Thank you for all your support in 2023!

It’s that time of year when you look back at what you achieved last year and plan for the new year.

But before I do that I just want to say thank you to everyone who has read my books and left a rating/review. Your support makes writing so fulfilling, and your enthusiam for my characters makes me want to write more! I hope you signed up to my newsletter (If you haven’t scroll down!) and downloaded the bonus novella I wrote in the world of Remargaren as my Christmas gift to you.

I also want to thank the kind person who gifted me a subscription for my annual website fees. I am so happy you enjoy the content I post to my blog and on my website and I am thrilled that you chose to support my writing journey. I don’t know who you are, but I thank you so very much for your support.

If anyone is interested in supporting my writing efforts, I do have a Patreon, which is limping along without any subscribers, so I haven’t been posting much lately, but once someone subscribes, and peeks at all the content I posted last year, I will be much more active in 2024, I promise! Patreon levels start from £2 per month, so you can choose how much you donate.

Anyhow, back to what I achieved in 2023, and what’s in store for 2024?

I published four books! Yes four!! and two novellas and one audiobook.

23rd January: SoulBreather
23rd February: Sentinals Banished
7th June: Men of Magic and Myth (MM Anthology- Novella: Familiar Troubles)
10th June: SoulBreather-Audiobook
15th June: DragonBound
11th October: Sentinals Destiny
23rd December: Sentinals and Guardians, Novella 2.5 (Free for Newsletter subscribers)

My books won Awards!!

Sentinals Justice: Readers’ Favorite Gold Medal – Epic Fantasy
Sentinals Justice: Global Book Awards: Gold Medal – Sword and Sorcery
SoulBreather: Global Book Award Silver Medal – Fantays Myth & Legend
SoulBreather: Readers’ Favorite Finalist Medal– Fantasy/Sci-Fi
SoulBreather: Readers’ Favorite Five star Review
Sentinals Across Time: Finalist for the 2022 CIBA OZMA Book Awards for Fantasy Fiction
Sentinals Across Time: Readers’ Favorite Five star Review

It has been a busy year, a highlight of which was going to Miami to be presented with the Gold medal for Sentinals Justice.

So what’s in store for 2024? Well I have plans for four more books!

A standalone dystopian fantasy. Cover reveal to follow soon! Planned release Spring 2024
OblivonGate – Book three of the SoulMist series. On preorder. Planned release date July 1, 2024.
Sentinals prequel-Part I. Release date TBC
Sentinals Prequel-Part II. Release date TBC

Other goals:

I am planning out a new epic fantasy series.
Online shop on website – make it easier to buy signed paperback and audio direct from me!
Create a Booktok store
Develop plan to crack wide sales
Audio for Dragonbound

So plenty to keep me busy outside of the day job!

2024 is a year full of opportunity and a lot more writing. I look forward to sharing the results with you throughout the year. Once again – Thank you for all your support, I hope you stay with me as we continue this amazing journey.

If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series. As a new threat against Remargaren is discovered, only one man can wake the ancient guards who can protect them, only he doesn’t know how. Start the adventure and stay for the journey. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.

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Author Interview – Suzanna C. Grose

Author of Turned into Gold

Today, I am joined by dark romance author Suzannah C. Grose to talk about her debut novel Turned Into Gold.

Helen: Welcome Suzannah. Congratulations on publishing your first book. Tell us about your book, Turned Into Gold.

Suzannah: Turned Into Gold, A handsome but insane scientist with a tortured soul is in love with a beautiful young woman who is brutally raped and murdered. He wants to bring her back to life and avenge her murder. Can he bring her back to life? And if so, will she love him as much as he loves her? Will he discover who committed the murder and how will he get his revenge? This story illustrates the transformative power of love and the inner strength needed to rise above horrific circumstances.

Helen: That is quite a tough subject to write about, and gives me Frankenstein vibes with the man’s efforts to bring her back to life. Why did you write this particular book?

Suzannah: It was for a contest that I wanted to enter, but my husband told me to publish it myself.

Helen: Your cover is quite simple, but I love the splash of gold. Tell us how you decided on the design.

Suzannah: I kept going back and forth between different book covers. Nothing seemed to fit the story. I had an idea what I wanted to look like, and one of my best friends made it for me. I love it!

Helen: Who is your favourite character from your book?

