Blossoming of Truth – Author Q&A

Synopsis – Blossoming of Truth

A tragic accident…A bitter betrayal…A baffling mystery.

When an attractive young woman seeks refuge in his home during a blizzard, Tom Smallwood is convinced they have met before. As their friendship develops, her persistent denial of their previous connection threatens to shake the bedrock of Tom’s ‘life code’.

A tragic accident robs Tom of his beloved brother, leaving him devastated.

His world implodes further when he is arrested…

HIS ONLY CRIME WAS TO FALL IN LOVE.

Can Tom’s strong pillars of truth and integrity hold fast and enable him to win the heart of the woman he adores?

Author Bio

‘Never too old to follow your dreams’ has become Susan Gray’s mantra since beginning to write novels after celebrating a significant birthday. Susan endeavours to entwine the genres of mystery and romance and sets her novels in the early Twentieth Century. She lives with her husband in northeast England – setting her books in this picturesque area. She has a son and daughter, both married, two granddaughters and a grand dog. When not writing she loves to spend time reading, puzzling, walking and catching up with friends over a coffee. She enjoys travelling and tries to include many of the places she has visited in her books. Her plots are inspired by ‘life’ and how her characters navigate the waters. She loves to ‘people watch’ and creates her characters based on the many strangers she has observed. She has written six novels. SPANISH HOUSE SECRETS was her debut novel and is now joined by BLOSSOMING OF TRUTH.

Social Media Links –

https://www.facebook.com/susangrayauthor

https://www.instagram.com/susangrayauthor

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/42479586

Author Q&A

Tell us about your book and why we should read it.

BLOSSOMING OF TRUTH is a gripping, emotional, romantic mystery set in the 1920’s. Tom has a strong ‘life code’, which is threatened when the woman he loves denies the truth. A tragic death and a bitter betrayal ensue. Is it possible for love to blossom in these circumstances?

When writing this book I took three ingredients – honesty, betrayal and forgiveness. I asked a question…if unbelievable things happen to ordinary people, how do they handle it? And so, the plot for BLOSSOMING OF TRUTH evolved. It is a blend of devotion, heartache, forgiveness and redemption.

What inspired you to write?

I have always loved reading and have an enquiring mind. My inspiration for writing my novels is ‘LIFE’. I love observing people and asking questions…I wonder who they are? I wonder what they do? I wonder how they would react if…?  I watch how people interact – facial expressions and body language. Inspiration is all around me and writing becomes the conduit for expressing my thoughts.

What is your favourite part of the writing process?

I enjoy creating characters. I love developing my protagonist. I ‘live’ with he/she for months. I take them with me (virtually) into everyday situations deciding how they would adapt. One question I love to ask is…what do they keep in their bedside cabinet?

How and why did you choose the names for your main characters?

Names for characters usually ‘pop’ into my brain. I write in the 1920’s so I tend to use old fashioned names. I prefer to use names which can be shortened easily, as it’s easier to write them repeatedly! I avoid names of relatives within living memory, or people I know, but have used names of great aunts or uncles. If I’m struggling for a name, I take a walk around the local cemetery and look at the headstones!

What is your writing process?

In essence I’m not a plotter. I know where I want to go and enjoy the journey taking my characters with me. We traverse highs and lows, twists and turns to get there. I sometimes write a crucial chapter or scene then work from the beginning up to that point, then move onwards to a conclusion.

What were your previous jobs – have they helped your writing process?

During my college vacations I delivered milk, driving an old Bedford van – I don’t think it influenced me at all with my writing! As a teacher, I frequently encouraged young children to write creatively, expand their thoughts and be descriptive in their choice of words. I’m tasting my own medicine now!