Susan May Warren has been a prolific writer of well-loved stories for decades now, across multiple genres, and it’s always an honour to have her visit the blog!

Her stories are a lot like chocolate – you can never stop at just one 🙂 Her latest release, The Price of Valor, concludes her Global Search and Rescue series with the long awaited story of Hamilton Jones. I’m grateful to Revell for providing a copy of Valor to give away – enter below for your chance to win.

Ever wonder what a woman who has sold 1.5 million copies of her own book likes to read? How she marks her place in a book, or what makes her pick up a book? Well, we have the answers here!! Enjoy discovering Susie May’s reading habits.

Over to you, Susie May…

Susie May’s Reading Habits

When is your optimal time to read?

I read at night, during the week days, usually from 9pm-10pm, in bed. 😊

Are you faithful to a genre, an author, or simply quality writing?

I will read all genres, as long as the writing is good!

Which factors most influence your selection of a book?

Stakes (meaning the Back cover copy), then reviews. Then I read the sample and if the writing is good (and clean. Imma be honest. If there are swear words or graphic sex in the sample, I’m out. I’m very picky about what I put in my head).

Your fiction pet peeve?

I’m not a fan of first person, usually. I hate a story with front-loaded backstory, and if an author starts with setting (unless it has something to do with the stakes of the story), then I close the book. Also, I need to care about the story in the first few paragraphs, or I’m done.

What book have you read this year that you could not put down, and why?

Brand of Light, by Ronie Kendig. I’ve been waiting for this book for a LOOONG time, and it did not disappoint!

How do you mark your spot – folded page corner, bookmark, dollar bill, whatever is at hand?

I read on a kindle, so I bookmark it!

When reading, what makes or breaks a story for you?

To much backstory and narrative. I like to see the story keep moving and each scene has to move the story forward!

Snack/drink of choice while reading?

Popcorn. And hot cocoa.

What book cover has really caught your eye?

I just downloaded Dust by Kara Swanson because of the beautiful cover!

What book do you wish you had written? Why?

Oh, that’s easy. OUTLANDER. I am actually a fan of historicals – I wrote a few, but my contemporary titles took over. But I love history, and Diana Gabaldon does a great job of incorporating history into her epic tomes.

What are you reading now?

I am JUST finishing The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson, and am about to start Dust. But Lynette Eason’s Collateral Damage is hot on the heels of Dust!

The Price of Valor

Former Navy SEAL Hamilton Jones thought that the love of his life was dead. But when a girl claiming to be his daughter shows up with a dire message from his wife, Ham knows he will stop at nothing to find her and bring her home.

Kidnapped by rebels while serving as an interpreter in Ukraine, Signe Kincaid has spent the past decade secreting out valuable information about Russian assets in the US to her CIA handler. Fearing for her daughter after being discovered as an operative, Signe sends her to Ham for safekeeping. She’s ready to give her life for her country, and she can hardly expect Ham to rescue her after breaking his heart over and over.

When Ham discovers the reason Signe has kept her distance, he must choose between love for his wife and love for the nation he has vowed to protect. Will he save the many? Or the few?

What do you love most about this story, or the process of writing this story?

I love the hero, Ham. He’s an amazing man—strong faith, strong character, strong sense of justice and getting the job done. I love that he’ll sacrifice everything for the people he loves. And, I love this story—I love the setting (Italy, and northern MN). And, I love the plot. Okay, I love everything!

Share a little about one of your characters – what makes them unique?

Going back to Ham—he’s a guy who did everything right, and his world imploded on him. I love how he is trying to pick up the pieces, and embracing the great cost of forgiveness. But what makes him unique is his leadership. He knows when to lead…and when to step back.

Share a favourite line or paragraph from your book.

Ham sat in profile to her, wearing a pair of sunglasses, the sun beautiful in his hair, lifting golden threads from the brown. He hadn’t shaved, so a hint of dark whiskers raked his face, and he wore a pair of cargo pants, flip-flops, and a button-down shirt.

She walked up, pulled out a chair, and sat down.

He just stared at her, unmoving. His mouth opened slightly. Then he closed it again and nodded. “It was you I saw a couple months ago.”

She nodded, her jaw tight.

He drew in a breath, then looked away, and only then did she see it.

The swallow, the slightest tremor of his chest.

Unflappable Ham, biting back his emotions.

Yeah, well, maybe SEALs didn’t cry either.

He drew in a long breath, and then he was back. “How are you?”

Thanks Susie May – always fun to have you visit! Thanks for sharing about your reading habits 🙂

With over 1.5 million books sold, critically acclaimed USA Today best selling novelist Susan May Warren is the Christy, RITA and Carol award-winning author of over seventy-five novels with Revell, Tyndale, Barbour, Steeple Hill and Summerside Press. Known for her compelling plots and unforgettable characters, Susan has written contemporary and historical romances, romantic-suspense, thrillers, rom-com and Christmas novellas.

Relz Reviewz Extras
All Things Susie May @ Relz Reviewz
Visit Susie’s website and blog
Buy from Amazon: The Price of Valor or Koorong