You’ve been asking for the sequel to Dakota Blues for a couple of years now, and here it is! Key Largo Blues picks up Karen Grace’s journey where DB left off: in Florida, with the CRS (“Can’t Remember S***”) Ladies.
Because so many loved Dakota Blues (check out the high ratings), and to encourage a successful launch of the sequel, I’m giving away the Kindle edition of Dakota Blues from today, Friday, December 2nd, through Sunday, December 4th. Just click on this link for your free copy.
A little backstory: Call me weird, but for as long as I can remember I’ve been interested in older adult coming-of-age novels. Consider: In a coming-of-age story, the young people struggle to figure out who they are, what they value, and what price they’ll pay to get what they want, whether it’s career or soulmate or way of life.
But then what? Thirty years later, are they sticking with that or trying something new?
How are they dealing with life’s drama? Have they evolved, or do they feel stuck? What are they willing try, or desperate to reject? And do they realize they might have thirty or forty more years to live with that decision?
At this point in their lives, they have as many years left as it took for first coming-of-age story play out. Are they going to stay the course or change?
See, I told you it’s fascinating: the second half of life, done thoughtfully. Unfortunately, I can never find enough of those books. Some of the older characters are just 20-year-olds with silver hair. That’s not what I want. I want the big questions answered, the questions about life and death and happiness.
Many of you know that, ever since I was a little kid, I dreamed of being a writer, but I went to work and raised my son first. I couldn’t write Dakota Blues until I was 58. My second book, Middle-Aged Crazy, a collection of short stories, was published when I was 60.
Today, I’m launching my new novel, Key Largo Blues.
It’s what I call Older Adult fiction. That’s what I want to read and write about for the rest of my life. In addition to my own works, I’ve collected several dozen OA titles that I recommend. You can find them here on my Facebook author page.
I’m so excited about Key Largo Blues! People are saying it’s even better than the first book, which won an award. Even though she liked it a lot, my 91-year-old mother thinks there’s too much sex in it. (God, how embarrassing, but I promise you, the scenes are hot but classy.) KLB has been edited, revised, and polished to within an inch of its life, thanks to editors, my brilliant team of Beta Readers, and Mom.
Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Ten thousand books are published each day in the US. So please, share this post, buy the book, review it, talk about it on Facebook…anything. Thank you so much. Every author knows it takes a village to get the word out.
And thank you for coming with me on this journey to discover the beauty in the second half of life. My books, my blog posts, my FB page all reflect my heartfelt belief that the best is yet to come. I wish you peace and joy in this holiday season, dear Reader.
Well, I got to this party very late. I just this morning finished Key Largo Blues and truly loved it. I am so glad you persisted in telling the tale of Karen Grace! Well done. Maybe–maybe?–we’ll hear about her some more? Since surely this isn’t the end of her tale!
Hi Lynne
Got Key Largo Blues on Kindle last evening and read 30 chapters before I made myself stop! Enjoying it very much. Didn’t expect it to go quite the way it did. Looking forward to continuing later. Didn’t think I’d read Dakota Blues, but think I’ll get that now and Middle-Aged Crazy too. Hope you’re writing the next one, Lynne! I am also very interested in vibrant, older ladies and their role in life and have lots of ideas which I hope to bring to fruition in the not to distant future. As you ask for my website, I should just add that, any ladies wishing to enjoy a great holiday in Koh Samui, Thailand, yourself and CRS ladies included, of course, will be most welcome. Best wishes, Sue.
Wouldn’t that be fun if Karen, Jessie, and the CRS Ladies all got to swoop down on your resort, Sue? Karen would have to sneak Curt in, though. And I’ll bet she’d figure out a way.
Ha, ha! That would be awesome! Finished Key Largo Blues and now enjoying Dakota Blues! Another late night! Sue.
Really glad to hear it, Sue.
Karen is one of my favorite fictional friends! Love her story in both Dakota Blues and Key Largo Blues.
I so appreciate you saying that, Sandy. That makes it all worthwhile.
Just purchased your new book, “Key Largo Blues” and I cannot wait to catch up with Karen. I put my money where my mouth is, or better yet, where my respect lies — with you. I will give an in-depth review when I finish reading it. You rock Lynne!
Youpie Lynne. This is so exciting and the best piece of news I have heard in a long time. I will be ordering Key Largo Blues on kindle as an early Christmas gift to myself. I can’t wait to read it.
Thanks, Pat! I hope you really enjoy it!
I am very excited to read Dakota Blues! We need more books about women in their second half (especially having hot, but classy, sex) that feel real and resonate with us. Thank you for this opportunity and I’ll be happy to write a review on Amazon. Good luck with your the sequel – I look forward to reading that one too.
I’m all about featuring older characters, and I hope this resonates!
Hi Lynne! Congratulations on your new book. I’m am sure it is even more wonderful than your first. I’m looking forward to reading it and I love that you are spreading stories about the many benefits of life over 50 and beyond. ~Kathy
Thanks, Kathy!