SAIL AWAY WITH ME
Blue Moon Harbor #3
Christmas is coming to Blue Moon Harbor, a cozy dot in the Pacific Northwest where love shines bright . . .
Bookseller Iris Yakimura grew up on Destiny Island and it’s the only place where her painful shyness doesn’t cripple her. An avid romance reader, she believes that one day the right man will come along—one who loves her just the way she is. She never imagines that man will arrive in time for the holidays, like a gift. Or that he’ll be a celebrity musician with a bad boy vibe—and a warm
heart . . .
Julian Blake spent most of his teens on Destiny Island, before fleeing a mentor turned abuser. Music saved him. He has avoided the island, but now his injured father needs him. Plagued by unsettling memories, Julian’s solace comes from surprising places—and from smart, stunning Iris. When he feels compelled to expose his abuser, will Iris find the courage to stand by his side in the spotlight that will ensue—much less embrace a love that might take her far from home?
Bookseller Iris Yakimura grew up on Destiny Island and it’s the only place where her painful shyness doesn’t cripple her. An avid romance reader, she believes that one day the right man will come along—one who loves her just the way she is. She never imagines that man will arrive in time for the holidays, like a gift. Or that he’ll be a celebrity musician with a bad boy vibe—and a warm
heart . . .
Julian Blake spent most of his teens on Destiny Island, before fleeing a mentor turned abuser. Music saved him. He has avoided the island, but now his injured father needs him. Plagued by unsettling memories, Julian’s solace comes from surprising places—and from smart, stunning Iris. When he feels compelled to expose his abuser, will Iris find the courage to stand by his side in the spotlight that will ensue—much less embrace a love that might take her far from home?
SUSAN FOX, an international bestselling author who also writes as Susan Lyons and Savanna Fox, “knows what women want in a contemporary romance” (Publishers Weekly). Her books have won numerous awards and Love Somebody Like You was a RITA® finalist.
Susan is a Pacific Northwester with homes in Victoria and Vancouver, British Columbia. She has degrees in law and psychology, and has had a variety of careers, including perennial student, computer consultant, and legal editor. Fiction writer is by far her favorite, giving her an outlet to demonstrate her belief in the power of love, friendship, and a sense of humor.
STAY CONNECTED
THE Q&A
ANGI: What story have you gotten lost in recently?
SUSAN: I actually pretty much get lost in every book I read. Some authors are analytical when they’re reading, but I read purely for pleasure and I love to give myself over to the characters and story. The exceptions are if the characters or the author’s style just don’t resonate with me (which isn’t to say it’s a “bad” book, just not the right one for me at the time) or when the writing or editing are poor enough to annoy me and throw me out of the story.
ANGI: Favorite field trip?
SUSAN: Crete! I always loved Mary Stewart’s romantic suspense books, especially the three set in Greece. She made me want to go to Greece, which I did, and I had a terrific time. Later, once I started writing fiction, I had the urge to write a contemporary version of her type of romantic suspense. And so I did. My book “Fly Close to the Sun” is set on Crete, and a large part of it was actually written on my second visit to Greece. For all sorts of reasons, including that field trip, the book is very close to my heart.
ANGI: What’s your favorite cartoon character?
SUSAN: Snoopy. He’s a writer, and he’s the best happy dancer in the world. And I love how he hugs Woodstock.
ANGI: Daffy Duck or Donald Duck?
SUSAN: Duck a l’orange please, with Grand Marnier sauce. I’m not into either of the cartoon ducks.
ANGI: What’s your favorite thing about your book’s hero?
SUSAN: Julian Blake is such a combination of strong and vulnerable. As a teen (the victim of abuse), he was suicidal, but a stranger’s appreciation for his music made him realize he had value in the world. That helped him find the courage to not only survive but to build a relatively normal life and a successful career as a musician. Yet, deep inside, he still carried a wound that wouldn’t heal. In “Sail Away With Me,” he finds a new level of strength and he risks public censure by exposing his abuser, a prominent and highly respected citizen. In developing that courage (aided by the wisdom and support of heroine Iris Yakimura, and the love of his family), he is finally able to start on the path to finding peace.
