Author Interview
Welcome, Suzy! Before we get to the interview, can you tell our readers a little bit about yourself.
I'd love to! My name is Suzy Turner and I've been writing YA urban fantasy and contemporary romance books for the past five years from Portugal where I've lived since I was ten years old. I live with my gorgeous hubby who I started dating when I was just sixteen years old! We live in a lovely house at the foot of the Monchique mountains with our two dogs and numerous cats.
How long have you been a writer?
I actually wrote my very first book about 15 years ago but I never published it. I might, one day! It needs a LOT of work though, lol. I've been writing full time since 2009.
Do you have a day job, or is being an author your career?
I used to work as an editor for a magazine but when I was made redundant, I decided to go ahead with my dream job and I've been writing ever since. I'm very lucky.
What inspired you to become a writer? Describe your journey as a writer.
Initially, it was an interview in a magazine with one of my favourite authors at the time (Jenny Colgan). She was talking about how she'd got a publishing contract and I was so intrigued that it got me thinking about whether I could try it. Then life got in the way and it wasn't until my redundancy that I really became serious about it. I'd half written my first YA book, Raven, and so I finished it and then set about finding an agent. That proved insanely difficult so I started looking at indie publishing instead. The rest, as they say, is history! I've since published nine books :)
Please give a brief description/storyline about And Then There Was You.
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…
What was the inspiration for this story?
It started off with a conversation with friends about relationships, then I was listening to that awesome song, All I Wanna Do is Make Love to You about a one night stand and I just started writing. I actually wrote the first draft in less than a week. It completely took me by storm!
How did it feel to have your first book published?
Amazing, incredible – like a dream come true. Terrifying as well though. I was so scared that people would hate it. Fortunately those that love it far outweigh those that don't!
Do you write books for a specific genre?
I write both YA urban fantasy (The Raven Saga and The Morgan Sisters) chick lit (Forever Fredless) and now contemporary romance (And Then There Was You).
What genres are your favorite(s)? What are some of your favorite books that you have read and why?
I love to read all sorts but I do enjoy the genres that I write. I'm a huge Harry Potter and Twilight fan lol. But as for chick lit, there are so many amazing authors out there too – Sophie Kinsella, Jenny Colgan, Wendy Holden, for example. I have tonnes of author pals who all write the most incredible books – Shalini Boland, Patti Roberts, Melissa Pearl (YA) and Poppet are just a few. But my all time favourite books include Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden, The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M Auel and The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. As you can see, I have eclectic tastes!
Do you have a special spot/area where you like to do your writing?
Yes! My husband built the most beautiful little summer house in our garden this year and it's where I wrote And Then There Was You. He made me the most beautiful desk – I cried when I saw it. It's such a wonderful place to be. It's very relaxing and chilled.
How do you come up with the ideas that become the storyline for your books?
Sometimes I have dreams that inspire me, other times I use some of my own life experiences (the idea for Forever Fredless was based on something that happened to me as a child), but most of the time I just create way out ideas. I do have an insane imagination!
When you write, do you adhere to a strict work schedule, or do you work whenever the inspiration strikes?
I stick to deadlines otherwise I'd never getting anything done! And I always announce when my next book is coming out in advance so I have no choice but to write it within a specific time frame. I usually aim for around 5,000 words per day, five days per week. Although I was writing 10,000 words a day for And Then There Was You!
What aspects of storytelling do you like the best, and what aspects do you struggle with the most?
I love creating new worlds, especially supernatural beings – that's the most fun, for sure! And names, coming up with unusual names is awesome (I have two faeries in The Raven Saga called Sheharazalea and Tiffanimelocomelea – but don't worry, they're shortened to Zalea and Tiffani!). As for the struggles of being a writer, I'd have to say editing isn't much fun for me, but a necessary evil. That and marketing / promoting myself. It's not easy!
What are your favorite things to do when you are not writing?
