Interview with Author Susan Wiggs + Giveaway

Filed in Giveaways , Interview , Susan Wiggs , The HEA Lover Posted on August 28, 2012 @ 7:00 am 35 comments

Please join us in welcoming Susan Wiggs to BLI today. Susan is here as part of her blog tour celebrating the release of Return to Willow Lake, the latest book in her Lakeshore Chronicles contemporary romance series. Return is an appropriate title, because this is Susan’s first trip back to the world of the Lakeshore Chronicles in two years. I’m sure that she has a lot of fans who have been itching for a return to this marvelous little town in the Catskills and the people that they have become familiar with (and probably quite fond of) during the course of this series.

BLI: Susan, tell us a bit about yourself- perhaps something no one would expect from you?

Susan: Hmmm. I’m not very mysterious so I don’t know if I can tell you anything unexpected. Maybe it’s unexpected that I’m a newlywed, seeing how I’m older than dirt. And my husband made my wedding gown. That’s something you don’t hear every day. He’s a really talented designer. (Photo below)

BLI: Tell us about your Lakeshore Chronicles. What is the center of your series?

Susan: Willow Lake, in the charming Catskills town of Avalon. And the Bellamy family, who own Camp Kioga. The series is a nostalgic look at the lives and loves of the kind of people you meet every day–friends and neighbors, parents and kids, rivals and colleagues. Probably the most frequent comment I get from readers is that the books are very involving, drawing the reader into a new world.

BLI: How do you keep up with the Lakeshore Chronicles world? Have you long since a sense of how everything works out for everyone, or do new installments develop as you go?

Susan: I make a lot of lists, but I’m not very organized, so my friend Lindsey made me a spreadsheet and family tree of everyone involved in the series. I know roughly what will become of some characters, while others surprise me. Sonnet in Return to Willow Lake surprised the heck out of me. The future I thought she would pursue turned into something else entirely!

BLI: Have you got an all time favorite character or book and would you like to revisit them?

Susan: Barkis, hands down. The dog in Summer at Willow Lake. Happily, I get to revisit him every day because when that book came out, I got a puppy and named him Barkis. Here’s a little more about the real Barkis: http://susanwiggs.wordpress.com/2007/06/17/barkis-is-willin/

BLI: How would you describe your new novel Return to Willow Lake? Do you think it’s a good one to dive head first into your world without having read the other titles?

Susan: I try to write each installment as if the other books didn’t exist. That way, a reader can jump into the series anytime she likes and she won’t feel lost. There are enough nods to other characters and books to remind longtime readers of their old friends, though. Sonnet is a character who has appeared in past books, but in Return, we get to view the world through her eyes, and I think she will surprise readers.

BLI: What’s next up on your schedule? Any new secret projects we should keep our eyes open for?

Susan: My memory is so bad, I can’t keep secrets. Coming up in 2013 is The Apple Orchard, the launch of a new series of books set in Sonoma County, California. The next Lakeshore will be a holiday story featuring Logan O’Donnell. I think the title will be Candlelight but we’re also considering Starlight.

 

 

BLI: If you had the chance to write in another universe (can be from movies/shows and books) which one you like to explore in?

Susan: The setting of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Is there anywhere else?

 

BLI: If you could only take 3 books to a desert island/or your vacation which books would it be?

Susan: My next three unwritten novels. That way I would keep myself busy, right?

 

Return to Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs

Lakeshore Chronicles #9

Sonnet Romano’s life is almost perfect. She has the ideal career, the ideal boyfriend, and has just been offered a prestigious fellowship. There’s nothing more a woman wants – except maybe a baby.sister? When Sonnet finds out her mother is unexpectedly expecting, and that the pregnancy is high-risk, she puts everything on hold – the job, the fellowship, the boyfriend – and heads home to Avalon. Once her mom is out of danger, Sonnet intends to pick up her life where she left off. But when her mother receives a devastating diagnosis, Sonnet must decide what really matters in life, even of that means staying in Avalon and taking a job that forces her to work alongside her biggest, and maybe her sweetest, mistake – award-winning filmmaker Zach Alger. So Sonnet embarks on a summer of laughter and tears, of old dreams and new possibilities, and of finding the home of her heart. At once heartbreaking and uplifting, Return to Willow Lake plumbs the deepest corners of the human heart, exploring the bonds of family, the perils and rewards of love, and the true meaning of home.

