How Powell River changed my life

23.6.11

The exact spot in Powell River that changed my life 
Have you ever visited a place and just been blown away by it? I mean, totally and utterly awe-struck by its beauty? That happened to me a couple of years ago when my husband and I first visited Canada. We were immediately struck by how friendly the people were... genuinely friendly, you know? It wasn't just that of course, it was the natural surroundings that just took my breath away.
One particular spot had such a profound effect on me, in fact, that it inspired me to begin writing a whole series of books. That spot was located in Powell River, British Columbia.
We'd driven all the way across from Banff (not all in one go, mind you!) so we'd seen our share of gorgeous locations, but when we stopped and got out of the car, we decided we'd have a picnic. So we carried our food down to the shore and sat on these massive pieces of driftwood that were scattered all over the beach. I'm pretty sure I barely ate anything because I was too busy falling in love.
It was breathtaking... but it was also so inspirational. There was an air of mystery to it too which made me imagine all kinds of weird and wonderful possibilities. After reading, watching and falling in love with the Twilight series, I could imagine supernatural events happening right there in Powell River.
I wanted changelings, witches, vampires, werewolves, ghosts and more, all to have a place in what would later be known as The Raven Saga. It would centre around a young girl who moves to Powell River after her parents disappear and discovers she is part of a supernatural world. The first book, Raven, is out now. You can buy it here, and the second, December Moon will be out in September.
It was that little beach in Powell River that inspired me to write The Raven Saga. In fact, it changed my life. It made me realise my dream. The dream that I can write books that excite people, books that people want to read. I've already had messages from readers desperate to read the sequel! I'd like to thank Powell River for that.

Q&A with author Megg Jensen

22.6.11

A very warm welcome to Anathema and Oubliette author Megg Jensen...

Have you ever read a book that made you think 'wow'? If so, what book was it and why did it have such an effect on you?
My favorite book of all time is The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley. I've read it quite a few times and every time I think, "WOW!" Her mastery of language and her ability to give a legend new life impresses me.

Who is your favourite author and why?

Haha, it's definitely Marion Zimmer Bradley, for all the reasons listed above.

Who, or what, inspires you?
My inspiration usually comes from the strangest places. Anathema was inspired by one fanciful comment my daughter made about the clouds. My son is adopted and one night some random thinking about him led to the inspiration for my upcoming novel, Sleepers. Inspiration usually strikes when I'm not looking for it.

Where is your favourite place to write?
In my bed with my laptop. It's usually the only place I can find quiet or be alone.

What is your book about?
Anathema - Reychel is a slave girl surrounded by magic, lies and manipulation. Her best friend disappears in the middle of the night leaving Reychel to face her fifteenth birthday, the day her master burns his brand into the back of her bald head, alone. She's sheltered from the outside world and doesn't have any hope for escape, but when people desperate for freedom ask for her help can Reychel learn to believe in herself?

Oubliette - Reychel thought she was finally free. She was wrong.
Everyone saw her gift of prophecy as a blessing, but her gift is uncontrollable. No one alive can teach her to manipulate her unique gift and the answers she needs lie buried within a madman’s journals.
She’s thrust in the midst of a brewing war and the only uniting factor for her people is their belief in the Prophet. Will Reychel learn to control her gift or will she be forced to deliver a false prophecy that could lead her people into a violent war?

What is your favourite film that was based on a book?

Jurassic Park! Lord of the Rings Trilogy! Harry Potter movies! Please, don't make me choose. :)

If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the main characters?



I would love to see Molly Quinn play Reychel, Abigail Breslin play Ivy, and Alexander Ludwig for Mark. 

Tell us a random fact about yourself.
Before kids I went swing dancing six nights a week. I miss dancing on a regular basis so much, but evenings at home snuggling on the couch with kids is fantastic too.

Thanks, Megg and best of luck with your books. I can't wait to read them!

Raven new book cover

20.6.11

As I've been working on December Moon (The Raven Saga Part II), I've realised that my cover artwork for Raven wasn't up to scratch. It lacked something... it didn't look very professional, in fact it simply looked too amateurish. So I now have a new cover which I am slowly adding to all the social networking sites that I'm a member of (yes, it's taking me AGES!) I also have the cover for December Moon which I will reveal soon.
But for now, here is the new cover for Raven (The Raven Saga Part I)... 


Q&A with author Belinda Kroll

19.6.11

A warm welcome to Belinda Kroll, author of the superb novel, Haunting Miss Trentwood.

Have you ever read a book that made you think 'wow'? If so, what book was it and why did it have such an effect on you?
Brandon Sanderson's Elantris had that effect on me, as well as his next book, Warbreaker. He has winding plots with multiple subplots that all tie together in a final, satisfying climax. I'm jealous of his ability to do so, and am always inspired after reading one of his books.

Who is your favourite author and why?
My comfort author is Jane Austen. Yes, I have a comfort author, the way some people have comfort ice cream. She once wrote that her pen wouldn't dwell on guilt and misery, and I'm happy she decided that. Sometimes you just need an escape. Other than Austen, I'm really starting to like Candace Camp. Her heroines are spunky, have great wit and the conversational battles with the heroes rarely fail to make me chuckle aloud. I also like how she always manages to throw in a little mystery, so the hero and heroine have the opportunity to get past their differences in order to solve a crime/problem/question.