Suzannah: Theodore Black, he’s a morally grey character that you can’t help but to love him. He’s a dark and mysterious character, but he absolutely would do anything for Elizabeth. I would love anyone that would love me the way that Theodore loves Elizabeth.

Helen: When did you realise you had a passion for writing?

Suzannah: When I was in third grade, I won a writing contest. I used to write fan fiction and stories on Wattpad. So, I have always loved writing since a young age.

Helen: It’s so great that your love of writing has stayed with you. Which genre do you prefer to write?

Suzannah: I write dark romance, romance, thriller… Mostly dark romance and romance novels. I love writing novels in the dark romance genre because I like more of a realistic story. In real life, love is not just rainbows and butterflies. Sometimes it’s hard, dark, but you come out of it with a beautiful love story.

Helen: What is the best thing that has happened to you since you began writing?

Suzannah: I published my book in 2022.

Helen: Publishing a book is pretty special, and such an accomplishment. If your Main Character could answer, why would they say we should read your book?

Suzannah: I think Theodore Black would say, “People would love to read mine and Elizabeth’s story because it shows the power of love.”

Helen: What is the most useful piece of writing advice you’ve received, and by whom?

Suzannah : I would have to say, “Show not tell.” I have to remind myself that when I’m editing and making sure, I’m showing what is going on in the story and not just telling the reader what is happening.

Helen: Every writer experiences self-doubt. How do you overcome the fear and the little voice in your head to keep writing?

Suzannah: When I read a review on my book or even a rating, it pushes the negative thoughts away.

Helen: Are you a pantser or a planner? Do you write free form, or do you have a framework you stick to?

Suzannah: Free form mix with planner, I have bullet points that I used to help write. It helps me remember what I have to write in a chapter or keep track of something.

Helen: Thank you for joining me today. It’s been great chatting to you. Just to finish, what are some of the books you read recently that you would recommend to others?

Suzannah: Four Treasures of the Sky. I love the book, I will definitely recommend it to anyone. I did not see the ending coming, I was very shocked.

About the Author

Suzanne C. Grose

Suzannah Grose is a writer and poet. She loves to write and she loves to read. Her first book came out in 2022, it’s called Turned Into Gold. You can find it on Amazon.

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Purchase Turned Into Gold via Amazon:

Link to book on Amazon UK: eBook | Paperback

Link to book on Amazon US: eBook | Paperback

As an Amazon Associate I may benefit from purchases made using these links.

If you enjoy fantasy books with a touch of romance then you will love SoulBreather, or my epic fantasy Sentinal series. As a new threat against Remargaren is discovered, only one man can wake the ancient guards who can protect them, only he doesn’t know how. Start the adventure and stay for the journey.

Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.

Sentinals Awaken- Book One Cover Reveal!

I am so excited! My cover is finished!

So here is the big reveal! Would you stop and take a look inside? I hope so, let me know what you think via the contact page.

Cover by Jeff Brown of jeffbrowngraphics.com

From a rough sketch, which my cover designer, Jeff mocked up in front of my eyes as we chatted on a video conference call, (see left), to more formalised 80% done (see below right) to the finished article (above!)

Jeff has created a beautiful work of art as well as a book cover, and I can’t wait to see it as a poster.

So a big thank you to Jeff from Jeff Brown Graphics (www.jeffbrowngraphics.com) for designing such a beautiful cover; from the Lady and the Moon symbol to the grand panoramic scene (see at bottom of post) as Jerrol and his Sentinals ride through an encroaching storm to attempt to rescue the King of Vespiri.

With the advent of online bookstores and eReaders, the cover must be eye-catching as a thumbnail image, which means the main image must be more prominent, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be artistic.

The cover is one of the most important aspects of a novel, it is what catches the readers eye in the first place, to take note and stop and browse, and hopefully, to pick up out of the choice of many, and then the first few lines of the book catch your attention and draw you in.

Want to know what’s inside Sentinals Awaken? – Sneak peek!

Chapter 1
Lady’s Temple Gardens, Old Vespers
The sword missed his nose by an inch, if that. A momentary relief as solid steel thunked into the ground and Jerrol jerked back like a snake about to strike and then slithered away, inhaling the scent of soggy grass, dirt and roses. Roses?

His brow wrinkled in confusion as he scuttled away and regained his feet. Backing towards the tall Sentinal tree arching over the Lady’s temple, he strained to see his assailants. He leaned against the trunk as he scanned the gardens. He would have to apologise later; staying alive was more important than the sanctity of the temple gardens.

