I am happy to welcome Suzanne Brandyn all the way from Australia to my blog today - Suzanne writes romantic suspense (my favorite genre) so I'm keen to learn more about her latest release...but first the questions!!
1) Did you set any goals for 2012?
Yes. That was to pitch at the Romance Writers of Australia Conference in August. To submit to a traditional publisher and finish another suspense/thriller with romantic elements before August. :)
2) What is the best part of the writing process for you?
Inventing real people who have to face believable obstacles, and then taking them on that journey.
3) The worst part?
I think most writers will agree with me that editing is the worst part of the writing process. Although it's unavoidable, it is a job you can't rush.
4) What is the book you wish you’d written?
:) Twilight. Lol.
5) Favourite author/s & book/s?
Nora Roberts was and still is my favourite author. But my favourite books I have read lately have been, Beyond Fear by Jaye Ford, The Apothecary's Daughter by Charlotte Betts, Wings of Fear by Helene Young.
6)Tell us about your latest release?
They say write about what you know. After some research into amnesia I wrote about the outback, the mountains of Australia, aircrafts, and my local area. I thought of the ‘what if’ question before coming up with a heroine who has retrograde amnesia caused by emotional trauma.
Retrograde amnesia is a loss of access to events that occurred or information that was learned before an injury or the onset of a disease. The condition may result from disease, brain injury or damage, or a traumatic emotional incident.
Imagine not having a past, not remembering who people are, or in fact who you have been intimate with? It would be a struggle to lead a normal life. Throw in all the emotional issues associated with RA, and then toss in the hero—complete chaos.
Forgotten Memories is a Romantic Suspense where two people meet up after many years. The heroine does not remember her new partner who inherits half share of her recently deceased father’s company, Macquarie Airways.
Falling for some suited, sexy lawyer and pilot is something the heroine doesn’t want. Her number one priority is to find her forgotten memories, and then she can deal with her personal life and a flying idiot who thinks he knows what’s best. As in real life, things don’t go exactly according to plan.
The hero’s aircraft is missing after he departs a fictional town in the outback, ‘Deep River.’ Search and Rescue fail to locate him. The heroine has lost one man she loved, her father, due to an aircraft accident.
6) Tease us with a blurb/short except
Catherine Berg’s fingers tightened around the steering wheel the moment she noticed a car ahead, swerving wildly over the two-lane highway.
Her shaky right foot eased onto the brake pedal, but the blinding high beam stinging her eyes made it impossible to see beyond the glaring halo of yellow. She depressed the brakes further. The wheels locked. Her car skidded, and she struggled for control.
Metal against metal.
The shattering of glass splintered through the atmosphere, sending Catherine’s white car into the air, only to embed in a gully beside the road, leaving a gateway for death.
Screams, sobbing, and cries for help drifted through the darkness. She moved her hand to her forehead and felt the fresh trickle of blood as it oozed down her face toward her mouth. Pain fired its disabling claws through her legs, and she tried to call out, realizing the loss of blood was slowly stealing life from her body.
Her breath, a shallow intake as her lungs struggled for oxygen. Pain continued to shoot through her like the tip end of a branding iron—every hot jab more excruciating than the last.
Raising her right hand, she wiped away a mixture of blood and tears from her eyes. She forced one eye to open. Her surroundings were all but a blur. A twisted mass of metal and dark shadows under the sound of drizzling rain became her reality.
Distant sobbing and screams continued to permeate her ears. The odor of petrol and dampness of the surrounding undergrowth rose to her nostrils.
“Please. Please help. Someone help,” she pleaded in a low guttural sound, barely having the strength to push it past her lips.
The crying and calls for help faded into the bleakness of the night. Somewhere above, a lone plover shrilled through the remaining light drizzle.
7) What is your favourite attribute of the hero and heroine?
The hero's concern for the heroine isn't just sexual attraction. He is genuinely concerned for her well being. He's adorable. :) The heroine is a strong woman, one who stands up for herself and won't take no for an answer. She strives as best as she possibly can.
8) What’s next?
In May 2012 'Eyes of a Stranger,' a contemporary romance will be released by Eternal Press.
9) Tell me where you write?
In my office. Occasionally I will go out to the deck outback, or down to the beach, but my office is lovely and the view beautiful. :) So there is no need to take my writing elsewhere lately.
10) Where would you like your career to be in 5 years?
To see my Suspense/Thrillers with Romantic Elements published by a traditional publishing house. :) Also having many novels published by Eternal Press. :)
12) Where can we find you?
Australia. Lol :) It's a long swim I know, but you can make it, can't you? :)
To make it easier though, you can find me at http://www.suzannebrandyn.com
http://suzanne-brandyn.blogspot.com
Goodreads, Manic Readers, Twitter, Face book, the list is endless. Links are on my blog.
Thank you Rachel for this urgent rush. Lol I'm glad I made it.
Glad to have you here and apologies for not sending a reminder - so bad of me! Gorgeous author pic - was it taken in Australia? Fabulous :)
Suzanne is waiting to hear from you...
Hi Rachel,
ReplyDeleteThe picture was taken in Hawaii, about three years ago. :)