My first full length women's fiction/romance novel!
Grace Fuller is a fifty-year-old amateur ballet dancer in Hollywood, California. She’s okay with that. Most of the time. Unless a new, young student questions why she still takes ballet classes at her age. Then all her insecurities rise to the surface. Grace once had dreams of being a Broadway star, but she gave up on them long ago. She only started dancing as a way to lose weight.
Now, Grace is a realtor selling houses to actors instead of being one. One afternoon, one of those handsome actors shows up at an open house. It’s Tyler Andrews, the dynamic boy she’d loved when she was in theatre school. He asks her out, and she’s captivated by him all over again. When Tyler learns about her talent for dancing, he pushes her to get back into performing, even connecting her with his agent.
Everything seems fine on the outside, but Grace is haunted by her memories of how Tyler left her when they were young. She has trouble overcoming her fears of rejection. She’ll have to learn to trust Tyler, her friends, and her own heart to believe that she deserves second chances at her career and love.
Now, Grace is a realtor selling houses to actors instead of being one. One afternoon, one of those handsome actors shows up at an open house. It’s Tyler Andrews, the dynamic boy she’d loved when she was in theatre school. He asks her out, and she’s captivated by him all over again. When Tyler learns about her talent for dancing, he pushes her to get back into performing, even connecting her with his agent.
Everything seems fine on the outside, but Grace is haunted by her memories of how Tyler left her when they were young. She has trouble overcoming her fears of rejection. She’ll have to learn to trust Tyler, her friends, and her own heart to believe that she deserves second chances at her career and love.
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KINDLE SMASHWORDS NOOK KOBO
APPLE BOOKS GOOGLE PLAY
(the price will go up SOON!)
Also available in print from Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
(More links to be added soon!)
@mrsmoa on TikTok
REVIEWS ARE STARTING TO COME IN:
"I loved this book! I can’t say enough good things. It was so nice to see a protagonist over the age of 30 for once. I loved how she was still pursuing ballet and I was so intrigued to get the backstory as well especially with her love interest. It had a nice Hollywood aspect to it as well. The characters were interesting, writing and storyline flowed well, and I was definitely drawn to keep going and reading as many chapters as I could squeeze in a day! I’ve never read a D.G. Driver book, but will definitely be on the lookout from another book by this author! Highly Recommend!" Netgalley review
"So much stuff I loved about this. I really enjoyed reading about Grace and her journey in this book. I love seeing a more mature protagonist, and I found her very relatable. I really enjoyed the relationships with friends and family. ... This is an excellent book for people who enjoy women's fiction." Netgalley review
"I love Donna's style of writing... In this book, I didn't know where we were going to go. I couldn't see ahead... She had a brilliant way of describing her characters. I could picture them in my head really well. I could picture their personalities, the way they spoke, it was just - it was brilliant. It's a really interesting read. As a romance book when you don't know how it's going to end, those are rare, they keep you guessing." Excerpts from TikTok review.
"I picked this book because I used to be a dancer and I love to read romances that are set in the world of my hobbies or interests. This book was labeled a second chance romance (and it was) but honestly for me, this was more about a second chance at a childhood dream. The nostalgia hit hard on this one. I found myself transported back to my dancing days and I loved every bit of it. ..The nostalgia totally had me devouring this book! I recommend for any little girl who dreamed of being a ballerina!" Netgalley review
"What I loved about this book was that it is a second chances story about a more mature woman who becomes happy and content with her life dancing and teaching classes. She has everything she needs. .. The story at the end left me happy, it was refreshing to read about a more middle-aged woman than teenager angst. It reflects life perfectly, work, commitment and struggles that all of us can relate to in one way or another and of course there is romance. I would definitely read this author again because simply put, it was warm hearted book with a lot of emotion and that in itself was powerful. Besides everything else, Grace is undeniably likeable and natural." Goodreads review
"I'm so lucky to get a sneak peek at a brand new book! I absolutely enjoy these lovely tales of good women pursuing their dreams, when and if the right man comes into the picture. This book is high quality Contemporary women's fiction, both eloquent and tasteful." Goodreads review
“Anything But Graceful” is a refreshing second chance romance novel, set in a performing arts environment, which will especially appeal to those interested in ballet or theater. The relatable characters, including the protagonist with visible graying hair, draw the reader into the original story line straight from the start. This is a well written book featuring a strong & mature female character with a detailed backstory." Ballet Bookshelf bookstagram.
"I was absolutely thrilled to come across a main character like Grace, someone who rediscovered her passion for dance later in life, having danced as a child. Grace's journey resonated with me deeply since I, too, had a similar experience. I danced when I was younger but stopped before reaching the en pointe stage. However, like Grace, I found my way back to dance later on and eventually went en pointe... Despite the age gap between Grace and me, her unwavering love and devotion to dance ignited a familiar passion within me. Reading about characters who share a profound love for ballet always captivates me, and Grace's character, in particular, left a lasting impression. Her circle of friends added an extra layer of enjoyment to the story." Goodreads review.
"As a woman of a certain age, this novel was a delightful surprise. Grace Fuller has deferred her dreams of becoming an actor and a dancer. Life got in way. She works as a realtor while continuing to hone her craft as a dancer. She dances because it is necessary to her soul. The thing is she has continued to grow as an artist at an age when most other dancers are burned out or over the hill. An old flame enters the scene. Tyler represents all the dreams that Grace gave up when she lacked the confidence in herself to pursue her passions. The mature Grace is not blinded to Tyler’s faults. She is a woman who goes after what she wants, including a smoking hot choreographer/dance instructor with whom she has a steamy interlude.
Grace is inspirational, a reminder that as more mature women we can still pursue dreams and ambitions which may not have been available to us earlier in our lives. This story is vulnerable and sexy and brings the world of acting and dancing vividly to life. In sum, Anything but Graceful is a sophisticated delight." Carolyn Akervik, book blog review.
"I loved this book! I can’t say enough good things. It was so nice to see a protagonist over the age of 30 for once. I loved how she was still pursuing ballet and I was so intrigued to get the backstory as well especially with her love interest. It had a nice Hollywood aspect to it as well. The characters were interesting, writing and storyline flowed well, and I was definitely drawn to keep going and reading as many chapters as I could squeeze in a day! I’ve never read a D.G. Driver book, but will definitely be on the lookout from another book by this author! Highly Recommend!" Netgalley review
"So much stuff I loved about this. I really enjoyed reading about Grace and her journey in this book. I love seeing a more mature protagonist, and I found her very relatable. I really enjoyed the relationships with friends and family. ... This is an excellent book for people who enjoy women's fiction." Netgalley review
"I love Donna's style of writing... In this book, I didn't know where we were going to go. I couldn't see ahead... She had a brilliant way of describing her characters. I could picture them in my head really well. I could picture their personalities, the way they spoke, it was just - it was brilliant. It's a really interesting read. As a romance book when you don't know how it's going to end, those are rare, they keep you guessing." Excerpts from TikTok review.
"I picked this book because I used to be a dancer and I love to read romances that are set in the world of my hobbies or interests. This book was labeled a second chance romance (and it was) but honestly for me, this was more about a second chance at a childhood dream. The nostalgia hit hard on this one. I found myself transported back to my dancing days and I loved every bit of it. ..The nostalgia totally had me devouring this book! I recommend for any little girl who dreamed of being a ballerina!" Netgalley review
"What I loved about this book was that it is a second chances story about a more mature woman who becomes happy and content with her life dancing and teaching classes. She has everything she needs. .. The story at the end left me happy, it was refreshing to read about a more middle-aged woman than teenager angst. It reflects life perfectly, work, commitment and struggles that all of us can relate to in one way or another and of course there is romance. I would definitely read this author again because simply put, it was warm hearted book with a lot of emotion and that in itself was powerful. Besides everything else, Grace is undeniably likeable and natural." Goodreads review
"I'm so lucky to get a sneak peek at a brand new book! I absolutely enjoy these lovely tales of good women pursuing their dreams, when and if the right man comes into the picture. This book is high quality Contemporary women's fiction, both eloquent and tasteful." Goodreads review
“Anything But Graceful” is a refreshing second chance romance novel, set in a performing arts environment, which will especially appeal to those interested in ballet or theater. The relatable characters, including the protagonist with visible graying hair, draw the reader into the original story line straight from the start. This is a well written book featuring a strong & mature female character with a detailed backstory." Ballet Bookshelf bookstagram.
