Thunderclap campaign - I could use some love!

Hi folks!
I'm writing in the hope that you will share the love this month and help me out a little bit. I've just created a new Thunderclap campaign to help promote a free promo I'm having next month for Forever Fredless and I NEED as many supporters as possible to help me reach my goal - actually, I'd love to surpass that goal and reach for the stars. But I can only do that with your help. If you're willing to donate a tweet or a Facebook post (or Tumblr), please click on the link below and show me some love! Thank you so much, folks. You ROCK :D
Donate a tweet for Suzy

My latest book, Stormy Summer, is out now!

I've been keeping a bit quiet lately... mainly because I've been working on something that I actually first wrote in my mid-twenties (which was quite a long time ago lol!). Initially the book was called Molly but that changed recently, not just because it was boring but also because Molly no longer seemed to suit the main character.
When I first wrote the book, I tried to go down the traditional route of getting an agent. This proved harder than I imagined and after a number of rejections (that came with numerous positive comments about it!) and the last straw - one agent said they thoroughly enjoyed it but thought it was a bit too 'Bridget Jones' (!), I decided to give up. So I put the book away and carried on doing what I was doing. Until five years ago when I published my first book, Raven. Since then, I occasionally thought about Molly but she wasn't ready. This year though, she is. I've been working on the book, along with my editor and... drum roll... it's now available on Amazon! I'm very excited about it, because it's quite a bit different from most of my other books (more like Forever Fredless than anything else, really). Stormy Summer is a really fun, light-hearted easy read - perfect for an afternoon lazing on the beach. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my readers enjoy it. Hopefully it will make them laugh, maybe even cry a little bit but above will, will leave them happily satisfied. So here it is, folks. I give you Stormy Summer.......

When Summer Miller is rudely awoken from the best hot 'n' heavy dream she has had in a long time, her day gets progressively worse... until she prangs the car belonging to one of the office's sexiest blokes. One thing leads to another and she soon finds herself dating a man who isn't quite what he seems. When her imagination goes overboard and she thinks he might actually be a 'she', Summer ends up running away to Portugal – straight into the arms of a handsome American stranger...

Available now from Amazon.
Add to Goodreads.

R is for Reading #AtoZChallenge

This year my A to Z Challenge is all about wellbeing - something I'm particularly passionate about. Whether it's physical, emotional, mental, spiritual or even the wellbeing of my business, I want to lean more! Today it's all about Reading :D

I LOVE reading. I always have. It's one of the best ways to relax. To dive into a book, into another world and live the lives of those characters that have developed in your head. It's magical, don't you think? 

I've read thousands of books over the years and my tastes often change - I suppose it depends on my mood too. When I first started getting serious about books, I guess I was about 11 or 12 years old, I would devour everything I could get my hands on - which wasn't easy considering we'd just moved to the Algarve and English books were few and far between. The charity shop was the easiest option. I read every Jilly Cooper novel out there back then and I learned a few things from her (wink, wink). Then I discovered Sweet Valley High, Mills & Moon (lol) and every book my mother and father owned at the time which ranged from Danielle Steel, Michael Korda (Queenie was one of my all time favourites), Jackie Collins (I wanted to be Lucky Santagelo)), Shirley Conran (remember Lace?) to horror books by Dennis Wheatley and Stephen King! Some of my more unusual favourites included Islands in the Sky by Arthur C. Clarke, Z for Zachariah by Robert C O' Brien, A Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood and Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden.

Some of my old favourite reads... most from YEARS ago!!

But then I discovered Chick Lit and I was in my element. I loved the humour, the pathos, the unique quirky characters and ultimately: the love stories. So I read primarily chick lit until another genre presented itself to me: YA. Sigh... I was a grown up but it didn't matter, I just loved the innocence and the fantasy elements of these books targeted at young adults. Harry Potter and Twilight totally won me over. But I never forget my roots and I still find myself reading all manner of genres. Basically I just love a great story, although I prefer a happy ending. I can't be doing with books that'll make me cry my eyes out at the end (unless they're happy tears, of course). I don't mind a bit of sadness in the middle but the end needs to sparkle, which is why I write the books I write. I want my readers to be happy. I want them to close the book and be content with the finale and ultimately I want them to want to read more of my novels! And on that note, have you read any of them? I write YA and chick lit / contemporary romance. Check them out here. A couple of them are FREE you know? ;)

Happy Holidays!

