Susan Stoker's Blog, page 14

June 25, 2020

Get your first chapter here! 😍

EEP! LESS THAN A WEEK TO GO!
Defending Raven is coming out in less than a week! Everyone has been so patient (okay, mostly patient, lol) and it's finally time for Rex to find his wife after a decade of her being gone.
To try to help with your anticipation, I've posted the entire first chapter on my website. But beware, it might make you even more impatient for June 30th to get here!
And while we're talking about it...how is June 30th next week? Goodness gracious, it was just March last week! Six months until the holidays are upon us! HA!
But seriously, thank you all for your support of this series. The release of Defending Raven is a little bittersweet for me because it means the end of the Mountain Mercenaries series. BUT...if you pay attention when you read...you'll see a glimpse of the new series I have starting in December ...Silverstone. A group of four men who have made it their life's work to rid the world of evil. :) Trusting Skylar is book one and I hope you'll be excited to learn more about them by the time you finish Rex and Raven's story!
Don't forget to check out the first chapter :) Happy Reading and Be Kind!
~Susan
description
4 likes ·   •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on June 25, 2020 14:18

June 17, 2020

Nothing will keep him away... 📘

EEK! We're more than halfway done with June! You know what that means? Defending Raven
is almost here!
This week I've got an exclusive teaser to share with you. I can't wait for you to read Raven and Rex's story and to see them finally get the happily ever after they deserve after a decade of heartache.
This week is father's day in the US and Mr Stoker's daughter is coming for a visit! Hard to believe she's almost twenty-six...when did WE get so old? lol I hope you're all doing ok out there. Remember those tick bites that were so itchy last week? Mr. Stoker looked at one and ordered me to call the doctor. There isn't a bullseye around it, but it's...funky. My skin is super reactive to any kind of bite and I'm sure it's just my skin reacting, but to make him happy, I'm going in...all masked up of course. Just another day in the life....
Remember to always be kind to others. No matter what. You never know what they've been through, are going through, or will go through in the future.
~Susan

description
9 likes ·   •  1 comment  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on June 17, 2020 13:07

June 11, 2020

Rex is on his way... click to read an excerpt!

Less than 3 weeks until Defending Raven comes out! I always get nervous with these last books because I know they're SO anticipated! I think this book is pretty emotional, how can it be anything BUT when Rex finally finds his wife after a decade?

This week I'm sharing an exclusive excerpt with you. It was hard to come up with something that wasn't a huge spoiler.

I started writing a new book this week (in the Delta Team Two series) and I went swimming for the first time in three months. (OY! I'm out of shape! lol) I went camping and got bitten by TICKS! (Yuck!). It's gotten hot here in Tennessee, which I'm not a fan of. The cicadas haven't gotten to us yet, but I'm waiting. What else? Oh yeah, I ordered NEW shirts for my online store and I LOVE them! In two weeks I'll have two more designs as well.

I've struggled with my mental health a little bit. Everything feels overwhelming. I've made donations, I've read books, I've isolated myself, and yet I still feel as if it's not enough.
Be kind to yourselves. Do what you can to make the world a better place, but don't ignore yourself when you're looking after everyone else.
Read On!
~Susan
______________________________________________________________________________________
Defending Raven- Exclusive Excerpt
"My main objective on this trip is to go into that barrio, grab my wife, and get the hell out.”

