trueromance

Since my first novel came out seven years ago, I’ve received thousands of emails from readers. One reader claimed my books helped her through a life crisis. Another said I singlehandedly saved her marriage. Still others suggested I seek employment outside the publishing industry. But I’ve noticed that two particular comments kept popping up from readers through the years. They wanted me to write faster and they wanted me to write connected books. Though flattered by those requests, I always said to myself, “I’m writing as fast as I possibly can, people! Besides, I don’t have the patience to write a continuing story line!”
OK. So I was wrong.
When AIN’T TOO PROUD TO BEG hits the shelves November 3, it will kick off my very first trilogy. Readers will meet a cast of characters that has made me laugh, cry, and shake my head in wonder over the year it has taken me to complete their stories. That’s right. One year. Three connected books. Apparently, all it took was the right story and the right characters to bust through the limits I’d placed on myself as a writer.
AIN’T TOO PROUD TO BEG introduces four coworkers at The San Francisco Herald who form a dog-walking group. Several times a week, Josie Sheehan, Ginger Garrison, Roxie Bloom, and Bea Latimer get together to exercise their dogs and sort out their lives. They may appear to be as different as four women can get, but they help each other through divorce, breakups, betrayal, and the demise of their beloved Herald. One morning, they realize they’re all man-less at the same time, and decide they’re done searching for Mr. Right. They take a solemn vow to live happily in the company of their loyal, loving canines. “Who needs a man when you have a dog?” Ginger observes.
Of course, because I write romantic comedy, we all know those vows won’t stick. And in the course of the trilogy, three of the women will meet men who remind them how fabulous they really are and how good life can be. (The fourth finds her own road to happiness.)
AIN’T TOO PROUD TO BEG is Josie Sheehan’s story. The Herald’s obituary feature writer collects failed relationships the way some women collect designer handbags. At thirty-five, the only man who’s sharing her bed is an overly hairy Labradoodle named Genghis. This all changes the day Josie meets a strange old widow who suggests she write out a list of qualities she desires in her ideal man, then place her order with the universe. Thirty minutes later, that man is standing right in front of Josie in the form of pet store CEO and reformed bad boy Rick Rousseau. Figuring this is no coincidence, Josie lets down her defenses and falls hard and fast for Rick – while her friends’ lives are falling apart.
Since Josie can’t imagine rubbing her friends’ noses in her newfound bliss, she decides to keep her hot romance under wraps. This backfires, to put it mildly. All it takes is a little amateur sleuthing and a couple late-night stakeouts, and Bea, Ginger, and Roxie know all about Rick and his questionable history. They try to stop Josie from making what they’re sure would be the worst relationship blunder of her life. Unfortunately, their butting in diverts attention from a real bad guy – a man from Rick’s past is on his way to San Francisco to get revenge. When he finds out about Josie, he knows he’s found the key to bringing Rick Rousseau to his knees.
Next up is THE NIGHT SHE GOT LUCKY (Spring 2010), the super-sexy story of Ginger Garrison and Lucio Montevez. Now forty and divorced, Ginger is certain she’d rather spend her nights with her spoiled Bichon Frise than waste another minute with a man who doesn’t adore her. Then she meets Lucio – or “Lucky” as his friends call him – a renowned nature photographer as famous for breaking hearts as he is for as taking pictures. Is Lucio capable of staying put? With one woman? Or will he be on the first plane to Bora Bora once he’s made Ginger his latest conquest?
LOVE HER MADLY (working title) (Fall 2010) wraps up the trilogy. This is the story of the fiercely independent Roxie Bloom and Eli Gallagher, the sexy but seemingly aloof dog whisperer Roxie must rely on to save her rescue mutt. The two have been battling a fierce attraction for months, but when Roxie’s dog bites her ex boyfriend – a powerful criminal defense lawyer bent on destroying her life – she must swallow her pride and ask for Eli’s help. Saving the dog will take patience and determination, but it also will require Roxie and Eli to open their hearts in ways they never thought possible.
I hope you’ll have as much fun reading these books as I had writing them. In fact, I’m so thrilled with how the trilogy turned out that I might take on another connected series! Right after I take a nap.
Happy reading,
Susan Donovan

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