Suzanne G. Rogers's Blog, page 2
January 1, 2024
Happy New Year!
To all my readers, thank you for an amazing 2023. I hope the best is yet to come!
~ Suzanne
December 25, 2023
Merry Christmas!
Have a very cozy Christmas!
~ Suzanne
November 24, 2023
Black Friday
[image error] [image error] Three of my historical romance titles are on sale for $0.99, from Friday 11/24 through 11/30, 2023.
The Mannequin (Book One of The Mannequin Series) • (1,907 5-Star Reviews on Amazon)
When she was a poor country girl in a hand-me-down dress, Rosamund saved the Duke of Swanhaven from the brink of despair…only to fall in love with him. Now, she’s a celebrated mannequin for an exclusive London dressmaker, but her glamorous life is empty without the man to whom she gave her heart. Can a beastly duke and a beautiful mannequin ever find a fairy-tale ending?
An American in Paris of the West • (4.9 Average Rating Review on Amazon)
After childhood sweethearts, Katherine and Asa, are torn apart by circumstance, he takes a job three thousand miles away in San Francisco, the Paris of the West. When fate brings them together again, he’s fighting for his life. She’ll do whatever it takes to save him, but can their shattered romance ever be healed?
After Merrill’s widowed mother becomes engaged to an earl, the fate of their respective estates hangs in the balance. A battle of wits ensues when the earl’s arrogant son shows up to make demands. Despite their prickly start, once Merrill discovers she and the viscount have both been painfully crossed in love, she begins to feel a measure of empathy. Unfortunately for their burgeoning relationship, a tempestuous drama threatens to tear them apart forever.
What Amazon Reviewers are saying:
“A joyful love story” – JAB
“Sweet romance of love and miscommunication.”Sweet romance of love and miscommunication.” – Crystal Carr
“Loved it…The characters are likable and unique.” – Emz
Happy Reading!
November 23, 2023
Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! I am thankful for friends, family, and readers like you.
Check back tomorrow for three Black Friday steals!
~ Suzanne
June 10, 2023
Upcoming Release • One Little Kiss
Charlotte promises her rakish neighbor a kiss if he will teach her awkward cousin how to waltz. Although she convinces herself the kiss will mean nothing, her feelings for the devilishly attractive baron begin to deepen. Can she protect her heart from the confirmed bachelor or will her impulsive bargain lead to romantic disaster?
One Little Kiss is available for pre-order (release date is June 27, 2023) HERE. The paperback version is available HERE right now.
How the Sausage Was Made
Believe it or not, One Little Kiss has been in development since late 2022. I prepared an extensive outline beforehand, including dialogue and scene snippets, and thought I would be able to hammer out the book in short order.
Hold the phone.
As I wrote, I begun to realize the conflicts were too easily resolved, the book was too short, and I had some character issues hampering the tone. When I was largely done with the manuscript, I had to weigh whether or not to toss the entire thing or begin a massive rewrite.
Nearly six months later, after a complete overhaul, the book weighs in at 378 pages, the characters are far more interesting than before, and the story is engaging. I delve into a great many more human flaws and weaknesses than I had originally planned, and I’ve taken some risks with my hero and heroine.
Orson Welles said in advertisements for Paul Masson California wine, “We will sell no wine before its time.” To paraphrase Welles, I release no book before it is ready. One Little Kiss is ready, so I do hope you like it.
~ Suzanne
March 25, 2023
So This Happened…
Last month, I celebrated The Mannequin topping over 1,000 reviews/ratings on Amazon. This month, Duke of a Gilded Age has amassed 2,426 reviews/ratings. Also, Jessamine’s Folly has 2,273 ratings/reviews.
Although I love to write, my goal has always been to always to reach as many people as possible. I am glad to have a concrete way to measure that goal and, as always, I’m thankful for my readers.
~ Suzanne
February 21, 2023
A Cause for Celebration
When I first began publishing, every new review meant my books were being noticed and read. Of course, being new meant my reviews numbered in the single digits or, occasionally, a dozen or so. A few of my books still number in the single digits, actually, all these years later.
Some fellow authors of my acquaintance had amassed an unheard of number of reviews in jaw-dropping numbers…eight hundred and more. A sizable number of reviews was a badge of honor in the writing community, and I wanted to earn that badge. Since I was not a New York Times Bestselling Author, how was such a feat to be achieved?
At that time, I learned the most achievable way to get a sizable number of reviews was to advertise with BookBub. My first BookBub feature was for Larken, back in June of 2015. When I applied for the Featured Deal, Larken only had 28 reviews and I was certain it would be rejected. To my shock, it was accepted for a Featured Deal and did very well for me in many ways. Not only did readers leave reviews, but many went on to buy my other books. As of this writing, Larken has 831 ratings on Amazon–a number I could only dream about in 2015.
