-Stories That Make the Heart Strong-
Angela Ruth Strong
THE BOOKS
I might write in different genres, but each book includes my fun and fast-paced style. Whether a character is swinging from a rope swing, swing dancing with the love of her life, or swinging a gun toward a villain who wants to kill him, I hope that when you're done, you'll want to swing back by the bookstore to pick up another one of my light-hearted and life-changing adventure.
A Caffeine Conundrum
Solving a murder mystery is harder when you don't trust your partner...or their taste in beverages.
Sassy city girl Tandy Brandt moves to the small town of Grace Springs to start a coffee shop, never imagining she'll be competing with local beauty queen Marissa Alexander and her dream of running a tea house. Unfortunately, the current store owner dies before selling the location to either of them, and they both become murder suspects.
The unlikely pair team up in an attempt to discover the real killer, though with the secrets in Tandy's past and Marissa's infamous clumsiness, they could be their own worst enemies. Despite their differences, they follow clues to question a sweet, apple pie baking antique store owner, a GQ Santa in the retirement center, and a hipster millionaire with no social skills. Will they be able to figure out whodunit and prove their innocence before one of them goes to jail...or worse?
The CafFUNated Mysteries
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Husband Auditions
In a world full of happily-ever-after love, Meri Newberg feels like the last young woman on the planet to be single, at least in her Christian friend group. So when she's handed a strange present at the latest wedding--a 1950s magazine article of "ways to get a husband"--she decides there's nothing to lose by trying out its advice. After all, she can't get any more single, can she?
Her brother's roommate sees the whole thing as a great opportunity. Not to fall in love--Kai Kamaka has no interest in the effort a serious relationship takes. No, this is a career jump start. He talks Meri into letting him film every silly husband-catching attempt for a new online show. If it goes viral, his career as a cameraman will be made.
When Meri Me debuts, it's an instant hit. People love watching her lasso men on street corners, drop handkerchiefs for unsuspecting potential beaus, and otherwise embarrass herself in pursuit of true love. But the longer this game goes on, the less sure Kai is that he wants Meri to snag anyone but him. The only problem is that he may not be the kind of husband material she's looking for . . .
With droll comic timing, unbeatable chemistry, and a zany but relatable cast of characters, Angela Ruth Strong has created a heartfelt look at the reality of modern Christian dating that readers will both resonate with and fall for.
Love Unscripted Series
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A Cuppa Trouble (Book #2)
Plans for a Valentine's Day grand opening of a small town coffee shop go awry when the first customer is killed. Evidence points toward the victim being mixed up in a car theft ring, but shop owners Tandy and Marissa have reason to believe he was framed. An assortment of suspects--from a pink-haired heir to Tandy's charming ex--all seem to know a little too much about grand theft auto.
Without approval from either their boyfriends or the gum-chewing FBI agent in charge, the shop owners go on stakeouts, plan stings, and pursue justice in a high-speed car chase. If they don't find the killer soon, it might be more than their love lives in trouble.
A Latte Difficulty (Book #3)
When Marissa witnesses an attempted murder during the 4th of July parade, it starts a battle for her independence. She is forced to hide out in a safehouse, leaving her co-owner, Tandy, to run their coffee shop, track down the criminal, and, worse, plan Marissa’s wedding. Thankfully Tandy has help, but can she really trust the P.I. in a bow tie, her new deaf barista who acts more like a bartender, or a wedding planner who’s keeping secrets?
The threat on Marissa’s future goes from bad to worse when her bridal gown is covered in blood. Though her fiancé, Connor, agrees to give up his identity to join her in the Witness Protection Program, Marissa refuses to wave the white flag. Instead, she enlists Tandy to help her fight for truth, justice, and the Americano way.
Resort to Love Series
Finding Love at the Oregon Coast
When a wedding is cancelled, three bridesmaids and a runaway bride contemplate the true meaning of love in four related romance novellas.
1. Finding Love in Lincoln City: Liz feels stuck at her little beach magazine until a handsome rival sparks more than just friendly competition.
2. Finding Love in Oceanside: Anabeth is looking to get out of her rut when a fender bender and a bizarre date with a former marine leads her to a life of love she could never have imagined.
3. Finding Love in Cannon Beach: Kadence feels the pressure to write a perfect love song, but an unexpected meeting with a musician will have her living one instead.
4. Finding Love in Seaside: Christina plans to spend her honeymoon alone, but when the bed and breakfast owner offers her a position as cook, she starts to feel at home in his kitchen…and in his arms.
A Mug of Mayhem (Book #4)
One week before Marissa plans to get married at her fiancé’s farm, Connor is arrested for a murder in the corn maze. Marissa and her maid of honor, Tandy, must prove the groom innocent before the wedding is cancelled.
