Interviews

Quintette of Questions: Susanne Bellamy

Quintette asks writers five quick questions. This week’s interview is with:

Susanne Bellamy

EngagingTheEnemy_Finalcover1.     What’s the name of your latest book – and how hard was it to pick a title?

Engaging the Enemy This one was tough and ultimately came from my wonderful editor, Linda Nix. It seems so easy now but the title began as Merger in Melbourne and went through several name changes before Linda came up with this while editing. Then I had the whole *slaps self on head* and ‘why couldn’t I come up with that?’ moment because it’s perfect. Thanks, Linda!

2.     If you could choose anyone from any time period, who would you cast as the leads in your latest book?

Patrick Dempsey and Deborah Ann Woll or Ashley Greene. This picture of Patrick stunned, amazed and excited me when I found it because he is exactly like the image of Matt Mahoney I had from the beginning of writing this story. Talk about serendipity!

3.     What five words best describe your story?

 Family, feud, enemies, passion, tool-belt.

4.     Who is your favourite fictional couple?

Kate and Leopold on screen, or Mary Challenor and the Marquis de Vidal from Georgette Heyer’s Devil’s Cub. As a young teen, their dynamic relationship made me realise the importance of being a strong woman and making my own choices.

5.     What song always makes you cry?

I don’t know that there’s a song that always makes me cry but I love Ella Fitzgerald’s At Last. I played it on a loop while I  was writing one special scene in White Ginger, my first published novel.

Maybe  Sting’s They Dance Alone brings me close to tears when I think of the families of  the ‘disappeared’. He is one of my favourite performers.

At Last

They Dance Alone

 

About Engaging the Enemy

One building, two would-be owners and a family feud that spans several generations: all relationships have their problems.

Andrea de Villiers can’t lie to save herself. But when developer, Matt Mahoney, buys the building she and a friend have established as a safe house in the Melbourne CBD, she decides that protecting The Shelter is more important than her aching heart. She will confront Mr Mahoney, and she will emerge victorious. There are no other options.

But Matt has other plans for Andie, and she soon finds herself ensnared in a web of well-meaning lies and benevolent deceit. To protect the building and the families that depend on her, Andie agrees to play the part of Matt’s fiancée, and play it convincingly.

But lies soon bleed into truth, and what was once a deception starts to feel all too real. Can Andie accomplish her goals and protect The Shelter, without losing her heart to the charming Irish developer?

About Susanne

2011 - headshotsI’m an Australian writer of romance who loves travelling, music, Mediterranean cuisine and good single malt whiskeys. And lots of coffee with friends!

Buy Engaging the Enemy

Would you like to answer a Quintette interview? Email me at nmharrisheart@gmail.com!