Cookies!

Getting my scary on early!*g*
GingerDead Men and Voodoo Curse Cookies!

Recipe from here (First one that's worked for me; I doubled up on the spice :-))
Cookie cutters from Amazon.com

My Keeper Shelf: Charlaine Harris

This is the brilliant book that started it all!
My original signed copy (I have another, newer one for re-reading :-))
And here's the fab one I've just read!

Every one of Charlaine's books is on my Keeper Shelf (be it physical or digital :-)). She's one of my ALL TIME FAVOURITE AUTHORS, and any story she writes is an autobuy for me. I discovered her Sookie books back in June 2003 through Laurel K Hamilton (who mentioned the Sookie books in an interview), and my love of vampires. As soon as I read the brilliant Dead until Dark I was hooked, and I've been a massive fan every since.

I'm a little sad, for me, that there are no more Sookie adventures to come, but so happy for Sookie that she triumphs in this last one, and that she's got the 'Happy Ending' I think is absolutely perfect for her! And even though Dead Ever After is the last Sookie book*, I know Sookie and all her wonderful friends are at home on my Keeper Shelf any time I need to get me another Sookie fix.

Of course, Sookie's not alone on my Keeper Shelf. Right next to her are Harper Connelly, Aurora Teagarden, and Lily Bard. Charlaine sure knows how to write AWESOME STORIES about AMAZING WOMEN, but then Charlaine is a truly AMAZING WOMAN* herself, so it's no surprise. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next! Thanks so much, Charlaine, for being a true inspiration, and for many, many wonderful reads, re-reads, and future re-reads!


*After Dead: What came next in the World of Sookie Stackhouse

With characters arranged alphabetically—from the Ancient Pythoness to Bethany Zanelli—bestselling author Charlaine Harris takes fans into the future of their favorite residents of Bon Temps and environs. You’ll learn how Michele and Jason’s marriage fared, what happened to Sookie’s cousin Hunter, and whether Tara and JB’s twins grew up to be solid citizens.

This coda provides the answers to your lingering questions—including details of Sookie’s own happily-ever-after…





*I've been super lucky enough to meet Charlaine twice: once in 2010 *HUGE FANGIRL MOMENT*, and again last year at Romantic Times in Chicago (where, along with BFF Paula, we all had a lovely ice-cream tea - with hot tea, of course - Brit here!! *g*), and Charlaine is a lovely, classy, down-to-earth, and very funny lady, who is always a pleasure to squeee at . . . err, to chat to. :-D

Oh, and as to all the horrendous other stuff about the ending of this book . . . well, we authors LOVE our readers and fans, we think YOU ALL ROCK, BIG TIME, and it saddens me no end that there are some folk out there who call themselves 'fans', and think that gives them the right to behave extremely badly. But enough! As Charlaine says here: 'let's go with the love!' (okay, paraphrasing a bit, but you get the picture :-))


Nothing Is Forbidden . . . except guilt

I know, I'm sorry, I've been AWOL for a while, for lots of non-writing/boring reasons :-(.

But I'm popping back in to tell you that my fabulous friend, Kate Eden, has her debut paranormal romances out! Book 1 and 2 of The Murdoch Vampires! Woot!! So why not go check them out! I mean, hawt vampires in cool kilts, what more could any romance reader want? *g*

Book 1 is The Hot Scot!

Logan Murdoch hates complications. All he wants to do is work in his lab and create products to help vampires blend into mortal society. But when his mother begs him to get her painting back from the museum, he discovers a very attractive complication in the form of curator Sydney Worth. She buys his lie that he’s the descendant of the man in the three-hundred-year-old painting, but refuses to give it to him. What’s worse? She’s immune to his mind control.

Sydney couldn’t believe her eyes when the spitting image of the Hot Scot walked into the museum. But her attraction to Logan Murdoch suffers a huge blow when he demands the painting. Losing the piece could threaten her job and she senses Logan is hiding something from her. But this vampire who hates complications and the ambitious curator with trust issues are about to learn the fine art of love.


