Book Recommendation & Interview: ‘Force of Nature’ by S.L. Scott

I’m thrilled to welcome Suzie Scott, aka S.L. Scott, to Frolic to chat about Force of Nature – a breathtakingly romantic and seriously sexy novel that features a generous dose of mystery and suspense to keep the reader guessing until the very end.

INTERVIEW WITH SUZIE

Mary: Welcome to Frolic, Suzie! I love Force of Nature. What was your inspiration for the story?

Suzie: Thank you! I’m so thrilled to be chatting with you and to share more about Force of Nature. This book was such an amazing writing experience. My emotions, as a writer and a traveler on this journey, were with the characters the entire time. I was so invested as both.

My inspiration was an image I had about a woman being in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I wanted her to have the freedom to walk around Paris to explore, and take in the sights, shop, eat, live in this city, but always under the weight of being watched. From there, I added music to a playlist on Spotify. Classics like “Dream a Little Dream of Me” and “La Vie en Rose” to set the early tone. The songs change on the playlist as I wrote through the book and different emotions were at play from dark to light, sexy to sweet.

I knew I wanted to write a book where I amped up the suspense with a slow build and wove a love story intricately through the pages. So I went for all the things I love to read and feel. I am so proud of the story I created. To me, it feels so unique and fresh, heartfelt, and keeps you on the edge of your seat until the end.

Mary: Bennett Everest is the youngest of the three Everest brothers. Tell us a little about these brothers. Readers can binge on Hutton and Ethan’s stories in their books – Bad Reputation and Everest. 

Suzie: The Everest Brothers are alphas with golden hearts. They each have strengths and weaknesses, but they are loyal, genuine, and hold true to their family values. They were born and raised in Texas. When Ethan Everest started a social network site, he became a billionaire within a few years. He brought his brothers, who are his best friends, in on the business and put them in positions as owners and jobs that highlighted their natural talents.

Ethan is the middle brother and CEO of Everest Enterprises. Everest is a second chance romance. I love this story because it shows sometimes we make the wrong choice, but it’s how we learn from it that matters. Singer, the heroine, is funny, endearing, and was such a delight to write.

Hutton is the oldest. He is CFO at Everest Enterprises. Bad Reputation is a second chance Royal Romance. This was a fun story to write with the royal aspects. Ally, a princess trapped by royal tradition and the man she fell in love with, has to decide between love and family. I just adore this journey.

Bennett is the youngest and Director of Media and Communications at Everest Enterprises. Like so many younger siblings, he is the most carefree of the three. He’s charming, like his older brothers, and also has a great sense of humor.

They are swoony and cherish their love interests. They are confident in themselves and in the bedroom.

This has been such an amazing series to write. The bonus is you can really read them in any order. 

Mary: Tell us the truth: Which Everest brother is your favorite? 😉 

Suzie: The one I’m spending time with. Ha! Now that I’m finished writing them, GAH! They each are so amazing and I love different things about them. But alas, I cannot choose a favorite.

Mary: Speaking of brothers, you also wrote a series – The Crow Brothers – around another set of brothers. What draws you to writing a set of stories centered around a family, particularly brothers?

Suzie: On The Crow Brothers note, The Everest Brothers are actually friends with them and The Crow brothers make several appearances in Bad Reputation and have mentions in the other books. They are all Texas guys and Hutton went to school with Rivers Crow and became friends with all the guys.

I find a comfort level in writing these familial bonds. The brothers in both series have a lot in common, their core values are the same – family first, loyal, and authentic in who they are and genuine in how they treat others.

Like a lot of readers, I love to read companion series books. So I really enjoy writing them as well because when I develop one character, the secondary characters are developed as well. So it’s exciting when I get to stay in the same world, but really get to know a new character.

Mary: The beginning of Force of Nature was set in Paris, which made it incredibly romantic. Did you always see this story beginning there?

Suzie: Yes. I knew I wanted to start this book in a beautiful and romantic city since that was where my characters were going to meet. It also put them out of their element in a way since they aren’t from Paris. It gives them the freedom to really be whoever they want to be and no one would be the wiser. That element is integral to the story.

Mary: Did you have an inspiration for Winter’s character?

Suzie: I adore Winter. I had an idea of who she was from before the very first I wrote. She’s very unique. Winter Nobleman is quick-witted, clever, confident, feisty, softhearted, but stubborn. She’s fresh and quirky, and holds a million secrets that Bennett will slowly unravel.

Mary: What were some of the internet searches you performed while researching for Force of Nature?

Suzie: Haha This is dangerous. I had to search chloroform, statues in the Tuileries Gardens, Le Meurice hotel and bar, lots of lovely photos on Pinterest, classic literature, and some illnesses. It’s crazy and all over the place.

Mary: What is harder to write in romantic suspense – the romance or the suspense?

Suzie: The romance feels easy in a sense because the characters drive that aspect. Bennett and Winter’s characters have scorching chemistry and did from the first time they met, so they guided that aspect at their own pace and told me to take notes. Do I sound crazy now? Lol

The suspense takes planning. I really wanted a slow build and to amp up at different points in the story. Just when you think it’s safe to breathe and relax, BAM! Call me cruel. I feel like that is what makes a real page-turner, staying up too late to read a great read. I also LOVE to put Easter eggs/hints in the story. So if someone reads it twice they’ll pick up on things they didn’t catch the first time.

Mary: Tell us five great books you’ve read recently and one adjective to describe them.

Suzie:

• Tumble by Adriana Locke: Swoony.
• Look the Part by Jewel E Ann: Beautiful.
• The Hating Game by Sally Thorne: Happiness
• Cruel Sanctuary: Riveted
• Not recently read, but one of my all time faves: The Bronze Horseman: Addicting

Mary: What’s next?

Suzie: I’m writing a rock star next that I’m so excited about. It’s such an interesting story for me to write that I treasure the time I’m spending with these characters. I cannot wait to reveal this book next month. I believe it will released in late May or early June.