“It probably won’t be that easy,” Zara told him.
Dave nodded. “I know. Raven and I have been separated longer than we were together. She’s been through a kind of hell I can’t even begin to understand. But I’m not leaving without her.” The last was said a bit harsher than he’d intended, but it didn’t matter. He wouldn’t leave the country without Raven.
“She might not want to leave,” Zara said quietly.
Dave ground his teeth together to keep the sharp words that sprang to mind from escaping.
“The Mags I know is as independent as anyone I’ve ever met,” Zara went on. “She’s smart and doesn’t show a lot of emotion. When she was trying to convince me to tell Meat that I was an American, to share my story and get him to take me back to the States, I asked if she would come with me. I knew about the time she’d spent working for del Rio, but to me, she was a fellow American. She didn’t seem all that happy to be here, but when I asked her to come with me, she shook her head and said her life was in Peru.”
Zara’s words were more painful than anything Dave had ever heard.
He had no idea why Raven hadn’t jumped at the chance to get back to the States. Back to him.
“Is she being held captive there?” he asked.
Zara slowly shook her head. “Not that I know of. But I’ve always thought something wasn’t quite right about her situation. Three days a week, she’s gone most of the day and doesn’t tell anyone where she goes. But she always comes back to the barrio before the sun goes down. I haven’t seen anyone following her, and she doesn’t act like she’s being threatened. Well . . . any more than anyone else, that is.”
“What do you mean?” Meat asked, putting his hand on his fiancée’s knee.
“Just that life as a woman in the barrio, especially one without a husband, isn’t exactly a walk in the park. We always had to worry about Ruben or one of his friends stealing what food we’d managed to scavenge, or . . . you know.”
Dave saw each and every one of the men frown in anger. Yeah, they knew what Zara meant. She’d already told them all about Ruben Martínez and his friends in the barrio. Zara guessed him to be in his mid-twenties. He thought he was not only God’s gift to women, but some sort of untouchable badass. He and his gang harassed everyone in the barrio and didn’t hesitate to take what they wanted, using force whenever necessary.
They were also the ones who’d beaten up Meat and Black. Every single one of the Mountain Mercenaries was hoping to have a run-in with the gang, if only for a little payback.
“All I’m saying,” Zara continued, “is that out of all the women I got to know, Mags is the only one who never talked about getting out of the barrio. She just seemed to accept her situation. Everyone else dreamed about either finding a husband wealthy enough to have a place to live outside the barrio, or getting back to their families in the countries they were kidnapped from to work for del Rio.”
“Raven’s life is not in Peru,” Dave stated. “It’s in Colorado, with me.”
Seeing the uneasy and pitying looks his friends were giving him, Dave couldn’t bear to sit still any longer. He sprang to his feet and resumed his pacing.
He didn’t know why Raven hadn’t attempted to contact him. He didn’t know what she’d been through over the last ten years, although he could guess. But none of that mattered. All that mattered was that she was still the woman he loved with all his heart. Nothing she’d done or been made to do over the years would ever change that.
He had no idea what he’d be up against when he finally set eyes on her again, but he wasn’t giving up on his wife, not after all these years.
Impatiently, Dave looked at his watch and swore. It was taking way too long to get there. And every minute that passed was one more minute during which Raven could slip out of his life without a trace. Again. Someone could hurt her, or she could be kidnapped again.
“I’m coming for you, sweetheart,” he whispered as he paced. “Just keep hanging on until I can get there.”

description
14 likes ·   •  1 comment  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on June 11, 2020 11:33

June 4, 2020

Deep Breath.

Deep Breath.
This has been a hard week.
COVID, racism, uncertainty, protests, fear...
I'm not a very political person. Partly because I get frustrated that there's not much I can do about what's happening. That might be selfish, or ignorant, or maybe even a bit of both. I've made bad decisions in my life, I've judged people without knowing them. But the older I get, the harder I try to change my ways. I want to be a good friend, an ally. But I don't always know how to do that. I found a good article that helps gives me some ideas on how to be better. I'll include it at the bottom of this email in case you're interested. But one thing I think we can ALL do better no matter what our situation, is to LISTEN. If someone says they're scared, or uncomfortable, or upset...don't tell them they aren't, or they shouldn't be. Instead, listen to what they're saying and HEAR them.