Who, or what, inspires you?
Historical events; usually I read an article about something that happened in the past, and I begin to wonder what it must have felt like to be there. For instance, Haunting Miss Trentwood began with me wondering what it must have been like to celebrate Queen Victoria's golden jubilee. The last monarch to be on the throne for 50yrs had been Elizabeth I, so people went NUTS. By the final draft, the jubilee was a small part in the plot, so I think I might still like to revisit the event more fully.

Where is your favourite place to write?
In my journal, cozied up on a couch, preferably with a cup of tea and someone interesting to glance at from across the room when I get stuck.

What is your book about?
Haunting Miss Trentwood is a gothic Victorian romance about a Mary Trentwood, a young woman who is dealing with father knowing best... even after death. His ghost begins to haunt her the day of his funeral, and matters only become more complicated when a scarred lawyer appears on her front doorstep claiming he has traced a blackmailer to her house.

What is your favourite film that was based on a book?
I love the Romola Garai version of Jane Austen's Emma. When I read the book, Emma annoyed me so much, which was so different from the Gwyneth Paltrow version! But Romola plays the effervescent busybody so well that she made me love the flawed character.

If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the main characters?

This is a tough question! I think I would want Anne Hathaway to play Mary. It would be interesting to see her play a frustrated, yet somewhat subdued, role. 




I want Christopher Plummer to play the ghost, Mr Trentwood. He would be perfect at delivering the snark and fatherly bossiness of the character. 

Hartwell, the lawyer, would be Jake Gyllenhaal with a facial scar (YES PLEASE). 

Mary's aunt, Mrs Durham, would be Melissa McCarthy.

Tell us a random fact about yourself.
I attend a weekly three hour dance where I lindy hop, charleston, balboa and swing dance. I love that I get to perform dances that were popular from the 1920s - 1940s.

Lindy hop, charleston, balboa and swing dancing sounds like an awful lot of fun, Belinda... I'd love to try something like that! 
After reading Haunting Miss Trentwood, I wholeheartedly have to agree on your chosen actors!

Q&A with author Aimee Friedmann

18.6.11

A very warm welcome to Sea Change author Aimee Friedmann...


Have you ever read a book that made you think 'wow'? If so, what book was it and why did it have such an effect on you?
So many books 'wow' me that it would take up a whole OTHER book to list them all! I recently finished THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett, which I loved--it's gorgeously written, compulsively readable, gutsy, and wise. In terms of kidlit, a book that threw me for a loop a couple of years ago was WHEN YOU REACH ME by Rebecca Stead, which is one of those magically complex, how'd-she-do-that? books that is at once totally intimidating and wonderfully inspiring.

Who is your favourite author and why?
I love pretty much anything Michael Chabon writes--his language is always so rich, and his worlds so intricate yet heartfelt. I'm also a big Ann M. Martin fan--the BABY-SITTERS CLUB books shaped me when I was growing up, as both a young woman and a young writer.

Who, or what, inspires you?
Movies, bookstores, a good meal, author readings, brisk walks through Central Park, plays, coffee, my family's stories.

Where is your favourite place to write?
In a little European-style cafe about 10 blocks from my apartment. The seats are comfy, the music is never too loud, their iced coffees are refreshing, and they have Crumbs cupcakes. Need I say more?

What is your book about?
My most recent novel is SEA CHANGE, a summer love story set on a mysterious island off the coast of Georgia. On this island, we meet Miranda, a level-headed girl who's just visiting for a while, and Leo, the gorgeous local boy who sweeps her off her feet...and may be hiding a magical secret.

What is your favourite film that was based on a book?
THE PRINCESS BRIDE! An endlessly quotable movie...and also a great read.

If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the main characters?

Someone recently told me that Hunter Parrish or Lucas Till would make a great Leo I absolutely agree. Miranda might be a little tougher to cast--would love to know if readers have any suggestions!

Tell us a random fact about yourself.
I have a mild addiction to Gummi-Bears, particularly the Bissinger brand (Pomegranate White Tea is the best!). I go through bags of them like crazy, ESPECIALLY when writing!

Tell us something interesting about the area where you live.
I live a short walk from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which is a great destination in New York City. In the summer, they open up the museum's roof, where they'll have sculptures on display and serve frosty drinks and ice cream. I love to go up there on a warm afternoon with friends and watch the sunset.

Thanks, Aimee! Wonderful interview... I'm very envious of being able to pop down to Central park whenever you want to!

Q&A with author Shalini Boland

15.6.11

A very warm welcome to my favourite indie author, Shalini!


Have you ever read a book that made you think 'wow'? If so, what book was it and why did it have such an effect on you?
My favourite book ever is The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons. It’s a love story set in Russia during WW2 when the Germans blocked off all routes to Leningrad, trying to starve its inhabitants. Everything about the novel is beautiful and devastating and I lived every page.

