tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80326673222671340052011-08-19T04:13:07.982-07:00Musings, news, recipes, photos, writing articles of romantic suspense author Susan VaughanSusan Vaughanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680065337178380106noreply@blogger.comBlogger371100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032667322267134005.post-33733682963555587822010-11-20T09:40:00.000-08:002010-11-20T11:19:49.261-08:00

I wrote these out to share with some friends here, and I'd like to share them with you too. I make this pumpkin pie every year. The hubby doesn't usually appreciate my slenderizing recipes but he loves this one. Enjoy! REDUCED FAT PUMPKIN PIE 1/8 pie = 250 calories (egg whites recipe), 5 g fat, 5 Weight Watcher points 3 eggs or 4 egg whites 1 can (14 oz) Fat Free Sweetened Condensed Milk 1

Susan Vaughanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680065337178380106noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032667322267134005.post-62592126798521287632010-07-19T06:57:00.000-07:002010-07-19T06:57:40.262-07:00

HONEST, I DID MOST OF THAT--THE REVEAL Now that we've had some fun trying to guess my BIG FAT LIE among the truths, it's time for the big REVEAL. Congratulations to Big Brother for correctly guessing #3. Joyce, you guessed correctly too but you have all my books. I don't have three rescue dogs and a cat. No cats. I'm allergic to cats and three dogs would be overwhelming in my small house. BB

Susan Vaughanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680065337178380106noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032667322267134005.post-63998575311668706442010-07-13T06:25:00.000-07:002010-07-13T06:26:15.737-07:00

I'm told a meme is something about oneself. Like me, me, me? Anyway, this Versatile Blogger is a meme that is making its way around the blogs. I have my friend Nina Pierce to thank for sending it to me. This blog made me rack my brain and come up with some obscure factoids about myself and, I hope, some clever trickery. This Versatile Blogger "award" comes with some rules. I'm supposed to list

Susan Vaughanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680065337178380106noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032667322267134005.post-32725440143873754132010-06-29T08:50:00.000-07:002010-06-29T08:50:30.674-07:00

I'm at the PASIC blog yakking about language misadventures on my Mediterranean cruise. I hope you'll drop in at To Be Read.

Susan Vaughanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680065337178380106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032667322267134005.post-30364923895841637792010-03-16T08:46:00.000-07:002010-03-16T08:47:31.580-07:00

Mad, bad and dangerous to know? Not moi, but some of my alter egos. When I was about three or four (I’m told, because I don't remember it) I was introduced to another little girl named Susan. I had a fit, didn't accept that was her name because Susan was my name. These days I'm not quite so egocentric and possessive of my name. Still, color me amazed when I discovered there are dozens and dozens

Susan Vaughanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680065337178380106noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032667322267134005.post-88776079892007587362009-12-27T08:45:00.000-08:002009-12-27T08:45:23.448-08:00

This interview first appeared on Between the Lines. If you’re a fan of Silhouette Intimate Moments and/or romantic suspense, this month’s author probably needs no introduction. It’s Susan Vaughan who decided early in her career to merge together her two favorite genres, romance and mystery. Last year The Wild Rose Press released her first full length romantic suspense novel called Primal

Susan Vaughanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680065337178380106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032667322267134005.post-44797436181355016862009-10-04T13:04:00.000-07:002009-10-04T13:05:39.375-07:00

The dh and I just returned from a five-day drive around the western part of Maine's neighboring Canadian province of Nova Scotia. In general, I found NS to be a lot like Maine--big tides, rock-bound coast, seaside villages, fog. And Nova Scotians were a lot like Mainers--hard working, friendly, proud of their homeland. The differences were small, but being a word person, the differences in

Susan Vaughanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680065337178380106noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032667322267134005.post-30296459507151717052009-09-07T06:40:00.000-07:002009-09-07T06:40:38.189-07:00

Here's the news article about the Bar Harbor Book Festival I'll be participating in the weekend of September 12-13. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ With high illiteracy rates linked to high crime rates, police on Mount Desert Island and writers have joined forces to create a literacy effort that will promote reading among local children. “We want to create an annual event that will help us help kids

Susan Vaughanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680065337178380106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032667322267134005.post-26447202933390028342009-08-27T05:14:00.000-07:002009-08-27T06:06:38.652-07:00

Today I'm chatting with Kylie Brant, bestselling author of award-winning books from Silhouette Romantic Suspense. Kylie's books have twice been nominated for the RITA Award and have won the Daphne Award twice, including the 2009 overall Daphne. As well as being a prolific novelist, she's an elementary school special education teacher. The mother of grown children, Kylie lives in Iowa with her

