Please welcome my special guest today, my good friend and western romance author form Australia, Susan Horsnell. She has a brand new book out today, Blind Achievement, the sequel to her InD'Tale Crowned Heart reviewed book, Blind Acceptance.
Blind Achievement Blurb:
Phillip Johnson has been blind since the age of six after sustaining a head injury in a wagon accident.
Growing up on a ranch outside of Austin hasn't been easy for the young man but he has thrived with the loving help of his Step-Mother, Rachel, and the faithful support of his father, Luke.
At 18 years old, he has made the decision to head to Macarthur to attend the Wyoming College for the Blind. He plans to study Civil Government Law and Political Economics.
It is here that he meets Belinda and he falls deeply in love with her. Belinda hides a dark and dangerous secret.
A ruthless man is obsessed with owning her. This threat has the power to ruin their relationship and put their lives in jeopardy.
Can they overcome such obstacles and find happiness together?
Excerpt:
..........It had been a long day and he tapped his way back to his room. He was startled from his thoughts by an ear piercing scream. Coming to an abrupt stop he listened. Sounds of a scuffle and banging came from what he knew was a classroom ahead. He approached and threw open the door without hesitation.
“What the hell? Get out!” a gruff voice bellowed.
“Please help me.” A girl’s agonized plea tore at his heart.
“What’s going on?” Phillip demanded to know.
“None of your damned business, half-wit. Get out.” Phillip could not place the voice.
“Let me go,” she screamed again.
“Let the young lady go.” Phillip said angrily. “Come here to me Miss.”
He could hear her struggling to get free.
“I have asked you to let her go. I will not ask again.” Phillip loaded his voice with menace.
The man guffawed. “Do you really think a blindy like you can stop me?”
Phillip used the man’s voice to help him move closer.
The girl took advantage of her captor being distracted and bit down hard on his arm. He yelped with pain, and she wrenched free of his grip and launched herself into Phillip’s arms.
The air rushed from his lungs as she collided with his chest. He wrapped his arm protectively around her trembling body as she sobbed into his shirt.
Phillip lifted his cane as a warning for the man not to approach. “I am taking her to speak with Mr Carver. I expect he will also want to speak with you.”
The girl in his arms continued to tremble and sob.
“Come with me. We’ll ensure this never happens again,” he told the girl gently.
About Susan:
I grew up in the Western Suburbs of Sydney in the 50's and 60's.
My parents are originally from the Newcastle-Under-Lyme area of England and came to Australia in 1952 as £10 poms. They came under a migration scheme to help Australia with workers.
My father was a Painter and Decorator and I was the eldest of five children.
My parents are originally from the Newcastle-Under-Lyme area of England and came to Australia in 1952 as £10 poms. They came under a migration scheme to help Australia with workers.
My father was a Painter and Decorator and I was the eldest of five children.
I met my husband, Robert, in 1973 and we married in March 1974; we were both 18 years old. We have two wonderful sons, gorgeous daughters-in-law and five incredible grandchildren. We have been extremely blessed.
I was a Nurse, a career that spanned more than 35 years. During my career I specialised in caring for people with Alzheimer’s type Dementia, an area that fascinates me despite how heartbreaking it can be. My dear father-in-law is unfortunately afflicted with this disease and now resides in a Nursing Home. In the not too distant future I am hoping to pen a novel incorporating some of the stories I have heard from these amazing people. Part of my career was with the blind and I also cared for severely disabled children for a while too.
When I retired 4 years ago I decided it was time to get the stories out of my head and onto paper. From there I just hoped my stories were interesting and well written enough to attract readers.
It is difficult being a new author now that anyone can publish a book. I can understand readers’ reticence to read Indie authors but hopefully they will give people like me a chance. I find as an avid reader, you can be pleasantly surprised most of the time. I can’t imagine sticking to just one or two authors and just because an author has a publisher doesn’t make them good. I have certainly read some terrible books which have been published by some of the largest companies.
I do hope readers enjoy my books and would love them to leave reviews.
Book: Blind Achievement.
Sequel to Blind Acceptance which received a 4 1/2 star review and a Crowned Heart Award from InD'tale Magazine, October 2013
Website/Blog: http://susanhorsnell.com.au/
Hi Sue,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your sequel to Blind Acceptance, a story I enjoyed reading. Your knowledge and compassion for the blind certainly reflects in your writing. I look forward to reading more about Phillip as a young man and have Blind Achievement on my Kindle TBR list now.
Thank you, Cheri. I hope you enjoy my book and I appreciate your support
DeleteCongratulations, Sue. It sounds like a great sequel with the emphasis on handicaps not having to end someone's life. Not only good story but worthy one. Good going.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rain. I really wanted to show that blind people bring their own very useful talents to society and they shouldn't be dismissed as having no value. Thank you for your much appreciated support.
DeleteWhat a nice excerpt. I look forward to reading this along with the first one. It is nice to see authors write characters with. real life dissabilities.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Shirl. I like characters with a disability. We are not all perfect but we all play an important role in society. I hope you enjoy them.
DeleteThank you Peggy for your support and encouragement with my new book.
DeleteHi Sue,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the release of Blind Achievement. I was very lucky to receive a sneek preview, and it is great story like Blind Acceptance.
Best of luck, hope you sell a million.
Regards
Margaret
Hi Susan. Glad to see you here on Peggy's beautiful site. Blind Achievement sounds like a great sequel. My TBR list just got bigger!
ReplyDeleteThank you Lyn. I know what you mean. I have hundreds of books on my Kindle at the moment, I am determined to read yours and all my other friends books. Thank you for your encouragement and for dropping by.
DeleteThank you Margaret. You are always so supportive and thanks to you, I made it to the end.
ReplyDelete