Who is your favourite author and why?
Erm, see above. But I’m also in awe of Jean M. Auel and her magnificent Clan of the Cave Bear series.

Who, or what, inspires you?
I get inspired by all sorts of things: childhood memories, books, music, acts of kindness.
Writing-wise, I take my inspiration from authors like Anne Rice for her darkness, Audrey Niffeneger for her quirkiness and Suzanne Collins for her kick-ass-ness.

Where is your favourite place to write?
On the sofa in the lounge with my laptop, a cup of coffee and some chocolate – bliss.

What is your book about?
Hidden is the first book in the Marchwood Vampire Series. It’s part urban fantasy and part historical romance, and tells the stories of Madison Greene and Alexandre Chevalier who are both rebels in their own way. Fate takes each of them on a dark adventure and their lives eventually entwine, but this is only just the beginning.

What is your favourite film that was based on a book?
Sorry to be predictable but it’s probably the Twilight movies. I loved the novels and I think the films really captured their essence. I probably wouldn’t have enjoyed them so much if I hadn’t read the books though.

If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the main characters?


I’d like to cast complete unknowns into the leading roles. An eighteen-year-old version of Ben Barnes (Prince Caspian/Dorian Gray) would make a great Alexandre. And Madison would be played by someone raw and feisty, like a young Emily Lloyd (Wish You Were Here).
I can't think of any well-known actor or actress out there at the moment who fits the bill.

Tell us a random fact about yourself. I once sang with Basement Jaxx at The Brixton Academy.

Tell us something interesting about the area where you live.
Mary Shelley is buried here, along with Percy Shelley’s heart!
Percy Shelley drowned in 1822 while boating off Livorno; his body washed ashore and was cremated on the beach. His friend Edward Trelawny somehow grabbed the heart from the flames and presented it to his wife, Mary Shelley, who kept it with her.

Thanks so much for having me, Suzy! It’s been fun xx
Always a pleasure, Shalini! And I have to agree that a young Ben Barnes would be absolutely perfect!! For more details about Shalini and her books, visit http://shaliniboland.co.uk 

Book Review: Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble by HP Mallory

14.6.11

When I first got this book (I bought the kindle version), I thought it was a YA fantasy book... I was wrong, it was definitely more chick lit meets fantasy than for very young adults. It's got a smattering of rather sexy scenes in it and quite a few swear words... not that it matters to me of course. I'm a big girl, I can handle it ; )
The book was far better than I thought it would be. In fact, it was excellent. Beautifully written, the story flowed particularly well and the characters were just so cool. I did think it was amusing that almost all of the men in the book were mightily sexy, all smouldering good looks and a tad on the horny (!) side though. But I'm assuming that it was written like that on purpose, a bit tongue in cheek, if you get my drift?
The story follows Jolie Wilkins, a medium who discovers there is much more to her talent than originally meets the eye. In comes Rand, a gorgeous hunk of a man who isn't actually a man, but a warlock. You can probably imagine the kind of things they get up to, and you'd be almost all right. Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble is a must-read. I would recommend it to everyone old enough to be reading this kind of thing!
5 Stars

Q&A with author Elliot Grace

13.6.11

A warm welcome to my guest today, Elliot Grace....

Have you ever read a book that made you think 'wow'? If so, what book was it and why did it have such an effect on you?
Shortly out of high school, while bumbling along with half-finished manuscripts and a stack of rejection letters that could have been measured with a yard stick, I found a novel at the library that grabbed me by the shoulders and refused to let go until I managed to read the thing twice before the book's return date. The story was called Fade by Robert Cormier. It's the story of a thirteen year old boy who discovers the ability to turn invisible, to fade from eyesight. At this point, Cormier's novel could have traveled along a very predictable path, a teenager with the power of invisibility starts sneaking into homes, watching ladies undress, playing pranks on his teachers and the bullies at school, the usual mixed bag associated with that particular gift. Instead, young Paul Moreaux, the boy who can fade, embarks on a course most unexpected for someone his age, seeing friends and family for whom they really are, and figuring out what kind of person he is as well. The story was so well written, with Cormier's voice as the perfect antidote to Paul's foreboding journey, that it caused me to not only re-focus my own writing practices, but to get my life together while time permitted. Life's simply too short to blindly stumble along. I'm known locally as a addict for the written word, always spotted with a book under my arm, in search of a place to rest my backside and score some reading time. Fade is the only book I've ever read more than once.

Who is your favourite author and why?
Choosing just one would probably take me a week's worth of head-scratching to decide on, and by that time I've no doubt that my list would still be a half page in length. A few writers who come to mind, depending on what genre I'm reading at the moment...John Sandford, who's Prey series has withstood the test of time, Terry Brooks, who's sci-fi novels I enjoyed as a teen, Robert Cormier, (see above :) Joe Hill, yeah, King's son definitely knows how to weave a spooky yarn, and David Wroblewski. If you haven't read The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, you have my condolences :)

Who, or what, inspires you?
I knew at an early age that my best stories, the one's I'm most passionate about, are based around a middle grade to young adult audience, (although my editor insists that Charm should be shelved in the adult section at Wal-Mart. It's an ongoing controversy.) Added to it the fact that my wife and I are licensed foster parents, taking in as many as four or five troubled and often homeless kids at any one time, propels me to write what is most important: our future, and those who will someday be in charge. Telling their stories, horrors experienced through the eyes of our youth, is where inspiration can spark like an ember, and fester into a story worth reading.

