OUT NOW: When Darkness Falls

I'm absolutely thrilled to bits to be among some amazing authors with the launch of When Darkness Falls - six amazing paranormal ebooks for the measly price of just 99 cents!! How cool is that?! So what are you waiting for? Go check it out and grab your copy now!

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Six paranormal novels from six bestselling authors who know how to weave a gripping fantasy tale. From brooding vampires, ghosts and witches, to fallen angels, shifters and fae. Be enchanted with dark romances and sweeping adventures to take you away from the everyday.

HIDDEN (Marchwood Vampire Series) by Shalini Boland
Now an international bestseller. Fans of Twilight and Interview with the Vampire will enjoy this paranormal adventure that spans the centuries. On her sixteenth birthday, Madison Greene inherits a huge mansion house… but the house hides a secret. Eighteen-year-old Alexandre lives in 19th century Paris. Spoilt and bored, he longs for adventure, but he should be careful what he wishes for. Madison and Alexandre’s lives are about to collide. Falling in love has never been so dangerous . . .

Mary Hades by Sarah Dalton
Not many seventeen year old girls have a best friend who’s a ghost, but then Mary Hades isn’t your average teenager. Scarred physically and mentally from a fire, a holiday in an idyllic village may help her recover. Little does she know, evil lurks in the campsite… Seth Lockwood—a local fairground worker with a dark secret—might be the key to uncovering the village’s murky history. But Mary is drawn to him in a way that has her questioning her judgement. A spine-tingling romantic tale, to shock and entertain in equal measure.

The Forever Girl by Rebecca Hamilton
Now optioned for film, this riveting novel will appeal to lovers of paranormal romance, urban fantasy and paranormal horror. At twenty-two, practicing Wiccan Sophia Parsons is scratching out a living waiting tables. She can imagine lots of ways to improve her life, but she'd settle for getting rid of the buzzing noise in her head. When the spell she casts goes wrong, the static turns into voices. Her personal demons get company, and the newcomers are dangerous . . .

The Forgotten Ones by Laura Howard
Allison O'Malley's plan is to get a good job and take care of her schizophrenic mother. She has even closed herself off from a relationship with Ethan, who she's been in love with forever. But then her father shows up, telling her about a long forgotten Irish people, the Tuatha de Danaan. Truths have a way of revealing themselves. Secrets will eventually surface. And Allison must learn to set aside her plan and work with her father if there is even a small chance it could restore her mother's sanity.

Paradox – The Angels Are Here by Patti Roberts
Two mysterious strangers arrive just in time to help a little girl, Grace Connors, as she struggles to cope with the death of her father. But are the intentions of these strangers as innocent as they seem, or is there something else on their agenda? A story that will leave you asking... Who, When, Where? WHAT! My name is Juliette. Nine hundred years ago, I died. Today, I am alive... This is my story.

Raven by Suzy Turner
Lilly’s whole life has been based on a lie. She grew up in a loveless home with a father she barely saw and a mother who was... well, not very motherly. After her parents mysteriously disappear, 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. For 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.

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Armchair BEA: HUGE Giveaway

Giveaway

I am absolutely ecstatic to announce a FABULOUS giveaway today. I approached three of my favourite authors and asked them if they'd like to be involved and they said YES! So huge thanks to Shalini Boland, Melissa Pearl and Patti Roberts who are all donating goodies for this giveaway! AND you could also win ebooks of all of my own books and a paperback copy of Forever Fredless!
That's 13 winners (if I'm doing my maths right!!)

Shalini Boland

2 ebooks of HIDDEN

2 ebooks of OUTSIDE

Melissa Pearl

2 ebooks of THE TIME SPIRIT series

Paperback of the BETWIXT omnibus

Patti Roberts

The complete ebook set of The PARADOX series AND the WITCHWOOD series

Double editions of the WITCHWOOD ESTATE series in print with signed stickers for both print books.

