Where it all began. In the debut episode of Once Upon Our Time, Susan and Elizabeth revisit Susan's very first published novel, Texas Wildflower (1987). Step back in time to the 19th-century frontier as they break down the story of a spunky female detective tracking a secret spy posing as an outlaw. From writing a manuscript longhand while working as a schoolteacher to navigating the wild world of 1980s romance publishing, they share a funny, honest look at the creative growth, mistakes, and family memories behind the book that launched a lifelong career.

In the third episode, Susan and Elizabeth turn their attention to Embrace the Day. Moving forward in Susan's expansive bibliography, the mother-daughter duo breaks down the historical backdrop, the intense emotional stakes, and the specific narrative challenges of crafting this sweeping story. They dive into the research process, share behind-the-scenes family memories from the era it was written, and look honestly at how this book marked another major step in Susan's journey as a storyteller.

Following their debut, Susan and Elizabeth dive into Susan’s second major milestone: her adaptation and exploration of Briar Rose. In this episode, the mother-daughter duo unpacks the dark, rich fairy-tale roots, the emotional layers of the retelling, and the creative choices that went into reshaping this classic narrative. They share their trademark honest reflections on the writing process, behind-the-scenes family dynamics, and how this specific story helped define Susan's evolving voice as a novelist.