Fiona Dodwell's Blog, page 8

Happy Easter… what will you do over this Bank Holiday?

First of all, HAPPY EASTER SUNDAY to those who celebrate it – and have a happy long weekend off work for those enjoying time out in the sunshine!

While I try my best to refrain from eating chocolate (yes, even at this time of the morning) I want to ask what you'll be doing this Bank Holiday? Any plans?

For those who may find themselves at a loose end, I have some great reading suggestions! These are my favourite books – so, if you are tired, bored, or nursing a hang-over, maybe you can pick up these books and give them a flick!

Into The Darkest Corner, by Elizabeth Haynes. (If you want to read something dark, disturbing and unique, give this thriller a try. Although I warn you, you'll never want to date a man again!)
Intricate Entanglement, by Su Halfwerk – delicious short stories that really do they're best to frighten and disturb. I can't recommend this enough
The House of Lost Souls, by FG Scottham. It's frightening, it's dark, it's subtle and it really is one of the best novels I have read in recent years.

For me, Sunday will be spent reading, writing (working on my novel, The Shift) and planning my promotional stint for my new novel to be released in Septemeber – Obsessed.

Book Goggles gives The Banishing 4/5

"If you love mainstream horror then by all means, read the mainstream stuff – nothing wrong with that. But when you're ready for something good, off the beaten path, read this book." -BOOK GOGGLES

Book review site, Book Goggles, gives The Banishing 4/5 and a great review:

"Intense.

If I had to sum this novel up in a word, that would be what I'd use. When I first read this book I wasn't really aware of what I was getting myself into. I assumed that it was just another "woman against evil being" book similar to the ones that abound in the horror genre.

I have to admit, I was pretty impressed by this book. I found myself burning through the pages and finishing it within a matter of hours. I just couldn't stop reading!

Then I got to the ending, which I won't elaborate on for obvious spoiler reasons. I wasn't expecting it so when the big finale happened I was taken by surprise to say the least. I have to admit that I was sad to see this end- I really hope that Fiona writes a sequel somewhere down the line since this idea is too good for just one book.

This book gave me the shivers, which is a good thing. It's reminded me of what I used to really love about reading horror, which I hadn't felt in a while. This just creeped me out and that's a good thing. If you love mainstream horror then by all means, read the mainstream stuff – nothing wrong with that. But when you're ready for something good off the beaten path, read this book."

Good news to share with you. . .

Hello!

I have some good news to share with you: I have been offered a contract to release my horror novel, Obsessed, with US Publisher Damnation Books. I have a release date of 1st September 2011.

It's early days  (the contracts have just been signed, sealed and delivered),  but I thought I would share my happy news with you!

As with The Banishing, I will update this blog with any news/information/bookcover details as and when I receive them.

Looking forward to this. Hope you'll be with me for the ride again!

"Horror the way it should be!"- A review

I HEART REVIEWS gives The Banishing a 4/5 Review…

" The Banishing reminded me a lot of classics in the horror genre, like The Exorcist and Poltergeist, but  what makes The Banishing such a thrilling and exciting read however, is the way Fiona Dodwell handles her scary story, the way she builds up the tension… horror the way it should be, and I had a marvellous time reading.

Dodwell takes things slowly, and by doing so she managed to make me genuinely scared. Considering I'm not easily scared – although I must admit ghosts do manage to frighten me more often than any other supernatural creature – this is a considerable accomplishment. Event after event unfolded, the secrets were slowly exposed, and I found myself neglecting my own promise to myself (to only read one chapter, then study a bit, then read another chapter). I had to finish this one in one single reading session – that's how good it is.

The Banishing tells a dark and twisted tale, that will probably reminds its readers of the classics in the horror genre, back when horror was actually still scary and everyone could be possessed by a demon or every house in the neighborhood could be inhabited by vengeful spirits from the beyond. The writting is excellent, the storyline full of unexpected twists and turns. The ending is nothing if not brilliant, and it will leave you thinking about this novel for a long time after reading it. If you enjoy horror, especially the classic horror involving ghosts and demons, then The Banishing is an excellent choice."