Hi folks! Well, Christmas is nearly upon us and therefore I'll be taking my usual month-long hiatus away from the blogging scene. But I'll be back at the end of January to help spread the word about more awesome books by awesome female authors.
I hope you all have the most amazing festive season - have fun, be joyous and relaxed during this wonderful time of the year and help spread warmth and love to everyone around you. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
I'll leave you with the books I released this year...

The Raven Saga and The Morgan Sisters are now available as ebook boxed sets. If you have friends or family who love Harry Potter, then these sets are perfect for you (or so I've been told)! If you click on The Morgan Sisters link on December 26th and 27th, you'll get it for FREE!!

The Morgan Sisters

Books 1-4 of The Morgan Sisters

THE GHOST OF JOSIAH GRIMSHAW

Adopted sisters Lana Beth and Emma Jane are polar opposites, but when the same strange 'tattoo' suddenly appears and winds its way up their bodies within days of each other, they soon realize there's more to their relationship than they could ever have imagined.
Sent off to London for two weeks of 'work experience', the Morgan Sisters soon find themselves being initiated into the ancient Praxos Foundation, one that protects the innocent while fighting evil, both human and supernatural.
At the same time, Lana Beth and Emma Jane must also investigate why the sweet but sometimes pesky ghost of Josiah Grimshaw just won't leave them alone.

DAISY MADIGAN'S PARADISE

When tragedy falls upon 15 year old Daisy Madigan, she escapes to the only place she feels safe, the cemetery of Abney Park. There, in the company of the dearly departed, she realizes she is changing, growing stronger and faster by the day. But in the darkness lurks a terror even she can't imagine facing.

THE TEMPORAL STONE

It's been a couple of months since Emma and Lana entered the Praxos Academy and life has been hectic ever since. What with regular A level classes combined with learning all about the supernatural world, control classes, self defence and fight night, the girls are constantly busy.
But when their world seems to stop right in front of them, they and their fellow Watchers, have a huge mystery to solve. A mystery which will lead them on a long road trip across south west England where they will meet all kinds of strange creatures, some intent on causing harm and others desperate to put a stop to the problem.

LOOKING FOR LUCY JO

It's their first Christmas since entering the Praxos Academy and 16-year-old sisters Lana Beth and Emma Jane Morgan are looking forward to some serious R&R. But when their little sister mysteriously disappears from her bed on Christmas Eve, all thoughts of fun disappear with her. Emma and Lana must do everything in their power to locate her and bring her home safely. Easier said than done, they are forced to go on yet another journey, this time taking them out to the murky depths of the North Sea as well as to the far reaches of southern Portugal.

˃˃˃ "I would go so far as to say that this could be the beginnings of a series as good as those by J.K. Rowling!"
˃˃˃ "I loved the bad guys, the graveyard antics, the talking dead, the superpowers of the kick-a** ninja chicks, and the rite of initiation the sisters go through"

The Raven Saga

Books 1-3 of The Raven Saga

RAVEN

After the inexplicable disappearance of Lilly Taylor's parents, she has no choice but to move to Canada where she unravels some frightening yet intriguing family secrets...
Her whole life had been based on a lie. Lilly had grown up in a loveless home with a father who she had barely ever seen and a mother who was... well, not very motherly.
After they mysteriously disappear without a trace, Lilly is sent to Canada where she finds a whole new way of life. A life filled with love and people who care for her. But that's not all she discovers, Lilly also finds out that she isn't who, or what, she thinks she is.
Lilly has a very special ability and it's just a matter of time before her true self starts to shine. And when it does, her life will never be the same again.
Raven is a fantasy novel for children and young adults set in the beautiful province of British Columbia.

DECEMBER MOON

On her 15th birthday, December Moon discovers she is the descendant of a family of witches, kept in the dark her entire life in an effort to protect her. But when Lilly, her best friend, finds herself in danger from one of the world's most evil vampires, December will do everything in her power to stop him. December Moon is a fantasy novel for children and young adults set in BC, Canada.

THE LOST SOUL

December and Lilly have got their work cut out for them. Not only are they desperately trying to figure out the identity of the Lost Soul, and track him down, they've also got to investigate why Powell River's newest resident has got all of their men falling at her feet.
But when they learn that the Nephilim might be involved, it becomes clear that they're all in extreme danger...

