Suzanne Brockmann and Ed Gaffney

In the final installment of my interview with Suzanne Brockmann we find out  what its like being married to another author, what’s next in the Troubleshooters series and her new series Final Destiny.

BEING MARRIED TO AN AUTHOR
Author Suzanne Brockmann is married to novelist Ed Gaffney, and they have collaborated on numerous projects, from the off Broadway play Looking for Billy Haines, to the upcoming movie The Perfect Wedding, which they co-wrote and produced. Before I sat down to interview Ms. Brockmann at the 2011 NJRWA conference, she introduced me to her parents, her son Jason and husband Ed.  Throughout the conference I got to see this family in action. Their love and support for one another in every smile, gesture and word is nothing short of extraordinary and it was exciting to be a part of that energy.  In seeing this, I had to ask what it’s like living and working so closely with her husband. READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT B&N HEART TO HEART BLOG

ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT WAS A LABOR OF LOVE

Author Suzanne Brockmann is a gay rights activist with a strong commitment to working towards a time when everyone has the freedom of choice. For many years she has worked with several organizations, including MassEquality, to achieve this goal.

Before the book All Through the Night was even a thought in her head, there were significant political happenings in the state of Massachusetts. One state, she said “where people can marry the person they love.”  At the time, a ballot to stop marriage equality was initiated and going up for a vote in the state legislature. Ms. Brockmann and her husband Ed Gaffney joined forces with MassEquality to educate the legislature about a subject that is very important to her.  Suzanne said, “I’m a mother of a young man who is gay and I love that kid and I deserve the right to dance at my son’s wedding and he has the right to spend the rest of his life with the person he loves and to have that relationship be recognized. So a lot of what we did with MassEquality was to make it personal, to not keep silent, to say, I love my son and he’s gay.” READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT B&N HEART TO HEART BLOG.

“Redefining normal”. These are her words. And as I spent an hour talking to her about her life and work I understood that it takes a huge commitment to not only entertain but to slowly introduce and bring to the forefront of her reader’s consciousness the issues that she most cares about. READ FULL ARTICLE ON B&N HEART TO HEART BLOG.

Join us on the Heart 2 Heart blog to view Nalini’s Interview.

When I tell people I write contemporary romance, I usually get a slightly surprised “Oh! Well, good for you!” kind of reaction. In some cases, this is clearly a (scandalized? titillated? intrigued?) reaction to the word “romance.”  But amongst romance readers and writers, that same “Oh!” usually has more to do with the other part of what I write.

Contemporary.

Tough sell, they say. Not as hot as paranormals or historicals. So why bother?

Easy. I love to write them.

I love to play in the real world—in my case, the neighborhoods of New York City. I love the slangy modern language my characters use, and the fact that I don’t have to figure out how space-age technology meshes with magical elements in order to get my hero from a restaurant uptown to a bar in Soho. I have the deepest respect for authors to whom that kind of worldbuilding comes naturally, but I’m not one of them.

Which is not to say there’s no worldbuilding in contemporary romance. Every story inhabits its own world; the mark of a good storyteller is how well she makes that world come alive. My series explores the Manhattan culinary scene, so the world I had to construct for my characters was that of the professional restaurant kitchen.

I’m not a chef. Let’s get that out of the way right up front. I’ve never cooked in a restaurant kitchen, although I’ve waited tables. To research the Recipe for Love series, I’ve trailed chef friends in their kitchens, talked my way into others, and generally made a nuisance of myself with questions. I read lots of amazing kitchen memoirs like Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain, Heat by Bill Buford, The Making of a Chef by Michael Ruhlmann, and Roasting in Hell’s Kitchen by Gordon Ramsay.

But the best inspiration, by far, comes from my own adventures in the kitchen. Cooking is exciting because you never know what’s going to happen. Trying out a new recipe is like starting a new novel; you have all these ingredients that seem as if they’ll compliment and enhance each other, but really, it’s up to you to bring out the best possible flavor in each one.

I tie on my apron with the same thrill of anticipation I get when I sit down at my computer. A pristine kitchen (okay, my kitchen is never what you’d call “pristine,” but you know what I mean) is like a fresh, blank page. It’s ready and waiting for you to come in and make things happen! And once you start, even if you follow the recipe exactly, you never know quite where you’ll end up.

I ended up writing a book that unites my passion for all things foodie with my love of romance novels. In Can’t Stand the Heat, I pit a sexy, hot-tempered chef against an acid-tongued food critic who doesn’t know how to cook. So, of course, he has to teach her! How to poach an egg…and other things.

Tell me about your kitchen escapades! Ever had any huge disasters? Major triumphs? Share your stories along with your favorite fall recipes!

