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Without A Trace #5
Deadly Competition
The single mother hasn't been found. And all her daughter, Sarah, has is her uncle. Clueless at parenting, Clint Herald seeks a loving, responsible nanny. What he finds instead is a stranger as mysterious as his sister's disappearance. Mandy Erick is secretive and seems scared, yet she's so good with Sarah that Clint can't help but trust her. In fact, he even enters Mandy in the town's Mother of the Year contest. But attention is the last thing Mandy wants. Her time in the public eye may prove just as dangerous as she fears.
206 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
58 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
About the author
Roxanne Rustand
100 books676 followersRoxanne is a USA Today Bestselling, award-winning author of forty romantic suspense, mystery, and heart-warming, emotionally charged relationship novels in the clean & wholesome, as well as inspirational romance genres.
She got her first horse at the tender age of six and grew up riding bareback with wild abandon throughout her small Minnesota town year-round. It was like giving a child car keys!
She showed horses for many years, and later, she and her husband raised quarter horses and thoroughbreds until their kids came along.
She's living her childhood dream, living on an acreage in the country with her husband, three horses (all beloved elderly pasture ornaments, now), a golden retriever, a Mountain Cur rescue, and six fluffy barn cats. It's a much smaller menagerie than when their three kids were still at home!
Ranches, animals, and small-town life frequently find their way into her books.
To connect...
https://www.roxannerustand.com
https://bookbub.com/authors/roxanne-r...
https://amazon.com/author/roxannerustand
https://www.facebook.com/Roxanne.Rustand
She got her first horse at the tender age of six and grew up riding bareback with wild abandon throughout her small Minnesota town year-round. It was like giving a child car keys!
She showed horses for many years, and later, she and her husband raised quarter horses and thoroughbreds until their kids came along.
She's living her childhood dream, living on an acreage in the country with her husband, three horses (all beloved elderly pasture ornaments, now), a golden retriever, a Mountain Cur rescue, and six fluffy barn cats. It's a much smaller menagerie than when their three kids were still at home!
Ranches, animals, and small-town life frequently find their way into her books.
To connect...
https://www.roxannerustand.com
https://bookbub.com/authors/roxanne-r...
https://amazon.com/author/roxannerustand
https://www.facebook.com/Roxanne.Rustand
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
July 19, 2024
I really enjoyed this book and the characters.
April 4, 2022
Great book but very frustrating to read yet another book without a conclusive ending. One more to go and I get my answers. I’m thoroughly enjoying this series! Definitely not a stand alone book.,
February 22, 2015
Captivating!
This series is intriguing. This book is captivating! At first it reminded me of Safe Haven the movie, but the book takes interesting turns of its own. This story is great and makes me want to read more by the author. I'm starting the next book in the series right away!
This series is intriguing. This book is captivating! At first it reminded me of Safe Haven the movie, but the book takes interesting turns of its own. This story is great and makes me want to read more by the author. I'm starting the next book in the series right away!
August 31, 2014
SO GOOD!! Ends on such a cliff hanger! I'm dying to read #6 in this series but I haven't read the others so I'm going back and starting at #1. Such a good series! I love the Louisiana bayou ambiance. It just fits perfectly!
December 11, 2023
such suspense! love it!
There is so much suspense in this book and series, it’s amazing. I love each book, and each can stand alone, but much better if read as a whole. Each author has been very good. This one was by a new-to-me author, and I really enjoyed it! Light romance, and a good faith thread involved as well.
There is so much suspense in this book and series, it’s amazing. I love each book, and each can stand alone, but much better if read as a whole. Each author has been very good. This one was by a new-to-me author, and I really enjoyed it! Light romance, and a good faith thread involved as well.
January 2, 2024
This one's just before and during the Mother's Day event for the winning mother's pageant. Whew, can competing women overdo on the drama a bit! And Mandy has someone from her past after her, who's determined if he can't have Mandy, no one will.
It was really sweet to get to see more of Sarah and to come to know Mandy and why she was in town.
On to the last one...
It was really sweet to get to see more of Sarah and to come to know Mandy and why she was in town.
On to the last one...
May 18, 2024
Clint is still searching for his missing sister, Leah. It has been difficult for him to care for Sarah since her mother disappeared and he has been searching for a nanny. Mandy has just arrived in town and is in search of a job...
And the book ends with another interesting twist to the question of whodunit!
And the book ends with another interesting twist to the question of whodunit!
September 2, 2024
Clint and Sarah
Little Sarah and Uncle Clint get a story. In the process we get introduced to Mandy who was fleeing an abusive relationship. This story is heart warming and also heart wrenching. Wonderfully written.
Little Sarah and Uncle Clint get a story. In the process we get introduced to Mandy who was fleeing an abusive relationship. This story is heart warming and also heart wrenching. Wonderfully written.
February 12, 2019
Deadly Competition review
Deadly Competition is the fifth exciting romantic suspense book in the Without a Trace series written by author Roxanne Rustand.
Deadly Competition is the fifth exciting romantic suspense book in the Without a Trace series written by author Roxanne Rustand.
April 19, 2019
Good mystery and a fast read.
October 6, 2023
I kept expecting her ex boyfriend to jump out at her any moment. That made it fun to read.
December 29, 2024
Great story but I'm still wanting to know what happened to Leah.
June 30, 2025
So good.
August 20, 2023
Just when I thought I had a handle on 'whodunnit' with all the murders in Loomis, this book comes along and gives me a few reasons to doubt. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out in the final installment of the book.