And Then There Was You

This story took me by complete surprise this summer. I'd had no plans to write such a book. The idea just came and stayed with me for about a week and it just wouldn't let me go so I started writing in my little summer house. And I was like a writing monster for a week. Yes, that's all it took to write this novel (well, the first draft anyway). Less than seven days.
Well, here it is...

Three years ago, Eve Brooke had the most passionate, memorable night of her life. Unfortunately, it was with a man who wasn't her husband.
Can infidelity be forgotten? Not when her one night stand moves in next door, it can’t.
Eve has a pretty good life. She’s married to Matt, her childhood sweetheart, has an interesting career and lives in a nice house in the suburbs. If life is so perfect why did Eve sleep with a complete stranger during a trip to London? And why, three years later did he have to move in next door with his beautiful wife? As the attraction between them flares up again, Eve begins to question her marriage and wonders if it is fate or coincidence that has brought them back together…

Amazon

Goodreads

Looking for Lucy Jo

Looking for Lucy Jo
Series: The Morgan Sisters
Release Date: September 20th
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
It's their first Christmas since entering the Praxos Academy and 16-year-old sisters Lana Beth and Emma Jane Morgan are looking forward to some serious R&R. But when their little sister mysteriously disappears from her bed on Christmas Eve, all thoughts of fun disappear with her. Emma and Lana must do everything in their power to locate her and bring her home safely. Easier said than done, they are forced to go on yet another journey, this time taking them out to the murky depths of the North Sea as well as to the far reaches of southern Portugal.

Amazon US
Amazon UK
Smashwords
ibooks
Kobo

About the author

Although Suzy is a Yorkshire lass at heart, she left her home town of Rotherham, UK, to move to Portugal with her family when she was ten. The Algarve continues to be her home, where she lives with her childhood sweetheart, Michael, two neurotic dogs and a cat who thinks she's a princess.

Shortly after completing her studies, Suzy was offered the position of trainee journalist for a local English newspaper. Her love of writing developed and a few years later she moved on to become assistant editor for the region's largest English language publisher. Since then she has also worked as the editor of one of the Algarve's most loved monthly lifestyle magazines. Early in 2010 however, Suzy began working as a full time author. She has since written several books: Raven, December Moon, The Lost Soul (The Raven Saga), Daisy Madigan's Paradise, The Ghost of Josiah Grimshaw, The Temporal Stone (The Morgan Sisters) and Forever Fredless.

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About Suzy

Although Suzy is a Yorkshire lass at heart, she left her home town of Rotherham, UK, to move to Portugal with her family when she was ten. The Algarve continues to be her home, where she lives with her childhood sweetheart, Michael, two neurotic dogs and a cat who thinks she's a princess.
Shortly after completing her studies, Suzy was offered the position of trainee journalist for a local English newspaper. Her love of writing developed and a few years later she moved on to become assistant editor for the region's largest English language publisher. Since then she has also worked as the editor of one of the Algarve's most loved monthly lifestyle magazines. Early in 2010 however, Suzy began working as a full time author. She has since written several books: Raven, December Moon, The Lost Soul (The Raven Saga), Daisy Madigan's Paradise, The Ghost of Josiah Grimshaw, The Temporal Stone, Looking for Lucy Jo (The Morgan Sisters), Forever Fredless and And Then There Was You (for adults only!).

Website: www.suzyturner.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/suzyturner
Facebook: www.facebook.com/suzyturnerbooks
Facebook Romance: http://www.facebook.com/suzyturnerromance
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/suzy_turner
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/suzyturnerbooks
YA Blog: http://www.suzyturner.blogspot.com
Chick Lit Blog: http://www.fictiondreams.com

Why I write what I write

When I first started writing, I didn't really know that I would end up specialising in books that would appeal to all age groups. In principle, I was writing for myself. Writing what I loved to read – books that aren't full of swearing, sex and unnecessary violence (okay, the Raven Saga does have a little fighting vampires but I did keep it to a minimum without realising it).