I’m all about celebrating achievements, small and large. Therefore, I would like to raise my glass in a toast to The Mannequin–the first of my books to have over 1,000 reviews. As of this writing, The Mannequin has earned 1,178 ratings on Amazon.
Thank you to my readers, for sticking with me.
~ Suzanne
[image error][image error]December 25, 2022
Merry Christmas!
Have a wonderful Christmas.
~ Suzanne
October 25, 2022
New Release! The Glass Heart
I’m very happy to announce the publication of my latest historical romance, The Glass Heart.
Blurb: After Merrill’s widowed mother becomes engaged to an earl, the fate of their respective estates hangs in the balance. A battle of wits ensues when the earl’s arrogant son shows up to make demands. Despite their prickly start, once Merrill discovers she and the viscount have both been painfully crossed in love, she begins to feel a measure of empathy. Unfortunately for their burgeoning relationship, a tempestuous drama threatens to tear them apart forever.
Excerpt:
Merrill lifted her chin as she strode toward the house. As she approached the drawing room, she was dismayed to hear the sound of piano music — a song from Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Gondoliers.
“Cheeky devil,” she muttered.
Despite her irritation, Merrill plastered a serene smile to her lips as she sailed into the room. A young man was sitting at the baby grand piano and she was obliged to raise her voice to be heard. “Excuse me?”
Lord Wharton broke off playing and rose to his feet. “You must be Miss Cawthorne? Good afternoon.” He picked up a snifter of amber liquid from the piano lid and lifted it up as if in a toast. “Thank you for making me feel welcome here at Ravenell.”
Despite his words, the man’s eyes glittered with obvious and inexplicable dislike.
“If I have made you feel welcome, it was entirely inadvertent.” Merrill returned his glare with one of her own. “You’ve not been invited, so what is the meaning of this intrusion?”
“Forgive me but I have been invited — by your mother,” With his left hand, Lord Wharton extricated a letter from his jacket pocket. “This letter of introduction is addressed to you.”
As Merrill crossed the room to pluck the letter from his fingers, he swirled the amber liquid with appreciation. “I usually don’t drink before dinner, but this brandy is lovely.”
She bristled. “It’s Armagnac from Gascony, and it’s a very rare vintage.”
“Mmm.” He took a long swallow. “C’est magnifique.”
Merrill discovered the letter was in her mother’s hand and did indeed appear to be a letter of introduction. She read the entire missive through twice before glancing at her unwanted guest.
“You are Lord Seacombe’s son, then.” Merrill gritted her teeth. “I am to show you every courtesy.”
Lord Wharton bowed. “I am delighted to meet you, Miss Cawthorne — or should I call you sister?”
“We are not related yet, so Miss Cawthorne will do.” She peered at him. “Why have you come?”
He put the snifter down so hard she thought he might have broken the stem. “In contemplation of marriage to your mother, my father may sell his estate out from under me.”
“That’s unfortunate, sir, but what does that have to do with me?”
He fixed her with his gaze. “In contemplation of marriage to my father, your mother may sell Ravenell instead.”
Merrill gasped. “What? No!”
“It will be one or the other. Neither my father nor your mother have decided yet.”
“That’s not possible.”
“It is not only possible, but from what I overheard, they have indicated the sale of one estate is a certainty.” Lord Wharton’s eyes narrowed. “If we do not find a way to stop this travesty of a union, one of us will be deprived of our home.”
“I’m not sure what you expect me to do.”
“Tell your mother to break her engagement.”
“You’re mad! I would never presume to tell my mother what to do.” Merrill frowned. “If you are so determined, why don’t you make your demands to your father?”
“My father keeps his own counsel.”
“So does my mother!”
“In that case, we are at an impasse — for now. In the meantime, I intend to acquaint myself with Ravenell. For all I know, I will be living here before long.”
“What a ghastly notion.”
Lord Wharton raised an eyebrow. “I couldn’t agree more.”
The Glass Heart is available at Amazon, in both ebook and paperback format. Happy reading!
October 13, 2022
Upcoming Release #Sale
THE GLASS HEART
After Merrill’s widowed mother becomes engaged to an earl, the fate of their respective estates hangs in the balance. A battle of wits ensues when the earl’s arrogant son shows up to lodge his objection. Despite their prickly start, once Merrill discovers she and the viscount have both been painfully crossed in love, she begins to feel a measure of empathy. Unfortunately for their burgeoning friendship, a tempestuous drama threatens to tear them apart forever.
The Glass Heart will be published for the Kindle on October 25, 2022 for $2.99, but you can pre-order it HERE at a special low price of $00.99. The paperback version is available now!
Thank you for your support!
