Do you love Alaskan romantic suspense where danger forces two guarded hearts to rely on each other and God? Megan Short’s Trapped on the Alaskan Glacier delivers exactly that — a witness on the run, a determined US Marshal, deadly terrain, and the powerful reminder to come to Jesus when weary and burdened.
In this exclusive author interview on the Christian Romance Book Nook, Megan shares the inner struggles of her heroine and hero, the “enemies to more” heart of the romance, the key message about moving from surface faith to a deep relationship with Christ, and the Matthew 11:28-29 encouragement that shaped the story and her own walk with God.
Meet Megan Short
Megan Short is an Australian author living in Melbourne. She writes inspirational romantic suspense, mostly because she’s tried writing other romance genres and someone always ended up dying! She’s a new Christian, and one of the ways God has taught her about Himself is through her writing. It’s been just four years since God dragged her to faith.
Fun Fact: Megan is a new Christian, and one of the ways God has taught her about Himself is through her writing. In fact it’s been just four years since God dragged her to faith. You can read her road to publication on her website where she published her testimony late last year.
About the Book: Trapped on the Alaskan Glacier
When her cover is blown, it’s a desperate race for survival.
Forced into hiding after witnessing a double murder by an organized-crime gang, Beth Ryder’s identity is suddenly leaked online and a kill order is placed on her head. Her survival is now in the hands of US Marshal Jake Cruz, who is determined to keep her alive. But when it becomes clear that more than one group is targeting Beth, the stakes are higher than ever. As they go on the run through dangerous Alaskan terrain with threats everywhere, Beth and Jake must outsmart their deadly enemies before they end up as collateral damage.
Tropes & Themes
Enemies to more
Protected witness in hiding
US Marshal protector
Alaskan wilderness survival
Faith journey from surface belief to deep relationship
Megan Short delivers gripping inspirational romantic suspense that keeps you turning pages while pointing readers to a deeper walk with Christ. You’ll root for Beth’s faith journey and Jake’s protective heart as danger forces them to trust God and each other. This clean, faith-filled story reminds us that Jesus offers rest for the weary and that the burden He gives is light.
Author Interview: Behind the Scenes
What inner struggle or desire drives your main character(s) at the beginning of the story? How does that shift as the story unfolds?
Megan: Both my heroine, Beth Ryder, and my hero, Jake Cruz, are filled with their own inner struggles that really get in the way of their relationship from day one. However, their main struggle is just as difficult—to keep Beth alive!
Beth is such a beautiful, selfless soul, and she first appears in my earlier novel Alaskan Police Protector. She loves people, but because of her protected witness status, she’s been forced to become someone she’s not—isolating herself and having to tamp down her natural urge to connect with others. She’s already been through a lot when the story begins.
But then she goes through so much more. Her journey is one of faith, but also just of accepting that she can trust others. Jake is naturally introverted compared with Beth, but he’s a deep thinker.
He’s been badly hurt in love, but like all tough guys he’s just pushed that hurt aside and has been getting on with it. He’s used to a certain level of control in his life, but Beth is just throwing all that out the window from the moment they meet. He has a strong faith, and his journey is more about trusting God with his own struggles.
What would you say is the heart of the romance in this story?
Megan: The heart of the romance is the same throughout my books—two people falling in love as they rely on each other and God to deliver them from mortal danger. In this story specifically, I chose an “enemies to more” trope. While Jake isn’t really an enemy because he’s protecting Beth, she certainly sees and treats him as an antagonist. That dynamic between them was so much fun to write, and I think I’m going to have to use the trope again soon
What is one takeaway you hope readers carry with them after finishing this book?
Megan: It might be a bit surprising to hear, but the key message of the story centres around Beth’s faith journey.
I had a pressing urgency to reach the Christian women who might go to church every Sunday, faithfully serve, study the bible and do their daily devotionals. But they don’t have a deep relationship with Christ.
That’s Beth. She’s doing more than going through the motions—she’s a great Sunday school teacher—but she’s missing out on that deep relationship that Jesus wants to have with her.
So often, God uses these trials and difficulties in our lives to discipline and refine us. I’ve certainly experienced that in my life. I can look back and see in hindsight all the times that God has led me to him through dark and turbulent times—even before I had accepted Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. And he continues to do that.
What Bible verse encouraged you during your writing journey or that reflects this story’s message?
Megan: The bible passage I chose for this book was Matthew 11:28-29 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
I feel that this has to be one of the most encouraging verses in the bible. For me, at least. Using this verse really made me reflect on it deeply. I have a t-shirt with that message, and I had ordered some bible tracts and this was the message for that too.
In fact I’ve started putting that tract into every one of my author copies now. It’s very meaningful for the story, and for all Christians. In particular Matthew 11:30, which I did not include in the book continues: “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” What an encouraging reminder that journeying with Christ might require us to take up our cross daily and follow Him. But the burden is not ours alone to carry. It’s a light burden, and unlike the yoke of sin, what Jesus gave us when he died on the cross is that incredible gift of eternal life.
I try and think of this verse when I’ve packed too much in, and I’ve been neglecting my relationship with God – which happens far too often. It reminds me that our walk with Christ is with someone meek and humble.
About the Author
Megan Short is a Publishers Weekly bestselling Australian author of inspirational romantic suspense novels. She grew up in New Zealand where her favourite activity was watching bumblebees and day dreaming. A screenwriter by trade, she has writing qualifications from UCLA and has won some screenwriting awards. Megan currently lives in Melbourne and loves learning new skills and meeting new people, many of which make their way into her stories! She still spends too much time day dreaming and is a recovering chocoholic. Megan is a proud member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Omega Writers, and the Australian Romance Readers Association.
Hosted by Kelly Jo Wilson, the Christian Romance Book Nook is your cozy, faith-filled corner of the internet for Christian romance. Kelly connects readers with uplifting stories, honest author interviews, exclusive giveaways, and the joy of knowing you’re never alone in your love for clean romance focused on Jesus.
Come join our growing community, new friends, new books, and plenty of bookish encouragement are always waiting for you!
Join the Christian Romance Book Nook Community
Want early access to Christian fiction author interviews, new releases, and exclusive book giveaways?
You’ll receive:
Christian romance book updates
Author spotlights
Early giveaway access
Behind-the-scenes goodies
🎁 The current Christian romance book giveaway is open now — subscribers always hear about giveaways first.
Craving clean romantic suspense with danger, true crime twists, wilderness survival, and second chances? Dana Mentink’s Raging Waters delivers a gripping story of a determined podcaster seeking justice, her former friend turned reluctant protector, a massive flood threat, and the powerful truth that God sees your story through to the end.
In this exclusive author interview on the Christian Romance Book Nook, Dana opens up about the burning drive for vengeance, the friends-to-enemies-to-lovers heart of the romance, and the reassurance that no failure or success can separate us from God’s secure love.
Meet Dana Mentink
Dana Mentink is a lifelong Californian and writes romantic suspense and wholesome mystery. The bear cubs are grown now (Yogi and Boo Boo) and Papa Bear is retired, but he works part time as her business associate! She pretty much never knows where she is. She is generally speaking lost if she has to get anywhere outside of her neighborhood. Friends and family know this about her so they’re not surprised when they get the “I’m lost” text!
Fun Fact: I pretty much never know where I am. I am, generally speaking, lost if I have to get anywhere outside of my neighborhood. Friends and family know this about me so they’re not surprised when they get the “I’m lost” text!
About the Book: Raging Waters
What happens when a true crime podcaster chases a dangerous lead into the wilderness and runs straight into the one person she blames most?
When Mackenzie Bardine’s brother Aaron was murdered in a drug deal gone wrong, she started a true crime podcast dedicated to exposing “Bullseye,” the drug kingpin responsible. But her protective heart has never let go of the blame she places on herself and Aaron’s best friend, Gideon Landry. On the run to the wilds of Washington to chase a recent lead, she meets none other than Gideon himself.