Is that really necessary?
I'm not the kind of person that enjoys hearing curse words all the time. Yes, occasionally I do swear. Of course I do. I wouldn't be human if I didn't. Well, not really. So when it comes up so much in the movies, it makes me cringe. I have a line that I use a lot (it drives my husband crazy – especially if I use it when he's driving too fast)... 'Is that really necessary?' I find myself thinking it all the time when I'm watching something too violent, with too much effing this and blinding that in it. The same thing applies to certain sex scenes. If a scene requires sex in it, I won't want it to be blatantly shoved in my face. I want to leave something to the imagination. Don't you? Maybe it's because I do have such a vivid imagination? I dunno. Perhaps other people need it to be shoved in their faces?
I'm not such a prude that I'll stop watching – if it's a great TV series, book or movie, then fine. I can put up with it. Game of Thrones, for instance, is one of my favourites – but when they have all those really intense sex scenes.... WOAH! Calma... people.... Calma. It's just OTT. It's not really necessary. I can understand most of the violence in that show, but the sex? Nah...just cut it back a bit... please. After all, kids do watch it. Even if they're not supposed to, I guarantee that they are.
Speaking of kids, they are my target market. Especially for my YA books. That's what YA means, after all – Young Adults. And I reckon that's anyone from age 10 ish, right? And, like I mentioned before, I want my books to be read by ALL age groups. A mother and daughter could sit and read any of my books together and not be embarrassed or shocked by the content. Even my chick lit book, Forever Fredless, has broader appeal because of this very reason. There is a 'near' sex scene and very little swearing, so it's ideal for a young teen who wants to start reading chick lit without being chastised by her parents by her choice of reading.

Warm and fuzzy

When I choose to read a book, I want to be left feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. I want to be entertained, to be taken to another world (whether it's to a fantasy land or just inside the mind of someone else), I want the ending to leave me feeling like I've been enchanted. And that's exactly what I want my books to make readers feel. When I read reviews that tell me a reader felt this way, that makes me go all warm and fuzzy inside too. And that is the best feeling in the world (apart from the feeling I get when my husband gives me a warm and loving hug – but it's a close second!).
Naturally, ultimately I want to sell books and if I can reach a wide audience by appealing to more age groups, then I reckon I'm doing something right.

I'm not, and never will be, E.L James

I can't imagine writing something so deep in the world of S&M and sexual mind games! It's just not me or my cup of tea. I tried to read the book but it left me feeling somewhat disappointed, so I gave up. Kudos to her though – I think it's astounding what she has achieved and I think she's amazing for doing that. I'm more of a J.K Rowling myself though ;)
I have been convinced by a fellow author to try and read some erotic chick lit, which I plan on doing, just to see what all the fuss is about, but I know it's not something I want to write myself, not even under a pseudonym.

Dilemma

So even though I want my books to appeal to all ages, I do have a little bit of a dilemma at the moment because my next chick lit book (which I've been kind of planning for a while now), is set in a sex shop. I know, it kind of complicates things a little. However, if I write like I wrote Forever Fredless, then it should still be okay for younger audiences – but perhaps not as young as ten! I guess it depends on how open minded the child's parents are lol. The premise for the book is really quite fun and I don't intend to have any sex scenes in it – it's purely set within a shop that just happens to sell sexy stuff. What do you think? Bearing in mind that I've never marketed my chick lit book to children – I've just been told by readers that it would appeal to teens too. Hm? Something to think about, anyway!

Merry Christmas! Here's a gift for you :)

Well Christmas is almost upon us and so I'm going to take a holiday from blogging for a few weeks. Eeeeek, I'm so excited!! My hubby and I are taking a road trip through parts of England, visiting friends and family. Unfortunately we can't visit as many people as we'd like because time is limited but we're squeezing in as many as possible. It's going to be lots of fun. However, this means I'll have very limited access to internet, therefore I wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Very Happy Year!
Thank you for being so incredibly supportive this year, it's been truly wonderful to have been involved with so many awesome authors, readers, bloggers, online pals, etc! I'm really looking forward to continuing on this journey with you in 2014.

In the meantime, I'd like to give you a gift of my chick lit novel, Forever Fredless, which you can download for FREE using this coupon code - VC65X - which will expire on 14th January 2014. Feel free to share it with your friends! Enjoy!

Happy Holidays everyone! :)

Lots of love and hugs from Suzy Turner

xxxx

More great reviews for Forever Fredless! YAY!

