S.C. Cunningham's Blog: AUTHOR S C Cunningham's BLOG, page 7
May 5, 2018
Book Reviews for Kick-Ass Paranormal Romance Thriller 'The Deal' by British Crime Author S C Cunningham
May 2, 2018
May Day Weekend Celebration x3 Free Ebooks by British Crime Author S C Cunningham
At the age of four, Amy was taken…She survived.
A week later, another little girl was taken…She didn't.
The Penance List, Unfinished Business and The Deal, Cunningham creates psychological crime thrillers with a skilled mix of fuelled tension, dark humour, and pulsating sex scenes Her works offer a fresh level of sincerity and authority, rare in fiction.
The Deal, the first in the series.
<a title="The Deal Page by S C Cunningham" ../the-deal.phpShe is the proud mother to Artist Scarlett Raven and owned by three dogs.
April 30, 2018
Book Blogger Author Interview with British Crime Writer S C Cunningham, by A Crime Readers Blog
I tend to write what I know; my storylines are founded on real life experiences.
From a very young age I’ve always known that my job in life was to entertain. To drag folk kicking and screaming into a world of escapism, to situations they’ve never experienced before and have them championing characters, willing them on and punching the air with a “Yesss!”
When building a character I draw on observations of people I know or have closely watched, it’s easier to write from truth. Luckily, I’ve had a hectic life path, worked in a few fascinating industries, and been able to study a wide range of characters.
In a nutshell my path has been – am British born of Irish parents, was plonked from the age of 8yrs into an Irish Catholic Nuns Boarding School. After a short spell of studying law (realising there is too much injustice in our systems) I went on to work as a fashion model, married a rock musician and worked in the music to film industry. Got divorced and then as a single mum worked within football, sports celebrity management, horseracing, children’s charities, and more recently for the Police as a Crime Investigator – Intel Analyst, Major Crime Team, Wanted and Absconder Units. Am proud mum to a wonderful daughter (Contemporary Artist) and owned by three dogs.
For the past ten years I’ve been drawing on these experiences as inspiration to write steamy Psychological Thrillers ‘The David Trilogy’ and gritty Paranormal Crime Romance ‘The Fallen Angel Series’.
The Penance List was kick-started by an incident that happened to me in my twenties when I was living in London. Quite frighteningly and out of the blue, I crossed paths with a prolific serial attacker who targeted single girls living alone in basement flats in Notting Hill and Olympia. It was then that I realised evil can sit around any corner, learn to trust you gut.
This male haunted London for a long period of time; he was astute, studied his victims for days and avoided capture. I believe he attacked 14 or so women, luckily I got away unscathed (must have an Angel looking out for me) and managed to help Police ID him with a photo fit. He was a nice looking, well dressed, calm, cold, precise and unhurried. He didn’t say a word, just stared, seeming to revel in the fear he instilled.
I remember looking into his face and asking why? I needed to understand how a human could be that cruel to another. He had the look of a spoilt mother’s boy; I guessed his mother must have loved him at some stage, but what life changing event or who had turned him from a sweet little boy into an evil adult? The seed for complex protagonist David Howard was sown.
Using a mix of my own experiences (nuns, boarding school, modelling, the press, celebrity management and fun loving career girlfriends) I created a fantasy world of manipulation, shining a light on the ripple effect carnage that the misuse of power, religion and passion can cause.
I enjoy complex characters that slowly reveal themselves, are not who they seem and engage with the reader, pulling at heartstrings and worst fears. I try to create a person who the reader would either like to hang out with or see as their worst enemy. Someone they feel empathy for and understand their choices, right or wrong. Someone they champion and punch the air with a resounding “Yessss!”
And because I’m an old romantic who loves a bit of drama, my books also have to have a few oh-so-sexy personalities with complicated love lives, evil exes, edge of seat fear, twists, turns, steamy romances and cheeky laugh out loud banter.
Working on a series allows you to build characters that hopefully people will fall in love with and get excited about. David is a very bad person, but fans often write saying they’re hooked; they love his charismatic charm warts and all, and can’t wait to see what he does next. They understand and champion the boy, but fear the man he has become. The book has been adapted to film script, so we may see David on our screens one day. I love working on this character so much that I have dragged him into ‘The Fallen Angel Series’ where he causes a bit of more chaos in the skies Pleased be warned, The Penance List is a sexy thriller, think Psycho meets 50 Shades. It can be a little naughty at times and may not be for everyone. But if you’re brave enough, grab a glass of vino, close the bedroom door and read alone.
