Russell L. Martin

Russell L. Martin, known to his family and friends as Rusty, was born and raised in Grant Parish, located in central Louisiana. His family lived near the poverty level throughout his childhood. With a limited education and a strong desire for a better life, he hired out with a traveling construction company that installed oil and gas pipelines across the U.S.A. Starting out at the bottom of the food chain, working as a laborer with little to no money, he would camp out near creeks and rivers to survive the high cost of living away from home. After several years of working on land, Rusty decided it was time to get a taste of installing pipelines in the Gulf of Mexico. To further his education in this area of the trade, he received commercial diving degrees at The Ocean Corporation in Houston, TX. After only a couple years working in the Gulf as a diver he went back to land-lay operations, due to a family crisis. He continued working freelance for multiple companies in various sectors, then retired after 34 years in the oil and gas industry. It was not until he decided to settle back down where his roots of life started in central Louisiana, that he surrendered to becoming a writer. His love for God, paired with many strange events throughout his life, left him with a gift of telling amazing stories. He has stated, and truly believes, God led him to the keyboard of his old work laptop. Surprising his family and friends, he unveiled a hidden talent that no one realized he possessed, including himself. After writing “Scars of My Guardian Angel”, a 312-page Christian novel, several proofreaders were asked to give an unbiased opinion of the book. Their incredible reaction and positive reviews inspired Rusty to continue writing, what is now called "The Portal Series". The second book, “Bloodline of the Scrolls”, was self-published in December of 2018. Rusty then went on to write the third book of the series, “Revelation of the Scrolls”, which published in December of 2020. Rusty has also written 13 wonderful Christian songs, that he and his wife share in local churches around their community. Playing his Taylor guitar and singing Christian music is truly a deep passion of his heart. Rusty and his wife, Laura, live a humble and quiet life on a few acres nestled in the middle of Kisatchie National Forest in Grant Parish Louisiana. They enjoy spending time with family and a growing number of grandchildren. Also among life’s pleasures is time spent with their beloved animals. Capturing their hearts years ago are two beautiful palomino horses, Ellie Mae and Hollywood; as well as several stray dogs and barn kittens they have rescued through the years.