Suzy Turner

2 ebooks of THE RAVEN SAGA, THE MORGAN SISTERS and FOREVER FREDLESS

1 paperback copy of FOREVER FREDLESS

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Reading Beyond the Borders

We're talking about Beyond the Borders today and so I MUST mention one of my all time favourite books that I've read multiple times (which is quite unusual for me) and that is Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden. This book totally blew me away and introduced me to a whole new culture that I knew nothing about. Japan and the geishas from another time altogether. You may have seen the movie and admittedly it is pretty good - not quite as good as the book but still worthy of praise.

Here's the blurb from Amazon:
A literary sensation and runaway bestseller, this brilliant debut novel tells with seamless authenticity and exquisite lyricism the true confessions of one of Japan's most celebrated geisha.
Speaking to us with the wisdom of age and in a voice at once haunting and startlingly immediate, Nitta Sayuri tells the story of her life as a geisha. It begins in a poor fishing village in 1929, when, as a nine-year-old girl with unusual blue-gray eyes, she is taken from her home and sold into slavery to a renowned geisha house. We witness her transformation as she learns the rigorous arts of the geisha: dance and music; wearing kimono, elaborate makeup, and hair; pouring sake to reveal just a touch of inner wrist; competing with a jealous rival for men's solicitude and the money that goes with it.
In Memoirs of a Geisha, we enter a world where appearances are paramount; where a girl's virginity is auctioned to the highest bidder; where women are trained to beguile the most powerful men; and where love is scorned as illusion. It is a unique and triumphant work of fiction—at once romantic, erotic, suspenseful—and completely unforgettable.

Actually, I'm ashamed to say that I don't often read books that are set elsewhere than the UK or the US. Not by choice, I might add. It's just the books that have presented themselves to me so far, tend to be in those two places. I do love reading American tales, and learning about different places throughout the US. Lately I've had a bit of a thing for stories set in the deep south. There's just something about that region that appeals enormously. And to be honest, I don't really know why! (I love movies that are set there too.) Currently, I'm reading a book set in Maine and it's making me desperate to visit that part of the country as well! One day I will, for sure. In the meantime, I need to try and break out and read more books from other countries. I haven't even read any Portuguese authors and I've lived here for the past 28 years! I know, it's embarrassing! 

For more giveaways and more tales about reading beyond borders, check out Armchair BEA.

Armchair BEA: Introductions and Literature

I'm absolutely thrilled to be a participant of the Armchair BEA this year. It's my first time ever at the event and I've also signed up to help out as a volunteer - so you can catch me at many of the twitter parties taking place over the next week.

Who Am I?

Well, I'm Suzy Turner, a 38-year-old British author and blogger with a fondness for white wine and dark chocolate (not necessarily together though!), married to the most amazing man who I met when I was 16. I first began blogging back in 2008 with a blog I called Iberian Bird (because I live in Portugal and have done since I was ten years old). The blog slowly developed and I soon began blogging under my own name Suzy Turner, YA Author which I still do over there (it is dedicated to young adult themes). Last year, however, with the launch of my first romance novel, Forever Fredless, I decided I wanted to blog about women's books - not just romance and chick lit, mind you, but all kinds of books aimed at, and written by, women. So I began Fiction Dreams and haven't looked back. I've interviewed some of the most popular authors around today including Gena Showalter, Joanne Harris, Ruth Saberton, Belinda Jones and so many more. I love helping both indie and traditionally published authors to spread the word about their books and I particularly love interviewing them. It's become a bit of an obsession actually lol!

Describe your blog in just one sentence. Then, list your social details -- Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. -- so we can connect more online. 

As I mentioned above, Fiction Dreams is a blog about women's fiction - all kinds of fiction!

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What genre do you read the most? I love to read because ___________________ . 

Probably YA because it's so easy and fun to get into. Also because that's what I've been writing for the past few years. I particularly love reading YA urban fantasy - books that are set within our own world but with a magical and/or supernatural element to them. Harry Potter and Twilight for instance are some of my favourites that I couldn't get enough of.  But I also read a lot of chick lit - my other absolute favourite that I've actually been reading the longest. I first read Jilly Cooper, for example, when I was about 12. Gosh I learned a lot, if you know what I mean ;)

What was your favorite book read last year? What’s your favorite book so far this year? 

