Welcome to our New Faces column, where you can meet debut romance authors in all sub-genres. This time we're visiting with Susan Crandall, whose first published romance is Back Roads, a contemporary release from Warner Books.

Susan, welcome to TRR! Tell us about yourself.

I live in the same Indiana town I was born in. I married a guy from this town. We did spend seven years living in Chicago, but my heart stayed in Noblesville. We have two children, Reid and Allison, who both attend Indiana University in Bloomington. Our son has a rock band (BLUE SKY GOODBYE) that practices in our basement -- they're actually good! Their first full length CD will be out in July 2003. Our house is filled with pets, though we do try to set limits -- don't want to be "that crazy dog lady." My degree is in dental hygiene (I know, I know, everyone shudders!).

Are you coming to romance writing from another job?

I did work as a dental hygienist, but quit that to be a stay-at-home mom and taxi driver. I was at home for quite a while before I started writing. I don't work another job -- I have a very supportive and understanding husband.

What led you to write romance?

I'm an avid reader -- although I'm very eclectic in my reading, romance is just part of the pie. However, I'm not getting nearly as much reading done these days, as I'm learning to write with deadlines and promote a book at the same time. Feels like juggling!

I began my involvement with writing when my sister came out and told me she'd been "secretly" writing and would I look at it. I began editing her work, then we started writing together. After a while she moved away and started a "real" job and I continued to write alone. BACK ROADS is my first solo work.

When Sally and I worked together, we formed a routine. We'd brainstorm together, she'd write the first draft and I would "fix-and-fluff", as we called it.

Tell us about your road to publication.

Oh, wow, this could be a really long answer! Sally and I wrote five novels together. A couple of them did really well in contests. One, a ghost story, came within spitting distance of selling -- twice. So, I guess I've been writing for about nine years. I've developed a really thick skin in that time, and learned to do what all writers need to do, take criticism, study it and decide if it has merit. That's the only way you'll develop your skill without losing your "voice." If you change what you're doing willy-nilly with every critical comment, you'll write yourself right out of the book. On the other hand, if you're convinced that you've written the best book ever to see the light of day and ignore criticism, you're never going to get very far.

I have a drawer filled with rejection letters. I consider them my "writing degree."

I have some really great critique partners, some published, some still working toward publication. I've worked with Karen White since about 1995 -- in that time she managed to publish four novels while I struggled along. I admit, it was hard to keep the envy down and my head up. My local critique group has been together for several years, we're actually pretty brutal with each other -- but I think that makes us all better, definitely tougher!

What kind of research was involved for BACK ROADS?

Research is one of the really fun aspects of writing. You get to meet new people who know all kinds of stuff you don't, and even discover some people you know have experiences you never expected. For BACK ROADS, there wasn't a great deal of research needed. I live in Indiana, so the location is familiar. I did talk to several law enforcement people, trying to get the specifics correct. I interviewed a Utah firefighter who helped me with the wildfire fighting details.

Tell us about BACK ROADS.

It's the story of Leigh Mitchell, county sheriff in a rural Indiana county (fictional of course). She's feeling restless facing her thirtieth birthday and living in a small community where she's not viewed as a woman because of her job. Life is pretty predictable and boring, and she's fed up. She decides to make some changes, take some risks. That's when Will Scott hitchhikes into town. They meet at a carnival and Leigh decides, since he's made it clear he's just passing through, he's the perfect candidate for her experiment in living. They share an intriguing evening ending in a steamy dance that sets the town's tongues to wagging. But Will doesn't leave. On the run and strapped for cash, he takes a temporary job at the local garage.

Will is shadowed by dark secrets that he cannot share with Leigh, even as they become closer. Leigh knows he's hiding something, but is convinced it isn't criminal. Just when she decides to hand him her heart, a teenage girl disappears and Will is the prime -- and only -- suspect. Well-ordered and reliable Leigh must learn to let go of the cold dictates of the law and follow the uncertain back roads of the heart, and in the process risks losing everything she holds dear.

Who are your influences as a writer?

Oh, my, that is a long and varied list. As I said, my reading is all over the map. I think Stephen King is a fabulous storyteller. I think Sharon Kay Penman brings medieval England to life like no one else. Deborah Smith is a delight to read. I love Susan Wiggs. I enjoy suspense from Tami Hoag, Linda Howard, Elizabeth Lowell (fellow Warner Forever writer, Karen Rose is a new favorite). I like Ken Follett, some of John Grisham. And, of course, Janet Evanovich. I could keep going, but I'm sure you're all getting the yawns by now.

What does your family think of having a romance author in their midst?

My daughter and husband are both very proud, telling everyone. My son's a quiet guy, but he's been coming to all of my "events" with a smile on his face. My mother is the best PR person I could ask for. And my sister is leaving my bookmarks all over Omaha. I'd say they're all VERY enthusiastic.

Tell us about plans for future books.

My next novel, THE ROAD HOME, will be released from Warner Books in January. It takes place in the same small town, but with a very different point-of-view, a few overlapping characters and a very different plot. It's more of a coming home story. I have a contract for two additional books with Warner. MAGNOLIA SKY is in the works as I type. It takes Luke Boudreau, a secondary character from THE ROAD HOME, to Mississippi to confront his failures and his guilt -- and to the woman who will make him whole.

How can readers get in touch with you?

I LOVE to hear from readers! My website address is: www.susancrandall.net. They can contact me via e-mail at szcrandall@insightbb.com. My snail mail addy is: P.O. Box 1092, Noblesville, IN 46060.

Thank you so much for this opportunity to share with all of you.

Susan, thank you for joining us, and best of luck! Readers, we have a review of BACK ROADS in our Contemporary section. August 17, 2003