Suzan Holder is the author of Shake it Up Beverley.  Her latest novel, Rock n’ Rose was published by One More Chapter on 1 September 2022.

Suzan kindly answered a few of my questions.

1. Tell us a little about Rock n’ Rose.

I call ‘Rock ‘n’ Rose’ my rock ‘n’ roll rom-com. It’s about a music loving young woman called Daisy who retraces the footsteps of her grandmother, Rose on an adventure-filled trip to Memphis, Tennessee.

Daisy needs to solve a family mystery – could she really be related to The King himself, Elvis Presley?

Behind the gates of Graceland Daisy meets new friends, falls in love and discovers the truth.

2. What inspired the book?

The book was completely inspired by a trip I made to Memphis when I was in my twenties. Some very strange and incredible things happened to me on that trip including being rescued by a hunky motorcycle cop called Blue when I got stranded in Tupelo, Mississippi which is where Elvis was born. Blue becomes the romantic hero in the story.

3. Do you plan before you start writing or do you sit down and see where the words take you?

I do plan before I start. I know where the book is set, who my main characters are, what sort of story I want to tell and where I think the plot will take them. But I also surprise myself a lot along the way which is really exciting for me and adds lots of extra interest for the reader. I want my books to be page turners and very entertaining.

4. Is there anything about the process of publishing a book that still surprises you?

Almost everything. I have been a newspaper journalist, and a TV producer but the literary world is still all a bit of a mystery to me. You’d think the hardest thing is landing a publishing deal – and that is INCREDIBLY hard but the work doesn’t end there. Trying to let readers know about you and your books is a difficult thing to do. There’s a lot of competition out there and it’s hard to find your place in the world.

5. What do you do when you aren’t writing? What do you do to relax and get away from it all?

Reading is the obvious answer of course. No matter where you are or what is going on you can always escape to somewhere else if you have a book. But I also love travelling for real and also going to the theatre to see plays and musicals. The last two shows I saw in London’s West End were Moulin Rouge and To Kill A Mockingbird.

My first book ‘Shake It Up, Beverley’ about a Beatles fan looking for love in later life started out as a play and so I have a special place in my heart for theatre.

Going to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August is always a wonderful escape from reality and is the setting for the book I am working on now.

6. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life which book would it be?

I loved Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women as a child and find something new every time I revisit it. I identified with wannabe author Jo March so much and I think the scene at the end of the story when her professor comes to visit (I won’t spoil the plot if you haven’t read it) is one of the most romantic scenes ever written.

I don’t really like the idea of you taking all other books away but if I have to choose then Little Women it is.

7. I like to end my Q&As with the same question so here we go. During all the Q&As and interviews you’ve done what question have you not been asked that you wish had been asked – and what’s the answer?

I’m amazed there are not more literary events for new authors or even established writers in the romance / rom-com world. If they are out there in the UK I haven’t really found them. So I would love to be asked to join in with an in-person event for the writers and readers of romance/ romantic comedy/ romantic adventure. I think it would be hugely popular and I’m just waiting for some enterprising book person to set up a fabulous RomComFest – and then ask me to appear … I’ve got lots of hilarious real-life adventures that inspired my books to talk about…

About the Book

In the summer of 1960, eighteen-year-old Rose Featherstone took a trip to Memphis that changed her life. Now, Rose confesses to her granddaughter, Daisy, that she returned home with more than just memories all those years ago – she was carrying Elvis Presley’s child!

Daisy is sure the claim can’t be true, and yet, what if it is? When her grandmother passes away soon after her startling revelation and leaves Daisy with a ticket to Memphis, Tennessee, Daisy decides it’s time to discover the truth. She’s always struggled to fit in but this trip might just show her the benefits of being born to stand out. And especially when she meets Joe Cody, aka Officer Blue Eyes…

You can buy a copy of Rock n Rose here.

(This is an affiliate link and I may make a small amount if you purchase through it. You can also buy Rock n Rose from your local independent bookshop.)