As to the story at hand, I really liked 'meeting' Clint back in the first book of the series. I could tell that he was a kind person who trusted his sister and was willing to do whatever it took to keep his niece safe. This book continued along that vein, and introduced me to his strong faith as well. Faith that God would lead him even if the answers sought weren't what he wanted.
I also really liked Mandy, though my heart hurt for the abuse she'd suffered. While I've never been on the run from an abusive former partner, I could easily see why Mandy made the choices she made in her circumstances. I like that, even though she had a hard time trusting herself, she allowed herself to be drawn to the good people of Loomis . . . people who could help her find strength and healing, and a return to faith in God.
3.5 stars
As to the story at hand, I really liked 'meeting' Clint back in the first book of the series. I could tell that he was a kind person who trusted his sister and was willing to do whatever it took to keep his niece safe. This book continued along that vein, and introduced me to his strong faith as well. Faith that God would lead him even if the answers sought weren't what he wanted.
I also really liked Mandy, though my heart hurt for the abuse she'd suffered. While I've never been on the run from an abusive former partner, I could easily see why Mandy made the choices she made in her circumstances. I like that, even though she had a hard time trusting herself, she allowed herself to be drawn to the good people of Loomis . . . people who could help her find strength and healing, and a return to faith in God.
3.5 stars
February 17, 2015
Without a Trace
Book 5
This story focuses on the brother, Clint Herold, who's sister has been missing since the first book. He is caring for her three year old daughter, Sarah, and trying to figure out what's happened to her. A stranger in town begs him for a nanny job and he allows it, soon learning that he has feelings for her but that she has a lot of secrets. We find that we're suddenly in another suspense story surrounding her ex-boyfriend. That part is pretty good.
At the end, after the boyfriend story is wrapped up I think it's stupid that she plans to leave still. This part of the story really made no sense to me and I found myself withdrawing from the story at this point. I also thought the "Mother of the Year" thing was a bit weird...
A few details are added the the original story - but nothing that would be too surprising so this book could be read as a stand alone.
Book 5
This story focuses on the brother, Clint Herold, who's sister has been missing since the first book. He is caring for her three year old daughter, Sarah, and trying to figure out what's happened to her. A stranger in town begs him for a nanny job and he allows it, soon learning that he has feelings for her but that she has a lot of secrets. We find that we're suddenly in another suspense story surrounding her ex-boyfriend. That part is pretty good.
At the end, after the boyfriend story is wrapped up I think it's stupid that she plans to leave still. This part of the story really made no sense to me and I found myself withdrawing from the story at this point. I also thought the "Mother of the Year" thing was a bit weird...
A few details are added the the original story - but nothing that would be too surprising so this book could be read as a stand alone.
February 21, 2012
This is the 5th book in the 'Without A Trace Series." Clint has been taking care of his young niece since (Sarah) her mother left and seems to have vanished without a trace.
Mandy, is new in town and needs a fresh start to life. She is able to convince Clint to hire her as a Nanny. Although, Clint senses she is hiding a secret, he cannot help but be drawn to her.
This was a good read, it kept me wanting more. I look forward to reading the 6th part (Her Last Chance) to see what's in store for Sarah, Clint, and Mandy.
Mandy, is new in town and needs a fresh start to life. She is able to convince Clint to hire her as a Nanny. Although, Clint senses she is hiding a secret, he cannot help but be drawn to her.
This was a good read, it kept me wanting more. I look forward to reading the 6th part (Her Last Chance) to see what's in store for Sarah, Clint, and Mandy.
November 22, 2010
the 5th book in the Without A Trace series.
Clint has been taking care of his niece, Sarah, since his sister Leah disappeared 4 months ago.
Mandy needs a job so she can move on again before her ex- boyfriend finds her.
Mandy convinces Clint to hire her as Sarah's nanny.
Great read, can't wait to finish the last book in this series to see how it all comes together.
Clint has been taking care of his niece, Sarah, since his sister Leah disappeared 4 months ago.
Mandy needs a job so she can move on again before her ex- boyfriend finds her.
Mandy convinces Clint to hire her as Sarah's nanny.
Great read, can't wait to finish the last book in this series to see how it all comes together.
December 24, 2013
Mandy shows up in Loomis trying to escape an abusive relationship. She finds Clint and becomes Sarah's nanny to help out. Clint nominates her for the Mother of the Year contest, of which many serious events have happened.
(my least favorite book in the series, who would let a complete stranger take care of a child? not a very realistic storyline)
206 pages
(my least favorite book in the series, who would let a complete stranger take care of a child? not a very realistic storyline)
206 pages
December 3, 2010
This was THE BEST love Inspired Suspence I think I have ever read! A great plot beautifully writen and to be honest I was looking over my shoulder the whole time i was reading I jumped at every little sound, because it was so real... so amazing! If I could give it ten stars I would!
June 21, 2011
I thought this was a good book! Nice to see and town embrace someone that needed them, even if they didn't realize just how much they were needed. the world would be such a better place if all towns were as welcoming.
May 21, 2012
Book 5 Without A Trace
June 14, 2015
Good read
The story in this episode followed in line with the other books. And, although you knew how it would end, the getting there was as well written as the previous 4.
The story in this episode followed in line with the other books. And, although you knew how it would end, the getting there was as well written as the previous 4.
June 20, 2015
Quick read
Read
October 26, 2017Not really the type of book I am interested in. Don't know why I chose it. Read, but not necessarily enjoyed.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews