About The Book

A page-turner, frequently injected with laugh-out-loud humor, front row seat of fun debut that is being heralded as the earnest generation of authenticity of a nineties voyage, Susan Holmes McKagan shines in The Velvet Rose.

In the early nineties, Scarlet, a painter and high fashion model, finds herself working in some of the world’s most famous fashion capitals. As her adventure continues, she meets Johnny of The Westies, an up-and-coming band on the cusp of superstardom. What ensues is an unhinged ride of a novel following the audacious lead female protagonist as she navigates her life through fame, addiction, infidelity, and all the ups and downs of dating a legendary musician from one of the biggest rock bands in history. A riveting and heartfelt journey of figuring out one’s own path and championing that aspect to finding their dreams. Rich in spirit and relatable for all those who have ever had the courage to chase their dreams and pursue an unconventional path in this glorious world.

About The Author

Susan Holmes McKagan is a well-known, experienced, and credentialed writer. Her columns regularly appear on the coveted front-page cover stories for The Huffington Post and PopWrapped. She also happens to be an international supermodel, having graced covers for Vogue, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, W, Playboy, and Maxim to name a few. Susan has walked the catwalks in Paris, Milan, and New York for such prestigious designers as Chanel, Versace, Prada, Calvin Klein, Valentino, Marc Jacobs, YSL, Armani, and many more. She’s been married for nearly two decades to Rock & Roll Hall of Fame legend Duff McKagan of Guns N’ Roses and Grammy Award–winning Velvet Revolver. Susan writes on a myriad of subjects, and has a plethora of published top-tier interviews with some of the world’s leading artists, athletes, humanitarians, scientists, celebrities, designers, authors, and musicians. She develops and designs her own high-end brand of eco-friendly resort wear, Susan Holmes Swimwear, and her designs have been featured on covers from Sports Illustrated to People magazine. While living on the West Coast between her homes in Seattle, Los Angeles, and San Diego, or on a GN’R airplane, Susan dedicates most of her time to her two daughters, various charitable organizations, her incorrigibale but cute pug, and her sweet husband.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Rare Bird Books (July 14, 2026)
  • Length: 288 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781644281161

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Raves and Reviews

“Susan Holmes McKagan draws from her own experience to tell the riveting tale of a fashion model and a rocker. A sweet read and an US Weekly must!”

 

US Weekly

“Susan has developed her own path as a writer that dialogues well with that ‘Rock As A Lifestyle’ historical universe."

 

ROLLING STONE

“Susan bares anew this epic period in rock n’ roll with ease: the love and bruises, the drama, humor and beauty."

Duff McKagan, of GUNS N’ ROSES, NEW YORK TIMES Best Selling Author of It’s So Easy & Other Lies

"Rad!!"

 

Taylor Hawkins of FOO FIGHTERS

“One of the Best Books of 2019.” 

 

AMAZON BOOKS/TOP EDITOR’S PICKS

“Super fabulous page-turner filled with plenty of hard won wisdom.”

 

SAN DIEGO UNION TRIBUNE

“Congrats on the birthing of your best seller."

PEOPLE

“Susan Holmes McKagan a VOGUE cover model, and compelling writer, shines in her debut novel The Velvet Rose.”

VOGUE

“Susan writes with such a vivid authenticity in The Velvet Rose because of her history and in depth experience in the world of fashion and rock n’ roll. She offers such a unique and very rich perspective within the details of these worlds not a lot of writers can say they have.”

Juliette Lewis - OSCAR Nom Actress

“Captivating and Electric"

 

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