Lots of love surrounds Susan Elizabeth Phillips, whether it's librarians' love for her books (she is an August Library Reads pick), in-house love from the lovely Annie Mazes, or the sizzling romance within her books themselves. The only thing missing is Susan's love for libraries! But wait no longer: Susan dropped by to share a little bit about her new book Heroes Are My Weakness and what libraries mean to her.
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HEROES (of past and future) ARE MY WEAKNESS
Many of you, like me, grew up with the great gothic novels of Mary Stewart, Anya Seton, Victoria Holt, Phyllis Whitney, and other beloved authors. (Why do I think some of you might even have become librarians because you fell in love with these authors?) I know I devoured their books, giving up homework (Who needs it?) and dating (Okay, nobody asked me out.) to lose myself in the world of impoverished governesses and dark, brooding heroes.
As you may recall, the heroes were all wealthy, frequently titled, and almost always tortured. The heroines were impoverished but blessed with an inner reservoir of strength that eventually trumped the hero’s wealth and status.
I still regard these books as feminist fantasies. Think about it. Our heroes had everything, while our poor heroines had nothing except a shabby portmanteau and one decent dove gray dress. Yet what happens? She brings the poor guy to his immaculately clad knees. And she does it, not with sword or gun, but with strength of character and a courageous heart.
My newest book, HEROES ARE MY WEAKNESS, is my homage to those great gothic novels, but with a very modern twist and a little (a lot) more heat. (Didn’t you hate the way that bedroom door slammed shut just when things were getting interesting?)
In HEROES ARE MY WEAKNESS, Annie Hewitt arrives on Peregrine Island, Maine, in her broken-down Kia, which is no match for the February snowstorm that has swept over the island. Her red suitcases hold three of the puppets she uses to make her living: sensible Dilly, spunky Scamp, and Leo, the baddest of bad guys. Her puppets, the romantic novels she loves, and a little bit of courage are all she has left.
She’s going to need every ounce of that courage because Theo Harp, the master of Harp House, is in residence. And the way she remembers it, he once tried to kill her. Yikes!
If “heroes are your weakness,” too—and I suspect they are—I hope you’ll come along with me to Peregrine Island. And bring your warmest coat. It’s going to be a long hot winter.
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Thanks Susan! There's still time to experience the love fest by downloading Heroes Are My Weakness from Edelweiss before it goes on sale August 26. Check it out!
-Amanda