Where is your favourite place to write?
It's not so much where, but more of a timing issue. I've found that when the urge to write something becomes too great to ignore, the scenery could be the shoreline at Pawly's Island, or at a cluttered work station scooted into the back corner of an aging factory. Pushing a lead pencil over crinkled tablet paper with machinery roaring overhead like mystic beasts from a Tolkien novel. And yes, I've done both. When an idea comes along, something worth remembering, the place is irrelevant. It's the "when" and the "how" that must be dealt with. If given an option however, I'd take my boring office at home, on a quiet Sunday morning, thoughts running rampant.

What is your book about?
South of Charm is the story of ten year old Danny Kaufman, a mama's boy forced into dealing with his mother's ongoing battle with paranoid schizophrenia. A youngster who's been dealt a very real, very adult twist of fate, and the life lessons he learns, or refuses to acknowledge, along the way. It's the story of a boy with a secret. A ten year old with a gift. A talent capable of stirring an entire town into a frenzy. And for those who've read it, and often send inquiries to my inbox on the subject, there's a cat. An interesting orange tabby, getting up there in years...and I'll leave it at that :)

What is your favourite film that was based on a book?
Love this question! One that comes to mind is A Time To Kill, by John Grisham. In my opinion, it falls into a short list of Hollywood flicks that actually managed to capture the raw soul from the written version that is so often left behind on the editing floor whenever novels are selected for Cinema Ten. This was a great story, followed by an unforgettable movie.

If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the main characters?
It's every writer's fantasy...seeing their work on the big screen, and hoping that Hollywood doesn't screw it up! Whenever I conjure up the thought, (which is often :) I picture a roughed up, somber-looking Viggo Mortenson as Danny's father. Sandra Bullock fits the role of Sheryl Kaufman like a hand in a glove. And as for Danny and his younger sister, Katie...I'd suggest a talent search, awarding the main character to some kid that no one outside of their family and friends have ever laid eyes on. Then, if the movie's a hit, no matter what future roles he'll accept over the years, he'll always be known as that kid from South of Charm. Danny Whats-His-Name.

Tell us a random fact about yourself.
I'm not the first writer in my family. W.Dale Cramer, author of Sutter's Cross, Bad Ground, and Levi's Will, is my aunt's cousin. He lives in Georgia, but we manage to keep in touch.

Tell us something interesting about the area where you live.
I'm originally from Florida's Gulf Coast, but actually grew up in central Ohio. Currently we live in a modest cape cod near Ashland, Ohio, where it's common practice to find oneself traveling along behind an Amish buggy on an otherwise busy state route. In time, when our kids move on, and my wife and I find ourselves alone in a house built for the rigors of a family, we plan on returning to the Gulf, where my heart remains.

Thanks, Elliot... fantastic answers!
For more information about Elliot and his book, visit http://www.woosterbook.com/additional/southcharm.html

Constructive criticism

11.6.11

I've just received a really lengthy critique from a fellow writer, a woman I'd originally asked for a review....
"Suzy, I really like the premise of your book. The whole changeling fantasy is super, and I love how you set Lilly in London without a clue and put so much suspense in her finding out her heritage........ You have all the basics; good characters, nice flow, a super plot, and I love your use of dream sequences. I feel like you have the makings of an excellent piece of literature. However, I’m going to give you my honest opinion here: it needs some more sweat and tears............"
She goes on (in-depth) to make some excellent points, before concluding:
"In conclusion, I’ve decided to simply offer you this critique instead of publishing a review. Criticism is hard enough to take without broadcasting it. But don’t let me get you down. Your ideas are fabulous! But I think your book simply needs more time. So keep working! Keep writing!"
Clearly, I'm going to try and improve the story where possible and upload the new and improved version to amazon, smashwords, etc, but I was just wondering if you (fellow writers) continue to try and improve the work you've already published (ebooks, that is)? I'd love to hear your opinions.

Raven update

10.6.11

It's exactly a month since I released Raven as an ebook and I must say I'm thrilled with the response I've received. I've sold a total of 28 copies so far, received a number of 5 star reviews from book bloggers and readers and I've been featured on a few great sites (interviews and guest posts). It's a slow process but I do believe I'm getting there!
Work on the sequel, December Moon, has slowed a little over the past two weeks, more because of my frame of mind - I've been feeling a little down and felt that writing in such a state of mind wouldn't help my writing. I am starting to feel better now though and I'll be back to work Monday morning with a new bounce in my step... or should I say fingers?!
In the meantime, I've begun thinking about the cover for December Moon but I don't feel that I can do the same as before (ie take a photo of myself in the forest and then manipulate it to look like a skinny teenager!). So I have decided to buy an image from a digital image site and work on that. I would have hired a graphic designer to do it but all my pennies have been spent on hiring a professional editor instead, but I am confident I'll find the perfect cover pic!
Lastly I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who has been so supportive over the past month or so... your kind words have helped me no end. xx

The Converging horror trilogy by George Straatman

9.6.11

Author George Straatmen introduces his trilogy, The Converging...


