Interview, Excerpt & Giveaway | Unravelled in New York

Today I’m excited to share an interview with Australian author Suzanne Nicole. Read on to discover what inspired her to write her latest novel and a few of her favorite things. In addition to the interview, Suzanne also gave me the opportunity to share an excerpt of her novel Unravelled in New York. Once you’ve read the interview, go check out her new novel and don’t forget to enter the giveaway if you want the chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card!

Unravelled in New York by Suzanne Nicole

Publication Date: July 4, 2015

Book Description: Sydney journalist Charli Cooper is making major changes in her life. She has no idea what destiny has in store for her as she moves half way around the world for a fresh start.

Jack Manning is everything Charli shouldn’t want. He is arrogant, cocky and use to getting what he wants. He has no time to deal with an inexperienced journalist who has no idea of the New York social hierarchy.

As she unlocks the truth about Manning and his empire, she realises all is not as it seems and if she digs deep enough, she might just find the story she has been looking for. She has to make a decision between her ambition and her heart.

Will the secrets they both hold cause their delicately poised relationship to crumble?

Can one mistake unravel their lives?

Book Links: Amazon *On sale for $0.99 until October 30th | Amazon UK | Goodreads

Interview with the Author – Suzanne Nicole

Author Links: Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon

Author Bio: With a passion for reading and writing Suzanne has been creating stories all her life through both her writing and dance teaching. Suzanne is a graduate from IMEB (Aus) and is a member of Romance Writers, Australia, she is also a qualified and registered dance and drama teacher. When she is not bombarding family and friends with story ideas she can be found in front of a class of students teaching dance or curled up with a good book. She loves romantic stories, angsty reads and dark-haired heroes. She also loves travelling, her recent highlights have been her trips to Los Angeles, New York and Boston and she dreams about going back there soon. Suzanne lives in Sydney, Australia with her husband and three gorgeous boys.

1. Would you like to start by introducing yourself?

Hi Arielle, thank you for inviting me here. My name is Suzanne I live in North Rocks, a suburb of Sydney with my husband and three beautiful boys. In my non-writing life I’m also a dance teacher. I love romantic stories with dark-haired heroes and hate ‘book hang-overs.’

2. Can you give us a brief overview of your latest novel and the inspiration behind it?

Unravelled in New York is the story of Charli Cooper a young journalist who moves to New York from Australia looking for a fresh start. She meets businessman Jack Manning, who is not interested in anything but advancing his own self-interest. They don’t get off to the best start and Charli senses there may be more to Jack Manning than he lets on. As she begins to unlock the truth about him, she realizes she might just find the front-page story she’s been looking for leaving her with a difficult choice between her ambition and her heart. There are plenty of turns and twists throughout but of course I can’t give away the ending.

My sister gave me the inspiration when she rang me after a business lunch she had been on and quite literally her description of the lunch triggered the idea for Unravelled. I can remember it so clearly, even though it was three years ago now. She is a journalist so I was able to do some first hand research as well. I had originally been playing around with another idea which was an historical romance based on the life of my great, great grandmother.

3. How long did it take you to write Unravelled in New York? What is your writing process like?

It took me nearly two years to complete the story and then a further six months working on editing revisions, although I did put it in the drawer for three months at one stage. I still have all my original drafts and I’m so glad I took the time with it and didn’t publish my original version (yikes!). I wrote and re-wrote it so many times I didn’t think it would ever be finished.

With my writing I like thinking out my ideas and then hand-writing them in a note book I try and keep with me when I have enough notes I transfer to the computer in a more solid form.

4. Can you tell us a bit about what you’re working on at the moment?

Sure, I’m working on a new story set in Australia, this time I’m going with a role reversal and bringing an American out here … I will say he is not too happy about moving but I hope he gets use to it. It’s really quite a nice place you know.

5. What is your favorite thing about writing romance novels?

Just the idea of building characters that, despite their faults, flaws and obstacles can fall in love.

6. If you could marry a fictional character who would it be?

Oh a tough one, I think maybe John Thornton from Elizabeth Gaskell’s love story North & South … although maybe I should also add as long as he looks like Richard Armitage.

7. Who are the authors that inspire you and what genres do you enjoy reading?

There are so many writers I enjoy reading from Jane Austen to more modern day writers … but I really enjoy reading authors like Marian Keyes, Diana Gabaldron, K.A. Linde, Penelope Douglas, Jessica Sorrenson – oh the list could go on and on.

8. Being a writer is a great job but what’s the worst job you’ve ever had?

When I was at school I worked at our local Mr. Whippy Ice-cream store. Part of my job was to turn upside-down soft-serve ice-creams and dip them into hot chocolate sauce – I was completely hopeless at it, I really don’t know how I lasted as long as I did, I mean, who-ever thought that tipping cold ice-cream into hot sauce was a good I idea?

9. What are the things you can’t live without in your wardrobe?

Lounge pants and socks (I always have cold feet!)

10. Where is your favorite place in the world?

Home

11. If you could plan the perfect holiday, what would it be?

Last year my family went to New York with three other families – there were twenty of us! We had an amazing time discovering New York together. This was followed by a week in Hawaii with my parents and my sister and her family, I have to say that it was pretty close to being the perfect holiday. So if I could have a re-do I would definitely do it all over again.

