The heroes in your romantic suspense novels seem to be former military, alpha types. What inspires you about these types of heroes?
I’ve always been attracted to a man in uniform. There’s just something about them that seems to scream integrity and heroic. Now, I know that’s not always true, but it makes for a great romance! I also married my own man in military (Mr. Stoker was in the Army for 21 years!)
Since so many of your heroes are uber-tough, are there certain qualities you try and incorporate into all your heroines?
I happen to think all of us are way tougher than we give ourselves credit for. The things life throws at us can be horrific, sad, scary, and all sorts of other emotions. I write stories where the heroines act in ways I’d LIKE to act if I was ever in one of the situations, I put them though (But I have a feeling I would fall way short!). I’d love for all my readers to see their inner strength in themselves through my characters.
What is your favorite aspect of a novel to write – action scenes, relationship/romance, descriptive, or dialogue? As a reader, my favorite parts of a novel are the dialogue and scenes that give more insight into the characters.
The drama for sure! Before I was published, I had about twenty “drama scenes” written on my computer. Like I answered the last question, I’d like to see myself being scared, but not giving up…and of course my own protective hero coming to my rescue. But yes, the dialogue is very important. Like you said, it can make the reader understand why the characters act the way they do, and it can make them more relatable.
In your March “Eagle Point Search & Rescue” release – SEARCHING FOR LILLY – the description makes me think there’s more of a mystery/suspense vibe than strictly action/suspense. Is that true? In general, would you say your books are an equal mix of mystery, action, and romance?
When I started the Eagle Point series, I really wanted to make it a small-town romance, with some suspense mixed in (for example, there are a ton of quirky characters who will be in all the books). But the heroes are all protective former military like my other books. Each book has its own bad guy, but like you noticed, in Lilly you don’t know who that is until the drama happens. (Now, with that said, I don’t write mystery…lol so if readers figure it out…I wouldn’t be surprised!)
In your book DESERVING ALASKA, the hero and heroine have a history. Do you prefer writing characters that have a history together, or ones who are just getting to know each other?
I honestly like both. Sometimes it’s harder to write a hero and heroine who are friends before they become more. You need to give them a reason for suddenly realizing they want to be more than friends. And…I truly believe men and women CAN be just friends. But since I write romance…of course it morphs into more! HA!
If you could only recommend one of your books to readers who have never read anything you’ve written, which would you recommend? And why?
I get asked this all the time and it’s such a hard question! Lol I know most of my readers start with PROTECTING CAROLINE, and I really do love that book. But I think I’d have to say maybe FINDING ELODIE…I wrote it after watching Under Siege…and it’s another one of my tough and strong heroines. And…Hawaii…need I say more?
Other authors I’ve interviewed in the past have surprised me by saying that the type of books they enjoy writing are not the same types of books they enjoy reading. Is that true for you? What are some of your favorite books? Fav authors?
Oh man, I’m going to have to be the exception. I read romance. That’s pretty much all I read. I NEED that emotional high when I’m done…when the characters end up together and live happily ever after. I’ve always read romance and don’t see that changing any time soon.
With that said, I don’t have a preference for my romance. I’ll read paranormal, historical, BDSM, suspense, contemporary…As for favorites…I’m more of a plot person rather than specific authors…if I read a book and Love it, it goes into my “re-read” folder. Some of my favorite books/authors are Sharon Sala: The Healer, Maya Bank: Never Seduce a Scot, Lainey Reese: A Table For Three. Cynthia Sax: Seeking Vector, Brenda Rothert: Barely Breathing, Becca Jameson: Come, Diana Gardin: Saved by the SEAL, Jenika Snow: Lumberjack, Kathryn Le Veque: Nighthawk, Jessica Prince: Out of my League, Emma Renshaw: Vow of Honor, Laurann Dohner: Trayis, Zoey Draven: Claimed by the Horde King, Ella Maven: The Alien’s Ransom, Kristen Ashley: Games of the Heart, Patrica D. Eddy: Hope Mountain Hero, Tana Stone: Possessed, CE Johnson: Watch Me Drown, & Lila Rose: Country.
What are you currently working on?
I’m about to start a brand-new series that will come out next year. I haven’t fleshed out all the details yet, but my heroes are, no surprise, going to be former military. They will have a somewhat traumatic past that has led them to get out of the military. They join to start a protective service business in Maine (basically bodyguards). In their time off they take people hiking on the Appalachian Trail. I’m excited to start it! (And of course, I’m still writing in my Search and Rescue series and my Refuge series!)
Is there anything else you’d like readers to know about you or your books?
Just that I love what I write. There are a lot of authors who get burnt out with what they write or change things up…and I can’t ever see me deciding to write an alien story or something (Although I love to READ those! Lol). I love my alpha, protective heroes, my strong heroines who simply need a helping hand now and then.
Eagle Point Search & Rescue #1
The most dangerous predator on the mountain may not be the legendary Sasquatch.
Ethan “Chaos” Watson never expected to use his skills as a former Navy SEAL and current search and rescue expert to track down Bigfoot. But when a paranormal investigator goes missing while filming in the mountains near Fallport, Virginia, Ethan and his team are called in to find the man. A task made harder when they’re trailed by a camera crew.
Camerawoman Lilly Ray was already reaching the end of her rope on the hokey, ridiculous paranormal shoot. Now the producer has ordered her to stick to the SAR team to get their every move on video. Admittedly not a hardship; she noticed Ethan her first day in town, and the more time they spend together, the more attracted she becomes. When the search stretches on for days, then weeks, it seems clear her co-worker didn’t just wander off trail, getting lost in the woods. Foul play is evident, and soon, everyone on the cast and crew is suspect.
As the team steps up their search, someone is equally determined to use the disappearance to their advantage. Then Lilly herself goes missing, and Ethan and his team will turn over every rock and leaf in the Appalachians to locate her…before it’s too late.
He wasn’t looking for love, but it found him anyway—and he’s not letting anyone take away the woman who’s become his whole world.
** Searching for Lilly is the first book in the Eagle Point Search & Rescue Series. Each book is a stand-alone, with no cliffhanger endings.
Romance Suspense [Self Published, On Sale: March 29, 2022, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9781644992234 / ]
Susan Stoker is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author whose series include Ace Security, Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes, SEAL of Protection, Unsung Heroes: Delta Force, and Mountain Mercenaries. Married to a retired army noncommissioned officer, Stoker has lived all over the country—from Missouri to California to Colorado to Texas—and currently lives under the big skies of Tennessee. A true believer in happily ever after, Stoker enjoys writing novels in which romance turns to love.
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