I'm a huge TV and movie addict on a Saturday and Sunday afternoon but during the week, I love to do yoga, meet friends for coffee and shopping. I'm very much a girlie girl! And I love to travel, of course. Hubby and I are about to embark on our next trip (to the States!) and we're very excited :D
What is/was the best piece of writing advice that you have received?
Probably that reading other people's books is a really important tool for writers. It's a great way to improve your own skills. That and the importance of developing a thick skin. There are always going to be people who will trash your work in a bad review and you have to learn not to take it personally. It's hard but crucial.
What is the most gratifying thing you feel or get as a writer?
Knowing that I'm making people happy. It's the best feeling in the world! My books tend to have happy endings for that reason alone :)
How do you usually communicate with your readers/fans?
Via Facebook, twitter and email. I do get the occasional fan email which is amazing!
Is there anything in your book based on real life experiences or are they purely all from your imagination?
I mix both personal experiences with make-believe! That's part of the fun, right?
What authors have been your inspiration or influenced you to become a writer?
JK Rowling and Stephenie Meyer for sure. They made me believe that anything is possible and look at me now. My first book, Raven (which is free) has probably been downloaded well over 200,000 times!
What is your definition of success as a writer?
Publishing just one book is a success in my eyes, but if I'm honest I do want it all. I'd like to sell thousands of copies every month and be approached by a producer to make my books into movies ;)
Are you currently writing a new book? If yes, would you care to share a bit of it with us?
I'm taking a break at the moment, preparing for my holiday, but I am planning to write another instalment in The Raven Saga when I return. I started another chick lit novel a few months ago but I put it on hold until next summer. It's called Aphrodite's Closet. Here's an excerpt (bear in mind that it is UNEDITED lol!)
Aphrodite's Closet – Excerpt:
'Don't be such a prude, Aggie.'
'I...I'm not a prude,' Aggie stuttered, nervously pushing her mousy brown hair behind her ear and glancing around at the shoppers walking around them along the high street.
'Come on,' Coco laughed, pulling her best friend by the arm, giving her little choice but to enter the popular sex shop.
Feeling her face flush a deep shade of aubergine, Aggie stumbled behind her, hiding as best as she possibly could.
Coco, on the other hand, was in her element, grabbing bras, panties, feather boas, sequinned bodies and... was that an erm, vibrator? gulped Aggie who gasped aloud, before realising Coco was actually just teasing her.
'Can we go now?' she whispered as her crazy-haired, coffee-coloured best pal snorted in front of her.
'Go? But we only just came in.'
'I'm just not... not... comfortable.'
'Jeeze Aggie, it's about time you got over your nerves in places like this. It's just a sex shop, they sell lingerie and fun stuff for the bedroom. You're not an eighty-five year old vicar's wife, you're twenty-three for God's sake! Live a little. Come on, look at this,' she said as she pulled a blood red basque covered in feathers from the rails and held it up to her best friend's slim physique.
Mortified, Aggie gulped loudly, her nostrils flaring.
Realising the extent of poor Aggie's embarrassment, Coco relented, putting it back with a shake of the head.
'Okay, okay. Just give me a minute to pay for these things.'
'I'll see you outside,' Aggie muttered, tripping over her own feet trying to get out of there as fast as she could.
Shivering as she reached outdoors, Aggie rubbed her hands up and down her arms as she crossed the High Street. Standing outside WHSmith, she avoided eye contact with everybody, her embarrassment still evident on her flushed face.
Five minutes later, Coco emerged with a huge grin, carrying a large carrier bag in her hand. Aggie watched as her smile faded, her head turning one way and then the other looking for her best friend.
Stepping out of the shadows, Aggie waved from across the pedestrianised street.
'I thought you'd buggered off home,' Coco shrieked as she tottered towards her in three inch heels perfectly suited for a shopping expedition.
'Come on, let's get a coffee. I need to check my emails.'
Linking arms, the two women walked towards Starbucks, just a few metres further down the shop-lined street. 'I'm dying for a cappuccino.'
