Via Fiona J Mackenzie:
Meet the enchanting ‘Claudico’, who is having a seriously bad day! Claudico was created by Fiona's lovely friend, Amy Furey.

Emerges from The Writing Cave, looks around, blinks . . . thinks *it's Friday*, and blogs :-)

1. Chapters Bookstore in Dublin asked me five questions for their blog - Go check it out and read a small hint about The Bitter Seed of Magic : Spellcrackers.com #3 : Plus the blog has lots of other great posts to check out, including five questions with Sara Rees Brennan, brilliant author [and really fun person] of The Demon's Lexicon.

2. Read the first three chapters of Fire - Kristin Cashore online for free!

3. This next one is so cool! The Sweet Scent of Blood has been nominated in the 101 Best Fantasy Books. A BIG, BIG THANK YOU to whoever nominated it, the love is very much appreciated! Yay! I'm so honoured to be on the same list as some of my favourite and most admired authors. So go vote - [not for me, unless of course you want to *smiles hopefully and flutters eyelashes*] and you could win the number one book! More Yay! Voting closes September 14th.

4. The Writing Cave update - writing on The Bitter Seed of Magic is going well [if slower than I want or need with the DEADLINE Of DOOM looming . . . *bites nails* ] which is, of course, why I'm not here very much lately. I promise I'll be back more regularly once I get to THE END :-) But despite the slow going, I'm really happy with the book [unless I'm having one of those 'this is such a load of crap, days' *sighs*] New and interesting characters have appeared to surprise me [1], the usual characters are getting into hot water . . . and out again LOL! and my BFF and writing buddy who sees everything I write first has given it the big thumbs up, while nagging me for more, more! [Thank you, Fi :-)]

5. The Naming of The Beasts, the new Felix Castor book by Mike Carey is out!! Yay! I'm superexcited about this, and can't wait to read it [But in case my editor is peering over my shoulder, I want to assure her I will be saving it - along with the rest of my TBR pile - until after the DEADLINE OF DOOM is done - go here [where my editor talks about high heels and whips!!! *bites nails again* I'm a good author, truly!] for why!



[1]I'm sort of what Jaye Wells [4] calls a Planster when I write. I know the overall plot, I know the main characters and their motivations[2] and as I write I uncover the road my characters have to take to get to THE END. And it is that journey where the really fun bits come in, when events/characters I don't expect appear out of my subconscious and the road twists and turns in exciting and unusual ways.

[2]I always write my characters with this great advice from Kurt Vonnegut in mind - Every character should want something even if it is only a glass of water.

[3] Please note: any errorrrs or inconsissssstencies in this post are due to caffeine and sleep deprivation.

[4] My fantastic CP and awesome author - Look at her new fabulous cover for The Mage in Black This book is so, so good, even better than Red-Headed StepChild  with all the wonderful characters that Jaye has created returning, plus some really fab, fab new ones - be jealous that I've already read it *evil laugh*



Sabina Kane doesn't have the best track record when it comes to family. After all, her own grandmother, leader of the vampire race, wants her dead. So when she arrives in New York to meet her mage relatives, the reunion puts the fun in dysfunctional. Not only is mage culture completely bizarre, but everyone seems to think she's some kind of 'Chosen' who'll unite the dark races. Sabina doesn't care who chose her, she's not into destiny. But the mages aren't Sabina's only problem. In New York's Black Light District, she has run-ins with fighting demons, hostile werewolves and an opportunistic old flame. Sabina thought she'd take a bite out of the Big Apple, but it looks like it wants to bite back.

This week's contest is now closed and Random.org has drawn the following winners ...

Thank you to everyone for taking part and for leaving your comments, I've really enjoyed reading them. And many thanks for linking and tweeting! Right back off into the Writing Cave now to find a way for Genny to escape from the clutches of [redacted for spoiler alert] in The Bitter Seed of Magic!

A must-read title for all fans of Patrick Rothfuss and Trudi Canavan, FIRE is an exceptional fantasy novel. From the deft characterisation to the gripping story, the fast-paced action to the evocative prose, this is one of the strongest fantasy novels of the year. Set in a world of stunningly beautiful, exceptionally dangerous monsters, Fire is one of the most dangerous monsters of all - a human one. Marked out by her vivid red hair, she's more than attractive. Fire is mesmerising. But with this extraordinary beauty comes influence and power. People who are susceptible to her appeal will do anything for her attention, and for her affection. They will turn away from their families, their work, and their duties for her. They will forget their responsibilities to please her . . . and worse, crush nations, neglect kingdoms and abuse their power. Aware of her power, and afraid of it, Fire lives in a corner of the world away from people, and away from temptation. Until the day comes when she is needed - a day when, for her king, she has to stand against not only his enemies, but also against herself . . .

