The Inside Scoop!
Susan Anne Mason
and her historical romance
A Worthy Heart
Bethany House
*********
I grew up in… Brampton, Ontario, Canada—a city outside Toronto.
I was inspired to write my first published novel by… Well, it wasn’t published, but my 6th grade teacher, Mr. Guistini, was the first person to tell me I should write a book. I did finish one in my teens and got my first rejection!
The books that have most influenced my life are… As a child—Anne of Green Gables, and the Nancy Drew mysteries. As an adult—Nora Roberts got me interested in reading romance again once my kids were older and I had some time to read. Then Julie Lessman’s “A Passion Most Pure” got me hooked on Christian Fiction!
My biggest challenge when writing is… The plot. I can figure out the characters fairly easily, their strengths and flaws, their fears and motivations. But coming up with a plausible plot is usually a challenge!
One of my favourite authors is… Julie Lessman. She delves deep into the character’s motivation and emotions while keeping the action going. Her characters struggle with their faith but always triumph in the end.
If I wasn’t a writer, I would be… a secretary (like I am in my day job!) Or an editor for a publishing house.
The superhero talent I would love to have is… incredible strength. And martial arts skills! (Who doesn’t love May on the Agents of Shield!)
A Worthy Heart
Will Maggie Listen to the Warnings of Those She Trusts Most or the Leadings of Her Heart?
The answer to Maggie Montgomery’s dream of seeing America has arrived at just the right time. Not only will she be reunited with her beloved brother Rylan, but she’ll finally be able to escape Neill Fitzgerald and his increasingly unwanted attentions. She’s intent on never returning to Ireland, hoping to build her future in the land of opportunity and perhaps find the love of her life.While visiting Irish Meadows, she meets an intriguing man she thinks is a stable hand. Only when her brother demands she stay away from Adam O’Leary does she learn he’s Rylan’s brother-in-law, recently released from prison. Nonetheless, Maggie can’t seem to make her stubborn heart conform to her brother’s request.
Adam O’Leary has never felt worthy of his place in the family. Now a free man, Adam’s only desire is to earn back his family’s trust. Falling in love with the newly arrived Maggie, however, was never in his plans. Despite everyone’s efforts to keep them apart, the two develop a bond it seems nothing can break–but they soon discover the past isn’t easy to overcome.
My latest novel can be described by these 5 adjectives… Uplifting, courageous, romantic, angst-filled and hopeful.
My main character is… Maggie Montgomery is Rylan’s little sister from Ireland. She’s a dark-haired beauty with a quick tongue and an independent streak. She plays the pipe organ and the piano and wants to stay in America to pursue independence and find her soul-mate.
My main character resembles… a young Jane Seymour, like in the movie “Somewhere in Time”.
A previously unknown fact about this novel is… The real source of Adam O’Leary’s angst is… Well, I can’t give away Adam’s secrets, now can I? LOL! You’ll have to read to find out!
My story’s spiritual theme is… that we are all worthy in God’s eyes.
While writing this novel I learned… quite a bit about fire-fighting in the early 1900’s. The most interesting thing was the system of alarm bells they used in New York to summon the firetrucks. I’m sure many of you might remember the fire alarm boxes on the street corners that someone would pull in the event of a fire. That would initiate a series of bells and by counting the numbers, the fire fighters would know which street corner the fire was near. My husband and I visited the NYC Fire Museum when we were there last May and spoke with a fireman who told us all about it first-hand!
The title was chosen by… technically by the publisher. But they chose it from a list of alternate titles I gave them. The original title was “A Worthy Heritage” but they felt it wasn’t romantic enough! I think “A Worthy Heart” is a much better fit!
As an author, the hardest scenes for me to write are… Believe it or not, the kissing scenes! It’s hard to keep each kiss fresh without repeating the same old descriptions! Though it’s fun trying!
The story I’m currently working on is… Book 3 in the Courage to Dream series entitled “Love’s Faithful Promise”. This book jumps ahead 8 years to 1922 and deals with the younger O’Leary siblings—Deirdre and Connor—and their love stories. Love’s Faithful Promise comes out later in 2016.
You may not know this about me, but I… majored in French in University and worked as a French translator for several years at Northern Telecom.
If I could be a character in any novel, I would want to be… Maria Von Trapp (if only I could sing!)
Thanks Susan!
Relz Reviewz Extras
Character spotlight on Brianna & Gilbert (Irish Meadows)
Visit Susan’s website
Buy at Amazon: A Worthy Heart or Koorong
January 23, 2016 at 10:49 am
So cool
January 23, 2016 at 11:38 am
I would like to learn Spanish.
January 23, 2016 at 11:38 am
I have learned some ASL, I would like to learn more! Thank you for the chance to win!