Hurts so good

I like to write about teenagers because I love angst.  Seriously, I can’t get enough of it.  There’s nothing more cathartic than a good tearjerker.  I want to cry along with the characters, and laugh with them, too.  In a romance novel, I feel more satisfied when a boatload of heartache comes before the happily ever after.

As an awkward adolescent and a rebellious teenager, I experienced my share of angst.  This time period stands out in my mind as an intensely difficult one.  I did a lot of stupid, dangerous things.  My parents were baffled by my behavior.  In creating the teen characters for my books, I draw from some of my own experiences.

Crash Into Me

Carly Fortune is the 16-year-old daughter of Ben Fortune, the world’s most famous surfer.  He hasn’t been the world’s greatest father.  Her mother was murdered three years before the story starts, and Carly feels lost without her.  She’s experimented with drugs and frequently cuts herself, choosing to mask her emotional turmoil with physical pain.

James Matthews is the boy from the wrong side of the tracks who’s been secretly in love with Carly for years.  She’s rich and beautiful and way out of his league.  His home life is even more screwed up than hers, and he’s desperate for an escape.  Together, they try to heal each other.

Set the Dark on Fire

Dylan Phillips is the younger brother of Shay Phillips, a wildlife biologist in Tenaja Falls, California.  Both of their parents are gone, and Shay has been struggling to raise Dylan on her own.  She isn’t the best role model.  Dylan has a brilliant mind and a bright future, but his penchant for playing with fire leads him into trouble.

Angel Martinez is the really hot girl next door.  She quit school to help take care of her younger siblings.  Now she feels smothered by the lack of opportunities in their dusty desert town.  Dylan has what she’s always wanted—a way out—and she’s frustrated with him for jeopardizing it.

Warning:  strong language and sexual situations!

I try to incorporate a lot of realism in my books.  My teens are flawed.  Their parents and caretakers are flawed.  They have real problems and make serious mistakes.  I don’t know any other way to build characters, maybe because I’m also an imperfect person who has made her share of mistakes!

Why are you so angsty, Jill Sorenson?

Actually, I’m not.  I left most of my angst behind as a teenager, thank God.  Back then, I think a combination of things caused me to act in a self-destructive way.  My family moved from a small town in Kansas to a rough neighborhood in California when I was 12, so that was a culture shock.  Like, whoa.  We moved again the next year.  I always had trouble making friends (because I’m a nerd!), and after three different schools in as many years, I gave up.

I also developed early, and I felt painfully self-conscious about my body.  I thought I was fat because I had breasts and hips.  And I was “smart.”  Instead of finding a positive creative outlet, I actively sought out all things negative and dark.

I’m thankful for the love and support of my family, and I’m glad I made it through those difficult years.  So many kids take a wrong turn at that age and don’t find their way back.  I also want to thank every author who has created a character teens can relate to.  Romance can make a positive difference in young people’s lives.  Sometimes we all need the optimism of a happy ending.

What do you think about teens reading romance? Did you experience teen angst? Are any of your favorite secondary characters teenagers?

Leave a comment for a chance to win Set the Dark on Fire.

And there was this great group of kids rocking a Harry Potter theme. They’d vamped it up with a Gossip Girl flair. How cool is that! Tons of fans were showing their Star Wars luv, wearing awesome costumes. I even saw an killer R2D2 replica. There were so many amazing characters and aliens and creatures of the night. People roaming the halls and ballrooms and lobbies in full makeup and costume 24/7. It was a non-stop spectacle that I can’t describe in words. So, here are a few pics to get you in the mood ;o) Check out the rest at my blog and Facebook Dragon Con photo album .

Now, where was I? Right—me pretending to belong somewhere where folks let their imaginations take over and fly their freak flags with pride. Why? Because I’ve pretty much been doing that since last November, when I partnered with Dorchester to publish Dark Legacy—Book 1 in my Legacy series.

You know, me—the two-time Romantic Times Award winning Harlequin series author. A writer who started her commercial fiction career penning heart-warming family stories, then discovered that she loved what a good suspense plot did for her books. An author whose earliest memories are devouring fantasy novels like T.H. White’s Once and Future King and watching sci-fi movies and TV shows like Star Wars and Star Trek. A reader who’s been a paranormal romance fan since the genre took off.

But could I really pull off a mainstream suspense series that turned out to be a combination of all those loves: family drama (Dark Legacy’s twins hate each other almost as much as they hate the mad government scientists hunting them); psychic paranormal elements (my twins can control minds, and those nasty scientists are determined to use the sisters’ talents to weaponize daydreams); action and adventure sequences (both in reality and dreams); and spicy love scenes (ditto with the reality AND the hot and sexy dreams—yummy!).