"I was absolutely thrilled to come across a main character like Grace, someone who rediscovered her passion for dance later in life, having danced as a child. Grace's journey resonated with me deeply since I, too, had a similar experience. I danced when I was younger but stopped before reaching the en pointe stage. However, like Grace, I found my way back to dance later on and eventually went en pointe... Despite the age gap between Grace and me, her unwavering love and devotion to dance ignited a familiar passion within me. Reading about characters who share a profound love for ballet always captivates me, and Grace's character, in particular, left a lasting impression. Her circle of friends added an extra layer of enjoyment to the story." Goodreads review.
"As a woman of a certain age, this novel was a delightful surprise. Grace Fuller has deferred her dreams of becoming an actor and a dancer. Life got in way. She works as a realtor while continuing to hone her craft as a dancer. She dances because it is necessary to her soul. The thing is she has continued to grow as an artist at an age when most other dancers are burned out or over the hill. An old flame enters the scene. Tyler represents all the dreams that Grace gave up when she lacked the confidence in herself to pursue her passions. The mature Grace is not blinded to Tyler’s faults. She is a woman who goes after what she wants, including a smoking hot choreographer/dance instructor with whom she has a steamy interlude.
Grace is inspirational, a reminder that as more mature women we can still pursue dreams and ambitions which may not have been available to us earlier in our lives. This story is vulnerable and sexy and brings the world of acting and dancing vividly to life. In sum, Anything but Graceful is a sophisticated delight." Carolyn Akervik, book blog review.
Excerpt: from chapter two:
In reality, the only sounds to be heard are my feet on the floor and the heavy breath of my exertion. In my head I hear Tchaikovsky. The Sleeping Beauty. The movement is exhilarating, and I love the way my skirt flows around my legs. As the music comes to a crescendo, I pull out all the stops and do a triple pirouette barefoot. I don’t stumble out of it and stop strong. I never dance this well in class. I’m on fire.
Then I hear applause. At first it is the thunderous applause of my imagination, but I quickly come to my senses and realize it’s coming from one set of hands, not thousands. I twist around so fast it tweaks my back. My right hand goes to the ache, while my left flies to my face. A man is standing in the open front doorway. He raises two fingers to his mouth and whistles before clapping a few more times.
“Bravo! I’m sold! Best open house I’ve ever been to, by far.”
“Oh! I didn’t know anyone was here.”
“I didn’t think so, unless this is part of your sales technique. Very original, if it is.” He puts his hands up like he’s reading a marquee. “The Dancing Realtor!”
It’s too ridiculous not to laugh about it. My face has to be beet red, and I can’t do anything about that either.
“It’s so L.A.,” he adds.
I guess it is,” I manage to say in response.
He steps all the way in the house and closes the door while I go slip my shoes back on my feet. He holds up a notepad.
“I don’t know if this is an official open house—”
“It’s not. I just finished up an appointment—”
“But I was in the area looking at addresses I’d written down from a listing. This was one of them. I saw a couple leaving and another car remaining in the driveway. I was hoping I’d get lucky, and you’d show it to me while I was here.”
I open a water bottle and take a sip to fix my dry mouth. I nod as I swallow and then say, “Sure. I’d be happy to show you around. I’m Grace.”
“Pretty name. I knew a girl named Grace once. Forever ago. You favor her, actually.” He reaches past me for a cookie and takes a bite.
“That’s funny,” I say. “You look a little like someone I used to know, too.”
This stops him, and he stares at me for a moment with that half-eaten cookie in his hand. “Wait. You’re not Grace Fuller, are you?”
