Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Suzie Grant to the blog today. We are chatting about her new book Valkyrie’s Vengeance. So enough with my rambling let get started.
Can you please share with us a little about yourself?
I am a mother of three boys ages, 19, 15, and 4.I’m a mother first and foremost, a lover of adventure even if it’s only in my own backyard, my kids keep me active, I would love to travel, I have a knack for running into things, and I hate to cook. My favorite movies are Star Wars, The Goonies, Romancing the Stone and Indiana Jones. I have to add 300 to that list simply because Gerard is so hot lol. I love watching Dancing with the Stars and NCIS. Gibbs is da’ man!
Have you always wanted to be an author?
Yes, since I was very young. Books were such a huge part of my life as a child. I am grateful to my mother for passing on her love of books and reading to me. It was perhaps one of the greatest gifts she’s ever given me.
Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?
Oh wow, Margret Mitchell, Daniel Defoe and of course, who didn’t love Treasure Island by Robert Louise Stevenson. Pre teen years I discovered The Baby Sitters club and ended up having the entire series! And then once I hit my teen years and discovered historical romance I knew I’d found my niche. I love history and stories from authors like Johanna Lindsey, Elizabeth Lowell, Marsha Canham, Virginia Henley, and Heather Graham were some of the authors who really influenced my life, both as a dreamer who wanted to write and as a teen girl who dreamed of true love.
How did you get into writing in this specific genre?
Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre? I fell in love with happily-ever-after romance novels and it’s a love that’s never wavered over the years. I later began to read men’s adventure novels by authors like James Rollins, Mathew O’Rielly, and Steve Berry. And I learned that I wanted to combine the utter thrill and fast-pace of those novels with the traditional happily-ever-after in historical romance. And that’s what I seek to do with my own stories. I have considered writing contemporary on occasion but I think my heart lies in historicals and I really don’t foresee that ever changing.
What are some of your writing rituals? Very complicated actually. I am a plotter and before I even write the first word I often end up with a notebook full of historical facts. I use index cards, a dry erase board to map out my scenes and then I’ll write the first three chapters just to get a feel for the story. Then I start to map out my characters, who they are, their backstories and what not. It’s complicated and a lot of work, but I think its part of the fun.
Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?
Valkyrie’s Vengeance is the first book in the Maidens of the Shield series and begins the complicated story of two mystical swords. Here is the blurb:
Stranded on foreign soil. Rescued and raised by the enemy. Tyra Svensdottir declares war on her own people after witnessing the death of the very woman who’d saved her life. Kidnapping the man who wields the sword of the underworld—Hel’s Hammer—Tyra forces him to repair her shipwrecked vessel. Her quest to kill the swordsman’s king takes them across frigid waters on a myriad of adventures and a voyage of sensual discovery.
Rorik Thorlicksson uncovers treachery within his clan but in order to return home to warn of the impending attack, he must yield to the woman holding him captive. Along their voyage he unravels the mystery behind his captor. He discovers she is the woman promised to him in wedlock at birth though her disappearance years ago released him from his betrothal. Dissuading the little heathen from her purpose and into his bed becomes a more appealing prospect with every passing day.
Blood vengeance brings them together even as desire binds their hearts. Amongst the secrets and obscurities of their destinies, they find a love that spans a lifetime as well as an end to A Valkyrie’s Vengeance.
How did you come with the idea for this story?
It’s funny because my husband was watching a movie called The Pathfinder and I only caught about ten minutes of the movie before I had to go to work. For the rest of the day I plotted out a story of a young Viking maiden who became stranded on foreign land. By the time I returned home, I knew exactly what I wanted to happen in this story. It was wonderful because this story came to me so easily. The only place I struggled a bit was at the very end. But even then, it went relatively smooth.
Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress? I am currently working on the second book in a series called The Devil Ryder Series. A western based around a group of estranged brothers.
What would you be if you were not an author?
Hmm difficult question for me because I’ve been doggedly pursuing writing since I turned nine years old. I’ve known what I wanted to do with my life. Although, I’ve taken odd and end jobs to put food on the table, but the moment I returned home, I continued to write and learn my craft. I’ve written for twenty years now so I’m not sure that I would want to do anything else with my life. If I had to choose though I wish I had the chance to become an archeologist. History has had such an impact on my life that it’s a career that I would simply love to try.
What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
Hmm so many. I am waiting on the chance to read the new Marsha Canham The Following Sea. Nobody writes adventure like Canham. I love her stories and she’s one of the people who inspired me to write. Also hoping to read James Rollins The Doomsday Key. Excellent author as well. Let’s see I’ve got Claudia Dane in my tbr pile, Sandra Hill, as well as debut authors Samantha Grace and Erin Knightly. Of course the last two are crit partners of mine but I really must say I like to read their stories for fun. It’s not work when you love it.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I’d love to thank everyone that has taken a chance on a new author, whether it’s myself or anyone else. It takes guts and I know because I’m a reader as well as an author. It’s kind of like going into the movie theater and hoping you get your money’s worth. It’s a gamble. It’s much more difficult nowadays for a reader because you have to wade through quite a bit of what we term “the slush pile.” I know it gets nerve racking but I have to say I’ve found quite a few gems this way. It’s completely worth it when you find that rare author that writes exactly what you love to read. Now it’s the readers who are the gate keepers to the slush pile. It’s a tough job sometimes and I commend the readers who keep trying, hoping to find that rare gem. Good luck in your reading adventures and may you always keep taking chances. Life without it is no life at all. Happy reading, folks! I’d love to add that Second Wind Publishing has picked up my print rights and I will now have print books in stores! Coming soon! Feel free to like my Facebook page for more updates as they are available. Thanks again for having me Books-n-Kisses. This was fun!
Learn more about Suzie Here:
Website: http://www.suziegrantauthor.com/
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suzie-Grant/219763604703730
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/suzie_grant
Thank you so much for having me today!
Valkyrie's Vengeance sounds great! I'm adding it to my Kindle list. I love books that have to do with the Vikings and their adventures. I recently watched the movie Pathfinder myself and I have to say that I enjoyed it. Good luck with your new release!
Hi Maria! I hope you enjoy it! It was a lot of fun to write. You know I never did finish that movie, so maybe I should do that. It did after all inspire the book LOL. Thanks for stopping in and have a great day!
Thank you for being here Suzie!!!!!
Historicals have a special place in my heart and I love reading them. I too enjoy anything that has to do with history. In my next life, I'd like to be a history teacher. Your book sounds wonderful. I'll be adding it to my TBR pile. Thanks and great interview!
K
Hello Kimber! Isn't history fascinating? I love it. I spend entirely too much time researching honestly and half of what I learn I don't even include in the novels. Kind of stinks because you just want to share all these fascinating stories you've found that are real but I think it's an art, that balance of fictional story versus historical detail. It's difficult to know when you have too much. It took me years and years to figure that out. I love to learn that others love history as much as I do. But don't get me started or I'll be here all day lol. Thank you for stopping for my interview. It means a lot to me. Have a wonderful day and many great adventures!
love love love the sound of this book. And I love the basis of it and your own added fiction twist.
Congrats on your release!
Thanks for the interview. You are a new to me author, but your Valkyrie book sure sounds good. My first love is historical romance as well, I still read all those "classic" authors. MY foray into men's books was Louis L'Amour and Karl May and Clive Cussler.