While conducting a wilderness survival class in remote Washington, Gideon never expected to cross paths with Mackenzie, and he’s certainly not interested in helping her after he’s already declined to participate in her vigilante podcasting. He carries a mountain of guilt about Aaron’s fatal choices, but not for the reasons Mackenzie suspects.
As killers begin to circle Mackenzie like sharks, it’s clear to Gideon she’s in over her head, and in light of his troubled past with her brother, he can’t bring himself to ignore her perilous situation. Then a flood threatens the town, turning their investigation into a race to escape the raging waters and the wrath of a powerful kingpin who wants to sink them both.
Dana Mentink delivers pulse-pounding romantic suspense full of high stakes, emotional depth, and unwavering faith. Readers will root for the determined heroine chasing justice, the burdened hero stepping in to protect her, and the powerful message that God knows your story completely and will never abandon you. This clean, uplifting Christian fiction blends danger, redemption, and hope in a way that leaves you encouraged and reminded of God’s secure love—no matter the circumstances.
Author Interview: Behind the Scenes
What inner struggle or desire drives your main character(s) at the beginning of the story? How does that shift as the story unfolds?
The heroine has a burning desire to avenge a terrible loss she experienced. She must come to terms with what her life will look like if that doesn’t happen…and what it will look like if it does.
What would you say is the heart of the romance in this story?
This is a friends to enemies to lovers story. They are bound together by their relationship with the heroine’s brother and their own sense of duty and honor. Mackenzie is willing to risk her life to make her brother’s murderer pay. Gideon can’t stand to see her throw her future away. There’s a very large dam failure looming and an extremely violent villain pitted against them.
What is one takeaway you hope readers carry with them after finishing this book?
God knows your story and He’s going to see it through. He will never abandon or forsake you.
What Bible verse encouraged you during your writing journey or that reflects this story’s message?
The one I always go back to is Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus… It reminds me that my standing in God is secure no matter what I do or if I fail or succeed.
About the Author
Dana Mentink is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of suspense and mystery. She writes for Harlequin, Sourcebooks, and Revell. A two time Carol Award winner for romantic suspense, she has been honored with a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award. She shares her writing den with a husband, an aged box turtle, and her rescue dog Junie. You can learn more at Dana’s website: www.DanaMentink.com
About the Christian Romance Book Nook
Hosted by Kelly Jo Wilson, the Christian Romance Book Nook is your cozy, faith-filled corner of the internet for Christian romance. Kelly connects readers with uplifting stories, honest author interviews, exclusive giveaways, and the joy of knowing you’re never alone in your love for clean romance focused on Jesus.
Come join our growing community, new friends, new books, and plenty of bookish encouragement are always waiting for you!
Join the Christian Romance Book Nook Community
Want early access to Christian fiction author interviews, new releases, and exclusive book giveaways?
You’ll receive:
Christian romance book updates
Author spotlights
Early giveaway access
Behind-the-scenes goodies
🎁 The current Christian romance book giveaway is open now — subscribers always hear about giveaways first.
Kelly chats with bestselling Christian romantic suspense authors Colleen Coble and legal thriller writer Rick Acker about their powerful collaboration on the Tupelo Grove series and the newest installment, When Justice Comes. In this heartfelt conversation, they share how a simple Pokémon Go notification sparked their co-writing partnership and how their unique blend of plotting and “plancing” brings their suspense-filled stories to life.
Kelly and her guests dive into the emotional core of the series—Hez and Savannah’s journey through grief, forgiveness, and the possibility of a second chance after unimaginable loss. With a Southern Gothic setting, decades-old secrets, and themes of justice and redemption, this story explores how faith and forgiveness can transform even the deepest wounds.
Colleen and Rick also open up about the personal experiences that shaped their writing, the power of forgiveness in broken relationships, and how God can redeem even the most painful moments in life. Readers will walk away encouraged, reminded that while life brings hardship, God’s grace can bring healing and hope.
