January 9th, 2025 → 10:49 am @ Robin Donovan
With a backdrop of Switzerland, Robin Donovan paints a beautiful picture of the countryside as she introduces new characters and brings back to stage others from previous books. Does It Count As Saving A Life If You Just Don’t Kill Someone? is the newest book in Robin’s repertoire of fun murder adventures. Combined with graphically mouthwatering food and wine descriptions, this book will leave you hungry for the next!January 9th, 2025 → 10:38 am @ Robin Donovan
(January 9, 2025)—Robin Leemann Donovan announces the launch of her forth cozy mystery novel, Does It Count As Saving A Life If You Just Don’t Kill Anyone?, published by Gracie Dancer, LLC.
Friends in real life, as well as avid supporters of each other’s books, Dominique and Robin decided to form the fictional team of Dominique and Donna to solve a mystery occurring on the ski slopes of Engelberg, Switzerland.
Dominique Gisin was the winner of the gold medal in the Downhill at the 2014 Olympics, tying with Slovenian Tina Maze. Her victory inspired many people all around the world especially because Dominique achieved it after an almost unprecedented injury record (i.e. four knee and five other operations) combined with many other setbacks. She has also won several World Cup races in the Downhill and Super-G disciplines and for many years she ranked in the top 10 skiers in the world in the Downhill discipline. Dominique also established herself in the world top 15 for three other alpine disciplines. She has authored several books on her journey to the top and currently works as a motivational speaker. She has also holds a commercial pilot’s license.
Robin Leemann Donovan is the author of the award-winning blog Menologues, a humorous, yet informative, look at the trials and tribulations of menopause by someone who’s been there. She was born and raised in New Jersey, but lived and worked in Connecticut for a number of years before moving to Nebraska in 1999 to work at the, then global company, Bozell. She recently retired and sold Bozell to a group of employees. Experiences from each place she lived have been incorporated into the heroine of her series, Donna Leigh. In this, her forth in the series, Donna Leigh shares the role of heroine with Dominique Gisin.
Donna Leigh is a menopausal former ad exec. When Donna is drawn into the friendship between her husband Jon and Olympic Gold Medalist, Dominique Gisin, she decides to explore her own Swiss ancestry. With the help of husband Jon and advice from
Dominique they are able to discover an existing family with blood ties to Donna. And so, the adventure begins.
As they continue to learn about Donna’s Swiss relatives, they are stunned by the fact that the family’s 16-year old daughter is beginning to pursue a ski racing career after overcoming some overwhelming physical odds. This can be no coincidence. It is arranged that Dominique will do some preliminary work with this young girl to help determine the best course for her to pursue. After a few weeks of working together, Dominique suggests that the Leighs travel to Switzerland to meet their relatives and watch this young athlete as she progresses through these early career stages toward her goal.
Shortly after arriving in Switzerland, there is a tragic accident on the slopes. Is it an accident or is it murder? Was the dead person the intended victim, or are some of the young racers at risk? Dominique and Donna team up to solve this puzzling and tragic event and restore tranquility to the majestic Mt. Titlis ski area in Engelberg.
As they work to solve the mystery, Dominique shares many of the fascinating insider details of training in order to become a world class ski racer.
The idea for The Donna Leigh Mystery series? was originally rooted in Donovan’s frustrations with the stereotypes about menopausal and post-menopausal women.
“As I continued on my own journey through menopause and I met many exceptional women along the way, I realized that the world was sadly mistaken about us. They needed to be told.
“Donna Leigh is a menopausal woman, but you don’t have to be menopausal to relate to her. She could be your mother or your aunt, but she could just as easily be your co-worker and friend. She’s not every menopausal woman, but she is representative of the dynamic and vivacious qualities that exist in the majority of menopausal women today.”
In this, her forth novel, Donovan celebrates the triumphs achievable by women in more than just her own now post-menopausal world. She illustrates how, in working together as a team, multi-generational women can make a significant impact in any number of endeavors. Donna Leigh, a post-menopausal sleuth and Dominique Gisin, a former world class athlete who has not yet reached middle age, combine their talents to assist Swiss police/polizei in solving a most challenging mystery. They do so in a way that immerses their audience in the world of training alpine athletes as well as that of amateur sleuthing, all the while providing entertainment and an abundance of laughter.
Does It Count As Saving A Life If You Just Don’t Kill Someone? is available for sale in paperback through the rldonovan.com or directly from Amazon Books.