Just one? Oh no that's really difficult! I have many favourites from last year but if I can only give one then I'd say The Time Spirit series by Melissa Pearl. All I can say is that I'm so glad I have a kindle so I could immediately download the sequel after finishing the first book in the middle of the night in order to continue reading. That series blew me away!

From this year? Well, Melissa Pearl's releases from 2014 have been AMAZING too but to give another author equal credit, I'll say Shalini Boland's The Perimeter. OMG - that dystopian series is freaking amazing! Oh, and I literally just finished reading Pulled Beneath by Marni Mann and it was freaking awesome (look out for a review coming soon)!!

What does your favorite/ideal reading space look like? 

I can read just about anywhere, but at the moment this is exactly where I like to read before the sun gets too hot........

And this is my view...

And this is who keeps me company...

What book would you love to see as a movie?

Shalini Boland's Marchwood Vampire Series - I think it would be utterly amazing. 

Today's topic is 'Literature'....
What do you think of when you think of literature? Classics, contemporary, genre, or something else entirely? We are leaving this one up to you to come up with and share the literature that you want to chat about the most. Feel free to share a list of your favorites, break down your favorite genre, feature your favorite authors, and be creative about all things literature in general.

If you'd have asked me this question when I was a kid, I would have just thought of the classics - you know, the kind I was 'forced' to read at school. Although, having said that, I never really felt forced because I always had such a passion for reading. Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, Anthony and Cleopatra, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Waiting for Godot - these were just some of the books I read as a teenager that weren't my choice. However, I delved in and discovered worlds I'd never knew existed. It was hard work, mind you. I mean, come on, Shakespeare takes some understanding! But it was fun, nevertheless. What wasn't fun, however, was having to write deep, meaningful essays on the books afterwards! Bleurgh! I just wanted to read them and enjoy them. Not try to unravel the mystery of how the author was feeling when he or she wrote it!

I also had to read the more modern classics such as A Bend in the River by VS. Naipaul (didn't enjoy it at all - it just seemed too boring after those other early classics), Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons (probably one of the most hilarious and incredibly unusual books I've ever read!), A Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood (this became my absolute favourite book that I read at school - it's amazing) and Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird which I recall our teacher also bringing in the film for us to watch. I was glued to it. Wonderful!

Of course, I've read a few classics off my own back, like Little Women which I adored and can never get enough of. The movie too - I love the old version and the newer one.

But back to what I really think of now, when I think of literature. Well, being an author and a book blogger, I think of so many different wonderful authors. I have tonnes of favourites - many of which are from a wide variety of genres including YA, Chick Lit, Mysteries, Horror (yes, occasionally I'll give one  a go!), drama, romance, historical - the list goes on. But here are a few of my favourites:

Shalini Boland

Melissa Pearl

Patti Roberts

Arthur Golden

Margaret Atwood

JK Rowling

Belinda Jones

Sophie Kinsella

Jenny Colgan

Wendy Holden

Ruth Saberton

I could quite easily go on and on and on....

For more Armchair BEA tales of literature, visit Armchair BEA's website.

The Perimeter by Shalini Boland (Outside #3)

I love Shalini's work (I've read everything she's written!) and she's a great online pal, so I'm so excited to be able to take part in this book blitz for The Perimeter (I can't wait to read it!)

The Perimeter by Shalini Boland
(Outside #3)
Publication date: November 18th 2013
Genres: Dystopia, Young Adult

The Perimeter:
In this fractured world, a sinister force is coming for Riley, and the only things keeping her safe are a perimeter fence and the people she loves. As her life is threatened, she must make impossible choices. But help comes from the most unlikely of places, and all Riley needs to know is: who can she really trust?
Meanwhile, a repentant killer searches for peace and salvation, but what he gets is the exact opposite. Now he’ll have to make the hardest decision of his life.
The Perimeter is a darkly captivating dystopian tale of adventure, danger, love and redemption that will have you on the edge of your seat and up at night turning the pages to find out what happens next . . .

