Alternative Research
Before I completed Sexy Librarian, I knew little of my step-grandmother,
Irene Saunders. I have no memory of her, nor of my grandfather whom she
married—a much-adored man named Ray who died when I was a small child.
After finishing my own book I remembered that Irene was a romance novelist.
Thinking I could learn something about my grandfather by the way she wrote
about Love, I looked for a few of her titles in my mom’s personal library. I
discovered Irene’s fictional men were British and of another century, but
that her books could tell me something about her life and her relationship
with her step-daughter, my mother, Pat.
The Difficult Daughter (1992)
From the inside cover:
IRENE SAUNDERS, a native of Yorkshire, England, worked a number
of years for the U.S. Air Force in London. A love of travel brought her to
New York City, where she met her husband, Ray. She now lives in Port
St. Lucie, Florida, dividing her time between writing, bookkeeping, gardening,
needlepoint and travel.
Handwritten inscription on the following page:
To Pat,
I’ve never liked the title of this one – but it sold very well.
Love,
Irene
The Contentious Countess (1992)
From the inside cover:
“Can I persuade you to join me?” Denby whispered in Melanie’s ear.
“There’s room enough in that big bathtub for two.”
Her cheeks turned a fiery red, and she shook her head, although she suddenly
wondered what his warm, soapy hands might feel like as they carressed her
bare skin.
“Very well.” he said softly, “some other time, when we know each other a
little better, I’ll show you just how delightful the sharing of a bathtub can be.”
Melanie rose quickly, more than a little embarrassed.
“When that time comes, and you have learned to relax and trust me not to
hurt you, we can see how you will enjoy a number of thing you’ve probably never
heard of, my dear…”
Handwritten inscription on the following page:
To Pat,
I love the cover because the horses are more prominent then the couple!
Love,
Irene
—JW 11/20/07