viciously murdered, that shook my trust. If God hadn't stepped in to save her--a sweet, good girl like her--how could he care at all about me?

But I've learned things now, and my faith is so much stronger. I had clung to my childish view of the world and of God's love way too long. Men are still capable of evil. They have free will to commit horrible crimes. But God is with me every moment of every day, filling me with a sense of love and reassurance. And I see now that my prayers have always been answered in so many ways.

7. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant.
This is one of my very favorite Bible verses. It's one that I try to live by, every single day...and it fits perfectly with the lessons I learned after Jack came to town, and all the trouble began.
"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Jesus Christ." Philippians 4: 6-7

9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why?

An Oreo cookie. They remind me of what I once was...hard on the outside, but with a soft, bruised heart on the inside. And hey--I just love them with a tall, cold glass of milk! 

Ohhh, I love orea's too. Thank you Roxanne for sharing Erin with us today. This sounds like an exciting read.