Picture a Southern storyteller who turned her love for small-town charm into heartwarming romance novels—meet Susan Sands! A self-described late bloomer, Sands didn’t start writing until her fortieth birthday, but since then, she’s spun over ten tales of love, family, and Southern humor that have captured readers’ hearts. From her debut novel to her Georgia Author of the Year Award, Sands’s journey is as inspiring as her stories.
The Making of Susan Sands
Born in Northwest Louisiana, Susan Sands grew up in a real-life Southern town straight out of a movie, complete with dirt bikes and her high school hosting its first-ever prom. Surrounded by family and Cajun roots, she devoured comics, Nancy Drew, and Harlequin romances, sparking a lifelong passion for storytelling. After earning a degree in elementary education, Sands raised three children in Roswell, Georgia, with her dentist husband, all while dreaming up plots during tennis matches and cooking sessions.
It wasn’t until she hit forty that Sands took the plunge into writing. What started as a bold leap turned into a prolific career, with her first novel, Again, Alabama, published just eight years later. Her Southern upbringing and knack for capturing quirky characters fueled her rise in the romance genre, proving it’s never too late to chase a dream.
Susan Sands’s Unforgettable Stories
Susan Sands’s novels are like a warm Southern hug—full of humor, heart, and small-town charm. Her debut, Again, Alabama, kicks off the Alabama series, following a woman rediscovering love in her hometown. Love, Alabama introduces Emma Laroux, a pageantry coach whose clash with a reality show producer sparks unexpected romance. Forever, Alabama dives into the life of Ben Laroux, a golden boy dodging commitment until a therapist challenges his heart.
Her latest work, Her Missing Pieces, takes a deeper turn, blending mystery and family ties as a woman unravels her past after a thirteen-year disappearance. Sands’s signature style weaves authentic Southern settings with witty dialogue and big family love, making her stories resonate with fans of Kristy Woodson Harvey and Brenda Novak. Whether set in Alabama or her new Louisiana Bayou series, like Home to Cypress Bayou, Sands’s novels paint the South as a vibrant character in itself.
With over ten titles, including contributions to anthologies like A Southern Christmas, Sands has mastered the art of romantic women’s fiction. Her ability to balance humor, romance, and heartfelt moments keeps readers coming back for more, whether they’re lounging on a porch swing or escaping to a beachside bungalow.
Why Susan Sands Matters
Susan Sands’s impact goes beyond her page-turning novels. Winning the Georgia Author of the Year Award for romance in 2017, she’s become a beloved voice in Southern fiction, celebrated for her relatable characters and authentic settings. Her active role in groups like the Romance Writers of America and Georgia Romance Writers shows her dedication to uplifting other authors, while her appearances at book festivals and clubs inspire fans and aspiring writers alike.
For readers, Sands offers an escape into worlds where love conquers all and family ties run deep. Her stories celebrate the resilience of starting over, reflecting her own journey as a late-blooming author. In a genre often filled with clichés, Sands’s fresh take on Southern romance keeps her work timeless and inviting.
- Birthplace: Northwest Louisiana
- Key Works: Again, Alabama, Love, Alabama, Forever, Alabama, Her Missing Pieces
- Award: 2017 Georgia Author of the Year (Romance)
- Hobbies: Cooking, tennis, painting
Snag Again, Alabama and dive into Susan Sands’s world of Southern romance! Whether you’re craving a beach read or a cozy night in, her stories promise love, laughter, and a whole lot of heart.