Sunday 27 October 2013

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT & AUTHOR INTERVIEW - THE SEE-THROUGH LEOPARD BY SIBEL HODGE

ISBN:  978-1492282488
ASIN:  B00EPWPP4A
Publisher: Self/Indie
Pages/File Size: 242pages/417KB
Formats Available: Paperback, E-Book

BLURB supplied by The Author
Most sixteen-year-old girls are obsessed with their looks, but Jazz Hooper's obsessed for a different reason. After a car accident that kills her mum, Jazz is left with severe facial scars and retreats into a dark depression.

Fearing what will happen if Jazz doesn't recover, her dad makes a drastic decision to move them from England to a game reserve in Kenya for a new start. And when Jazz finds an orphaned leopard cub, it sets off a chain of events that lead her on a two year journey of discovery, healing, and love.


"A percentage of the royalties from the sale of this book will be contributed to Panthera, a leading international conservation organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the world's big cats, plus other wildlife conservation groups." -- Sibel Hodge, Author

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AUTHOR INTERVIEW
What is your name, where were you born and where do you live now?
Sibel Hodge. I was born in the UK, but I have dual British/Turkish Cypriot nationality and divide my time between Cyprus and the UK. 

Did you always want to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?
Deep down, I always wanted to be a writer, but at one time I wanted to be an astronaut, or failing that, Wonder Woman.

What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarise it in less than 20 words what would you say?
The See-Through Leopard. A poignant and inspirational coming of age novel that leads you on a journey of discovery, healing, and falling in love for the first time.

Who is your publisher? or do you self publish?
I'm a  hybrid. My Amber Fox Mysteries are published by New York Times Bestselling Author Gemma Halliday's new publishing company, but the rest of my books are self-published.

How long does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?
The first draft takes me between 2 weeks and 4 weeks to write. I can breathe a happy sigh, then, as most of the hard work is done. Next, it's editing, which will usually take another 4 weeks. 

Which of your books were easier/harder to write than the others?
The See-Through Leopard was the hardest book I've written so far. It was a completely new genre for me, and it has serious themes such as grief and the plight of endangered wild animals, and I wanted to really make sure I did the subject justice.

What can we expect from you in the future?  ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?
I write in many genres: romantic comedies, cozy mysteries, children's books, cookbooks, plus I've written books with serious themes such as the sex trafficking industry. I have to go where my muse takes me, but I have a psychological thriller planned, more Amber Fox cozy mysteries, and a romantic comedy.

Do you have a favourite out of the books you have written? If so why is it your favourite?
They're all my favourite for different reasons.

If you had to choose to be one of your characters in your book/books which would you be? and why? 
Amber Fox, because she's kick ass and sarcastic, but she has a sweet vulnerable side, too. 

Where do you get your book plot ideas from?What/Who is your inspiration?
Everything and anything. A book I've read, a film I've seen, a snippet of conversation, people-watching. It's a "what if that happened" moment that suddenly springs into my head. Plus, I have a crazy imagination.

Do you have anybody read your books and give you reviews before you officially release them?ie. Your partner, children, friends, reviewers you know?
Hubby is my chief beta reader, although we don't always agree when he makes suggested changes, which can lead to a few rows! Then I have a few close author friends to give their opinions, too. 

Do you gift books to readers to do reviews?
 Absolutely. 

Do you basic plot/plan for your book, before you actually begin writing it out? Or do you let the writing flow and see where it takes the story?
CNo, I'm a panster. Most of the time I don't have a clue what's going to happen until the characters take me there. I know the beginning and the end, and which themes are involved, but that's it.

What do you think makes a book a really good/bestseller ? 
Aha! The million dollar question. Some great books don't become bestsellers and some mediocre books do. I wish I knew the answer! 

Have you ever suffered from a "writer's block"? What did you do to get past the "block"?
Not really writer's block, but if I'm stuck on where to go next, hubby and I open a bottle of wine and toss ideas around. 

What do you do to unwind and relax?Do you have a hobby?
I do yoga, meditate, swim, walk. Or chillax with friends.

Are there any hidden messages or morals contained in your books? (Morals as in like Aesops Fables type of "The moral of this story is..") 
Yes, I always try and have inspirational or uplifting themes to my books. That's very important to me.

Do you have a treasured book from your childhood? If yes, what is it?
To Kill a Mockingbird. Just love that book, I've read it so many times.

Do you have a favourite genre of book?
I read all sorts of things, romcoms, chick lit, thrillers, cozy mysteries, non fiction, but I have to say I'm not a fan of paranormal or fantasy.

Where can readers follow you?

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