About Dominique Gisin
At the age of 17 Dominique had already endured 4 knee surgeries and had been written off by most coaches, advisors, experts and even doctors. But Dominique Gisin won the Olympic Gold in 2014 in Sochi, along with many other top racing achievements. She is the author of the book Making it Happen From Engelberg to Sochi and she and her sister Michelle along with her long-time performance and sports psychologist, Dr. Christian Marcolli created the book A True Athlete. Dominique currently works as a motivational speaker and she holds a commercial pilot’s license.
Dominique hails from an athletic family. Her sister, Michelle is also a Olympic gold medal winner and her brother, Marc, has been quite successful in the World Cup. Dominique graduated from the Sports School in Engelberg, the home of an inordinately large number of Olympic medalists. She was raised in Engadin, and currently resides in Engelberg.
At Dominique’s request, 25% of all proceeds for this book will be donated to: Passion Schneesport for all the upcoming ski stars and their families.
September 17th, 2024 → 1:52 pm @ Robin Donovan
What would you do if your close friend was murdered and nothing seemed to make sense?
This is exactly what happens in I Don’t Know Why They Killed Him; He Wasn’t Really That Annoying by Robin Leemann Donovan, an impressive 3rd entry in The Donna Leigh Mysteries series.
This book is a gripping and engaging read.
What I loved about this book is how the author takes us deep into the wine industry’s dark side, unveiling layers of corruption and deceit through Donna Leigh’s fearless sleuthing. The storyline is filled with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat.
The author has crafted a brilliant narrative that combines suspense with a touch of humor, making it both thrilling and enjoyable. The writing is fluid and captivating, drawing readers into Donna’s world with ease.
For anyone who enjoys a compelling mystery with strong, relatable characters, this book is a must-read. I found myself completely absorbed, unable to put it down. It’s a fantastic read for anyone who loves a good mystery with a unique twist.
The author’s ability to weave a complex story with relatable characters is truly impressive. The way suspense and humor are balanced makes the narrative both thrilling and entertaining. I can’t wait to dive into more books by this author!
September 17th, 2024 → 1:49 pm @ Robin Donovan
What would you do if your close friend was murdered and nothing seemed to make sense?September 17th, 2024 → 1:38 pm @ Robin Donovan
What Would You Do If You Were the Prime Suspect?October 13th, 2023 → 4:07 pm @ Robin Donovan
Karen’s Killer Fixin’s #Humorous #Cozy: I DON’T KNOW WHY THEY KILLED HIM, A Donna Leigh Mystery Book 3 by Robin Leemann Donovan #Recipe ~ Linguine with Tuna, Olives, & Capers
April 3rd, 2019 → 6:55 pm @ Robin Donovan
How old are you and where are you from?
My first book came out in 2010 and the menopausal protagonist, Donna Leigh, was patterned after me. I was in the early days of menopause back then.
I was born in Jersey City, NJ, so in many ways the dye was cast. At a young age I moved to Connecticut and experienced a very different culture – it was a remarkably broadening experience. Today, I live in Omaha, NE and the merging of these three very different cultures is what enables me to build multi-dimensional characters and when I do create characters that are two-dimensional, it’s deliberate. I’ve recently added a ski home in Utah – more grist for the mill.
Tell us more about your book!
My Donna Leigh Mystery series (with three books) features the menopausal owner of an Omaha ad agency, Donna Leigh. In each book, someone from Donna Leigh’s world has been murdered – and in each case her connection to the victim propels her into the investigation. Donna Leigh has enabled me to address all of the pet peeves I have collected in years of reading cozy mysteries. I work hard to eliminate red herrings as well as other painfully stereotypical cozy mystery devices, i.e. when a disguised voice phones to invite Donna to a remote area, late at night and alone in order to obtain a lead – she let’s loose a torrant of anger as she explains that she was not born yesterday and she will never fall for that ploy. Donna Leigh is a smart and attractive woman who is not perfect. She’s not twenty-something, skinny, flawless and brilliant – she has her flaws – but they don’t keep her from being awesome, and funny.
You’re sharing an elevator with a big name publisher. Pitch your book using 20 words or less!
Do you want to give readers an Evanovich-like laugh and a legitimate mystery to solve? Let’s talk.
What does your writing space look like?
In the winter, I like to be sitting at a huge window, looking out at a majestic mountain with a glass of white wine in my hand and my laptop on my lap. In the summer, I typically start out on the couch in my family room and switch to the table on my deck as the day warms. I add the white wine at 5 pm.
