A long winter's day.... by Roxanne Rustand

This has been one loooong winter, here in the Midwest.  Snowfall after snowfall...beautiful, pristine, but oh so hard to navigate!

My husband has blazed trails through the yard and down to the barn so I can manage to take Elmo the Wonderdog out for his walks, and make it out to do my horse chores.  I'm 5'2 and the snow is mid-thigh (at least on me!) out in the yard, so I am thankful for those trails!

To the right is a photo on our deck--our grill received a new snow hat yesterday.  :)

But I do love winter.  It's so lovely, and with darkness falling earlier, the long evenings are a perfect time to curl up by the fire with a good book.

And of course, the wonderful Love Inspired, Love Inspired Suspense, and Love Inspired Historical books are on the top of my to-be-read stack.  Isn't it fun to have so many to read each month?

I rarely bother to watch TV--except for my beloved Downton Abbey series, which is way too short each season!

Is anyone else here as enthralled as I am?  What do you think of the new season--does it measure up to the first three?  And since we are all romance readers here, what do you think of the romantic plotlines?  Is there anything you wish you could change?  I sometimes think they could use one of our wonderful Harlequin editors!   :)

Roxanne Rustand
www.roxannerustand.com
"The All Creatures Great and Small Blog"

Lyn Reviews & Gives Great News!

Duty to Protect by Roxanne Rustand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Roxanne is a dear friend but even if I didn't know her, I would have given this book 5 stars. Duty to Protect in her "Big Sky Secrets" series hits every note right on key. A lovely and endangered heroine, a handsome cowboy/former cop hero, a cross country chase--and every plot twist heightens the tension between the hero (Jake) and heroine (Emma) and the very real danger Emma faces. Roxanne knows the horse world and the Big Sky country from personal experience and it shows. She even manages to throw in some family dynamics with the hero's teen-aged nephew and someone out to take Jake's ranch. So if you enjoy a sweet romance, a fast-paced mystery set in Big Sky Country, don't miss Duty to Protect!

View all my reviews

And Here's the Great News!
Free on Kindle Friday June 22 through Sunday June 24, 2012 http://tinyurl.com/d6py9k4

A penniless but pretty girl...a wealthy young man on his way to war--what could draw them into a marriage of convenience?

In April 1898, Sophia Schiffler boards a train and meets Gannon Moore, both on their way to Chicago. Gannon is going to withdraw from the university to enlist in the Spanish American War. Teddy Roosevelt is gathering his rough riders to invade Cuba. And Gannon is ready to join the fight against Spain to gain Cuba's freedom. Mourning the recent loss of his sister, Gannon is shocked when Sophia reveals she is going to marry a man she's never met. When this suitor doesn't meet Sophia at Union Station, Gannon accompanies her to the man's address. What they discover there catapults Sophia into a situation she could never have imagined.

Soon she is living in Chicago and frequenting Jane Addams' famous Hull House. Gannon trains in Florida and prepares for combat in Cuba. He and Sophia exchange letters written from their hearts. In the fall, Gannon returns from war, a changed man. The course of true love never runs smooth. And life has a way of turning tables on two young people in love. Their springtime love endured separation and a war. Will it survive a winter of reality?

Free on Kindle Friday June 22 through Sunday June 24, 2012

Also on sale those days, one of my full length historicals,  La Belle Christiane.

Normally 4.99. On sale for $1.49-- Three days ONLY! http://tinyurl.com/736jy28

 So which do you prefer--ebook or paper?--Lyn

Weddings, Springtime & Harlequin Heartwarming

Best wishes to you all!

Can you believe that Daylight Savings Time  changes this weekend? Don't forget to change your clocks!   It's a herald of coming spring, but here in the Midwest, it seems like we've had spring all winter long--with just the occasional frosting of snow.  Usually, we see a blizzard or two even into late March, but yesterday we enjoyed seventy degree sunshine and our two paint mares are already shedding. I sure hope they know what they're doing with losing those winter coats so early!  Still, other signs of spring are everywhere.  Budding trees, new life....Buttons is due to foal in a month, and across the fence, the neighbors already have some beautiful paint foals romping around.  This is Buttons, to the left.

We had an exciting event in our family over the winter months, though--our son and his fiancee were married in January and then went off on an adventurous honeymoon. They tell me the spiders were HUGE in Cambodia!  If you'd like to see some photos from the wedding, I've just  posted some at www.roxannerustand.com.

Have you ever picked up a Harlequin Heartwarming?   These are good,  clean reads--similar in tone to the Love Inspired line, but without the faith element. My next book, WHEN HE CAME HOME will be out April 1st, in paperback and as a download. I'm so delighted--Harlequin  just sent me a jpg of the cover a few minutes ago.  Isn't it pretty? 

Best wishes to you all for a wonderful spring!

Roxanne Rustand
www.roxannerustand.com
The All Creatures Great and Small Blog

Weekend getaway...

My dear husband is back at home, keeping the dogs, horses and cats fed and happy, and as I write this I'm off on my favorite fall trip--a gal's getaway up to Lyn Cote's home in the far north of Wisconsin.  Lyn is an author of Love Inspired Suspense, Love Inspired Romance, and Love Inspired Historicals, so she is one busy lady!


