Readers,
one of our favorite authors is back with a new book.
Welcome,
Susan. Where do you write?
I write in
two places—a big blue chair that is more marshmallow than chair! It has two
wide arms on it so I can stack all my research materials on each side, and on
my giant ottoman and create a sort of writing “nest” where I incubate the
story. For editing, I move to my desk, and surround myself with all the details
of the story—names, eye color, timeline—all the pertinent facts I need to get
it right.
When
deciding on how to publish, what directed you to the route you took?
I took a
look at what I was already reading and thought—well, I already basically
understand the structure of these stories, so I’ll start there. I had a shelf
of romantic suspense, so I launched my writing in that genre.
What kinds
of things do you like to do outside of writing?
I’m a DIY
girl— I love turning “trash to treasure,” so I’m constantly working on my
house, furniture, painting, etc. I also love to garden and keep a flower garden
in the summertime. I also work out at the Y (love my yoga and swimming classes)
and of course…read!
What kinds
of advice would you give to someone who wants to start writing?
Read. A lot. Keep a writing journal of the words
that sing to you. Be observant of the world around you – take notes on
interesting people, events, situations and setting. And, eventually, start
writing!
What is
your favorite book? Favorite author? Do you have an author that
inspired/inspires you to write?
Oh, I love
everything by Dee Henderson, Francine Rivers, Siri Mitchell, Deeann Gist,
Rachel Hauck, Beth Vogt, Lisa Jordan, and Melissa Tagg. I think Dee and
Francine were my biggest inspirations—but the others now inspire me to stay on
top of my craft!
Where did you get the idea for When I Fall in Love?
I love
cooking shows, and I’ve always wanted to write a story about an every day Iron
Chef (hello every mother out there who’s opened the fridge and said…huh, what
can I make with a carrot, a hunk of cheese, 2 eggs, and a leftover pancake?) Our
family went to Hawaii
last year, and the setting captured my heart—I knew I had to put a book there,
and even better…a cooking book. But vacations also have a way of making you
forget your troubles. So…what if a couple met and fell in love on
vacation…could they bring the romance home, into real life?
From idea to final revision, how long did it
take to write?
This book
came fast—I wrote it in 3 months, start to finish. Sometimes it’s like that—the
story just appears and flows out.
Are you
working on anything now?
I just
finished the next book in the series, Always on My Mind, a story that picks up
the subplot from When I fall in Love, and carries it into the main storyline
with the question: What if you see someone you love headed for trouble—but
they’ve told you to stay out of their life. Do you interfere?
Please tell us about the story.
When I Fall
in Love
is about Grace Christiansen, a woman who is content on staying in her hometown of
Deep Haven, staring at her dreams of being a Chef from afar until she is given
the gift of a cooking vacation to Hawaii .
Set up on a “blind” vacation date by her family, she has no idea she’s going to
spend the next two weeks in paradise with the most eligible—and yet mysterious—bachelor
from the Saint Paul Blue Ox hockey team. However, Maxwell Sharpe is harboring a
heartbreaking secret…. Can they take their newfound romance home from vacation?
I love the
theme of this story…What if you found your true love, but you could only have him
for a short amount of time—would you still marry him? This book puts to the
test the old adage: “It’s better to have loved and lost than never having loved
at all.” Really? We’ll see!
Please give us a peek at the first page of the
book.
It would
be the most perfect day of her brother Darek’s life. Even if Grace Christiansen
had to personally hand-dip two hundred strawberries.
“If you
don’t leave now, you’re going to miss the entire wedding.” Her assistant, Raina
Beaumont, reached around Grace and moved the bowl of strawberries out of her
reach. “I might not be going to culinary school in a month, like you, but I
swear I can dip these without making a mess.”
But—the
word touched her lips a moment before Grace nodded and stepped away from the
island in the middle of the industrial kitchen.
The
afternoon sun creased the red tile floor and stewed the smells of the tiny
kitchen—wild mushrooms simmering in garlic and wine sauce, focaccia bread
baking in the oven.
She could
stand here, close her eyes, drink in the scents, and die happy. Something about
seeing her brother—her wounded, broken oldest brother—smile down at his
beautiful bride-to-be last night at the rehearsal dinner had filled her soul
right to the brim. Yes, of course she would dip strawberries and hang twinkly
lights from the rafters of the folk school building. Because that’s what family
did—they shared in dreams, even helped make them come true.
Raina
pushed her toward the door. “Seriously, I’ll get Ty to chase you out of here,
or better yet, throw you over his shoulder and—oh, for pete’s sake, you have
chocolate on your dress.”
“What?
Shoot, where’s a rag?”
But Raina
had already reached for a wet cloth and was dabbing at the dark stain on the
collar of Grace’s dark purple dress.
Grace
checked her reflection in the microwave door over Raina’s shoulder. Her hair
had stood the test of the kitchen, still caught up in netting. Eden ’s spectacular idea of having her hair
done before she set foot in the kitchen to oversee the final preparations might
not have deserved the battle they’d waged. But she shouldn’t have worn the
dress. Unfortunately, that brilliant thought she’d managed with no help from
her big sister, and now she’d have a stained gown for the
pictures. . . .
Pictures!
“Oh no.”
Where can my readers find you on the Internet?
Stop by www.susanmaywarren.com!
Thank you
for having me today!!
Susie MayIt is a pleasure to have you here, Susie. I'm really loving the Christiansen, even though I'm not a fan of hockey.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
When I Fall in Love - Christianbook.com
When I Fall in Love (Christiansen Family) - Amazon
When I Fall in Love (Christiansen Family) - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
Susan May Warren brings her characters to life and I can't wait to read Grace's story! Thank you for the chance to win a copy of WHEN I FALL IN LOVE!
ReplyDeleteBritney Adams, TX
Thanks, Britney!! I hope you enjoy the story!
ReplyDeleteI loved the last book in the series and am looking forward to WHEN I FALL IN LOVE.
ReplyDeleteSpringfield, Oregon
Wanting to read When I Fall In Love!
ReplyDeleteNormal, Illinois
That's really it--Normal! ;)
I have all of Susan's books...except this one! Love her writing!
ReplyDeleteMichelle, South Dakota
I love the Hawaii/cooking vacation setting. Please add me!
ReplyDeleteMerry in MN
Can't wait to read this book! Love this series! Thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDeleteBeth Gillihan
Helena, Montana
Haven't read any of this series yet, but I know I have one or two of them on my Kindle. Would love to add to the collection.
ReplyDeletePatty in SC
Would love to have the chance to read this.
ReplyDeleteWA state
Sound wonderful. Count me in, please.
ReplyDeleteCalifornia
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
love to win! Shelia from MS
ReplyDeleteSusan May Warren's novels are captivating and unforgettable. Anne from NM. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great book and will look forward to reading it.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Tina
Fruitland, Idaho
Oh, I just love Susan's books! I just recently read the second book in this series and thoroughly enjoyed it! Can't wait to read this one! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway. :)
Aerykah -- Oklahoma
I LOVE Susan May Warren's book!! I read (and loved!) Reclaiming Nick!!! ANd the rest of the books in the series :D I fell in love with the characters! I also enjoyed heiress!
ReplyDeleteSierra
Indiana
Thank you guys! I loved writing When I Fall in Love! I hope you enjoy it - have a fantastic 4th!!
ReplyDeleteI recently read the first two books in this series and am looking forward to reading more.
ReplyDeleteLydia from North Carolina
I really want to read this book. It Sounds really good.
ReplyDeleteTonja VA
When I Fall in Love sounds like my kind of book. I, too, love cooking shows and Hawaii has been one of the prettiest states I have visited. Thank you for the giveaway. Susan May Warren is a wonderful writer.
ReplyDeleteMelanie Backus, TX
A lovely interview thank you.
ReplyDeleteMary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
I am so excited about this giveaway....love her books and have read most all of them! Also, I am excited to hear she is writing another in this great series...YAY.
ReplyDeleteJackie in Georgia
Can't wait to read this!
ReplyDeleteJenni in Nova Scotia, Canada
Oooh, looks good! Indiana.
ReplyDelete"When I Fall in Love" sounds like such a cute story - I love the story line and loved the excerpt!! Thanks for the interview and the opportunity to win a copy of the book - Susan and Lena!!
ReplyDeleteLouisville, Ky.
I like your book idea about falling in love on vacation doing what you like, cooking, and wondering how this will work in real life! Love to win your book. sharon, CA wileygreen1ATyahooDOTcom
ReplyDeleteThx for the opportunity to win Susan's new book! She is such a versatile author and I think this book sounds absolutely awesome! Hope I can add this one to my TBR stack to read post-surgery for a cantaloupe size tumor on my ovary removal. :( At least I can pretend I'm on a vacay instead! ;)
ReplyDeleteDiana in SC
Portsmouth, VA
ReplyDeleteI absolutely LOVE this series and am so looking forward to WIFIL! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteCyndi in AL
Hi Susan & Lena! Thanks for the chance to win a copy of WIFIL! I've truly loved the other Christiansen family novels and am itching to dig in to this one and the rest in the series!
ReplyDeleteKristen in OK
kam110476 at gmail dot com
Love this series! Thanks for the interview and giveaway!
ReplyDeleteMelissa from NC
what an inviting and happy cover! Can't wait to read it
ReplyDeleteCheryl in IL
Grace's story is going to be spellbinding! Kandra in OK
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great summer read. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteJulie (WI)
I always love me some Susan May Warren!!! Throw my name in the hat!
ReplyDeleteTuscaloosa, Alabama
I can't wait to read this book. I live in the Great Smoky Mountains in NC.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy your books! Sherry from Ruckersville, VA
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteAnna Weaver Hurtt from Panama City
Wow that first page! Ah im so excited! Looks like its going to be a good one! Cant wait to read it!:)Thanks for this opportunity to win a copy! God bless:)
ReplyDeleteHartselle, Alabama
Enter me!!
ReplyDeleteSharon Richmond Bryant
Conway,SC.
sharonruth126@gmail.com
Please enter me in the book giveaway. I love your books. I grew up in Minnesota and spent many vacations up in Grand Marais, Tofte, and other stops along the way from Duluth. We love the donuts from the world's best donut shop as did my cat (who'd get up on the counter and sample all of them when we brought them home). I now live in Florida and really miss the beautiful fall colors on the Gunflint Trail. I love your books!
ReplyDeleteI would love to read this book. It sounds great!
ReplyDeleteKathy C. from Wendell, NC
Sounds like a book not to be missed. Thank you.
ReplyDeletePhyllis from Normal, IL
Sounds like a great book!
ReplyDeleteTonja in VA