Nothing ordinary about Suzanne Redfearn...plus a book giveaway

One of the things I enjoy most about being a part of Chick Lit Central is getting to learn more about the authors whose books we feature. Each one has their own unique story that lead them to their writing career. Today’s featured author is no exception.

Before becoming a published author, Suzanne Redfearn was an architect specializing in residential and commercial design. She graduated summa cum laude from California Polytech University. Originally born on the east coast, Suzanne moved to California when she was fifteen and currently resides in Laguna Beach with her husband, two kids, a Coockapoo named Cooper and a cat named Motley. She enjoys spending her free time with them. Her family owns a restaurant called Lumberyard.  Suzanne is the author of Hush Little Baby, which was chosen as a Target Recommends selection and Target’s Emerging Authors program. This month, Suzanne’s second novel, No Ordinary Life, was published and we couldn’t be happier to have her visit us to mark the occasion. She has one copy of No Ordinary Life to give away to a lucky reader in the US or Canada!

So please give a warm Chick Lit Central welcome to Suzanne Redfearn! You can find her at her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Synopsis:
Faye Martin never expected her husband to abandon her and her three children . . . or that she'd have to struggle every day to make ends meet. So when her four-year-old daughter is discovered through a YouTube video and offered a starring role on a television series, it seems like her prayers have been answered. But when the reality of their new life settles in, Faye realizes that fame and fortune don't come without a price. And in a world where everyone is an actor and every move is scrutinized by millions, it's impossible to know whom to trust, and Faye finds herself utterly alone in her struggle to save her family.

Emotionally riveting and insightful, No Ordinary Life is an unforgettable novel about the preciousness of childhood and the difficult choices a mother needs to make in order to protect this fragile time in her children's lives.


How would you describe your writing style?
Heartfelt and emotional but with characters that have a sense of humor, so there is always also a bit of levity. Both Hush Little Baby and No Ordinary Life are about moms protecting their children, so the topic lends itself to drama and, because there are kids, there are also lots of endearing moments of family. Both novels were written present tense, first person, which is also a unique style of storytelling that creates tension, the action unfolding as the protagonist is witnessing it.

Which author(s) inspire you as a writer?
Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged had a profound influence on me when I was a teenager. It was the first time I realized how much a story can touch your soul and change your life. I also fell in love with The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway and The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay. Any book that makes me think and moves me inspires me.

What advice would you give someone who is in the process of writing their first manuscript?
Write. Write, write, write. Get the words on the page. I think so many writers stymie themselves by trying to make it perfect, when what they need to do is not worry about the perfection, but instead worry about what it is they want to say. They need to get the story out, then they can go back and clean it up. And if, when they finish, it turns out to be lousy, so what? Move on to the next story. I have half a dozen novels that are unpublished. Each one led me to the next. Each one made me a better writer. Hush Little Baby wasn’t necessarily my best story, but it was the one that got published. The more you write, the more chance you have for success.

On the "About" section of your website, you list watching Reality TV as a guilty pleasure. What is your current Reality TV obsession?
I am almost too embarrassed to answer this question. I, of course, love the tried-and-true standbys: Survivor, The Amazing Race, The Voice, The Biggest Loser, but my daughter has also turned me on to Are You the One? and it is so awful that it is impossibly good.

Where is your favorite place to visit?
San Francisco. It is the city of food and it is so alive with energy.

What is your favorite social media addiction?
TED.com. Whenever I have a spare moment, I log in and get inspired.

Thanks to Suzanne for visiting with us and sharing her book with our readers. You can also enter to win a copy from SE Reviews and Reads (US/Canada only). It's included in Confessions of a Bookaholic's BIG giveaway, as well. (Worldwide. Ends 2/19.)

~Introduction and interview by Tracey Meyers


How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


US/Canada only. Giveaway ends February 14th at midnight EST.