My jaw loosens and I nod. “Tyler?”
“Graceful? Oh my God! How crazy is this?” He puts the cookie down on the counter and sweeps me into a hug like we’re old friends. Maybe, technically, we are, but I’m not sure how I feel about this reunion yet. I don’t hug back. Tyler steps away, and I reach for my unfinished cup of wine. Water is no longer enough.
Tyler Andrews from my freshman year of college is standing before me, running a hand through his hair, not quite as long and curly on top as it once was and definitely shorter in the back. He’s unabashedly gawking at me as he matches his memory of me to the woman I am now. I’m leaner and older. I’ve stopped dying my hair and allowed the white roots to take over my red hair. Spencer says it looks like the smoke is putting out the fire and that I should do something about it. I’m waiting to see if I’ll like it once it’s finished growing all the way out. I’m patient. I’ve waited patiently for a lot of things that haven’t come my way yet in this lifetime.
Tyler has taken care of his appearance, too. He clearly works out. The thin knit shirt he wears accents his chest and upper arms while also showing off a thin waist where the shirt is tucked into his belted slacks. His face has gotten longer since we last met, his cheekbones and chin very prominent, with some trimmed facial hair accenting his features. His eyebrows are thicker, almost wild, above his brilliant blue eyes. The man has a tan, and it looks like it’s actually from being in the sun and not a tanning bed. Over all, he comes across a good five years or more younger than he is. I think he looks younger than me, that’s for sure.
He’s not perfect, I decide. I knock one point off because he’s still barely taller than me. Who am I kidding? He’s perfect kissing height. My heart is beating too fast. I blame it on the dancing. I know that’s a lie.
In reality, the only sounds to be heard are my feet on the floor and the heavy breath of my exertion. In my head I hear Tchaikovsky. The Sleeping Beauty. The movement is exhilarating, and I love the way my skirt flows around my legs. As the music comes to a crescendo, I pull out all the stops and do a triple pirouette barefoot. I don’t stumble out of it and stop strong. I never dance this well in class. I’m on fire.
Then I hear applause. At first it is the thunderous applause of my imagination, but I quickly come to my senses and realize it’s coming from one set of hands, not thousands. I twist around so fast it tweaks my back. My right hand goes to the ache, while my left flies to my face. A man is standing in the open front doorway. He raises two fingers to his mouth and whistles before clapping a few more times.
“Bravo! I’m sold! Best open house I’ve ever been to, by far.”
“Oh! I didn’t know anyone was here.”
“I didn’t think so, unless this is part of your sales technique. Very original, if it is.” He puts his hands up like he’s reading a marquee. “The Dancing Realtor!”
It’s too ridiculous not to laugh about it. My face has to be beet red, and I can’t do anything about that either.
“It’s so L.A.,” he adds.
I guess it is,” I manage to say in response.
He steps all the way in the house and closes the door while I go slip my shoes back on my feet. He holds up a notepad.
“I don’t know if this is an official open house—”
“It’s not. I just finished up an appointment—”
“But I was in the area looking at addresses I’d written down from a listing. This was one of them. I saw a couple leaving and another car remaining in the driveway. I was hoping I’d get lucky, and you’d show it to me while I was here.”
I open a water bottle and take a sip to fix my dry mouth. I nod as I swallow and then say, “Sure. I’d be happy to show you around. I’m Grace.”
“Pretty name. I knew a girl named Grace once. Forever ago. You favor her, actually.” He reaches past me for a cookie and takes a bite.
“That’s funny,” I say. “You look a little like someone I used to know, too.”
This stops him, and he stares at me for a moment with that half-eaten cookie in his hand. “Wait. You’re not Grace Fuller, are you?”
My jaw loosens and I nod. “Tyler?”
“Graceful? Oh my God! How crazy is this?” He puts the cookie down on the counter and sweeps me into a hug like we’re old friends. Maybe, technically, we are, but I’m not sure how I feel about this reunion yet. I don’t hug back. Tyler steps away, and I reach for my unfinished cup of wine. Water is no longer enough.