BUY NOW!


And Rebel Child is book 2!

Raven really doesn’t see what all the fuss is about. All she did was kidnap a mortal and try to sabotage one of the most important developments in the history of the vampire race. For some reason, though, her father, who is the leader of the vampire race, is seriously pissed. He gives her an ultimatum: Spend 200 years in exile or submit to a last ditch crash-course in vampire etiquette.

As the poster boy for upstanding, modern vampires, Callum Murdoch stands for everything the rebellious Raven loathes. He’s also the brother of the man Raven recently targeted. But this very odd couple is about to find out that opposites don’t just attract— they smolder.

BUY NOW!



Happy Book Birthdays!

Happy Book Birthday to two fabulous books by my awesome writerly friends!

Queen of Nowhere (Hidden Empire #5) by Jaine Fenn 

When paranoia is a way of life, trust doesn't come easily. The Sidhe look like us. They live amongst us. What they lack in numbers they make up with their fearsome mental abilities and the considerable physical resources at their disposal. And their biggest advantage? No one believes they exist. 

Almost no one.

Bez, the best hacker in human-space, is fighting a secret war against them. Always one step ahead, never lingering in one place, she's determined to bring them down. But she can't expose the Hidden Empire alone and when the only ally she trusted fails her she must accept help from an unexpected quarter.

Just one misstep, one incorrect assumption, and her Sidhe trap - her life's work - could end in vicious disaster. Worse, if Bez fails then humanity may never have another chance to win free of the manipulative and deadly Sidhe . . .

***
The Trouble with Fate (Mystwalker #1) (UK Edition) by Leigh Evans

WHAT SHE DOESN’T KNOW MIGHT KILL HER: Hedi looks normal. Yet that’s taken effort. Her fellow Starbucks baristas don't see her pointed ears, fae amulet or her dark past, and normal is hard for a half-fae, half-werewolf on the run. Hedi’s life changed ten years ago, when her parents were murdered by unknown assassins. She’s been in hiding with her loopy aunt Lou since, as whatever they wanted she’s determined they won’t get it. 

Things change when wolves capture Lou, forcing Hedi to steal to free her – for if she can offer up a fae amulet like her own they may trade. But it belongs to a rogue werewolf named Robson Trowbridge, who betrayed Hedi on the night of her greatest need. Over forty-eight hours, Hedi will face the weres of Creemore, discover the extent of her fae powers and possibly break her own heart in the process.


Top Ten Vamps, Best Books of 2012, and Future Reading!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas holiday, however you celebrated. Ours was quiet with the family, and Bella the Hound. As you can see she loved her squeaky reindeer, even falling asleep still clutching it; she's such a puppy :-D
I've also been around the internet (despite being quiet in some areas :-))

I'm over at the fab Nudge on Book Geek with my Top Ten Vampires. (And I was good and don't talk about Malik, though, of course, he is my Numero Uno Fang Guy *g*) Bet you can't guess who I chose as my substitute #1?

I'm here at the awesome Wicked Lil Pixie for her 31 Days of Xmas. Find out about my fav holiday food, the weirdest thing I collect (not that weird :-)), and my fav books of 2012. And there's a GIVEAWAY (Int: winner's choice of one of my books)! And there are loads of other fab authors in the event, with giveaways too!

The lovely Melliane at Between Dreams and Reality has both The Bitter Seed of Magic and The Shifting Price of Prey on her Best of 2012 list! *blushes* Huge thanks, Melliane! Plus she's having a GIVEAWAY (Int: winner's choice of any of the books on her list, and there are lots of AWESOME books on the list, so why not check it out?

And wonderful Ellie at Curiosity Killed the Bookworm has The Sweet Scent of Blood on her Best of 2012 list, in some fabulous company. *blushes again* Thanks so much, Ellie!

As for my own Best Books of 2012 - they're all here on my Goodreads. Most are next books in my fav series, or by Authors I Love, and a few are by new, or new-to-me authors that I'll mention here. (Note to self: read more new authors).