To read the full review, or to leave your own comments about The Banishing, visit their site:

http://booklog.eternalised.net/2011/04/book-review-the-banishing-by-fiona-dodwell/#comment-1865

The verdict on The Banishing… ?

"Fiona is a writer to watch for… I fully expect to see more from her in the future and am looking forward to it." -Donna's Blog Reviews

Donna's Blog – a review website for books - has given a verdict on The Banishing.

"I was a little unsure when I first started this book,  but seriously no more than 10 pages in I was hooked.

What starts as a mystery story of why Melissa's husband is changing quickly turns into a suspenseful tale of horror. You are right there with Melissa as she figures out what is going on. The story is set at a good pace, it doesn't lag or  go too fast.

The book comes to quite a surprising conclusion… I have to admit it was completely unexpected.

If you are looking for a good horror/suspense novel, this is one you should pick up. Fiona is a writer to watch for… I fully expect to see more from her in the future and am looking forward to it."

To read the full review, or to read Donna's other reviews and author interviews, please visit her site at:

www.donnasbloghome.blogspot.com

Interview with author Conda V. Douglas

Conda V. Douglas is an author who has been writing since the tender age of 12. Her novel, 'Changing Women Ways' has been published with US Publisher Damnation Books, and here she talks about her life, her writing and advice and tips for writers out there…

1. You started writing at a young age. What inspired you?

My fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Loringer, told me anyone could write.  A stunner. I remember when she said those words, the room flooded with light. I grew up in Sun Valley, Idaho, a ski resort where Papa Hemingway lived and died. And my folks knew Papa. But still, to me, writers were gods or angels or devils at the very least.

 

2. What, if anything, do you find particularly challenging about writing?

The most challenging thing I find is deciding what to write and staying with one project until it's finished. I'm like other writers, I have so many ideas, plots, characters roiling in a flurry in my mind, it's hard sometimes to pick just one.

 

3. Can you tell me about your release, Changing Woman Ways?

My dad, Luther A. Douglas, was a famous artist and most famous for his work with the Navajo. He was the first man to preserve Navajo sand paintings. My childhood was filled with the Navajo people and their wonderful ceremonies and beliefs. And rocks in the bathtub and goats in the kitchen and buffalo bones on the living room rug, boy did our house stink! One Navajo story about Changing Woman was the inspiration for this story.

 

4. Do you generally stick to one style or genre in your writing? If so, why?

Not one style or genre, rather I love crime, or even more specifically I adore dead things. And bright shiny objects. These things appear over and over again in my horror, fantasy and mystery stories.

 

5. What tips can you share with us about writing?

My best piece of advice: PERSIST. To succeed with writing is simple: read, write, edit, submit, repeat, repeat, repeat. It's always worked for me and continues to do so, or rather, more so in this new electronic publishing world.

 

6. Do you have any hints or advice for those who want to get published?

The one problem I see as an editor again and again in newbies that prevents publication:  the emotional connection newbies have with the work. Once it's written, it's no longer a birth process and the writing isn't a newborn, it's product. 

 

7. Who are your favourite authors and why?

Oh my, it's hard to list them all, I have so many. But they all share one thing that keeps me returning to their books again and again: a true emotional connection with the characters. If a writer cares about her characters, so does the reader.

 

8. What are you working on right now?

My newest endeavor's working title is Awakened. In Awakened, the power to bring back the dead is also the power to kill. A young artist learns to her horror that once accepted this gift cannot be returned. Again, dead things and shiny objects…

 

9. Where can people find out more about you and your work?

Visit my blog http://condascreativecenter.blogspot.com/ or my Amazon page http://www.amazon.com/Conda-V.-Douglas/e/B004FSEHG6/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_3  or my YouTube videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pY0RnK4YNAk

Thank you, Conda!

The Banishing gets a "5 out of 5″ review by Book Addicts…

"Amazing debut! If this predicts anything about the books Fiona is going to write in the future then I can't imagine she won't be a bestselling author" – My Book Addict

The Banishing has received a great review from My Book Addict, giving the novel 5 out of 5!

 Here is the review:

Never in my life have I been so scared after reading a book but The Banishing just scared the hell out of me! The story just unfolds itself and you live through everything the main character lives through.

The story really pulled me in and even now as I'm writing this review the chills are still running down my spine.

