Project Backlist -Susan Stoker

Project Backlist: Start Your Journey with Susan Stoker

Welcome to Project Backlist, Buzzing about Romance’s guide to must-read backlist books! This week, we’re spotlighting Susan Stoker.

Meet Susan Stoker

New York Times, USA Today, #1 Amazon Bestseller, and #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author, Susan Stoker has spent the last twenty-three years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, Indiana, Texas, and Tennessee and is currently living in the wilds of Maine. She’s married to a retired Army man (and current firefighter/EMT) who now gets to follow her around the country.

She debuted her first series in 2014 and quickly followed that up with the SEAL of Protection Series, which solidified her love of writing and creating stories readers can get lost in.


Get to know Susan

Becky: What initially drew you to the romance genre as a writer?

Susan: I’ve always been a romance reader. From the time I was around 13 or so. I would go to the library and start at the A’s and make my way down the shelves and read everything that struck me as interesting at that time. I read a lot of Regency romances back then.

Becky: You have been publishing for quite a few years now… is it hard to keep your ideas fresh?

Susan: Yes and no. I love what I write. I love writing strong women, and good, alpha men. I love putting my heroines in danger and showing how they can stay strong in whatever situation I put them in. I also love a good kidnap. I write formula fiction and love it!

Becky: Can you share any writing rituals or habits that help you stay focused and productive during the writing process?

Susan: I am a morning writer/person. If I don’t get my writing in before noon, it won’t happy for that day. I get up, let the dog out, check socials and email, then get writing. I can usually be done with my writing for the day before 11am or so. Then I have the rest of the day to work out and do other marketing things.

Becky: What challenges do you face when writing romance, and how do you overcome them?

Susan: It’s not really a challenge, but sometimes readers will say “that’s not realistic.” And I laugh because I’m writing fiction. I have the luxury of making things not QUITE realistic.

Becky: How do you handle romantic tropes and clichés to keep your stories fresh and engaging for readers?

Susan: I’m not a big trope writer. I write the story how I see it in my head. And if that has tropes, so be it. I just write the story the way it plays out.

Becky: Romance readers often have strong preferences when it comes to tropes (such as enemies-to-lovers, friends-to-lovers, etc.). Do you have a trope you love to write, and if so, what about it appeals to you?

Susan: Is kidnapping a trope? Ha! I love a good kidnap because it allows the woman to be strong and not crying in a corner. She can be trying to help herself while the Hero works his way to find her and to free her. It highlights the strength of my heroines.

Becky: What is one thing you want your readers to take away from your books when they are finished?

Susan: I’ve used this quote in a few of my books, but it’s so true in my books as well as in real life. “You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.”

About The Refuge Series

Becky: What inspired you to write your earliest novels? Were there any particular themes or tropes you were drawn to?

Susan: My very first series, before I knew what I was doing, was based around reality shows…the ones I liked to watch. Back in the stone ages. HA! But I realized my stories were getting “lost” in all the other contemporary books and I’ve always loved a man in uniform so I decided to go that route and definitely don’t regret it!

Becky: How do you feel your writing has evolved from your first release to your most recent books?

Susan: I feel as if I’m a better writer in general. Now that I’ve got over 100 books published I kind of know the pacing for my stories and can write them a little faster. Of course I’ve also gotten LONGER with my books…I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not. Ha!

Becky: What about this series/story that holds a special place in your heart? Why do they resonate with you?

Susan: I really like The Refuge as the characters are all former military and suffer from PTSD as a result. They’ve made a “home” for themselves in the mountains of New Mexico and want to help others (not necessarily military) who suffer from traumatic experiences as well. I love that it’s in the state I’ve spent a lot of time in (because my mom lives there) and I love that it has a small town feel to it.

Becky: Which of your characters in this book or series are you most proud of, and what makes them stand out to you?

Susan: Is it a copout if I say all of them? They’re all so different and have experienced different things. I love watching them find someone to love them as they deserve to be loved (even if they don’t think they are worthy of that love)

Becky: Have there been any books from your backlist that you feel didn’t get as much attention as they deserved?

Susan: I feel as if my Badge of Honor series doesn’t get as many reads as my other series. I don’t know if it’s because it’s a police/fire series or because it’s a longer series (15 books) and that is intimidating to readers or what. But I love those men and women and they are the epitome of our first responder heroes.

Becky: How do you approach balancing standalone novels with series? Do you find it easier to revisit characters in a series, or do you prefer writing new stories?

Susan: I kind of prefer writing new stories because I have the worst memory. And I know if I try to use characters over and over I’ll mess up the details and my readers will definitely let me know! HA! I do love using Tex though. Every series seems to need a computer expert and he’s fit the bill from day one!

Becky: Are there any particular lessons or themes in this series that you feel still resonate strongly with readers?

Susan: Everyone deserves to be loved (The Refuge). No matter what you’ve done, or what you’ve experienced, if you keep an open mind to love, it can find you.

Becky: What was the most challenging book in this series to write, and what did you learn from the experience?

Susan: Probably Deserving Henley book. The Hero went through some horrific things and is super scarred as a result. His love is a psychologist and I didn’t want her to sound “preachy” toward him or to constantly be psychoanalyzing him (because that’s never good in a relationship!). Not to mention he is kind of grumpy and there’s that little issue of the backstory with his former service dog. What I learned is to trust my process and let the story flow. It works out in the end.

Becky: Do you ever see yourself revisiting (second gen or expanding) on this series/story’s characters in future projects?

Susan: Nope. I am not a fan of second generation stories. As I’ve said before, my memory isn’t good, and I know I’d mess up the ages and stuff of all the kids and the timeline. But also because I don’t like to see my original characters get “old.” I like them to live in my head as the same age they were when I wrote their stories. And as far as expanding, probably not, because once I finish a series it feels “finished” in my head.

Becky: How do you stay motivated to create new stories after having such an extensive backlist?

Susan: My readers. They push me to keep writing. To keep creating. To think of new characters they can fall in love with.

Thank you so much to Susan Stoker for taking the time to answer our questions. Happy Reading!