I’m thrilled to have my pal Susan Lyons back on the blog. She’s appearing as her alter-ego today – Susan Fox, who writes very sexy, very steamy contemporary romance for Kensington Brava. Susan has a brand new book out called Yours, Unexpectedly, and it’s already getting great reviews. Here’s the blurb:
What happens when the runaway bride finds that her discarded groom has come along for the honeymoon cruise?
Merilee Fallon has been planning her wedding to Matt Townsend since she was seven. But, two days before the big day, she has a serious case of cold feet. She shocks both Matt and herself—and calls off the wedding. Needing a total change of scene, Merilee decides not to let their non-refundable Mexican Riviera cruise go to waste—not realizing Matt has the very same idea. Can they be friends? Will they find new lovers? Or will they discover that sometimes there’s nothing more arousing than a second chance at first love—especially on a cruise ship where there are no rules and anything goes…
Yours, Unexpectedly is the fourth book in Susan’s sexy “planes, trains, automobiles, and a cruise ship” Wild Ride to Love series featuring the four Fallon sisters.
Doesn’t that sound like a whole lot of fun? I’m going to turn things over to Susan, so she can tell us all about her new book.
Thanks so much, Vanessa, for inviting me here today to talk about my new book.
For some reason, my muse is drawn to series. No, not ones where you have to read every book to know what’s going on – that kind of series intimidates me as a reader, so I’m sure not going to write one! No, I like series that have related characters and themes. In my Wild Ride to Love series, the theme is about journeys – physical ones, emotional ones, and romantic ones. The related characters are the four Fallon sisters.
The four-book series starts with a wedding announcement: baby sister Merilee is getting married to Matt, the boy she’s loved since they were both seven. She wants her three much older, and still single, sisters to come home to Vancouver for the wedding of M&M – partly to help her organize things, partly to share the moment, and partly to gloat, because she’s the one sister who’s lucky in love!
In book 1, Sex Drive, oldest sister Theresa, the serious professor, comes home by planes from Australia – and her sexy seatmate, Aussie thriller writer Damien, shows her some in-flight entertainment that just might turn into true love.
In book 2, Love, Unexpectedly, second sister Kat, the girl with the worst luck in love, comes home by trains from Montreal – and her best friend Nav plays “stranger on the train” and gets her to view him in a whole new, sexy and romantic, light.
In book 3, His, Unexpectedly, third sister Jenna, the free spirit, comes home from Santa Cruz by automobiles – and hitches a ride from marine biologist Mark, who shows her that some things in life – and some people – are worthy of commitment.
As for Merilee . . . Well, when I initially conceived of the series, I thought it would end with her wedding. But the muse had other plans, and as Merilee saw her three sisters arrive home with exciting new romances, she realized that her own relationship was sadly lacking in excitement and passion.
And so, book 4, Yours, Unexpectedly, is a runaway bride story. Merilee calls off the wedding and she and Matt break up. But there’s a twist. When she decides to go on the honeymoon Mexican Riviera cruise alone, to get some distance and perspective, she discovers Matt has the same idea. So there they are, reluctant roommates, aboard a luxury ship bound for Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas.
When you’ve been with someone for fourteen years, when you’ve grown up with them, you’d think there was nothing left to learn about them. But M&M are in for a wild ride now that they’re individuals rather than half of a couple. It’s time for each of them to find out who they really are and to become adults. There are lots of surprises in store for them as they discover whether growing up means growing apart or growing together in a way that’s deeper, more exciting, and more passionate. A way that will last a lifetime.
You can read an excerpt on my website. Also, if you’re a chocolate-lover like M&M, you’ll find recipes for Matt’s mom’s chocolate chip pancakes and the chocolate mousse Merilee enjoys at her first lunch as a single girl.
I’d love to hear your thoughts about my Wild Ride series. Do you find travel a learning experience? Is it romantic? What do you think about long-term relationships, and how to keep them exciting? Or feel free to comment on anything else that interests you.
I have a copy of Yours, Unexpectedly to give away to someone who comments.
wow… i’m so excited with susan fox’s book and the cover looks gergeous 😉
Thanks, Eli. I love that cover too!
Not in the context of a romantic relationship but in a work one but I recently was on a trip with a couple of colleagues whom I thought I knew quite well. It sure was an eye opener when I was forced to be in close proximity day in & out with them. Unfortunately the experience was a negative one.
From a personal perspective I reckon that it all depends who you’re with. There are lots of possibilities for it to be romantic but then possibilities exists everywhere & it’s up to us to see &/or act on it.
I’ve never even been in a relationship; much less a longterm 1 (most pathetic yes? It must be me). As in any relationship it takes both parties to make it work.