Our mutual friend Pat and I make this an annual trek and love every minute as we drive north, stopping at consignment shops and other favorite haunts (Michael's Custard in Verona is wonderful!)

Once we arrive at in the north country, Lyn and I often  talk about plotting books, while Pat and I love to to take photos of the beautiful lakes and fall colors.  Today, Lyn and Steve took us out for hours on their lovely pontoon boat, and I took hundreds photos.  Isn't digital fun?   :)

The leaves against a black background, by the way, were floating in the lake, in the shadows next to the dock.  And the eagles?  I think the one on the left is giving his friend a stern lecture!

What are your favorite places  to go for a long weekend away from home?  Do you enjoy going someplace where you can just sit and relax, or do you like to hike, bike or ski?

Wishing you all the best for a gorgeous fall season,

Roxanne Rustand
www.roxannerustand.com
10/11  A Home in Hill Country, Harlequin Heartwarming               11/11  The Loner's Thanksgiving Wish   Love Inspired

Here's the thing about "The Doctor's Family" Lenora Worth :

I've been getting a lot of reader mail this month. Everyone seems to be enjoying my September LI release "The Doctor's Family." They tell me how much they loved the story and then they tell me how "disappointed" they are that I didn't tie up all the mysteries. Then I have to write a polite letter (because I'm thrilled that they love the book) and explain that I wasn't suppose to tie up all the mysteries. This is Book THREE of a six book series by six different writers. Here is the order of the books: The Nanny's Homecoming--LInda Goodnight, The Sheriff's Runaway Bride--Arlene James, The Doctor's Family--Lenora Worth, The Cowboy's Lady--Carolyne Aarsen, The Loner's Thanksgiving Wish--Roxanne Rustand, The Prodigal's Christmas Reunion--Kathryn Springer. In my book, I did have to set up a lot of mysteries and strange happenings. I don't want my readers to ever be disappointed in my stories, so please keep the letters coming. And I hope you will also read the five other books in this series. It was fun and challenging to corral that whacky Clayton clan, but we did it and we all learned a lot and worked closely together to make sure everything flowed smoothly. I know you will enjoy all the books. And if anyone out there has read them all in order, tell us what you think. And help us spread the word--the mysteries will be solved. Just keep reading until the VERY end!

Beyond just the writing....

When I started writing, long before I even thought of the possibility of submitting anything to a publisher, I knew I loved the process of writing, but never dreamed that it would open up my life in so many ways.  I think all writers would agree!

With the research for each book, came all of the interesting research books I might never have read otherwise.  Trips to a gun range, a llama farm, the travel with a rodeo contractor.  Learning to explore the vast world that opened up to me, and  all other writers, with the advent of the Internet.  And the wonderful people!  Finding experts in various fields, to more accurately portray a character, has led me to fascinating people who have shared information on their professions and their lives--providing an  array of details and emotions,  their hopes and dreams. Meeting these people has enriched my own life in many ways.

But there's more--the friendships with other writers and with readers, that mean so much.  Wonderful organizations like ACFW and RWA.  And on an even more delightful note, our daughter Emily loves to write, and  now comes with me to the RWA conferences, and to some of the other conferences and workshops, as well.  I can't tell you how much I love having this extra bond, this deep interest that we both share.  The photo was taken at The Blue Belle Inn in August, where proprietor/author  Sherrie Hansen holds a popular, semi-annual weekend writer's retreat.  Inspirational author Lyn Cote and I were speakers, and she is shown here with Emily.

Do you have a special interest of some kind that you share with your family or closest friends?   Has it drawn you closer?

Blessings,
Roxanne Rustand
www.roxannerustand.com

I need a backhoe!

Today was a catch-up day for me, now that the  manuscript for my April book has been turned in, and the  copy edits on Winter Reunion (November)  are  taken care of.  The next time I see Reunion, it will be out in the stores, and I can't wait.  Doesn't Steeple Hill have gorgeous covers?! Their art department is just amazing, and I wonder what they'll come up with for all of the November books!  I think my June book, End Game, has an intriguing cover, with a spooky road leading off into the mountains.

I am thankful to have those deadlines met..but now,  you should see my office!  :)   Er....maybe not. I worked on it most of the day and haven't made much of a dent in all the papers and books and whatnot that seem to grow exponentially whenever my back is turned. Do you have a "junk drawer" in your desk, or in your kitchen? Multiply that by a hundred, and you'll be able to visualize my office!  It will be such a good feeling  when it's all back in order. How about you...are you totally organized and neat-as-a-pin, or do you ever get just a tad behind like this?! I'm hoping that someone, somewhere, will tell me that I'm not alone! :)

I  had a bit of an excuse this time, though--we were traveling a bit, recently.  My husband has wanted to go to Alaska for years, and started planning this trip way last fall.  I never knew there were so many mountain ranges up there, each more beautiful than the last.  I just had to share a couple photos.

What are your favorite destinations?  Where would you like to go next?
Best wishes to you for a wonderful summer!

Roxanne Rustand
http://roxannerustand.blogspot.com  "The all creatures great and small place"