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Book Depository US | Book Depository (UK)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~*~*Giveaway*~*~
Susan Wiggs has generously offered an print copy of Return to Willow Lake to one lucky commenter!
All you have to do is leave a meaningful comment/question for Susan.
(You can read our full giveaway policy here)
Please leave us a way to contact you.
(Email or twitter name – no way to contact you – no entry).
This giveaway is open worldwide!
Giveaway ends on September 8, 2012 and we will announce the winner on Sunday.
Good Luck

About Marlene


Marlene is a librarian, ebook advocate, science fiction fan, and RPG fan who lives in the Atlanta suburbs. She and her husband are owned by four cats, just ask them. She's a geek and a nerd and proud of it. She's also an avid reader of everything, including the back of the cereal box, and has been blogging since April 2011 at Reading Reality and is a reviewer at Library Journal as well as active on Goodreads. She is also the publisher of Ebook Review Central.

Share This Post

Subscribe and stay up-to-date

Via E-Mail:

Follow us via RSS, twitter and facebook:

35 Comments

Join the Discussion
  • aurian August 28, 2012 at 7:13 am

    Thanks for this lovely interview ladies, I enjoyed reading it. I have read some of your book, and really liked them. Meaning there is a whole lot of unread books on my shelves, as I am a total glommer. I have been meaning to tackle some of the more suspense in the near future.

  • Maureen August 28, 2012 at 9:03 am

    Can’t wait for the new book! I hate the waiting in between books in a series!

  • Lynn August 28, 2012 at 9:06 am

    Can’t wait to read Return…I started the series over to reacquaint myself with everyone 🙂

  • Margie August 28, 2012 at 9:09 am

    Great interview…and congratulatins, Susan. I didn’t realize you were a newly wed. :). I love your books, particularly the Lakeshore Chronicles series, and always look forward to your next release.

  • Nancy August 28, 2012 at 9:39 am

    Its wonderful to know you have another Lakeshore Chronicles book coming out and can’t wait to get my hands on it, I know in my mind its takes a while to write another book but I just keep looking and looking for the next one..Thanks Susan and best wishes and congrats on you marrige, my husband and I will celebrate 50 yrs. in Dec.hope yours lasts that long or longer !!

  • Maria G August 28, 2012 at 9:44 am

    I love this series. I love to revisit the characters and cannot wait for the Return. I will be purchasing it today. I have read all of your books and have enjoyed them all. Congrats on your wedding..

  • Tabetha August 28, 2012 at 9:44 am

    Congrats of getting married. And I just wanted to say I love the lakeshores books. I have read them all. and Looking foreword for the return book.

  • QuenKne August 28, 2012 at 9:45 am

    I picked up “Table For Five” several years ago and immediately fell in love with Susan’s books. Now I sit anxiously by waiting for her new releases – it will drive me crazy now knowing the titles of her future releases & having to wait for them!!
    Just 1 request…..I’d love to see all her books in tradeback or hardcover, please.

  • Catherine August 28, 2012 at 9:47 am

    I agree that the waiting for the next book is the hardest! Write faster…

  • Wanda August 28, 2012 at 9:59 am

    Congratulations on both your marriage and the new book! I have read many, many of your books and I haven’t read one yet that I haven’t thoroughly enjoyed. I’ve read and own the entire Lakeshore Chronicles series and I look forward to reading this one also!

  • Julie B August 28, 2012 at 10:03 am

    Cannot wait to start Return to Willow Lake! Have read all of the others in the series and most of the stand alone books as well. I have a Kindle and purchasing Return… this morning was my incentive for getting out of bed!

  • Teri LaPlant August 28, 2012 at 10:35 am

    Absolutely love Susan Wiggs! Nothing like curling up w/a cup of coffee & one of her books! A great way to start the day, end the day or just make a lousy day better! Thank you do much & keep those great books coming!

  • erinf1 August 28, 2012 at 11:15 am

    Thanks for a fun interview! Congrats on the newest release! Susan is on my “want’ list and I don’t know how I’ve managed not to read her books 🙂

  • Jennifer August 28, 2012 at 12:07 pm

    I really enjoy reading all of your books! The Lakeshore Chronicles is my favorite series and it is so exciting when a new one is published! I hope it never ends. I feel like the characters are my friends and I want to visit Avalon.