Both Fire, and Kristin's first book, Graceling are about characters with POWERS. So to win a copy of Fire by Kristin Cashore, please leave a comment telling me what super power you would want to have. My super power choice, unsurprisingly, would be to streeeetch time so I could have at least twice as much of it, or more to do my loooong to-do list *g*.

Two winners to be drawn by Random.org. Contest open to all, and ends end of day [anywhere] Thursday 2oth August 2009.

I comment = 1 entry

Post a mention of the giveaway on your blog/live journal/myspace/facebook/twitter/etc [post the link to the mention into the comments again] and gain yourself more entries into this week's giveaway :-) 1 link = 1 entry

Which means you could end up with more entries into the metaphorical hat, so what are you waiting for? Get posting and linking!! Good Luck!!

x/posted to my blog: comment here or there.

Friends as Characters: what a nail-biting and horrifying fantastic idea this can be.

First where do characters come from? It’s one of those questions that writers are often asked. My own characters arrive from various places: some stroll onto the page fully-formed complete with name*, description and dialogue; others start out as bit parts or walk-ons and then suddenly demand a life of their own and a much bigger slice of the wordage; and a few take a bit of investigating before they start to form in my head.

Genny Taylor – the main character in my books – was one who took a bit of hair pulling and banging of head on desk investigating. Although I knew a lot about her before I started to write, it took me a while before I found both her and her voice. In fact it took a whole short story**; one that takes place ten years before the events in The Sweet Scent of Blood at a very traumatic time for Genny. Seeing how she reacted from another character’s point of view really helped nail Genny as a person for me.

But there are other ways to find characters for your books! [cue dramatic organ music]



One thing I’d never thought I’d do was base characters on anyone I know [winces at possible litigation and rotten tomatoes], or anyone famous, except then my arm was twisted after a chat I changed my mind. The conversation went something like this . . .

Fiona: [best writing buddy] You know I really don’t like vampires, I just can’t see what the attraction is [shudders]
Suzanne: [wondering where this conversation is going and how anyone cannot love vampires] Uh-huh.
Fiona: Although there are exceptions I s’pose, I mean Pierce Brosnan*** would make a great vamp, don’t you think?
Suzanne: [cool, hot-looking in that sophisticated older guy way and with that Bond charisma thing going on] Sure.
Fiona: Good! I’m glad that’s settled, you can make him a vampire in your book and then I can be his girlfriend.
Suzanne: [reels in shock] but you just said you don’t like vampires.
Fiona: I do if they’re Pierce Brosnan and I get to be his girlfriend.
Suzanne: You really want to be a character in my book who dates a vampire?
Fiona: [Looks determined] Of course, but only if it’s PB.
Suzanne: Oh! [Sees the end of a beautiful friendship happening.] What if you don’t like you in the book?
Fiona: He’s PB! What’s not to like. [hands over a brochure] Now here’s the dress I have to wear, it’s a Chanel.


Oh and these are the shoes [flips page briskly] they’re Christian Louboutin.

And PB should have that casual look going on; you know where he’s on the beach in that film – The Thomas Crown Affair – dark tousled hair, linen shirt, jeans … [stares dreamily into distance]
Suzanne: [starts mulling over the possibilities, rubs hands] Okay, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Some time later . . .

Spouse reading book: [wry tone] I see Fiona got herself in the book then.

Writing group: [collectively hold hands up and gasp in horror] Fiona does what!!??!!

Fiona: Brilliant - all my chums at work are waiting for your book now - they have heard that I'm in it and get practically strangled by a ruby necklace. Makes you realize who your friends are *G*

And here’s where Genny first meets Fiona in The Sweet Scent of Blood . . .

‘Not at all, Ms Taylor. I can assure you that all of our customers are very satisfied.’

I swivelled towards the woman’s voice and saw luminous grey eyes, short white-blonde hair and salon-perfect makeup.

‘I am Fiona, the proprietor of Tir na n’Og.’ Her dress was spectacular, form-fitting black silk with what looked like very expensive ruby and diamond catches holding it together. There were more rubies sewn onto her elbow-length evening gloves.

...I followed Fiona up the stairs, or rather, followed her shoes: red suede courts with four-inch heels, studded with more rubies. The ruby extravaganza made my spine crawl. Fiona had hit my radar as human, so why was she blinged up like a witch or a goblin queen?


More recent conversation . . .