The Trouble with Fate by awesome Leigh Evans (out now in the US and releases Jan 3rd in the UK).

My name is Hedi Peacock and I have a secret. I’m not human, and I have the pointy Fae ears and Were inner-bitch to prove it. As fairy tales go, my childhood was damn near perfect, all fur and magic until a werewolf killed my father and the Fae executed my mother. I’ve never forgiven either side. Especially Robson Trowbridge. He was a part-time werewolf, a full-time bastard, and the first and only boy I ever loved. That is, until he became the prime suspect in my father’s death…

Today I’m a half-breed barista working at a fancy coffee house, living with my loopy Aunt Lou and a temperamental amulet named Merry, and wondering where in the world I’m going in life. A pretty normal existence, considering, until a pack of Weres decides to kidnap my aunt and force me to steal another amulet.

I was lucky enough to get an early read of this fab book! Hedi, the heroine is a likeable, light-fingered heroine with smarts; Bridge is a tough, sexy hero with troubles; and there's a glimpse into a fascinating fae world that will have you howling for the next book. I loved it and can't wait for the next one!

***
Elsewhere, Midnight Girl, and Nevernever by Will Shetterly. These are linked novels of the Borderland series, set in Bordertown - A hybrid community of misfits, oddballs and runaways. Where humans, elves and halflings co-exist. Where magic and the brutal realities of survival clash and mix

One of my all time fav books is War for the Oaks by Emma Bull. Reading that lead me to Finder, her novel set in the Borderlands (which has some of the same characters as Will's novels) which is another love. As soon as I read it I wanted more of the Borderlands world, but this was in the olden times when the print books were hard to get hold of here in the UK, before the Rise of the eBook! But now Will's Borderland books (and others) are on Kindle (which is my current e-reader of choice, but not the only one available :-)). #VeryHappyReader

ETA: Books read this year 70+
Currently reading: The wonderful A Tangle of Magicks by Stephanie Burgis - LOVE
***
And here's two books that I'm hugely looking forward to reading in 2013.

Between by Kerry Schafer - out Jan 29 US, and UK (I think)

Vivian Maylor can’t sleep. Maybe it’s because she just broke up with her boyfriend and moved to a new town, or it could be the stress of her new job at the hospital. But perhaps it’s because her dreams have started to bleed through into her waking hours. All of her life Vivian has rejected her mother’s insane ramblings about Dreamworlds for concrete science and fact, until an emergency room patient ranting about dragons spontaneously combusts before her eyes—forcing Viv to consider the idea that her visions of mythical beasts might be real. And when a chance encounter leads her to a man she knows only from her dreams, Vivian finds herself falling into a world that seems strange and familiar all at once—a world where the line between dream and reality is hard to determine, and hard to control…

***
Seven Kinds of Hell (Fangborn series #1) by Dana Cameron - out March 12 US, and UK.

Archaeologist Zoe Miller has been running from a haunting secret her whole life. But when her cousin is abducted by a vicious Russian kidnapper, Zoe is left with only one option: to reveal herself. Unknown to even her closest friends, Zoe is not entirely human. She’s a werewolf and a daughter of the “Fangborn,” a secretive race of werewolves, vampires, and oracles embroiled in an ancient war against evil. To rescue her cousin, Zoe will be forced to renew family ties and pit her own supernatural abilities against the dark and nefarious foe. The hunt brings Zoe to the edge of her limits, and with the fate of humanity and the Fangborn in the balance, life will be decided by an artifact of world-ending power.

***

Me, Mr Mc and Bella are celebrating Hogmanay with shortbread and a wee dram, as always. Hope everyone enjoys their own New Year celebrations and wishing you all a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous 2013!

Sláinte!
 See you next year!

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*

Christmas with Genny!

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*

The New Furry Addition to Our Family.