The Converging: Closures in Blood is the concluding volume of George Straatman’s epic Converging horror trilogy. Though rooted firmly in the horror/supernatural thriller genre, Closures in Blood is a skilful weaving of intense action and compelling drama that will stand as a fitting finale to this dark and richly imagined tale.
After apparently vanquishing the demon, Cynara Saravic…the now-immortal Elizabeth Simpson returns to America to begin a desperate search for the only man she has ever loved and the one person who can grant her absolution for the sins she has committed while under the demon’s dark thrall. Abhorred as an abomination by both Heaven and Hell, Elizabeth must run a deadly and insidious gauntlet to find David Stillman, unaware that she has become the catalyst for an apocalyptic war between good and evil. Pursued across a dying America by legions of religious fanatics and satanic assassins, Elizabeth is forced to turn to her avowed enemy…a dark mistress who represents her only hope of eluding her relentless pursuers and finding some sense of closure to the dark nightmare of her life…and a hope of personal redemption. Populated by a cast of dark and richly detailed characters, Closures in Blood is a frenetic rollercoaster ride into darkest depths of the Converging universe…a place where the vile and the righteous will find a grim measure or resolution in the explosive conclusion to this master work of dark horror.

How long did it take to complete the full Converging cycle?
The full cycle took twenty-five years to write from the first moment I took up a pen and began the first page of the original novel until the moment I decided that I was happy with the end product of Closures in Blood. The characters of the story become constant companions of sorts…who I’ve come to care about and develop an emotional attachment to.

With the conclusion of this series, is there any one character with whom you feel most connected?
Though I’ve enjoyed all of my characters immensely and feel a strong affinity for each, I would say that Elizabeth Simpson is the individual for whom I have the most empathy…I often reflect on the things that she endured over the course of the three novels and I’m suffused by a profound sense of sadness. Cynara Saravic presented me with the most perplexing technical challenges as a character, but Elizabeth Simpson is the one who resonates emotionally through the trilogy…her closure is, for me, the most emotionally poignant.

Sony eboo store: http://bit.ly/lajTnx
It can also be purchased for through Barnes and Noble, Apple and Smashwords.

Interviewed by Inga Silberg

8.6.11

The wonderful book blogger, Inga Silberg has interviewed me this week. It was a really fun interview to do, with some great questions. If you'd like to have a read, here's the link...

Me and reading: Interview and giveaway with Suzy Turner - the author of Raven

Thanks Inga for a great opportunity!

Guest Author: Shalini Boland

8.6.11

Books and music are my passion and I’ve always been a writer in some shape or form. Before children, I was signed to Universal Music as a singer songwriter. I had the opportunity to collaborate with some amazing musicians and songwriters and was lucky enough to sing with Basement Jaxx on their album Rooty and live on stage. But that all seems like several lifetimes ago now.

Since the arrival of my little monsters, I combine motherhood with writing Teen Fiction. I write the kinds of books I love to read - gripping young adult adventures with a spattering of romance and a sprinkling of horror.



HIDDEN, the first book in The Marchwood Vampire Series, is a romantic paranormal adventure that spans the centuries from modern England to 19th century Paris. It starts off in gritty urban reality but soon ramps up into historical adventure, archaeological digs, ancient legends and romance across time: On Madison Greene’s sixteenth birthday, her life in foster care ends when she becomes the heir to a fortune. But she also inherits something else along with the money, something secret and hidden that shouldn’t be disturbed … DUN DUN DU-U-UNN!!!

HIDDEN: The book trailer

I’m stupendously excited about the next two in the series. I have them all mapped out – I just need to get on and finish them. THICKER THAN BLOOD, the second book in the series, should be finished by the end of 2011 and it focuses on the chilling 8th century Byzantine vampires, as well as more from my main characters, Maddy and Alexandre.



July 2011 sees the release of my post-apocalyptic romantic teen thriller, OUTSIDE. The story follows Riley who lives in the near future, behind the safety of the perimeter fence. She’s always been shielded from the dangers facing those on the outside. But when her younger sister is murdered, she ventures out beyond the perimeter, into the wilderness of a very different Britain, to track down the killer.

HIDDEN is selling well so far and seems to be getting great reviews. I’ll probably cry when I get my first rubbish one, but that’s the way it is with this creative life and I wouldn’t change it. Thanks, Suzy, for giving me the chance to waffle on. You’re a star! Here are my links:
http://www.shaliniboland.co.uk http://www.facebook.com/Hidden.MarchwoodVampireSeries
HIDDEN on Kindle: http://amzn.to/k63SdY
HIDDEN on Smashwords: http://bit.ly/iNGSny
HIDDEN on Barnes&Noble: http://bit.ly/k2mIiI

Suzy: HIDDEN is my favourite YA fantasy book EVER. I highly recommend it... you certainly won't be disappointed!