Susan Vaughanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680065337178380106noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032667322267134005.post-51350858224946196512009-08-12T11:14:00.001-07:002009-08-19T11:46:31.117-07:00

No, not like when we were teenagers. This is the website romanceinthebackseat.com. The inimitable Terry Kate, documentary diva and promotion queen, has interviewed me while I rode in the backseat of my car. Someone was driving, trust me.I'm nervous to see and hear myself on video but thrilled all the same. Hope you'll drop in for the party. Tuesday, August 18 is my blog about the experience. and

Susan Vaughanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680065337178380106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032667322267134005.post-73835935420245567152009-07-26T11:33:00.000-07:002009-07-26T11:36:46.547-07:00

I'm the guest blogger at http://www.ridingwiththetopdown.blogspot.com on Wednesday, July 29. I hope you'll drop in to see how I became the first writer to be kicked out of the National Museum of Natural History.

Susan Vaughanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680065337178380106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032667322267134005.post-61178562514847668242009-07-25T09:28:00.000-07:002009-07-25T09:39:14.098-07:00

From http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.com, by Edelweiss, Rating 4.5 of 5Annie is a reporter whose close friend is murdered. Her follow-up investigative reporting reveals a serial killer to the public. but also brings threatening calls from the killer. To honor the wishes and memory of her dead friend, she contracts to take a guided canoe trip through the Maine wilderness. Sam, an ex pro

Susan Vaughanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680065337178380106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032667322267134005.post-27566764409686177552009-07-20T06:53:00.000-07:002009-07-20T07:24:04.028-07:00

Usually by Saturday at an RWA Conference, my brain is on overload and I escape the hotel for some sightseeing or, better yet, power shopping. But there were so many great workshops scheduled on Saturday that I had to stuff more into my poor, aging brain. First up was "Don't Let the Plot Get in the Way of Your Story" done for the second time in a row by Harlequin Mills & Boon editors Joanne Grant

Susan Vaughanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680065337178380106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032667322267134005.post-15711597276722200442009-07-18T02:27:00.000-07:002009-07-18T03:17:11.394-07:00

Friday was jam packed with workshops, an inspirational luncheon speech, and publisher book signings. In the morning, I attended the Spotlights on Avon and Harlequin Single Title. Both publishers are looking for new voices but prefer agented submissions. They will accept queries from unagented writers though.The luncheon speech was given by wonderful historical author Eloisa James. She was

Susan Vaughanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680065337178380106noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032667322267134005.post-34607288146465274392009-07-17T02:33:00.000-07:002009-07-17T04:27:28.850-07:00

Thursday began with a whiz-bang of an Opening Session. The speaker was none other than NYT best-selling author of the Stephanie Plum novels Janet Evanovich. Rather than give a prepared speech, she answered questions from cards given her by the RWA president, questions she'd never seen. She was gracious, generous with her experiences and advice, spontaneous, and SURPRISE--funny and witty.

Susan Vaughanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680065337178380106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032667322267134005.post-295827531875532522009-07-15T20:29:00.000-07:002009-07-15T20:54:43.206-07:00

Hey there from the Romance Writers of America Conference. The conference officially began today with the Literacy Book Signing. The hope is to sell loads of books to benefit literacy fundraising organizations. So here are some pics from the signing.Here's the general room with authors and some readers milling around. Not all readers have been allowed in but trust me, later the room was jammed.

Susan Vaughanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680065337178380106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032667322267134005.post-91051063624334209372009-07-05T12:05:00.000-07:002009-07-05T12:07:18.326-07:00

Watch this blog for updates including photos from the RWA Conference in Washington, D.C. I'll begin posting either Wednesday, July 15 (which happens to be my wedding anniversary but I'll be away from my honey) or Thursday, July 16.

Susan Vaughanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680065337178380106noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032667322267134005.post-27176966316456228842009-06-30T12:48:00.000-07:002009-06-30T12:50:56.524-07:00

The winner of the TWRP Blog Bouquet prize is Tricia Schneider. Tricia, please contact me at susan@susanvaughan.com to claim your prize. I need to hear from you within a week.