  • Celeste August 28, 2012 at 2:01 pm

    I have to say that The Lakeshore Chronicles is my favorite series of books. I always look forward to the next installment. I first fell in love with Susan’s writing when a friend gave me a copy of Firebrand and I have been buying all her books since then. Congratulations on your wedding!

  • Estella August 28, 2012 at 3:32 pm

    It has been a long wait, but I am ready for more Lakeshore Chronicles!

  • Mary Preston August 29, 2012 at 3:48 am

    RETURN TO WILLOW LAKE looks wonderful. Your gown is gorgeous.

  • Na S. August 29, 2012 at 5:29 am

    The Lakeshore Chronicles is one of my favorite series. I’m curious about Sonnet’s story and also looking forward to seeing familiar characters. It’s a great small town where I wish I could visit.

  • Filia Oktarina August 29, 2012 at 6:50 am

    WOW!! Nice interview. This book look wonderful, i will love to read this book 🙂

  • Adis August 29, 2012 at 8:28 am

    Yay, great interview! I love Susan Wigs books! Congratz on the wedding! Looking forward to read this book

  • eli yanti August 29, 2012 at 8:41 am

    i have not read any susan’s book yet and 2 years for fans to wait this series, wow..

    btw congrts on the release 🙂

  • Lynette Anderson August 29, 2012 at 2:00 pm

    I can’t wait for this book. I love the way Susan Wiggs writes. I feel like each Character is a friend. I laughand cry with them and the situations around them. I’ve been a fan for 10 years and have almost all her books. Will never forget the first one I read Home Before Dark,I’ve been hooked since. So happy she has more books coming out! Congrats on your marriage and I enjoyed reading the interview. Thanks! 🙂

  • mamabunny13 August 29, 2012 at 2:02 pm

    This sounds like a fabulous series!
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  • Victoria Zumbrum August 29, 2012 at 6:21 pm

    I really want to read this series. It sounds good

  • Diane Sallans August 29, 2012 at 7:20 pm

    I love a small town series – I’ll have to look into this one!

  • Aline August 29, 2012 at 10:55 pm

    Hi Susan, congrats on your wedding!

    Return to Willow Lake sounds awesome and I love the cover. Well, I was wondering how many books/series have you written so far?

    Thanks for spending time with us here 🙂
    God bless you and family 🙂

  • Izz August 30, 2012 at 2:41 am

    Hi Susan, congratulations on your wedding and your latest book in Lakeshore Chronicles. Are you going to make each person in Avalon their own book and what is your trick so that the readers do not get bored with this series? and thanks for the fun interview 🙂

  • karen August 30, 2012 at 8:47 am

    Susan, I love all your books and have readmost of them more than once. I feel like I know the characters, they are like good friends. Congratulations on your recent wedding.

  • sienny August 30, 2012 at 9:14 am

    i’ve been meaning to try this series, but still haven’t got the chance to actually read them. hopefully soon..

    congrats for the wedding!

  • Marlene August 30, 2012 at 2:58 pm

    If you’re looking for another chance to win a copy of Return to Willow Lake, I have a giveaway (and an interview with Susan and a review of the book) at Reading Reality

  • Debbie Zwahr August 30, 2012 at 10:10 pm

    Love The Lakeshore Series!!! I have all the books in paperback & also on my kindle. I even have Return to Willow Lake on my kindle already. Can hardly wait to get started on it! Just need to get the paperback version to complete my set.

  • bn100 August 31, 2012 at 3:11 am

    Nice interview. Charlie and the chocolate factory would be fun.

  • Joanne B August 31, 2012 at 1:11 pm

    Congrats on the new release. This book sounds fantastic. Can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the great interview and giveaway.

  • ladymilano September 1, 2012 at 7:09 am

    Such a cute Barkis! 😀
    Look forward to read this.

  • Michele Hayes September 1, 2012 at 4:34 pm

    Loved the interview!! I can’t wait to read Return to Willow Lake. The picture of Barkis included in the interview, by the way, is way too cute!!

Previous Post
«
Next Post
»
Luvo designed by Internet Marketing In conjunction with Template Wordpress , R4 DS , Best SUV.