Amazing debut, if this predicts anything about the books Fiona is going to write in the future then I can't imagine she won't be a bestselling author. An amazing and chilling book you don't want to read after dark!

The Mothers Tale, by Camilla Noli

I don't often write reviews – I feel strange judging the works of another, even though it's something I do privately when I watch or read what is put before me. However, when I recently read The Mother's Tale, by Camilla Noli, I felt compelled to recommend this dark work of fiction.

This novel was a surprise to me: I expected it to be about the perils and challenges of motherhood, perhaps an exploration of the psychology of a 'stay-at-home' parent, but I was very wrong. This book, which runs at 256 pages, is something far more disturbing and unsettling.

Following the story of a married mother of two young children, The Mother's Tale at first leaves us with a safe, secure impression of parenting, of motherly love. This story quickly takes a sharp turn, rendering the reader disturbed and frightened. What the mother in this work of fiction does to her own family and children leaves one with a feeling of discomfort and fear – there were certain scenes where I found myself turning my face away from the page, literally scared of seeing what this woman was capable of doing to somebody she is supposed to love.

I can't recommend this novel enough – but I warn you, it is hard to read in certain parts.

Maybe I loved this novel because it takes a character whom we want to love and support, but in the end turns her into something ugly and frightening. It's something I tried to do with The Banishing, and I feel Camilla Noli has done her job well with this story.

It is beautifully written, very touching in parts (particularly scenes dealing with grief) and leaves the reader totally raw and exposed by the end.

I recommend picking up a copy!

My blog nominated for the 'Lovely Blog Award'

 

Thanks to the Rainy of The Dark blog, I have been nominated for the 'Lovely Blog Award.'

I appreciate her vote for my page and in return here are my votes for the Lovely Blog Award…

Su Halfwerk's author blog: http://suhalfwerk.blogspot.com/

Greg Chapman's Blog: http://www.darkscrybe.blogspot.com/

Penny Lockwood: http://pennylockwoodehrenkranz.blogspot.com/

RJ Sullivan's blog: http://rjsullivanfiction.wordpress.com

Naomi Clark: http://naomijay.blogspot.com/

Tim Marquitz: http://tmarquitz.com/blog/

And because I love it too, please visit Rainy of The Dark: http://www.rainyofthedark.com

 

Thank you!

If you have any favourite blogs or want to link/recommend one, feel free to leave a comment! There are some great sites around.

News, plans and updates…

News, plans and updates

It has been quite some time since I've posted on here. It's been a busy few weeks: The Banishing is now out as e-book and paperback in the USA, soon to be followed by paperback release in the UK. I have been busy chatting with other authors, taking part in interviews, guest blogs and reviews.

If you've missed my appearances, you can catch up by visiting the following sites:

Tim Marquitz blog: http://tmarquitz.com/blog/?p=226 

RJ Sullivan's blog: http://rjsullivanfiction.wordpress.com/interview-fiona-dodwell-on-the-release-of-the-banishing/

My guest spot at Fang-Tastic Books: http://fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com/2011/03/author-fiona-dodwell-discusses-nature.html

Some updates for you:

I will be doing a one week book tour with Bewitching Books, beginning the week of April 11th, so I'll be making lots of appearances where you can learn more about my new release, my upcoming releases and book giveaways!

The Banishing will also be reviewed by some book sites courtesy of Bewitching tours… I'll keep you updated!

What am I doing at the moment?

I am busy writing my third novel, The Shift, as well as continuing with my novella The Governess. Both are coming along nicely (and contain some of the creepiest scenes I have ever indulged in!) so lets hope these stories reach your hands sometime in the future.

Obsession, my second novel, is currently being submitted – and considered – for publication. Fingers crossed

There is also still a few days left for you to enter the contest to win a copy of The Banishing. Below are the details:

Entries must be sent to thebanishing@talkparanormal.com and include;

 - Full legal name, first and last (no usernames please.)

 - Correct mailing address (be sure to check accuracy so we can get it to the right place!)

- Age and date of birth (this is a horror novel, ages eighteen (18) and over only please. If you are under 18 you will need to have a parent or guardian enter.)

- Email address (so we can let you know you won!)

Thanks! See you soon!