The McGinty's of San Antonio Series by Donalyn Maurer

On Episode 60 of the GSMC Book Review Podcast I speak with Donalyn Maurer, author of the McGinty's of San Antonio series.  The series follows the McGinty family, focusing on different characters in many of the books (they are a large family, with plenty of siblings, so the series can definitely go on for awhile).  The first book, Falling into Blue is about Jaycee, and at first glance it seems like a typical romance novel, but things turn dark rather quickly. As I often do when I post about series, I'll only be giving you the description of the first book.  For the rest, you'll just have to read on your own!

Source

This is the story of Jaycee McGinty. While finding herself in a slump a year after her grandpa's death, she meets Rocky Jennings and believes he might be the person to help bring her back to life after her loss. But as soon as she begins to hope and slowly wake from the nightmare of Grandpa's death, she wakes to another nightmare. Rocky is not at all who he appears to be. She suddenly finds herself fighting not only for her own life but for the life of her family and true love as well. Jaycee has courage and determination, but will it be enough to end the danger or will she have to end it by allowing Rocky to end her? (Source)

As I mention in the episode there is a trigger warning for this series, especially this first book, which deals with domestic violence and sexual assault. What Jaycee thinks (and hopes) will be a wonderful new chapter in her life turns into something she fears will actually end her life.

Parts of this book and the series as a whole are based on things that have happened in Donalyn's life and in the lives of some of her family.  In the 4th book in the series she writes about PTSD and ways that people who want to can help people who are living with it. She wants others to know that they aren't alone in their struggles and to seek help when things get bad.

Genres:

• Romance
• Thriller
• Women's Fiction

What I enjoyed:

• The way Donalyn is able to tell her story, and her family's story, in a way that may be helpful to others who have gone through similar experiences.
• The McGinty family. They are loud, they are in each other's business, they conform a little too much to gender stereotypes for my personal taste (it is Texas, after all), but they love and support each other no matter what.

Who should read the The McGinty's of San Antonio series?

• Fans of romance and women's fiction with some suspense thrown in.
• Fans of stories that revolve around a large, close-knit family.
• Fans of Texas, especially the Hill Country. These books made me nostalgic for bluebonnets, brisket, and barbeque.

Quotes:

• "I'm sitting on the porch swing reading the latest romance, dreaming of the day I can find that love for myself, but it seems my destiny is to become a spinster and collect stray cats." Jaycee in Falling Into Blue
• "I think every southern girl should have her very own Magnolia tree." Jaycee in Love is Forever Blue
• "'I hate [effing] Wal-Mart. The whole [effing] town is always here.  Jesus Christ, this is why I go to Target.'" Nick in Honeysuckle's Fire

Where you can find Donalyn online:
Facebook: @donalynmaurerauthor
Twitter: @donalyn_maurer

 Instagram: @author_donalyn_maurer
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Donalyn-Maurer/e/B01M1924SS/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Good Reads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15223066.Donalyn_Maurer

Author Bio:

Source

Donalyn Maurer is the author of The McGinty's of San Antonio Series Novels

Donalyn was born and raised in Texas. She currently lives in a small town outside of San Antonio with her husband of 32 years. She enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren and large Texas family. Encouraged and inspired by her family she began writing and although her books are fiction she shares bit and pieces of her life and memories throughout the pages. (Source)

For the interview with Donalyn please click here.