For nearly twenty years I have been compiling storylines. My Crime Investigation works keeps me busy writing also, there are a lot of reports to complete for CPS and Court.
My crime investigation work consists of arriving at a Police Station, attending a briefing, being given a prisoner and dealing with his or her case; sourcing evidence, speaking to witnesses and victims, conducting safeguarding, disclosing to Legal Advisors, interviewing the prisoner, and depending on the offence and if charged, liaising with CPS and preparing files for Court.
My writing work involves somehow cutting out the rest of the world and becoming mushroom-like reclusive. I tend to try and back out of the world and everything that’s going on around me for days before, emptying my over-zealous mind, to fill it again with another complex fictional world.
On a writing day, I take the dogs for a beach walk, traveling via the back roads to avoid conversations. Am easily drawn into chatting with folk – dog walkers are a lovely friendly bunch.
On the beach I start the process of thinking about scenes for the day’s writing. My work tends to have complicated spaghetti storylines which I need to be on top of – tough on an old bird like me
I get home and set the scene of my writing room; smelly candles, music, good lighting, warmth, quiet, nibbley easy-to-eat food and plenty of drinks. The dogs, exhausted from their walk, sleep at my feet. It’s nice to have another heart beat in the room, writing can be lonely.
I sit at the computer for between 5 to 10 hours, depending how well it’s going, and then log off with a celebratory glass of vino or cheeky gin and tonic.
I love the beach, in all kinds of weather. The sea seems to calm my soul and is great for rinsing out storylines and the clutter of crime. I also love catching up with a good friend, putting the world to rights over a cup of coffee or a cheeky glass of Prosecco.
Movies are another passion of mine, I could quite happily sit in a cinema all afternoon watching 2/3 movies back to back. I write with film in mind.
My reading tastes reveal a pretty primitive narrow spectrum of thriller romance and action – Martina Cole, James Patterson, John Grisham, Michael Connelly, Colin Dexter, Nora Roberts, Stephen King, Mary Higgins Clark, Dan Brown, Patricia Cornwell, John Le Carre, Ian Fleming and my uber favourite is Lee Child, although I’ve not forgiven him for selling the rights to Tom Cruise. Tom is wonderful I’m sure, but he is no Jack Reacher… (sigh).
I am currently at the edit stage of book two of The Fallen Angel Series ‘Karma’, and have started the final book in The David Trilogy ‘For My Sins’. Thank you for talking with me.
Book Blogger Review of The Penance List by British Crime Writer S C Cunningham, by Girl With A Good Book And Her Dog
What happens when opposites attract - when a scorned childhood sweetheart grows into a gorgeous sexual tour de force - when a fun loving career girl, her racy girlfriends and insatiable lovers get caught in his revenge - when sex becomes a weapon, hearts become bait and straight tastes gay - when hi-flying careers, clandestine affairs and wannabe starlets are hunted by celebrity hungry press? Obsession, kidnap, murder... and he's just getting started!
British Crime Investigator & Crime Writer, Siobhan C Cunningham creates steamy psychological thrillers and kick-ass paranormal romance with a skilled mix of fuelled tension, dark humour, and pulsating sex scenes. Having worked in the very industries she writes about, her novels offer a fresh level of sincerity and authority, rare in fiction.
An ex-model, British born of Irish roots, she married a rock musician and has worked in the exciting worlds of music, film, sports celebrity management and as a Crime Investigator for the British Police (Wanted & Absconder Unit, Major Crime Team, Intelligence Analyst, Investigations Hub).
Abducted as a child, she survived; and every night for months afterward, she prayed to God, asking for a deal. This personal journey sparked the fuse behind the intriguing and riveting fictional world she portrays in The Fallen Angel Series. Twenty years later she crossed paths with a violent serial attacker who haunted the streets of London, the seed for The David Trilogy was sown, book one is The Penance List, and has been adapted to film screenplay.
She is the proud mother to contemporary Artist Scarlett Raven and is owned by three dogs.
SIOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
https://www.amazon.co.uk/S-C-Cunningham/e/B002L3ZC2U/
Book Blogger Review of psychological thriller The Penance List by S C Cunningham from Donnas Book Blog
ABOUT THE PENANCE LIST
What happens when opposites attract – when a scorned childhood sweetheart grows into a gorgeous sexual tour de force – when a fun loving career girl, her racy girlfriends and insatiable lovers get caught in his revenge – when sex becomes a weapon, hearts become bait and straight tastes gay – when hi-flying careers, clandestine affairs and wannabe starlets are hunted by celebrity hungry press? Obsession, kidnap, murder… and he’s just getting started!
