The movie is the third of four 2009 Nora Roberts' movies slated to begin production. Also headed for the small screen are "Nora Roberts' Midnight Bayou," "Nora Roberts' Tribute" and "Nora Roberts' High Noon."

Mandalay Television and Stephanie Germain Productions will produce "Northern Lights" with Peter Guber and Stephanie Germain serving as executive producers.

"Between the loyal fans of both Nora Roberts and the multi-talented LeAnn Rimes, we think this will be a perfect union," Tanya Lopez, senior vice president of original movies at Lifetime Networks, said in making the announcement. "Viewers will be excited to see the pages of another Nora Roberts' book come to life in this movie."

The four previous Nora Roberts' movies that aired on Lifetime Television in 2007 together reached more than 34 million viewers and "Nora Roberts' Angels Fall" was the highest rated Lifetime Original Movie of 2007, the network said.

"Northern Lights" is about a former Baltimore police officer who tries to start a new life by accepting the job of police chief in the small town of Lunacy, Alaska, only to find himself in the middle of a high-profile murder investigation.