I'm absolutely delighted to find yet another amazing review for my latest book, Forever Fredless, on Amazon today!!

Here's what people have been saying:

'I'm not usually drawn to YA romances but I wanted to get something for my Seventeen year old daughter for Christmas. I had heard about Suzy's books and I decided to read one. I was pleasantly surprised. Kate, the heroine isn't a dreamy eyed girl waiting for her night in shining armor. She has a career, a good head on her shoulders and is even funny. It's nice to see that the author has evolved a bit the YA chic lit stereotypes bringing the genre into this century. I enjoyed it and think teens and preteens will too! I will pick up another one of Turner's books especially the one featuring homelessness in its platform. I like how the author finds a way to incorporate issues that we shouldn't forget about in our mundane lives especially during the holidays.'

'I don't usually read chick lit books because I consider them sappy, where most times the heroine spends the entire time whining about the man she can't get. But nope, not this one! Kate is a wonderful main character. She is strong, independent and not moping around for her long-lost man. She has a great life with a rewarding career and devoted friends, and suddenly, out of the blue, a huge inheritence from a long-lost uncle she never really knew. Yes, her Fred from her memories is always with her, but the book is mostly about her relationships with her friends, the people and men she meets along the way, not to mention how in the world she is going to handle her new-found riches. Kate is a loveable character, and she and her friends have just the relationship any woman would want to be a part of. They are all so much fun, as is this book. A wonderfully fun, light, happy read. Just what chick lit should be!'

'I must start this review by stating that this is an absolutely Magnificent book.Right from the first page I was enveloped in such a good feeling that I did not want to stop reading.Kate was only 12 when she met her soulmate on holiday with her parents. The problem was, she never got the chance to talk to him and find out his name. Fast foreword almost twenty years and he is still on her mind. Kate's story is a whirlwind of the most unimaginable occurrences and it is a Must read.Such a lovely story, it is a true feel good book that I highly recommend to all lovers of pure literature.Brava to Suzy Turner who not only writes with the ease of a natural storyteller but delivers what every reader hopes for, a story that satisfies mind,body and soul.'

'This tale is so delightful. It is unlike any novel I have ever read, and despite me loving the cover to bits, it in no way gives you a true sense of the work's interior. The style this is written in is such a feel good vibe, that even when our main character trips over a briefcase and brains herself to the point of bleeding and hospitalization, the net result is you end up laughing your head off at her misfortune. There is something very 'Bridget Jones'-ish about this novel. It has the the same happy go lucky 'a series of unfortunate debacles and situations', all while being told in such a funny way that you are not feeling down or worried or stressed, instead her misfortune is your opportunity to have a good giggle.Suzy Turner usually writes Ya novels, and I've read them. They are dark and intense bites of paranormal adventure, so this little treasure is a delightful surprise, and I urge Turner to continue writing chick-lit like this because if she does she'll be hailed as the next Helen Fielding of our time.'

'This is a nice, cozy read - just what you would expect from a light romantic comedy. If I haven't rated it five stars, it's only because of a small technical matter: I am certain that Suzy Turner's next book will be even better. Because "Forever Fredless", with its light irony and a very contemporary young woman as a main character, is a total break from the past - Suzy Turner has found the genre that suits her best, there is no doubt about that. She should be congratulated for having had the courage to change genre, it's both a big step forward and a huge challenge in an author's career. But now, in future, her books will need to be, as it were, fine-tuned. For example, there is not quite the suspense level you might want in this one. I would have liked to see her protagonist suffer more, perhaps being stalked by a true villain so that my pulse would start racing.
On the other hand, Suzy Turner's talent shows through in the writing, and there is no question that she has crafted a highly likeable protagonist. You are going to find yourself rooting for her and hoping that she will eventually find true love and happiness. Whether she does or not, I won't give away here! But be sure that this is a fun read, and I recommend it.'

Feel like reading it yourself? Here are the links:

Amazon US

Amazon UK

iBooks

Kobo Books

Barnes & Noble

Indie Life: My hectic month

YAY! It's time for Indie Life! I missed it last month - I got so distracted with everything else that's been going on (and there has been a HECK of a lot going on, I can tell you!), and that's why I'm here today. To let you know all my wonderful news...

