Susan Cliff

Hello friends! I’m at susancliffauthor.wordpress.com. I posted about my latest release (Infiltration Rescue, June 2020) and made a Best of 2021 reading list.

I hope all is well with you and yours. Happy Holidays!! xoxo

Hello friends! It’s that time of year again.

In 2018 I went back to school. I’ve been taking night classes, working at a day job that I really enjoy, and still trying to fit in a bit of writing here & there. It was a good year for me as far as family, health and an overall sense of peace. I like the direction I’m going.

It wasn’t a great year for reading. I didn’t read for pleasure as much as I’d like, and my DNF problem is out of control. I abandon books at an alarming rate. The books I liked enough to finish were few and far between! Here are my top picks, mashed together with my favorite movies.

There were only three books that earned a 5-star rating from me in 2018.

Lessons in Gravity by Megan Westfield, about a free solo climber and a young filmmaker who records his death-defying feats. Coincidentally, my favorite movie of the year was Free Solo, about climbing legend Alex Honnold, who pulls off the greatest athletic accomplishment ever filmed.

The documentary is a nailbiter, and so is the book. Both packed an emotional punch. Westfield’s story is on the sweet side, about two early-twenty somethings experiencing their first love.

       

Jane Doe by Victoria Helen Stone

I read a couple of great Victoria Dahl romances in 2018 (Bad Boys Do and Real Men Will), but her psychological thriller as Stone stands out as a cut above the rest. It’s my favorite book of the year. I paired it with Hereditary, which I think I heard about from Dahl/Stone, who is a horror fan. Her book is a triumphant female vengeance tale. The movie is the most disturbing thing I’ve ever seen. They don’t have anything in common, but both made an indelible impact on my brain. Twisted minds. Enjoy!

Tempest by Beverly Jenkins

Jenkins seems to make my list every year, like Dahl/Stone. No regrets. She writes beautiful historical details and hot, tender romances between good people. I feel better about the world when I read her books. I need to scrub my mind of all the scary movies and scary news! Help me, Ms. Bev!!

I paired Tempest with the film Lion, which I loved. It’s a feel-good story with a beautiful heart, and Dev Patel.

      

Honorable mentions. 2018 was the year of prisoners + law enforcement. The grittier the better! I enjoyed Guardian by Emmy Chandler (prison planet), Taking the Heat by Brenda Novak (escaped prisoner + female guard), and Beautiful Lawman by Sophie Jordan (great, sexy series with heroes on both sides of the law).

Read all of these and binge Ben Stiller’s exquisite TV miniseries Escape at Dannemora. The acting and story details are superb.

Hey, maybe it wasn’t such a bad reading year after all. Making this list helped me remember & appreciate the gems of 2018.

I hope you had a great one. Here’s to an even better 2019!!

xoxo

Susan Cliff

 

It’s release day!!

Witness on the Run is a bit of a departure from my Team Twelve series. The hero, Cameron Hughes, is not a Navy SEAL. He’s an ice road trucker. I’m going to go out on a limb and say you’ve never read a romance novel with an ice road trucker hero before. Am I right? This hero’s profession is unusual, and he’s a reclusive, loner type, but deep down he’s pure hero with a heart of gold. The heroine is a waitress on the run from a trio of bad guys in Alaska’s north country. Brrr!! Curl up and get cozy with this couple. There are thrills and chills, but lots of warmth and heat too.

Hope you enjoy.

Harlequin (all buy links available here)

Amazon

Navy SEAL Rescue is available now!

Buy it on Amazon

B&N   Google   iTunes   Kobo   Harlequin

Hello there! I just wanted to post a list of my favorite reads of 2017. If you’re not familiar with these books or authors, check them out.

THE JADE TEMPTRESS by Jeannie Lin

I love Lin’s historical romances. They’re beautifully written and exciting, with strong heroines doing interesting things! Taking charge of their own fates and whatnot. This one has a detective hero investigating a murder, which the courtesan heroine might be involved in. Sexy intrigue, vivid settings and great details.

 

 

 

 

 

 

GETTING INSIDE by Serena Bell

I love football. I love romance. Football + romance = win. I’m not a fan of smug quarterbacks with oiled abs, but Bell gives us something different. She shows a deep understanding of the game in this sexy, down-to-earth story about two strong athletes who work hard and fall harder. In a sea of sports romances that can’t be bothered with realism or diversity, this one really stands out. Touchdown!

THE INFAMOUS MISS RODRIGUEZ by Lydia San Andres

This is a new-to-me author and I adore her writing style. Her lush settings, engaging characters, and choice of an unusual time period (not Regency) reminded me of Joanna Shupe’s Gilded Age series. Miss Rodriguez’s antics are so entertaining, and her delicious new bodyguard can’t resist her. Otra! Otra!

THIS IS HOW YOU LOSE HER by Junot Diaz.

My only non-romance on the list. Also a new author to me. Diaz’s writing is like nothing I’ve ever read. It’s profane, sad, gritty, funny and raw. This is an unflinching, not-uplifting story about a hard-knocks Cassanova who has been failed by loved ones, and in turn fails those who love him.

A CHANCE AT LOVE by Beverly Jenkins

Need a palate-cleanser for 2017? I think we all do! A binge read of American West romances with plucky heroines and decent (or naughty) heroes is just what the doctor ordered. This is one of Jenkins’ older titles, and it has all of my favorite elements. The hero is a staid widower with two adorable daughters who need a mama. They choose the heroine, who isn’t quite what he had in mind. Love happens.

 

I hope you had a wonderful reading year! Feel free to leave a comment about your favorites of 2017, or anything else you’d like to share. Happy New Year!!

I have a new cover!

Navy SEAL Rescue is coming soon.

Bound by more than desire…

A gripping Team Twelve romantic thriller

Sexy SEAL William Hudson will accept any help escaping enemy captivity…even if that comes from beautiful Dr. Layah Anwar, who’s willing to do anything to get her family to safety. Though neither Layah nor Hud trust easily, they must join forces on a harrowing journey across the mountains. Their survival is threatened by the brutal elements, enemy snipers…and the devastating desire they can’t deny.

 

Preorder now at Amazon!

Stranded with the Navy SEAL is available now!!

Buy links and more info on the books page!

Stranded with the Navy SEAL is available on NetGalley!