Suzanna Ross with a New Novel - and A Giveaway!

I'm happy to welcome Suzanna Ross to Romance Book Haven today.  Suzanna has just released HIDDEN HEARTACHE, her second romance novel.  However, she's also a prolific short story writer, writing as Suzanne Ross Jones and has  published an anthology of short stories, THE BABY OF THE FAMILY.  All the way from Scotland, Suzanne has come to tell us about her new release and also to tell us how she balances her short story writing with novel writing.





How do you combine writing romance novels with writing short stories, Suzanna?
I used to be able to work on both simultaneously, but now I find it best to concentrate on one or the other. Short stories fit into the months between longer projects. Which invariably means I'm writing fewer. But I enjoy writing both novels and short stories, so I'm reluctant to give up either.


Where do you get the inspiration for writing your stories, long or short?
This is a very difficult question to answer - and I suppose, I could say that I wish I knew. Some of my stories are inspired by real life people or events. Others by snippets of conversation or an article in a newspaper... It's quite a skill to work out which ideas have the legs to run for the length of a fully story and I still have some false starts.

Can you sum up the essence of HIDDEN HEARTACHE in 140 characters? (That's the size of a Tweet).
Two doctors, a shared past + a motorbike and a tragic secret = a love that not even fourteen years apart can destroy. (I think that's less than 140 characters - is that okay?)

Tell us something about your two main characters in HIDDEN HEARTACHE.
My hero, Nick, is lovely. I'd run away with him in a heartbeat - if he wasn't spoken for (and if he was real). Emma, the heroine, is perfect for Nick - she's vulnerable but also has inner strength that's helped her to survive a very difficult past.

What's next for you?
More of the same with short stories and the longer romances. I have a new pocket novel (currently called Sean McIver's return) due to be published by The People's Friend in April and also some short stories awaiting publication in various womags. I'm also hoping my critique group, The Minxes of Romance, might work together on another anthology - putting Blaze together was so much fun. There's also a non-fiction project in the background which I'm hoping to have some time to work on.
Thank you so much for inviting me to visit you here today - and for these great questions.

Suzanna is giving away a free copy of her previous novel to one lucky commenter - or if the winner prefers, a copy of her short story anthology.  So please leave a comment before you go to be in the draw.


SUZANNA ON THE WEB:



HIDDEN HEARTACHE





Dr Emma Bradshaw’s life is disrupted when Nick Rudd arrives back in town to take up a post at the GP practice where Emma works. The bad boy attitude is still very much in evidence, but Nick is a doctor now – against the odds – and Emma’s forced to work closely with him. Not so easy to ignore the love of your life when you have to see him on a daily basis. And Nick’s getting perilously close to breaking down the barriers Emma’s built to protect herself from the tragedy in her past.

Nick thought, as a doctor, it would be easy to command respect from the residents of his hometown – and most are pleased to see how well he’s done. But, the one person he wants to impress remains unmoved. Emma is keeping her distance. And she’s changed – the fun loving girl he knew has gone. She’s hiding something big, he’s sure, but she’s not telling. He can’t blame her – he knows he let her down badly in the past. But now he’ll do anything to rekindle the trust and love she once showed him.

Buy Links:  Amazon     Amazon UK


33 comments:

  1. Sounds like a great story Suzanna - I love those 2nd chance stories! :)

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  2. Nice to meet you Suzanna. Good luck with your book!

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  3. I like the idea of mixing in short stories when you're in between projects. I wish you luck with the book as well.

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    1. Thank you Theresa. Thanks for the comment.

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    2. Thank you, Theresa. Mixing the two does work well for me.

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  4. scotland?!
    i had the privilege to visit when i was a teen.
    beautiful country
    perfect place to write!

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    1. I've been there too in my teens and I loved it!

      Maria

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    2. It is lovely here - lots of lovely scenery to inspire romance. :0)

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  5. Hidden heartache sounds like a winner~ and I enjoyed reading about your inspirations. I've been thinking on those myself, lately, and that was a help.

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  6. Hi Suzanna - glad to know that even the 'professionals' sometimes struggle to know if an idea has the 'legs' to run to a full length novel.

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    1. Thanks, Sally :0) I have a file of unfinished stories that couldn't stay the distance.

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  7. This sounds great. Congrats, Suzanna and wish you heaps of sales.

    Thanks for posting Maria!

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  8. I love a good hero that makes me want to runaway with him! And a doctor? Nick sounds like a keeper. ;) Congrats, Suzanna!

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    1. Hi, Emily - I think he's lovely (but I'm probably biased) :0)

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  9. Suzanne I loved the post! And your books are stunning!

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  10. Thank you for sharing! The short pitch caught my attention-- sounds like something I want to know more about!

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    1. Thank you, Shallee - and thanks for popping by.

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  11. I find it hard to concentrate on both these days too, and have been focusing more on my novel writing. It's obviously working for you as you're doing so brilliantly! Love the cover of your book and the story sounds great :o)

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    1. Thank you, Karen. I was going to tell you not to dare ease up on the short stories - but your book is fab, too, so as long as you're writing something I'll be happy :0)

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  12. I like the description and cover. Congrats to Suzanna on the release.

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  13. Awww Dr Nick!! You will have to work ten times harder than just getting all qualified as a doctor to win Emma's heart! What on earth did you do to her for her to build up such a wall to keep you out?!?!? Tut-tut!!

    Take care
    x

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    1. Hi Old Kitty - he always had her heart, she just needs to admit it :0). Great to see you here. x

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  14. CONGRATULATIONS on the new release. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity, Hope to read and review at The Reading Cafe.

    sandy(at)thereadingcafe(dot)com

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  15. Thank you so much for allowing me to visit Romance Book Haven.

    x

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You can discuss your romance novel addiction too!