Author Spotlight and interview with Susan Stoker

Interview with the Author

When did you first start writing?

I’ve written “stories” on and off for the last ten years, it wasn’t until this year when I started trying to turn those stories into novels.

Why did you choose your specific genre?

It chose me. Lol. Seriously, I don’t like to read anything but romance. And I want to like what I’m writing, so naturally I write romantic stories.

Paper or plastic?

Plastic

What is your go to snack/drink to consume while you are writing?

Anything sugary. I love to eat sugar candy. I.e. sweet tarts, runts, lifesavers, etc.

Where is the place you find you are most drawn to when you have time to write?

The only place I really write is in our office at home. It’s in the middle of the house. I’d love to have a writing cave, but I can’t leave the dogs out in the house without keeping an eye on them. They’d get into trouble!

Have you ever hated something you wrote? 

Not really, but after I write something I can always figure out a way to change it up. I’m never really done with a novel. Most of the time I have to just say “I’m done” so I don’t keep changing it.

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it? 

I learn stuff all the time. I admit I don’t go hard core with my researching, but in my first book in my SEAL of Protection series, the main female character is a chemist. I had to go online and research stuff about her occupation so it sounded “real” in the book.

Manicures, pedicures or both?

Neither! I am horribly ticklish and think feet are kinda gross, so there’s no way I’d be able to let someone fondle and rub my feet. My fingernails aren’t that long, I’ve never been able to grow them out so getting them all painted and pretty isn’t really a priority. Anyone want to go with me for my first manicure?

Have you ever been in trouble with the police?

Nope. I’ve been a good girl.

Have you ever gotten in a bar fight?

See the answer to #10 above.

Animals?  Do you have any, if so what kind and what are their names?

Yes! We have three dogs right now. We have a basset hound named Rosie, a bloodhound named Henry and a basset/terrier mix named Annie.

What is the one subject you would never write about as an author?

A woman who was “torn” between two men. I don’t particularly like reading books like that, so I wouldn’t write one. I like when a reader can really get to like a male lead in a book and not be torn between who the female character should choose. (now a manage is a completely different thing…lol)

Where do you come up with the names for the characters in your books?

Honestly? I use and abuse my friends! I’m more about the character of the people in my books, and not as much into the name. I have to admit that I had a coworker tell me what they were going to name their baby, and I totally stole the name for a character in a book. I mean come on, doesn’t “Hunter Knox” just scream hunky Navy SEAL in your mind? Yeah, mine too, so her baby’s name will live on forever now. lol

What person (author or not) was the biggest influence in your decision to become an author?

Sable Hunter. Sable is a pen name for a woman who writes really good steamy romance novels. She took me on as a proof-reader and I found that what I had written was just as good as the books I was proofreading. She gave me the confidence I needed to get my books published and to share my stories with others. Before Sable, only two people had ever read my stories before.

So you have any secret talents, like juggling or balancing a spoon on your nose?

Funny you should mention spoons, when I was in high school I once balanced seven spoons and two knives on my face at one time! Lol I also played the tuba and once upon a time in a land far far away I was a championship swimmer.

If you were a zoo animal, which would you be?

Hippo. No one messes with the hippo. They can wallow in the mud and water all day, but still get their kicks by chasing people and scaring the scrap out of them.

What is the weirdest thing that has ever been said or done to you by a fan?

So far nothing too weird yet. I get friend request on facebook by men who I know for a fact will never read any of my books so I have no idea why they are “friending” me, but for the most part I just ignore those requests (sorry to any guy out there who loves my work! Lol)

Imagine your characters are on survivor.  Who will they vote out of the book?

Funny you should mention that. My first series was all about reality shows! I have been told that I write a good “mean girl,” so all the mean people would definitely be kicked out first. If we are talking about my SEAL series I would think all of the SEALS would be kicked off first because people would know for a fact that any one of them could out run, swim, and survive better than them.

Where do you hope you are in your career in 10 years?

                                   Ten years is a LONG time. I’m hoping in that amount of time I’ve been able to retire from                                    my full time job and I can be hanging out on cruise ships on vacation with my husband,                                      or sitting on the deck of my house in the mountains somewhere and still be writing                                              stories with hot alpha men and the women who they find to put up with them and love                                        them to pieces.

About the Author

Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Texas where she lives but this all American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, and Indiana. She is quite the romantic and even met the love of her life on "Hotmail classified" before online dating and sites like match.com even existed!

Susan has been reading romance novels since middle school and once crossed out the names of the main characters in a book and changed them to her own and to the name of her crush. She's been writing scenes for years, developing her unique writing style.

Susan loves writing but her true passion is adopting dogs from rescue groups and shelters. Susan and her husband have had a total of nine "rescued" dogs since 2000 including a variety of basset hounds and bloodhounds. She has recently branched out and adopted a basset/terrier mix who acts more like a terrier than a basset (i.e. digging, eating a couch and being hyper).

If you enjoyed this book, or any book, please consider leaving a review.