Fiona: [discussing The Cold Kiss of Death] umm . . . Fiona doesn’t get much of a mention does she? [steely look] I hope you’re going to give her more page time in book 3?
Suzanne: [looks shifty] umm . . . I’m not sure what’s happening with Fiona in book 3—
Fiona: [points an accusing finger] you’re not going to kill her off are you? You can’t! I won’t let you!
Suzanne: [mentally resurrects Fiona] ooh, alright then . . . maybe I’ll kill PB instead [evil grin].


FYI: Part of this blog post was posted over at Karen Mahoney’s LJ where she was kind enough to have me as her guest on the 4th Sept 2008. Karen is brilliant new writer [of Urban Fantasy :- )] and her story Falling to Ash is published in The Eternal Kiss anthology – you can read the first six pages through Amazon’s ‘look inside’ feature here.

*Trivia! Walk on characters’ names are something I have an issue with; in the first draft of my book, I ended up with three characters all called Peter, and because they were such different people in my mind, I never noticed until after I’d written them in. Trouble is I still think of all three of them as Peter! So now a lot of my secondary characters start out as XXX until I can think of suitable [and different] names for them. *g*

**Currently undergoing a re-vamp :- )

***Profuse apologies to PB – it wasn’t my idea, but you really do make a fantastic vamp!

Friday Three now Friday Five to check out! aka A Shameless Self-Promotion Post!

# 1 ~ My good writing buddy david_bridger  is going to be a guest panellist on Litopia-After-Dark. David is an all round good guy [it's okay, he didn't pay me to say that, but he did bribe me with a mention of my book *beams*] Oh, and he's going to mention Personal Demons* by stacia_kane **, and all sorts of other writerly goodness. So if you get a chance, go listen and cheer him on - even if he can't hear you :-)

The 45-minute live show goes out at 8pm London time (3pm EST & 12 noon PST) and you can listen here: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/Litopia-After-Dark

And this is where the recording will appear, two days later: http://www.litopia.com/podcast/~

# 2 ~ My other good friend Neil Ford [thank you Neil!] sent me these - The Cold Kiss of Death seen in Borders, Brighton [in pics 1 & 2] , and it looks like it might be on special offer*! Yay! So if you're in the UK and near a Borders, go get yourself a bargain. Pic 3 is in Waterstone's, Horsham, where both my books are shelved in the Horror section; not only that if you look closely, I'm sandwiched between Sunshine by Robin McKinley *Big, Big, Fan-Girl Squeee* and Richelle Mead [awesome writer]!


# 3 ~ The lovely Amber [no she didn't pay me either, but Wow! Do I owe her a big piece of the fab German Chocolate Cake in the Birthday Cake Winner's post here :-)] has reviewed The Cold Kiss of Death at ParanormalRomance.org and at her own great blog: Amberkatze's Book Blog.

Amber says . . .

'Genny is the Anita Blake of the Fae world mixed with Rachel Morgan. She is hot, independent and kicks major magical and paranormal butt . . . The series as a whole is dark, action packed and full of mystery. . . Fresh, unique and urban fantasy at its best, this is an author you need to check out if you are a lover of the genre.' Read the rest of the review here.

# 4 ~ The equally lovely mardelwanda  has also reviewed The Cold Kiss of Death at the Rabid Reader [I'm going to need another of those scrumptious chocolate cakes - or maybe two, with a huge shaker of Vampire Kiss Cocktail - just for Mardel, as she says such fantastic wonderful things *blushes*]

'Wonderfully done. I'm hoping Ms McLeod feels like writing more about Genny and her crew. I'm hoping Ms Mcleod feels like writing anything in the urban fantasy genre. She writes well, and most important of all- THE DIALOGUE IS NEVER LAME, NEVER DUMB. . . This book just flows, from beginning to end. Suzanne McLeod . . . has now joined my mental list of auto-buy writers.'

One of my favourite bits of Mardel's review is . . .

'I am usually able to read vampire books without feeling all gooey about the vampires { come on...they're dead! and usually cold, and the diet-kind of icky! } but I kind of like Malik, and Darius { the slut }, as well as the fae- Finn, and Tavish....and few others.'

I kind of like Malik, and Darius, and Finn, and Tavish too *g* They were a lot of fun to write :-) Read the rest of Mardel's review here.

# 5 ~ On Wednesday I had a quick day trip up to London, where I signed stock books at both Goldsboro Bookshop [a beautiful, specialist bookshop with some drool-worthy books] and at Forbidden Planet [OMG such a cool place for SFF books and great stuff - check out their website!]. So if you're out and about and want your own signed copy, pop in a buy one. Or both shops have signed copies to buy online.