ANGI: What’s your favorite dessert of all time?
SUSAN: A Grand Marnier soufflé at a French restaurant on the island of St. Martin – before that lovely island was devastated by Hurricane Irma.
ANGI: Got a favorite song? What makes it special?
SUSAN: John Lennon’s “Imagine.” For pretty obvious reasons. I want the world that he imagined.
ANGI: Wild Flower or Roses?
SUSAN: I’m not sure there’s a flower that I don’t like, but I do generally prefer wild over hot house. Wild roses are actually one of my favorites. So simple and beautiful, and such an amazing scent.
ANGI: Biography or History?
SUSAN: Biography. I like the more personal touch. For me, a story has meaning through the point of view of a participant.
ANGI: Favorite inspiration or Quote?
SUSAN: I’m not a religious person but I do believe in the good old Golden Rule that I learned as a child: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
ANGI: The most daring thing you’ve ever done… Care to share?
SUSAN: I’m not a physically brave person, and I’m nervous about heights, so parasailing in Mazatlan was definitely “out there” for me. But even more scary – for a shy introvert (yes, I have a lot in common with Iris Yakimura) – was venturing into public speaking. But (as both Julian and Iris learn in “Sail Away With Me”), it’s possible to face our fears and come out on the other side a stronger person.
ANGI’s GOTTA ASK: Where is your favorite writing place & why?
SUSAN’S GOTTA ANSWER: I like ergonomic comfort, so my favorite writing place is my office. Our house was (still is!) a fixer-upper and it took a fairly long while until my sweetie got around to creating my office. The master bedroom and bathroom came first – and I did agree with those priorities. LOL. (Imagine life without a bathtub!!) But now I have my very own wonderful work space, organized the way I want it. I love the big windows and the view of nature.
UP NEXT for SUSAN:
“Sail Away With Me” is in fact my last scheduled book. I’ve had 34 published in the past dozen years, and I’m taking a break.
PREVIOUSLY RELEASED by SUSAN:
WINTER WISHES
An anthology with Fern Michaels, Jules Bennett & Leah Marie Brown
Read a little, Buy the book
COME HOME WITH ME
Blue Moon Harbor #2
Read a little, Buy the book
FLY AWAY WITH ME
Blue Moon Harbor #1
SUSAN is giving away an autographed print copy of “Sail Away With Me.” International contest
SUSAN WANTS TO KNOW how do you feel about “wounded” heroes – men like Julian Blake who carry a deep, not completely healed emotional wound that holds them back from living a full and loving life?
I prefer wounded heroes to completely happy ones. More growth potential.
ReplyDeleteVery true! And in a romance, we do want to see our hero grow - in part as a result of his relationship with the heroine.
DeleteI think we are all a little wounded in some way. A wounded hero is more relateable.
ReplyDeleteI definitely like characters I can relate to. Ones I'd like to be friends with in real life. (After all, as a writer I spend months and months with these people, so I have to truly enjoy their company!)
DeleteI like them more sometimes than the arrogant ones. It depends how the author presents them. I want to see them grow and heal by the end of the book.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I see arrogance as a character flaw. It usually strikes me that an arrogant person is trying to mask some kind of insecurity. To my mind, a true leader is usually a person who doesn't bluster or boast, just is quietly strong and there when you need him or her. My idea of a true hero is Atticus Finch in "To Kill a Mockingbird."
DeleteI love to read them although i know it is going to be sad parts but then it usually ends good. Also it is bringing to everyone eyes the way these young men who come back wounded it is not something a lot of people think about or even thought about and the more books written about them the better. Peggy Clayton ptclayton2@aol.com
ReplyDeleteThat's one thing about romance - you can be pretty sure there'll be a happy ending for the wounded hero. I only wish that, in real life, that was always true.
DeleteI enjoy reading their journeys... seeing them open up and heal and finding happiness.
ReplyDeleteI have great empathy towards wounded heroes. Thank you
ReplyDeleteinteresting to read
ReplyDeleteBig fan of this theme.
ReplyDeleteI like books with wounded heroes.
ReplyDeleteLove wounded heroes. They're more realistic.
ReplyDelete