 A launch party for HUNTED! Posted by Suzanne Ferrell Jul 12 2012, 12:13 am  Cover design by Lyndsey Lewellen In 2006 I entered two manuscripts in the RWA Golden Heart contest. One in the Long Contemporary category (KIDNAPPED) and the other in single title Romantic Suspense (HUNTED). This was a wonderful thing because both books were finalists in their respective categories and because of that I met all the wonderful Romance Bandits! (You guys know the rest of that story!!) The first book, KIDNAPPED, which was published on Amazon and B&N back in March was a book I targeted for Harlequin. I’d set it for their style and word count, but always felt it needed more content. It won their Harlequin Intrique contest and was requested for consideration for publication. Meanwhile, never one to just sit and wait, I had already begun a second RS, this one featuring one of the heroine in KIDNAPPED‘s brothers, Matt. When Harlequin rejected that book, I was shocked, and quite frankly a bit miffed. (Okay, really PO’d!!) I let that reaction be my catalyst for this second book. Channeling all my frustration and anger into the heroine Katie Myers/Sarah Strict (yes she has two names…I’ll explain in a minute) and just wrote the best book I could, one that wouldn’t fit the category size or mold, one that I would love to read. So, that was how HUNTED was born. (My daddy always said I was stubborn as a Missouri mule!) The story starts off with the sentencing of militia cult leader, Joseph Strict: Seated behind the prosecutor’s table and flanked by two large men dressed in government-issue blue suits, dark sunglasses and wearing stern expressions, Sarah shivered as she watched the devil standing before the judge. “Jacob Strict, having been found guilty of conspiracy against the United States government in the Philadelphia Federal Building bombing and the deaths resulting from therein, you are hereby sentenced to be put to death on the date and time to be set by this court.” The judge’s gavel hammered against the wooden bench frame. Despite her resolve to remain calm, Sarah jumped, her breath catching in her throat. The judge’s words echoed for a moment in the silence of the crowded courtroom. Then shouts of victory erupted from the victims’ families. Strict’s “family” moaned and wailed. She felt neither jubilation nor remorse. Seeing that Strict received judgment for his crimes had driven her for months. Nothing else mattered. The prosecutors shook hands and slapped each other on the back. Reporters scribbled frantically in their notebooks or spoke softly into tape recorders. The rail-thin, white-haired man standing at the defendant’s table didn’t move a muscle—not even an eyelash. He stared ahead with deadly calm as if waiting for the perfect moment to strike—a consummate performer to the last. Grasping the coat sleeves of the oversized navy blue suit the Marshal’s assistant had given her to wear for the hearings, she closed her eyes. The tumult in the courtroom pounded in her ears and she shrank into the chair, praying she’d be swallowed up by it. Plain by most people’s standards and rarely noticed in a crowd, she prayed that for once she could blend into the furniture. Only this time she knew her wish wouldn’t be granted. No matter how little he’d shown it to his audience, the defendant’s entire attention was focused on her. She’d done the unthinkable. She’d defied the Almighty Prophet—dared to expose the monster to the light. There would be hell to pay. The judge’s gavel banged and banged. Shouted commands to come to order or have the courtroom cleared slowly registered with the crowd. People regained their self-restraint. Women dried their eyes. Men took their seats. A cold chill settled in her bones. Fine tremors caused her hands and knees to shake. She dug her fingers into the nylon serge of her borrowed suit. Once again the judge focused his attention on the silent man before him. “Mr. Strict, do you have anything you wish to say before this court, Sir?” Tense silence filled the assemblage. Women gripped their husbands’ arms tight. Some spectators waited to hear their prophet speak his last free words. Reporters’ pens paused. For her, time slowed to an eon. She sucked in air, every muscle in her body tensed for flight. Words can’t hurt me, words can’t hurt me. She silently repeated the mantra she’d practiced for years in her head. She just wished her body believed them as much as her mind wanted it to. The Marshals moved a fraction of an inch closer, reminding her they were there to protect her. Slowly, she exhaled, sat straighter and lifted her head. Jacob Strict, the Grand Prophet of the People’s Militia Movement, inhaled deeply. Only five feet eight inches tall, he appeared to double his height with the breath he took—a trick she’d watched him practice in front of the mirror for years. Slowly, he scanned the faces on the jury, his throng of supporters, and then the faces of his victims’ families. Finally, his gaze locked on hers. His eyes narrowed. He’d lived by one simple code for as long as they’d known each other. An eye for an eye—total retribution, no matter how large or how small the infringement. She returned his stare without flinching. She’d be damned if she’d let him see her fear. From the moment she’d walked into the police station, half-starved and nearly frozen to death, she’d known her testimony would seal her own death sentence. After a moment that seemed like an eternity, he spoke. “The chains of this illegal government cannot hold me. Soon I will be free. Then nowhere on this earth will provide safe haven for the traitor among us.”  Rachel Weisz would be my candidate for casting as Sarah Strict/Katie Myers If you’re going to have a known villain at the beginning of a book, I figure he ought to be really creepy. So this is Sarah Strict facing her own personal nightmare. Because of the threat to her she has to go into Witness Protection and had to change her name. It is a lonely life, but one she’s grown used to. She’s finished her education and now works as a night nurse in a hospital nursery. She meets our hero by-the-book Highway Patrolman Matt Edgars when he finds her asleep at a stop light one morning on her way home from work. She’s mortified when he makes her take a Breathalyzer test and can’t wait to get back to her apartment: Katie let herself into her apartment and closed the door. For a moment she stared at the main room’s monkish austerity.
