Art of Love Series by Donna McDonald

Even though his sons tease him about not dating, and his ex-wife thinks he is still hung up on her, 53 yr old retired principal and stone sculptor, William Everett Larson, is glad he waited to date until he found 47 yr old high school art teacher, Jessica Daniels. He admires Jessica for her courageous art and for how she has dealt with her life. As far as Will can tell, the only part of Jessica damaged by her past is her heart... moreEven though his sons tease him about not dating, and his ex-wife thinks he is still hung up on her, 53 yr old retired principal and stone sculptor, William Everett Larson, is glad he waited to date until he found 47 yr old high school art teacher, Jessica Daniels. He admires Jessica for her courageous art and for how she has dealt with her life. As far as Will can tell, the only part of Jessica damaged by her past is her heart. Jessica assures Will she is incapable of lasting love, but Will refuses to believe it’s true. ********* Carved in Stone, the first installment in Donna McDonald’s Art of Love series, is a refreshing and unapologetic look at love after fifty. To find myself so deeply invested in the characters as I was, truly made this book that much better for me. I highly recommend Carved in Stone by Donna McDonald as a romance novel for the “rest of us”. Her writing proves that there’s deeply sexual and passionate love to be had after fifty if you stay true to who you are, and I look forward to the next installment in the series. ~ Leanna, TwoLipsReviews.com less

Despite a dating past littered with the broken hearts of women they both knew and worked with, all 34 yr old Michael Larson sincerely wants is to marry Carrie Larson, the mother of his future child, and love them both forever. Even though he truly wants the baby they created in the fire between them, Michael really doesn’t care how or why Carrie is now in his life and his bed. His sole focus is how to keep her there no matter what it takes... moreDespite a dating past littered with the broken hearts of women they both knew and worked with, all 34 yr old Michael Larson sincerely wants is to marry Carrie Larson, the mother of his future child, and love them both forever. Even though he truly wants the baby they created in the fire between them, Michael really doesn’t care how or why Carrie is now in his life and his bed. His sole focus is how to keep her there no matter what it takes. He definitely doesn’t have any intentions of honoring the prenuptial agreement with the divorce clause she’d insisted on. Michael won’t—can’t—let her go. He’ll never survive if he loses the only chance with Carrie she’s ever given him. less

At 27 yrs old, graphic novelist Shane Larson believes in trusting the greater plan of the universe and doing good to the best of his ability. To him this is a matter of practicality as much as a spiritual belief about how to live right which is why the road Shane chooses to follow in his life is leading him to use his doctorate in clinical psychology to help people... moreAt 27 yrs old, graphic novelist Shane Larson believes in trusting the greater plan of the universe and doing good to the best of his ability. To him this is a matter of practicality as much as a spiritual belief about how to live right which is why the road Shane chooses to follow in his life is leading him to use his doctorate in clinical psychology to help people. When a one-night stand turns out to be the woman of his dreams, Shane ends up taking a giant detour from his original life path as the universe sends him to Reesa Callahan’s front door. There he finds not just the woman he wants over all others, but a whole family that seems to need him. Though being in love is turning out to be just as rewarding as his father predicted, a relationship with Reesa is definitely a package deal. Shane doesn’t know if he has what it takes to become an instant father of four, but his sense of belonging with Reesa and the kids is the strongest tug of destiny he's ever felt. Reesa Callahan has lost a lot in the 34 years she'd been alive. At ten, she lost her birth family in a car accident. Then in college, she lost both her elderly adoptive parents. But when she lost her sister and her brother-in-law in a plane crash six months ago, Reesa decided she just couldn't lose anyone else. So she didn't even question trading in the life she had planned for custody of all four of her sister's children. Even though she also lost her established career and her fiancée taking on the kids, Reesa becomes determined not to lose her sense of herself as a woman. In hindsight, her decision to end her reluctant celibacy seemed like a good idea, especially with a shaggy, tattooed younger man wearing a tongue stud and eyebrow ring. She felt sure Shane Larson was not the sort of man to ever want more than one night. So when Shane shows up at her home professing to be in love with her, Reesa has to send him away, not because she doesn't want him, but because there’s just no time in her crazy life to fall in love. less