MY REVIEW
I recently had an interview with this author on my blog and after seeing her responses and enthusiasm for her books I knew I needed to read one, so when the tour came up for Penance List I jumped at the chance to join in!
Well I have to say wow after reading this book!! It was so much more than I expected and I thoroughly enjoyed it – it had sex, murder, secrets and lies and it was a brilliant thriller. I was hooked straight away and enjoyed every page – very well written and very well put together with a brilliant writing style!!
Definitely a read for me – sooo good!!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
British Crime Investigator & Crime Writer, Siobhan C Cunningham creates steamy psychological thrillers and kick-ass paranormal romance with a skilled mix of fuelled tension, dark humour, and pulsating sex scenes. Having worked in the very industries she writes about, her novels offer a fresh level of sincerity and authority, rare in fiction.
[image error]
An ex-model, British born of Irish roots, she married a rock musician and has worked in the exciting worlds of music, film, sports celebrity management and as a Crime Investigator for the British Police (Wanted & Absconder Unit, Major Crime Team, Intelligence Analyst, Investigations Hub).
Abducted as a child, she survived; and every night for months afterward, she prayed to God, asking for a deal. This personal journey sparked the fuse behind the intriguing and riveting fictional world she portrays in The Fallen Angel Series.
Twenty years later she crossed paths with a violent serial attacker who haunted the streets of London, the seed for The David Trilogy was sown, book one is The Penance List, and has been adapted to film screenplay.
She is the proud mother to contemporary Artist Scarlett Raven and is owned by three dogs.
<a title="About S C Cunningham" ../about-the-author.phpAbout The Author HERE
April 29, 2018
Book Bloggers Guest Post by S C Cunningham, Why I Write, for Blogger Kate of Everywhere and Nowhere
modelling, marrying a rock musician, working within film (with musicians, producers, directors, actors, financiers and scriptwriters), working within sports celebrity management (with footballers, golfers, tennis & rugby players, jockeys, managers, chairmen, stadiums, golf & race courses, VIP’s, the press, PR and lawyers), working within charity (in Africa and Europe, with shareholders, financiers, royalty, moguls, HIV orphanages, schools and medications), working within crime investigation (with the police, custody blocks, prisons, absconders, wanted’s, forensic teams, major crime teams, intel analysts, crown prosecutors, suspects, victims, witnesses and Crimewatch).
I’ve been married and divorced twice (got drunk and married in Vegas, oops!), am a single mum to a wonderful daughter (Contemporary Artist) and owned by three dogs.
Phew! Reading the above I realise that I’m an old dog, who’s been around a lot, (smile!).
The end product of my journey thus far is that for the past ten years I’ve been writing steamy Psychological Thrillers (The David Trilogy) and gritty Paranormal Crime Romance (The Fallen Angel Series).… oh, and I’ve learned to prefer dogs over humans… mostly.
I tend to write what I know, both series of books are founded on real life experiences.
My David Trilogy ‘The Penance List’ was kick-started by an incident that happened to me in my twenties, when I was living in London. Frighteningly, I crossed paths with a prolific serial attacker who was targeting single girls living on their own in basement flats in Notting Hill and Olympia.
I got away unscathed (must have an Angel looking out for me) and helped Police with ID’ing the suspect. I remember looking at his face and wondering why? What awful thing happened in his life to turn him from a sweet little boy into an evil adult? The seed for my complex protagonist David Howard was sown.
Using a mix of my own experiences I created a world of manipulation, shining a light on the carnage ripple effect that the misuse of power, religion and passion can cause. And because I’m a romantic old bird who loves a bit of drama, my books have to have a few oh-so-sexy lead characters with complicated love lives, evil exes, edge of seat fear, steamy romances and cheeky laugh out loud banter.
‘The Penance List’ is a sexy thriller, think Psycho meets 50 Shades. It can be a little naughty and may not be for everyone. But if you’re brave enough, grab a glass of vino, close the bedroom door and read alone.
My Fallen Angel Series ‘The Deal’ was also kick started by a kidnap incident that happened to me as a child. At 3 or 4 years old I was taken and got away (that Angel again!). The following week another little girl was taken, she didn’t get away. I remember being upset that the nasty man had got away, and said my prayers every night, asking God for a deal – That if I was a good girl, when I die, would he let me sit on a cloud for a while, invisible, and help him get the baddies that slip through his fingers? This wish has stayed with me throughout life, I tend to find myself supporting the underdog, and looking for justice.
