An Alpine Grove Romantic Comedy Series by Susan C. Daffron

Kat Stevens is a slightly insecure, mostly bored technical writer who likes her cat a lot more than her boss. She hasn't laid eyes on her great aunt Abigail since she was eight, so she’s stumped when she inherits Abgail's house in the small hamlet of Alpine Grove. Kat's uncomplicated life gets decidedly less so when she discovers the inheritance comes with some hairy conditions: four dogs and five cats that her aunt wanted her to love as her own... moreKat Stevens is a slightly insecure, mostly bored technical writer who likes her cat a lot more than her boss. She hasn't laid eyes on her great aunt Abigail since she was eight, so she’s stumped when she inherits Abgail's house in the small hamlet of Alpine Grove. Kat's uncomplicated life gets decidedly less so when she discovers the inheritance comes with some hairy conditions: four dogs and five cats that her aunt wanted her to love as her own. Of course, the house smells like a barn--with a touch of antique skunk--and, naturally, has serious roof issues. And that's before the three-legged cat gets stuck in the wall and the shower goes kablooey. When Kat meets Joel, an unemployed techie type with no love lost for his sister, Kat looks past his obvious flaws, given his timely and desirable skill set: a talent for fixing things (and his own tools). Despite out-of-control dogs, cat fights, dust dinosaurs, massive spiders and an old grizzled hippie passed out in the yard, Kat discovers the tranquility of the forests of Alpine Grove starting to seep into her soul. And why she can't she stop thinking about Joel? less

Librarian Jan Carpenter likes things just so. Nestled in her tidy little cottage on the outskirts of the small hamlet of Alpine Grove, she enjoys her quiet life with her friendly, rotund black lab, Rosa. Jan's orderly life is turned upside down when she attends her mother's latest wedding in San Diego. (Number six...or maybe seven, but who's counting?) There, Jan encounters Michael Lawson, the obnoxious neighbor kid from twenty years ago... moreLibrarian Jan Carpenter likes things just so. Nestled in her tidy little cottage on the outskirts of the small hamlet of Alpine Grove, she enjoys her quiet life with her friendly, rotund black lab, Rosa. Jan's orderly life is turned upside down when she attends her mother's latest wedding in San Diego. (Number six...or maybe seven, but who's counting?) There, Jan encounters Michael Lawson, the obnoxious neighbor kid from twenty years ago. He's still irritating, but not as annoying as his dog who has a habit of eating...everything. The last thing Jan wants to do is risk heartache on a vacation fling with a smooth-talking serial dater, even if he is sinfully gorgeous and finds her unusual ability to remember obscure facts fascinating. Amidst wardrobe destruction, canine digestive indiscretions, and episodes of extreme mortification, Jan's desire to avoid drama may put the brakes on her fiery attraction to Michael. But maybe being cautious and responsible isn't all it's cracked up to be. Note: Fuzzy Logic is a full-length novel (300 pages/80,000 words) that is Book #2 of the Alpine Grove Romantic Comedies. It's a feel-good novel that appeals to people who enjoy a little light romance and quirky animal stories. less

With the exception of a few failed forays into higher education, Tracy Sullivan has lived her entire life in the small town of Alpine Grove. When she is fired from her hostess job, Tracy hits a new all-time career low. Now she's officially a repeat underachiever and almost completely broke. The income from her second job as a veterinary assistant is barely enough to pay her rent and keep her temperamental dachshund Roxy in dog food... moreWith the exception of a few failed forays into higher education, Tracy Sullivan has lived her entire life in the small town of Alpine Grove. When she is fired from her hostess job, Tracy hits a new all-time career low. Now she's officially a repeat underachiever and almost completely broke. The income from her second job as a veterinary assistant is barely enough to pay her rent and keep her temperamental dachshund Roxy in dog food. Desperate for a change of scene, Tracy splurges on a digital art class in the city where she meets Rob Thompson, a geeky computer networking guy who wants a new career as much as she does. After seeing her illustrations, he offers Tracy a temporary job, but adding "starving artist" to her dubious list of achievements doesn't seem wise. Against her better judgment, Tracy takes on the project. But then everything goes haywire and Tracy may never look at her ancient car, fungi, or Rob the same way again. Note: The Art of Wag is a full-length novel (300 pages/80,000 words) that is Book #3 of the Alpine Grove Romantic Comedies. It's a feel-good novel that appeals to people who enjoy a little light romance and quirky animal stories. less

