Winter Solstice (and pickled eggs).

Lovely UK blogger (Yay! :-D) Jenny of Eternally Books has interviewed me here for her Winter Solstice event, asking about my writing inspirations, and which character of mine I'd love to have dinner with among others. Oh, and I let everyone in on my feelings about pickled eggs! (Bet that's got you all desperate to go and read now *g*). The event has lots of fab posts and giveaways, including winner's choice of one of my books! So why not head on over there and enter, and if you've already got my books (Thank you, and You ROCK!) it could make a great xtra pressie for someone if you win!  :-D

And don't forget you can find out all about Genny's Christmas Holidays and how she celebrates (and who she meets in secret every Christmas Dawn) over at the fantastic Nocturnal Book Reviews.

There's a giveaway of winner's choice of one of my books (int), plus there are lots of other fab authors on Nocturnal Book Reviews Christmas guest list! So why not head on over and check it out. Go on, you know you want to *g*

Interview: Would I choose Malik or Finn? (+ giveaway)

Thank you to everyone for your kind thoughts and emails about Sophie. Mr Mc and I very much appreciate them.

And on to happier things, and some shameless self-promo! (You have been warned :-D)

The Shifting Price of Prey is out soon (Aug 30 if you're in the UK, and if you're not* then the Book Depository do free worldwide delivery :-))

(If you are in the UK and want to buy the print copy it looks like Book Depository.co.uk have it at a better price than Amazon.co.uk though the Kindle version is even lower! Prices are from today so they may change :-))

Here's a sneak peek at chapter one.

And there's a short extract (featuring a certain tricky kelpie *g*) from chapter two over at Rabid Reader's place.

Interview
The lovely Melliane over at Between Dreams and Reality has grilled me about lots including my inspiration for my characters, my favourite book in the series and whether I'd choose Malik or Finn! *g*. And there's a giveaway for winner's choice of one of my books (International where Book Depository deliver. Ends Aug 30). Go here!

Plus don't forget there are Goodreads giveaways for The Sweet Scent of Blood and The Shifting Price of Prey.

Reviews
And here's some snippets from early reviews (I think they like it! Yay! :-))

'I was very impatient to read this book, I really love the Spellcrackers.com series and it’s always a real pleasure to get into a new adventure. [M]any things always happen in the Genny’s life, and this book is the perfect example. It’s a series that is in constant evolution and I think that each book is better than the last one . . . a quest combining intriguing plots, betrayal, love and hope . . . if you want a good Urban Fantasy series, I can recommend this one that will allow you to discover a world full of magic.'

Between Dreams and Reality

'Reading The Shifting Price of Prey, like other books by Suzanne McLeod, reminds me of the many layers of petals on a rose . . . each [peeled petal] revealing another twist or turn in the plot - just enough information to drive Genny forward, until the center of that rose is completely opened and the final event is brought to a close....and then there is this chilling set up for the next book. [A]s fresh and exciting novel as the first, second and third in [the] series. Love it. Can't wait to get to the next one.'

Rabid Reader

‘[F]ast paced action, great prose and of course characters that you love to spend time around . . . Throw into the mix a whole new host of villains backed up with foes of old and all in its been a triumph to sit back and devour. Great stuff.’

Falcata Times

*US Release Date
I've had a reader question  - "I am wondering why there isn't a release date set for the US for the 4th Spellcrackers book" - which I'm going to answer here:

Unfortunately, there isn't a US release date for The Shifting Price of Prey because Ace, who publish books 1 - 3 haven't yet decided whether they will publish any more Spellcrackers books. I am hoping they will as they're a great publisher, and if the 'lady says YES!' then I will run around doing the excited, and somewhat scary to small children and unwary neighbours, author dance update my website and the blog here with the news :-D

But remember if you're jonesing for your next Genny fix then there is always Book Depository.com *g*

Oh, and talking about a certain kelpie I was up in London the other day and got some fab pics of his home, or rather the RAF monument on the Victoria Embankment.  

This one is a close up of the entrance which Genny uses to visit Tavish in The Cold Kiss of Death. :-). 

 

This one is a taken showing the whole monument. :-)

The rest are here on Flickr.

The Rack!

I have been interrogated, err, interviewed on the Rack over at On Fiction Writing here! Where I talk about to agent or not, ebooks and Elmore Leonard's writing rules!

In other (belated) blogging the SuperMoon viewing was a wash out thanks to heavy cloud cover. :-( But I did get a pic the next night (still rather blurry since there was only slightly less heavy cloud cover). What the pic doesn't show, was that the moon was super huge and much closer than usual (obviously, it lived up to its SuperMoon name *g*)

And, just for fun, here's some fox cub cuteness!

Giveaways, faeries and Hawt Guy pics!

Two chances to win your choice of one of my books!