The Upper Kingdom: Guest Interview with Suzy Turner!

7.6.11

I'm being interviewed on author Farida Mestek's blog today... come and check it out and say hi!

Author Spotlight: Joseph Garraty

7.6.11

Like it says in my official author bio, I’ve had a lot of jobs. I’ve done construction work, engineering, tech writing, and a mess of other stuff besides, but the one that warrants further discussion today is one of my favorite jobs: deadbeat rock musician. I say “deadbeat,” because I never paid the bills with it, at least not for long, but I have played in one rock band for another for over ten years now. One thing I can say with authority is this:
Rock musicians are some messed-up people.
You jam four or five of these highly-driven, super-creative types in a room together, stir in a generous helping of ego and two generous helpings of flakiness, and you have a recipe forinteresting times, as the fabled Chinese curse says.
Those interesting times, though often maddening beyond belief, are high-octane fuel for learning all about how people interact under some pretty stressful circumstances. When I turned my hand to writing my dark fantasy novel, Voice, I had a lot to draw on.
The setup for Voice is simple: Johnny’s a lousy singer for a mediocre rock band, and he wants to be famous more than anything. Case is a hotshot guitarist with an enormous chip on her shoulder who happens to need a band. When she joins up with Johnny’s band, Ragman, the group gets a jolt of new life, and it soon becomes obvious that Johnny doesn’t have the chops to keep up. But somebody’s been watching Johnny. Somebody who can give him a voice to move millions. . . if he’s willing to make a deal.
But when you deal with the devil, you never get quite what you bargained for.
Given the personalities involved, the band situation is complex enough (especially when Case starts to fall for the drummer, Johnny’s brother Danny), but when some of the more bizarre side effects of Johnny’s deal start to become apparent, the group dynamic is stress-tested to its limit and beyond.
That’s when you find out what the characters are really made of—and that’s what gets me excited about any book, not just one of mine.
Check out http://www.josephgarraty.com for news and updates on Joseph Garraty, or buy a copy of Voice at these websites:
Amazon
Smashwords

Another 5 star review!

6.6.11

I'm hyperventilating at the moment... I've just had another 5 star review from a book blogger!
Inga Silberg loved Raven and can't wait for book two in The Raven Saga. I'm absolutely over the moon!!
Check out the review here...

Me and reading: Review of Raven by Suzy Turner

Ian Harding... the perfect Sammy Morton!

6.6.11

I'm sitting here, enjoying a glass of white wine watching Pretty Little Liars (season 1) and it suddenly hit me. Mr Fitz would make the most perfect Sammy Morton!
In my original post about who I would cast in Raven: The Movie, I cast Jensen Ackles but that was more because he's just so damn sexy (sorry, Jensen.... I'll write a new character for you!). When actually, Mr Fitz is just perfect! Of course, his real name is not Mr Fitz so I've just googled him and discovered his real name is Ian Harding and he is, in fact, German.
After I'd made my casting discovery, I continued to watch and noticed something else. In this particular scene he's wearing a T-shirt with wings on it! OMG it's like a sign, or something! (You need to read Raven to understand!!)
Here he is though... my Sammy Morton. Ian Harding (not the best picture but you get the idea!):

Q&A with author Adelle Laudan & GIVEAWAY

6.6.11

Have you ever read a book that made you think 'wow'? If so, what book was it and why did it have such an effect on you?
Actually it’s the book I’m reading now. “The heartwrenchingly honest, hysterically funny, and brutally truthful life and times of biker author Amy White.” I am blown away by the similarities between this author and my own life. The biggest difference is, she grew up deep in the South and I am a Canadian.
A must read – Only $3 for the ebook (buy from amazon)


Who is your favourite author and why?
Jean M Auel is a master at painting a vivid picture through words. I fell in love with the Earth Children’s Series and like to think I’ve learned a thing or two from this amazing author.


Who, or what, inspires you?
There are so many things that inspire me. My children inspire me to persevere and keep writing. Movies that touch my heart...the sound of a Harley in the distance...the scent of fresh cut grass...my past...music...


Where is your favourite place to write?

At my desk. I have my desk in a cozy corner in my dining area with a window overlooking the parking lot LOL Luckily there is a nice park on the other side of it.


What is your book about?
Mystified is a love story. It takes place on Manitoulin Island here in Ontario, Canada. The setting is an Ojibwa village. Nara embraces her heritage and dreams of opening a School of the Arts to ensure her forefathers traditions, music and handcrafted artistry is not lost for the next generation.
Tokoda has rock n roll and Harley’s in his blood. He loves his family, and is proud to be an Ojibwa, but couldn’t leave the Island fast enough when he came of age, to pursue his dream of being in a band.
Five years later, Tokoda is pulled away from his band; Colt Harley after a boating accident claims both parents’ lives and leaves his three sisters to fend for themselves. He returns to the Island to make sure his sisters’ are situated, fully intending to return to his life on the mainland.
Nara is thrilled to see her teenage crush return home. There is an undeniable chemistry between the two, when the Princess of the Underwater rises up from the lake and a series of incidents throws them both back in time, at opposite sides of the Island...