You’re so right about the challenges of being in that close proximity with someone. It brings all the good stuff and the bad stuff into intimate focus. And then if you’re in a foreign country where you’re a little unsure of yourself, and don’t speak the language, you rely even more heavily on your traveling companion. I remember traveling with my dad in Europe when I was young, and being so absolutely thrilled when, after a few days, we ran into some Americans. I didn’t even particularly like them, but they spoke English! Fluent English, to carry on a real conversation not just provide service in a store or restaurant.
I hope you do find that special someone yourself – but in the meantime, enjoy your own company and some good books.
Well, I have been married for 30 years to my high school sweetheart.. we met when we both were newspaper carriers [ good grief, yes I am older than the hills…] anyway, he surprised me when he got his ear pierced over a spring break trip.. didn’t see that one coming…
LOL, CateS. Yes, that might have been quite the surprise. I think it’s nice when people we know well can still surprise us (that’s one of the things M&M learn in Yours, Unexpectedly) – but it’s even nicer when the surprises are good, or at least interesting, ones. The pierced ear sounds interesting! Does he still have it?
Hi Susan! Great to have you here on the blog. I look forward to reading everyone’s comments. I will be away from my computer for most of the day, but I’ll check in later.
Hi Vanessa, and thanks so much for inviting me here again.
I have some meetings today so I’ll be away for spells of time too – but I’ll check in at least every couple of hours and respond to comments. (Oh, that pesky day job!!)
I used to like travelling by train, as that makes for great reading time. But travelling together with my boyfriend is also fun, you can hold hands and talk, or do a little game. Just touching him, sitting next to you is nice.
auriansbooks at gmail dot com
This book sounds great and would love to win and read. This is a new author for me and always looking for new books and authors to check out. Thanks for the chance to win.
I’m with you on both counts, urian. Travel when you can read is great – but so’s that cozy time of just being with someone you care about.
Thanks, Chris. I hope you enjoy the book. And thanks for trying out new authors. We all really appreciate it!
Hi Susan and Vanessa –
My husband and I had both been in relationships before we met and both had been engaged before realizing that it wasn’t with the right person. We met when he was in the Navy during Vietnam and I had just recently moved from going to college in Arizona to Florida.
We were both at a time in our lives that we weren’t even considering being in another commited relationship.
Sometimes when you least expect it what you need shows up. We met in May of 1969 and celebrated our 41st anniversary on February 7th this year!
Congratulations!! What a lovely story, and such a happy ending. You were so lucky – and wise – to realize that your earlier relationships weren’t working.
Hi Susan and Vanessa! Susan, you are a new author for me so I haven’t read any of your books before but Unexpectedly, Yours sounds delicious.
My husband of 39 years and I met as a maid-of-honor and best man. We weren’t expecting a relationship and didn’t want one. We started dating as friends and 6 months later, we realized we were in love. We were married 6 months later.
LOL. It was fate! And isn’t friendship a wonderful basis for a long-term relationship? Congratulations to you, and I hope you have something special planned for your 40th anniversary.
Hi, all! Sorry I’ve been so absent today. My 88 year old dad just got out of the hospital this afternoon, and we’re getting him settled in back home. I’ll be sure to stop by later! And thanks so much for coming on the blog, Susan. Lovely to have you here!
How nice to have your dad back home, Vanessa. I bet he’s glad to be there!
Dad’s doing well, thanks! And we’re all happy he’s home!
I read Love, Unexpectedly and really enjoyed how Nav became all those different characters to show Kat that he was more than just her friend. A great fantasy!
thank you!! Yes, I had a lot of fun with Nav. Wish I knew a guy like him. Oh well, at least I got to create one.
Your series looks great! Traveling is definitely a learning experience!
Thanks, Robin. Travel’s a learning experience – and so is reading!
This sounds like a great series and I now want to read every one of them! I have so many books that I am trying to get around to reading but I think I will need to move these close to the top of the list.
That’s sweet of you, Ellen. Or you could ask for them for Christmas…
Hi there!
Yes, I find travel a learning experience. One time when I was 13, I was travelling across Canada in a train with my 18-year-old brother, and I learned that he really can run to catch a train! He had gotten off the train to buy a sub at a train stop when he ran out of time. Luckily (I guess….) for me, he jumped back on the moving train!
Romantic? It can be if you’re with the right person. I enjoy travelling with my DH of 30 years. There something special in a shared smile, wink, pat on the butt, etc. etc. I still find new ways to put that sparkle in my husband’s eye (and vice-versa). Words are a big part of my life (duh), and finding just the right word can make a huge difference in interpretation and attitude in life. Then again, no words can make a huge difference too, LOL.
I look forward to reading this and the other books. Thanks for bringing them to our attention.
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