The Bestselling Author Reflects On The Themes Of Friendship, Family, And The Magic Of Cape May In Her Beloved Novels
In this interview, Suzanne Simonetti reveals the inspirations behind her characters, how Cape May influences her writing, and how cooking fuels her creativity, while offering insights into her award-winning novels.
Suzanne Simonetti is a literary force whose storytelling captures the intricate beauty of human connections and the transformative power of self-discovery. A USA Today bestselling author, Suzanne has enchanted readers with her ability to weave compelling narratives that resonate deeply with the heart. Her debut novel, The Sound of Wings, is a masterful exploration of friendship, resilience, and personal growth, earning over a dozen awards and a place on the Amazon and Barnes & Noble bestsellers lists. With her highly anticipated stand-alone sequel, The Waves of Time, set to release in early summer 2025, Suzanne continues to solidify her place as a beloved voice in contemporary fiction.
In this exclusive interview for Reader’s House Magazine, Suzanne shares her insights into the creative process, the inspiration behind her richly drawn characters, and the profound influence of Cape May’s enchanting charm on her work. From the intricate dynamics of friendship in The Sound of Wings to the heartwarming themes of family and redemption in A Cape May Christmas Story, Suzanne’s stories are a testament to her talent for crafting narratives that are as relatable as they are uplifting. Join us as we delve into the mind of this gifted storyteller and uncover the magic behind her unforgettable tales.
In your writing, you mention a deep exploration of human nature and the connections between characters. Can you share a specific instance or character from your work that significantly reflects this theme, and how did that character evolve throughout the writing process?
Humans are multi-faceted and complex beings. My characters are designed to portray the ways in which personal history and life circumstances will shift and alter our stations through life. Krystal Axelrod is a happily married forty-something who bears fragments of an unhappy childhood, which hinder her growth. Goldie Sparrows is an older widow and business owner who shows Krystal that pure kindness of strangers does indeed exist. When Goldie takes Krystal under her wing, she introduces her to the talent Krystal never knew she had and shows her how to leverage crafting into a business opportunity. Up until then, even Krystal’s devoted and wealthy husband could never provide the level of insight, self-discovery, and fulfillment Krystal finally achieves from her deep bond with Goldie who was the first to see and honor her full potential.
You mentioned that cooking serves as a creative outlet when you get stuck while writing. How do you think your love for cooking influences your storytelling?
Like great stories, meals bring people together. When I get stuck on the page, meal planning can be somewhat like coloring for me—surely I must to consider what actions to take, but for the most part, it is an imaginative, mindless, and fun exercise. I always visit a restaurant’s web site to examine the menu before hand. Reading food descriptions whets my appetite and heightens the dining experience. I appreciate the same from any novel I pick up and enjoy learning about the foods and customs indigenous to the setting. I offer the same to my readers as my stories contain references to seafood, shellfish, and pizza—this is South Jersey, after all. And since I do fancy an intimate gathering, I also include spirited hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. My Christmas story is filled with some of the seasonal treats enjoyed by many from around the globe, and I included a recipe booklet in the back.
In The Sound of Wings, the lives of Goldie, Jocelyn, and Krystal intertwine in unexpected ways. What inspired you to create these three distinct characters, and how did you ensure that their individual stories resonated with one another throughout the narrative?
In short, these characters are women whom I would all want to have as friends. They are flawed and quirky with real life dilemmas and challenges. Goldie represents our wise “old” owl of the bunch. She lives alone with a gaggle of pets and eschews any hint of superficiality or folly. Despite her troubled past, the tenderness imbedded deep within Goldie’s heart allows her to embrace the other women. Krystal is our sexy siren, yet so much of her true beauty remains hidden from the world—including herself. Goldie is exactly who Krystal needs at this stage of her life, just as Goldie seeks out Krystal as a protégé. Jocelyn looks for escape from her custody battle and finds solace in supporting Krystal who she depicts as unassumingly meek and unsure given her bold appearance. When the three women come together, they celebrate both their differences and similarities, as each one levels up and enters a new life room.
The imagery of Cape May plays a significant role in The Sound of Wings, evoking a strong sense of place. Can you share how your personal experiences in Cape May influenced the setting and themes of the novel, and what you hope readers take away from that portrayal?
Cape May is widely known as America’s first seaside resort where Philadelphians would visit by train. It sits at the southern tip of New Jersey, making it a natural funnel along the monarchs’
migration path. The peninsula’s unique geography draws thousands of these butterflies, providing a much-needed break before they continue their journey across the Delaware Bay. I’ve discovered Cape May is a place filled with not only monarchs, but magic, where your next new friend or stunning coincidence may be waiting just around the bend, and I imbue my stories with that same sense of wonder.
In A Cape May Christmas Story, Rita’s efforts to bring her estranged sons together create a central conflict in the narrative. What inspired you to explore the dynamics of family relationships during the holiday season, and how do you hope this story resonates with readers facing similar challenges?
Family dynamics are always be tricky and can certainly be amplified during the holidays as everyone brings their own vision and expectations to the table. None of us are alone when it comes to the stress and melancholy the season can bring, but I do not believe that is all it ushers in—I view this time of year as an opportunity for renewal, change, and healing.
The setting of Cape May plays a significant role in creating the holiday magic in A Cape May Christmas Story. Can you share how your experiences in Cape May influenced the atmosphere of the story and the themes of family, love, and redemption?
Christmas in Cape May is utterly charming and has been likened to a scene taken from a Charles Dickens story. With its strong Victorian presence, visitors are taken on horse-drawn carriage with sleigh balls for a tour of the historic district. In tribute to Dickens’ timeless classic, themes of generosity, moral responsibility, and forgiveness are thread throughout the tale. One of the first things that attracts Chase and Patti to one another is their shared philanthropy while Rita’s grown sons must be taught all over again what it means to forgive.
