SEP Read-Along Special Guest Loretta Chase | BREATHING ROOM in Ten Easy Lessons

We're kicking off our Susan Elizabeth Phillips Read-Along this week with BREATHING ROOM, and Loretta Chase is here to discuss why she loves this particular SEP title. Welcome, Loretta!

1. The pristine beauty and simplicity of the first line, and the anticipation it awakens: Isabel Favor prized neatness.

I could not possibly say another word about this. It's perfect.

2. Enter the hero: Lorenzo Gage was viciously handsome.

You know, killer gorgeous. Which is what he is, in the movies. Sometimes a
serial killer, sometimes not, but but always bad, bad, bad.

"And sadism has made me famous." 3. Also, he's Italian. Be still my heart. 4. Fifi. 5. The Four Cornerstones and the various Rules, like "the Healthy Relationship Rules of Fair Combat, not one of which advocated yelling ‘shut up.'" 6. Dialogue, dialogue, dialogue. The gift of the screwball comedy snappy comeback muse:

Sparks of happiness rushed through her. "Watching me eat this is turning you on."

He looked irritated. "I’ve been a little sex-deprived lately, so it doesn't
take much."

"Sure. It's been, what? Five days?"

7. Tuscany. You can see it and smell it and hear it. And taste it. Especially the gelato. 8. The subplot--no, not the locals and their mysterious doings, but the family that descends upon the villa, in all their distressed messiness and hilarity, like invading Mongol hordes. One of the elements I look forward to in a SEP story: Family comes into it, sooner or later—disruptive, infuriating, aggravating, and ultimately, healing. 9. Which brings us to one of the great scenes of romance literature: the Potty Training. Heroism at its finest and most unexpected. 10. The number of passages I want to quote. But I won't. If by any chance you haven't yet read BREATHING ROOM, I want you to have the fun of learning all the lessons by yourself.

Join the conversation! Comment below on why you love BREATHING ROOM, and learn more about our SEP read-along here! Everything leads up to the release of HEROES ARE MY WEAKNESS on August 26!

HEROES ARE MY WEAKNESS

Deepest winter.

An isolated island off the coast of Maine.

A man.

A woman.

Puppets. (Yes, puppets…)

And…

A mysterious house looming over the sea . . .

He's a reclusive writer whose imagination creates chilling horror novels. She's
a down-on-her-luck actress reduced to staging kids' puppet shows. He knows a
dozen ways to kill his characters with his bare hands. She knows a dozen ways to
kill an audience with laughs. But she's not laughing now.

Annie Hewitt has arrived on Peregrine Island in the middle of a snowstorm and at
the end of her resources. She's broke, dispirited, but not quite ready to give
up. Her red suitcases hold 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.

Annie couldn't be more ill prepared for what she finds when she reaches
Moonraker Cottage or for the man who dwells in Harp House, the mysterious
mansion that hovers above the cottage from a windblown cliff. When she was a
teenager, he betrayed her in a way she can never forget or forgive. Now they're
trapped together on a frozen island along with a lonely widow, a mute little
girl, and townspeople who don't know how to mind their own business.

Is he the villain she remembers or has he changed? Her head says no. Her heart
says yes.

It's going to be a long, hot winter.

Comments

12 comments posted.

Re: SEP Read-Along Special Guest Loretta Chase | BREATHING ROOM in Ten Easy Lessons

I just barely remember the book because it's been years. I loved the
setting. The dialogue quoted above makes me think I need to reread
this gem. I love witty repartee! It's so hard to write, so I envy SEP.
(Tracey Harbaugh 3:02pm July 31, 2014)

I LOVED this book- the setting and characters were great. SEP
always creates characters you immediately fall for and root
for a happy ending. This may have been the book I officially
made SEP one of my favorite authors.
(Sara Edmonds 1:43pm August 2, 2014)

I think this is the only Susan Elizabeth Phillips book with a foreign setting.
(Kim C 3:23pm August 11, 2014)

This was my first SEP novel, and remains one of my favorites
(it was like opening Pandora's box!). I remember that the
heroine was not perfect, physically or personality-wise, and
it was so refreshing! Lorenzo was multilayered, and
delightful to peel! A great read!
(Debora Zamacona 10:12am August 15, 2014)

I loved the posting, and as for the book - I sat there with
my mouth open!! This is going to be one heck of a ride,
once the cover is flipped open, and you start reading!! I
plan on keeping a block of time, just for me, so I can sit
and absorb the full impact of this book, because I can just
sense how good it's going to be!! I know that Susan's book
is going to be just as good!! There's one problem. With
Susan's book, you'll need something cool handy, so that you
can cool off, so a cool drink is definately in order. Your
book will make for great Fall reading, which means a warm
beverage. I suppose I'll have to just read them back-to-
back. What a trip that will be!! Thank you again for a
great posting!!
(Peggy Roberson 1:16pm August 19, 2014)

Wow. I've missed Breathing Room. But that's ok. It's like unexpected treasure. There's a "new" SEP for me to read. Thanks, Loretta. I'm really looking forward to the potty training scene!
(G S Moch 2:01pm August 19, 2014)

I haven't had the pleasure of reading any of Susan Elizabeth
Phillip's books yet but, from the comments others have made,
it seems I've really been missing out. Breathing Room looks
like a good place to start.
(Deb Philippon 5:43pm August 21, 2014)

I've read all of Susan's books - it's been a while since I
read 'Breathing Room' - maybe it's time for a re-read!
(Diane Sallans 8:54pm August 22, 2014)

This is a new author for me but sounds like books I would love to read !!I really enjoy reading different authors !!
(Sharron Freelen 3:03am August 24, 2014)

That was one of the first contemporary romances books that I
read. I have a friend that got me into SEP's books and have
loved them since. She has the ability to make the
characters come to life and her bantering witty
conversations just make me LOL and have everyone staring at
me. (I take a bus to work) So yes, I read a lot and love
SEP book. Thank you Vickie for that give and thank you SEP
for all of you stories I love to read.
(Tina Ullrich 12:59pm August 26, 2014)

I love how smart romance writers and readers are. If only the
world-in-general knew!
(Mary Ann Dimand 8:37am August 26, 2014)

This sounds like a great read. All of the ingredients for a
terrific book.
(Denise Austin 8:42pm August 30, 2014)

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