Sue Moorcroft Shares the Heart, Craft, and Passion Behind Her Bestselling Stories

PHOTO: Sue Moorcroft, bestselling author and passionate champion of romantic fiction, continues to inspire readers worldwide with her heartfelt, vibrant storytelling.

Inside the World of Love, Discovery, and Community

Sue Moorcroft discusses how her international childhood, love of community, emotional storytelling, and passion for romance fiction shape her novels, offering insight into her creative process and genre advocacy.

Sue Moorcroft stands as one of contemporary romantic fiction’s brightest and most respected voices. A Sunday Times bestselling author and a two-time winner of the HOLT Medallion, Sue crafts stories that resonate with warmth, authenticity, and emotional depth. Whether whisking readers away to the enchanting Isle of Skye or drawing them into the heart of the charming village of Middledip, her novels pulse with vivid settings, layered characters, and heartfelt journeys of love and self-discovery.

Her ability to weave classic romantic tropes into fresh, compelling narratives is unmatched, and her work as president of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and advocate for the #respectromfic movement speaks to her unwavering dedication to uplifting the genre. With each new release, Sue Moorcroft not only delivers beautifully written stories but also reaffirms why she is beloved by readers across the globe. In this interview, she offers a fascinating glimpse into the inspirations, passions, and craftsmanship behind her much-loved books.

Sue Moorcroft’s storytelling brilliance, emotional depth, and tireless advocacy have made her a beloved, influential figure in contemporary romantic fiction.

You spent parts of your childhood in Germany, Cyprus, and Malta. How have those experiences shaped the settings or emotional landscapes of your novels?

My army-kid travels make me comfortable with a variety of settings and I love research trips.

I’ve experienced living in someone else’s country, encountering barriers of language, culture and religion. I try to be a sensitive visitor and observer. Sensitivity’s important to me, whether depicting a country, a situation or a medical scenario.

As president of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and a supporter of the #respectromfic movement, how do you hope to change perceptions about romantic fiction?

I challenge derogatory labels such as ‘pink and fluffy’, ‘boddice rippers’ (a term popular in the eighties so …), ‘trashy romance’. I highlight newspapers publishing bestseller roundups and representing every genre except romance. I ensure my publishers apply the Romance & Saga product code, so my sales are attributed to my genre. If people make disparaging references, I politely interrogate their view. And I take every opportunity to emphasise the blockbusting success of the romance genre.

“Sensitivity’s important to me, whether depicting a country, a situation or a medical scenario.” — Sue Moorcroft

Your Summer Romances box set beautifully weaves in tropes like second-chance romance and forced proximity. What draws you to these classic themes, and how do you keep them feeling fresh?

A trope forms a story’s bones. Let’s take second-chance romance. The couple must have been together before, so I create a reason for them to have parted – but not one so heinous as to prevent them getting back together. That’s tricky. Maybe a misunderstanding? A lie? A secret? A bad thing done for good reason? Every story’s different.

In A Skye Full of Stars, Ezzie faces deep questions about her identity. How important is the theme of self-discovery in your storytelling, especially against such vivid backdrops like the Isle of Skye?

An emotional journey’s vital. Ezzie’s adopted, like her sisters Thea in Under a Summer Skye and Valentina in the forthcoming Over the Sea to Skye. As well as overcoming conflicts and realising goals, each sister uncovering her birth story and conflating two identities is vital.

Many of your novels feature strong character relationships and community dynamics. Are there particular character types or relationships you find yourself drawn to exploring?

Family, community and romance. My characters have vulnerabilities, flaws, and emotive dramas.

“Middledip’s alive in my head.” — Sue Moorcroft

The village of Middledip feels almost like a character itself in your Middledip series. What’s the secret to creating such a vivid, beloved fictional community?

Middledip dates to family journeys to England’s east coast. Passing through a rural area, my imagination built a village. There are even some of the same landmarks: a classic car dealer, a pub, a three-legged cross. Middledip’s alive in my head.

You’re a passionate motorsports fan — have your love of racing and fast-paced sports ever influenced your writing, either directly or in the energy and momentum of your stories?

I intended to write a book set within Formula One, but I found it frustratingly impenetrable. Instead, in Just for the Holidays, I let Leah love F1 and speed around in an old sports car. F1 references find their way into my books too. A Channel 4 presenter, Lee McKenzie, contacted me to say she’d spotted some.

“My books are more than a love story, but a love story is central to a character’s happy ending.” — Sue Moorcroft

In The Wedding Proposal, No Strings Attached, and Want to Know a Secret?, the protagonists experience varied emotional journeys. How do you approach developing each character’s unique path to love and healing?

Character backstories are crucial, along with their conflicts and goals. Her conflicts and goals usually impact on his. My books are more than a love story, but a love story is central to a character’s happy ending.