Firstly, I created a brand new blog for women's fiction (www.fictiondreams.com) and it's been going absolutely MAD since day one! I have been inundated with requests to appear on the blog, I have introduced a new member of the team (Eloise Walton), we have interviewed some of the most amazing authors out there including Joanne Harris... yes, THE Joanne Harris, author of Chocolat! We've had Mandy Baggot, Paige Toon, Suzie Tullett, Jinx Schwartz, oh so many! I've even been in touch with Gena Showalter who has answered a few questions which will be posted in a few weeks from now.
If you're interested in being featured on the blog, just email me at suzyturnerbooks (hotmail[dot]com) but please note that we're pretty full up until the new year already (I will be taking 3 weeks off over Christmas YAY!)

Secondly, I joined a fabulous bunch of vampire novelists and we launched Darlings of Darkness, a vampire anthology that has gone off with a bang! Seriously, within a week or so of going #FREE, it jumped to the top of the charts. How awesome is that? Here's some info about Darlings of Darkness.

Thirdly, I joined an amazing group of YA authors called the Society of YA Storytellers. Check them out here.

And last, and by no means least... I released my seventh book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY!!! It's my very first chick lit novel (which has always been my first love, I just adore reading chick lit so it just seemed like a natural progression to write it!). It's called Forever Fredless. Here's the cover and synopsis:

Kate Robinson has spent the past two decades yearning to find her soul mate, the boy she found and then lost during a family holiday.
Shortly after her twenty-eighth birthday, however, she inherits a fortune from an old family friend and becomes something of an overnight celebrity. Can her new-found fame lead her to him after all this time?

Do you love it?
It's already been receiving some amazing attention too, which has almost given me a permanent grin. Here's what some readers have said:

"I'm not really one for none paranormal books but I loved this book and didn't want it to end , I was so wrapped up in forever needless at one point I forgot it was a story :) so well written and the characters are great .I want to be Kate :) well done suzy for another outstanding book"

"I don't usually read chick lit books because I consider them sappy, where most times the heroine spends the entire time whining about the man she can't get. But nope, not this one! Kate is a wonderful main character. She is strong, independent and not moping around for her long-lost man. She has a great life with a rewarding career and devoted friends, and suddenly, out of the blue, a huge inheritence from a long-lost uncle she never really knew. Yes, her Fred from her memories is always with her, but the book is mostly about her relationships with her friends, the people and men she meets along the way, not to mention how in the world she is going to handle her new-found riches. Kate is a loveable character, and she and her friends have just the relationship any woman would want to be a part of. They are all so much fun, as is this book. A wonderfully fun, light, happy read. Just what chick lit should be!""Suzy Turner you have found your calling. More of this please! You have made a die hard fan!!If you want a fun romance read, which is a bit dramatic, this is the book you should read! If you loved Helen Fielding's books (like Bridget Jones' Diary, and Oliver Joules and The Overactive Imagination) then you will definitely LOVE Forever Fredless.
There is no nitty gritty adult stuff in here, so it's safe for even teens to read. It was just lovely! I highly recommend this novel to everyone! (and I think I will recommend it to my book club!)"

Add to your Goodreads TBR

Amazon

Smashwords

Kobo

(more coming soon)

I think that's about it... but it's difficult to say because my brain is now like scrambled eggs. I seriously don't know if I'm coming or going! But, as always, I LOVE to hear from you folks so do leave me a comment or shout out on twitter or facebook. I do like to chat!! Until next month, Indie Lifers :D

Indie Author Series: To Free Or Not To Free

I'm a huge believer in giving away ebooks for free. In fact I credit this marketing ploy with making The Raven Saga such a bestseller in the first place.

When I first started on this journey to become an indie author, it was tough, really tough, to get myself out there and find the readers I craved. However, after reading up on marketing tactics and so on, I figured I'd try the old 'loss leader' approach by giving away the first book in the series. Since then Raven has been downloaded probably well over 100,000 times! Cool huh?
Unfortunately, this hasn't had the same effect on my second series when I made both the novella (Daisy Madigan's Paradise) and the first full length book in the series (The Ghost of Josiah Grimshaw) free. Although downloads are constant, they're nowhere near as many as for Raven. Its tough to know what to do next. I do have some ideas up my sleeve but work is so hectic at the moment, it's difficult to find the time to dedicate the right amount of time to everything! When I talk about work, I'm talking about writing, promoting my books AND blogging. Since creating my women's fiction blog, Fiction Dreams, I've barely had time to think!
It's becoming hugely popular what with my exclusive interviews with some of the top female authors out there including Joanne Harris, Paige Toon, Mangy Baggot, Amanda Egan, Jinx Schwartz, Lois Winston, etc. I've even got one with Gena Showalter soon!!!
I've also just launched my very first chick lit novel, Forever Fredless! Eeeeeeekkkkkk! But on that soon :)
In the meantime, pop on over to my colleagues at the Indie Author Club and find out what they think about going down the 'free' route!

