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Goddess Fish Promotions. Susan Bagby will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Welcome to It's Raining Books.
Thank you for having me today. I look forward to meeting new readers.
Why do you write in your genre? I write in contemporary small-town romance—clean and wholesome.
What draws you to it? Years of watching Hallmark movies with my mother inspired me. Ever since my twenties, I said I was going to write a romance novel. Mom always had a book by her chair and for a long time had a subscription to a Harlequin box delivered monthly.
What research is required? I don’t write in this genre. But I am working on another manuscript where my heroine travels to England, and I did research with that one. I traveled to London and the Cotswolds and found taking pictures of buildings helped me describe my settings.
Name one thing you learned from your hero/heroine. When things get really bad, as in Willow’s case with her criminal husband, things usually work out—we just need a little faith.
Do you have any odd or interesting writing quirks, habits or superstitions? I don’t know if I have any quirks, but I am consistent in writing every morning. And I practice yoga and meditation before I settle into my writing chair with a cup of chai tea.
Are you a plotter or pantser? I am a hybrid. I usually use the structure outline of Save the Cat forming a loose outline. Then I vaguely sketch out a scene with my goal, motivation, conflict points and stay open to a new direction the character or action might go when I actually write.
Look to your right – what’s sitting there? A glass of water and a small pad with a to-do list.
Anything new coming up from you? What? Right now, I’m working with my editor at The Wild Rose Press on the next book in the Cedar Hill series entitled Everlasting Kind of Love. I’m excited because my heroine has a unique occupation.
Do you have a question for our readers? How do you choose the next book you want to read? Do you go for covers? Or recommendations of Book Clubs? Or Bookstagrammers?
Willow Barton’s life crumbles at her husband’s arrest for fraud, forcing her to return to her Ohio hometown to rebuild. Running a small bookstore and helping her best friend care for her ailing father offers solace—until Zachary Hayes, her best friend’s brother and a charming country music star, shows up. Struggling to revive his career and reconnect with his estranged father, Zach sparks an undeniable yet unwelcome chemistry with Willow. As her estranged husband seeks forgiveness, and Zach battles his own demons, Willow must confront her painful past and decide if she’s willing to risk her heart again. Caught between heartbreak and hope, can they overcome their fears and build a future together?
Read an Excerpt
He browsed the shelves, stopping in front of a framed photograph on the wall of a close-up picture of a couple, sitting in a park somewhere in New York City. The woman was laughing, and the man held her outstretched hand. “The carefree expressions on their faces strike me with a feeling of wistfulness. Not an easy emotion to capture in an image. Who did this?” Zach pointed to the picture.
“I did.” Willow felt warmth spreading across her cheeks. Oh, God. I’m blushing.
“You’ve got talent—another surprising quality you possess. And this one?” He indicated another photo on the opposite wall.
“Yes.” She chewed on the end of her pen, watching him.
“Why aren’t you pursuing this as a career?”
She lowered her pen. “I’ve always wanted to, but life got in the way.” She was determined to stay tight-lipped about her endeavors in New York and failed career as a fine arts photographer.
“Don’t let adverse circumstances prevent you from following your dreams, Willow. No matter what happens externally, don’t lose touch with your inner calling.” He lifted the photo and placed it by the cash register. “I want to buy this, please.”
Willow observed his facial expression, which bordered on flirtatious. “You don’t have to. Please don’t feel you need to buy one because we know each other. I won’t be offended.”
“You see, your problem is you don’t believe in yourself. I want this because the photo is an exquisite piece of art. I have a perfect place for it in my house. Don’t argue.” He grinned and eyed her with both hands on his hips, then slapped his credit card onto the counter.
About the Author: Susan is a retired speech and language pathologist and full-time writer of romance books. She has three novels published with independent presses and her newest release is slotted for February 2026 with The Wild Rose Press entitled, Forever Kind of Love. In addition to being a Maggie Award finalist, Sweet Ridge Hearts, her last book, was also a Literary Titan gold award winner. She lives in Ohio where she relishes the four seasons, (well, maybe not winter), and loves yoga, jazz, golf and walking anywhere outdoors. Susan belongs to the Great Lakes Fiction Writers organization and to Romance Writers of America (RWA). She loves seeing new characters come to life and is a firm believer that dreams do come true.
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