They Said "I Do" on Dan's 90th Birthday: Heartfelt Debut Novel Chronicles Seven Years of Secret Bucket-List Adventures--with a Cat Narrator

LOUISVILLE, Ky., June 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In her debut novel Love Beyond the Bucket List, Dawn Mari McMillion shares a heartwarming and humorous tale of newlyweds in their nineties who trade rocking chairs for road trips—checking off a bucket list with help (and sass) from their feline narrator, Mahi. Based on true events, this 232-page story blends family drama, laugh-out-loud moments, and poignant reflections on aging, friendship, and second chances at love.

Title: Love Beyond the Bucket List
Author: Dawn Mari McMillion
Release Date: June 28, 2025
ISBN: Print # 979-8-9927204-0-2 / Kindle eBook #979-8-9927204-1-9
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/dawnmarimcmillion

Love Beyond the Bucket List will be available for purchase on Amazon in Print, Kindle eBook and soon, Audible. For a limited time, the novel is free for Kindle Unlimited Subscribers.

Dawn's inspiration for the novel began when she placed her spirited mother, Eileen, in memory care. That emotional turning point led to three life-changing decisions: writing Eileen's love story, taking a job at a memory care facility, and launching the "Dementia Insider" Facebook group—a safe space offering support and candid conversations for families affected by memory loss.

Memorable Lines from the Book:
Dan, protesting the way others treat his wife: "I am not her caregiver! I am her husband!"
Eileen, teasing her new husband about the afterlife: "I'm lucky to have you too. I imagine your first wife, Betty, is waiting for you. If I see her there… with you, I'll just have to push her out of the way!"

Praise for Love Beyond the Bucket List:
"You couldn't have come closer to their real life if you had videotaped it."
—Larry McFee, real-life friend and supporting character in the book

What's Next:
Dawn is continuing the Beyond the Bucket List series and preparing a TEDx Talk offering practical advice for families navigating three common tensions between adult children and aging parents.

About the Author:
Dawn Mari McMillion is a Kentucky-based writer with a background in journalism and advertising. Her stories draw from real-life experiences—like her mother's later-in-life love story—to explore the emotional complexity of aging, caregiving, and love. When not writing, Dawn enjoys e-biking, gardening, and spending time with her husband Paul and their lovable "giant beagle," Maddie.

Contact: Dawn Mari McMillion
[email protected]
206-498-1991 EST

SOURCE Dawn Mari McMillion