And now back to the writing cave :-)

*My books are Urban Fantasy as opposed to Paranormal Romance [they do have some *HOT* romantic subplots *g*], but heck, so long as the shops are putting them on the shelves anywhere [although probably not in the gardening section LOL] and anyone interested in buying them can find them, I'm cool :-)

** Stacia's new book Demon Inside is out on the 28th July! I loved the first book and I'm so looking forward to catching up with Megan and her own personal demons: Malleus, Maleficarum and Spud! Happy Early Book Birthday, Stacia!!!

This week's contest is now closed and Random.org has drawn the following winners ...


Pam said: I have such a sweet tooth and love cake, usually some kind of chocolate. One favorite I don't get often is German Sweet Chocolate Cake.

Thank you to everyone for taking part and for being with me to celebrate the release of The Cold Kiss of Death : Spellcrackers.com [2] : over the weeks leading up to it. Thanks to all my new followers, it's great to have you along. A special thanks to all of you who have linked and tweeted, it is very much appreciated. And thanks to all of you for making me eat more cake than is good for me telling me your fav cakes *g*. I drooled had a lot of fun reading the comments, and I wish we could have all have had a real-life book launch party with all the wonderful cakes, and cocktails from the Strange Brew Giveaway :-).

That's the end of my celebratory giveaways for now, but I'll be posting at least weekly here, and I hope to do some flying visits to other blogs, so watch this space for details as and when. I'll be in the writing cave for most of my time from now until book 3 - The Bitter Seed of Magic - is finished, so wish me luck.

'When Serena moves into her new apartment, she didn't expect to encounter a gorgeous phantom that appears to her while she's doing yoga. Once he makes his mystic appearance, she's enchanted, and can't get him out of her mind.

The phantom introduces himself as Noah, and shows Serena a new level of sexual pleasures. What she doesn't know is that he isn't just an ordinary phantom…and she's the key to not only his enlightenment, but hers as well.'

~Wow! Sounds like it's going to be a hot, sexy read - so check it out here - go on what are you waiting for? Go Now!!

  

Today's the official release day for The Cold Kiss of Death, and my last celebratory giveaway*. So after the fab recipes for cocktails in last week's giveaways, I hope you'll all join me in raising a glass of your favourite drink, and toast my second book's release along with a large piece of cyber cake *g*.





So onto this, the last week's giveaway*. To win your choice out of the 8 books above, please leave a comment telling me your favourite cake! Right now my fav cake [and this changes on a daily basis, after all this is *cake* we're talking about ~ LOL!] is New York Cheesecake! nomnomnom!

One winner to be drawn by Random.org. Contest open to all, and ends end of day [anywhere] Thursday 23rd July 2009.

I comment = 1 entry

Please help me spread the word about The Cold Kiss of Death and the giveaways with a mention of the giveaway on your blog/live journal/myspace/facebook/twitter/etc [post the link to the mention into the comments again] and win yourself more entries into this week's giveaway :-) 1 link = 1 entry

Which means you could end up with more entries into the metaphorical hat, so what are you waiting for? Get posting and linking!! Good Luck!!

x/posted to my blog: leave a comment here or there.

* I'm retreating to the writing cave now as the deadline for The Bitter Seed of Magic - Spellcrackers.com book 3 - is fast approaching, so I won't be around quite as often, but keep an eye out for a couple more chances to win a copy of The Cold Kiss of Death in the next few week's on some other blogs ~ details will be posted here as and when :-).

This week's contest is now closed and Random.org has drawn the following winners ...

Recent statement from Falcata Times: Just wanted to bring everyone up to speed, we've now regained control of the site from the Gremlins, thanks to Genny Taylor at Spellcrackers.com.

Check back later on Falcata Times for more news about Genny's latest adventures in The Cold Kiss of Death. . . as and when it hits!

Check out Spellcrackers.com via Genny's business card*.

Don't forget to enter this week's giveaway for a copy of Strange Brew  to celebrate the official release of The Cold Kiss of Death on the 16th July, 09.

*Many thanks to Gareth at Falcata Times for the fantastic design of Genny's business card :-)

Whoo Hoo! First sighting at Forbidden Planet, London - Many thanks to Neil Ford [neilf ]for the picture :-)

This week's contest is now closed and Random.org has drawn the following winners ...


Congratulations Caffey! You've won your choice out of: All four of Mike Carey's Felix Castor series [generously donated by Orbit, but not including TNOTB] or your choice of one of the Felix Castor books including The Naming of The Beasts*** along with a signed copy of The Cold Kiss of Death or The Sweet Scent of Blood. Please send me an email to contest {at} spellcrackers {dot} com with your choices and your snail mail details.