With a coffee shop to run, family visiting from out of town, and preparations for the big day, time is running out. The senior citizens who’d been at the farm during the homicide offer to help investigate, but are they witnesses or suspects? A cranky military veteran goes rogue and disappears with his gun, a retired spy suffers from dementia, and a former Broadway star still seems to be putting on a show. Unless the real killer is unmasked, death could do them all part.
Finding Love in Eureka, California
Raised in a family of six adopted siblings, Genevieve Wilson fights to keep her dysfunctional brothers and sisters together, but everyone still seems to leave. If she’s not good enough to prevent her birth parents from giving her up or her siblings from abandoning her, then there’s no way she would ever be enough to have a lasting relationship with the successful pilot from work—which is exactly what makes him a safe subject for her daydreams.
Matt Lake is dating the perfect woman and working a great job. Life is easy until he starts to enjoy hanging out with the airline employees more than with his girlfriend—one sweet female employee in particular. He tells himself he’s only intrigued by Gen’s quirkiness, but nobody else makes him smile the way she does.
Can Matt give up the flawless life he’d planned in exchange for the messiness of love? And if so, will Gen risk her heart on reality when it’s never paid off in the past?
Finding Love in Sun Valley, Idaho
On shoot in beautiful Sun Valley for her newest film, rising starlet Emily Van Arsdale meets handsome stunt consultant Tracen Lake. Despite their different lifestyles, the adventurous duo shares a bond. As filming wraps up, will Emily be able to leave Sun Valley--and Tracen--behind?
"Finding Love in Sun Vally swept me off my feet." --Christina Berry Tarabochia, award-winning author
Suspense
False Security
Alex Pierce needs Laney Winters to help him prove neither of them is responsible for the millions of dollars that went missing after Laney arrested him for bank robbery five years ago. Besides Laney not believing he truly repented in prison, there’s the problem of the real thief trying to kill her and the police department treating her like a dirty cop. With the possibility of another crime being pinned on them, Laney finally teams up with Alex to save her life. If only she could trust him with her heart, as well.
Once Upon a Christmas
Embrace the magic of the Christmas season with these contemporary twists on timeless tales.
Upon a Dream — A rare sleeping disorder keeps Talia from performing, but when Philip recognizes her gift, he’ll do whatever it takes to see her onstage.
Claim My Heart — Li Na and Colin Wen face off in a Mulan-esque courtroom battle where the real win might be losing their hearts.
A Snow White Christmas — Sheltered heiress Amala White flees her conniving stepmother’s plans and finds refuge with a handsome orchard owner and his seven quirky uncles.
Christmas Ella — Reality TV meets Cinderella story when a location director is swept off her feet by a rising star.
A Splash of Love — Las Vegas glitz meets Land of Enchantment culture in A Splash of Love, a modern twist on the Little Mermaid.
Novella Collections
Finding Love in Big Sky, Montana
Josh Lake is forced to head home for the holidays after he’s suspended from his job in the city, but running into Paisley Sheridan could be exactly what he needed. Not only does she board him at her ranch in exchange for his advertising expertise, but spending the Christmas season with her in Big Sky, Montana, brings more joy than he’s felt in a long while. Is he willing to give up the lavish lifestyle he’s worked for in exchange for the gift of love?
The last thing Paisley wants for Christmas is to spend time with Josh Lake—the guy who broke her heart in high school—but until her bank loan goes through, she has to take all the free help she can get. Unfortunately, Josh seems to want back in her life again, and the town’s quirky coffee shop owners don’t help by hanging mistletoe. Will Paisley succeed in driving him away, or will she find the healing needed to have hope for a future together?
Finding Love in Park City, Utah
C.J. Lancaster’s job as a tabloid journalist takes her to the Sundance Film Festival with the goal of interviewing a particular actress. She tries to charm her way past the movie star’s youngest brother-in-law, Sam, and somehow ends up on an “undate” with him. If C.J. were ready to date, the fun-loving veteran would be her first choice, but as she’s still healing from her ex’s affair, she knows they’ll both be better off once she scares her new “friendboy” away.
Sam Lake is more intrigued than scared. He’s never had to pursue a woman before, and he can’t get this one out of his mind. Whether it’s how she also likes to eat ice cream in winter or the way she gets his nieces and nephews to gang up on him in a snowball fight, he feels more at home with her than his oversized family. But when his own issues arise, he realizes C.J. might be right about avoiding a relationship with him.
Can the two of them overcome emotional mountains in their lives to be together, or will they remain a “noncouple” forever?