House and Garden material it wasn’t.
She kicked off her tennis shoes, standard work shoes for nurses even in winter, and dropped her backpack on the threadbare chair. Flopping down wearily on her couch, she heaved an exhausted sigh.Man, what a night.
First, premature twins were born, which she had to stabilize for transport to the children’s hospital downtown in
Columbus. Then, three other newborns added to her already burgeoning nursery.
To top it all off, that patrolman found her asleep at the traffic light. Could anything be more embarrassing?
And why did he have to be so darn handsome? Tall, with dark hair and serious, but kind, hazel eyes. When he’d awakened her, she’d thought she was still in some sort of dream, because men that handsome didn’t notice her in real life.
Katie sat forward with her face in her hands and groaned.Having to take a Breathalyzer test. She prayed he hadn’t decided to run her license plate or issue her a ticket. She groaned again. From his uniform to his strictly-by-the-book manner, he screamed good guy. The last thing she needed in her life right now was a guy, good or otherwise.Well, this holiday season couldn’t get any worse, that was for sure.
A shudder ran through her body. Yes, it could get worse. The Family could find her.She pushed herself off the couch and headed to the shower, stopping first to turn on the electric blanket. She hated getting into a cold bed after working all night.
Stripping in the bathroom, she shivered before stepping under the steaming water jets. The hot water pounded on her aching back muscles as she lathered on the gardenia-scented body wash. It was her favorite thing to indulge in. No matter that no one else would ever enjoy the scent of it on her body, some things a girl just did for herself.
When the shower grew cold, Katie stepped out, shivered and toweled off. She pulled on her flannel pajamas, and a pair of thick socks. She liked the room cold, but her bed and body warm. Since working nights the past five years she’d discovered it was the only way to get any real sleep during the day, that and turning the phone ringer off.
Finally, she crawled into her bed, and let out a long breath. Tucking one pillow under her leg, she turned onto her side and stared at the bedroom’s bare white walls.She’d called this one-room apartment home for nearly six months. Other than her father’s picture sitting by her bed, she’d left no personal mark on it. How could she when she knew she’d have to leave on a moment’s notice?She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had a home of her own.
For the past decade she’d moved from place to place, never putting down roots, never having a real home. She’d never been able to trust anyone to become her friend, either. Besides, anyone who dared get close would be in grave danger.
She exhaled long and slow, then wiped at the wetness stinging her eyes.How much longer can I bear this loneliness?People complained all the time about their dysfunctional family holidays. If they only knew. Next week was Christmas, and if the Family found her, it would be murder.
Literally.
Hers. Matt is smitten. His sister and brothers have always believed he “didn’t have a romantic bone in his body”. He knew they were wrong, he’d just never found the right woman to love and protect. Something about the wariness in Katie’s eyes touches him deep inside. What he doesn’t realize is there’s a good reason for all of Katie’s barely concealed fear: For the first time in a long time, he’d met a woman he couldn’t get out of his mind. It was stupid to be hung up on a woman with whom he’d had a ten-minute conversation, during most of which she’d been pissed off at him.
