J. Marie Rundquist
Different shapes of family and friendship...with a splash of love
When I Leave You
Grief has a way of fooling us into thinking we’re alone.
When Ellie Trechsel dies of a brain aneurysm at age 36, she discovers the afterlife is not the calm and comforting plane she always thought it would be. Instead, it’s a painful rite of passage.
Welcoming her in the afterlife is her mother-in-law, Mari, who offers herself as a trusted guide. But Ellie isn't ready to release her hold on life—even if she’s only a spectator now. As she watches her daughter take pills to cope, her trans best friend seeking harbor in an abusive relationship, and her lifelong love sinking into a deep depression, all Ellie can see are her own mistakes.
As she swirls through the past, present, and future of the lives of her family members, Ellie needs to let go of the control she once had, but in the process, discovers how little control she ever really had in the first place.
From the multi-award winning author of As Though You Were Mine comes an emotional story of loss, grief, and compassion for fans of The Lovely Bones and What Dreams May Come.
This Isn't Everything You Are
Two siblings. Each holds a secret that will change all they thought they knew about one another.
When a child gets seriously injured on a school field trip, Lizzie loses not only her job and apartment, but most of her friends. She has a choice: face the consequences or hide. She chooses refuge with her brother, Justin. Except consequences can’t be avoided forever, and the incident at work causes Lizzie’s past to bubble up and uncover a long-buried truth about the accident that claimed the lives of their mother and sister twenty-five years ago.
Justin is happy to offer Lizzie a fresh start by having her move in with him. But as Lizzie cobbles together a new life forward, Justin’s starts to fall apart. Turbulence hits him at work when already challenging colleagues–who have never understood his autistic traits–become adversarial after his recent promotion, his best friend disappears for days at a time, and unwanted, long repressed memories begin to resurface.
As Lizzie and Justin’s lives collide, they must face a deeply held secret and a hidden promise. Both will open questions of loyalty, forgiveness, and what it means to be family.
As Though You Were Mine
The family she didn't want but desperately needs.
"A wonderful story about overcoming self-doubt and relearning family in the wake of tragedy. I adored the characters. Add a cast of unexpected secondary characters, and this is an uplifting page-turner...with a surprising twist."
Bestselling author of The Perfect Son and The Promise Between Us
"Full of heart and warmth, As Though You Were Mine is a raw and real look into what makes up a family. A captivating read about becoming a mother unexpectedly, it will keep you riveted until the last page."
Author of Red Thread of Fate and Amazon bestseller Someone Else's Life
All I'm Asking
Trade your popcorn for pop rocks as you dive into Naomi's chaos.
"All I'm Asking explores complicated relationships, intersectionality, and the challenges of connection (and disconnection) in a digital world. With deft humor and a daring epistolary structure (executed with ease!), J. Marie Rundquist delivers a debut novel that will both entertain and spark thoughtful conversation. A true pleasure to read."
USA Today bestselling author
"Brilliantly told through a series of emails and texts, Rundquist brings to life the shortcomings of humanity in a manner so breathtakingly fresh you will be hard‐pressed not to read the book in one sitting. Bravo!"
USA Today Bestselling Author of Nowhere Near Goodbye
Upcoming Events & Appearances
BooktoberFest for Grown-Ups
Saturday, October 24
11:00am - 6:00pm
MN State Fairgrounds Grandstand
https://inboundbrew.co/book-fair-for-grown-ups-1
Quincy Street Maker's Market
Sunday, November 1
11:00am - 4:00pm
Quincy Hall
1325 Quincy St NE
Minneapolis, MN 55413
Minneapolis Craft Markets
Maker's Market
Saturday, November 14
9:00am-3:00pm
Two Rivers High School
1897 Deleware Ave
Mendota Heights, MN 55118