What do multiple weddings, a new career for Ellen, several characters moving, and a gallery opening have in common? They’re all in this new 44k word novella in the Art of Love series. There are also scenes that will reveal the characters for Books 5 and 6 coming next year. For max enjoyment, reading the previous 3 books is highly recommended. BONUS: Contains two 3-chapter excerpts. One is from NEXT SONG I SING. One is from THE DEMON OF SYNAR... moreWhat do multiple weddings, a new career for Ellen, several characters moving, and a gallery opening have in common? They’re all in this new 44k word novella in the Art of Love series. There are also scenes that will reveal the characters for Books 5 and 6 coming next year. For max enjoyment, reading the previous 3 books is highly recommended. BONUS: Contains two 3-chapter excerpts. One is from NEXT SONG I SING. One is from THE DEMON OF SYNAR. For those of you who read the Never Too Late series, but not this one yet, the Art of Love series is a bit different. It is slightly more serious than the first series, but it does have many humorous moments. The first three books in the series center around a family of male artists consisting of a father and two adult sons. This fourth book is purposely more light and humorous than the full stories. It’s goal is to provide pleasure, answer questions, and tide readers over until 2012. Carved In Stone (Book One) is the story of the father, William Everett Larson. Will is 53, divorced, retired from his day job, and carves figures in stone. He admires the classic forms, and 47 yr old Jessica Daniels, a local high school art teacher who is also an artist. Jessica has a troubled past and though the events happened 30 years ago, it still gets in the way of her relationship with Will. Jessica has also lived a very free life so Will’s demand for a committed relationship creates many challenges for her. They fight, they love, and you will laugh. Created In Fire (Book Two) is story of the oldest son, 34 yr old Michael Larson. Michael is a metal artist. He not an easy person, nor is he very nice, but he is a good man and loves deeply. In fact, he is incredibly in love with 32 yr old Carrie Addison, his art promoter. Her rejection of his love for several years has caused a wide rift between them. They have an even older past that Michael finds out about in a bad way in Book One when Carrie pays him a unexpected visit. They have to learn not to hurt each other on the way to finding love, but this book opens with them already in the process of working it out. You will laugh. You will cry. You will turn the pages until the end to make sure they make it. Captured In Ink (Book Three) is the story of the youngest son, 27 yr old Shane Larson. Shane is a graphic novelist, but also a research psychologist working on his doctorate. He is very smart, very talented, and very used to getting what he wants from everyone, especially women he dates. A one night stand from Book Two changes Shane's life completely when he falls in love with the woman. Since she’d lied about her identity and left him before he could learn the truth, now Shane doesn’t have a clue how to find her. This is fine with 34 yr old Reesa Callahan who doesn’t want to be found, but things never go like you plan where love is concerned. You will be amazed at the secret Reesa is hiding, and maybe even be sad for her, but the way these two work things out will have you laughing by the end. Promise. less

Letting Go Of The Past Is Hard Selling her dead husband’s super-sized Harley is traumatic, but bike shop owner, Kia Anders, knows she needs to let go of the past. The big bike in her garage hasn’t been ridden for a couple years now. It is no more than a symbol of her loss and reminds her of her own lack of usefulness... moreLetting Go Of The Past Is Hard Selling her dead husband’s super-sized Harley is traumatic, but bike shop owner, Kia Anders, knows she needs to let go of the past. The big bike in her garage hasn’t been ridden for a couple years now. It is no more than a symbol of her loss and reminds her of her own lack of usefulness. When the very large, very excited Mikkel Gunnarsen arrives to buy it, his pleasure in the bike makes the decision to sell to the younger man much easier than she imagined it would be. The same is also true for the decision that ends with Mikkel spending the night in her bed. Kia knows the blissful moments with Mikkel are only momentary relief, but being with the younger man is certainly inspiring. less

He’s obsessed with his art and with a woman who doesn’t want to love him. Maybe he should be grateful. Without the constant frustration, Joseph McEldowney figures he might never have answered any artistic urge to express his emotions. Now carving life from wood is all that soothes him. Too bad he can’t carve out a place in this world where nothing matters except the heaven-sent pull he and Jillian Lansing have towards each other. She says he doesn’t fit her long-term plans... moreHe’s obsessed with his art and with a woman who doesn’t want to love him. Maybe he should be grateful. Without the constant frustration, Joseph McEldowney figures he might never have answered any artistic urge to express his emotions. Now carving life from wood is all that soothes him. Too bad he can’t carve out a place in this world where nothing matters except the heaven-sent pull he and Jillian Lansing have towards each other. She says he doesn’t fit her long-term plans. If that’s true, why should he torture himself with the short-term pleasure she’s offering? But how can he turn her away when he can’t get her off his mind? Jillian Lansing has been ambitious all her life. Despite helping care for her deceased brother’s children, she kept her own big dreams for a family of her own. Sure, they’ve been put on hold for the last few years, but her life is way more stable now. Her auntie duties are relaxing into something almost normal. Reesa and Shane are doing great with the kids, and now expecting one of their own. Her lifelong best friend’s pregnancy is another wake-up call for her. Despite both of them grieving the loss of their siblings, Reesa managed to find her perfect partner. So where is hers? She’s certainly dated enough trying to find him. less