About the Book

Book: Love Overboard: A Novel

Author: Shannon Sue Dunlap

Genre:Christian Romcom

Release date: May 21, 2024

When four quirky friends retire on a never-ending round of cruises, their attire consists of more than floral shirts and gaudy skirts. Armed with walkie-talkies and battle plans, these relationship experts—who’ve dubbed themselves the “Shippers”—target hostess Lacey Anderson and director Jonathan King in their romantic schemes. However, the young couple is determined not to play along, having previously sailed the tumultuous seas of love only to witness their relationship crash and burn.

Boss matchmaker Emily Windsor has orchestrated multiple romantic successes, and these two upstarts certainly won’t get the best of her. The chemistry between Lacey and Jonathan is obvious, but the couple rebuffs every outlandish plot and “coincidental” meeting, forcing the Shippers to chart a new course to true love—all while inadvertently thwarting drug smugglers threatening to ruin their floating home.

Can they untangle the mess of romance and intrigue before it’s too late, or will their journey end in heartbreak and disaster? Shannon Sue Dunlap’s enthralling new series unfolds a tale where love, laughter, and danger converge in an entertaining maritime adventure.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Shannon Sue Dunlap lives in hot and humid Houston, Texas where she writes love stories with a laugh-out-loud center. She enjoys traveling around the world, singing tunes from classic musicals, and drinking Dr. Pepper. Shannon is a die-hard fan of happy endings and believes God has designed one for each of us.

More from Shannon

My attention zeroed in on the tv screen where a darling elderly woman happily danced with a man in a captain’s uniform. The feature report told how she’d forsaken the nursing home and chosen to live her retirement on a cruise ship instead. Afterward, the wheels in my brain started to churn. What if there wasn’t just one woman, but a whole group? And what if they amused themselves by matchmaking the young people around them? Thus, the idea for Love Overboard started to form.

I related to my wandering heroines. Traveling is “in my blood.” I was three months old when my parents hit the road. (Or so they tell me. I really don’t remember.) It was the 70s and Dad was a traveling preacher called an evangelist. He and mom started out with their newborn baby in a Toronado Oldsmobile. And even after we made a permanent home in Virginia, they kept traveling.

No wonder my feet itch.

In those many journeys, of course there were books. Daydreams of detectives and western heroes and ladies in fancy dresses kept me company in the backseat. I’d finish the stack of novels I brought with me, and my parents would stop at whatever town we were near and look up a Christian bookstore to restock my supply.

Now, it tickles my fancy to think my stories might be keeping someone else company in their plane seat or deck chair. As I write, of course, I keep traveling. I’ve taught school in Botswana, driven on the left side of a rain-slicked Scottish road, twirled in front of Mr. Darcy’s Pemberly (the Colin Firth version), visited Prince Edward Island for the 100th anniversary of Anne of Green Gables, and been serenaded by an opera singer on a European river cruise. (I don’t mean in the audience. He took me from my seat, wrapped his arms around me, and let the crescendos fly.) Learning about the history of places and trying crazy new dishes makes life more interesting. The most unique thing I remember eating is Mopani worm in Zambia. (It tasted like crunchy dirt.)

As Love Overboard releases, I’d like to give a big shoutout to that daring little old lady that lent me inspiration. Perhaps I’ll follow her example when I reach my 80s. No matter how long is ordained for my time on this planet, I hope books and traveling will always play a part in my story.

Interview with Shannon

If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?

Honest, Old-Fashioned (Does it still count as one word if it’s hyphenated?), Prim (This word makes me sound like a spinster in a Victorian novel. But it fits. I’m very well-behaved.)

What book is currently on your bedside table?

It’s an e-copy not on my table. (Remember how I said I was honest?) I’ve been reading an advance copy of Angela Ruth Strong’s Fiancé Finale. She allowed me the honor of endorsing it. I don’t have all the pretty words written to brag on it yet, but people who love fun, quirky, romcoms with an out-of-the-box hero should check it out.

What has been your favorite part of the publishing journey? 

It’s hard to pick a favorite. I have more than one aspect I could mention, but one of the best things is the amazing people who’ve helped make my publishing dream come true. You might expect writers to be a reclusive, self-promoting bunch who prefer to further their own work rather than others, but the opposite is true. Authors I’ve met in the Christian community are such selfless, generous artists. I’ve been privileged to make friends with so many of them.

Can you share with us something about the book that isn’t in the blurb?

The inspiration came from a news story I saw on TV. I remember my attention being snagged by an adorable little, old lady on a cruise ship, dancing with the captain. Her decision to spend her final years sailing instead of withering away in a nursing home was compelling. It spurred my idea of not only one senior citizen but a whole group living on a floating resort and matchmaking the young people around them.

What is the key theme and/or message in the book?

There’s a two-fold message. The first is that you’re never too old to fall in love or give someone else a push. But an even deeper spiritual message would be that it’s never too late to start offering forgiveness, especially to people who haven’t asked for it. God gifted us with the greatest forgiveness of all, and I want to follow His example. Even when it’s hard.

Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

My website is http://www.shannonsuedunlap.com. You can sign up for my email list to hear about any new releases, and it comes with a free gift of my novella Flower Boy Tour Guide. It’s another travel romcom about a young woman who takes a tour of South Korea and finds herself trapped with a busload of memorable women, including the Dallas Drama Divas. I love adding hilarious side characters to my stories. 

Any current or upcoming projects you’d like to tell us about?

I have a laugh-out-loud romance called Lone Star Sweetheart available on Amazon and KU. It features a stubborn but lovable Texan heroine who falls for a big-city smooth talker when they find themselves on opposite sides of a hilarious, small-town mayoral election.

Blogs Stops

Pause for Tales, May 24

Wishful Endings, May 24

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 25

Texas Book-aholic, May 26

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 27

Stories By Gina, May 28 (Author Interview)

Life on Chickadee Lane, May 28

The Sacred Line, May 29

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 30

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 31

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 1

For Him and My Family, June 2

The Lofty Pages, June 3

Labor Not in Vain, June 4

Holly’s Book Corner, June 5

She Lives To Read, June 6

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Shannon Sue is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/2b9d5/love-overboard-celebration-tour