What do you like best about writing?
I love seeing characters and stories from my imagination come to life on the page. The best part is receiving a positive response from readers. There’s nothing quite like a glowing review of your work from a complete stranger.
What is the most difficult thing about writing?
Getting stuck on a scene and having to work my way through it. It happens frequently and causes great frustration and self-doubt. But eventually I always manage to get past it.
Do you find it harder to write novels or short stories?
I can’t write short stories at all. My forte is novels and novellas.
Would you tell us about your latest release?
My new release is Valentine Hearts. It’s the third book in my Eastport series, but you don’t have to have read the previous books to enjoy it.
Last Valentine’s Day, Faith found her husband in bed with another woman. This year, newly divorced, she meets Cole and attraction crackles between them. But Cole is a confirmed bachelor whose career as a hockey scout keeps him on the road, and Faith resolves to keep their relationship strictly platonic—a pledge that becomes harder to keep as they grow closer. Will one night together ruin their friendship, or could they be falling in love?
Do you have an excerpt from your latest release you would like to share?
Cole finished off the daisy chain by joining the first stem to the last, and then placed the crown over her hair. His mouth canted into an uncertain smile.
She reached up to gingerly touch the blooms circling her head. “I love it.”
“I love how you look in it.”
Faith curled her fingers around his hand. She felt warm and alive beside him, so peaceful and so much herself, as though she’d regained the equilibrium she’d lost a year and a half ago when she’d discovered Ted’s infidelity and her world spun apart. Somehow the pieces of her shattered spirit had settled back into place, and when she looked at Cole, and touched him, pure happiness sprouted in her heart.
She stepped closer and tilted her face up to brush her mouth against his. Resting her hand on his nape, she closed her eyes and welcomed the warmth of his arms encircling her waist to hold her close. Cole’s lips caressed hers with gentle strokes that gradually deepened, until her blood flowed hot with response.
Breaking the kiss, she eased away from him but held his gaze. The orange light of the sunset glowed in his eyes like flames.
“I guess we should head back to the airport,” he said in a thickened voice, and then cleared his throat.
Faith shook her head. She drew a breath before replying. “Do you suppose they have any vacant rooms at that bed and breakfast you mentioned?”
He stared at her with his brows gathered. “I don’t know. I … what are you saying?”
Her heart pulsed against her ribs. “We don’t have to leave tonight, do we? We could head home tomorrow morning.”
“Is that really what you want?” Cole studied her face with narrowed eyes, assessing.
“Isn’t it what you want?”
“God, yes, but … I don’t want you to think I brought you here for some grand seduction.”
Faith arched an eyebrow. “Did you ever question what I had in mind?”
“Well … no. Not that I didn’t hope…” He lifted a shoulder as one edge of his mouth quirked.
“Today has been so perfect, Cole, I don’t want it to end.” Euphoria swept through her. She’d made the decision to follow her desire rather than second-guess herself. Whatever tomorrow might bring, she wanted Cole tonight.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on another couple of books in my historical Music Box series, taking place in the 1970s and 1980s. Book #4 should be released very soon.
Where can we visit you online?
Website: www.susanrhughes,weebly.com
Twitter: @Susan_R_Hughes
Social
Great interview, Susan! Love the excerpt and can’t wait to read your newest. Good luck with the Music Box series. 🙂
I had the honor of reading this book before it was released. Susan writes a wonderful, very believable tale of two people who have both been burnt, so they listen to their common sense and try to ignore their pounding hearts. And those of us who live south of the Canadian border in much warmer climates, we tend to forget that hockey dwarfs football up there. Susan transports the reader to that colder climate but with enough warmth to melt your heart. Another sweet read with just enough spice to make it realistic.
I loved this story! It’s the perfect Valentine!
Susan has loyal readers who love her emotion-drenched stories. She’s bound to gain new fans with this book!
Thanks, Joan. Thanks for having me, Kate!
Thank you for being here, Susan!