Today, I am so excited to introduce you to a new feature here at my blog - "Five Questions With .,. Author Interviews." And to kick off this feature, I'm honored to host bestselling author Susan Elizabeth Phillips.
With her latest book, CALL ME IRRESISTIBLE, her sixteenth novel, Susan brings her legion of fans up to date on favorite beloved characters from her previous novels with this trip back to Wynette. The kids of Fleur Savagar Koranda (“Glitter Baby”), Francesca Day Beaudine (“Fancy Pants”), and Cornelia Case Jorik (“First Lady”) are all grown up now and leading exciting and romance-filled lives of their own.
(My review follows the Q&A)
As she sets out on a whirlwind promotional tour, Susan was kind enough to answer a few questions about her writing and her books!
1. At what age did you know that you wanted to be a writer?
Susan: I didn't. I wanted to be a movie star. (I know... Sad, but true.) I became a writer accidently when I was a young mother and started writing the books I wanted to read.
2. At what point in your incredible career did it finally sink in – “hey, I’m famous,” and did it make a difference in your writing?
Susan: I'm famous?! Why didn't somebody tell me? Does that mean I don't have to do laundry anymore?Seriously, the only times I feel famous are when I go out on book tours, and that whole experience is so odd, fun, fascinating, tiring, invigorating that it doesn't seem part of my ordinary life. Notions of "fame" definitely have no effect on what I write. I'm still writing the books I want to read.
3. Who are some of your favorite authors? Who inspires you?
Susan: Postive, enthusiastic people are extremely inspirational to me, and I keep as many of them in my life as I can manage. (Bribes help.) As for favorite authors... Too many to count. I love Kristin Hannah's work, Patricia Gaffney, Jayne Ann Krentz, Jennifer Crusie, Sarah Bird, Ruth Reich, A.J. Jacobsl. I just finished Suzanne Collins amazing Hunger Games trilogy. I'm thrilled that so many of today's wonderful Y.A. novels are finding an adult audience.
4. What do you have coming up in the future?
Susan: CALL ME IRRESISTIBLE comes out on January 18th, along with a 2 week U.S. book tour. In May, I'll be touring in Germany for the Germany edition of the book. At the same time, I'll be trying to finish Lucy Jorik's book. (She's the runaway bride from CALL ME IRRESISTIBLE.)
5. What advice would you have for anyone wanting to break into the writing biz today?
Susan: Write. Don't just talk about it and think about it. Do it. Start producing pages. Who cares if they're good or bad? Just get into the habit of writing regularly. Anyone interested in more of my thoughts on this subject can visit my website at www.susanelizabethphillips.com and click on "Writing Tips."
My thanks to Susan Elizabeth Phillips for being my first guest author!
My Review of CALL ME IRRESISTIBLE
Ted Beaudine is just about the most perfect man there is. Handsome, wealthy, smart – he is “all that and a bag of chips,” as some may say. And the people of Wynette , Texas
So when the day comes when Ted is about to marry the beautiful Lucy Jorik, the daughter of a former President of the United States
Only one little problem.
When Lucy’s best friend Meg Koranda arrives in Wynette and sees just how miserable Lucy is about the big event, and how Ted doesn’t seem to be passionately in love with Lucy, Meg gives her best pal a little advice - Run while she can – advice that Lucy grabs on to!
The results - well, let’s just say Meg has just become the most despised woman in town – a town she suddenly discovers she is stuck in with a clunker car, no money and one angry Ted on her hands. Meg soon finds that she is on her own and having struggle to survive by her own wits, and for some inexplicable reason she finds herself being drawn to the sexy, downright irresistible Ted Beaudine.
In “Call Me Irresistible,” best-selling author Susan Elizabeth Phillips once again delivers a brilliantly fast-paced romantic story that is sexy, full of humor, and an absolute delight to read. Her characters are smart, sharp-witted, and down-to-earth, and with her lively writing style, Phillips draws her readers in on the fun and the action that will keep readers turning the pages as fast as they can.
“Call Me Irresistible” is the perfect pick-me-up for these long winter days when everybody could use a little spicy romance and a great laugh or two.
My thanks to William Morrow Books for the review copy of this book.
CHALLENGE FULFILLMENT: 100+ Books; Where Are You Reading?; Southern Reading; Romance Reading