Susan Vaughanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680065337178380106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032667322267134005.post-27036076366867038752009-06-29T04:41:00.000-07:002009-06-29T04:51:00.222-07:00

Welcome to the Wild Rose Press Blog Bouquet!Many TWRP authors are participating in today's event. By leaving a comment at these blogs, you are entered in a drawing to win a prize. Remember to check back tomorrow to see if you won. If I don't have your email addresss, I'll leave mine so you can contact me.Now,The Truth About the BushwhackThose of you who read PRIMAL OBSESSION probably wonder where

Susan Vaughanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680065337178380106noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032667322267134005.post-49534655622219136762009-06-11T11:34:00.000-07:002009-06-11T11:42:46.346-07:00

I was interviewed and videoed for Romance in the Backseat (RITBS) the other day. Great fun. I'll write about that experience later.But when I returned to explore the RITBS website, I signed up to join. That meant yet another social networking site. And yikes, I realized there's a site called Ning.com, where you can create your own social networking website. This thing is exponential. Are we

Susan Vaughanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680065337178380106noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032667322267134005.post-31615601437910458232009-05-25T05:51:00.000-07:002009-05-25T06:10:30.928-07:00

On this Memorial Day, my thoughts are of my father, who passed away several years ago at the age of 80. Like many of his generation, he fought in World War II. When I was growing up, he spoke rarely of his military experiences. I wasn't really interested then, but later when I began asking him questions, he'd tell me only humorous anecdotes or about the incident that earned him the Distinguished

Susan Vaughanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680065337178380106noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032667322267134005.post-48378203357851805182009-05-21T06:08:00.000-07:002009-05-21T06:12:31.807-07:00

Yup, unusual because I'm interviewing an author's character. Not my own this time but Greer Aisling, the mother of Cait London's psychic triplets in the trilogy pictured above. But not here. You have to visit http://toberead.wordpress.com/ on May 21.Enjoy!

Susan Vaughanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680065337178380106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032667322267134005.post-26300567380696191502009-05-03T13:06:00.000-07:002009-05-03T13:24:08.224-07:00

I've received so many comments about my hero and heroine in PRIMAL OBSESSION that I asked them to visit my blog. I'm thrilled that Sam and Annie have agreed to an interview. They're sitting here at the table with me. Sam has his arm around Annie's shoulders, and Annie's resting her hand on his thigh. A very nice thigh, I must say.Annie: Ahem!Susan: Sorry. I've spent so much time creating Sam, I

Susan Vaughanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680065337178380106noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032667322267134005.post-29875459298485137792009-04-17T06:17:00.000-07:002009-04-17T06:25:30.522-07:00

I'm chatting with my friend and fellow author Diane Drew. Diane and I used to critique together years ago and we've kept in touch. Imagine the pleasant surprise to find we both had books released by the same publisher. Diane's first historical novel, Captain Jack, received rave reviews and had a delicious hero. Her new historical romance, Scandalous (The Wild Rose Press, ISBN 1060154-354-9) is an

Susan Vaughanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680065337178380106noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032667322267134005.post-27454174647147068582009-04-11T13:03:00.000-07:002009-04-11T13:08:35.359-07:00

I've succumbed to popular pressure and signed up on Twitter. Another social networking site, another time suck where I go to avoid writing the difficult scene. LOL. But why not. It's pretty easy. You can follow me at http://twitter.com/SHVaughan. Oh, and I have a new book signing scheduled. I'll be at the Fertile Mind Book Shop in Belfast, Maine on May 8, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm, signing copies of

Susan Vaughanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680065337178380106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032667322267134005.post-68888210841866856952009-04-06T07:31:00.000-07:002009-04-07T06:21:13.768-07:00

Now that I'm caught up--sort of--after the NEC Conference in Framingham, Massachusetts, I'm here to share. The New England RWA chapter puts on a great event--lots of fabulous authors, an array of super workshops and speakers, and way too much food. Aside from Maine folks, I chatted with some fave authors and new friends--Lynne Marshall, Marie Force, Pat Grasso, Hannah Howell, Lisa Gardner, Judith

Susan Vaughanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680065337178380106noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032667322267134005.post-11061522018392062662009-03-19T06:37:00.000-07:002009-03-19T06:40:06.811-07:00

I'm over the moon. RomanceJunkies.com has rated PRIMAL OBSESSION 5 out of 5! Here's the entire review:PRIMAL OBSESSION is a title that works on several levels—a serial killer compelled to find women and kill them in a horrible manner, a former baseball player embittered over the loss of his career and a reporter who can’t give up the search for the man who stole her best friend from

Susan Vaughanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680065337178380106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032667322267134005.post-40547246298887230182009-03-11T11:02:00.000-07:002009-03-17T05:47:08.721-07:00

My husband and I spent a week on the Mexican Riviera, at a resort a few miles south of Cancun. Here are my six about that week.1. Here I am in Tulum, the only Mayan city on the Mexican coast. For the Maya, it was a strategic commercial port and sea defense for the powerful king at Chichén Itzá. I was fascinated by the many bas-reliefs showing animals and birds and the Descending God, which was an

