I had intended this post to be a
tribute to my favorite band, Bon Jovi, where I planned to talk about the novel
I’m currently writing and how the music influences the story. As I started
writing, however, I realized there are so many things to be grateful for, I
couldn’t focus on just one thing.
November is a month to be grateful
for so many things. My daughter was born in November (she’s the youngest of 3),
my parents married in November, and as a veteran, November 11th
reminds me of being grateful for the opportunity to serve my country in the
U.S. Army.
As a writer, November is also a
month to be grateful for the written word. This is my 5th year
participating in – and winning – NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month.
It’s a 30 day challenge to write 50,000 words. This year I hit 50K on November
18th and I’m on track to achieve my highest NaNo word count ever
(over 62,000).
My fastest finish, just 12 days, was
my second year and it was the novel that is being released in just a few days. The
Sound of Circumstance practically wrote itself and from day one the
story went in a direction I hadn’t planned. The hero in the book is a U.S. Army
veteran, so it was fitting for me to write it in November when we celebrate our
veterans and the sacrifices they make for our freedom and rights.
The novel I’m currently writing, Whisper
to a Scream, is also about a veteran, a medically discharged female
soldier trying to cope with chronic pain, PTSD, and a prescription drug
addiction, all the while adjusting to civilian life after twelve years in the
army. It’s a story of hope, friendship, love, and forgiveness, and with every
word I’ve written I’ve been reminded of everything I have to be grateful for:
my family, my friends, my writing, the music I love, and the freedom to live a
happy and fulfilling life.
The
Sound of Circumstance
Paperback
available now on Amazon
Ebook available
December 3
Join the release
day party of Facebook December 3rd for fun and prizes all day long! https://www.facebook.com/events/1513610498952376/
Blurb
To
finally leave the past behind, they’ll have to trust … their friendship, and
especially their love.
Stacie Nightingale doesn’t what the 2.5 million dollars of
blood money she’s been awarded as a result of the lawsuit she filed. She also
doesn’t want the memories that are flooding her mind, causing her to remember
everything that led to the car accident that killed her friend and left Stacie
with a traumatic brain injury. Neither of those circumstances matter though
once her boyfriend Owen Landry proposes to her. She doesn’t want his proposal,
not due to the circumstances that drove him to it. The mysterious woman he
seems to be keeping company only fuels her insecurity and doubt. Stacie loves
Owen, but with her past continuing to haunt her, she questions if their love is
strong enough to survive.
Owen Landry has been carrying the ring for months, waiting
for the perfect moment to propose. He has a plan, but when a gallery owner
starts swooning over Stacie – and not just her paintings – Owen once again has
to face the demons of his own past. His insecurities spike when Stacie not only
refuses his proposal, but confides in her brother rather than Owen. He doesn’t
believe she would betray him, but his past has proven he can be a bad judge of
character.
Excerpt
“I don't know why I let Ty talk me into this,”
Stacie whined, throwing another outfit on the bed. Her closet was a fortress of
rags. It was the clothing apocalypse. The black hole of nothing to wear.
“It's not a big deal. I'm sure this gallery guy
doesn't care what you wear,” Owen drawled, his amusement completely lost on
Stacie.
He focused on his phone, sending another text.
At first he claimed to be chatting with his daughter, but when Stacie had tried
to see the message, he hid his phone and said they were making secret plans for
when Hailey would visit next month. Stacie wasn’t the suspicious type, but
after yesterday’s news, and the fact he seemed to be sending secret texts
pretty often, she had to wonder if it was Hailey on the other end.
Then again, maybe she was just letting this
situation get the best of her. Trying to ignore her insecurities, she focused
on her wardrobe calamity. “You’re such an oaf,” she murmured. Stacie didn’t
typically resort to name-calling, but desperate times and all that. “I need to
make an impression. You only get one chance, right? What says talented,
successful author and illustrator?”
“Anything, baby, just pick something before you
bury me over here.”
Owen lounged on the bed, dressed in those
button fly jeans that always drew her attention to his bulge, and a Seattle
Sounders jersey that clung to his toned pecs. His hair was still wet from the
shower and since he didn't really believe in using a comb, it was sexily
disheveled. Then there were those luscious lips, curved into an amused smile.
If she wasn't so aroused, Stacie might find his amusement annoying, but right
now all she could think of was skipping out on meeting Gallery Guy and
finishing what she and Owen had started last night.
“I should have kept my teacher wardrobe,” she
muttered, immediately regretting it. At some point Stacie had realized she
dressed like Greg, always wearing slacks – although she had more than just
khaki – and a nice, conservative shirt. Her teacher wardrobe was horrible.
Thank Gatsby she'd left it all at
Goodwill on her way out of Maine.
“Maybe I should wear this,” Stacie said,
holding up the almost nothing of a black dress Jenny had given her a year ago.
The dress bordered on slutty and memories of how Owen had taken her right up
against the wall, still wearing the dress and strappy heels, flooded Stacie’s
mind.
“You wouldn't get past the bedroom door,” Owen
said, the smile leaving his face.
Good, mission accomplished. She had his
attention and maybe memories of that night would make him want her now.
Stacie leaned back against the wall. “Why's
that? Because you'd do me right here?”
The little growl was subtle, but deep enough it
couldn’t be missed. “You know how I feel about that dress.”
“Remind me,” Stacie said.
About
Susan
Big dreamer and certifiable
overachiever Susan Ann Wall embraces life at full speed and volume. She’s a
beer and tea snob, can be bribed with dark chocolate, and the #1 thing on her
bucket list is to be the center of a Bon Jovi flash mob.
Susan is a nationally
bestselling, multi-genre author of racy, rule-breaking romance and women’s
fiction. Her bragging rights include nine books in three different series, three perfect children, adopting an amazing
rescue dog, and a happily ever after that started while serving in the U.S.
Army and has spanned nearly two decades (which is crazy since she’s not a day
over 29).
In her next
life, Susan plans to be a 5 foot 10, size 8 rock star married to a chiropractor
and will not be terrified of large bridges, spiders, or quiet people (shiver).
Find Susan at:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/susanannwall.author
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/@susanannwall
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/susanannwall
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/susanannwall
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/nQ7wH
Wow, Susan, you're a NaNo beast! I certainly need to take a few lessons from you. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Angela, and thanks for having me!!! <3
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your excerpt. As someone who's part of four generations of men serving in the military--one still serving-- I'd like to say, "Thank you for your service!" Good luck with your books and sales!
ReplyDeleteHI Judy!! Thanks so much and thank you to your men!!!
DeleteWow! You are a machine! (Except with a huge heart. :) ) These sound like fantastic stories. Yes, much to be thankful for!
ReplyDeleteVroom vroom!! My motor is revving!! :-)
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