After a life-altering setback destroys Rebecca Mackenzie's career, she jumps at the chance to start over as a real estate appraisal trainee in her uncle's office. Although a job change had been in order, being the new kid did have some downsides, including being forced to do a rush appraisal in the small town of Alpine Grove over Thanksgiving weekend... moreAfter a life-altering setback destroys Rebecca Mackenzie's career, she jumps at the chance to start over as a real estate appraisal trainee in her uncle's office. Although a job change had been in order, being the new kid did have some downsides, including being forced to do a rush appraisal in the small town of Alpine Grove over Thanksgiving weekend. Map reading has never been her strong suit, and Becca's navigational skills are pushed to the limit in a town that doesn't believe in road signs. When the supposed-to-be flurries turn out to be a record-setting blizzard, the trip literally goes downhill after Becca's car slides nose-down off the road into a ditch. Accompanied by his huge mountain dog, a scruffy stranger wearing a massive coat with dozens of pockets drags Becca to safety. In the darkness of a small log cabin in the woods, Becca confesses far too many secrets to Jack Sheridan. Sure, if she'd known she'd end up trapped in the middle of nowhere with a guy named Jack, she never would have watched that scary movie. But maybe Jack isn't such a dull boy after all. less

Growing up in the small town of Alpine Grove, Beth Connelly was the weird, shy kid who hid in the back room of her mother's bookstore. But all that study time led to being the class of 1985 valedictorian, a college scholarship, and a dream job offer in Arizona. Ten years later, her life is almost perfect. But not for long. Beth returns to Alpine Grove after an unfortunate series of events, just in time for the 10-year high school reunion she vowed not to attend... moreGrowing up in the small town of Alpine Grove, Beth Connelly was the weird, shy kid who hid in the back room of her mother's bookstore. But all that study time led to being the class of 1985 valedictorian, a college scholarship, and a dream job offer in Arizona. Ten years later, her life is almost perfect. But not for long. Beth returns to Alpine Grove after an unfortunate series of events, just in time for the 10-year high school reunion she vowed not to attend. But her vow is no match for a sneaky former cheerleader who tricks her into going. While she's there, she runs into the one person she hoped to never see again: Drew Emery. Drew is just as easy to talk to as ever, and maybe she shouldn't have said all those terrible things to him so long ago. But everyone deserves a second chance, right? Note:  Bark to the Future is a full-length novel (300 pages/80,000 words) that is Book #5 of the Alpine Grove Romantic Comedies. It's a feel-good novel that appeals to people who enjoy a little light romance and quirky animal stories. less

For Robin Sanders, her new job and the employee discount at the Eagle Ridge catalog is great for her closet, but bad for her wallet. Mostly, she deals with purchase orders and merchandise lists, so she can't figure out why the CEO selects her to set up a corporate retreat at his family lodge in the small town of Alpine Grove. When she arrives, Robin discovers that the North Fork Lodge is falling apart, the owner is missing, and the team building guy has a Batman fixation... moreFor Robin Sanders, her new job and the employee discount at the Eagle Ridge catalog is great for her closet, but bad for her wallet. Mostly, she deals with purchase orders and merchandise lists, so she can't figure out why the CEO selects her to set up a corporate retreat at his family lodge in the small town of Alpine Grove. When she arrives, Robin discovers that the North Fork Lodge is falling apart, the owner is missing, and the team building guy has a Batman fixation. Mediating employee disputes and dispelling local rumors about a cranky resident ghost put Robin's diplomatic skills to the test. Alec Montgomery, yanked from the executive suite and tasked with doing training, isn't any happier than Robin about being in Alpine Grove. Yet together they uncover mysteries about the lodge and themselves that they never anticipated. less