Publishers Weekly and USA Today best-selling author Colleen Coble’s novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, the ACFW Carol Award, the Romance Writers of America RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers’ Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has over six million books in print. When she’s not writing, Colleen is playing Pokemon Go! with the family or traveling to the locales where she sets her novels. She’s a perpetual learner and a natural health nut. Colleen was the CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers for nineteen years and still serves on the Executive Board. She lives with her husband Dave in Arizona so she can spoil her small grandsons. She’s praying her granddaughter chooses Arizona for college to keep her close too.
Rick writes novels during breaks from his “real job” as a Supervising Deputy Attorney General in the California Department of Justice, where he leads a team prosecuting corporate fraud lawsuits. Rick has authored or coauthored over a dozen acclaimed suspense novels.
When he’s not writing, he leads investigations and lawsuits that made headlines in and out of California. For example, he and his team won a string of record-breaking judgments and settlements against the Wall Street players who created the toxic mortgage securities that triggered the Great Recession. Before joining DOJ, Rick was a senior litigator at Bingham McCutchen, where he worked on high stakes litigation, including a fight between two owners of the San Francisco Forty-Niners and a multibillion dollar international fraud case. Rick studied at the University of Oslo and has a law degree from the University of Notre Dame, where he graduated with honors. In addition to his novels, he is a contributing author on two legal treatises published by the American Bar Association.
Rick is a transplanted Chicagoan who spent thirty-five years in the Midwest before finally trading the certainty of winter and mosquitoes for the risk of earthquakes and wildfires. He now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife, Anette. They have four adult children.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Colleen and Rick’s New Book: When Justice Comes(Tupelo Grove Series Book 3)
Hez and Savannah Webster have survived storms that would bury others without a love as strong as theirs–but can they withstand the final battle in the deadly Legare-Willard feud that threatens to sweep away everything they’ve fought for?
Hezekiah “Hez” Webster and his fiancée, Savannah, stand on the brink of a new life, but their dreams are haunted by specters of the past. Just as they’re getting ready to adopt her nephew, two other petitioners also file for custody–both of whom only want Simon for their own gains.
Between the financial company that Hez outmaneuvered to save the university from ruin and the bad blood from the head of the Willard family, it’s hard to say who wants them out of the way more. Hez and Savannah’s quest for justice leads them through a labyrinth of family law, where loyalties are tested and trust is a dangerous luxury when every decision could be their last.
With the clock ticking, Hez and Savannah must confront the ghosts of their past and their deepest fears to secure a future for Simon. But with every secret revealed, the stakes grow higher. Can they build the family they’ve always dreamed of, or will their enemies succeed in tearing them apart forever?
The Tupelo Grove series reaches its breathtaking conclusion as an enemy’s agenda for revenge runs darker than swamp water and justice remains as precarious as quicksand in this heart-pounding narrative that underscores the power of redemption and forgiveness.
Colleen Coble and Rick Acker’s When Justice Comes is gripping suspense with closed-door, second-chance romance.
Looking for more from these authors? Don’t miss their standalone novel I Think I Was Murdered. All their novels include discussion questions that are perfect for book clubs.
Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me during the Kickstarter! I’m so grateful for you!
Finding Forevermore is available today!
Her family secrets. His guilt. One road trip that changes everything.
Raven Cunningham has built a quiet life between the shelves of a small-town bookshop, ghostwriting stories for others while hiding her own. She’s long believed her father abandoned her, until a letter from her late grandmother reveals a shocking truth.
Convinced the reclusive author J.C. Nevermore is her father, Raven sets out to uncover the real story. When her childhood friend Cole Walker, a former Army medic wrestling with his own scars, offers to help, she’s not sure if she can trust him . . . or herself.
As they chase clues and revisit old memories, what begins as a search for answers becomes a journey toward something deeper.
Finding Forevermore is a heartfelt story about faith, family, and the kind of love that’s anchored in God’s unfailing grace.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. They're not the kind that are delicious, I'm sorry. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