With that...said, back to books...Thank you ALL so much for your love of Avery and Rex. You put that book #2 on the Wall Street Journal bestseller list behind the Hunger Games book! I can't tell you what that means to me. Wait, yes, I can...it means the world.
But now we're in June. And the OTHER Rex gets his story this month! (And yes, as an author I messed up and gave two characters the same nickname, sorry!) In Defending Raven, Rex is headed to Peru to find his Raven after a DECADE of her being gone. You know it'll be emotional for sure! I'll start sharing snippets and teasers next week.
In the meantime, be aware of your biases and try to be better. And most of all...be kind.

~Susan
PS: If you are interested... this is a pretty good article about being an ally to POC (people of color). There a ton of other great articles and books out there as well, but this one resonated with me.
11 likes ·   •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on June 04, 2020 12:59

May 19, 2020

Securing Avery is here! 📕

It's live!
Security Avery is finally ready for download! Poor Avery has been waiting forever to be rescued from under that mountain where the bad guys stashed her! But she hasn't been crying in a corner waiting, she's been actively doing whatever she can to rescue herself! :) You can get Avery and Rex's story on all the book platforms and in audio and paperback as well!
Read and enjoy! :) ~Susan
Amazon: https://smarturl.it/AveryKindle
Nook: https://smarturl.it/AveryNook
Kobo: https://smarturl.it/AveryKobo
Apple: https://smarturl.it/AveryApple
Google: https://smarturl.it/AveryGoogle
Audible: https://smarturl.it/AveryAudible


description
6 likes ·   •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on May 19, 2020 15:21

May 13, 2020

Ever said, "Just one more chapter?" 😂

It's almost MID-MAY! That's hard to believe.
BUT, the good thing about that is that it's almost time for Securing Avery to go live!
If you're an audiobook listener, you can get the audiobook NOW!
In something new, I've shared the SECOND chapter on my website this week. Chapter one was from Rex's point of view and how he felt when he learned it was AVERY who was a POW, but chapter two is from Avery's perspective. What she's feeling and thinking. :) It's on my website, HERE, if you read chp 1 last week, scroll down past it and you'll find chp 2. Enjoy!
And in case you didn't know, I am working on getting my books translated into French, German, and Italian. It's very exciting to get new readers in other countries, especially when all I kept hearing from agents and publishers was that "foreign readers don't like to read military books." I love proving people wrong. If you know anyone who speaks one of these languages, point them my direction on my website
!
I appreciate you all very much. I love that I've found my "tribe." My people who enjoy reading the same kinds of books I do. Read on, stay safe and healthy, and don't forget to leave reviews if you can. They really do help!
~Susan

description
6 likes ·   •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on May 13, 2020 12:04

May 6, 2020

Avery Sneak Peek Inside. 😄

Hi! How are you? Are you hanging in there? I hope so! Mr. Stoker and I went out today to take a bike ride on our electric bikes! It's totally cheating and doesn't even really feel like I'm exercising! lol. But now I don't think I can ever use a "regular" bike again. I'm spoiled rotten! lol. We went 14 miles today and it felt really good to get out and about.
Securing Avery will be coming to your ears and e-readers SOON! Next week the audio will be live, and Avery the next week. I know some people get upset that I release the audio before the ebook, but in so many cases my audio lovers and those who are blind either never get the audio, or it comes out months to years after the ebook. So this is just my way of giving back to them a little bit.
BUT, for EVERYONE this week, I've put up the first chapter on my website. You'll get a bit of back story about Rex and his fellow SEALs and how they found out Avery was missing. Hopefully, it will whet your appetite! :)
Just as a reminder, I do have signed paperbacks in my online store and I'm planning on mailing out copies of Securing Avery next week (and of course there's a lot more stuff in my store too, like shirts and swag too!).
I appreciate all of you. I know there are lots of authors out there and I'm thrilled you all enjoy reading my stories as much as I enjoy writing them! Stay safe out there! Read on!
~Susan

description
5 likes ·   •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on May 06, 2020 15:41

April 29, 2020

A little tease for you... 😀

I remember just the other day (or at least it seemed like it), I was complaining about how slow January was moving...and now it's MAY! How in the world did that happen? Sheesh.
Anyway, being May, that means that Securing Avery

is almost here! Last week I shared the sneak peek, and this week I've got a new teaser for you! Soon you'll get the first chapter and then Avery will be here! I love Avery. She's super kick-butt. An author friend of mine read it early and said:
"I think Avery might be my favorite. I love her! I love how she took control of that situation in the helicopter!"

