I’ve been tagged for blog hops! But not just any blog hops – sunny ones! We all know Blackthorn isn’t exactly associated with little rays of sunshine, so needless to say I’ve piled on the sunblock as I venture into the first of two…

Huge thanks to the lovely Rae Rivers for tagging me for blog hop number one. As it happens, I’m also interviewing her over on The Hot Pink Typewriter tonight about her PNR debut with Harper Impulse. Do come and say hi if you can!

The first thing I have to do is explain the hop. The name of this hop is The Tasty Summer Reads Blog Hop. Each author invites up to five other authors to answer the same five questions and discuss their current summer release and/or WIP as well as a tasty recipe that ties into it!

So here goes…

MY CURRENT RELEASE IS…

…Blood Roses, book 2 in the Blackthorn series, released in April. It’s a dark, claustrophobic and psychologically intense paranormal romance. All the details can be found in the ‘Books’ tab above.

MY CURRENT WIP IS…

…Blood Torn, book 3 in the Blackthorn series, due for release in the Autumn of this year. I’m keeping tight lipped about it for just a couple more weeks.

THE QUESTIONS…

1) When writing are you a snacker? If so, sweet or salty?


I tend to drink more than snack – water if I’m being good, iced coffee or Pepsi if I’m not. But as for snacks, it has to be sweet every time. I love dark chocolate, especially with a hint of orange.

2) Are you an outliner or someone who flies by the seat of their pants? Are they real pants or jammies?


When I first started writing the Blackthorn series, there was a lot of flying by the seat of my jammies – but I was writing for myself so it didn’t matter if I went off on tangents. If anything, it gave me a better indication of how the series would eventually take shape. Now it’s like taking the puzzle apart and putting it back together, so I always use outlines.

3) When cooking or baking, do you follow the recipe exactly or wing it?


LOL! Cooking or baking?? Me?? It’s a standing joke that I only ever venture into the kitchen for beans on toast or to reach into the fridge (see question 1). It’s safe to say I’m not exactly gifted in the domestic arts – but I am getting better. I’ve never baked though. I assume that refers to cakes and such like? Heck no! Opening packets is easier and less time consuming. I know some people find cooking relaxing. You’re more likely to find me on my knees sobbing, clutching the oven and pleading for mercy. I think I must have had a dubious past life because most things I cook come out looking like a sacrifice to some ancient deity.

4) What is next for you after this book?


Book 4 (not going to give away the title yet) is already underway in the background, so my focus will be on writing that in-between edits for Blood Torn which are starting very soon.

In terms of my publishing future after Blood Torn, I’m really not sure. I signed a three-book deal with Bookouture which will obviously come to an end very soon (sob), so all I can say is watch this space.

5) Last Question…on a level of one being slightly naughty to ten being whoo whoo steamy, where does your book land?



This is sooo subjective. From reading my reviews, I guess the majority would place it somewhere between hot and whoo whoo steamy.

THE SUMMER RECIPE…

I have to come up with a summer recipe that ties into Blackthorn. So, taking into account my response to question number 3, this is the best you’re going to get I’m afraid…

• Open the freezer. (Blackthorn can be a cold place at times and outsiders receive a frosty reception.)
• Find a large tub of rich and creamy DARK (this is Blackthorn, after all, no milky stuff here) chocolate ice cream. Oh, and preferably the type with all the chocolate chunks in it (to compliment the hard edge to the series).
• Grab an ice-cream scoop. (If it helps, you can imagine one tipped like a stake just in case you get any vampires sneak up behind you – no one gets in the way of us and ice cream, right?)
• Remove one scoop of ice cream and place it in a bowl. (Not straight into your mouth – apparently this is very unladylike. Gee.)
• Only one scoop? Methinks not! We’ll say that one is for Kane, so let’s take a second scoop for Caleb and a third for Jask. Yep, any excuse!
• Pour on a generous spilling of strawberry or raspberry sauce. (If I have to explain why, you’re not quite following my train of thought.)
• Grate some more dark chocolate over the top. (There’s always an extra little dark twist in Blackthorn, right?)
• Grab a spoon (silver, of course), indulge and enjoy!

I would now like to nominate the following bloggers to join the hop. I sure hope you’re better cooks than me!

Jane Hunt

Tima Maria Lacoba

Katie Graham

Alison Lodge

Fiona Chapman

I’ll be back with the second blog hop shortly. 🙂