Naked and Confused | Chickens in the Road

Mar
11

highstakes
I want, really badly, to have something intelligent to say about this half-naked man. I want to be able to explain why he’s half-naked. I want to tell you about the scene in the book where he’s standing outdoors with the heroine and he’s half-naked. But I don’t know where that scene is. I must have left it out!

This book is part of my “Haven” series about a town plagued by paranormal activity after an earthquake and severe weather collide to create positive ions in the town’s atmosphere. (DON’T ASK ME TO EXPLAIN THAT FURTHER.) The books are connected only by locale. They are stand-alone plots, so it’s not necessary to have read the previous “Haven” books to read this one.

Penn Ramsey comes home to Haven, WV, to claim the old family farm he’s inherited only to find the high school sweetheart he spent fourteen years trying to forget squatting, with a four-year-old daughter no less, in his old farmhouse. But the lovely and tough/fragile Willa North isn’t squatting—-she inherited the house, too. Anything can happen in Haven, and this time it’s a case of two conflicting wills notarized on the same day by the same man, and that’s not the only thing that isn’t making sense. Soon, Willa finds herself mysteriously trapped in the old farmhouse with the wildly sexy man she lied to all those years ago. Is it the house that is enchanted, or is someone with a secret agenda terrorizing them both? Only by uncovering the truth can they hope to survive…..and gain the future happiness that is their true inheritance.

The setting of this book is actually right here on our farm, rough road, river crossing, farmhouse halfway up a hill and all. Of course, I don’t have any half-naked men running around, I haven’t noticed any paranormal activity, and I don’t think anyone is trying to kill me. But you never know. It could happen.

High-Stakes Homecoming is a May 2009 release, which means it will be in stores the last week of April. But! You can pre-order it now if you want to make my day! And, why wouldn’t you want to? After all, it may become a collector’s item as it is, quite possibly, my last romance novel. My writing has gone in other directions, and while I am working on several book ideas right now, none of them are romance novels. I have loved writing romance novels. This is my 28th. But I am not a romance writer. I am a writer, and I feel there are other things for me to do with my writing now, things that I feel very much called to do. I’ll let you know about upcoming projects when I have news.

Pre-order High-Stakes Homecoming.

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34 Responses
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3-11
4:22
am

Might that woman on the cover be you?………………

Jan @ Greensboro Daily Photo -
3-11
4:30
am

Well, if I was going to order your book JUST to find out about why the man on the cover is naked I wouldn’t now since I know I won’t find out why. So lucky for me that’s not why I’m going to order.

Exciting news about your new direction in writing too! I wish I was as adaptable and accepting of new changes as you are Suzanne. You do truly inspire!

Barbara McDevitt -
3-11
4:50
am

Congratulations on your 28th book – pretty awesome!

SkippyMom -
3-11
4:53
am

I am so excited to read your newest book.

Cece

Cece -
3-11
5:16
am

Congratulations on number 28! That is really something. I am sure you will do well in whatever genre you choose, or in what ever genre chooses you!

Kathryn -
3-11
5:22
am

Congratulations on old ventures.
Good luck with the new ones.
Can’t wait to hear more!

Fencepost -
3-11
5:52
am

Suzanne, have you ever told the story of how you were so fortunate to get into the world of writing and manage to make a living at it. I worked for a newspaper too many years and I think everyone who has ever put pen to paper always dreams of completing a book, so I was just wondering how you broke into the literary world? And do you have a schedule for your writing, so many hours a day? Certain time of the day is your best time to write. I know, I am being nosey as usual, but I always find a writer’s lifestyle interesing. Have a good one and I certainly look forward to your future adventures.

Kathy Hathcock -
3-11
6:11
am

All right another Haven book! You just wanted your last romance novel to start out with sizzle….the naked man on the front is the first thing a reader sees, you know!! We read a book for the cover!! LOL!!

A writer should write what is in their heads and their fingers and their heart….the outcome of their writing is them. If what is in your head and your fingers and your heart is something other than romance, GREAT!! Your are a terrific writer, as shown in your novels you’ve already written, this blog, your newspaper contributions…….. you will only reach more people with your knowledge and great writing ability. Congratulations, Suzanne, in expanding your ventures! I will always follow, now that I’ve found you!

CindyP -
3-11
6:12
am

Awesome Daily Farm Photo!! I just love that shot!!

CindyP -
3-11
6:37
am

Congratulations Suzanne, on published #28! As for your cover models, well at least they don’t have on ugly hats

I’m not an English teacher, but I think there is a comma missing from the ‘description’ … after “forget” , before “squatting”?? Kinda like “Eats shoots and leaves”? (and I may have spelled that wrong). Anyway, made me chuckle

Quote:
only to find the high school sweetheart he spent fourteen years trying to forget squatting , with a four-year-old daughter no less,

End Quote:

m -
3-11
7:28
am

Oh Suzanne!!! I’m sure it was really tough work posing for that book cover with that half naked man. I’d also like to hear about how you fell into writing romance novels.

- Suzanne, the Farmer’s Wife

Suzanne, the Farmer's Wife -
3-11
8:10
am

I may have to finally pick it up! I’ve never successfully gotten ahold of one of your romance novels before. It will also be *gasp* my FIRST ROMANCE NOVEL EVAH (aside from looking for specific scenes from my mother’s books when I was 10, the girly equivalent of boys stealing their father’s Playboys), so it will be a new and interesting experience!

Robin G. -
3-11
8:10
am

Um, interesting cover… Congrats on your 28th book! That’s a lot of books. A whole lot of books.

