A passion for historical romance guided Susanna Craig to three (yes, three!) degrees in literature and a career as an English professor. When she's not teaching, she's busy writing Regency romances that (so far) take place outside the ballrooms of London and feature complex characters, compelling storylines, and eloquent writing. I enthusiastically recommend you give them a try.
You can learn more about Susanna and her books at her website and connect with her online on Facebook or Twitter.
Welcome, Susanna! Congratulations
on the release of the second novel in your Runaway Desires series, To Tempt an
Heiress. What can readers expect from this book?
Thanks, PJ! I’m excited to be here! In To Tempt an Heiress, a headstrong woman’s plans for her inheritance
place her in danger—a danger she strenuously denies. She meets her match in the
ship’s captain who’s hired to abduct her and take her to safety. Readers will
get to journey from the Caribbean island of Antigua to northern England and
immerse themselves in the tumultuous world of the 1790s.
I’ve always had a weakness for romance on the high seas.
What is it about this setting that inspires you as an author?
An ocean voyage in the late eighteenth century involved adventure,
peril, and best of all for a romance, close quarters! When you have two
characters who are focused on their own goals and determined to remain
independent, what better way to torture them than to make it impossible to get
away from the person they’re attracted to?
Tempest, our heroine, may be English by heritage but it’s
the people of her Antigua home that claim her heart. Is there a country that
calls to your heart? Have you ever visited?
Perhaps because my birthday falls on St. Patrick’s Day, I’ve
always been fascinated by Ireland, the country our hero, Andrew, calls home. I’ve
been fortunate enough to visit twice and between those trips managed to travel
the whole island, from Dublin to Inishmore, from the Ring of Kerry to the
Giant’s Causeway. It’s a breathtakingly beautiful country, and the people are
wonderfully welcoming—I would encourage everyone to go if they get the chance.
What was the most difficult part of writing this book? What
was the most fun?
I had a blast writing the banter between Tempest and Andrew;
I like to think of them as the sort of people who were always used to having
the last word—until they met each other. But Tempest is an abolitionist in a part of the British
Empire where up to 90% of the population was enslaved, so the story necessarily
has to grapple with some pretty difficult events and issues. Although To Tempt an Heiress is a romance, I certainly
didn’t want to romanticize that terrible chapter in human history, so my
research included both the work of modern historians and first-hand accounts of
slaves’ experiences, which are powerful but definitely not easy to read.
I adored Andrew’s dog, Caliban. Was he inspired by a dog
you’ve known? Do you have pets? Are they tolerant of the hours you spend in the
writing cave?
I’m so glad you liked him! He was partly inspired by an
Australian Shepherd I had growing up; it’s a breed known for its loyalty,
strength, and smarts—qualities Caliban has in spades. But honestly, I’m more of
a cat person. We currently share out home with a long-haired tortie named
Nutmeg. She’s normally pretty aloof, but when she thinks I’m giving too much
attention to my computer, she’ll nudge my laptop right off my lap.
We all have our favorite authors whose books we turn to time and again. Who do you enjoy reading when you’re not busy creating your own stories?
I will never tire of reading Jane Austen. I’m an English
professor, so I’m fortunate that I get to teach Austen regularly, which is a
built-in excuse for reading her novels again and again. Right now, my daughter
and I are reading the Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, which were my
favorites when I was a girl, so it’s a joy to revisit them with her. And of
course I read lots of historical romance. Some of my favorites authors are Lisa
Kleypas, Meredith Duran, and Mary Balogh.
Andrew treasures a book of Shakespeare given to him by his
grandfather. What’s your most treasured possession?
This is a surprisingly tough question! One thing I treasure
is a glass candlewick serving dish that was given to me by my mother-in-law
shortly before she died. In the center of the plate is a stem shaped like a
heart. The dish was given to her as a wedding present and unlike many treasured
possessions, which we tend to lock up to keep safe, this one always had a
prominent place on her table, despite its fragility. Using it now reminds me of
her loving heart and generous spirit.
