About Suzanne Rogerson Author

Suzanne lives in Middlesex, England with her husband, two children, a crazy cocker spaniel and a rather aloof cat. Her writing journey began at the age of twelve when she completed her first novel. She discovered the fantasy genre in her late teens and has never looked back. Now an author of four fantasy novels including the Silent Sea Chronicles trilogy and her debut fantasy, Visions of Zarua, Suzanne has also turned her hand to short stories. At last count, she has 4 books to her name including two feel-good Christmas collections. 2026 is the year she plans to publish her new romance series - The Mermaid Hotel Series - set in Cornwall with a matchmaking hotel owner. She loves gardening and has a Hebe (shrub) fetish. She enjoys cooking with ingredients from the garden and regularly feeds unsuspecting guests vegetable-based cakes. Suzanne collects books, is interested in history and enjoys wandering around castles and old ruins whilst being immersed in the past. She likes to combine her love of nature and photography on family walks, but most of all she loves to escape with a great film, binge watch TV shows, or soak in a hot bubble bath with an ice cream and a book.

#bookreview Magic-scars: Crown of Stones – bk 2 by @cl_schneider #fantasy #tuesdaybookblog

Posted on May 16, 2017 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

This is the second book in the Crown of Stones trilogy. I have been looking forward to reading this ever since devouring book one last year. I wasn’t disappointed!

As with book one, the cover is fantastic.

Here’s the blurb from Amazon…

Magic doesn’t wound the same as a sword.

The story of Ian Troy continues in Magic-Scars, the second installment in C. L. Schneider’s riveting epic fantasy trilogy, The Crown of Stones.

Captured by his old enemy, King Draken of Langor, Shinree magic user Ian Troy was sentenced to prison. Tortured and drugged, robbed of his will, his memories, and his magic, Ian was made to do unspeakable things. Rescued, as his body slowly rids itself of the drug, Ian realizes he has returned to an unfamiliar world gripped with fear. In the wake of his fall, those he cared for were left to their own grim fates. Draken has seized control of the realms and named himself High King. His brutal rein has sparked a desperate rebellion that Ian now finds himself a part of. His one task: recover and repair the Crown of Stones, in hopes it will tip the balance in the revolution that is brewing. In pursuit of the reason behind the artifact’s strange loss of magic, Ian is driven to release an explosion of retribution and power that leaves him irrevocably scarred.

Struggling to reconcile the man he has become with the man he once was, Ian strives to understand the growing number of magic-scars adorning his body. He searches for the truth behind his link to the Crown of Stones and uncovers shocking secrets buried for generations beneath the sand. To become the weapon the resistance needs, he must assume responsibility for his magical inheritance. But can he curb the destructive appetite that comes with it?

The price of Ian’s magic and his addiction have never been higher.

My super short review.

I love these books. They are filled with nonstop action, murder, blood, sex and plenty of swearing. It’s all a part of the wonderful world C.L Schneider has created.

I loved the start and how the reader is as much in the dark as the main character as to how he woke up onboard a ship. Ian has no memory of who he is or who he can trust, and his instincts tell him something is very wrong with his predicament.

In this book we learn more of the history of the Shinree and Eldrings, of the magic that Ian Troy is trying to control and the creation of the Crown of Stone. There is so much depth to the world building, but you’re never bogged down with details. It’s a compelling read right from the start.

5 stars all the way.

I recommend to fantasy lovers who aren’t afraid of a bit of graphic detail.

I’m so happy book 3 is already sitting on my kindle waiting for me.

See my review of Book 1 – Magic-price here, which was my favourite fantasy read of 2016.

Rosie’s #Bookreview Team #RBRT IREX by @carlrackman #HistFic #Mystery #SundayBlogShare

Posted on May 14, 2017 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

Rosie has shared my last review for her team of a brilliant book, IREX. Check out the review of a book I highly recommend.

Pre-order The Lost Sentinel now for 99p / 99c #epicfantasy #fantasy #swordandsorcery

Posted on May 11, 2017 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

I’m about to publish my second fantasy novel!