Kacey -
3-11
8:14
am

Something I’ve noticed with romance covers…rarely do they actually mesh with the story!! I believe it was your last one that showed the hero and heroin standing side by side with guns drawn…I don’t remember that scene in the story!

But that’s ok! It’s still fun to read and this is not a bad cover.

I’m sorry to hear this may be your last romance, but looking forward to seeing what you have in store next!! Go where your spirit takes you!! (maybe with flying lambs on the cover??)

epon4 -
3-11
8:34
am

goodness! if that half-naked man WAS running aroung the farm i’d have to wonder WHY THE HECK YOU LEFT! LOL!!

Stephanie -
3-11
9:13
am

Congrats, I just rung up a lady who bought a whole stack of those books. I must go and have a look at the rack, that would be too cool to find your books on it.

Jen

Jen -
3-11
10:00
am

YAY! Another book! Too bad I still haven’t been able to get ahold of any of your other books! Borders in Vienna didn’t have any! I was mad!
My face blushed when I pulled up your daily blog AT WORK and I was like HOLY CRAP! If you had half naked men like that running around your farm, you could definitely start charging admission to come see them and photograph them! HEHE!

feathrencox -
3-11
10:01
am

I hear you sister! Branch out!
I love your website, Suzanne – my friend turned me on to it, and for the longest time didn’t realize you were a fellow romance writer- er, ah, excuse me.. fellow writer:-) Good luck on the new release!

Laura Wright -
3-11
10:14
am

I’ve never been a romance novel fan, but have been watching for some of yours at my local book haunts.

I’m anxious to see where your muse takes you. Who knows, maybe a pulitzer.

Shirley -
3-11
11:57
am

anyone who has the commitment to write !28! romance novels, can do anything.
Keep rockin’ mama
anni

anni -
3-11
12:41
pm

That guy could find a place to hang his hat in my bedroom–He will be drawing unemployment now too? I would not mind waiting in line with him at the unemployment office! Ha

Congratulations on your newest book!!

monica -
3-11
1:30
pm

I got all excited. Finally a new book. Then very disappointed. This might be you LAST one!!!????? Bummer.

I do hope a children’s book is in your future. I will definetly preorder.

Thank you Suzanne!!

trish -
3-11
1:57
pm

What a gorgeous cover. I don’t usually like full shots but in this case I do, I do!!! Conrats on No. 28! When are you going to tell us what your next book will be

catslady -
3-11
2:02
pm

Wow. I love that cover.

Melissa Marsh -
3-11
2:28
pm

Suzanne -

You have a great website! You’re a wonderful writer who really makes things come alive. I adore the pictures and captions and I’ve had great fun reading some of the back posts to catch up.

I went and bought all of your Kindle ebook editions but only now has it occurred to me to ask if you’re an Amazon Associates affiliate? As I understand it, if you’re signed up for that, whenever someone goes to Amazon by clicking through the Amazon link on your website, you would get a commission on the total spend on that visit to Amazon.

Not saying how much I spend on Amazon but ever since I got my Kindle (ebooks! ebooks! ebooks!) your cut might be enough to keep Clover in cookies It’s something to think about anyway.

I don’t do paypal but I would like to help support Chickens in the Road. It’s quickly become one of my favorite websites and it’s one of the first places I go every day on the net. Is there a way I could send a check?

Vicki

Vicki -
3-11
2:45
pm

In the book or not, it’s a great scene! Who does the artwork and even more important, Who Is That Man and does he really look like that? lol!

Sheryl -
3-11
3:57
pm

THAT MAN is my most-favorite-evah romance cover model, Nathan Kamp. I’ve purchased books that I’ve never read, just ’cause he was on the cover. Kudoes on a *great* cover (romance-world-wise), and it’s gonna definitely be added to my “collection”! I’m sure the story inside is EVEN BETTER!

Man, one day it’s leaping lambs, the next day it’s hunka-hunka-drippin’-wet-love … interesting blog. ;p

Bonnie B -
3-11
5:22
pm

You go girl! Onward and forward with that writing career! but we’ll so miss those romantic and suspenseful plots of yours!

I know where you are though and I do so understand.

best of luck on the next phase of your writing life.

maddie

maddie -
3-11
8:39
pm

Hope some of those other projects include some books with your wonderful critter photos and stories. I have a new great granddaughter and would love to get her started early with some animal books. OK, I admit it…they’re for me, too!! I love well illustrated children’s books and buy them just for me sometimes.

SuzieQ -
3-11
9:04
pm

Whew! Is it hot in here? Oh, it’s just him? *G* That’s some cover! Congratulations on your 28th book and whatever direction your writing goes!

Brandy -
3-11
10:59
pm

It’s a gorgeous cover and should sell a boatload of copies. Cover could be a lot worse. At least no one has three hands.

I’m sorry for us that you’re not writing romances anymore but whatever the girls in the basement send is what they send. I’m hoping for something based on this place. There’s definately a book in here, multiple books.

Vicki

Vicki -
3-12
7:04
pm

I am with fencepost…I’d like to hear how you got started writing these books and what you like and don’t like about the way it all goes down. It sounds like you enjoy it to write so many! I’d like to hear more!

warren -
3-12
11:17
pm

That is so funny! I loved the title Naked and Confused! I can’t wait to read it, even if that scene is not in the book.

Nancy M. -
3-14
8:51
am

Hi, Vicki! Thank you so much. If you click on the Donate button at the top of the sidebar, there is a po box address for checks. I appreciate your help!

Suzanne McMinn -