I’m a 28-year-old reader, writer, lover of animals, and eater of cookies. I used to be a marine biologist, but now I write novels. And not novels about fish either, but novels about kick-butt heroines and swoon-worthy rogues (I really like swoon-worthy rogues).

I live in Germany with my French husband and Irish setter, and you can learn more about my crazy thoughts and crippling cookie-addiction on twitter, facebook, or Goodreads.

Who doesn't like cookies and swoon-worthy rogues? But now that you know a bit about Susan, let's move on to the interview. I can tell that you're excited.

As ridiculous as it sounds, I was inspired by a dream! I dreamt that my brother was missing and the only people who could help me were a ragtag team of outcasts. This dream just wouldn't leave me alone, so after a few days, I finally sat down and fleshed the idea out into a full story!

What a cool picture. A little steampunk - like the book!

I did a TON of research--more on the time period than anything else (though I certainly researched necromancy, voodoo, grimoires, etc. too). I spent a full month just studying 1876 Philadelphia, 19th century technology, Victorian etiquette, fashion, and so on. Then, once I felt I had a good grasp of the time period and location, I started writing...but I had to pause a lot to look up things I hadn't unearthed in my research--such as the proper sort of carriage for going on a Sunday drive.

It's 1876 Philadelphia, the Dead are rising, and the only people who can stop it are Eleanor Fitt and the Spirit-Hunters. Too bad the Spirit-Hunters aren't suitable society for a high-class gal like Eleanor... And too bad the team's inventor, Daniel, is infuriating (and infuriatingly good-looking to boot). The Dead have kidnapped Eleanor's brother, and so she'll do whatever it takes--even if it means donning trousers and fighting corpses--to rescue him.

I listened to a LOT of musical scores. You can actually hear my "soundtrack" on Youtube. I think my favorite tune was "Septimus" from STARDUST. I listened to that track SO MANY TIMES. And I still love it. I can just imagine Eleanor and Daniel fleeing the about-to-explode dynamite factory so vividly whenever that music plays...

The Soundtrack

• The Dragon Book, How to Train Your Dragon
• Rimsky-Korsakov, Scheherazade
• New Tail, How to Train Your Dragon
• Game of Thrones Intro
• Septimus, Stardust
• Cursum Perficio, Enya - Watermark
• Earthbenders, The Last Airbender
• Bowerstone Market, Fable 2
• Forbidden Friend, How to Train Your Dragon

I would guess the release will be next summer...in July as well, but I honestly have no idea! :) As for what to expect, well...I actually love book 2 even more than book 1! Eleanor is forced to go to Paris, where the Spirit-Hunters have been called to deal with the rising Dead. There's a new character of the supernatural variety who is hands-down my favorite character to write in this series! I just can't WAIT for you all to meet him! Plus, 19th century Paris was just SUCH a fun setting to write in.

I have to say my favorite YA reads this year have been Throne of Glass (by Sarah J. Maas), Legend (by Marie Lu), Finnikin of the Rock (by Melina Marchetta), and The Thief (by Megan Whalen Turner). But I've also adored Cinder (by Marissa Meyer), Skylark (by Meagan Spooner), Bound (by Erica O'Rourke), and Scarlet (by A.C. Gaughen).

Giveaway

Great interview, right? Well that's only the half of it! There's also a Rafflecopter giveaway to win a signed finished copy of Something Strange and Deadly!
a Rafflecopter giveaway