He blew out an exasperated grumble. If he was smart he’d turn his truck around and head home. He’d been lucky enough to draw Christmas Day off, as well as the day after. After his shift today he needed to finish his shopping for his parents then drive down to their house for the family gathering. That’s what he’d do, turn around and forget about hoping to find Katie Myers again. Coming to the traffic light where he’d stopped to help Katie, he put on his signal to make a left turn. He waited for the light to turn green. He believed in obeying traffic laws. He couldn’t give tickets to drivers for doing something he’d done–illegal U-turns among them.  Don’t know who this model is, but he’s definitely my image of Matt Edgars! A white van appeared from out of nowhere from his right side. It turned in front of him onto Route 3 toward Columbus, and sped away. Matt nodded to himself. There was a prime example. If he’d been on duty, he’d bust the idiot. Out of habit he glanced at the retreating vehicle’s rear plates. Pennsylvania. As the light turned from red to green, a flash of light on metal farther up the road caught his eye. Curious, Matt switched off his turn signal and drove past the light. The road sloped downhill, revealing a familiar green Jeep sitting on the shoulder. He ignored the pleasure that surged in him, seeing her vehicle. As he drove closer he noticed the car leaned at an odd angle. Then he saw the flat rear tire, and Katie kneeling to study it. He pulled in behind her car. She stood, a mixture of relief and embarrassment on her face. “Are you okay, Miss Myers?” he asked as he walked between the two vehicles. “Um, yes. Officer…” She looked a little confused as she searched her memory for his name. So much for making a big impression last week. “Matt Edgars. But please call me Matt.” He glanced down at the tire, then back at her. “What happened?” She pointed down the road, holding her hand out and waving it with some frustration. “It just happened a few minutes ago. The steering became wobbly and the car was hard to control.” “You’re sure you’re not hurt? You didn’t hit your head or anything, did you?” He searched her face for any signs of injury. For a moment, he stared into her eyes. Fear, loneliness and something darker swirled in their depths. He had the greatest urge to wrap his arms around her and hold her for a moment. Then she blinked and lowered her gaze. “I’m alright, really.” Taking a deep breath, Matt stepped back. “Let’s get your spare and jack. We should have this changed in just a few minutes.” “I could call a tow truck,” she said as she opened the trunk. “I hate to put you out.” “You’re not putting me out whatsoever.” He lifted the tire from the truck then reached in for the jack. He put the jack together and slid it in front of the flat tire. “And a tow truck would take forever on a Sunday. Not to mention Christmas Eve.” “It is Christmas Eve, isn’t it?” She sounded startled by the information. He popped off the hubcap and handed it to Katie. Then he hunkered down and loosened the lug nuts slightly with the lug wrench. He glanced at her. “Don’t tell me you forgot?” She shrugged. “I guess I’ve been too distracted at work to think about the holidays much.” After he jacked the car’s fender off the ground he removed the nuts, tossing each into the upturned hubcap Katie offered him. He grinned at her. “You’ve done this before.” “Once or twice. I was helping my stepfather once and I lost one.” A shadow passed over her features. “Using this technique, I never lost one again.” She liftedthe hubcap to collect the bolts, holding herself just beyond his reach as if she suspected he might attack her. Even though they were strangers, he didn’t like the idea she didn’t trust him. Matt shook off the uneasy feeling and concentrated on fixing her flat. Once he had the old tire off and the new one in place, he lowered the car back to the ground. He lifted the flat tire back in the jeep when something caught his eye. Laying the tire back on the ground he studied it. The tread was barely worn. “Are these new tires?” He ran his fingers along the deep tread. “I had them replaced last spring.” She leaned down to watch him. “Why?” “Most flats occur with old tires that have little tread left on them. It makes the tire more vulnerable to road hazards.” Matt’s fingers touched over a hole. His index finger slipped inside. He leaned over to look closer. “What the heck?” “What’s the matter?” Katie peered around his arm. Matt sat back on his heels. “Tell me again what happened just before the car became hard to steer.” She nibbled on her lower lip while she considered his question. The sight of her teeth pulling on the soft flesh held him mesmerized. “I was heading home, listening to the radio. Loud. I didn’t want to fall asleep again.” She blushed when she glanced back at him. “So you didn’t hear anything?” “I heard a pop. Then I had to concentrate just to keep the car on the road. For a minute I thought it would flip over.” “I’m not surprised,” he muttered, sticking his finger back in the hole. Except for some jagged edges, the hole’s circumference was an almost perfect circle around his finger. A nagging sense of unease inched its way along Matt’s spine. Katie leaned close, her lips pressed tightly into a thin line. “What aren’t you telling me?” Instead of answering her, Matt lifted the tire. On the other side he found a larger hole, one with the reinforced steel and rubber poking outwards like a small explosion. “What?” Katie grasped the tire’s other side, to help support it. Matt looked into her eyes. “Someone shot out this tire.”