If your book was turned into a movie, who would play your main characters?
I think Bette Midler would crush the role of Donna Leigh. And once you have Bette, nothing else really matters. Nevertheless, I think my first murder victim, Claire Dockens would ideally be played by Julia Child – unfortunately, she’s not available – but she would have been perfect! Paris Hilton would make an awesome Clovis Cordoba Seville, that built in narcissism would be an ideal enhancement to her performance. Pam Ferris and Felicity Kendal from the British TV murder series Rosemary and Thyme would make an excellent Peg and Babs.
You’re stranded on an island, and only one character from any book can save you. Who are you picking?
I would want to be stranded with Clovis Cordoba Seville. Despite her incredibly annoying personality, there is nothing like extreme narcissim to get your demands met, and without an adoring audience, Clovis would not stick around on any island.
Besides being a writer, what else do you enjoy?
Well, reading, naturally. I also love my bulldogs (English and French), dancing, skiing and wine dinners with friends. I do enjoy working at my ad agency, Bozell, but that’s work.
I would want to be stranded with Clovis Cordoba Seville. Despite her incredibly annoying
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Facebook Author page: RL Donovan
Series page: Donna Leigh Mysteries
Check out her mystery series, available no on amazon!
February 25th, 2019 → 6:53 pm @ Robin Donovan
My Donna Leigh Mystery series revolves around a menopausal ad agency owner in Omaha, Nebraska. Although each book encompasses the murder of someone known to the protagonist, the books are actually comedies. With three books in the series, the challenges have been in finding credible enough yet over-the-top comedic events, without an over-abundance of similarity, and in keeping the plot fresh enough overall that the books don’t start to feel formulaic.
Evanovich’s protagonist, Stephanie Plum, pretty much always sets a car on fire, it’s her signature comedic move. Perhaps I should have set a precedent like that, because creating new and outrageous scenarios is increasingly a challenge.
Each book requires approximately six comedic events to keep things moving at a fast pace. I realized this would be a daunting task as early as my second book, and the third book was that much more intimidating.
Along those same lines, it is a genuine challenge to keep my plots from becoming formulaic. The same characters want to say and do the same things. It is imperative to find ways to pull them out of their comfort zone without pulling them out of character.
Folks have suggested that I move on from Donna Leigh and start a whole new series, but my gut is telling me to stick with her for at least another book or two. And if I’ve learned one thing in this whole experience, it’s to trust my gut.
February 15th, 2019 → 5:56 pm @ Robin Donovan
My third book was the first time I had ever killed a friend. A smartass friend, but nevertheless a friend. As the details of his death began to unfurl and I imagined how his wife, daughter and friends would react, I got a bit choked up.
When I realized that my emotions were getting carried away I had to take a step back. My emotive reaction was indicative of a few things: that my writing during that period had been all mushy-gushy, not something anyone would want to read, and especially not something anyone reading a comedy would want to read and that I wasn’t equipped to write about the death of a friend.
The first part was remedied in a lengthy and thorough edit. The second part…well, that would be a spoiler alert. I will ask one thing, if you ever have the pleasure of meeting Ed, my 3rd book victim, don’t tell him about this post. I know I’ll never hear the end of it
January 15th, 2019 → 10:52 pm @ Robin Donovan
I would have to say that I had five writing style influences, and try as I might, I cannot eliminate any of them.
Donna Leigh Mysteries
In my early years it was Cornelia Otis Skinner, Jane Austen and Charles Dickens. Their droll approach at humor never failed to amuse and entertain me. As dark as some of their topics were, their depictions of characters and how they behaved would often have me laughing out loud.
Bookdisplay
By the time I reached high school, I had added James Thurber to the mix. The Night the Bed Fell on Grandpa felt as though it had happened in my life, and in fact, that type of event was not uncommon as I grew up. I frequently wrote letters and then emails to family and acquaintances using these four icons to help guide my style.
Sharing ideas
Humor was what kept our family together, and humor is in my veins. I guess writing humorous novels was inevitable.
As I prepared to write my first novel, Janet Evanovich joined the ranks of influences. The grace and ease with which she is able to move from serious issues to hilarious occurrences is something I wanted to emulate. I actually studied the components of her work to form a pattern for my own. Enough humor, but not so much that it destroys the balance of the plot.
www.bozell.com
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