You’ll have to buy the book to find out what happens next...*wink


What is your favourite film that was based on a book?
The Notebook. It has to be one of the greatest love stories of our generation. No matter how many times I watch this movie, it always makes me tear up at the end.


If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the main characters?
I’ve used the band, Colt Harley in my book.
Steven Van Trans is my vision of Tokoda.






I would like to see Tinsel Korey, who played Emily Young in Twilight, New Moon, as Nara.



Tell us a random fact about yourself.
I have a 90% hearing loss. I do use two hearing aids, but there are some things I simply cannot hear. People with accents are very difficult for me to understand. The plus side, when I hear something I’d rather not...I simply turn them off *wink


Tell us something interesting about the area where you live.
I moved to the big city three years ago after spending most of my life in very small, rural towns. Hamilton, Ontario offers Ghost Walks through many historical buildings believed to be haunted. All have recorded sightings throughout history. http://www.hauntedhamilton.com/ghostwalks/


Thanks for having me Suzy. I’d like to offer an ecopy of my upcoming release, Mystified by Elle Laudan with Passion In Print. Chime in and say hello, Suzy will draw a name to be fair. Good Luck!
My Website: http://adellelaudan.com Elle Laudan Blog: Rated R: http://ellelaudan.blogspot.com Facebook: http://facebook.com/AdelleLaudan Goodreads: http://goodreads.com/AdelleLaudan Twitter: http://twitter.com/AdelleLaudan

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT TO BE IN WITH A CHANCE TO WIN ADELLE'S BOOK!

Author Spotlight: Craig Hallam

5.6.11

I’ve been writing for a few years now, starting with a pair if novels that will never see the light of day. Ever. So don’t ask. They were a real learning curve and after I got over the initial creative splurge, I tackled short stories. With a lot of encouragement (and a kick in the backside) from my wonderful partner, I finally plucked up courage to send them to magazines. The first was accepted to New Horizons (British Fantasy Society) in 2009 and I haven’t stopped writing since. Seeing one of my stories pressed between the pages of a publication is about as close as I get to Nirvana.
While leaning toward the darker side of fiction, I’ll dabble in anything. Although, ‘An Ode to Post-its’ will probably remain the only poem I ever write. I like gothic imagery and Mervyn Peake’s Gormenghast is my idea of perfection. I’m also a sucker for Steampunk and all the fantastic doo-dads and thingumies that come along with it.

My collection of short stories, Not Before Bed, is finally available from Amazon. It’s an accumulation of a few years’ dark fiction. Some funny, some weird. Some published, some new. I’m nervous, but itching to find out if people enjoy it. A few early reviews have been good, but my big head is filling with dust and old furniture rather than being useful.
My real labour of love has been Greaveburn. Written over two years, it’s the first novel that I’m truly happy with. Set in the eponymous fictional city, it’s really about the nature of good and evil; how good people can be driven to madness, how far villains will go for redemption. And, above all that, how the love of one girl can steer different men to new destinies. It’s dark, pretty bleak and even has some Steampunk elements that wrote themselves in without my knowledge.
I hope I’m making this sound good.
So, if you’re a literary agent, there might just be a copy of Greaveburn hidden away in your slush-pile. Do the poor thing a favour will you? Dig it out, wrap a blanket around its shoulders and give it a cup of tea while it waits. It’s had a long, arduous journey.
My next project is a very different beast from Greaveburn. It’s a rip-roaring Steampunk swashbuckler; a collection of adventures taken as snapshots from the main character, Alan Shaw’s life. It has automatons, mechanical tentacles, flying frog-men and alchemists and I’m only a quarter of the way in. I’m starting to worry about what trouble Alan will get into next.
My writing motivation is purely selfish for two reasons. The first is that I love it. I can’t think of anything better than giving myself a bad back hunkered over my laptop all day, thrashing out words. The second is self defence. If I don’t get all these pictures out, I think I might burst. Imagine getting all those cogs and spiders out of the carpet.
My blog, Pseudowriter: http://craighallam.blogspot.com
Not Before Bed Amazon Page: http://tinyurl.com/NBBamzn

Book blogger gives Raven 5 stars!

4.6.11

I'm on cloud nine at the moment... I've just found out that a book blogger has given my YA urban fantasy novel, Raven, 5 stars! Yes you read that right... 5 stars. 5 out of 5!!!
When someone you don't know gives such a fantastic review, it's the most amazing feeling. At first I thought maybe she'd got my book confused with someone else's but having read the review, nope... it's definitely mine!
I'm so happy I could scream!
Check it out...
The Fictional Bookshelf: Raven; Suzy Turner's Debut YA Paranormel Book Review

