Suzanne Sweeney's Blog, page 3

Available Valentine’s Day!

Spread the word – Running Home to You will be available for sale on Friday, February 14, 2014.  Here’s the book summary:

Running Home to You:  continues the journey of Juliette and Evan that began in “Running Back to You”.

Juliette Fletcher thought she had it all – a strikingly handsome man who adores her, a new business venture with her best friends by her side, and a dream house right on the beach.  But appearances can be deceiving and everything comes at a cost.

Evan McGuire has just survived a vicious attack that almost ended his professional football career.  He’s on the mends now, trying to piece his life back together again, and build a life with Juliette.

But Evan’s erratic behavior has Juliette worried.  She must figure out how to save her struggling restaurant, her fragile friendships, and her now unhealthy relationship with the man she loves.  Juliette and Evan find that they’ve placed their trust in the wrong people and the price they pay for that mistake may ultimately cost them everything.

Running Home to You is the second book in the Running Series.

Calling all Beta Readers

A beta reader is someone who agrees to look over a piece of fiction for spelling, grammar, characterization, and continuity errors. Unlike a true editor, a beta reader is typically unpaid, and he or she sees the work at a very rough state. Many authors like to use beta readers to improve the quality of their work before they submit it for professional editing and critique, and beta readers are usually profusely thanked in acknowledgments, in recognition of the time and energy which they invested in the work.

The term is borrowed from the software industry, which uses “beta” to describe an imperfect release. This release is used by beta testers, who try to identify problems with the software before it is used by the general public. These beta testers often try to deliberately break the software, looking for any points of weakness which could pose problems, and a good beta reader, or beta, does the same.

The duties of a beta reader are myriad. In addition to acting as a general proofreader looking for typographical errors, the beta reader also looks for flaws in characterization and plot. The beta may question why a character does or does not do something, or how someone ends up in France with no apparent explanation halfway through the third chapter. Authors sometimes miss these flaws as they are caught up in the greater whole, so a beta reader is especially valuable.

Beta readers will only improve the quality of a written work, although they may sometimes offer very severe criticism. Many authors like to use multiple betas to solicit wider opinions, making their work even better. In rare cases, a beta reader may be excessively harsh or even mean, but these betas are highly unusual. Most are supportive critics who offer meaningful and thoughtful commentary on the work.

If you would like to become a Beta Reader for the sequel, “Running Home to You”, please contact me.  You will receive a free copy of the unedited novel within twenty-four hours.  As a Beta Reader, you are asked not to share the manuscript with which you have been entrusted.  There are a limited number of copies available and I will distribute them on a first-come, first-served basis.  If you have Beta Read for me before, please mention it in your reply.  This offer is valid for a limited time, as I would like to release within the next month.  Thank you for your support.

Join us at Liberty Stadium in Atlantic City

Liberty Stadium is very much real in my mind.  I’ve driven through the immense parking lot, walked the halls, and even stepped out onto the field with Evan and Juliette.  But sitting in the stands is not an option for Evan’s friends and family.  Nothing but the best will do when it comes to taking care of his loved ones.  Take a virtual tour of the Level 5 Suite Evan and a few other players have rented for the season.  When money isn’t a problem, it’s the best way to watch a game.

Visit Evan’s Point Pleasant Beach House

I’ve long wanted to share some of the inspiration for the book.  My hometown of Point Pleasant is a sleepy beach front community with beautiful beach front homes and modestly appointed suburban neighborhoods.  Evan and Juliette spend a great deal of time in Evan’s beach house.  Who could blame them?  It’s got a remarkable view of the ocean, a fair amount of privacy, and all the amenities a million dollar property should have.

I had to find his house and mentally take a tour of it before I could write about it.  I had to actually see the deck and cabana where Evan would bring Juliette on the day of their fateful meeting.  I needed to see with my mind’s eye the master bathroom with the tub, shower, and remarkable view in order to describe it and place them (and hopefully you) in it.  The same goes for every room of the house, really.

