New Milford author chats about dogs and relationships
With more than a dozen books under her belt, Nan Rossiter isn’t exactly a novice when it comes to writing.
The New Milford author who specializes in writing about love and familial relationships recently published the second book in her Savannah Skies series (from HarperCollins), with the latest novel focusing on a few familiar faces from “Promises of the Heart” and of course it features a precocious pup.
Rossiter recently chatted with Hearst Connecticut Media about what readers can expect from her newest book, “Promises to Keep,” canine antics and a preview of her next book project.
What can readers expect from “Promises to Keep?”
“Promises to Keep” is the second novel in my Savannah Skies series, and like “Promises of the Heart,” it is set on Tybee Island off the Savannah, Georgia coast. In this muchanticipated sequel, thirty-four-yearold Maeve Lindstrom loves her job at Willow Pond Senior Care, while her older sister Macey—who readers will all remember from “Promises of the Heart”—thinks Maeve is the only human being on earth who can make working in a retirement home sound fun. But Maeve enjoys being around the sundowners, as she calls them, and helping them navigate their senior years, brightening a time that can all too often be a lonely, sad stage of life.
Thirty-three-year-old Gage Tennyson—who brings his mischievous yellow Lab, Gus, to whatever restoration job he is working on with Macey’s husband, Ben—loves Maeve with all his heart. He’s a handsome country boy and a true southern gentleman. But as he and Maeve grow closer, they both sense that they haven’t been completely forthcoming about their pasts.
When Maeve realizes Gage might be planning to propose, she knows she must finally be honest with everyone she holds dear. She can no longer live with the secret she’s been dragging around like an anchor, and she knows the only way she will be free to build a lifetime relationship with Gage is to risk everything—including his (and her family’s) love and respect. Before she finds the courage, however, her
past comes careening into her life in a shocking and unexpected way.
Will “Promises of the Heart” readers recognize any familiar characters?
Readers will be pleased to find that all the main characters from
“Promises of the Heart” make appearances in” Promises to Keep.” Ten-year-old Harper plays one of the more prominent roles because she and Maeve have their own book club—The Pepperoni Pizza and Root Beer Book Club, and they read several classic books together before watching the movie.
What inspired you to write this book? What do you want readers to take away from your latest book?
“Promises to Keep” is inspired by my ongoing love of weaving together stories about complicated relationships to which all readers can relate—motherhood, sisterhood, friendship, marriage and romance. I draw from my own life experiences and try to create authentic situations that mirror the trials and triumphs we all face. I hope my readers will find my books to be compassionate, real and funny, and that they will feel like they’re on a journey that often includes heartbreak and joy, but also include threads of faith, a furry friend or two, and an uplifting ending.
“Promises to Keep” features a mischievous Lab named Gus. Is your dog Finn anything like him?
Gus is a very mischievous yellow Lab and he gets many of his silly attributes from all the Labs we’ve had, including Finn! I would say the most common trait our Labs have had in common is their love of food. They all seem to have an uncanny sense of hearing, and are even able to hear a banana being peeled!
Are you working on any new book projects?
I’ve just finished writing my next novel in the series. It’s titled “A Measure of Faith,” and although Gage and Maeve make appearances (and even get married!), the main characters include Gage’s widowed mom, Libby, and his younger brother, Chase, who are both minor characters in “Promises to Keep.” It’s a story about keeping the faith and giving of oneself and finding out the blessings one receives in return are usually tenfold!
Rossiter will be holding a number of author talks around Connecticut in May and June, including an in-person book signing at The Hickory Stick in Washington on May 1 and a virtual event with Byrd’s Books in Bethel on May 6. For more information about Rossiter’s books and her author events, visit nanrossiter.com.