Willow Barton’s life crumbles at her husband’s arrest for fraud, forcing her to return to her Ohio hometown to rebuild. Running a small bookstore and helping her best friend care for her ailing father offers solace—until Zachary Hayes, her best friend’s brother and a charming country music star, shows up. Struggling to revive his career and reconnect with his estranged father, Zach sparks an undeniable yet unwelcome chemistry with Willow. As her estranged husband seeks forgiveness, and Zach battles his own demons, Willow must confront her painful past and decide if she’s willing to risk her heart again. Caught between heartbreak and hope, can they overcome their fears and build a future together?
Thank you for having me today. I appreciate your support to authors. We need all the help we can get☺
I’ll tell you some personal tidbits that went into writing this book. First, I got the idea from a newspaper article about my friend’s neighbor who had scammed multiple investors in a Ponzi scheme. This local guy owned a large contracting company and had this beautiful second home on the water and fancy cars. I wondered what would happen to the wife if she knew nothing about the criminal activity and lost everything? That’s when the wheels started spinning. I created Willow, living in New York, and the story began. I expanded the plot to include investment fraud and had her return to her small, hometown of Cedar Hill in Ohio to rebuild her life after losing everything.
Another personal tie to the story has to do with George, Willow’s best friend’s father. He has early stages of dementia, and Willow takes a second job to prepare his dinner each night. My mother had dementia, and I remember the very beginning when she first got diagnosed. She still functioned with a little help but became confused at times, got lost once, and couldn’t remember her medication. She still knew me and could talk about the diagnosis. I remember those were precious times. I wanted George to be at this stage, so Zach could heal his relationship with him. He became one of my favorite characters.
Now, you know some insight into my novel, Forever Kind of Love. I hope you find it inspiring and enjoyable. Thank you for taking an interest and reading my guest blog.
The plane ride was smooth, and Willow headed toward baggage claim upon arrival. As she made her way through a forest of people, she bumped into a man, causing her to trip, but she regained her balance. She lifted her head and found herself staring into Zach’s eyes.
“Willow Mason!” He spread a grin across his face.
Willow felt her stomach flip-flop, as if she were plunging down a monstrous rollercoaster drop. “Zach.” She could only say his name.
“Are you coming back from New York?” He adjusted his grip on his luggage.
“Yes. And you, Nashville?”
“Yep. What a coincidence. Do you have a ride home?”
“No. I planned on ordering a car.” Waves of trepidation, circling like a cyclone in her gut, were wreaking havoc on her ragile emotions. She wasn’t ready to see Zachary Hayes. Not today.
“I’ve got a car. Let me give you a ride.”
“Okay.” She’d be stupid not to accept.
“Come on, follow me.”
She fell into step while peering at the floor until she arrived outside the terminal, where his driver took her suitcase and computer bag.
He opened the door. “After you.” He motioned with a hand.
She forced the sides of her lips to lift. “Thanks.”
Susan is a retired speech and language pathologist and full-time writer of romance books. She has three novels published with independent presses and her newest release is slotted for February 2026 with The Wild Rose Press entitled, Forever Kind of Love. In addition to being a Maggie Award finalist, Sweet Ridge Hearts, her last book, was also a Literary Titan gold award winner. She lives in Ohio where she relishes the four seasons, (well, maybe not winter), and loves yoga, jazz, golf and walking anywhere outdoors. Susan belongs to the Great Lakes Fiction Writers organization and to Romance Writers of America (RWA). She loves seeing new characters come to life and is a firm believer that dreams do come true.
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We appreciate you featuring FOREVER KIND OF LOVE today.
ReplyDeleteI would love to read this one this winter season.
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