The holidays are coming which always turns my thoughts to
sweet treats. Do you have a favorite Christmas treat to make or eat? Will you
share the recipe with us?
Ooh, who doesn’t love sweet treats at Christmas…or really,
any time? Here’s a super-easy recipe for truffles, which I make every year.
They’re great to give as gifts, perfect for the office party, and downright
dangerous to have around the house!
Blend 8 oz. softened cream cheese until creamy; combine with
8 oz. melted semi-sweet chocolate.
Chill mixture at least one hour, then shape into 36 balls.
Dip truffles in more melted chocolate and decorate with sprinkles or chopped nuts, or roll in powdered sugar or cocoa powder.
Keep refrigerated.
Chill mixture at least one hour, then shape into 36 balls.
Dip truffles in more melted chocolate and decorate with sprinkles or chopped nuts, or roll in powdered sugar or cocoa powder.
Keep refrigerated.
Mmmm...that sounds delicious!
What are you working on now?
I’ve put the final touches on the last book in the Runaway
Desires series, To Seduce a Stranger,
which will be released in April 2017. And I’m happy to announce I’ve recently
signed with Lyrical to write three more Georgian-set romances, about Irish-born
siblings unexpectedly finding love in England. I’m hard at work on the first
book in that series, which will be released in 2018.
Congratulations on the new contract! That's great news! I already have April 11th circled on my 2017 calendar. I'm so happy Edward is getting a story of his own. (Readers, you'll meet Edward in To Tempt an Heiress. He plays a pivotal role in setting events into motion that bring Tempest and Andrew together.)
Thank you so much for visiting with us today, Susanna. Would you like to ask our readers a question?
Congratulations on the new contract! That's great news! I already have April 11th circled on my 2017 calendar. I'm so happy Edward is getting a story of his own. (Readers, you'll meet Edward in To Tempt an Heiress. He plays a pivotal role in setting events into motion that bring Tempest and Andrew together.)
Thank you so much for visiting with us today, Susanna. Would you like to ask our readers a question?
The heroes and heroines of the Runaway Desires series are
all trying to get away from a past mistake or a present problem, and despite
being a homebody by nature, I truly think there’s a little runaway in all of
us. So, when you’re feeling overwhelmed, what’s your favorite escape?
One randomly chosen person who leaves a comment before 11:00 PM (EST), December 10, 2016 will receive an e-book copy of To Kiss a Thief and a $5 gift card from Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner's choice).
To Tempt an Heiress
After her beloved father dies, Tempest Holderin wants nothing more than to fulfill his wish to free the slaves on their Antiguan sugar plantation. But the now wealthy woman finds herself pursued by a pack of unsavory suitors with other plans for her inheritance. To keep her from danger, her dearest friend arranges a most unconventional solution: have Tempest kidnapped and taken to safety.
Captain Andrew Corrvan has an unseemly reputation as a ruthless, money-hungry blackguard—but those on his ship know differently. He is driven by only one thing: the quest to avenge his father’s death on the high seas. Until he agrees to abduct a headstrong heiress…
If traveling for weeks—without a chaperone—isn’t enough to ruin Tempest, the desire she feels for her dark and dangerously attractive captor will do the rest. The storm brewing between them will only gather strength when they reach England, where past and present perils threaten to tear them apart—even more so than their own stubborn hearts…
One randomly chosen person who leaves a comment before 11:00 PM (EST), December 10, 2016 will receive an e-book copy of To Kiss a Thief and a $5 gift card from Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner's choice).
To Tempt an Heiress
Captain Andrew Corrvan has an unseemly reputation as a ruthless, money-hungry blackguard—but those on his ship know differently. He is driven by only one thing: the quest to avenge his father’s death on the high seas. Until he agrees to abduct a headstrong heiress…
If traveling for weeks—without a chaperone—isn’t enough to ruin Tempest, the desire she feels for her dark and dangerously attractive captor will do the rest. The storm brewing between them will only gather strength when they reach England, where past and present perils threaten to tear them apart—even more so than their own stubborn hearts…
