Please help me welcome Susan R. Hughes to my blog today.

How did you get started writing?

As a teenager I started out writing young adult novels, but I never finished any. About 10 years ago I decided to try romance and really clicked with the genre. I wasn’t a big romance reader before but I fell in love with love stories.

Are you a full time writer or do you have a “day job”?

I have a day job as an editor. I have always enjoyed helping other writers smooth out the rough spots in their work.

How many books have you written? Do you have a favorite?

I have published eight titles and I’m working on two more. It’s hard to pick a favorite, but my first historical, Sense of Touch, stands out for me. It was the hardest to write because of the research I needed to do, but at times the words just flowed because it was so close to my heart.

Tell us about your current series/WIP.

My historical Music Box Series follows several generations of a family from the 1920s onward. Sense of Touch is the first book, followed by Someone Like You. I have two more in the works.

What inspired your latest book?

For a while I’d been thinking of writing a Christmas romance but couldn’t come up with a plot. Then I decided an idea I’d been working on about a single pregnant woman in need of a place to stay would make an ideal holiday story.

Where do you get the ideas for your stories?

Generally, I first come up with a conflict – an obstacle for the couple to overcome in order to be together – then create the characters and choose a setting, and the story seems to build naturally from there.

What is your favorite part of writing?

When I have the storyline worked out and get to know the characters’ personalities and motivations, the writing starts to flow. That’s the fun part.

What is your least favorite part of writing?

The final editing stages – trying to fix all those little things I don’t quite like, proofreading, making sure it’s all perfect.

What advice do you have for other authors wanting to self-publish?

Join a community of writers. Feedback, advice and encouragement from fellow writers can be invaluable. Also, develop a thick skin. Some people will try to tear you down, no matter how good you are. Last but not least, believe in yourself and persevere.

Do you prefer to read in the same genres you write in or do you avoid reading that genre? Why?

I read a lot of romance, but I like to read all genres. Good writing is enjoyable in any genre and stimulates my urge to write something new.

EXCERPT:
A Baby for Christmas

Turning her shoulders to face the TV, Paige shifted a little closer to Ryan. After a moment she settled against his arm and rested her head on his shoulder. “Thank you for tonight. You’ve helped me almost forget the situation I’ve gotten myself into.”

Ryan felt all the blood in his body pulse toward his right side, warming every point of contact between them. He sat very still, trying not to show either his surprise or the effect her touch had on him. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. You’ll be settled soon, and everything will fall back into place.”

“I don’t know, Ryan. I’m starting to wonder if I did the right thing leaving Matt. I’m not used to being alone.” She titled her face up to him, her gaze open and direct as it fixed onto his. Ryan’s heart lurched hard against his breastbone. The vulnerability in her hazel eyes stirred a swell of compassion in him—as the nearness of her enticing mouth stirred something more primal.

“It’s not so bad being single,” he said. “Anyway, you won’t need to be alone for long. As soon as you’re ready to dip your toe back into the dating pool, I’m willing to bet there’ll be men lined up for miles hoping for a chance.” Without forethought he brushed a loose wisp of hair from her face, letting his fingertips linger a moment on the curve of her cheek but resisting an impulse to let his thumb trace the soft, full contours of her lips.

“Would you be in that line?” Paige asked tentatively—then winced. “Sorry, there I go again saying more than I should. I’ve put you on the spot.”

“No.” Ryan shifted his body to face her. “Paige, I think you’re beautiful, and so sweet, and to be perfectly honest I’m actually dying to kiss you right now. But you know I’m moving across the country pretty soon.”

A slow, beguiling smile curved her mouth. “I know. But you’re here now.”

Catching him by surprise, she rose to brush her lips against his. Her mouth was supple and warm, and it tasted of sweet coffee.

Any restraint Ryan had imposed on himself dissolved rapidly, and he pressed his hand to her back to urge her closer. What began as a gentle, tender kiss deepened as Paige looped her arms over his shoulders, fitting the soft curves of her body against his chest. She parted her lips, inviting his tongue to glide over hers. A low moan eased from her throat, sending a warm ripple down his spine that stoked the fire flaring in his belly.

She surprised him again by abruptly pulling away, bowing her head to hide her face. “I’m sorry. I don’t feel very well.”

Ryan blew out a breath to steady his throbbing nerves. “I thought you were better.”

“I felt fine all day. I’m just suddenly nauseous.”

“I’ll try not to take that personally,” he said, attempting a joke that fell flat.

“It’s not you.” When Paige looked up, the tears glimmering in her eyes sobered him at once. “I think it might not be a virus after all. There’s a remote possibility I could be pregnant.”

BIO:

Nothing gets my heart pumping like a good love story with absorbing emotion, plenty of passion, and an old-fashioned happy ending. That’s why I started writing romance novels, and I’m excited to share these stories with you. Set mainly in Canada, my contemporary and historical novels explore the extraordinary thrill of finding that special someone and falling head over heels in love. I hope you’ll enjoy reading them as much as I did writing them. I live in Ottawa, Ontario, with my husband and three children.

My books are available at Amazon, Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, Sony Reader Store and Diesel.

Website: http://susanrhughes.weebly.com/
Blogs: Authors of Main Street
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