Our author of the week has graciously allowed me to sit down and interview her. One person will have a chance to win a special prize, all you have to do is comment and leave your email address. Winners will be announced on Thursday! Also Suzette is having her own special contest, she is giving away a Bella Luce Locket, similar to the one my heroine wears in A Fateful Wind. The contest details are on my website at http://www.suzettestone.net/contests/ and it runs through April 18th. Good Luck!!!
Summary of A Fateful Wind: Stunning Jenna Penworthy’s looks are drawing admiration from most men she encounters, not least the ruthless and lascivious Lord Edwin Penrose, whose lust for his wife’s favorite maid is becoming more and more ardent. With Jenna and her mining fiancé Trystan’s livelihood dependent on the Penrose Tin Mines, Lord Edwin knows it is only a matter of time before the voluptuous virgin will be his. That is until his cousin returns to Cornwall from America. The irresistible and carefree adventurer, Sir Jack Bartholomew, finds himself caught up in protecting the alluring servant who has so captured his heart. But with Jenna, a mere servant girl, betrothed to another man, Jack realizes he is certain to be denied of his overwhelming desires, until destiny takes a turn and a stormy encounter with Lord Edwin seems to seal Jenna’s fate. Set amidst the harsh and windswept moorland of 1840’s Cornwall, A Fateful Wind tells of hidden secrets, familial destinies and a love that can never be denied.
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Interview:
1. Tell us a little about A Fateful Wind and what inspired you to write it?
A Fateful Wind is a historical romance novel set in 1840’s Cornwall. The heroine of my story is a beautiful servant named Jenna Penworthy. Her stunning looks are gathering attention from most men, not least the ruthless and lascivious Lord Edwin Penrose, whose lust for his wife’s favorite maid is becoming more and more ardent. With Jenna and her mining fiance Trystan’s livelihood dependant on the Penrose Tin Mines, Lord Edwin knows it is only a matter of time before the voluptuous virgin will be his. That is until his cousin returns to Cornwall from America. The irresistible and carefree adventurer, Sir Jack Bartholomew, finds himself caught up in protecting the alluring servant who has so captured his heart. But with Jenna, a mere servant girl, betrothed to another man, Jack realizes he is certain to be denied his overwhelming desires. Then destiny takes a turn and a stormy encounter with Lord Edwin seems to seal Jenna’s fate. Set amidst the harsh and windswept moorland of 1840’s Cornwall, A Fateful Wind tells of hidden secrets, familial destinies and a love that can never be denied
It is a story I had been mulling over for some time. I grew up in the county of Cornwall, in the UK, in a tiny village on the edge of Bodmin Moor. As a child we played around the defunct tin mines and my imagination always ran riot with the history of tin mining in Cornwall and the lives of those who inhabited the house I grew up in years before me. Also, I have always been rather taken with the idea of being swept off your feet by someone hopelessly rich and gorgeous – such as Sir Jack Bartholomew! However, I didn’t want my heroine, Jenna, to just be a ‘local girl made good’ and I wanted her unknown family secret to be revealed and most importantly I wanted her to have to struggle and fight for true love.
2. Do you have a favorite character you have written?
There is something special to me about all the characters I wrote about in ‘A Fateful Wind’ and the characters I am currently working with. However, I would have to say that my most favorite character is the Countess of Devon, in ‘A Fateful Wind’. She is dramatic, larger than life, a snob and travels with a slew of pet poodles. She was a lot of fun to write, even though she only plays a small role in the book. To be honest, I wish I could have spent more time with her!
3. What are you currently working on?
I am currently working on two books. The first is a historical romance, again set in Cornwall. My heroine in this book is very different from Jenna in ‘A Fateful Wind’. Catherine Molyneux is sensible, somewhat fiery and from a well to do family. Jenna, on the other hand, is an impoverished servant who is rather shy and still beginning to find her way in the world.
The second book I am working on is a contemporary romance, set on the beautiful island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas. My heroine, Abigail, is sent to the Bahamas to settle her estranged father’s estate. Along the way she finds love – not just from a handsome stranger, but also a love she felt she never received from her father and yet comes to discover he always held for her.
4. How long have you been writing? What influenced you to start?
I have been writing stories since I was little. I remember one Christmas I received a hardcover blue book with lined pages inside. It was my favorite Christmas present, beating out the Barbie Caravan and My Little Pony! I was always happy as long as I had lots of notebooks and pens around. I had always wanted to write a novel, but it wasn’t until I met my husband that I began ‘A Fateful Wind’. He gave me a lot of encouragement and support and so I completed the manuscript and gave it to him on Valentine’s Day!
5. How do your family/friends feel about your writing?
They are all excited and proud, especially my dad. I think I inherited my love of writing from him. When I was little he would write his own stories to read to us.
6. Where do you hope to be in 5 years?
I would like to be established in my writing career, with four or five books under my belt!
7. Do you have any advice for new or aspiring author?
Yes, persevere! And write for yourself. If you try to tailor your writing to something that you think is popular, or will sell well, you will probably end up being miserable. Let your imagination go where it wants to go! Also, the life of a writer can be somewhat lonely. So make sure you take the time to get away from the computer and interact with people. People watching can make great fodder for your characters!
8. What is your favorite book? (one that you have read) and why?
Such a tough question to pick one favorite book! I think I have favorite books for certain periods of my life. If I had to pick one book it would be ‘Emma’ by Jane Austen. I never get tired of reading it. I can also read ‘To the Lighthouse’ by Virginia Woolf, again and again.
9. On the fun side, what is your favorite television show and why?
Definitely ‘Modern Family’ is one of my favorite shows at the moment. I am also a bit of a reality tv junky – The Real Housewives series are always pretty amusing. I love watching Masterpiece Theatre, Doc Martin and most period dramas. Now that I have a 9 month old I must say that Yo Gabba Gabba is watched on a daily basis – and it’s hysterical!
10. Where can readers find you?
www.facebook.com/romancewithsuzette
www.romancewithsuzette.blogspot.com
I am also on twitter – my twitter name is suzettestone.
I loved your book and it evoked the wilds of that part of Cornwall beautifully. Thank you!
What and interesting interview! I really enjoyed your book and can hardly wait until you next on is out!
This book sounds very interesting I look forwoad to reading it in the near future.
This book sounds very interesting I look forward to reading it in the near future.
Hi Cindy,
You have won a free PDF copy of A Fateful Wind. Please can you email me with the email address you would like it sent to. My email is suzettestone@ymail.com
Thanks!
Congratulations Cindy, you have won a free PDF copy of A Fateful Wind. Please can you email me with your email address – suzettestone@ymail.com
Thanks!