AUSSIE MONTH: Susanne Bellamy
AUSSIE MONTH with Susanne Bellamy
Describe yourself in one word:
Focussed
What is your background with regard to writing?
Reader from a young age; English Honours at Uni; English teacher for more years than I can remember; finalist in the 2011 RWA Emerald Award.
Tell us about Winning the Heiress’ Heart (Book 3 of The Emerald Quest):
I jumped when offered the chance of writing this story. It gave me the opportunity to revisit one of my favourite settings, Hawaii, and I chose 1960, just after Hawaii became the 50th state of the USA. The research for this period was fascinating: from swimsuits to tuxedos, and condoms to pineapples!
Heiress tells the story of Eva Abbott and Luc Martineau who both want the Benson plantation. Against a background of pineapples and palm trees, they fight their rapidly growing attraction for one another while unknown danger circles closer. Pivotal to the action is a centuries-old diary and an 18th century portrait, which reveal the existence of a fabulous emerald and diamond necklace. Does Eva know its whereabouts?
What inspired this novel?
The third in a four-book romantic suspense series, Heiress is set in Hawaii, the setting of my first published romance. Aside from fitting it into the overall series, what more inspiration do you need than this beautiful group of islands? Aloha!
What are you reading right now?
About to begin Honor’s Debt by Noelle Clark
Number one thing to do on your bucket list?
Visit Hawaii! For real!
Best thing about being an Aussie?
Our laidback lifestyle and fabulous beaches, and easy access to a vast and diverse range of landscapes.
What you want readers to know about the romance genre?
Aside from the fact it’s the most widely read of all genres, it really does appeal to a broad range of people. My literary-loving 84-year-old father-in-law has read and enjoyed it and even discussed my work with me! But it’s mostly about that emotional lift it gives at the happy-ever-after moment. I love that most of all.
What have you got in store for your readers in 2015?
Three releases planned so far – Winning the Heiress’ Heart (Book 3 of The Emerald Quest), and a novella titled, Sunny with a Chance of Romance, in Annie Seaton’s coastal romance anthology #2, both out in January; and Her Mountain Man–a romantic suspense set in Nepal, due sometime late in 2015 through Entangled Publishing. It’s the first in a series of protector novels.
What were your big achievements of 2014?
I escaped the tyranny of the day job on long service leave and had the best time writing! I’m delighted with Engaging the Enemy, my first release with Escape Publishing. I thought it was really cool to become an ‘Escape Artist’! I also wrote two novellas for two different Christmas anthologies: A Season to Remember and All I Want for Christmas.
And – I relaxed!
Winning the Heiress’ Heart (Book 3 in The Emerald Quest)
Susanne Bellamy
Eva Abbott sells her inheritance in England, Bellerose Manor, to provide for the care of her nephew. She buys a pineapple plantation in Hawaii but discovers her neighbour, Luc Martineau, will do anything to take it from her.
When Eva discovers a diary, which may solve their financial problems, villains follow her to Hawaii and attempt to force her to reveal the whereabouts of the heirloom emerald necklace.
Is Luc an ally or an enemy? Is he after Eva or her land?
GIVEAWAY
Enter the GIVEAWAY – $20 Amazon Gift card plus a book pack
Join the online luau launch party on Saturday 17 January from 11am (Daylight Saving Time – east coast Australia).
Find Susanne online:
AusRomToday 
I’m so sorry to have missed your launch party – but I’m not going to miss your book! I love Hawaii – one of my fav places on earth. If I cant be there I’m going to read about it. Good luck with the release x