31 Wicked Days of Xmas With Suzanne McLeod

• • What is next for you book wise in 2013?

Hello, and Happy Holidays to Wicked Lil Pixie, and all of you! Thanks for having me guest, and I hope you’re all having a wonderful time and celebrating happily with your loved ones. And now, onto what’s next for me book wise

The Hidden Rune of Iron – # 5 in my Spellcrackers.com urban fantasy series – comes out mid 2013. Without giving any spoilers for those who haven’t read the last book it sees Genny searching for the Iron Rune of the title in order to save her fae friends from a life-threatening problem they have. Only she isn’t looking on her own; Malik al-Khan is helping her, as are some other characters, both old and new. But, of course, not all of the characters who join in the search have Genny’s best interests at heart, so there will be lots of shenanigans (and lots of other interesting stuff, maybe involving a certain enigmatic vamp! *teases*) along the way.

• • Do you have a favorite book of 2012?

Ooh, I have lots of favourites; it’s hard to pick just one, so here’s three. The first is Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews. I knew I would love it as I’m a huge fan of the Kate Daniels and Edge books and I did! It was fab to learn more about Andrea and Raphael.

The second is The Steel Seraglio by Mike Carey, Linda Carey and Louise Carey. I’ve always loved everything that Mike has written so I thought this book would be great, and also interesting as it was co-written with Linda (Mike’s wife) and Louise (their daughter). It has an Arabian Nights feel about it both in its setting, story structure, and storytelling, and tells how 365 concubines take control of their own lives after a violent coup means they are destined for a messy death. It’s a fabulous read.

The third is Turbulence by Samit Basu. It’s set in 21st-century India and London (my favourite city and the home of Spellcrackers.com *inserts obligatory self-promo* *g*) and is about a group of ordinary people who develop superpowers overnight, and what they decide to do about it. The book is huge fun with lots of fantastic humour, along with some thought provoking moments and serious questions.

• • What is your favorite holiday food?

I LOVE Christmas cake made with lots of fruit and nuts, well sozzled with alcohol, and covered in marzipan and fondant icing; mini mince pies made with butter pastry; and Christmas pudding with lots of cream! Can’t wait

• • Least favorite holiday song?

I worked in retail for years and, as anyone who’s worked in shops will know, the holidays/Christmas preparation start EARLY, which includes all the seasonal songs for the store muzak. Once you’ve heard them on continuous repeat for near enough three months every year, there isn’t one that hasn’t got on your nerves at some point, though, luckily after a while, you stop hearing them.

• • Do you have any holiday family traditions?

The whole family get together for lunch at my brother’s (have done ever since his kids were young as it’s easier for them and my sister-in-law) and we all cook different parts of the meal, so no one ends up with all the work. After lunch (and the communal washing up) we get into teams and play a whole load of quiz games (although some of the older team members have the odd sneaky snooze ), which is always cut-throat and competitive, err, great fun.

• • Worst gift you ever received?

A Secret Santa. And I still have it! (I’m not crazy! Honest!) The gift is some sort of weird alcoholic stuff in little silver bottles (ingredients say water, sugar, cranberry conc. flavourings (ligonberry, cranberry). The worrying thing is, they come with a plastic moose’s head . . . yeah, exactly, that’s what I thought . . . So I’ve never tried it (told you, not that crazy *g*).

• • Worst gift you ever gave?

I can’t think of anything awful (though obviously I could’ve given someone something dreadful, and just not know it . . .). If I can’t think of a suitable present I usually opt for chocs and (recognizable) booze, which usually go down well with most folk even if it is a bit unimaginative. Though, I do have a Secret Santa still to find this year . . . *eyes plastic moose head*

• • Favorite holiday memory?

One of our Hounds loved Christmas, especially the presents under the tree. She used to think they were all for her and spend ages sniffing and poking her nose into them. (We kept any foodie ones out of reach, so they weren’t too much temptation. ) Then on Christmas morning she’d have a wonderful time helping us open them all (wrapping paper doesn’t stand a chance against claws and teeth) and, even though the actual gifts weren’t always doggy ones, she always had wonderful fun giving them a good look over.

• • If you could share one lesser known fact about yourself to our readers, what will it be?

We usually have some sort of chocs or candies in the house, and me and Mr Mc make them last! (True fact! We have a candy drawer where we keep it all out of sight which makes it easier to ignore.) We share the chocs/candies out between us and just have a couple a day. Which works for us . . . unless the drawer contains choc liqueur cherries (my mum always buys me some for Christmas ) or soft nougat; neither of those last longer than a few hours (I’m pretty sure I’ve convinced Mr Mc we have mice . . . *looks innocent*)

• • Weirdest thing you collect?

It’s not very weird, but the only thing I collect is tacky tourist-y magnets. If we go anywhere then I HAVE to buy one. The newest one is a tiny snow globe of Paris sights (we took a few days break there in November, which was fabulous!) On the plus side, the magnets are great for keeping coupons and other stuff stuck to the fridge.

Bio:
Suzanne McLeod is the author of the Spellcrackers.com urban fantasy series about magic, mayhem and murder – liberally spiced with hot guys, kick-ass chicks and super-cool supes! The Shifting Price of Prey – #4 – is her latest book. Suzanne has been a cocktail waitress, dance group roadie, and retail manager before becoming a writer. She was born in London and is now lucky enough to live with her husband on the sunny (sometimes) South Coast of England, about a mile away from the sea.

Suzanne’s website: http://www.spellcrackers.com/
Suzanne on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Suzanne_McLeod
Suzanne on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/suzanne.mcleod

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The Shifting Price of Prey – Spellcrackers.com #4

Blurb:
Sometimes a bit of magical help might cost more than you bargained for . . .
London is hosting the Carnival Fantastique, and Genny’s job has never been busier or more fulfilling. Only not everyone is so happy. Genny believed she’d cracked the fae’s infertility curse . . . but the fae are still barren. It’s a devastating plight to which the mysterious Emperor may have the solution – if Genny can find him.
She needs help.
She turns to the vampire Malik al-Khan, only to find he’s wrestling with his own demons and, when the police request Genny’s assistance with a magical kidnap, her own problems multiply too. Is it all unconnected, or can the Emperor help her solve more than the fae’s infertility? Soon Genny is hard on his trail, so it seems she’ll have a chance to ask . . . but will the answer cost more than she’s willing to pay?

Giveaway Details: Suzanne is giving away the winners choice of any one of her books via book depository. To enter, tell us what you plan to do for New Years Eve.