Sarah Morgan's latest novel, Suddenly Last Summer, is our July Top Pick in Romance! A quiet, snow-capped resort town in Vermont heats up when a successful, yet commitment-phobic young surgeon returns to help his family in a time of need. But soon the resort's fiery French chef, Élise, seems to be occupying most of his thoughts, and their no-strings-attached arrangement may prove difficult to keep casual.
We chatted with Morgan about her early literary inspirations, the Romance community and more in a 7 questions interview.
Describe your book in one sentence.
Suddenly Last Summer is about a workaholic surgeon and a French chef who have both chosen to live life free of romantic commitment, but then find that decision challenged when one steamy night in the forest becomes something more (he heals her heart – she feeds his soul!)
What do you love most about your fiery French heroine, Élise?
She’s deeply scarred, flawed but fiercely loyal to the people she cares about. I’d love to have her as a friend (and she can make a great cup of coffee!)
What are the sexiest scenes to write?
In this story it was definitely the scenes in the forest. There was so much heat and chemistry between Sean and Élise, and the outdoor setting helped intensify those steamy scenes.
You’ve said you fell in love with writing as a young child—which authors first inspired you?
I read so much as a child and went through different phases. When I was young I devoured stories with horses in them. My favorite was Mary O’Hara’s Flicka series: For a while I nagged my parents to move to Wyoming (we lived near London, but I was always an optimist!), and I loved Noel Streatfeild’s Ballet Shoes (I took a few ballet classes before I decided I preferred horses). In my teens I read Katherine by Anya Seton, and that started a passion for historical fiction.
What do you love most about the Romance community?
Romance readers are the best. Every day when I switch on my computer there are a bunch of uplifting emails in my inbox. I’m always surprised and touched by how many people take the time to write to an author about a book they’ve loved. I’ve met so many wonderful people through my writing career, both authors and readers (and authors who are readers!). The community is friendly, warm and supportive.
What’s at the top of your Summer reading list right now?
I’ve just finished The Rosie Project, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Next on my list is Nora Roberts’ latest, The Collector (I’m saving that for a long flight – can’t wait) and then I’m looking forward to the next Jill Shalvis, Then Came You.
What’s next?
The last in my O’Neil Brothers series, Maybe This Christmas, comes out in October, and I’m already working on a new contemporary romance series for HQN called Puffin Island, which will be out in 2015. It’s about three close friends who escape to Castaway Cottage on an island in Maine when life gets tough. There’s plenty of sea, sand and sex! I was worried I’d miss Vermont and Snow Crystal Resort, but having started work on this new series, I’m equally excited about Puffin Island. I’m just finishing the first book, which will be called First Time in Forever. I’ve loved writing it.
Author photo by Rosanna Hancock