I also put up a new pre-order recently. Finding Elodie is the first book in a new series, SEAL Team Hawaii. You'll meet the team officially in Securing Kalee coming out in Sept, but I'm so looking forward to writing about the beautiful island of Hawaii. It's one of my favorite places! You can find all of the books that I've currently got up for preorder on my website, HERE .
.
I hope you are all taking care of your mental health. This is a very weird time and I know it can be worrisome. Read a book, cook a tasty treat, call a friend and video chat, take a bath...and if you need to, head out the door and take a walk to get a break from whatever is going on in your house. Sending all the love and hugs to you all!
~Susan

description
8 likes ·   •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on April 29, 2020 11:48

April 23, 2020

Hope you're staying safe...😍

Less than one month and you'll have Securing Avery in your hot little hands!

At the end of the last book in the series, the Delta guys find out that Avery, the Navy nurse Rex has a crush on, has been taken captive as a POW in Afghanistan. Avery is super strong in this book, and while I'm always hard on my heroines, she really kicks butt!

You'll see all the guys and their women, and you'll get more insight into Phantom and what makes him tick. Below I've included a snippet so you can get excited about things to come!

Be on the lookout on Friday on the Amazon Publishing page for a video I recorded. I talk about my Mountain Mercenaries, answer some reader questions, and give you a glimpse into my home office with my super-secret hidden room!

Thinking good thoughts for all of you. Stay safe, and sane, in these crazy times! Read on!
~Susan
description
7 likes ·   •  1 comment  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on April 23, 2020 11:20

April 15, 2020

Thank you so much 💜

Happy Halloween...oh wait...it's not October? It certainly feels as if 2020 has lasted at least 10 months so far! but I hope you are all doing all right and are staying safe and healthy!
I want to thank everyone for supporting Sheilding Gillian’s release last week! It's always scary to try to launch a new series and I'm thrilled you're loving the new team!

This week I want to bring to your attention some SALES I'm having!
Right now you can get SIX of my books completely FREE! I always tell people if you read my free stuff and like it, then you'll most likely enjoy all of my books. If those free books aren't to your liking, you can just move on because I don't change up what I write. Strong heroines, alpha protective Heroes, and friendships that are unbreakable. There's external drama and not a lot of internal "do-I-like-him/her-maybe-but-I-should-break-up-with-him/her-anyway" drama. lol (See below for the free books!)

I'm also having a HUGE sale on Kobo. Kobo is a platform for buying books, just like Amazon, or Barnes and Noble, or Apple. The app is FREE, just like all the other apps are. Right now you can buy one, get one FREE, on EVERY SINGLE ONE OF MY BOOKS on kobo. If you've been waiting to finish up the Badge of Honor or any other series, now's your chance to get the books half off! No coupons necessary, just add 2 books to your cart, and the system will automatically give you the cheaper one free!

And lastly, I wanted to make sure everyone knows I have an online store . I sell autographed books, T-shirts, stickers, mugs, and other random swag! I pack up everything personally here in my house and Mr. Stoker delivers the boxes to the post office! Check it out to see what kind of goodies I've got. :)

Next week I'll start teasing...er...talking up Securing Avery ! It's the second-to-last book in my SEAL: Legacy series. Last you heard, Avery was a Prisoner of War in Afghanistan and the team was going to go see if they could find her. :)
Have a good week, try to find one good thing about each day.
~Susan
description
4 likes ·   •  1 comment  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on April 15, 2020 12:04