Welcome to another Guest Author Thursday. Today, I’m delighted to feature Sue Rovens, who has brought along her latest release, Rage, in addition to an intriguing post about her characters and plots. Personally, I’m a huge fan of character-driven fiction. Check out Sue’s post then drop her some thoughts in the comments.
Take it away, Sue!
Thank you so much, Mae, for having me as a guest. The opportunity is most appreciated!
Anyone who prefers suspense over hardcore horror/gore should find my books to their liking. My characters are people who have faults, problems, and at times, heavy baggage. I don’t shy away from polarizing issues and taboo topics. However, at the same time, I don’t glorify these facets. The people in my stories are as “real” as those we meet everyday (or read about in the papers). The various situations I put them in is what drives the narrative.
Rage, my newest novel, follows two main characters – Wilbur Weston and Lyndsay Yager. Wilbur is a depressed and bitter man who hates the world almost as much as himself. Lyndsay is his therapist who is a train wreck of an alcoholic on the brink of divorce.
While Rage casts a dark shadow over itself, the reader will discover the characters’ reasoning for the choices they make – both good and bad. It’s a suspenseful tale full of hurt and desperate people who see themselves as doing what they must – righting their wrongs.
Rage comes in at 232 pages and is available in paperback and in Kindle format from Amazon.
BOOK BLURB:
Weston Cross is a bullied and abused man who wants nothing more than to escape from his agonizing mental anguish and excruciating misery. After a harrowing brush with death, he discovers a better way to twist his depression and self-despair into something different…something sinister.
Lindsay Yager, the therapist assigned to help Weston with his internal battles, is fighting her own demons. On the verge of a nasty divorce, she finds solace at the bottom of a bottle. Her anger and vitriol take no prisoners, even when lives are at stake – including her own.
Depression sets the stage, but RAGE will have the final say.
AUTHOR BIO:
Sue Rovens is an indie suspense/horror author who hails from Normal, Illinois. She has written four novels and two books of short horror stories.
Track 9, her second novel, snagged a starred review in Publisher’s Weekly (May 2018), her short story, “Coming Over”, from her book, In a Corner, Darkly (Volume 1) was turned into a screenplay and short student indie film by the theater department of Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, and another short story, “When the Earth Bled”, won 2nd place in the Support Indie Authors short story contest earlier this year. Her two most recent books (Buried and Rage) are under Plump Toad Press.
Sue owns a blog (suerovens.com) which includes interviews with authors, musicians, podcasters, and artists. She is an Executive Producer for an indie (short) horror film which is currently in production called “Let’s Do Things that Make Us Happy”. Sue is also a co-host and story writer for the new horror podcast, Ye Olde Terror Inn.
Sue is a member of The Chicago Writers Association and the Alliance for Independent Authors (ALLi).
Blog: https://suerovens.com | Email: srovens@yahoo.com
I also want to let your readers know that I interview authors (and artists and musicians) of ALL genres and professional levels. Currently, I have 179 author interviews, as well as a handful of music folks and artistic people.
Everything is done through email and on YOUR schedule/timeframe. If you are interested in being a part of the Meet & Greet (author interviews), Spotlight (artists), and/or Flipside (music folks), please send me a quick email. ALL are welcome on my blog. Thanks!
What a nice invitation. Not only has Sue brought her latest release to share, but also an opportunity for all creative sorts out there. I hope you’ll reach out to her—and don’t forget to hop over to AMAZON to pick up your copy of Rage!
Ooh, bring on the hardcore suspense! Best of luck with Rage, Sue. Sounds like a gripping read 🙂
Mae, thanks for sharing 🙂
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Thanks for reading the post! 🙂
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So glad you dropped by to check out the post and cheer on Sue, Harmony. I’m sure Rage is a nail-biter!
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Wilbur and Lyndsay sound like quite the pair. Interesting blurb!
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They are indeed! Underbelly stuff is my go-to. 🙂
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Sue really came up with some unique characters, didn’t she?
Thanks for checking out the post, Priscilla!
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It sounds like Sue is very busy. Thanks for sharing, Mae. I enjoyed the blurb!
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Thanks for visiting today! I appreciate Mae giving me the opportunity. 🙂
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She definitely has a lot that she keeps up with, Jill, LOL.
I’m glad you visited to share your thoughts on her latest release!
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Best of luck with the new release, Sue. Thank you for hosting, Mae.
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Thank you, Joan! 🙂
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My pleasure, Joan. Thanks for visiting today!
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If Rage is anything like Buried, this will be a gripping read. Best wishes with the new release, Sue!
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Thanks, Teri! I appreciate the kind words. 🙂
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There’s nothing better than a reader’s testimonial. 🙂
Thanks, Teri!