Fast forward to DragonCon ‘09, and picture me pitching my tent as part of Georgia Fantasy Authors, raising my spooky freak flag and announcing to the world that my romantic suspense/paranormal romance/urban fantasy debut was ready to greet its public. Was I nervous? Sure—right up until I walked through DragonCon’s doors that first day.

Because once I was there, I found a welcoming home full of people indulging their own fantasies, dreams and passions. I talked to avid readers whose eyes lit up as they listened to the new and unusual and exciting things I’d crafted into Dark Legacy. I found myself talking with writers and fans who loved the paranormal and fantasy parts of my altered contemporary world, as much as my romance fans are digging the characters and relationships I’ve woven through the story. I spoke on panels filled with genre authors who’d been part of this scene for years, and I was welcomed by one and all.

It’s been a wild ride, crafting my new, outside-the-box series. Letting my imagination rule. Playing with an idea and giving it room to grow into what it was supposed to be. What a great journey! What an amazing destination, now that Dark Legacy’s on shelves, and I get to see readers smile and reach for it and ask when there’s going to be more. Both at DragonCon, and at every stop I’ve made on my Dark Legacy blog tour.

Will I write the sequel, 2010’s Secret Legacy, and as many more Legacy stories as Dorchester will buy? You bet! Oh, I’ll keep writing the classic romantic suspense I love, too. But there’s no going back, now that I’ve found a creative outlet for the more outlandish side of my imagination. I want it all. Classic romance and paranormal thrills. And why not, when there’s a whole world out there eager to celebrate both with me?

Will I find my way back to DragonCon next year, to celebrate how my psychotic, psychic twins and their lovers and wicked government scientists and ancient brotherhood of watchers belong right there, in the midst of the fun and fantasy and make-believe that thrive at the “Con?” I wouldn’t miss it for the world!

So tell me, what’s your fantasy? What’s your dream? If you could fly your freak flag and do something totally out of character, what would your destination be? I’m giving away two signed copies of Dark Legacy to lucky commenters today, so tell us what you think!

For more chances to win, check out my Dark Legacy Couture Necklace contest where to enter you get to read free Dark Legacy excerpts and chose your favorite. Dorchester’s also giving away a Kindle (, spotlighting three free digital downloads, including Dark Legacy!

Don’t get me wrong, I can’t figure everything out. Heaven help me if the kids aren’t home and I try to figure out how to set the TV and DVD player so I can actually watch and hear a movie at the same time. But once that movie’s on, I am 100% focused on paying attention to every twist, turn and bit of dialogue that will lead me to the right conclusion.

Obviously, when I started writing dark romantic-thrillers, this was in the forefront of my mind. One of the most common reactions readers and reviewers have had to the Black CATs books is that they just did not figure out the villains before they were supposed to.

There’s a reason for that, of course. I wanted it to be really tough to figure out! I set the bar for the suspense plot to my own personal satisfaction level, continually asking myself, “If I read this line, would it immediately lead me to think this?” Or “When this character came on the page, what is it about him that would make me say, ‘Aha! It’s him!’”

Whatever the answer was, I most definitely wouldn’t do that!

My good friend (and fabulous writer) Roxanne St. Claire once wrote an article for my RWA chapter newsletter, comparing plotting to braiding her daughter’s hair–weaving this thread into that one to make a nice, tightly plotted book. I really like that analogy, and sometimes think of narrowing it even further: the mystery thread in a romantic suspense novel should have its own braid. The possible suspects should weave in and out, the clues leading you in one direction, then suddenly turning and wrapping around and into another whole possible scenario.

All that said, I definitely wanted to “play fair” with the reader. I followed a few basic rules: Get the villain on the page early—he might not have to be a major figure in the book, but he can’t come out of nowhere. Leave a whole lot of subtle clues and maybe one pretty obvious one. I like for there to be a moment at the end, when it all comes together, when the reader will say, “Oh, MAN! Of COURSE it was him, I should have known when X happened.” (That’s especially true in the 2^nd book, PITCH BLACK. A lot of readers have told me they just couldn’t believe they hadn’t seen ‘it’–that one big honking clue–before the truth came out.)

I have to say, I didn’t write the books this way in order to frustrate anybody, or even to challenge them the way I like to be challenged to figure things out before the author’s ready for me to. It’s just that I absolutely love it when I can’t figure it out! The very best reading (or movie-watching) experiences are the ones where I am just guessing and guessing throughout and am completely surprised and delighted when it all ties up in the end. The movie The Usual Suspects did that for me. And to this day it remains one of my absolute favorite movies.

I’ll admit—it doesn’t happen often. So I tried my utmost to try to make it happen for other readers. And I sincerely hope it worked.

