Dolly Parton and James Patterson talk new thriller 'Run, Rose, Run'

Dolly Parton and James Patterson are opening up on how their new thriller "Run, Rose, Run" came together.

During an appearance on "Good Morning America" Monday, Parton shared what her initial reaction was when the bestselling author gave her a call to discuss collaborating.

"I thought, 'Well why does he want to write a book with me? He's doing all right on his own,'" she said. "And I said well sure, I'd love to hear about it, so he came to Nashville."

Added Patterson: "We talked for a couple hours and we liked each other, and here we are."

The new book, out Monday, centers on a young female songwriter who heads to Nashville, running from a secret in her past.

Parton, a book lover who exercises her passion for reading through her literary nonprofit Imagination Library, said she was able to connect with many of the characters in their thriller.

"I saw myself in all those characters -- the males and the females and certainly the two female characters because I was that young girl, [I] went through all the problems that she did," the singer explained. "And then the older lady, she's kind of semi-retired but still can't give up song writing and keeping her nose in the business -- so I really related to both of them."

Parton went on, "And even the fellas in the movie -- I have many of my friends that I kind of grew up with in the business, Merle Haggard and George and all the great artists. So I kind of related to the boys and the girls, especially to those two strong women."

Parton also recorded a companion album for the new novel.

While appearing on "GMA," the legendary singer explained the meaning behind one of the tracks on the album, "Woman Up (And Take It Like a Man)."

"The two women in the book are very strong women and they've both been through it all," Parton said. "And when the young girl starts to really make it, she's having to make some serious decisions on her own."

"Ruthanna, the older character, is kind of mentoring her and also just saying if we want to make it, we can't wait around on these old boys to help us too much, so we've got to get in there and do it ourselves," Parton continued. "So I just thought that was a wonderful name for a song."

Parton and Patterson said they aren't sure if they'll write a "Run, Rose, Run" sequel but they plan to make a movie about the book, which Parton wants to star in.

The duo are now looking ahead to the ACM Awards Monday night; Parton is co-hosting with Jimmie Allen and Gabby Barrett, while Patterson is presenting at the show.

"I'm singing another song from the album called 'Big Dreams and Faded Jeans,' which is really true to the story also with anybody that goes to Nashville to try to make it," Parton teased.

The 2022 ACM Awards will stream live at 8 p.m. ET on March 7 exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.