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The book sounds fantastic. I love nuanced characters. Best wishes, Sue. Thanks, Mae.
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Thank you, Staci. If you want to take a chance on Rage, shoot me an email and I can throw some swag and a signed copy your way. 🙂
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You don’t have to bribe me. I’m definitely interested.
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I’m a fan of nuanced characters as well! Many thanks for visiting to cheer Sue on, Staci!
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Good morning, Mae, and thanks for introducing Sue! Rage sounds like a winner! Wishing you much success.
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Thank you, Linda! I appreciate it! 🙂
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Hi, Linda! It’s wonderful to have you drop by. Many thanks for visiting to check out Sue’s release!
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It’s always a pleasure to visit with you.
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I’m a fan of suspense. All the best to Sue.
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Thank you! I think you might really dig Rage. Like I mentioned above, if you (or anyone) is interested, I will throw some swag and a signed copy your way instead of having to go through Amazon. 🙂
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Sue sounds like she’s written a nail-biter of a book. Thanks for visiting to wish her well, Craig!
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Sounds terrific. All the best with Rage, Sue. Thanks, Mae for hosting Sue today.
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Thanks, John! I appreciate it! 🙂
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My pleasure, John. Many thanks for visiting to wish her well!
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When people hit bottom, it’s an ugly place to be. It can lead to bad choices. Two people at the bottom together? Great set-up. Wishing Sue great success. Another interesting guest blog, Mae.
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Thank you for reading, Judi. Bad choices are my characters’ specialty. 🙂
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I’m glad you enjoyed the post, Judi. It does sound like Wilburn and Lyndsay will make for interesting reading!
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This book really is appealing. There are so many problems in the world that don’t seem to find solutions, I have begun to describe myself as ‘angry’. Rage wouldn’t be far behind! These two folks–I can see why they’d give in to rage. Great title. Excellent blurb.
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Thank you! Again, if you are interested, hit me up through email – swag and a signed copy await you! 🙂
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Given the scope of many situations in the world today, Jacqui, I know exactly what you mean. I’m glad you’ve found the post and blurb appealing. Thanks for cheering on Sue!
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Sounds like a good one, MC!
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Thanks so much for reading! 🙂
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Thanks, Noelle. I’m glad you visited to check out the post!
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Mae – what can I say that I haven’t already? I am VERY thankful to have the opportunity to be on your blog today. Wishing you and all your readers the grooviest Thursday possible. 🙂
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Aww, thanks, Sue. I’m happy to host you and I wish you the very best with Rage. It’s great to have you visit my blog!
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Pingback: Events/Interviews/Promotions – Updated 9/2/21 – Sue Rovens
I love character-oriented stories! Abuse does leave deep scars and it would be interesting to read how they fester. Thanks for introducing Sue to us Mae. Wishing her great success.
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Thank you, Balroop. I’m with you on the character-oriented stories. They’re my favorite types of reads. Many thanks for cheering on Sue!
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Thank you for the comments! I like writing about “real people dealing with real issues”. The complexity is what does it for me. 🙂
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I so appreciated that clarification as to what to expect in this novel. All very important aspects! This book does intrigue me. I will be taking a closer look at it. ❤️
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Thanks so much! I hope you decide to give Rage a shot! 🙂
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That’s fabulous, Tessa. I know Sue will be most pleased to hear that. Happy reading!
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All the best to Sue. This sounds fantastic.
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Thanks, Michele. I know Sue will love hearing that! 🙂
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Thanks so much for the kind words! I appreciate them. 🙂
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Thanks for introducing Sue and her book Rage, Mae. Flawed characters in tough situations make for great tension. The book sounds wonderful.
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Thanks for visiting, Diana. I’m so glad you dropped by to check out Sue’s post. Thanks for the wonderful comment!
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Thank you. Glad you checked out the interview! I appreciate it 🙂
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How wonderful to learn about Sue’s new book here today, Mae. First of all, I love the book title. It sets an immediate tone. I also love flawed characters who have to face and deal with their flaws and sound like Sue’s book does all of that and more! Thank you for hosting and congrats to Sue!
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I’m a fan of flawed characters, too, Jan. I think they make for the most interesting reading. I’m so glad you enjoyed Sue’s post and dropped by to wish her well!
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I love the title, and that blurb… chills! Great to meet Sue here. Wishing her the best of luck!
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Thanks for visiting, Jacquie. I’m so glad everyone has made her feel welcome!
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This does sound quite hardcore, Mae. I have seen Sue on my travels out and about on social media. It’s good to learn more about her books.
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Thanks for visiting to check out her release, Robbie!
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Sounds good! Can’t wait to see how the story plays out.
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Thanks for visiting, Flossie!
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