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.