PHOTO: Luce Sutherland crafts emotionally intense, seductive romances that explore power, vulnerability, and passion with fearless depth and bold storytelling.
Exploring Sensual Storytelling, Character Chemistry, and the Creative Spark Behind Delicious Surrender
Luce Sutherland reveals the inspirations behind Delicious Surrender, her creative process, real-life influences, self-care rituals, and plans for a sizzling trilogy that explores passion, dominance, and irresistible romantic tension.
Luce Sutherland delivers stories that burn with intensity, striking a perfect balance between raw sensuality and emotional depth. The award-winning author of Delicious Surrender has carved her niche in the world of erotic romance with narratives that explore the dynamics of dominance, surrender, and the undeniable chemistry between powerful characters. Her novels do more than titillate—they draw readers into layered emotional journeys powered by character-driven storytelling and an unmistakable boldness.
In Delicious Surrender, Sutherland builds a sizzling connection between Gage MacLeod, a brooding alpha with a hidden tenderness, and Brynne, a vibrant force of sunshine who challenges him at every turn. The story’s grumpy-sunshine dynamic, Sutherland reveals, is more than just an engaging trope—it reflects her real-life relationship with her husband, who she describes as “a grumpy alpha” with a soft side buried beneath the bluster. “They say, write what you know,” she says. “And I guess I did.”
Sutherland’s writing is fearless, emotionally charged, and richly sensual, delivering unforgettable characters and stories that pulse with chemistry and power.
Crafting the book’s third-act climax proved the most challenging part of the writing process. Sutherland aimed to create “an intense exchange that would grab the reader by the throat and not let go.” The scene, filled with suspense and emotional upheaval, is a turning point that showcases her ability to blend tension and vulnerability with high-impact storytelling.
Her commitment to authenticity is evident in her detailed approach to portraying the BDSM lifestyle. From reading foundational works like The Story of O and Anne Rice’s Sleeping Beauty series to diving into extensive online research, Sutherland leaves no stone unturned to ensure her depiction is both informed and respectful—though she cheekily avoids admitting to any “hands-on” research of her own.
Casting her characters for a potential screen adaptation, Sutherland envisions The White Lotus and Divergent star Theo James as Gage, and considers actresses like Emma Roberts, Jane Levy, or Holland Roden for Brynne—natural redheads who could capture the heroine’s fiery spirit.
Beyond writing, self-care plays an important role in Sutherland’s creative process. She credits massage therapy with helping her unwind physically and creatively. “During a ninety-minute massage, I let my brain wander,” she says. “When I come out, I usually start typing the ideas into my phone immediately.”
Music also infuses her writing. Originally, she paired each chapter of Delicious Surrender with songs by artists like Alanis Morissette, Sia, Ellie Goulding, Imagine Dragons, and Joe Cocker to mirror her characters’ emotional tones. While some tracks were eventually cut to streamline the word count, she later created a Spotify playlist to accompany the novel.
Looking ahead, Sutherland plans to expand the world of Delicious Surrender into a trilogy featuring Gage’s best friends, Cole and Aaron. But she’s especially excited about a fourth book centered on Mistress Patricia Valentine, tentatively titled The Hellcat Club, which will return readers to Scotland.
For aspiring authors of erotic romance, Sutherland offers sage advice. Think of the process like baking a cake—each component needs to be prepared and layered carefully. She emphasizes starting with compelling characters and then building a plot filled with tension and twists. “Friction and chemistry are critical elements in a spicy story,” she explains. “An erotic romance needs temptation, seduction, sizzle, and emotions that start out simmering and end up boiling to the surface.”
Moderation, she adds, is key. Just as too much sugar can ruin a dessert, an overabundance of steamy scenes can dilute a novel’s impact. “The plot should carry the story. The characters must be compelling and layered, and the spice should singe the pages.”
Luce Sutherland’s storytelling philosophy—bold, emotional, and unflinchingly authentic—proves why her books continue to captivate readers. Her passion is unmistakable, and her motto, “LIVE LIFE JUICY,” feels less like a tagline and more like a promise to her audience.
This article was adapted from an interview with Luce Sutherland in the latest issue of Reader’s House.
