MY FAVOURITE PLACE ON EARTH
WINNING THE HEIRESS’ HEART
by Susanne Bellamy
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I love Hawaii. Been there a bunch of times including the time I scored a house sit for a few weeks. Heaven! I've explored the islands, written articles about them, immersed myself in the laid back open hearted culture and find myself drawn back there again and again. So imagine my delight when I heard my dear friend Susanne Bellamy has written a book set on Oahu. Brilliant news. I've grabbed the details to share with you but I also wanted you to get to know Susanne better too because she's lovely. You're going to want to read all her books by the time you're finished this interview. Here we go!
What were the elements that triggered the storyline of WINNING THE HEIRESS’ HEART?
Aside from those required by the nature of the series, I think Elvis Presley’s Hawaiian movies, “Tales from the South Pacific” by James Michener, “South Pacific”, the musical, wartime anecdotes, bad-boy bikers in movies, and something of a fascination with flying.
What’s your favourite scene in the book?
Several, but I’m going with The Pineapple Queen Festival. It was a light-hearted scene , which allowed me to show Luc’s growing awareness of the fun side of Eva.
The characters from WINNING THE HEIRESS’ HEART are coming for dinner – what would you cook for them?
Luc’s favourite dish – roast pork with all the trimmings. And for dessert, a special Aussie dessert of pineapple and berry-filled pavlova that I suspect Eva might want to add to her pineapple cookbook!
Do you have a writing routine or a special place you like to create your novels?
I spend early morning on social media and marketing related work, before I move on to actual story writing. Occasionally, if a scene is on fire for me, I get up early and get that down. My favourite writing spaces are my verandas, but I have been known to curl up under the doona in winter!
If you were shipwrecked on a deserted island which character would you want with you and why?
Luc Martineau. He is resourceful, clever, a man of action and strong. And did I mention sexy? You’ve got to cover all hours of the day...and night! ;)
Was there a point where you realised yes, I am a writer!?
More of a dawning realisation that I was doing exactly what I wanted to be doing, and making most of those who read my work, happy. Writing comes from passion for creating wonderful stories that engage readers and which allows them to lose themselves in other lives and places, to live vicariously. I accept I can’t please everyone but believe I have achieved a pleasurable experience for the majority of my readers.
You’re in a bar and they’ve called your name for karaoke – what song do you sing?
Given my lifelong love of musicals and that I don’t have a big vocal range: “I’m Gonna Wash that Man right outta my hair”. I can ham that up!
What does your ideal Sunday morning look like?
Brekkie in bed or an al fresco brunch when the weather is beautiful.
Finish this statement: People often underestimate the power of...
Challenging themselves to do what they fear.
Finish this statement: I feel most magical when...
I’m dancing!
While the ink on WINNING THE HEIRESS’ HEART is barely dry – do you have another story for us in the pipeline?Please spill the beans!
Nepal is next on my list – another romantic suspense set mainly on the trail to Mt Everest and tentatively titled ‘Her Mountain Man’. It’s the first of a protector series with a difference. I love travel and we tend to go off the beaten track. This story comes out of our trip to Nepal, with additional material from my husband’s subsequent treks and climbs there.
Blurb:
Eva Abbott sells her inheritance in England, Bellerose Manor, to provide for the care of her nephew. She buys a pineapple plantation in Hawaii but discovers her neighbour, Luc Martineau, will do anything to take it from her.
When Eva discovers a diary, which may solve their financial problems, villains follow her to Hawaii and attempt to force her to reveal the whereabouts of the heirloom emerald necklace.
Is Luc an ally or an enemy? Is he after Eva or her land?
Extract:
Luc has offered to teach Eva how to shoot her father’s service pistol
Luc walked back from the target he’d set up ten yards away. He took up a position behind Eva and repeated the instructions. “Okay, release the safety catch, use two hands to steady your aim, sight and squeeze the trigger.”
She tensed, shut her eyes and jerked the trigger. The explosion set off a cacophony of squawking in the trees and a flight of parrots took wing above their heads. Unprepared for the kick, she lurched backward into Luc’s solid chest. His warm hands caught her elbows and he chuckled. “You won’t hit anything if you close your eyes, Eva. And you need to squeeze the trigger, not jerk it. Like this.”
He fitted his length against hers. Heat blazed down her spine as his body shaped hers, surrounding her. Every nerve sought closer contact with him until she was unsure where she ended and he began. The rasp of his stubbled chin against her cheek sent goose bumps down her right side and his warm breath fanned across her skin as he repeated his instructions in her ear. His hands closed over hers on the pistol.
Her head was cushioned against his shoulder and she nestled against the tanned column of his neck. A fraction of a turn of her head and her nose bumped into his chin. She closed her eyes and inhaled the most intoxicating scent she’d ever smelled. Old Spice aftershave mingled with clean, male sweat and images drawn from the pages of Josephine’s diary. Heat rushed to that place between her thighs, moist and insistent and wanting, and her breath became choppy.
“You have to look at the target. Eva?”
She opened her eyes and tipped her head up. Mere inches from hers, his lips shaped her name. Such beautiful lips. The urge built within to trace their outline with her finger, her tongue, to taste them.
“Eva?”
She eased one hand from their joint hold on the gun and touched his cheek. Stubble scraped her fingers and a muscle jumped beneath her hand. He lowered the pistol and flicked on the safety catch before sliding it into its holster. In one smooth twist she turned into his arms and slipped hers around his neck.
He lowered his head and their mouths met in a kiss soft as spring rain. Her body trembled, heat zinged through her veins and pooled low in her belly. All their verbal sparring, their unexpected and heady attraction had been a prelude to this kiss. Prepared for fight or flight, her body chose close quarter action.
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About Susanne
Susanne is an Australian author of contemporary and suspense romances, and several novellas, set in exciting and often exotic locations. Her heroes have to be pretty special to live up to the real life one she married. He saved her life then married her!
For more Susanne:
