Today, I welcome author, Tina Susedik to Carly's View. Tina is the author of RIDING FOR LOVE. Thank you for joining me, Tina. So, tell us a little about yourself.
TS: First and foremost, I've been married
for over 42 years, have two children, and five grandchildren. Being a
grandmother is the best thing ever created. Besides being a published author,
I've been a teacher, accountant, and various other things I can't even remember
anymore. In my spare time, I volunteer at my grandchildren's school, love to
bike, hike, camp, do photography, garden (flowers), and spend time with my
family.
CJ: You have written history books, romance, and children's books. Which
was the most satisfying for you as an author to write?
TS: That's a hard one to
answer as I enjoy them all. I love, love, love doing research for my history
books. I've learned so much about the military doing my military books. I've
written history books about the area I live in. Talking to people about what
life was like for their families in the past is fascinating. I wrote one of my
children's books with my ten-year-old granddaughter and that was fun. I also
enjoy reading the books to students when I speak at schools. It's a thrill to
hear them laugh at the right places - not so thrilling when they laugh at what
I consider the wrong places. But, children's humor is different than adults.
With my romances, putting characters together, having them figure out how to
stay together despite challenges and giving them a happy ending satisfies the
romantic in me.
CJ: Do you have a current work in progress? Can you tell us a little
about it?
TS: I currently have a book with my publisher tentatively titled:
"Never With a Rich Man." It's a romantic mystery set in Wisconsin
where a woman vows to never again marry a lying, cheating rich man, only to
fall in love with a lying (not cheating) rich man. She doesn't know he's lied
and that he's rich. The hero works undercover for the FBI and suspects she's
involved in an antique smuggling ring because her ex is.
I have a Christmas short story coming out in November called:
"Operation Santa." I had a blast writing that one and putting my poor
hero through the ringers to win his wife back. I'm currently working on a
sequel to another short story. This one is under my pen name.
CJ: What is something you've always wanted to do and haven't done yet?
TS: I
would love to go up in a hot air balloon. They simply fascinate me. To move
across the sky at a slow, peaceful pace and view the earth below me would be a
dream come true.
CJ: Have you visited any other
countries?
TS:When my son was a sophomore in high school, I chaperoned a trip to
Europe. We visited England, France, Germany, and Switzerland in ten days. It
was hectic and keeping track of teenagers who thought they could anywhere they
wanted, was a challenge. Germany and Switzerland were beautiful and felt like
I'd come home. I don't know if that's because that's where all my ancestors
came from and it's in my blood, or if the scenery was very much like northern
Wisconsin where I live. I've also been to Puerto Rico, which really isn't a
foreign country. My husband and I and kids lived in Canada (Ontario) for
thirteen months. We made many great friends with whom we still keep in contact.
It doesn't seem like Canada is a foreign country until you live there. Rules,
rules, rules for foreigners.
CJ: What is your favorite character in any book from one of your books and why?
TS: I like Emma Labonte from
South Seas Seduction, which is written under my pen name. She starts out as a
meek and mild woman who was sheltered all her life. Through the story she
grows. I was happy the day she became spunky and faced her fears.
CJ: If you could become a character in any book, which one would it be
and why?
TS: Wow. Another tough questions. I love LaVyrle Spencer's books. I would
say I would enjoy becoming any one of her female characters in her books. They
are all strong women overcoming challenges, and finding love and happiness. She
has a way of making her characters seem real.
CJ: Who are your favorite authors?
TS: There are so many, and the list keeps
growing. I just mentioned LaVyrle Spencer. I also enjoy Nora Roberts, Victoria
Alexander, Linda Lael Miller, Shayla Black, Lillian Jackson Braun, Jimmy
Buffett, Jess Dee, Jude Deveraux (who I met at the Romantic Times Convention a
few years ago. I had my picture taken with her and I acted like a crazed fan!),
Janet Evanovich, Tess Gerritesen (I met her this past spring.), Ngaio Marsh,
MaryJo Putney, Luanne Rice. I'm going to have to stop or the list would go on
forever. I also like someone called Carly Jordynn.
CJ: Are you a plotter or a panster when it comes to writing style?
TS: I'm
definitely a pantser. I get an idea for a book, jot it down. Come up with my
characters, their names, and profiles, and start writing. Too many times the
characters do what they want to do. I think if I had plotted the entire book
first, I'd get too frustrated that they weren't listening to me. Sometimes they
have better ideas than I do, anyway.
CJ: . In your opinion, what is the best book to movie adaptation?
TS: I hate
to say this, but I don't watch very many movies. When I do watch one, I'm
surprised to find out later it was based on a book.
Read on to learn more about RIDING FOR LOVE. . .
Eve Dayton, owner of a riding ranch, rose above her
childhood past and overcame the emotional damage her boyfriend caused when he
married another woman. When someone starts sabotaging her ranch, Eve is
desperate to find the culprit before she loses everything. Is it a coincidence
or is the return of Denton Johanson tied to the mystery?
Divorced Denton Johanson returns to his hometown to help
convict the embezzling controller of the family business. When he runs into
Eve, he realizes his feelings for her are still strong enough to try and win
her back. His fear of horses won’t get in the way of his goal and decides the
only way to be near her is to take riding lessons from her. Can he convince her
that his love is real and he is not behind the mystery surrounding the ranch?
Eve Dayton's former boyfriend returns to town just as
problems start arising at her horse riding ranch. Can she believe his
declaration to be part of her life again? Will she overcome the suspicion that
he is part of the problem and accept his help in catching the culprits? Find
out how Denton Johanson triumphs over his fears to win back her love.
Learn more about Tina Susedik. . .
Tina Susedik has seven history books and two children's
books in print, as well a romantic mystery and a short story in a Christmas
anthology with Soul Mate Publishing. "The Proposal," a short story
for a Valentine's anthology was published on February 4, 2015. Another
Christmas short story, "Operation Santa" will be published this fall
with Soul Mate Publishing.
She belongs to the Romance Writers of America,
Wisconsin Romance Writers of America and is a founding member of the Chippewa
Valley Romance Writers.
Tina also writes erotic romance under the name Anita Kidesu
for The Wild Rose Press and her first book, South Seas Seduction was published
in March, 2015.
Tina lives in Wisconsin with her husband of forty-two years.
She adores her five grandchildren and loves to camp, hike, bike, scrapbook and,
of course, read, read, read.
Links to Tina and her books. . .
Riding for Love: http://www.amazon.com/Riding-for-Love-ebook/dp/B00CLJD31Q
My Sexy Valentine: http://amzn.com/B00SSFM1OChttp://amzn.com/B00SSFM1OC
All I Want for Christmas is a Soul Mate: http://www.amazon.com/All-I-Want-Christmas-Soulmate-ebook/dp/B00GH2I458/
Twitter: @tinasusedik
Website: TinaSusedik.com
Facebook: Tina Susedik, Author
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17908316-riding-for-love
Thank you for having me on your blog today.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome!
DeleteGreat interview!
ReplyDeleteHi Tina,
ReplyDeleteI started off a as a plotter and have gravitated toward linear pantser. Couldn't help it...my characters also misbehave.
Excellent interview!
Joanne:)