The latest book by Susan Wiggs is called The Ocean Between Us. In it the #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Susan Wiggs explores the emotional rewards and sacrifices of love and marriage.
When Susan Wiggs’s recent novel Fireside debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list, the author responded by jumping into her swimming pool fully clothed, despite the freezing temperatures of February. Why? “Because I never wanted to forget that moment,” she said. “It’s such a singular sensation. And so often for a writer, the good news comes during the odd time of day, when no one is around but the dog and the seagulls on the beach.”
Wiggs credits the book’s popularity to her loyal readers, whose unflagging interest has steadily propelled her sales upward over her twenty-year career. From the very start, the author’s stories have illuminated the everyday dramas of ordinary people. She self-published her first novel at the age of eight (and it can be seen on the author’s blog here—http://susanwiggs.wordpress.com/about). A Book About Some Bad Kids was based on the true-life adventures of Susan and her siblings.
Today, she is an internationally bestselling author with millions of copies of her books in print in numerous countries. Her novel Table for Five has been optioned as a feature film by Zimand Entertainment. She continues to draw inspiration from her friends, family and the nuances of human nature that make the headlines every day.
Susan, who holds a graduate degree from Harvard, confesses that the first romance novel she ever read was Shanna, by the late Kathleen Woodiwiss, which she devoured while slumped behind a college textbook, studying to become a math teacher.
How did a math teacher become a bestselling writer? Susan says the real question is how did a writer turn to teaching math? “I was born to write. I always knew it. When I was in college, I took a career aptitude test that said I should be (a) a writer, (b) a teacher or (c) a speech
pathologist. So I decided to go for two out of three. I chose teaching—and the subject of math specifically—because it was something I knew I’d love and be good at. Also, a math teacher can make a living. This is not always the case for a writer, not right out of the gate.”
Susan appears at writers’ conferences across the country, speaking to aspiring novelists about the profession. She’s been an instructor and workshop presenter at the Maui Writers’ Conference, an intense retreat for published and unpublished authors. She is also a key organizer of the prestigious Field’s End Writers’ Conference closer to home, on Bainbridge Island, Washington.
The author has won three RITA® Awards for her novels Lakeside Cottage, Lord of the Night and The Mistress. Her recent novels have all placed high on the New York Times, Washington Post, USA TODAY and Publishers Weekly lists. The Charm School was honored with the Dorothy Parker Award of Excellence and was designated a Favorite Book of the Year by Romance Writers of America. Wiggs belongs to the Authors Guild, Romance Writers of America and Novelists, Inc. She is often interviewed in the media on the topic of writing popular novels for today’s women, having appeared on Talk of the Nation and in the Seattle Times and Portland Tribune. Her blog, “The View from Here,” (susanwiggs.wordpress.com) is filled with her photos and observations and was featured in Publishers Weekly. It has quickly turned into a huge hit with readers.
When she’s not writing, Susan can likely be found hiking with her dog, Barkis, listening to music, seeing the world, reading books and doing what she calls “extreme crafts”—Fair Isle knitting, impossible faux-finish paint projects, furniture refinishing and upholstery.
Susan lives on an island in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and family. Her lively Web site can be found at www.susanwiggs.com
Synopsis
The Ocean Between Us is a powerful novel of love, duty and second chances. Susan Wiggs deftly portrays the struggles and triumphs of an American family facing life’s greatest challenges as they come to understand the timeless lessons of the heart.
Grace Bennett has it all—three wonderful children, a devoted husband and a life of adventure and travel. But beneath the calm demeanor of an efficient Navy wife, Grace stands at the crossroads—of her life and her marriage. When she looks in the mirror, she doesn’t recognize the person staring back. She’s tired, out of shape and feeling invisible. Somewhere between her husband’s demanding career, raising a family, the constant uprooting and the Navy’s routine, Grace has lost her sense of self. Something needs to change. She needs to change.
Steve Bennett simply can’t understand the unraveling of his wife’s heart. He thought he was proving his love to her with each promotion. He believed he could still be a good husband and father while juggling an officer’s myriad duties. But he now realizes they were seeing their marriage through different eyes. And when a nearly forgotten secret resurfaces, Grace’s discontent comes into sharp focus. Now Steve must try to make their marriage right again before his next deployment. For himself. For his family. For the twenty years of shared history that have always anchored him to home.
Then duty calls.
Separated by an ocean of regrets and longing, Grace and Steve take a hard look at their faltering marriage, the love that brought them together and the family they cherish. They confront the choices they’ve made, the sacrifices they’ve rationalized and the dreams they’ve set adrift.
But just as they come to grips with their marriage, the unthinkable happens—a disaster aboard Steve’s aircraft carrier shatters Grace’s world. As she gathers her children around her and waits for news, she faces a Navy wife’s worst nightmare—the cold truth that life’s biggest chances can slip away while you’re looking for guarantees.
The Ocean Between Us arrives in stores on April 27th, 2010.
WIN IT!
ONE winner will receive 11 titles from the Susan Wiggs catalog, including a copy of The Oceans Between Us. This Gift Pack is valued at $100.50.
Titles include:
* Table for Five
* The Summer Hideaway
* Just Breathe
* Summer at Willow Lake
* Home Before Dark
* The Charm School
* Snowfall at Willow Lake
* The Horsemaster’s Daughter
* Fireside
* The Winter Lodge
HOW TO ENTER. (MANDATORY)
To enter leave a comment telling me why you’d like to read The Ocean Between Us OR what your favorite Susan Wiggs book is.
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THE SMALL PRINT.
US addresses only please. This contest will end on Saturday 05/22/10 at 11:59 pm est. If you’ve entered any of my giveaways before then you know that only comments containing all of the requested information will be eligible for entry. The winner must contact me to confirm they wish to receive the prize within two days of my email notifying them they’ve won. Good luck to everyone!
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.