Outside Series:
Set in the near future, these three heart-stopping novels follow Riley as she overcomes the murder of her younger sister by tracking down the killer across a post-apocalyptic Britain. At the same time, she is forced to take on the might of a twisted regime intent on conquering the nation. The series is packed with action, suspense, drama and dystopian adventure.
Goodreads

Purchase:
US Amazon page
UK Amazon page
Barnes & Noble page
Smashwords page
iTunes

Trailers

Book 1 Trailer:

Book 2 Trailer

AUTHOR BIO:
Shalini lives in Dorset, England with her husband and two noisy boys. Before children, she was signed to Universal Music as a singer songwriter. Now, writing novels has hijacked her life and she is usually to be found with a laptop welded to her fingers and the house in a permanent state of neglect.

Author Links:
Website
Facebook Page
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She's my favourite YA author of ALL TIME... it's Shalini Boland

I'm ecstatic today because I've got my all time favourite YA author with me. I first 'met' Shalini Boland on Authonomy when we were first getting to grips with our writing careers. We've been buddies ever since and I hope that one day soon I'll finally get to meet her. I just love her to bits. Anyway, enough of me blubbering over this fabulous lass, let's get on with the interview ;)

When did you first start writing? And when were you first published?
I’ve always loved to write and had a career as a singer songwriter for years before writing my first novel in 2006. I wasn’t intending to write a book, but had a great idea for a twist and found myself compelled to write the rest of the story. I didn’t publish my first novel until 2011.

Do you only write YA or do you have more up your sleeve?
I feel like Young Adult is where I’m most comfortable, and so all my books are in this genre except for one children’s novel, A Shirtful of Frogs. But even my children’s book has a YA feel and is read by all ages. I’m toying with the idea of writing a New Adult novel, but I have so many YA ideas that I don’t know whether I’d manage to find the time to fit in another genre.

What is it about YA that appeals to you the most? Do you read other genres? If so, which?
I love the angsty coming-of-age drama of the Young Adult genre. Where characters are discovering who they are. They’re making mistakes and diving headlong into precarious situations, or they’re too scared to make a move. It’s all messy and wonderful. As I’m writing these stories, I’m imagining being back at that age and how it truly felt to be neither child nor adult, but something in between. In your own exclusive world that no one else really understands.
I read a lot of YA, but I also read a lot of everything else – horror, scifi, chick lit, historical, contemporary. As long as it’s escapist, I usually love it.

Where do you write?
I’ve just moved house, so I’m still trying to discover where works best for me. I’ve tried the study and that’s pretty good when the house is chaotic (husband/children madness etc). But when everyone’s out and the house is quiet, I find myself sitting on the sofa in the back room which looks out onto the garden. It’s always nice to see a bird or squirrel through the window when I look up from my laptop.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wasn’t one of those children who had a fixed idea of who or what I would be. I was always baffled by children who absolutely one hundred percent knew they were going to be a vet or a dentist or a journalist or whatever. I didn’t have a clue and if anyone asked me that question, my mind would come up blank. I guess I never saw myself in a regular job.

What's the title of your latest book? Can you tell us about it? Is it part of a series?

 

My latest novel is Book 3 in The Outside Series. It’s called The Perimeter and is a dystopian adventure set in Britain in the near future. All three in the series feature Riley Culpepper, a sixteen year old girl, who lives a privileged life inside a ‘Perimeter’, a futuristic version of a gated community, which keeps her safe from everyone on the outside. It’s part thriller, part romance, with a few twists along the way. The Perimeter will be released in November 2013.

YAY!!!!!! I can't wait :D

What inspired you to write it?
Book 1 in the series, Outside, was the first novel I ever wrote. I had a great idea for an original ending and wrote the whole story around that initial idea. I’ve always been fascinated with post-apocalyptic stories – scary end-of-the-world scenarios - and so it was logical for me to make that the setting for my first series.

Have you ever spotted anyone reading your books anywhere?
Only online, lol! I’ve stumbled across forums where they’re discussing one of my books and in those circumstances I tiptoe away quietly.

