So Few Books ~: BLOG TOUR & AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Susan Golden for "All That's Hidden (Sugar Shack, #2)"

All That’s Hidden
(Sugar Shack, #2)
by Susan Golden
Publication date: August 12th, 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Pet sitter turned entrepreneur, Jennifer Albright thinks she has it all: an expanding business, a new, blissful marriage to a very sexy husband, a dog named Rupert that people frequently think is a bear, and a parrot named Sugar that Jennifer’s pretty sure is psychic. But her idyllic life begins to unravel when a series of creepy incidents threatens to sabotage the launch of her doggie day care center, and the discovery of a hidden treasure thrusts her into the world of federal agents and international thievery. The chaos soon spills over onto her home life and Jennifer reluctantly begins to suspect that her seemingly perfect, unbelievably supportive husband is hiding something from her. There’s just so much that doesn’t add up.

Tech-mogul Ryan has found the love of his life in his adorable new bride, Jennifer. But trouble seems to follow her like a basset hound. When one strange twist of events offers Ryan an opportunity he feels he can’t pass up, he unknowingly launches himself down the road of suspicion and mistrust. But he’s got this covered. She doesn’t suspect a thing.

Goodreads / Amazon

~ AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Susan Golden ~

1) What gave you the inspiration for the storyline?

As this is the second novel in my Sugar Shack series, I was mostly inspired to continue with the characters I had created and had come to view quite fondly. I wanted the characters to grow in their lives, give them some struggles and keep to the inclusion of a mystery/international intrigue subplot. But I also wanted to keep the not-quite-serious vibe going. This story developed rather than struck in a bolt of lightning.

2) Are there any hidden (or not so hidden) themes in the book you hope readers will discover?

Actually, hiding itself is the underlying theme. Throughout the story, lots of emotions, circumstances, intentions and objects are hidden. Each secret has a consequence. Some consequences are good, others not so much. Not every secret is a bad thing, but that doesn’t mean it won’t have a bad consequence.

3) Are any of the characters based on real people you know?

Not really, no. Although the federal agents are certainly an amalgamation of people I have dealt with. I’m a psychologist and I enjoy creating the characters I need, embuing them with flaws, capabilities and quirks. Each one is unique and, in my head, is totally real.

4) Who has influenced you most as a writer?

I came late to authorship, although I have written in journalistic style for most of my professional career. I never really aspired to be an author. I wrote my first book, Catnapped, largely just to see if I could do it. I never expected it would be long enough or interesting enough to become a novel. I found writing was fun and being retired, I had the luxury of time and not much to do. But there are lots of “rules” for fiction writing that I was completely unaware of. Creating professional works has been a steep learning curve. I found a good editor who taught me a great deal about storywriting.

5) If you could have any three literary characters over to your place for game night, who would you invite, what would you play, what would you serve, and why?

So, I thought about this for a good while. I took the question to mean fictional characters and Sherlock Holmes came to mind and perhaps the Scarlet Pimpernil, but I’d shudder to think of playing games with Sherlock Holmes and well, the Scarlet Pimpernil is a spy, so… I decided that if I had this one magical opportunity available, I’d much rather have authors than characters. So, here’s my invitee list: Shakespeare, Jane Austen and Eleanor Arnason. We’d play pinochle because I love to play pinochle. Perhaps the living against the dead. We’d have a big spread of appetizers and finger foods because we are playing cards and I love to cook. It would be an opportunity to test out all those recipes for things I have few occasions to serve. Why my choices for invitees? It’s Shakespeare! I’ve got questions. Jane Austen, let me tell you how far women have come and thank you for plowing your own furrow in the way forward. Then I’d point to Eleanor Arnason and watch these two female authors interact. Ring of Swords inspired me to write a sci-fi romance which still requires an editor’s deft touch, but I’d love to hear what she thinks of the story. I’m not sure how much pinochle we’d get around to, but it would be a night to remember.

6) Do you feel you can ever have too many books?

My husband is the bookaholic. He’s got them stashed all over. I read. I enjoy reading, but I rarely save the books I read. My husband buys hardbacks (non-fiction) and I buy paperbacks (fiction). When I’m done, I donate the ones I’ve read. There’s no great “to-be-read” pile for me except for our library’s once-a-year book sale when I stock up. I don’t think you can ever have read too many books. If you want to save them, that’s up to you.