'Don't be such a prude, Aggie.'
'I...I'm not a prude,' Aggie stuttered, nervously pushing her mousy brown hair behind her ear and glancing around at the shoppers walking around them along the high street.
'Come on,' Coco laughed, pulling her best friend by the arm, giving her little choice but to enter the popular sex shop.
Feeling her face flush a deep shade of aubergine, Aggie stumbled behind her, hiding as best as she possibly could.
Coco, on the other hand, was in her element, grabbing bras, panties, feather boas, sequinned bodies and... was that an erm, vibrator? gulped Aggie who gasped aloud, before realising Coco was actually just teasing her.
'Can we go now?' she whispered as her crazy-haired, coffee-coloured best pal snorted in front of her.
'Go? But we only just came in.'
'I'm just not... not... comfortable.'
'Jeeze Aggie, it's about time you got over your nerves in places like this. It's just a sex shop, they sell lingerie and fun stuff for the bedroom. You're not an eighty-five year old vicar's wife, you're twenty-three for God's sake! Live a little. Come on, look at this,' she said as she pulled a blood red basque covered in feathers from the rails and held it up to her best friend's slim physique.
Mortified, Aggie gulped loudly, her nostrils flaring.
Realising the extent of poor Aggie's embarrassment, Coco relented, putting it back with a shake of the head.
'Okay, okay. Just give me a minute to pay for these things.'
'I'll see you outside,' Aggie muttered, tripping over her own feet trying to get out of there as fast as she could.
Shivering as she reached outdoors, Aggie rubbed her hands up and down her arms as she crossed the High Street. Standing outside WHSmith, she avoided eye contact with everybody, her embarrassment still evident on her flushed face.
Five minutes later, Coco emerged with a huge grin, carrying a large carrier bag in her hand. Aggie watched as her smile faded, her head turning one way and then the other looking for her best friend.
Stepping out of the shadows, Aggie waved from across the pedestrianised street.
'I thought you'd buggered off home,' Coco shrieked as she tottered towards her in three inch heels perfectly suited for a shopping expedition.
'Come on, let's get a coffee. I need to check my emails.'
Linking arms, the two women walked towards Starbucks, just a few metres further down the shop-lined street. 'I'm dying for a cappuccino.'
Thank you Suzy for stopping by Jersey Girl Book Reviews and sharing with us a little about yourself and your writing career!
About The Author
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.
AUTHOR WEBSITE
CHICK LIT BLOG
YA BLOG
FACEBOOK - ROMANCE PAGE
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GOODREADS
Book Review
And Then There Was You by Suzy Turner
Publisher: Independent Self Publishing / Suzanne Turner Publishing
Publication Date: November 9, 2014
Format: eBook - 210 pages
Kindle - 2297 KB
ISBN: 978-9899835177
ASIN: B00OTT7WYU
Genre: Contemporary Romance
BUY THE BOOK: And Then There Was You
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours.
Book Description:
Can infidelity be forgotten? Not when her one night stand moves in next door, it can’t.
Eve Brooke 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…
Book Excerpt:
With the bandage firmly in place, Adam began to make circles on my ankle with his thumb. The slightest touch had such a massive effect and I felt like I might explode.
'A-A-Adam. Don't.' * 'I can't help it, Eve. I want to touch you all the time. Every minute of every day.'
'I know.'
Slowly he scooted forward so that my legs were straddling him. He leaned over and kissed my neck, upwards towards my ear, cheek and then he pecked the tip of my nose. I closed my eyes and groaned. He kissed my left eye and then my right, then back down, kissing my cupid's bow before he opened his mouth and pushed mine open with his tongue. It was delicious. I throbbed everywhere, from the soles of my feet up to my knees – up, up, up – and bang between my legs. like a firework had gone off inside me.
'Oh Adam,' I groaned. 'I want you so much.'
His hands moved carefully over my shoulders and down each arm, circling, probing, across to my breasts, which were aching to be touched. He slid his hand down my top, carefully moving my bra to one side so he could trace my nipple.