Evan’s taste feels simple to me.  He would not have decorated this home himself.  Someone would have done this for him.  But he would have insisted on simple furnishing and nautical themes to match his new surroundings.  The furniture is leather, there area lot of wood surfaces, and plenty of windows.  Perhaps as time progresses, he will let Juliette add her personal touch with some feminine fabrics.

Visit The Beach House page for the images that inspired me.

Meet the Newest Character in RHTY ~

There’s a new man in town.  He’s an army veteran who is recovering from wounds received in Afghanistan.  He’s got everything the gang at Rush Dessert Bar needs – experience running a large kitchen, military training and a strong work ethic, as well as charms and good looks.  He’s got his eyes set on one of the girls, and once he’s decided on a course of action, he’s not easily deterred.  The only problem is … he doesn’t have a name.  Not an official one, yet, anyway.  At first glance, he strikes me as needing a unique name, something that sets him apart from the others.  Perhaps a name like Ryker Donovan.  The more I get to know him, the more I realize that although he seems different – his tattoos, rough exterior, demanding ways – the more I realize he’s not so different from any other guy trying to make a mark in this world.  Now I think he’s more of a Garrett, which is a German name meaning “strength of the spear”.  Seems fitting, right?  However, the name Ryker means “strong power”, which doesn’t help.  I can’t decide.

 

Guest Author Q & A

One of my favorite bloggers, Rene’s Getaway, gave me the opportunity to talk about RBTY in a guest author interview.  Here’s an excerpt of the interview.  Please visit Rene’s Blog to read the complete interview.

Can you describe Running Back to You in 20 words?

RBTY is the wish-it-were-true story of young love with a dash of suspense, humor, and hometown nostalgia.

 

Without giving away any spoilers, for those who have not read Running Back to You, what was your favorite scene to write?

Since you’re asking about fun, I’d have to say it’s the drunken party scene.  The main character, Juliette (Jette) is feeling heart broken and she washes away her troubles with good friends and a little too much alcohol.  In general, watching intoxicated people is funny, and so is writing about them.

 

What came first, the characters or the concept for the story?

The first was the most important character – the setting.  In RBTY, the community plays a large role in the novel.  Having grown up here, I know it intimately and I can tell you that it’s a living, breathing character that inspired the people and the events that I wrote about.

 

 

The Sequel … Running Home to You

 

I’ve completed the first 20K words and it’s time to release a sneak peak at the first chapter of “Running Home to You”.  There’s lots of work yet to be done, we will all just have to wait and see what happens next.  Feel free to leave me a message to tell me what you think.  I’d love to hear what you think should happen next.

Thought of the Day

“To quote French author Francois Mauriac, ‘Tell me what you read and I’ll tell you who your are’ is true enough, but I’d know you better if you told me what you reread.”

―     Sarah Wendell,     Everything I Know About Love I Learned from Romance Novels    

Another Review is in!

Here’s a blurb from a review posted on “Twinsie Talk Book Reviews“:

 

Well this has to be one of the sweetest love stories.  Of course there is miscommunication, and trust issues.  When doesn’t that happen with true love.  There are struggles with their pasts.  I’m reading along and the story is moving along and then ALL OF A SUDDEN……WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!?  I did not see that coming!!  (no, I’m not telling you what happened)… The story takes a big dramatic turn.  I don’t think I took a breath for several minutes!!  I was crying and sobbing and then……oh wow!!!

Please visit their book blog for more great recommended reads!

Book Blog Stop

The first stop on my Book Blog Tour was at Quiet Crazy Book Whores.  Here’s what they have to say about RBTY:

Running Back to You is romantic, passionate, funny and dramatic. The struggles of each character is evident and Suzanne Sweeney’s character development is great.

Juliette and Evan are great together. Their journey is touching and takes you for a spin. Both characters are strong and bring something different to the story.

The instant connection between the two is nice and the premise of the story is different than the other books available.

4 star rating for Running Back to You.

Visit their site to discover more books to enjoy.