January 23, 2016 at 11:40 am
I learned German in high school since my dad also spoke the language from his church mission in Austria… but since I’m living in southern CA I regret not learning Spanish!
January 23, 2016 at 11:41 am
I took Spanish in high school. Of course, without regular usage, I don’t remember everything. Then I married a Spanish man and he speaks Spanish fluently, but not to me. haha
Susan, I am really excited for the second book in this series. I have the first and it was lovely. If I could give an award for favorite book cover it would be for “Irish Meadows!” I love everything about it: Her auburn hair, blue dress, white background, and her Mona Lisa smile. Perfection.
January 23, 2016 at 12:08 pm
I haven’t learned another language, but wish I had taken Spanish before moving to the Southwest desert.
I really enjoyed ‘Irish Meadows’ and am looking forward to reading ‘A Worthy Heart’ – the characters were interesting, and the author has a beautiful way of showing the changes in the hearts of her characters and how their faith in the Lord changed them.
January 24, 2016 at 1:32 am
No I’ve not learned a language. Spanish, German or French would be nice
January 24, 2016 at 3:03 am
I would love to learn more spanish.
January 24, 2016 at 4:22 am
I took a year of Spanish but I’m afraid I didn’t retain much!
January 24, 2016 at 10:43 am
I would like to learn Spanish
January 24, 2016 at 12:49 pm
I took a year of French way back in high school; I just know enough to recognize some words sprinkled in books. Certainly not enough to actually read or speak in French. I think it would be helpful to learn Spanish.
January 25, 2016 at 12:31 am
I’m so intrigued by the synopsis of this story!!! Thanks for the giveaway! In response, I dabbled with German and Italian as a tourist, and I took Spanish in high school and one year of college Spanish. I regret not pursuing learning the Spanish language more thoroughly, especially as I live in Florida. It would be thrilling to me to be fluent in multiple languages- bucket list!!
January 25, 2016 at 4:38 pm
My ancestors are from Ireland so I’ve always loving the musical sound of that language. I would love to learn the language and more about my heritage.
January 25, 2016 at 4:41 pm
I would love to learn the Gaelic language.
January 25, 2016 at 5:09 pm
I took one year of spanish in high school, but only remember how to count to ten. If I could learn a new language now it would probably be Swahili. I have friends that are missionaries in Tanzania.
January 25, 2016 at 7:10 pm
I am in the process of learning French…
January 26, 2016 at 7:10 am
I have not learned another language but would love to speak Spanish so I can speak with my sister-in-law from Argentina. She speaks English but it would be fun to speak Spanish.
January 26, 2016 at 9:21 am
I do not think I have ever read anything by Susan Ann Mason. I would not mind trying though!
January 26, 2016 at 9:52 am
I have learned a LITTLE Spanish. 🙂 I would love to learn more–maybe this year? 🙂
January 26, 2016 at 10:30 am
It is my dream to be fluent in French. I plan to visit France and spent some time there learning the language and soaking up the culture.
Thank you for mentioning Book 3. I was very curious about it. A Worthy Heart was great. There were times when I was tearing up. I was rooting for Adam.
January 26, 2016 at 2:29 pm
I had a year of Spanish in High School and 2 years of Ancient Greek in College. I would love to learn a Romance language such as French or Italian.
January 26, 2016 at 2:32 pm
I took Spanish in school and after all these years, I can remember some of it, not all, but some.
Thanks for entering me in your giveaway.
January 26, 2016 at 3:20 pm
I took Spanish & German in High School, but since I didn’t use it in real life, have forgotten most of it…lol!! I’d love to continue German someday 🙂
Thank you for the chance to win a copy of “A Worthy Heart”….I have the first book and I am super duper excited for this one!! I love Susan’s writing 🙂
January 27, 2016 at 9:37 am
I took 4 years of Spanish in high school, but sadly not much took. I work in a library (best job ever for a book lover!) and our library pays for this really cool database for our patrons called Mango Languages – over 60+ languages you can learn all for FREE!
This book looks like an awesome read! Thanks for doing this giveaway for your readers!
Have a Blessed day!
January 27, 2016 at 11:17 am
I would love to learn another language.
January 27, 2016 at 3:06 pm
I would love to be able to speak French fluently. I used to be decent from school, but lost it after years of neglect!
January 27, 2016 at 10:09 pm
My daughters and I all took French in high school. We still converse, especially when the kids are around and we are talking about gifts or other surprises! 🙂
January 28, 2016 at 11:54 am
This book looks like a great read. I would love to learn to speak Spanish.
January 30, 2016 at 6:36 am
I took 2 years of French in high school. I would like to learn Spanish.