Discover the Creative Journey of Ricko Donovan: Author and Musician

Ricko Donovan

Author of two novels and an upcoming third release.

Sunnyville

A captivating story that explores deep human emotions.

The Broken Promised Land

An engaging narrative filled with unexpected twists and turns.

Anticipated third novel set to inspire and entertain readers.

Award-winning singer-songwriter with a passion for storytelling.

Sun of Sunnyville

Marion Legrand arrives with her daughter from France soon after receiving a cryptic letter from her ailing sister Mimi, unaware of what lies in store for them in Florida. They are assailed by a coterie of oddballs at Sunny Glen Palms, an “otherwise stable no-nonsense age discretionary retirement community”. It’s late-life crisis, and from the golf greens to the clubhouse the veil of the American psyche is lifted, revealing the sometimes breezy sometimes chaotic world of retirement. Oh I’ve wasted my mind don’t you see, says Libby Alsatian, I’ve killed my mind and I have to fix it. Right here!’ The residents’ problems run the gamut from Alzheimer’s disease, existential angst and anti-depressants to a major glitch in the plans for Flora Wheeler’s monumental one hundredth birthday party.

“Donovan fills a Florida retirement community with a full range of eclectic, unforgettable characters… this one’s a delightful, engaging read that allows you to fully appreciate everything good in your life, body and soul.”- Nashville Lifestyles Magazine

“Literate, observational and very entertaining…” -The Muse’s Muse

“Donovan has a poetic flare for storytelling and artistic descriptions of life”- Swift Reviews

In rural East Tennessee, a family stand to lose all when they receive a federal notice of forfeiture against their home and land. A local man is charged with the cultivation and trafficking of marijuana when plants are discovered by the DEA in a remote parcel of over a hundred acres of family property held through five generations. John and Ellen Griffith’s marriage is already in peril when their daughter Barbara turns up at there door, having fled an abusive marriage with puzzling new feelings about her sexual orientation. Their son Will is away at MIT on a full scholarship and kept in the dark and their son Walt is a disillusioned post-grad with a penchant for doing nothing, back home with his own souring relationship. As the story unfolds, so does the truth- with its dark secrets that threaten to break the implicit trust between a husband, wife and their children. A compelling and affecting story of a family struck by a legal nightmare that threatens to pull it apart at the seams- if the dark forces within and between them don’t first.

"This books pulses with a sense of place and a sensitivity for the inner struggles of a family in crises in Appalachia battling against outside forces. The characters are true, ever evolving to survive the onslaught of unjust laws and social stigma. Highly recommend this book with its musical language intertwining the distant with the recent past." - Goodreads

Novels

Short Stories

In the heart of a no-nonsense Florida retirement community, chaos brews as Hurricane Charley barrels toward the Gulf Coast, threatening the tranquility of Sunnyville. It’s late summer 2004, and the residents are on edge, grappling with the impending storm. Amidst the brewing tempest, Barbara Thunderclap unexpectedly returns to reconcile with her estranged mother, only to be greeted by a grim scene—her mother, Alice, lies lifeless on the floor. Meanwhile, reclusive widow Lily Westfall finds herself unwittingly drawn into the turmoil, stepping in to support Barbara in her time of need. Kenny Fitzroy is enjoying a peaceful retirement, nestled in the cozy comforts of his daily routine, when the shocking news of impending fatherhood turns his world upside down. Meanwhile, Peggy Beamish, fueled by wanderlust and discontent in her marriage to the unfaithful Mike, busies herself shopping for RVs as she plans a lavish 50th wedding anniversary gala. With a firm resolution to file for divorce immediately after the festivities, her restlessness begins to influence her new friend Marge Cumberbatch. Marge, a retiree grappling with her turbulent life alongside husband Ted, finds herself questioning her own happiness as Peggy’s adventurous spirit ignites a spark of uncertainty within her. As the gala approaches, both women face pivotal moments that could reshape their futures, leaving them to ponder the meaning of love, loyalty, and the pursuit of a fulfilled life. As the winds howl and the hurricane looms, a coterie of oddballs in Sunny Glen Palms navigates their own personal storms, creating a comic yet tragic epic that unfolds behind the gates of their retirement paradise. In this whirlwind of emotions, the residents discover that sometimes, the fiercest tempests are not those that rage outside, but those that dwell within.

Contact Ricko

Reach out for inquiries about books and music collaborations.