COTT: Salsa and Speed Bumps by Susan M. Baganz
love.
Welcome to Stephanie and Roberto’s story! They have serious chemistry, but
how many hurdles can they overcome? Both fun and deeply moving, this book
will engage you from the start. Here’s what readers have to say:
Fantastic read. Riveting from cover to cover. Susan has great storytelling
skills that speak volumes. Although the book itself is fiction it did bring
to the forefront the reality and seriousness of human trafficking.
Althea Zamzow (Amazon Review)
in today’s society: date rape, addiction to pain killers, kidnapping, human
trafficking, and the mafia. The well-written story keeps the reader on the
edge of their seat and the book is hard to put down. How much more can
Robbie and Stephanie take before they’re broken apart by life’s
circumstances?
Victoria Pitts Caine (Amazon Review)
Listen in on a conversation from the book:
“Christmas is just around the corner.”
“Really? I hadn’t noticed.”
“Come on, dad and I didn’t do too bad getting a tree up and decorated.”
“You did a fine job. Much better than I could have managed with my bulging
belling getting in the way.”
“I happen to be fond of your bulging belly. Reminds me of Santa Claus.”
“Very funny.” She snuggled up to Robbie’s side. “If you had a wish for
Christmas, what would it be?”
“That forty years from now I would be as in love with you as I am
today.”
Stephanie smiled. “I like that.”
“Did you have Christmas wish?”
“Mine wasn’t big enough.”
“What was it?”
“Really? You will laugh at me.”
“Really, I want to know.”
“I want a puppy.”
“A puppy.”
“Yes, a puppy.”
“We may need to wait awhile for that one. Dogs are not allowed on our
lease.”
“I know, but you asked. Wishes don’t have to be realistic.”
“No, they don’t. But how about I lick your face and pant in your ear. Will
that do in the meantime?”
Stephanie grinned and gave her husband a kiss, “Oh, that will do.”
So where did this story come from?
Susan, can you tell us what inspired you to write Salsa and Speedbumps?
The title was suggested by a friend after I wrote the first draft of Pesto
& Potholes. I hadn’t really thought of writing a second novel but
figured Renata’s roommate, Stephanie, who seemed to have things all
together, might need to have her world shaken up a bit. I also knew someone
who had been a victim of a date rape but those were words not really used
much years ago. She kept the baby, met a great guy, became a Christian and
married after the child was born. He adopted the little girl. And Roberto .
. . well, I had to get some salsa in there somewhere so having a Hispanic
character seemed a good way to do that along with busting some stereotypes
about that culture in the process. Roberto’s back issues . . . well, I’ve
struggled some with that but have known people with far worse pain like
what he experiences . . . so he struggles with an issue many people have
but don’t talk about, intense pain while recovering from an addiction to
narcotics. The story became far more intense than I ever anticipated too
and the heat between Roberto and Stephanie starts to build pretty early in
the story.
The bigger question other than the issues was how does a Christian woman
and man stay true to their faith and have integrity when life throws
curveball after curveball their way. How do they navigate a relationship in
the midst of those trials as well? It was fun to explore.
About the book:
Stephanie’s life hits a speedbump in the wake of her boyfriend’s sin.
Splitting up with him, she faces a future of difficult choices shaded in
shame. She wants to do what is right but the new man in her life leaves her
fantasizing about a future that is now beyond her grasp.
Roberto finds his heart and professional world turned upside down by the
beautiful bombshell. He struggles with his own inner demons and past so
he’s not about to cast stones. When he is accused of immoral behavior, and
temptation haunts him from every side, can he stand true to the calling God
has given him?
Joining forces to face the future though comes at a high cost for them both
as their individual pasts rise up to destroy them and their relationship.
Integrity comes with a high price tag. With a deep faith in God and the
help of friends at Orchard Hill Church, can they find happiness and love
they long for?
Meet the author:
Susan M. Baganz chases after three Hobbits and is a native of Wisconsin.
She is an Acquisitions Editor with Prism Book Group specializing in
bringing great romance novels and novellas to publication. Susan writes
adventurous historical and contemporary romances with a biblical
world-view.
Susan speaks, teaches, and encourages others to follow God in being all He
has created them to be. With her seminary degree in counseling psychology,
a background in the field of mental health, and years serving in church
ministry, she understands the complexities and pain of life as well as its
craziness. She serves behind-the-scenes in various capacities at her church
as well as on the board of the local ACFW (American Christian Fiction
Writer’s) chapter. Her favorite pastimes are lazy ones—snuggling with her
dog while reading a good book, or sitting with a friend chatting over a cup
of spiced chai latte.
You can learn more by following her blog www.susanbaganz.com, her twitter
feed @susanbaganz or her fan page, www.facebook.com/susanmbaganz/me