Me and Mr Mc decided a couple of weeks ago that it was time to look for another Hound. Our last two Hounds were both rescues and were very much loved during the time we were lucky enough to have them with us. So we knew we wanted to find another dog who needed a new home. We looked around online and saw a gorgeous dog called Bella at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in London. After applying and being approved, we high-tailed it up to Battersea last Friday to meet her. She was, and is, as fab as she looked, and she seemed to like us too. So after a couple of hours getting to know her a little, we brought her home with us! Yay!

So this is Bella! She's 2 years old (and is still very puppy'ish :-)) and is a Labrador/German shepherd cross. She's a fantastic girl, loves a cuddle and is very bright (other than when it comes to patio doors not being open; good job she's got a tough head!!) and she knows nearly all her basic commands. We just need to work on her lead handling and her recall, which are always the hard ones. :-) She's settling in well (as you can see below!) and now she's been home a few days she's starting to relax and is treating the house and garden as her territory, rather than just as a new and exciting place to explore :-)

She's looking a tad worried here, but having your picture taken gets you like that sometimes *g*

There are some, or rather, a lot (proud new Hound mum *g*) more pictures of her here on flickr, and a short video below :-).


 

The Next Big Thing Meme

I've been tagged in The Next Big Thing Meme by the lovely Helen Hollick who writes wonderful historical fiction and (Hawt) pirate-based adventures. And since I'm so lucky (eek, sorry for the Kylie earworm . . .), I've also been tagged by the amazing Sarah Pinborough who writes fabulous supernatural stories, fantastic films, and awesome TV stuff (very precise, I know, so check out her website for details :-D)

So, what's the meme about, I hear you ask!
(I have very good hearing ;p)

Well, you're so lucky (cue Kylie again!), because it's all questions about ME!


What is the title of your next book? 
The Hidden Rune of Iron. It’s the fifth book in my Spellcrackers.com series and this one sees Genny Taylor, the main character of the books, looking for an Iron Rune (unsurprisingly, given the title :-D) for more than one reason (no spoilers here!), but the main one is she needs to find the Rune to help her friends.

Where did the idea come from for the book?
It comes from where Genny's story needs to go next after The Shifting Price of Prey. Each of the Spellcrackers books have a complete story that sees Genny dealing with a problem and a ‘baddie’, and with Genny coming up with a way to kill, err, sorry, deal with both the problem and the ‘baddie’. But the series as a whole has an overarching plot that moves on towards a point where Genny will be [redacted for spoiler *g*].  And The Hidden Rune of Iron is the next story towards that point :-D
(Yep, I know, I haven't really told you anything . . . what did you expect? Oh, and baddies aren’t necessarily bad, well, not in their own eyes, anyway. Plus, yesterday's baddie could always be tomorrow’s hero, who can tell . . . other than the author, obviously. Yep, I’m messing with you. *winks*)

What genre does your book fall under?
Urban fantasy.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Hmm, I don't usually picture actors when I write characters and, even when I look for ones that might fit, my internal image of them changes day to day, but here are today's possibles:
Genny – Cassidy Freeman (Sage who made Damon (Woot!) in The Vampire Diaries).
Malik – Jon Foo an English actor and martial artist who starred in Tekken.
Finn – Jensen Ackles (with longer hair, and horns - oops, where did they come from, as here).
Tavish – Ryan Gentles (if he was slightly greener *g*)





Pictures all sourced from the actors' pages on IMDb with thanks.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Genny has to travel to find The Hidden Rune of Iron in order to save her fae friends. (I could say more but, you know, spoilers!)

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
It will be published by Gollancz.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

I’m still writing it but hoping to finish it soon . . .

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Can I say my own? Well, I have now, so . . . if you like the other Spellcrackers books, then I think you’ll love this one (*hints* lots of page time for a certain vamp . . . *g*)

Who or What inspired you to write this book?
My love of all things vamp and fae, and I wanted to find out what happens next with Genny and Co. :-D

What else about your book might pique the reader's interest?
Genny’s going to be coming up against some characters who appeared briefly in previous books, some of whom she gets to know better, and some she doesn't want to *insert evil author cackle*, along with some brand new characters and, of course, she’s going to have to deal with the fallout from The Shifting Price of Prey. Dum dum dum DUM!

