The final book in the River Falls Mystery Series is here. TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT brings together many of the same characters from the beginning of the series.

Detective Steve Bishop and Sunflower “Sunny” Rose have had a love-hate relationship since the moment they met. Steve doesn’t want to commit to a relationship even though his feelings for Sunny won’t go away, which makes Sunny’s new job as a rookie in the River Falls Sheriff’s Department a bit of a trial.

While on her new job, Sunny learns that 9-1-1 calls lead from humorous to tragic, but when she goes undercover, she soon discovers a human-trafficking ring operating in the area. Only it’s not the typical crime being committed here, which makes it too close for comfort.

When the worst happens and Sunny is abducted by human traffickers, Steve and Sheriff Mitch DeVries work against the clock before Sunny is sold to the highest bidder or even worse. Will they be able to rescue her in time, or will Steve be forced to live with a lifetime of regret?

All my books are available on Amazon.com or IngramSpark Publishing. Just put in my author name (J. A. Rost)  and all my books will appear on the Amazon website.

 

CHRISTMAS IN FREDERICKSBURG (released October 2019) is a holiday romance which takes place in Fredericksburg, Texas. Voted as one of the “20 Best Small Towns for Christmas in the South” by Southern Living Magazine and chosen by Country Living Magazine as one of the “30 Best Small Towns for Christmas” the town is a perfect setting for romance.

The story: Fredericksburg native, Mallory Ritter, nursing a recent breakup, returns to her hometown to help her divorced ailing mother manage her bed-and-breakfast homes. Twelve years ago after a misunderstanding with Mallory, Sawyer Morgan left town to join the service. Now he’s returned and established himself as an entrepreneur, much to her dismay.

Mallory’s best friend, Isabella, a widow, has eyes for Mallory’s brother, Tate, but neither one of them want to make the first move.

Can volunteering for various Christmas activities bring these two couples together? Can a lasting romance blossom during the Christmas season or is it just short lived.

The author brings humor, misadventures, and romance to combine with many Christmas activities in the Hill Country of Texas. Fredericksburg is steeped with German history, wineries, breweries, bed-and-breakfast establishments, and home to peach and pecan orchards.

Romance, humor, and miracles again lace this cozy collection with twists and turns to keep you reading until the end.

Saved by Grace is the third book in the continuing saga of the small town of River Falls, Minnesota. The story continues with engaged couple, Azalea Jasmine Rose and Sheriff Mitch DeVries planning their new life together. When Mitch’s ex-wife, Susan, arrives back in River Falls, Azalea’s not so sure she’s ready to deal with the new turn of events. Susan makes it clear she’s determined to reunite with Mitch and their daughter, Natalia.

When Becca, Azalea’s daughter, and Natalia are kidnapped, an Amber Alert is sent throughout the state. The town comes together to search for the missing girls. With very few clues to go on, MItch and Detective Steve Bishop struggle to find the mastermind behind the kidnapping. Clues continue to lead them in different directions.

The girls escape their captors only to get lost in the woods. They need to cross the river to get back home. The current in the river starts to sweep them away, but they are rescued by a woman, who calls herself Grace. Who is Grace and why was she there at the right time and the right place to help the two girls? What secrets are the girls keeping from their mom and dad? Will the love between Azalea and Mitch survive all the trauma?

Make sure and read the first two books in the series, Secrets in the High Rise and No Reasonable Doubt. Books can be purchased through Amazon either in paperback or thru Kindle ebooks. Books are also available at Broadway Floral (autographed copies) in Alexandria, MN or Cherry Street Books also in Alexandria. Right now my website does not have credit card capabilities to sell the books.

 

Released May 2018:

NO REASONABLE DOUBT, A River Falls Mystery Series, Book Two, continues as Azalea Jasmine Rose purchases her aunt’s flower shop. Meet Azalea’s quirky family — her mother, her sisters named after flowers, and her staff.

During Steph and Reverend Rafe’s wedding Azalea realizes she is still attracted to Sheriff Mitch DeVries, but her strong faith in God makes her reluctant to date a man who puts his work first.

A new competitor puts her business in jeopardy until a mysterious man arrives in town and sells Azalea handcrafted religious carvings. As customers purchase them, unexplainable miracles happen.

Her world is turned upside down by her sister’s return home from an abusive relationship, and their discovery of a prominent businessman — dead. She unwillingly is thrown into Mitch’s world.

Will Azalea end up a victim after several attempts on her life? How will Mitch protect her when she and her sister start their own investigation? As they look for clues, Azalea is asked to go undercover in the guise of dating a potential suspect. How far is she willing to go to catch a killer.

Romance, murder, humor and miracles lace this cozy mystery collection where intrigue abounds and love keep you on the line.

Books can be purchased at Amazon.com and as an ebook on Kindle. It’s also available through IngramSparks Publishing at your local book store.

Released November 2017:

SECRETS IN THE HIGH RISE, A RIVER FALLS MYSTERY SERIES, BOOK ONE, is my first attempt at publishing. Since it’s first publication in 2017, it has been revised in 2020. I had errors in the book that were not caught in the first printing, so during the pandemic of 2020 I revised the book and sent it through another edit.

Synopsis:  Recently divorced and an expert in commercial renovations, Stephanie Runnell, returns to her hometown of River Falls, Minnesota, to restore the town’s low-income housing. Constructed in the 1970s, one of the buildings, a 13-story high rise, already has an ominous reputation.

The two skeletal remains found during the renovations don’t help the issue. Who was buried there over forty years ago and why? What other secrets are hidden in the high rise?

Sheriff Mitch DeVries, Steph’s former high school crush, is involved in the investigation, and her old feelings begin to emerge as they work to solve the mystery.

To complicate matters further, local minister, Reverend Rafael McGowan, seems really interested in the skeletal remains, but he is also interested in her. God and religion are the last things Stephanie wants in her life. Can Reverend Rafe help Stephanie find her way back to God?  Is she able to forgive all the hurts of the past? Can she find love again?

Romance, deception and murder lace this first book of the River Falls Mystery series, a Christian cozy collection where intrigue abounds and love keeps you on the line.

Books can be purchased on Amazon.com and as an ebook on your Kindle. It’s also available through IngramSparks Publishing at your local book store.

Like a good cup of coffee? I do — with lots of cream. However, due to health reasons I get stuck with decaf.  I’m writing this blog to let you know why I’m here. I love to write. I may not be the best writer, but I have fun doing it. I do, however, consider myself a professional. I’ve written short stories, memoirs, novels, and even was a grant writer at one time. I’ve been a co-editor of my college newsletter back in the 1960s. That’s when you still printed on the mimeograph (if any of you remember those times). So I’ve seen a lot of changes in the past fifty years.

I do not write porn, erotica, sex (same as erotica or close to it), graphic blood and guts, horror, sci-fi, foul language, etc. I write for the mature audience who appreciates Christian fiction, but wants more than a romantic love story. I like who-dunnits. I’m tired of reading books where the main character is still in their teens or early twenties. They haven’t experienced life yet, so I write for the more mature. Even though many of the younger set may also enjoy what I write–my granddaughters, for instance.  I also write non-fiction stories. I have several true angel stories, memoirs, stories as told to me, in my repertoire. I keep them locked in my computer waiting for an opportunity to pull each one out and use it.  I certainly enjoyed writing them if for no other reason than to enjoy looking back.

My reason for this website is to promote my writings and books.  I want to also emphasize that I love our Lord, Jesus Christ, as my savior, and I devote everything I write to the glory of the Lord. I also make sure that any money I receive from my writing, if any, is also shared with my church. I tithe according to the Bible. Thank you and God Bless you today and always.