NK Chats To: Susan Buchanan (Plus A Chance To Win A Copy Of The Leap Year Proposal)

Hello Susan. Thank you so much for joining me again and inviting Novel Kicks onto your blog tour. Can you tell me about your latest book, The Leap Year Proposal and what inspired it?

Sure, thanks for having me again. Well, The Leap Year Proposal is the story of three women who meet at a mutual friend’s hen weekend and when the karaoke has abated and they’re all doing a quiz from a women’s magazine, the subject of leap year proposals comes up.

That prompts a would you/wouldn’t you discussion and the upshot is that the three protagonists, who happen to be sitting next to each other during the quiz, despite not knowing each other, get involved in a bit of a debate about it, with one professing she’d already made up her mind to propose.

The women’s friendship develops once they return from the Isle of Arran to the mainland as ‘the proposer’ starts making plans for how to propose, along with her sidekicks. And as for the inspiration, well, I proposed, quite unexpectedly, to my (now) husband on 29 February 2016! Our story has no bearing on this one, but it did give me the idea for the book!

I thought it would be fun to suggest a writing prompt – are you able to give us a starting line?

You’re out walking in the countryside and are confronted by a bear. What would you do and why? Sorry, that is the first thing that popped into my head!

Which fictional place would you like to visit and why?

I think it has to be Hogwarts! I’m a big Harry Potter fan.

Which book (that’s not one of yours,) would you like to forget just so you could read and rediscover it again?

The Shadow of the Wind – Carlos Ruiz Zafon.

What’s been the highlight of writing your latest novel? –

Possibly the research for all the proposal locations. I do like to travel!

What comes first for you, plot, or characters?

Usually characters, but I often get the germ of an idea for something then create characters, get some plot ideas, then build on the characters more, then once they are more fully formed, I get more plot ideas.

What’s your favourite word and why?

I have two – puddle and cuddle. You can probably see a trend forming. Muddle would be next. They’re cute. I also have favourite words in other languages, including spazzolino in Italian and specchio, which mean toothbrush and mirror respectively!

What was your route to publication and what’s the biggest piece of advice would you give to someone looking to be published?

Ha, ha – you don’t have long enough, believe me. So I’ll simplify to first 8 novels self-published, got an agent, turned down a book deal then decided to become an indie author again.

My biggest piece of advice to getting published is persevere – whatever your route, and be open – don’t assume you have to have a traditional publishing deal. Yes, it would be nice to see your book on Waterstones’ shelves or those of the supermarkets, but for many traditionally published authors that doesn’t happen either, so consider what are the most important factors for you in choosing a publishing route and don’t limit yourself.

Which three people would you invite to a dinner party and why?

Ryan Reynolds (requires no explanation -), Tom Ellis (Lucifer – again, requires no explanation) and Milly Johnson (as she’s good craic and writes great books!)

NK: Can I come? Haha. 

Which one of your books is your favourite and why?

Ha! Now you know we’re supposed to love all our book babies the same, but The Christmas Spirit, given how it has impacted many readers, is probably my favourite now for that reason.

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About Susan Buchanan –

Susan Buchanan writes romantic comedy, contemporary romance and women’s fiction, usually featuring travel, food, family, friendship, community – also Christmas!

Her books are Sign of the Times, The Dating Game, The Christmas Spirit, Return of the Christmas Spirit, A Little Christmas Spirit and Just One Day – Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn.

As a freelance developmental editor, copyeditor and proofreader, if she’s not reading, editing or writing, she’s thinking about it.

She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, the Society of Authors and the Alliance of Independent Authors.

She lives near Glasgow with her husband, two children and a crazy Labrador.

When she’s not editing, writing, reading or caring for her two delightful cherubs, she likes going to the theatre, playing board games, watching quiz shows and eating out, and she has recently discovered a love of writing retreats.

Say hello to Susan via her website, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Threads.  

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About The Leap Year Proposal

Three women. One crazy hen weekend. A life-changing decision.

When three women meet on a mutual friend’s hen weekend on the Scottish island of Arran, they get more than they bargained for when one of them has the genius idea of proposing on 29 February, like the age-old Irish tradition.

High-flying businesswoman Anouska and boyfriend Zach are deliriously happy and madly in love. If only they had more time together. But now she’s pregnant and doesn’t know how to tell him since having kids hadn’t featured in their plans.

Dog walker Jess lives with her childhood sweetheart, but they’re already like an old married couple, without the romance, or the wedding, or the ring. When Mark doesn’t propose on New Year’s Eve, Jess is gutted and decides to take matters into her own hands.

Ellie and Scott still live apart after six years, and his lack of commitment is a sore point. She’s up for a huge promotion which involves moving country. It’s make-or-break time. She needs to know he’s worth turning down the job for.

The women meet weekly, helping each other with decisions big and small, becoming each other’s support system in the run-up to ‘the big ask’.

Will love conquer all or will their hopes and dreams come crashing down around them?

The Leap Year Proposal was released on 28th January 2025. Click here to buy on Amazon and Waterstones.

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Win a signed paperback of The Leap Year Proposal (Open to UK Only)

Are you in the UK? Would you like to win a copy of The Lear Year Proposal? Well, here is your chance.

All you have to do is enter via this link.

This competition is open to UK entries.

*Terms and Conditions –

UK entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter link above. 

The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. 

Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  

I (Novel Kicks) am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.