And that's enough about me, so here are the other authors tagged by Sarah (first 3) and Helen in their own words (copy and paste is a wonderful thing :-D).

Bill Hussey is an awesome YA author whose grisly Witchfinder series is well worth reading! Kids everywhere love it – adults too. Strange that someone so chirpy can write the death of children so well. That’s probably why I like him.
Jonathan Green is a prolific fiction and non-fiction writer who has covered a range of styles and genres in his time. He’s a steampunk king and a disco diva. I heart him.
Alexandra Sokoloff is a kick ass writer who grabbed my attention with her first novel The Harrowing, and we have been firm friends ever since. She’s blonde and mental in all the best ways. What’s not to like?;-)
Debbie Young : Her new book is Sell Your Book - hints and tips for new writers on how to get your book noticed
David Ebsworth : His novel Jacobites' Apprentice was nominated UK Indie Editor's Choice for the Historical Novel Society Indie Review
Richard Denning : Historical Adventure and Fantasy writer for young adults
Beachy Books : Excellent interactive books for young children - ideal Christmas Gifts!


And here are the lovely authors I've tagged to tell you about their Next Big Thing on the 21st Nov!


Tom Lloyd
Tom's a great pal who writes the epic and glorious Twilight Reign fantasy series, about Isak, a white-eye, who's born bigger, more charismatic and more powerful than normal men… but with that power comes an unpredictable temper and an inner rage.(You can bet there are fireworks, and battles, and all sorts of bloody, gory stuff in these books *g*)

Leigh Evans
My lovely Canadian friend Leigh writes the awesome Mystwalker urban fantasy series about Hedi Peacock. Her first book - The Trouble with Fate - is out at Christmas (US) and New Year (UK). I've read it! It's brilliant! You'll want to read it too!:-D

Elspeth Cooper
The wonderful Elspeth writes the superb fantasy, The Wild Hunt Quartet, with witches, church knights, the Hidden Kingdom, and the Songs of the Earth in which novice Knight Gair can hear music no one else can, beautiful, terrible music: music with power. (And you can bet that doesn't go well for him *g*)

And I tagged Samit Basu, writer of superheroes (such a great writer, damn him!), but someone else nabbed him first! *curses*. His Next Big Thing meme is here!

My thanks to Helen and Sarah for Tagging me.

The Next Big Thing . . . (and a tree!)

I've been tagged (twice!) as part of The Next Big Thing so watch this space next week, but until then why not check out these fab posts by my fellow writers and taggers - aka the amazing Sarah Pinborough, talking about Mayhem and the wonderful Helen Hollick, talking about Ripples in the Sand.


And, for a bit of fun, here's a picture of a tree! And a poll!  

Picture copyright Suzanne McLeod

Which Spellcrackers book does this tree appear in?
  
pollcode.com free polls 

Go on, click a button, you know you want to . . . *g*

Wimborne Literary Festival (Halloween Time Warp edition)

Tomorrow - 1st November at 7.30 pm - I'll be appearing at the Wimborne Literary Festival with my fab pal Jaine Fenn. (Details here!) If you're about we'd love you to come and see us! And since it's Hallowe'en here's a small preview . . . 




NB: The 'management' would like to gratefully thank Jason Momoa for his unofficial participation in this production!

If you're viewing on Google reader think you might need to click through to see the video.

Malik interviewed by Dangerous Romance.

The lovely ladies, Laurie and Sabina, at Dangerous Romance tell the tale of how they came to Spellcrackers London to interview Malik*, asking him questions like, how does he really feel about Genny? Why is he so protective of her? And what does he think about Finn? 

*Malik’s answers were given by ‘him’ (under my close authorial supervision - can't have him giving any spoilers out! *g*), and my own interjections were, of course, my own. Spellcrackers London used by Dangerous Romance with my permission.
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