1. Laura A. H. Elliott 

2. T. R. Graves, Author of The Warrior Series
3. Suzy Turner, author of The Raven Saga 

4. Rachel Coles, author of Into The Ruins, geek mom blog
5. Gwenn Wright, author of Filter 

6. Liz Long | Just another writer on the loose.
7. Ella James 

8. Maureen Murrish
9. YA Sci Fi Author's Ramblings 

10. A Little Bit of R&R
11. Melissa Pearl 

12. Terah Edun - YA Fantasy
13. Author Cindy C Bennett

Forever Fredless Cover Reveal YAY!!!

I'm absolutely and utterly OVER THE MOON with my newest cover, designed and produced by the awesome Ravven. Forever Fredless is my very first chick lit / new adult novel. It has taken me about twelve years to get it done. Not that I've spent that long writing it, of course. It was just whenever I was in the mood. I must admit, I'm chuffed to bits to have finally completed it though. Currently, its with beta readers and I've already had feedback from a couple of them who loved it YAY!!! Anyway, here it is... do you like it?

Kate Robinson has spent the past two decades yearning to find her soul mate, the boy she found and then lost during a family holiday.
Shortly after her twenty-eighth birthday, however, she inherits a fortune from an old family friend and becomes something of an overnight celebrity. Can her new-found fame lead her to him after all this time?

Forever Fredless will be available from online bookstores from October 2013

#AtoZChallenge: F is for Forever Fredless

F is for Forever Fredless

Huh? I hear you say. Yes, it's a strange title, I know. But it's the title of a book I've been writing for well, years. It's a change from my usual YA books, this being in the chick lit genre. I grew up reading chick lit. Loved it. Learned a lot from it (if you know what I mean?!). Jilly Cooper, Jackie Collins, Harold Robbins, Danielle Steele... I read them all from around the age of 12. An eye opener, I can tell you.
Anyway, back to Forever Fredless, I started writing it about 8 or 9 years ago. Needless to say, I've been distracted so many times that I've never got round to finishing it. I was supposed to get it done before Christmas... oh well, perhaps next Christmas?
So what's it about? Well, here's a brief description to whet your appetite:

Kate met, and lost, her soulmate when she was just a child. Will she ever find him? Or will she be, forever, Fredless?
Aged ten years old, Kate stumbles upon the most beautiful boy she has ever seen, but she is whisked away by her parents before she gets the chance to meet him. Years later, she continues to compare all potential mates to the boy she dubbed Fred, but no-one comes close. Except a handsome stranger with whom she has a disastrous one night stand. So bad in fact that she decides she must move on with her life and forget about her soulmate. But when she becomes the heiress to a massive fortune and her story is plastered all over the tabloids, all kinds of characters come forward claiming to be the boy she loved and lost. Will she find him? Or will she be, Forever Fredless?
What do you think? Intrigued? What do you think of the potential cover? This is the first time I've shown it to anyone!
Don't forget to download Raven FREE right here, and Daisy Madigan's Paradise, also FREE right here.

#YAIndieCarnival: Round Robin/WIPs

This week, many of my fellow YA Indie Carnis are hosting a special Round Robin of short stories that has been going in and out of their inboxes for the past few weeks. Sadly, due to prior work commitments, I was unable to take part so instead I am going to post an excerpt of my WIP. It's not YA Urban Fantasy but Chick Lit. This is by no means finished, it has yet to be completed and yet to be edited and proofread so do bear with me if you spot any awful errors!!
The novel is entitled Forever Fredless. Deep breath... so here goes...

Forever Fredless: an (as yet unedited) excerpt

Standing perfectly still, I watched how they danced all around me, arms and legs flinging around like puppets dressed in high top trainers, faded jeans and over sized brightly coloured T-shirts. Their parents stood some distance from the dance floor., chatting, drinking and taking photos of their beloved children.