Susan Vaughanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680065337178380106noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032667322267134005.post-5379851267764264502009-03-02T12:57:00.000-08:002009-03-02T13:03:18.978-08:00

I just returned from a beach vacation on the Mayan Riviera. Never heard of it? Think just south of Cancun. Beautiful white sand beaches and none of the hustle and hype of the city. On return, I find that I'm a featured author all of March at the Romance Studio. I hope you'll visit my page and read the interview at http://theromancestudio.com/who11.php.I'll have more on the trip but here's a

Susan Vaughanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680065337178380106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032667322267134005.post-81425635511501319562009-02-12T12:47:00.000-08:002009-02-12T13:08:20.629-08:00

Last Friday, four other authors and I gathered at the Fertile Mind Book Shop in Belfast, Maine. The author event was part of the store's annual pre-Valentine's Day "Who Wrote the Book of Love?" celebration. Larue and Bruce Haynes are such wonderful hosts, providing decorations and delicious treats (chocolate and strawberries!). This event is always a gracious and enjoyable time.Attendance was

Susan Vaughanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680065337178380106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032667322267134005.post-48261191289493086182009-01-26T06:16:00.000-08:002009-01-26T06:21:51.132-08:00

Romance fiction doesn't get much respect in New England. I have theories about that. One is that the proliferation of Ivy League colleges and pretenders to Ivy League status has led to snobbishness about romance in favor of literary fiction. Personally I'd rather read a book that guarantees me a happy ending than one that wanders endlessly through the protagonist's angst without a satisfying

Susan Vaughanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680065337178380106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032667322267134005.post-71757623493346605462009-01-24T13:45:00.000-08:002009-01-24T13:48:18.627-08:00

After seeing all the praise for Slumdog Millionaire on the Golden Globe Awards show, I knew I had to see this movie. And I wasn't disappointed.British director Danny Boyle has created a funny, shocking, and romantic spectacle. The film is set in Mumbai with all its contrasts. Since the movie's centerpiece is the Indian version of the game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, Boyle has

Susan Vaughanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680065337178380106noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032667322267134005.post-88608170600654200102009-01-15T09:09:00.000-08:002009-01-16T14:14:44.856-08:00

Primal Obsession has a trailer!I hope you'll think it's as evocative and compelling as I do. Scroll down on this page and click on the arrow to view the trailer.

Susan Vaughanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680065337178380106noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032667322267134005.post-44899118765872800142009-01-07T06:37:00.000-08:002009-01-07T06:49:44.526-08:00

1. The start of 2009 means the daylight hours are getting longer. Okay, technically that started December 22, but the change was so incremental, you don't notice it right away. And okay, people south of the northern tier of the U.S. and Canada may not care as much as we way up here do. But trust me, daylight hours are a biggie when for a couple of months you have only 8 hours of daylight. Today,

Susan Vaughanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680065337178380106noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032667322267134005.post-61750705666363375462008-12-29T13:34:00.000-08:002008-12-29T13:41:40.530-08:00

The dh and I drove to New Hampshire during Christmas for a family get-together. Everyone's very health conscious and into organic and natural foods whenever possible. So we sat down to an organic ham for dinner and breakfast featured whole grain waffles with vanilla yogurt. And yes, maple syrup, but I think it was organic. Great food. Don't get me wrong. But wait.On the road, however, we tend to

Susan Vaughanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680065337178380106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032667322267134005.post-42243987431748096112008-12-20T07:49:00.000-08:002008-12-20T07:51:34.705-08:00

Need just the right appetizer for a holiday party? Try my Killer Cheese Crostini. Just out of the oven or at room temperature, these will disappear in moments.Killer Cheese Crostini½ loaf French bread, sliced in ½ pieces (about 20 slices)½ cup each grated Parmesan cheese , crumbled bleu cheese, and finely grated Cheddar cheese½ cup finely chopped walnutsOlive oilMix cheese and the nuts in a small

Susan Vaughanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680065337178380106noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8032667322267134005.post-5522174333464604552008-12-17T12:46:00.000-08:002008-12-17T13:00:09.294-08:00

1. Well, of course, Christmas is coming. I love the holiday but not all the stress involved in the days running up to Christmas Day, which involves more cooking than this kitchen-challenged woman prefers.2. Primal Obsession is ready for orders! The ebook has been released this month from The Wild Rose Press. The idea for Primal Obsession grew out of a six-day canoe trip the dh and I took a few

Susan Vaughanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08680065337178380106noreply@blogger.com4