What about you? Anyone else who can’t just watch a movie, or read a book, but has to figure it all out before you’re supposed to? And if you’re read any of the Black CATs books—what did you think? Did you figure things out, see the clues?

If so, I’d really like to know what gave it away…so I can do better the next time.

Today Leslie is giving away a copy of Pitch Black to one random poster.

See video below and let us know what you think urban fantasy is. We’ll be giving away an urban fantasy book to a random poster  (you must live in the United States to qualify).

For those of you just joining us, the purpose of this Haunted tour is to celebrate the release of my Gothic Victorian Fantasy Romance debut, The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker, first in the Strangely Beautiful series.  This Tour will introduce you to some of the real, documented London haunts who “ghost-star” in my book.  When Professor Alexi Rychman and his Guard of spectral police make their rounds, it is to any number of London phantasms.  Since these characters are familiar to The Guard, I don’t get to tell their full story in the book. But here I can give them their due and show how they’ve inspired parts of the book.  Leave a comment and you’ll be entered to win a signed copy!

Today’s Haunt:

The ghostly couple of St. Mary the Virgin – Overton Drive, Wanstead E11

There’s a very poignant scene here in this small, old graveyard, full of character and steeped in history. In the graveyard of St. Mary’s Church in Wanstead, a lovely space of 18th century vintage, two curious figures appear in the hist.  First, a white skeleton is seen wheeling a cart.  The cart bears a coffin.  The skeleton approaches a particular tomb and in response, a shrouded white spectre is said to arise, beckoned.  The two wraiths embrace.  Supposedly they were a married couple who were for some reason buried in separate plots, drawn together again in an eternal reunion.  Even death is no barrier for true love.

This ghost story gave me an idea that became one of my favourite moments from The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker as Miss Percy struggles with her strange life, love-sick heart and sense of impending fate…:

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For the second time that day, Constance startled Percy by bursting through the wall. “Forgive my intrusion, Miss Percy, but you simply must come to the Apollo lot!” The ghost’s transparent eyes were sparkling. “If you don’t, you surely will regret—”

Percy motioned the spectre to silence. She wasn’t sure how Marianna would feel about Constance and had not yet brought up any of her abilities regarding the dead. She had no idea how to begin.

“Percy?” the German girl said, seeing her friend’s shifted focus.

“Marianna, my dear,” Percy replied, deciding to take a chance. “Would you like a little adventure?”

“Always.”

“Come on then.” Gesturing for the ghost to lead the way, Percy dragged Marianna to her feet and out the door.

“What are we—?”

“The night is beautiful,” Percy explained. Then, “Out for a bit of fresh air, Miss Jennings!” she called as they rushed past the front desk.

“You won’t get beyond the courtyard!” the woman shrieked.

“Don’t worry, we’re not trying!”

“Where are we going?” Marianna breathed.

“There.” Percy pointed.

“The little graveyard behind Apollo Hall? Why? Are we allowed? Is there a guard?”

“Don’t worry,” Percy promised. “We’re still within school grounds.”

“Who lies buried there?” Marianna asked.

“I was told it’s for students and professors who have no other family. Oh! I suppose I might be buried here someday …”

Constance hovered nearby. “Once a year, Miss Percy, near my headstone, the ghosts of two professors celebrate their wedding anniversary. I thought you might appreciate it.”

Through an open arch in the courtyard, behind Apollo Hall, the two living girls and one specter approached a heavy, spiked gate bordered by a rough stone wall. Marianna remained at the entrance, shaking her head.

Respecting the limits of her friend’s comfort but unwilling to turn back, Percy opened the hefty gate enough to wedge herself through. Gliding up a stone path that led to an inlaid circle, she took in the sight before her: two transparent figures in midcentury clothes, a man and a woman, waltzing. Their weightless feet spun gracefully above the ground, and their featherlight forms held each other with confidence and care.

“Oh, to dance … To merely be touched,” Percy whispered, dropping to her knees. Constance hovered silently nearby.

“What is it you see?” Marianna called.

Percy gave an aching sigh, which was caught by the breeze. “A waltz.”

My research owes so much to Richard Jones (www.haunted-britain.com ) founder of the fabulous Discovery Walks of London (www.haunted-london.com ) and author of the fantastic compendium “Haunted London” and “Walking Haunted London” published by Barnes & Noble Books.  Plus he’s a really nice guy, thanks Richard!!

Come visit me at www.leannareneehieber.com to find out more about The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker and follow along on the rest of the Haunted London Blog Tour! I hope you’ll pick up a copy of the book and I hope you’ll love it as much as I loved writing it!  Be sure to leave a comment to be entered to win a signed copy!

Blessings!
Leanna Renee Hieber
www.leannareneehieber.com
www.twitter.com/leannarenee

See more of Leanna’s video interview on our video page.