Discover other titles by Susan Stoker

Beyond Reality Series:

Outback Hearts

Flaming Hearts

Connect with Susan Online:

Susan’s Facebook Profile and Page:

www.facebook.com/authorsstoker

www.facebook.com/authorsusanstoker

Follow Susan on Twitter:

Susan_Stoker

Find Susan’s Books on Goodreads

www.goodreads.com/SusanStoker

Blurb- Protecting Caroline

Matthew “Wolf” Steel hated flying commercial. Luckily his job as a Navy SEAL meant he didn’t have to do it very often. He’d been unlucky enough to be assigned a middle seat on the cramped jet, but fortunately for him, the woman next to him was willing to switch seats with him. Hoping for a relaxing flight, Wolf was pleasantly surprised at the good conversation and sense of humor the woman had as they flew 36,000 feet over the countryside.

When Caroline boarded the plane to Virginia to move across the country for her new job she never expected to be seated next to the hottest guy she’d ever seen. She also never expected he’d be so easy to talk to. She knew he’d never be interested in talking to her if he hadn’t been trapped in the seat next to her, but it was a nice way to spend a long plane ride.

Neither Wolf nor Caroline were prepared for a terrorist hijacking of their plane. Luckily for them, and for every passenger aboard, Wolf and his two teammates were prepared to take action. No one could know that everyone’s actions from that day would lead to long-term consequences. If Caroline thought that would be the last time she’d see, or need, Wolf, she’d be sorely mistaken. It will take Wolf’s entire SEAL team to get to the bottom of the terrorist attack, and save the life of the woman Wolf knew he’d never be able to live without.

Start the SEAL of Protection Series with Caroline and Wolf's story.

 Outback Hearts 

Sam never thought she’d actually be chosen for a reality show--but next thing she knew, she was whisked away to Australia. Dealing with a producer willing to do whatever he had to do make the show a hit, other women ready to cheat and lie to gain the attention of the bachelor, and a camera operator ready to catch her at her worst every time she turned around, absolutely nothing was as simple as it seemed on TV. Not to mention the pigs, killer rattlesnakes and shoveling manure. Sam wasn’t sure she was going to make it through filming most days--never mind find true love. Alex never thought he’d be on a reality show, but how hard could being surrounded by beautiful women be? A lot harder than he’d thought. The producer changed the rules of the show behind his back, the women were nearly clawing at each other for this attention--and that one contestant he couldn’t get off his mind… 

Can two people who are meant to be together manage to fight the catty contestants, crazy producer and find true love on a reality show in the Australian Outback?

Blurp - Flaming Hearts

Becky and her mom used to watch reality shows together all the time. Her mom passed away before she could see Becky on her very own show…except it’s not her own show. She has to share the limelight with another woman. They’re both competing for the love and attention of the same men. It was like no show Becky had ever seen… and she was miserable. The best thing about the show was trying to irritate the other woman by choosing activities Becky knew she’d hate. Becky had no idea she’d meet a wonderful, protective man while on the show, unfortunately he wasn’t a contestant. 

Dean always knew he’d find the one woman meant for him, but he had no idea he’d find her competing on a reality show. He’d have to find a way to make sure she didn’t choose any of the prospects on the show, but would decide to be with him instead. Luckily his brother was a cameraman; it was just the key to get to spend time with Becky, as long as the Director didn’t catch wind of their plans. 

Becky can’t believe Dean would be interested in her; after all, she isn’t anything special. For some reason he keeps coming back to see her and wants to talk to her every night on the phone. Their relationship becomes more solid just as Becky’s time on the show becomes more tense. She’s ready to call it quits, but she has a contract. 

Dean and Becky are counting the days until the reality show is over and they can spend time together openly when Dean gets called away on a job. When an incident on the show threatens her safety and Dean isn’t around for her to turn to, Becky isn’t sure their relationship can survive. Becky has to figure out a way to trust Dean to help her, and Dean will do whatever it takes for Becky to realize she’s his…forever.

Frozen Hearts

Working as a camera operator for a hard-nosed producer isn't all fun and games. Kina is seriously thinking about making this reality show her last. She's known as being 'cold-as-ice' when it comes to men, which is appropriate since they're filming in Alaska. Before she can figure out what she wants to do with her life she had to make it through this show. The contestants aren’t exactly lumberjack material and the challenges range from ridiculous to downright dangerous. 
The Alaskan reality show is Jonathan’s last gig before he goes to work in security with his brother. The shoot would be completely miserable except for the fact that the one woman in the world who is meant to be his is also a camera operator on the show. He has no idea how he’ll manage it, but he is determined to win her heart and convince her to move to Arizona to be with him. 
Following in the footsteps of the contestants isn’t a walk in the park for the camera operators. Fighting boredom and drama within the crew, hiking across glaciers, and camping in the Alaskan wilderness isn’t as safe as it seems on television. An injury on the set will either bring Jonathan and Kina together, or tear them apart for good.