I was on fire, and no amount of water could put me out.
That is, until there was a knock at the door.
'Shit,' I exclaimed, pushing myself off him guiltily.
Adam swallowed loudly and sat back, closing his eyes, trying to contain himself and calm down the massive erection bulging in his trousers.
I rearranged my bra and brushed myself down, using my hands to flatten my hair.
'I'd better get it,' he said. 'You shouldn't walk.'
'Ahem,' I said pointing to the continued bulge.
'Oh, I'm trying to...'
'I'll go. It is my house, after all.'
Stumbling clumsily across the living room, I closed the interior door behind me and leaned back against it. Taking a deep breath, I hobbled to the front door.
Opening it, I was shocked to find my parents standing on the step.
'A-A-Adam. Don't.' * 'I can't help it, Eve. I want to touch you all the time. Every minute of every day.'
'I know.'
Slowly he scooted forward so that my legs were straddling him. He leaned over and kissed my neck, upwards towards my ear, cheek and then he pecked the tip of my nose. I closed my eyes and groaned. He kissed my left eye and then my right, then back down, kissing my cupid's bow before he opened his mouth and pushed mine open with his tongue. It was delicious. I throbbed everywhere, from the soles of my feet up to my knees – up, up, up – and bang between my legs. like a firework had gone off inside me.
'Oh Adam,' I groaned. 'I want you so much.'
His hands moved carefully over my shoulders and down each arm, circling, probing, across to my breasts, which were aching to be touched. He slid his hand down my top, carefully moving my bra to one side so he could trace my nipple.
I was on fire, and no amount of water could put me out.
That is, until there was a knock at the door.
'Shit,' I exclaimed, pushing myself off him guiltily.
Adam swallowed loudly and sat back, closing his eyes, trying to contain himself and calm down the massive erection bulging in his trousers.
I rearranged my bra and brushed myself down, using my hands to flatten my hair.
'I'd better get it,' he said. 'You shouldn't walk.'
'Ahem,' I said pointing to the continued bulge.
'Oh, I'm trying to...'
'I'll go. It is my house, after all.'
Stumbling clumsily across the living room, I closed the interior door behind me and leaned back against it. Taking a deep breath, I hobbled to the front door.
Opening it, I was shocked to find my parents standing on the step.
My Book Review:
An instant attraction between a man and woman leads to a one night stand ... only to have fate step in three years later when they become neighbors ...
Adam and Eve met in London and their instant attraction led them to having a memorable one night stand. Fast forward three years later, and Eve is happily married to Matt, that is until she is thrown for a loop when Adam and his wife Charlie move in next door. Memories of that passionate night plus an undeniable connection draws Adam and Eve back towards each other. While Adam and Eve feel guilty and don't want to hurt their spouses, they can't fight the pull of attraction ... but theirs isn't the only attraction that is happening ... Will their marriages survive, or will they give in to their deep feelings for each other?
And Then There Was You was an intriguing and multi-layered romance story that easily drew me into Adam and Eve's story.
Author Suzy Turner weaves a compelling story about the complexity of relationships that is filled with love, emotion, intensity, and passion, intertwined with conflict, loss, difficult life choices and decisions.
As Adam and Eve's story unfolds, there is enough intriguing twists and turns that will keep the reader engaged and turning the pages. With a realistic cast of characters and true to life relationship circumstances, And Then There Was You is a touching story of true love that will leave a smile on your face.
RATING: 4 STARS
Virtual Book Tour
Tour Schedule:
December 29 – Novel Escapes– Q&A
December 30 – All Things Bookie– Q&A
December 30 - Chick Lit Plus – Review
December 31 – Ski-Wee’s Book Corner– Excerpt
January 2 – Curling Up With a Good Book – Q&A
January 5 - Jersey Girl Book Reviews – Review, Q&A & Excerpt
How great that you will be traveling to the U.S. soon. Is it your first visit? Where will you be visiting here?
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