Fun4Hire Series (Ages 8-12)
The Water Fight Professional (Book #1)
I, Joey Michaels, am the water fight professional. Basically this means that customers pay me to soak other people. But my super competetive best friend is sucking all the fun out of it. All because I made a secret bet with him.
Winning the bet wouldn't be so hard if I didn't have the following three problems: 1. My dramatic mother who feels the need to schedule every moment of summer. 2. A frugal father who wants me to put all my earnings in the bank. 3. The annoying neighbor girl all my friends have a crush on.
If I lose... ugh, I can't even tell you what I'd have to do. Ugg. I'd rather lick a slug.
The Princess and the P.I.
Raised in the West Indies, Jacqueline James is on the verge of becoming a modern day princess until the prince hires a P.I. to do a background check and discovers her father is a fugitive from the States. Determined not to let her fairy tale fall apart, Jacqueline hires the P.I. to help her prove her father's innocence.
When former police officer Beau Ryan's wife's murderer was acquitted, he left Miami on what would have been their anniversary cruise, planning never to return. It's his unexpected soft spot for Jacqueline that has him swallowing down the pain to face his past.
Together they elude press, bounty hunters, and the Miami P.D., searching for the truth needed to free Jacqueline to marry a monarch. Will Beau be able to save the woman he loves this time around? And if so, how will being her knight in shining armor compare with a proposal from Prince Charming?
Presumed Dead
Framed for a sabotaged military operation, Preston Tyler has allowed everyone to believe he's dead—until he witnesses someone planting a bomb in his childhood sweetheart's cabin. To save Holly Fontaine's life, he must blow his cover.
Holly is shaken…both by the explosion and the sudden appearance of a man she thought she'd lost forever. But their reunion is short-lived when the bomb planter returns, forcing their escape into Lake Tahoe's wilderness. As they struggle to survive, memories of their shared past reignite old feelings. Holly refuses to lose Preston again, but with their pursuer closing in, will the ultimate betrayal tear them apart for good?
Fun4Hire Series (Ages 8-12)
The Snowball Fight Professional (Book #2)
I, Joey Michaels, am the Snowball Fight Professional. Basically this means that customers pay me to shoot snowballs at other people. I’ll use the profits to buy Grandma a gift so impressive that she’ll give me a puppy for Christmas. Unless, of course, my cousin Winston has anything to do with it.
Earning the puppy wouldn’t be so hard if I didn’t have the following problems:
1) Winston stealing my employee
2) Winston getting me in trouble every time I do something wrong
3) Winston blaming me for things I don’t even do
If I don’t get the puppy ... ugh, Winston will get him. And that’s the opposite of everything I want for Christmas. Looks like it’s going to be an all-out winter war.
The Food Fight Professional (Book #3)
I, Joey Michaels, am the Food Fight Professional. Basically this means that if food is flying in the school cafeteria, people think I’m responsible. Working at a soup kitchen as punishment shows me how I can use my reputation in a good way—to organize a “food fight” to fight hunger.
Winning the food fight wouldn’t be so hard if I didn’t have the following three problems: 1. The neighbor girl who records all my mistakes and posts them to the internet 2. Her newly adopted brothers from Haiti who don’t think wasting food is a laughing matter 3. A school principal who wants revenge for the pie I smashed in her face
If I can keep from making too big a mess in the kitchen this time around, I just might be able to have my pie and eat it too.
Lighten Up
Bethany Light is the daughter of a minister who can't forgive her father for running off with the church secretary. She goes to her own pastor for counsel, never expecting to fall in love with him. To make matters worse, she's personal training his fiancé in preparation for the big day and somehow ends up in their wedding.
Refusing to make the same mistake her dad made, Bethany tries to focus on fixing her family rather than face her own issues. How could a household that used to have it all together have fallen so far from grace? And how can she keep from following in her father's footsteps when it feels so right?
"Loved it. Entertaining with a powerful message."
--Christy Barritt, Author of The Squeaky Clean Mysteries
The Pillow Fight Professional (Book #4)
I, Joey Michaels, am the Pillow Fight Professional. Basically this means I’m training a bunch of my sister’s friends to hold their own against older siblings. Unfortunately, when the girls win a pillow fight at an overnighter, those older siblings aren’t very happy with me. I’m forced to plan a pillow fight to end all pillow fights. Me and the girls against a bunch of bigger boys.
Winning the pillow fight would be a lot easier without the following three problems:
1) Brock, the bully, who has never lost a pillow fight—or any fight for that matter
2) Isabelle, my partner, who may quit if she figures out that I’m using a bunch of girls to fight my battle for me
3) My team of little girls, who want to wear footie pajamas as our uniform
If we win, I’ll get to keep the new bike I worked so hard for. If we lose, well … I won’t let us lose. I can do this all on my own if I have to. Because I got da moves.