Not Without My Son: Trapped in Costa Rica

Not Without My Son: Trapped in Costa Rica, is a deeply personal true memoir about love, survival, sacrifice, and the unbreakable bond between a mother and her child. What began as a temporary move abroad quickly became a heartbreaking and life changing struggle when Rusti found herself trapped in a foreign country with her newborn son and facing years of legal, emotional, and financial obstacles in her fight to bring him home.

Through fear, uncertainty, isolation, and moments where hope seemed impossible to hold onto, she refused to give up. This powerful story takes readers inside the reality of international legal battles, motherhood under unimaginable pressure, and the strength it takes to continue fighting when the odds feel impossible.

Not Without My Son is more than a memoir. It is a story of resilience, determination, faith, and the extraordinary lengths a mother will go to protect her child and reclaim their future.

Rusti Banagas is an author, entrepreneur, world traveler, and passionate advocate for perseverance in the face of adversity. Having visited more than 22 countries and lived in multiple regions of the United States, she brings a global perspective and fearless determination to both her life and her writing.Born and raised in California, later shaped by her years in Texas, and now residing in Utah, Rusti has never been one to back down from a challenge. Her debut memoir, Not Without My Son: Trapped in Costa Rica - A Memoir, recounts her extraordinary true story of being trapped in Costa Rica with her infant son and the years-long battle that followed to secure his freedom and citizenship.Known for her tenacity, courage, and unwavering commitment to those she loves, Rusti is often described as a force to be reckoned with. Through her writing, she hopes to inspire readers to persevere through life's most difficult circumstances and to never give up on the people and causes that matter most.When she's not writing, Rusti enjoys traveling, exploring new cultures, and creating meaningful connections with family...especially her son. CASH!