I'm interviewed over at Dangerous Romance - not only that, but the lovely Laurie there asked what Malik and Finn look like, so I spent a long while procrastinating had a quick shifty round the internet searching for pics of Hawt Guys who might fit the bill. So there's a couple of pics up with the interview - along with Laurie's own take on Malik (definitely hawt, and one of my fav actors *fans herself*). Plus you could win your choice of one of my books! So what are you waiting for? Go now! You know you want to! *g*


I'm also over at awesome author Shiloh Walker's place with a short piece about a faerie myth I love, and an extract from The Cold Kiss of Death (if you haven't read it yet!) as part of Shiloh's Grimm Giveaway!

There's other Grimm guests stopping by with excerpts, guest blogs, and prizes every day. So why not check them out? 

Commenting each day over at Shiloh's will enter you for that day’s prize (your choice of one of my books, on my day :-D), and all comments left on the Grimm giveaway posts will be entered to win Shiloh's prize…an angel wing pendant by Luxe Deluxe.

And Shiloh's fab new book - Locked in Silence - is due out on Sept 20!


Dying is hard enough… coming back to life is brutal.


Grimm’s Circle, Book 5

Vanya has been hunting and killing demons ever since one of them scarred her face and killed her sister. Correction—since she was forced to kill the demon possessing her sister.

Then some sort of angel offers her a deal she can’t refuse—that if she becomes one of them, she gets to kill even more demons. Tonight, she’s made that choice. The death she smells on the air will be her own—and she welcomes it.

Silence feels a darkness is looming. Change—something he has every reason not to welcome. The deeply hidden memories that robbed him of his past, of his own name, render him unfit to teach anyone the ways of the Grimm. Yet here he is in the dankest sex club in town, waiting to assume his charge—after he stands by and watches her die.

When Vanya awakes, their complicated, dangerous dance begins. And so does something else—a searing need that blisters along their unexpected mental connection. Silence shouldn’t be drawn to his student, but once they touch, he can’t think of a reason to stop. Even though acting out their darkest desires puts them in more danger than they realize.

Warning: This book contains sex-starved demons, lonely angels, demon-angel sandwiches, blood, violence, death and a happy-ever-after.

**

Oh, and just in case you can't get enough of hearing all about me, me, me . . . *g* then don't forget to check out the grilling I got about Spellcrackers vampires from wonderful Jalisa here over at her Semi-Educational Reviews (among other things) blog! 

Interview about Vampires* in Spellcrackers!

The fabulous Jalisa has interrogated interviewed me about all sorts from what I think makes a good story, to how I developed the Spellcrackers world’s specific vampire lore.

Why not click on over and see what I had to say? Go on, you know you want to! :-D

She's also done a lovely review of The Sweet Scent of Blood here!

*and other things! :-D

My Favorite Things: Interview + Giveaway! (Plus Snippet!)

So, I've been awol on the blog recently. Sorry about that! Partly, I'm hard at work in the Writing Cave, y'know, writing - *g* - which is going pretty well storywise, if I do say so myself :-D.

Plus there's some other stuff going on that's kept me away. So, I also want to say if you're waiting on something from me, and I know a few folk are, I'm very, very sorry, and please, be patient with me. I'm trying to catch up as soon as I can.

Anyway, I'm popping in to say that the lovely Kristin over at My Bookish Ways interviewed me about My Favourite Things - why not head over there and find out how I once had to race a swarm of zombies . . . Eek!

There's a giveaway too! Winner's choice of one of my books (The post says The Cold Kiss of Death, but I'm happy to offer a choice of #1, #2 or #3 :-D)



*And to say sorry in a more substantive way, here's a small snippet from The Shifting Price of Prey! Enjoy! (totally unedited, so please ignore any typos etc. :-))

‘You’re free as a— Oh, wow!’ Katie’s eyes rounded with amazement as she pointed at the park. ‘Look, Genny!’

I looked.

The unicorn was galloping flat out through the park towards us. And ‘wow!’ didn’t begin to cover it. Its copper-coloured coat reflected the last rays of the sunset, its mane streamed behind it in a ripple of verdigris and bronze, and its horn flickered amber and gold like the light inside a dragon’s tear. It radiated pure happiness as it ran and watching it lifted my spirit and made everything seem right with the world. Heart beating joyfully in my chest, I stared transfixed; it was so long since I’d seen it and I hadn’t realised how much I’d missed it. It skidded to a stop the other side of the iron railings, wrinkled its horsy lip and gave a fluting whistle, as if to say ‘over here’ then trotted towards the park gate. Katie jumped off her bike, and before I could grab her, was off running.

Rituals, Interview and Giveaway!

Just a quickie post as I'm in packing and panic mode for leaving early in the morning to go to Tallinn! Eek! Getting ready to go away always stresses me out, however much I try not to let it; I'm always worried about forgetting things, and fitting it all in to the smallest bag possible, and not taking too much, and . . . well, you get the idea *sigh*.

So, I'm interviewed at the fantastic Over The Edge Book Reviews where I reveal something about my latest writing preparation ritual which might surprise you . . . *looks innocent* *g*

And there's a chance for two lucky folk to win a copy of The Cold Kiss of Death! If you've already got your own copy, you can always give it as a gift :-D So why not head on over there and check it out! Closes May 29, 2011.

