High-Stakes Suspense.
Atmospheric Tension.
Unyielding Women.

Catherine Matthews

AUTHOR

Termination Dust

Book 2 of The Tundra Secrets Series
Coming February 1, 2027

Any day now, termination dust will tint the Alaskan mountaintops white to signal the coming cold.

For Mae, it’s a chilling countdown. She has spent a decade running from the cold and calculating Rocky Cooper, and now hides in the wilderness with her young daughter.

Beyond the mountains a storm is brewing. Rocky’s adult children, Jesse and Jeremiah, hunt for the truth about their vanished mother. When they unearth a decades-old murder and a tangle of mistaken identities, old wounds threaten to expose Mae.

As long-buried secrets surface and false identities unravel, Jesse and Jeremiah are forced to confront a legacy of abuse and betrayal – and may be Mae’s best chance at survival.

Winter is approaching. But as the darkness envelopes Alaska, it might be time to bring the truth to light.

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A woman with a fierce will to prove herself and nothing to lose,

Bunny O’Kelly doesn’t arrive in Alaska so much as storms into it.

It’s 1984, and cut out of her family’s farm, she is determined to make her own way.

She talks herself onto Buck Miller’s horse ranch in the Alaskan wilderness, but the welcome is cold, the work is brutal, and a resentful ranch hand only makes things worse.

That all changes when Bunny lifts a tarp in the garage to find a beat-up truck.

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"Echoing themes from Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre, Catherine Matthews’ heart-wrenching and intricate storytelling with a murderous undertone makes Releasing the Reins a welcome contribution to the gothic western."

Natalie Garrison, BookTrib.,
Loved Netflix’s “Ransom Canyon”? Here’s 8 Western Novels to Keep You in the Saddle

"Award-winning and masterfully written, this novel delivers a compelling mix of mystery, resilience, and raw emotion. The atmospheric setting and unrelenting tension pull the reader deep . . . Releasing the Reins is a must-read for fans of strong heroines, slow-burning suspense, and thrillers that refuse to let go. "

David Lane Williams, author of Carousel Grift

"A tribute to female resistance and independence . . . these girls show physical prowess, mental fortitude, and resilience despite all the resistance they face . . . Brava to Catherine Matthews for crafting such relatable experiences . . . And the writing is flawless and rich with details that made me feel as if I were actually there."

Amazon Reviewer

"An epic tale about justice, fairness, and standing up for oneself . . . From the gorgeous descriptions to the carefully drawn characters, this is a book you won’t want to put down.

Kathryn Dodson, author of Tequila Midnight.

"Bunny is a feminist icon that knows taking the easy road isn’t always easy but it's what you are meant to do. "

Goodreads Reviewer

“Funny, heart-wrenching, and hopeful.”

Their final road trip: Four states, three sisters, two dogs, one disappointing roadside attraction, and far too many secrets . . .

Molly Casey has been living her life at full speed, but it’s about to slow down. With terminal cancer, she has one goal—get her estranged sisters talking. Her plan hinges on getting them to agree to a do-over of the last road trip their family took before everything fell apart. So, she hides her prognosis and asks them to drive her back to Seattle.

Penelope Casey, a lawyer who lives to work, and Scottie Dunn, a kennel owner whose deepest connections are with her dogs, haven’t set eyes on each other in decades. The last thing they want is to be trapped in a car together for days on end. But when their sister calls, they reluctantly hit the road for her sake.

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"Three sisters, one road trip, and a whole lot of unresolved feelings. It made me laugh, cry, and feel everything in between. My emotions were all over the place, but I truly enjoyed every minute of it."

Amazon Reviewer

"Roadside Sisters was like hitting the open road with the windows down, a completely satisfying and exhilarating journey from start to finish."

Amazon Reviewer

"Matthews’ beautifully written novel about family and forgiveness stirred my heart, reminding me that we, as humans, are too slow to bury our hurt and reach out to repair important relationships. Roadside Sisters is a must read."

Amazon Reviewer

"Roadside Sisters is a beautifully crafted story that highlights the complexity of sisterly bonds and the impact of secrets. It's the kind of book that stays with you long after you've turned the last page."

Goodreads Reviewer

"Roadside Sisters is a powerful, emotional, memorable and thought-provoking novel."

Goodreads Reviewer

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