A  pause from my regularly scheduled “programming” to introduce a new author to you!

Let me start this with a little bit of background.  When my first novel sold, I joined the Kensington Author’s portal, a secure site where authors under Kensington can “meet” each other, ask questions, and participate in a collective swoon over publishing success.  I saw Susan Schild’s intro and noticed she was writing a series based in a fictional town in North Carolina.  I figured she must live nearby and wondered how close.  Turns out – really close, like thirty minutes away.  I contacted her via email, and we set up a lunch date.

The day we met I felt an instant connection.  I swear I almost heard a “click!” as I walked into the restaurant called Mannings in the historic downtown area of Clayton, N.C.  I bet you know exactly what I’m talking about when I say instant connection.  That sense of ease and none of the awkward, just getting to know someone do-si-do that can stifle conversation and make one feel as socially inept as a five year old asked to say the blessing at a family dinner.

At this first lunch together, (first of many to come, I hope!) we eased into conversation like we’d known one another for years.  We talked non-stop about our books, our writing, our past work, and before we knew it, ninety minutes was gone, and I believe we could have kept on until they shut the place down.

As writers will do, we share our work.  During her revision, she asked me once to read the first fifteen pages of her debut, LINNY’S SWEET DREAM LIST.  By the end of the first couple of pages, I thought, wow, I know this character already!  And, I loved her.  Plus, Susan tucked in these little narrative quips that had me smiling as I happily read along.  The thing is, Susan’s writing flows.  And it carries the same sense of wit, humor, and down to earthiness she wore like a soft shawl the day we met.  Her writing style is like a sunny day, full of descriptive morsels that set you into the scenes solidly.  The dialogue spills onto the page as easily as sweet tea down your throat on a hot summer afternoon.

If you like bright, colorful, interesting characters with Southern charm, who aren’t boring, who read and sound as natural as birdsong on a spring morning, then you’ll love Susan’s writing.  I promise!  I hope you’ll get a chance to check out her website, where you can find out all you need to know about Susan’s Willow Hill Series, and her debut book –  LINNY’S SWEET DREAM LIST – release date early January, 2016.  It’s available for pre-order as an e-book from Kensington Publishing Corporation.