Tyler Andrews from my freshman year of college is standing before me, running a hand through his hair, not quite as long and curly on top as it once was and definitely shorter in the back. He’s unabashedly gawking at me as he matches his memory of me to the woman I am now. I’m leaner and older. I’ve stopped dying my hair and allowed the white roots to take over my red hair. Spencer says it looks like the smoke is putting out the fire and that I should do something about it. I’m waiting to see if I’ll like it once it’s finished growing all the way out. I’m patient. I’ve waited patiently for a lot of things that haven’t come my way yet in this lifetime.
Tyler has taken care of his appearance, too. He clearly works out. The thin knit shirt he wears accents his chest and upper arms while also showing off a thin waist where the shirt is tucked into his belted slacks. His face has gotten longer since we last met, his cheekbones and chin very prominent, with some trimmed facial hair accenting his features. His eyebrows are thicker, almost wild, above his brilliant blue eyes. The man has a tan, and it looks like it’s actually from being in the sun and not a tanning bed. Over all, he comes across a good five years or more younger than he is. I think he looks younger than me, that’s for sure.
He’s not perfect, I decide. I knock one point off because he’s still barely taller than me. Who am I kidding? He’s perfect kissing height. My heart is beating too fast. I blame it on the dancing. I know that’s a lie.
A little about me and why I wrote this:
I studied dance at a couple different studios as a little girl. That's me in the tutu waving and clearly not doing the dance correctly, circa 1974. I definitely don't remember doing this, but I do remember the tutu. I wore it for dress-up play and Halloween costumes until my body couldn't fit in it anymore. While I did not pursue ballet dancing, I have continued to dance, sing and act throughout my life. I was a Theatre Arts major in college and pursued professional theatre, music and TV when I was in my twenties. After moving to Nashville, I got involved in community theatre, where I've done 2-3 shows per year since 2004. So... I totally get why Grace would want to have a "hobby" of dancing, even if she never plans to make money off of it or get famous.
I got the idea for this novel from an high school theatre friend who told me that she takes expert level ballet classes in California alongside people who do national Broadway tours. She was not a ballet dancer when I knew her in my teens. She started taking lessons in her mid-twenties as a way to lose weight. Anyway, I was so intrigued by the idea of a woman in her early 50s being a professional level ballet dancer that I had to create a story around it. I hope you'll get a copy of Anything but Graceful and take the journey with my heroine as she figures out how to heal her heart with movement.
*This has been my first attempt at a full-length women's fiction/romance novel. All of my other romances have been novellas. I want to move my writing career further into this genre and away from children's and YA fiction. So, please, if you enjoy this book: leave a review, tell your friends, post on social media. Let me know that you'd like more.
I studied dance at a couple different studios as a little girl. That's me in the tutu waving and clearly not doing the dance correctly, circa 1974. I definitely don't remember doing this, but I do remember the tutu. I wore it for dress-up play and Halloween costumes until my body couldn't fit in it anymore. While I did not pursue ballet dancing, I have continued to dance, sing and act throughout my life. I was a Theatre Arts major in college and pursued professional theatre, music and TV when I was in my twenties. After moving to Nashville, I got involved in community theatre, where I've done 2-3 shows per year since 2004. So... I totally get why Grace would want to have a "hobby" of dancing, even if she never plans to make money off of it or get famous.
I got the idea for this novel from an high school theatre friend who told me that she takes expert level ballet classes in California alongside people who do national Broadway tours. She was not a ballet dancer when I knew her in my teens. She started taking lessons in her mid-twenties as a way to lose weight. Anyway, I was so intrigued by the idea of a woman in her early 50s being a professional level ballet dancer that I had to create a story around it. I hope you'll get a copy of Anything but Graceful and take the journey with my heroine as she figures out how to heal her heart with movement.
*This has been my first attempt at a full-length women's fiction/romance novel. All of my other romances have been novellas. I want to move my writing career further into this genre and away from children's and YA fiction. So, please, if you enjoy this book: leave a review, tell your friends, post on social media. Let me know that you'd like more.