12. A few of your favorites…

Favorite scent? Coconut oil (reminds of the beach)

Favorite color? Midnight blue

Favorite food? Seafood

Favorite book? Pride and Prejudice

Favorite/dream vacation spot? The beach on a hot day

Favorite time period in history? 1800’s

Favorite article of clothing? Lounge pants (glorified PJ’s)

Favorite drink of choice? Something sweet and fruity

Favorite celebrity crush? Colin Firth / Richard Armitage and lately Rupert Friend.

13. Either or…

Dogs or cats? Cats

Red wine or white? White (and really sweet)

Coffee or tea? Hot chocolate …

Summer or Winter? Definitely summer (can’t wait)

Sleep in or get up early? I like waking up early and reading.

Apple or PC? Apple

Thank you so much for participating in this interview, I’m delighted to have you on my blog and truly appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions! Thank you so much for having me!

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Excerpt: Unravelled in New York

Chapter 4

“Mr. Manning, Charli Cooper, New York Herald. I would like to ask you a few questions.” I hold out my hand confidently to shake his, hoping he doesn’t notice my slightly shallow breathing and trembling hands.

“So,” he says, taking my hand and slowly raking his gaze obnoxiously down my body. He seems so much taller and broader than I remember and I suddenly feel small and out of place. “Marla sends the international office junior to ask me a ‘few questions’ after the allotted time for interviews is over. An unusual move by Marla, I must say.” His voice is rich and strong. I’m momentarily paralysed by his statement and have to quickly gather myself. Set times for interviews? I mentally search for something that I’ve missed. I shuffle my papers nervously and watch in horror as they lazily flutter to the ground between us.

“Excuse me?” I say. I bend down quickly to retrieve my papers and take a moment to gather myself.

He pointedly looks at his big, ridiculously expensive watch, then at his phone, and finally lifts his eyes back to mine with a maddening smirk. “I’m sorry, Miss…Cooper, was it?” I give a small nod. “I’m sorry but had you read your brief properly you would have seen that interview times are finished for the evening.” He points to a tiny line at the end of the programme I’m holding. “Why don’t you call during business hours and see if a more appropriate time can be arranged.” And with that, he turns his back on me and saunters over to a tall flaxen-haired beauty. I’m left standing alone with my papers, mouth agape, mortified. I turn when I realise Pete has stepped in behind me.

“Pete, did that just happen?” I feel the familiar tightening around my ribcage. “It would have only taken him a few minutes. What’s his problem?”

“Yeah, sorry, I only caught the end of it.”

I want the floor to open up and swallow me. Embarrassment crawls its ugly red stain up my chest and onto my face. I fumble through my notes again, peeved when I see other guests still giving interviews.

“What’d I tell you, asshole, right? Don’t worry kid, leave it with me, we’ll get something before the night is out.”

I quietly slink back to the press corner to lick my wounds and pull myself together. Tears threaten but I will not cry. Arrogant bastard. I busy myself checking through the notes I’ve already made. I’m grateful to Pete who introduces me to associates from other papers before he moves away to take more shots. Wrapped up in my foggy brain, I excuse myself and drift across the gallery looking for the restroom and a chance to escape when his resonant voice accosts me from behind.

“You gave up very easily, Miss Cooper. I was led to believe you would be more tenacious.”

“Pardon?” I turn and see his ocean-blue eyes staring at me through his dark thick lashes. Why does his mere presence rattle me? My mouth loses all moisture and I swallow nervously. The worst thing is, I sense he knows the effect he has on me and he’s enjoying it.

“Well, Miss International Roving Reporter, you can’t work in this city if you can’t secure a story. If you don’t mind me saying so, you seem a bit out of your depth, sweetheart. Next time, I suggest you get your priorities right.” He puts his hands into his pockets.

Okay, so this guy is a patronising jerk. Did he really just say ‘sweetheart’? Who the hell does he think he is?

“I have to say that in the time you’ve stood there reprimanding me, I could have completed the whole interview and we could’ve moved on. But I’m guessing this is some sort of revenge for the other night, am I right, Mr. Manning? It’s not very professional.”

“Professional? A professional would know what order to run the interviews in, Miss Cooper. A professional would have read all the details about the evening. And the other night?” He raises his eyebrow and arrogantly leans against the wall. “Do tell? Sounds like a good story.”

“The other night when you…when you…ran into me.” I glare up at him and he purses his lips, deep in thought, then lets out a hearty laugh.

“Ah that. I remember it very differently, Miss Cooper. I remember it as a young lady too busy flirting with a barman to notice where she was going,” he says with a wink, enjoying antagonising me. “You are amusing, Charlotte, I will give you that.”

I search my brain for a witty retort, which I’m usually so good at, but come up empty. The silence spills out between us, before I finally find my voice. “Charli, it’s Charli Cooper, Mr. err…” I fidget with my notes on the pretence of searching for his name, scanning the list slowly. “Mr. Grainger-Smythe?” I blame jet-lag or a long day for my momentary lack of judgement.

“Very amusing,” he says, “I am looking forward to seeing what you can salvage from tonight’s debacle.” He looks down at his watch again, making ready to move on.

“Please don’t concern yourself over my story, I have plenty of quotes. Some more interesting than others.” I smile sweetly up at him, while inside my blood is boiling. He walks away in his big shiny shoes with his hands in his pockets, and I can see his shoulders moving. Is he laughing at me? He turns around and looks back at me over his shoulder, then saunters back towards me. I crane my neck to look up at him.

“It’s Manning, as you know full well. And I assume you do know I am the major sponsor tonight, Miss Cooper? So write what you will, I’ll look forward to reading it.” He lifts his eyebrows, daring me to challenge him before walking away again.

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