Congratulations Tonya! You've won whichever prize Caffey doesn't choose :-) Please send me an email to contest {at} spellcrackers {dot} com with your snail mail details and I'll let you know which after Caffey has been in touch.

Thank you to everyone for taking part and for a great turnout in letting me know your favourite demon. And now I remember even more of my own favourite demons LOL! I'm sorry more of you couldn't win. I had a lot of fun reading the comments, and although the rest of life is still eating a lot of my time, I hope to get round to answering all your comments at some point. Thank you again.

Remember to check back for the details of the next contest to win Strange Brew later today!

*** To be posted out later once it is available from the printers.

There's just over 6 days left [as I write this] - whoo hoo - until The Cold Kiss of Death :: Spellcrackers.com book 2 :: is released. And two exciting things happened today! 1. I got my author copies in the mail! WooT! and 2. The Book Depository started shipping the pre-orders for The Cold Kiss of Death! So there might still be 6 days left until the 16th July, the official date, but ... my second book could be out there in the wilds of book shops even sooner! Yay!




Here's what and how you can win: leave a comment telling me your favourite cocktail** and the commentator drawn by Random.org will win a copy of Strange Brew, plus a signed copy of The Cold Kiss of Death; and The Sweet Scent of Blood if they haven't read it. Contest open to all, and ends end of day [anywhere] Wednesday 15th July 2009.

I comment = 1 entry

Please help me spread the word about the release of The Cold Kiss of Death and the giveaways with a mention of the giveaway on your blog/live journal/myspace/facebook/twitter/etc [post the link to the mention into the comments again] and win yourself more entries into this week's giveaway :-) 1 link = 1 entry

Which means you could end up with more entries into the metaphorical hat, so what are you waiting for? Get posting and linking!! Good Luck!!

ETA: ** Cocktails can of course, be virgin - My fav is a Gentle Sea Breeze
Shake a mixture of equal measures of cranberry juice and pineapple juice, and strain into a glass filled with crushed ice. Garnish with a sprig of mint.

x/posted to my blog: leave a comment here or there.


( Recipies under the cut )

“Iron born and iron bred.

Trust not iron, it will see you dead.”

Rowan Blake could really use a magic wand to keep her struggling art gallery afloat. But the faerie key she stumbles across is far from a lucky charm. It’s a magnet for danger, and by touching it she’s unwittingly put herself in the middle of a war between the forces of light and dark. And in the arms of its rightful owner, Prince Daire.

While searching for his brother, Daire finds himself trapped in the Iron World with a mere mortal woman who ignites his passion like no other. Each stolen kiss deepens their attraction and sends him spiraling closer and closer to the edge of his inherent dark desires. Desires that act as a homing beacon for the Dark Sidhe, who are intent on forcing him to fight on their side.

The longer he lingers in her arms—and in her bed—the closer his enemies get to her door. And the greater the risk that the gateway to the Faerie Realm will shift, destroying not only his power to protect her, but his very life.

BREAKING NEWS - Orbit have generously donated books 1 - 4 of Mike Carey's Felix Castor series for The Naming of The Beasts giveaway so there will now be two lucky winners. First winner chosen by Random.org gets their choice of either books 1-4 [Felix Castor] or their choice of one of the five Felix Castor books including The Naming of The Beasts along with a signed copy of The Cold Kiss of Death or The Sweet Scent of Blood. Whoo Hoo! Thank you to Orbit for their excellent extra prize!

This is the latest Gollancz [my publishers] Newsletter! Not only does it feature the wonderful Charlaine Harris and True Blood and this video snippet [can't wait to see this!], but my books are in there too*! Yay! I *heart* Gollancz



And if you haven't already, don't forget to enter this week's celebratory giveaway to win your choice of Mike Carey's Felix Castor books, including his new one The Naming of the Beasts, plus a signed copy of The Cold Kiss of Death or The Sweet Scent of Blood.

‘It’s all the stupid pumkin king’s fault,’ Jack grumbled as he stomped his way across the wide expanse of lawn leaving a trail of frostbitten footprints behind him.

[The Pumkin King – short story] 

 

I know nothing of before I turned eight: then my first memory is full of pain and terror and blood.

[Untitled short story] 

 

He stirred and stretched out his hands, his claws making a scritching sound on the car’s bonnet as he reluctantly pulled himself up: today was the day.

[Junkyard Dragon – short story]

 

We had shaken each other’s hands when he’d arrived, I held his for the correct length of time . . . at least I think I did.

[The Island - short story]

 

They said her dog had three heads and eyes that glowed yellow in the dark.

[The Bully – short story]