SHAKESPEARE knew the course to true love never did run smooth.

And Brighton author Suzy Zail has discovered it still makes a good read.

Zail has published a book of 12 couples’ love tales, Smitten, which has been released in time for Valentine’s Day.

Brighton author Suzy Zail who has written a book of 12 short stories about love to coincide with Valentine's Day. VALERIU CAMPAN. N33SB206

Covering diverse experiences, from gay relationships to open marriage, each couple’s story has a common thread, she said.

“I was interested in enduring love – enduring over time and enduring through challenges,” Zail said.

One tale is of a woman who retrained as a nurse to help her fiance, who had suffered a brain aneurism.

Another couple were African refugees from warring tribes – an Ethiopian man and a Somali woman.

They met and secretly married in a refugee camp.

“When it came out he formed a lot of enemies and had to escape the refugee camp, and while they were living apart she got passage to Australia,” Zail said.

Now living in Chelsea Heights, Asha Hussein was finally reunited with her husband Tesfaya Abera in December.

As for the secret to love, Zail says there is no magic potion.

“You can’t measure love – it’s a connection between two people, but once you understand the people, their past heartbreaks, memories, fears and insecurities, their love makes sense.”

Source: http://bayside-leader.whereilive.com.aulove-never-dies/