But I couldn't stand still for long. The moment the next song began, a giggle burst from my lips and I jumped upwards, fists banging an imaginary ceiling above my head. As the music began to speed up, I began to join in the fun.
Singing along and dancing to the tones of Right Said Fred's I'm Too Sexy, I felt something gently brush up against my back. When I turned around, I lost my breath as butterflies exploded from deep within my stomach. The most beautiful boy stared back at me. His eyes were deep blue and his jet black hair brushed just above his slim shoulders, while his high cheekbones were flushed a deep pink.
It was as though all the other kids disappeared in that very second. It was just the two of us, standing still, silently staring into each other’s eyes. I felt ever so slightly giddy and light headed that my face flushed every shade of pink, but I just couldn’t look away. My body felt as if it would to melt into the floor at any moment. Even now, twenty years later, that moment continues to be the most overwhelming experience of my life.
Suddenly life fast forwarded again as my dad appeared out of nowhere. Grabbing my hand, he gently pulled me away from the dance floor, “come on sweetheart, it’s time to go. Your mum’s waiting for us outside”.
As we reached the exit, I pulled my hand from his and turned to look back but the boy had vanished. The song had changed and kids were now dancing around to the sounds of Snap's Rhythm Is A Dancer. It had been one of my favourite songs at the time but it was soon replaced by another. One I would never forget: I'm Too Sexy.
I scanned the crowd, but the boy was no longer there. I stood still, looking to see if he'd found someone else to dance with but I couldn't see him anywhere. My dad grasped hold of my hand again and tugged me gently. "Come on," he said above the thud of the music.

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Mum stood outside in the drizzle, puffing away on a cigarette, “darling you were fantastic. My lovely little dancing Kate”, she whispered as she bent down and hugged me and kissed my cheek. I could smell tobacco and alcohol on her breath. She must have had another fight with dad. Arguments were pretty much the norm in those days but I tried to block them from memory. I’d rather remember all the fun times we’d had together. Although looking back now; they were pretty few and far between. I should have known at the time what was about to happen. Mind you, I was only eight. A mature eight but still, I shouldn’t have had to worry about things like that.
“You two wait here, I’ll just pop round and fetch the car. Just hold on a minute. I’ll be right back”, dad said in a poor attempt to sound cheerful.
Moments later, the car drove up beside us and I climbed into the back seat. Just as mum slammed her door, I looked out of the window and there he was, standing by the side of our faded red Peugeot as the engine chugged into motion. He was staring at me with such a sad expression on his face with a flower in his hand. He must have disappeared outdoors to go and pick one for me. Glancing from his eyes down to his hands, I saw that it was a bright yellow daffodil.
The car began to lurch forward, so I climbed onto my knees, turned around and looked out of the rear window. I could feel my eyes welling up with tears. I pushed my hand against the glass and a single tear slid slowly down my face. He held up his hand and casually rubbed his eye, as if he was rubbing away a tear, too. Our eyes locked on each other’s just for a moment, until the car turned the corner, and he was gone. Out of my life.

For the Round Robin and possibly other excerpts of WIPs, check out my awesome fellow carnis...
1. Laura A. H. Elliott author of Winnemucca & 13 on Halloween, Book 1 in the Teen Halloween Series

2. Bryna Butler, author Midnight Guardian series
3. Heather Self

4. T. R. Graves, Author of The Warrior Series
5. Suzy Turner, author of The Raven Saga 

6. Cheri Schmidt, author of the Fateful Trilogy
7. Rachel Coles, author of Into The Ruins, geek mom blog 

8. K. C. Blake, author of Vampires Rule and Crushed
9. Patti Larsen, The Hunted series and The Hayle Coven series 

10. Amy Maurer Jones, Author of The Soul Quest Trilogy
11. Fisher Amelie, author of The Understorey

12. Gwenn Wright, author of Filter  

13. Melissa Pearl, Author of The Time Spirit Trilogy
14. Heather M. White, author of The Destiny Saga

15. Courtney Cole Writes
16. Liz Long | Just another writer on the loose.

17. Ella James
18. Maureen Murrish

19. Valerie Sloan
20. YA Sci Fi Author's Ramblings

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