'Behind the Pen' at The Spinecracker

The fabulous Jessica at The Spinecracker had me answer her great 'Behind the Pen' questions. Why not head on over and find out my biggest pet peeve, and what qualities I like in a man (and a woman *g*)! Plus there's a giveaway of  The Cold Kiss of Death (out April 26 US / out now UK) to one lucky commentator (Int. Ends Monday April 25th at midnight (pst))

Jess at The Spinecracker has also kindly reviewed The Cold Kiss of Death. She liked it! Yay!

Bottom Line: Mcleod comes back with such force in this second book. Her characters still have intrigue, her world remains mysterious, and her plots are diabolical. The Cold Kiss of a Death is a literary trifecta.

Thanks, Jess! You can read the whole review here if you're so inclined :-)

**

And talking of giveaways, the winner of J.A. Campbell's giveaway for a copy of both Westward, Yo! and Range Feud is . . .

Matilda!

Congratulations, Matilda! An email is on it's way to you!

*****

And don't forget this week's celebratory giveaway here on the blog is for winner's choice of one of my books! So go here to enter!

Interview + Giveaway (The Cold Kiss of Death) at My Bookish Ways

I've been interrogated, umm, interviewed over at My Bookish Ways by the fabulous Kristin (who has this beautiful blog header).

Why not hop on over and find out why I love living by the seaside, and whether Kristin forced me with hot pincers ... err, persuaded me to reveal what's in store for Genny in future books.

Oh, and there's a teaser excerpt too :-) Plus there's a GIVEAWAY (Int. Ends 7th March) for  The Cold Kiss of Death #2!So, go on over, you know you want to *g*.  Oh, and there's a teaser excerpt too :-)

But don't forget before you go to leave a comment here telling what your favourite cake/cookie is for a chance to win a brand new UK copy of River Marked by Patricia Briggs (Int. Ends 3rd March).

And there's even more chances to win copies of The Bitter Seed of Magic #3, and The Cold Kiss of Death #2on my blog's sidebar. Go give a leprechaun a kiss for luck and enter. *g*

Interview + Giveaway at Amberkatze's!

I'm over at the fabulous Amberkatze's Book Blog where she's grilled me until I've divulged all sort of writerly secrets ... so why not head on over there ... there's a chance to win a copy of my new book - The Bitter Seed of Magic! - which is officially out* tomorrow: Yay!

*And which has been seen in the wild in Edinburgh and Horsham, plus is already shipping from both The Book Depository and Amazon.co.uk

I tell all to Book Lovers Inc ...

... so why not head over and read all about me. Me. ME!!

Go on, you know you want to! *g* And if you need any more incentive* there's a signed copy of The Sweet Scent of Blood, or The Cold Kiss of Death up for grabs for two lucky commentators!

* Okay, so I'm not that interesting, I know this, but hey, there's *Free Books!*, that's got to be worth something, hasn't it? And you can find out about how my muse copes with my creative pants and what my crit partner, Jaye Wells has to do with it all! Plus there's the Book Lovers: they've got lots more interviews and giveaways lined up, with more exciting folk that me, so you'd be missing out if you don't go ... just sayin' :-)

Fang-filled Interview and giveaway at Vampire Wire

The wonderful Marta Acosta persuaded me to answer all sorts of revealing questions has interviewed me for Vampire Wire. Go here and 'read all about it', and leave a comment for me, or a comment telling us about something magical you like or liked as a kid, to win one of my books*.

Marta is the author of the fang-tastic Casa Dracula series and her fourth, and very sadly, last book in the series, Haunted Honeymoon, is out later this month! And while you're over there, don't forget to scroll down to find out how you can win an ARC of Haunted Honeymoon.

Then there's Marta's GRATUITOUS VIDEOS OF THE DAY featuring my favs Gerard Butler and Alexander Skarsgård *fans herself*, with the fun bonus of Alan Rickman as Snape! Yay! Thank you, Marta!

Vampire Book Club have a poll up for their September group read, and yep, you've guessed it (as if the clue below wasn't big enough *g*!) The Sweet Scent of Blood is one of the possible reads ... Now its got some stiff competition, but hey, if you all go over and vote for me, it could be in with a chance *Bats eyelashes and says, pretty please* :-)

:: Please vote for me! :: Please vote for me! :: Please vote for me! ::

*Winner's choice (includes an ARC of The Bitter Seed of Magic when available). Giveaway is open until September 11, 2010, and is international. See Marta's post for full details.

Horror Reanimated - Scary Interview

I've had the abject terror pleasure of being interviewed at Horror Reanimated by Joseph D'Lacey - author of Meat and Garbage Man - Read all about the horrrrrrific torture wonderful hospitality he offered me, find out *WHO* I nominated for the Sword of the Ultimate Darkness and why my (expensively painted) toenails will never be the same again!