The Fallen Angel Series takes my childhood wish, mixes it with my crime investigation knowledge and the empowering thought that we’re not alone and creates a fictional fantasy where vigilante Angels dish out tough karma from the skies, protecting the underdog and sorting out the baddies (I keep expecting the heavens to lightning strike me down for the sex scenes and swearing, but so far so good!). I love writing this series, it’s fun; the angels are feisty, naughty and brave. And their work is contemporary and thought provoking.
I’m not religious, but I’d like to think that there’s something else out there, I don’t know what it is, an energy or quantum physics we don’t understand yet. Whatever it is, I’ve learned that if my gut says something, I follow it.
Spoiler alert – Because ‘The Penance List’ protagonist David Howard is SO delish to work with, he’s been dragged into The Fallen Angel Series, causing trouble. So this is not the last we see of him.
Thank you for taking the time to visit me. I hope my works make you hold your breath, shiver, laugh out loud, feel inspired and punch the air with a resounding “Yesss!”
Keep safe and follow that intuitive gut of yours, it’s the best weapon you have in your tool box.
Siobhan x
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Well I’ve not read the book but I’m certainly tempted to after finding out what David was inspired by, that gave me goosebumps.
If that’s made you fancy a read of it too <a title="The Penance List by S C Cunningham" https://www.amazon.com/Penance-List-David-Trilogy-Book-ebook/dp/B00B0HMTW4/?tag=sccunningham-20then purchase HERE
Book Blogger Review of The Penance List by S C Cunningham from The Electric Review
This one comes with a warning – a steamy suspense-ridden psychological thriller – think Silence of the Lambs meets 50 Shades and hold on tight! S C Cunningham writes with a skilled mix of fuelled tension, dark humour and pulsating sex scenes. Grab a glass of wine, close the bedroom door and read alone!
What happens when opposites attract – when a scorned childhood sweetheart grows into a gorgeous sexual tour de force – when a fun-loving career girl, her racy girlfriends and insatiable lovers get caught in his revenge – when sex becomes a weapon, hearts become bait and straight tastes gay – when hi-flying careers, clandestine affairs, and wannabe starlets are hunted by celebrity-hungry press? Obsession, kidnap, murder… and he’s just getting started!
He stared down at her, studying her reaction as if a rat in a science lab. With cold, calm, knowing, he gave a gentle nod of his head and smiled. She’d guessed right. Her mind raced, the realization of what he had in mind pumped sobering adrenaline through her body…
Tara loves her job in advertising and is in a bit of a dry spell in her love life. She is the one who organizes the photo shoots, not the one in the photos, but the very private, and sexy, Italian football star, Franco Rossellini, has other ideas. Her brief, clandestine, and very hot, tutorial teaching Franco how to relax in front of the camera has convinced him that he wants Tara in the photo shoot with him instead of the highly-paid model. Little did they know this would carry dangerous and painful consequences for them both.
David has loved her forever. She was the only one who was kind to him when he needed it most, but when he professed his love in a letter so many years ago, she turned him down and broke his already battered heart. The time has come. She must pay like the rest.
In the first of the David Trilogy, Cunningham’s characters are gradually developed by transitioning between past and present. I’m not usually a fan of this type of storytelling, but it worked in this instance. The inner turmoil in the characters (especially the protagonist) is intense and keeps the reader engaged and rushing to read the next chapter. This is a riveting psychological thriller that lures you in slowly and stuns you at the end. Book 2 here I come. Be warned that this book contains graphic and disturbing scenes.
British Crime Investigator & Crime Writer, Siobhan C Cunningham creates steamy psychological thrillers and kick-ass paranormal romance with a skilled mix of fuelled tension, dark humour, and pulsating sex scenes. Having worked in the very industries she writes about, her novels offer a fresh level of sincerity and authority, rare in fiction.
An ex-model, British born of Irish roots, she married a rock musician and has worked in the exciting worlds of music, film, sports celebrity management and as a Crime Investigator for the British Police (Wanted & Absconder Unit, Major Crime Team, Intelligence Analyst, Investigations Hub).
Abducted as a child, she survived; and every night for months afterward, she prayed to God, asking for a deal. This personal journey sparked the fuse behind the intriguing and riveting fictional world she portrays in The Fallen Angel Series. Twenty years later she crossed paths with a violent serial attacker who haunted the streets of London, the seed for The David Trilogy was sown, book one is The Penance List, and has been adapted to film screenplay.
She is the proud mother of contemporary Artist Scarlett Raven and is owned by three dogs.
Book Blogger Review of The Penance List by S C Cunningham from J Bronder Book Reviews
April 28, 2018
AUTHOR S C Cunningham's BLOG
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