Who designs your covers?
I always design my own covers and spend literally hours … days trawling the internet to find the perfect images. I have a great graphic designer friend who puts up with my terrible rough drawings and garbled instructions, managing to turn them into something wonderful. Thank you, Simon Tucker!

If your latest book was made into a film, who would you cast?
I would have to cast complete unknowns in my movie. They would be strong, understated actors and would be propelled to fame by the film’s runaway box office success, going on to have long illustrious careers, but never quite recreating the magic of The Outside Series . . . Sorry, nodded off there for a moment.

In the movie of your life, who would play you?

Image courtesy: Tony Shek

Tough question. Hmmm, I think it would have to be someone who didn’t take themselves too seriously. Someone left-of-centre like Marisa Tomei (pictured) or Zooey Deschanel.

I can so see that, Shalini!!

Are you a fan of chick lit?
I adore chick lit. All women do don’t they? And if they say they don’t, they’re probably lying ;) To me, chick lit is pure indulgence and must be enjoyed with either a glass of wine or an enormous slab of chocolate and a cuppa.

What's your favourite Chick Lit book that made it to the big screen?
Bridget Jones. I could watch those movies a gazillion times and whenever they’re shown on TV, I always get sucked right in.

What were the last two books you read?
Second Shift by Hugh Howey, a prequel to the terrifying and brilliant Wool series. And Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor. Her writing is awesome. Awesome I tell you!

Name one female author who you think deserves to be better known.
Paullina Simons, who wrote The Bronze Horseman trilogy. I LOVE her. And of course, the imaginative and talented Suzy Turner whom I adore.
Awww thanks Sha :D

Speed Round...Top drink to make you tipsy? Southern Comfort or a good red wine.
Shopaholic or shopadon't? Shopa-definitely-do
Sky high heels or closer to the ground? I’m a boots and flipflops kinda gal. Love the idea of heels, but I don’t do ‘uncomfortableness’.
E.L. James or Jilly Cooper? Love me a bit of Jilly. Haven’t read James.
Cry baby or tough cookie? Cry baby. Ask my husband – I’ve been known to sob at some of the adverts.

Shalini, you're not the only one!

Author Bio
Before kids, I was a singer songwriter signed to Universal Music. But writing fiction has taken over my life and now I’m a mother of two noisy boys and an author of teen novels. I write the kinds of books I love to read - gripping young adult adventures with a sprinkling of romance and a spattering of horror.

US Amazon page
UK Amazon page
Barnes & Noble page
Website
Facebook Page
Goodreads
Twitter
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Note from Suzy... if you're after an amazing vampire read, you really should check out The Marchwood Vampire series by Shalini. It's THE BEST YA vampire series I've ever read.

Cover Reveal: The Perimeter by Shalini Boland

I'm ABSOLUTELY STOKED to be able to share the new cover for the next book in the Outside Series by Shalini Boland. Shalini is my all time favourite YA author (and also a pal!). Her books are totally amazing and I can't wait to get my hands on The Perimeter!

THE PERIMETER (Outside Series #3) by Shalini Boland

(Anticipated Release Date: Monday November 18th 2013)

There’s a sinister force coming for Riley, and the only things keeping her safe are a perimeter fence and the people she loves. As her life is threatened, she must make impossible choices. But help comes from the most unlikely of places, and all Riley needs to know is: Who can she really trust?
Meanwhile, a repentant killer searches for peace and redemption. Things become twisted when he is faced with the exact opposite, and pretty soon he will have to make the hardest decision of his life.
The Perimeter is a darkly captivating YA tale that will have you on the edge of your seat and up at night turning the pages to find out what happens next . . .
Book Links:
US Amazon page: http://www.amazon.com/Shalini-Boland/e/B004SGMOJM/
UK Amazon page: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shalini-Boland/e/B004SGMOJM
Barnes & Noble page: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/shalini-boland?store=allproducts&keyword=shalini+boland

Website: http://www.shaliniboland.co.uk
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/ShaliniBolandAuthor
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10823176-hidden
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ShaliniBoland
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/shaliniboland/