There you have the story. One creepy villian, one hit man, one strong heroine with tons of baggage, one by-the-book hero with baggage of his own. Toss in some explosions and gunshots, a few friends, some dead bodies, some Ludlum-like plot twists, sexual tension from page 3 on and poof! HUNTED was born. What do you like in your romantic suspense? Do you like equal parts suspense and sexual tension like HUNTED and KIDNAPPED? Or do you prefer more suspense, less sexual tension? Do you like strong heroines? Do you prefer the hero be the focus of the book? Or do you want to see them come together as a team? I hope you’ll find something in that combination to lure you into reading HUNTED. I am giving away 2 Amazon gift cards to two commenters today. You can check out HUNTED at http://amzn.com/B008GAS6XE or at http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hunted-suzanne-ferrell/1111965776?ean=2940014650717
Posted in Columbus Ohio, cult leader, hit man, Romantic suspense, Suzanne Ferrell, Witness Protection Comments104 thoughts on “A launch party for HUNTED!” |
 
12 Bandita Days of Christmas
Anna Campbell
Anna Sugden
Annie West
Aunty Cindy explains it all for you
Australian Authors
Bandita Booty
Bandit Booty
Beth Andrews
Caren Crane
Cassondra's blogs
Cassondra Murray
Christie Kelley
Christine Wells
Christmas
coming attractions
contest winner
debut
Donna MacMeans
guest blogger
historical romance
Holidays
interviews
Jeanne Adams
Joan Kayse
Jo Beverley
Jo Robertson
Kate Carlisle
Launch Party
movies
paranormal romance
prizes
prize winner
Romance
romance bandits
Susan Sey
Suzanne Ferrell
Suzanne Welsh
T-shirts
Tawny Weber
travel
Trish Milburn
Uncategorized
writer's life
writing life 
|
|
 |
||
I hope you get a chance...
Suzanne, I haven’t really read to many suspense romance novels. I’m slowly branching out of my comfort zone of regency romance. However, your book sounds really good. I’m sorry that harlequin rejected your first book, but I’m glad you took that to make your next book.
Hi Melody.
You will have a visitor for the next 24 hours. He’s a two-footed, feathered rascal. So don’t believe anything he says, and put your jewelry in the safe.
Just a word of warning. ;0)
Hey Melody!! Congratulations on being the first to the party. Unfortunately that means you also win the Golden Rooster for the day. Don’t let him too near the Bellini martinis I’ve ordered from Sven and the Cabana boys. Vodka tends to make him mischievous!
I don’t find to have the golden rooster hang out with me all day. I will try to remember to hide my jewels and I won’t believe him what he says. I will try to remember to keep him away from Bellini martinis.
Melody, I find if I make him do chores he tends to stay out of trouble!
I love that you set this book in Columbus, Suz – and the cover is wonderfully atmospheric.
As to your question, I don’t read many suspense novels these days, but I do like the romance infused with the suspense.
This sounds like another winner. Congratulations!
Hey Donna!!
I’ve loved setting both KIDNAPPED and HUNTED in Columbus. It’s easy to write about the city I grew up in!
*Here’s a secret* The picture of all that snow and ice on the trees? My oldest daughter took it 2 winters ago on one of the two days of snow Dallas had that year. The book takes place in winter, so it sets the tone of the book so nicely!
What a great behind-the-scenes story of the cover, Suzanne. I absolutely adore that cover. It’s so atmospheric and lovely, while evoking fear and darkness. Lyndsey is a marvelous cover designer!
I love yhe sexual tension in my books. the more a book has the better I like it.
Hey Gail! Have a Bellini martini on me!!
See, that’s what I think too. If there’s a sexual interest between the h/h, then the stakes of the situation have just increased by tenfold, IMHO!
SUZANNE
OMG I LOVE IT ALL IN A GREAT READ HOPE I WIN THIS SO INTERESTING CANT WAIT TO READ THANK YOU FOR THE CHANCE
Hey Tammy! Welcome to the Lair!! Glad you like how the book sounds. Pull up a chair at the bar and Sven will happily get you a drink of your choice!
Yay, I love launch parties. I do love it when there’s an equal balance of suspense and romance. There are some instances where the story takes in the span of a couple of days and the romance takes a backseat because everything is happening so fast.
Hey Jane! Would you like a Bellini martini or something else from Sven’s bar?
See, that’s part of the challenge for the author, make the sexual tension feel real while the suspense is going on, most often between two virtual strangers!