There were three guards, large and brutal: Chancellor’s men eager to deliver him up more dead than alive. The complaint of him snooping around the Chancellor’s business would be enough to get him placed on report, if not demoted. He wasn’t supposed to be near Chancellor Isseran, let alone following him.

Gritting his teeth, Jerrol considered his options. He couldn’t kill them, not on the Lady’s soil, yet he couldn’t let them report back, either. The satin-smooth bark of the tree beneath his fingers warmed for a moment as he hesitated. The image of a tall, black-haired man stood before him. This apparition wore a silvery green high-necked uniform that glimmered in the swirling mist. He was striking to look at, unnaturally pale, with distinctive features and straight, black eyebrows over silver eyes that gleamed in the dim light.

Jerrol gaped at him, unable to stop staring. It wasn’t possible. Lady help him, it wasn’t possible, was it? He recoiled as the man spoke, taking a step back.

“Captain? Is it time?” the man asked, his silver eyes burning bright.

He was young – younger than he was, Jerrol thought. Yet his expression was grave. There was a sense of a burden understood and accepted; of experience over youth. He had a sword strapped to his hip and a bow across his back, and he looked like he knew how to use them.

Jerrol frowned. “Time?” he asked, and the image faded.

Sentinals Awaken, is set in the word of Remargaren, a world where magic was banished by the deity Leyandrii over three thousand years ago along with the malevolent Ascendants. Jerrol Haven, a Captain of the King’s Rangers discovers treason at the highest level and although the ailing King tries to help him, the Crown Prince sentences Jerrol to death. Jerrol must escape, discover why magic is returning to his world and discover the source of an insidious disease spreading through the Watches. After accidentally awakening a Lady’s Sentinal he needs to discover how to awaken more Sentinals and rescue the King – but even then, his troubles are only just beginning.

I hope the cover and opening excerpt tempt you to order Sentinals Awaken when it launches in the autumn and you enjoy reading the book. Please ensure you leave a review when you do, reviews drive visibility and keep an independent author like me writing!

If you’re interested in delving into the world of Remargaren and would like to visualise the Kingdom of Vespiri, I have been collecting some images on a Pinterest board at https://www.pinterest.co.uk/helengarraway/vespiri-world-of-remargaren/

Sign up to my newsletter below, to find out first when Sentinals Awaken will be available for order! And to gain access to the bonus content on the members only corner when it goes live.

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Just look at that scenery, gorgeous!

How are your balancing skills?

I have concluded that writing is all about juggling. You must be an expert juggler to keep the balls, or is it plates or hoops? No, it’s novels! Up in the air at the same time. Or is balancing the better concept? I’m a Libran, so balance resonates better, juggling feels like it could spin out of control at any moment, whereas balance is calmer, less frenetic, feels right.

Photo by Deniz Altindas on Unsplash

I am in control, right?

From the sheer excitement of having your first meeting with the cover designer and seeing his interpretation of your ideas come to life before your eyes to the grind of checking the copy editing on book one, editing book two and then aargh – A whole new series has popped into my head and is demanding to be written.

But first, cover design! 90 minutes of discussion and watching Jeff draw my ideas in front of me, and then mocking up that first cover with my name on it!

OMG! What a feeling of absolute delight and pride. It may be a raw sketch but just wait until its finished, I love it already. I debated about posting the initial concept here, but I think I’ll wait to show you the rough draft versus 85% finished!

Just a sneak peek if you’re interested. Let me know!

Copy editing is almost finished on Book One: Sentinals Awaken. Each revision I learn something new, which is great, and means each book will improve: next maps and internal formatting.

I’ve edited Book Two: Sentinal Rising, cut and consolidated chapters where needed; I suppose 135k words was a bit long. Moved some things around, then corrected my grammar. I’ve sent it to my number one fan Michael to beta read and put it aside before I return for another edit. Then this idea for a whole new world bubbled up, and I’ve been capturing the ideas and planning out the skeleton of the story, and I’ve already written 20,000 words. Holding name is the Freedom series, can’t wait to see where it goes.

How to fit it all in is the challenge. But it is fun, and I love it, and I wish I had started writing a long time ago. Sometimes, I suppose you just have to wait for the right moment, and then take that step and begin. Who knows where it will take you, but wherever it takes me, my balancing skills can only improve.