Guest post: Lisamarie Lamb

4.6.11

I Want My House Back

The title says it all really. I want my house back. I’ve been searching for it for years, but haven’t quite found it yet. 27 Castle Drive. I was happiest there, from the ages of eighteen months to five years. That’s not to say that I wasn’t happy after we moved, it’s just… That house. I loved it. I still love it. I remember every corner, every hiding place, the smell of the carpet, the feeling of the sun in the garden, the rough bark of the apple tree.
When I was twenty-one I realised something. I wasn’t special. Not really. Despite what my parents had always told me, I was not going places. I did well in my GCSEs, failed my A-levels miserably, and still managed to get to university where I graduated with an average 2:1. I got an okay job working for my dad and have been doing that ever since. I married at twenty-two and had my daughter at twenty-nine. I am happy. I am lucky to have what I have. I know that. But I don’t have my house.
So I wrote a book. Writing is my thing, my own thing that I did that makes me different. Perhaps it makes me special. The book took many years to complete, to get to that final edit, but I did it. And the reason? I want my house back. It costs a lot more now than it did almost thirty years ago. But it’s okay – I’ve got a lot more books in me. And anyway, it’s not for sale… But when it is I want to be ready.
27 Castle Drive, I’m coming home.


My book, Mother’s Helper, is available from Lulu as either paperback or eBook (www.lulu.com/spotlight/lisamarie1063) or from Amazon for the Kindle (www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004XTX00Q). In it, a woman is plagued by nightmares and soon begins to sleepwalk during which time she is chased by an unknown and invisible predator. She also begins to see visions which start to make sense of her life, but which she can't bring herself to believe. How can she save herself, and the world, when she doesn't believe the danger is real?

Author Spotlight: Andy Ramus

3.6.11

Andy Ramus, aka 'Wolfgang Ramadeus, writer and drinker', writes under the name of Wolf E. Boy.
When not writing, he's a carpenter involved in anything from converting barns to roof construction, loft conversions, research and development work, boat building, and anything else pretty much that's made with wood.
His writing is simplistic stuff, sticking to what he knows about, so mainly life experiences guide the things produced on the keyboard, be they short stories, blogs, spoken word rhymes/ rants etc. He has a web site, www.wolf-e-boy.com where the pages are a collection of his writing, of a pretty much autobiographical nature of a life lived on the South coast of England, leaving school at 15 and thrust into the world of boat building. From very early on Wolfeeboy was putting pen to paper to maintain for posterity what he considered the more interesting aspects of the world he found himself surrounded by, these would later on be turned into the Shoreham Beach Stories, his first printed effort, which is available to read on his web site in its entirety. Currently Wolfeeboys main outlet for writing is through his blog, 'Blog on 2011' which can be followed on his website, but is also available under 'wolfeeboy' on Wordpress, where you can see the world he inhabits through his words.
Wolfeeboy also has a book published, 'Bangkok to BC', a travellers tale of going around the world, visiting exotic locations, meeting fellow backpackers and friendly locals on the way, trying out all sorts of semi extreme outdoor activities, and no short smattering of 'illicit substances'. One man having a laugh as he travelled the world. Now available in pubs around Shoreham in return for a donation to the RNLI, all proceeds from sales go to charity. It is also available through amazon.com, there is a link at wolf-e-boy.com on the 'Barn and Granary Conversion blog' page.


A no-holds-barred journal of a round-the-world adventure. The backpacker experience is laid bare as 'Wolf E. Boy' recounts his visits to S.E.Asia, Oz, New Zealand, Fiji, the US and Canada.
In this book he writes about the stunning scenery and alien cultures he encounters, along with lively descriptions of boarding in the surf and the snow. These provide the backdrop to a journey well fuelled by drugs and drink, and enlivened by the company of a changing cast of fellow backpackers.
'Wolf E. Boy' writes in the language of the drug scene - crude but colourful - giving a rich flavour of immediacy to this revealing account of his experiences.
The adventure started after the author sold his home in West Sussex, with vague ideas of travelling in Europe. But he somehow managed to walk out of a travel agents with a round-the-world ticket, departure date imminent...
He offers this book to students and other travellers, "or people like myself who just wanted to break free from the shackles of the rat race for a while, and stick two fingers up at the establishment".
Coming from a town steeped in maritime history, (Shoreham by sea in West Sussex, England), Wolfeeboy enjoys a beer, most sports, good books, screaming at politicians or religious nutters on the TV or radio, travel (when poss), good company, and loose women, (also whenever possible!).

Author Spotlight: Peter Empringham

1.6.11


Peter Empringham is an ex-telecoms executive who used redundancy as the catalyst to finally sit down and write that novel. Now (at least mentally) retired, he lives in Bristol with his wife, Jayne, and two children. His novel, The Afternet is at the moment available only on Amazon eBook but will shortly also be published on Smashwords. In his spare time he plays tennis and golf with the oldest people he can find.
The Afternet follows the efforts of two ill-prepared souls to repair the computer running the Heaven and Hell admissions system. The system crash has led to a huge backlog of souls awaiting judgement, and as you would expect, it is generally the Devil who makes work for idle spirits. As the deadline the gods have imposed comes closer, the ‘heroes’ break the rules, break the life/death continuum, and break into the coldstore in the Edgware Road branch of Aldi in their search for a solution. It’s got everything, except, it would seem, a genre. Maybe it is a genre.

Peter now blogs weekly at http://peteremp-theafternet.blogspot.com, and drivels on Twitter @afternetman.

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