Whoa, Suz! Huge congrats on Hunted! Glad that Harlequin’s rejection really spurred you onto such an amazing story, and it sounds, one really just as you wanted to tell it–not constrained by any requirements or restrictions
Hmm…to be honest, I’m kind of a wimp, so I prefer my RS well balanced, or even more romance/less tension, assuming that fits the characters/plot. (What I can’t stand is one where the characters can’t seem to resist ripping each other’s clothes off, even when faced with grave danger. That sort of thing just makes me roll my eyes
)
I DO like strong heroines, and ones who are smart enough to carry their own weight (and even rescue the hero, should the need arise). I love the stories where we get to see each character’s point of view and see them both contribute to the resolution.
Can’t wait to pick up Hunted! Sounds like quite the ride!
Hey Fedora!
Thanks, and yes I’m actually glad these books got rejected, not just by Harlequin, but by a number of agents as well. Now I have had the opportunity to write them the way I wanted, market and publish them how I want!
Woot!!
Lifting my glass…uh, wait…SVEN…more peach loveliness here, please!
Hmm…to be honest, I’m kind of a wimp, so I prefer my RS well balanced, or even more romance/less tension, assuming that fits the characters/plot. (What I can’t stand is one where the characters can’t seem to resist ripping each other’s clothes off, even when faced with grave danger. That sort of thing just makes me roll my eyes )
Me too!!
I have managed to not have that happen, although there’s this one scene where things get a little intense, but the actual sex scene…hmmm…well, let’s just say it’s very seductive. (But what would you expect out of an erotica writer?)
MORE!
That sounds excellent, Suz! Woot!!
Wow, I do so love a launch party! Cabana boys, ahoy!!!! Suz, this book sounds fantastic and good on you giving it a chance at a readership after its contest success. I hope you sell a million!
Hey Anna!!
I so loved these books and the h/h in both that I wanted other people to get to read their stories. Isn’t that really why we write them? I do hope people love Katie and Matt.
Suz, that’s exactly why we write them – it’s wonderful to share stories with people all over the world, isn’t it?
OMG! Yes!
Kidnapped got a review from someone in Greece! My DH asked, “who do you know in Greece?” Me: “No one, but they loved the book, so I love them! hehehe”
How cool, Suz!
Yay..a Lunch Party !! Congrats Suzanne..
One of my favorite genres is romantic suspense, the mixture of suspense and sexual tension in it always makes me glued with the book
And I want to read both books !
Hey Mairska!!
Saddle up to the bar and Sven will happily fix you up with a drink. My favorites are the Bellini martinis!
Both books are available at Amazon.com and B&N.com.
You got me with that bare-chested model photo…
I don’t read a whole lot of Rom Suspense. I grew up reading mysteries so most RS tend to not have enough suspense for me, but if there were too much suspense and not enough romance/sexual tension then I wouldn’t believe the HEA so it has been tough. Whew! Where is Sven with my mojito? … Thanks, love!
Hey Infinitieh! Mmmm, love mojitos but the mint doesn’t always like me! Enjoy yours!!
See, that’s why I think RS need to be 50/50 on the romance and the suspense so the HEA makes sense to the reader!
I can see that I am going to have to read KIDNAPPED and HUNTED during the daylight hours. I love an even mix up of elements in a story and the idea of the hero & heroine teaming up against the baddies too.
Hey Mary!
I don’t think you have to stick to daylight hours alone for my books. But there is enough action to keep you turning pages! And the relationships that form and build between the h/h are enough to keep any darkness the suspense has under control.
I do hope you will try them and enjoy them as much as I did writing them.
WOW!!! I want to know what else happens!!! In suspense, I like the hero and heroine to work together and as far as suspense vs romance, I like them to be pretty equal also. I know it’s hard to match up each bad with some good (wink, wink), or vice versa, but it does work in many cases. And in my opinion, it should. It looks like it is working in that direction for this story perfectly!
Hey Amy!
I have to agree that I want my h/h to work together to solve the problem/mystery. Sometimes they have ideas of their own and it’s my job as the author to figure out how to make it work and get them to ultimately end up together.
Have you stopped by the bar for a Bellini martini yet?
Suz
I have both of these books downloaded onto my e reader and I am dying to read them I love romantic suspense with all of the above you have mentioned LOL.
Love the sexual tension and all the suspense that goes with a hero protecting a strong heroine.
Loved the excerpt I must get to them very soon whoohoo.
Have Fun
Helen
hey Helen!!
I have both of these books downloaded onto my e reader and I am dying to read them
You know Helen, that the cool thing about e readers is you can manipulate your TBR so a certain book or two ends up on the top…I’m just saying
LOL, I know YOU will love both books and both Jake & Sami in KIDNAPPED and Katie & Matt in HUNTED.
OH and if you’re coming in off work, don’t forget to grab a cabana boy or Sven….for a drink!!
I do like a strong heroine and the team effect myself. I prefer the romance and the suspense to be about equal
Hey Diana!!
See, that’s what I’m saying. I’ve suspected for a # of years that the NY houses have gone this dark suspense route with less than 50% romance. Trust me when I say my books have that good sexual tension throughout!
Congratulations, Suzanne!
It sounds like a wonderful read (I’ve downloaded them both). I cannont wait to dig into them.
Since I’m not much of a drinker, I’ll have a ginger ale with a twist of lime. Thanks!
Di
Hey Di!
Thanks for downloading both books!! I hope you enjoy them!
Oh our bar is fully stocked with non-alcoholic drinks too! And since we have an on-going war between Diet Coke and Diet Pepsi drinkers among the Bandits…there’s always plenty of that, too! Sven will be happy to twist you a lemon in some Ginger ale!
Congratulations on the release of Hunted! I do like romantic suspense and my favorites are equal parts of both. I do like the heroine to be strong and figure out her fair share of the puzzle.
Hey Maureen!
I do like romantic suspense and my favorites are equal parts of both. I do like the heroine to be strong and figure out her fair share of the puzzle.
Another vote for equal parts suspense and sexual tension!! Yea!!
And I’m with you. I hate heroines that can’t pull their weight or help solve the puzzle. Trust me when I tell you both Sami and Katie can do just that!
Congrats on the launch of Hunted, Suz – know how you feel about RS submissions
May have to indie pub some of my books some day!
I LOVE romantic suspense. I like strong heroines, but I also like heroines who become strong/recognise their strength through the course of the book. I like tense and gritty (probably why I write like that!) and don’t like the sexual tension to overwhelm the suspense.
Hey Anna S!
May have to indie pub some of my books some day! I think I’d love to see you do that if no other venue opens for you!!
And I have to agree with you about not letting the sexual tension overwhelm the suspense.
As for strong heroines…because of Katie’s years growing up in the militia cult, she has some unique abilities that let her set the pace of the story!
Suz:
Congratulations on the new release! I love the passages you chose – very suspenseful and atmospheric!
To the questions you posed re: RS…I love a strong heroine, but I also like seeing her and the hero work through the problem together. And I definitely love a good balance between the romance and the suspense.
Addison
Good morning, Addison, my friend!! Nice of you to stop by before starting your day!
I love how you write heroines equal to those Alpha males you are so good at producing!!
In KIDNAPPED, Sami was an ordinary woman who drew on her inner and professional strengths to help the hero through the action and the danger.
In HUNTED, Katie has to work around her baggage and through her emotional past to let Matt help her and keep her safe!
Oh and here’s a thermos of virtual Bellini martini for you to take to work today…any time you need a break, you’re covered! hehehe
Ooooh….what a lovely “stash” to ahem…supplement my coffee…..
And thank you for your sweet comments on my Alpha males….I do love those guys!!
I adore your Zodiac Warriors almost as much as you do!
I do love a good romantic suspense story. I like a strong heroine and an equally strong hero! For me, I want a balance of romance/sexual tension/suspense. Congrats on your new release!
Hey Wendy!
Thanks for stopping by and don’t forget to get something at the bar! I’m pushing the Bellini’s so much poor Sven has had to send Paolo out for more peaches!! hehehe
And yes! another vote for strong heroines and equal parts romance and suspense!!
Hey, Suz! Congrats on the new release! I cannot wait to crack my Kindle copy of this one! I have a thing for cult leaders as villains….
Hey Susan! (where did your avatar go?)
Creepy cult leader villains…this one is already behind bars and still he’s manipulating the world around him! Hope you love to hate him!
Hey I have to give a shout out to my mom!
HEY MOM!!!
She checks the blog everyday to see who’s talking about what.
Hey, Suz’s Mom! Welcome!
And p.s. to Suz–I don’t know *where* my avatar went. I think the GR has it. It’s been gone for ages & I don’t know where to even begin looking….
Susan, I suspect you’re correct and the rascially bird has taken your pic. Perhaps we should try his corner of the Lair first…who know what we’ll find there!
Mornin’ Suzy! *waving*
Great blog, cover, and photos. Having read Hunted in mss form, I can assure readers they’ll really enjoyed this story.
Answer: About 10% of the books in my TBR pile fall under “suspense.” The other 90% are historicals.
See you soon!
Good morning Ms. Sandy!!! Waiving back like crazy! Girl, I cannot wait to see you at Nationals!!!!
Y’all, Sandy is my CP and she’s had a major hand in helping me get both KIDNAPPED and HUNTED just right! Mwah! A kiss to her for all her help!
You…leaning towards historicals? Who could’ve imagined that?
Congrats on the release of HUNTED, Suz! I love the sound of this story.
Did you know the heroine in my first book was also named Kate Myers — great minds and all that!
I like a balance between romantic tension and the suspense part of the story, just like yours!
Was The Watcher the one that beat out HUNTED for the Golden Heart, Jo? If so, that’s really kind of freaky that we both had that name for our heroines in the same contest!
I heard there’s Diet Coke at this party. I’m so in.
Congrats on the release! I’ve got my copy and I’m loving it. It really reads like a Bourne movie (with a lot more ♥) ;-D
Maybe since I grew up on comic books AND romance novels, I like a healthy mix of both romance and suspense.
Lyndsey you did a fabulous job on that cover. It’s stunning.
I think you’re getting better and better.
Hey Lynds! Of course there’s Diet Coke available for you here!
And I have to agree with Jo up the page and Cassondra here that I love the atmospheric feel of the cover you did! Hmmm, I’ll have to hire you to do a few more, won’t I?
And I’m glad you feel it’s like a Bourne movie. I have to confess Robert Ludlum was my favorite non-romance writer, so I channeled his plotting pattern a little for the suspense parts and all the romance writers I love for the romance parts!
Bourne and romance . . . Romancing the Stone anyone?
Lyndsey, the cover is gorgeous! I grew up on comic books and YA romance (and historical romance) and SFF.
There’s nothing better than comics, YA, and romance for me! (Unless you add in Asian dramas, but I’m weird like that)
Glad you like the cover!
Are you reading Jeannie Lin’s Asian historicals? I haven’t tried them, but I hear they’re great.
I haven’t. I may though. I LOVE Asian, well, anything.
Hi Suz, and congrats on your latest release!
I like exactly the things you’ve stated in a Romantic Suspense. Especially the tension.
And I love that cover. Lyndsey outdid herself!
Thanks Cassondra, I truly hope I got the mix just right for HUNTED. The comments so far has been that I did.
Lyndsey did outdo herself on the cover, didn’t she? You know she’s going to be a guest August 24th here in the Lair. She’s going to show us how she takes an author’s idea for a book cover and brings it to life. And we have a few new ones to show off.
Hi Suz!
This is so great! Happy LAUNCH party!!! Woot!
BIG CONGRATULATIONS on another great book!
I love who’ve you’ve picked for character prototypes. That’s pretty close to how I pictured them, too. Especially the hero. Yum!
Hey Kat!!
Thanks for all you did to help me get both KIDNAPPED and HUNTED published on Amazon. I doubt I would’ve figured it out so smoothly without you!
So glad your images of the h/h were the same as mine and the prototypes! Isn’t Matt yummy? That picture spoke to me and reminded me of the scene where he’s working off some anger and frustration by kickboxing!
It sounds wonderful – it has all the elements that I enjoy – excitement, romance, strong characters that really make the story for me. I like the blending of the two and I’ve found that the books I really enjoy, the author gets it just right
Hey Catslady!
Yea! Another vote for a mix of suspense and romance!!
*See I’m starting a revolution here!!*
I like strong heroines. I can’t stand “heroines” who are complete wimps.
Hey Minna!
I like strong heroines. I can’t stand “heroines” who are complete wimps.
Neither can I, Minna!! Makes me want to smack them!
Yay, Suz! I’m so excited for you. And I can tell everyone here that HUNTED was absolutely fabulous. I couldn’t put it down.
I love romantic suspense, and the more sexual tension between the H/h, the better. That relationship drives the story for me, along with spine-chilling action, of course;-)
Hey Lilliana!
And I can tell everyone here that HUNTED was absolutely fabulous. I couldn’t put it down.
Oh, I am soooooooooo glad to here you liked it! You know that putting our books out there is like sticking our kids on stage and praying they don’t forget the words to a song!! WE want everyone to love them as much as we do!
And having read your books, Whiskey Rebellion and Cade, I KNOW you love sexual tension in your suspense!! Those were some HOT books, dear!
Happy Launch Day, Ms. Suzanne! I like to read
RS along with my fave historicals and Hunted
has all the necessary essentials I look for!
Thank you for writing the next addition to my
TBR stack! Love the excerpt!
Pat C.
Hey Pat!!
Thanks for the congrats! I’ve been very excited to get this book out there for readers. So glad I could add to your TBR.
Congratulations on the new release. I like equal parts of romance and suspense. It’s not always easy to blend the two.
Hey Kim!
Welcome to the Lair and I have to agree with you, blending the two elements takes time and patience to get them just right! But when it comes together…such a good read!!
Yay! A launch party! These are always so much fun. Congrats on the new release, Suz. I like how you’ve taken some manuscripts that got some Golden Heart love and released them into the world. Been down the road myself. I wish you boatloads of success and sales.
Love the images for your hero and heroine, btw. Rachel is beautiful, and he ain’t half bad either.
We do draw a crush when we throw a launch party, don’t we, Trish?
I suspect there are some other Bandits who have some great stories from their GH finalists that they’d like to share with us and the world. I say, “Go for it!!”
And Rachel is such a good actress I think she has the intensity, skills and vulnerability that Katie brings to the story.
yeah, He isn’t half bad, is he?
Congrats on your latest release, Suz! Can’t wait to read it *g* Thanks for sharing the excerpts with us! Sorry I have to duck out of the party early but I’m trying to get this blankety-blank book done before I leave for Anaheim
Hey Beth!
Thanks and I quite understand about you having to get done before Anaheim! I have my second set of edits to finish on Cantrell’s Bride to finish and turn in too!
Good luck!!
Beth, good luck finishing up! Think about us hanging in the Lair while y’all party out in California.
Snake! Snake! Demetrius, bring your club! Brady, bring your balls…..
MAGIC balls, people! Magic!
Kill that snake who just got convicted!
Dang Suz, that was one riveting scene. Seriously, Jacob Srict? Total snake! I was on the edge of my seat!
(Grabs a pitcher of tropical sangria from Sven) I need this….too exciting!
LOL…Joanie, you and your Irish boyos sure know how to shake up the Lair!!
Yea that scene was very, very important to the whole book. I think I rewrote and tweaked it about 10 times just to get it perfect.
Wait to you read just how creepy he was to our heroine when she was a teen!!
Throws back another sangria…gulp…Ugh…I can only imagine…..
And really, Matt can come inspect MY brakes anytime
Suz, congrats on your latest release! Whoo-hoo, those are fabbo excerpts! I picked the book up yesterday and am eager to read it.
Lyndsey’s cover is also superb, as usual, and you picked great photos.
Thanks, Nancy! I think it might have enough surprises and booms to keep you, Jeanne and Cassondra happy!
I do love boom. I like a lot of sexual tension and a lot of boom in RS. I can also enjoy a thriller that maybe doesn’t have as prominent a romantic arc but has lots of boom.
I like a bit of everything in romantic suspense. Definitely some action, tension and romance. The fast-pace will keep me reading and wanting to know what happens next.
Hey Na!
Always good to see you pop into the Lair!
I love action and tension with my romance. It tends to keep the book from bogging down in the middle!
Wow, 93 comments! The cabana boys told me that they don’t know about the book being called HUNTED! They definitely feel hunted! Speaking of which, Paolo, refill this glass or I’ll hunt you down like a dawg! Well, an Italian greyhound at least!
Congrats, Suz!!! This sounds like another fantastic book! I can’t wait to read it.
Hey Christie!
We do have a prolific group of good books coming out of the Bandit Lair don’t we? I love yours!!
I like this genre and don’t mind any of the different scenarios.
BN, glad to see you pop into the Lair! There are so many scenarios with RS, aren’t there?
I am absolutely INTRIGUED ! I do love the premise of this book. I can’t begin to imagine what it would be like to have to escape one of these cults once you were immersed in it. Brilliant writing there, Suz! Can’t wait to read it. I love a good romantic suspense and I get to read them when I’m writing which makes it even better. (Try not to read Regency historicals when I’m writing.)
Louisa,
I’m the same way, I read paranormals when I’m writing RS and Regency/Victorian historicals when writing westerns!
The cult angle was interesting and I loved having my heroine using skills she learned there to save herself and the hero!
Hi Suz,
I LOVED this book! I might have even liked it better than Kidnapped, but am not sure. At any rate, I couldn’t put either of your books down. I don’t normally read romantic suspense, but you have changed my mind! Keep writing b/c I want to see more of your stories!!!
Karilyn, so glad you liked it! My son did a read through to double check my weapons and procedures were correct and he said he thought HUNTED was even stronger than KIDNAPPED.