This is an exciting day and one I hope you’ll help me celebrate by sharing this post with everyone you know on your blog, twitter and facebook.

The release date is 16th June 2017.

The pre-order price is 99p but will go up to £2.99 the week after publication.

Here’s the universal book link on Amazon.

You can add The Lost Sentinel to your Goodreads want to read list now, plus news of a paperback giveaway will follow soon.

Beta-reader review

The Lost Sentinel is an enthralling fantasy set in a world divided into those who have magic and those who do not. It is a world on the point of self-destruction. The trials and tribulations of the main character, Tei, as she follows her destiny will have you on the edge of your seat. This is a book full of magic, suspense and bloodthirsty action. It will leave you in parts elated, devastated and finally desperate for the sequel which you will be pleased to hear, the author has already partly written. Rogerson’s characters are so well-realised and the plot so intricate that you will find it hard to put this book down.

Beta-reader L.Spiers – December 2016

Blurb

The magical island of Kalaya is dying, along with its Sentinel. With the Kalayan people turning their back on magic, can Tei help the exiles find their new Sentinel before it’s too late?

Kalaya is controlled by the Assembly – set up to govern but now under the control of Rathnor, who is intent on persecuting those who have magic, many of whom have taken refuge in the Turrak Mountains.

Tei has been raised to hide her magic, until her father, Migil, is visited by an old friend who warns them that they must seek refuge in the mountains.

On the journey, an enemy attack leaves her father mortally wounded. He sees her into the care of two exiles, Rike and Garrick, and on his deathbed makes a shocking confession that changes Tei’s life.

Tei must put her trust in these strangers, especially when mysterious Masked Riders seem determined to stop her reaching Turrak.

Struggling with self-doubt, Tei joins the exiles in their search for their lost Sentinel. But the Masked Riders want the Sentinel too, and time, as well as hope, is running out.

Can Tei help the exiles save the island magic and reunite the Kalayan people before their ignorance destroys them all?

Don’t forget to order your copy of The Lost Sentinel now for only 99p.

ARC will be available by the weekend if you’re a book reviewer / blogger and are willing to review during publication week – 16th June. Even if you can’t meet that date or would prefer just to post about the book release, please get in touch. I’m also happy to do guest posts etc.

Thanks for your support.

Look out for #VisionsofZarua in London today! #Indiebookfairies #ibelieveinbookfairies

Posted on May 2, 2017 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

If you’re out and about in London today, look out for Visions of Zarua. Book fairies are leaving copies for people to find on their Indie Author Day.

It's time for another Indie Author Day! Some lucky people are going to find @rogersonsm's #VisionsOfZarua in London! #indiebookfairies pic.twitter.com/7Iam9WmotJ

— Ellen Harber (@EllenHarber) May 2, 2017

10 authors are taking part across the UK, so keep your eyes open for all those lovely free books!

Good luck, everyone.

I’d love to see your photos if you spot one. And of you don’t, it’s free to read on Kindle Unlimited. Have a peek inside and see what you think Visions of Zarua

Blurb

Two wizards, 350 years apart. Can they save the realm of Paltria from Zarua’s dark past?

An ancient darkness haunts the realm of Paltria.

Apprentice wizard Paddren is plagued by visions of a city on the brink of annihilation. When his master Kalesh dies in mysterious circumstances, the Royal Order of Wizards refuses to investigate.

Helped by his childhood friend, the skilled tracker Varnia, and her lover Leyoch, Paddren vows to find the killer.

The investigation leads Paddren down a sinister path of assassins, secret sects and creatures conjured by blood magic. But he is guided by a connection with a wizard from centuries ago – a wizard whose history holds the key to the horror at the heart of the abandoned city of Zarua. Can Paddren decipher his visions in time to save the Paltrian people from the dark menace of Zarua’s past?

Cover Reveal – The Lost Sentinel #fantasy #epicfantasy #heroicfantasy

Posted on April 30, 2017 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

As promised, I’m ready to reveal the cover of my new book ‘The Lost Sentinel’.

But before the big reveal, here’s the all important blurb;

Silent Sea Chronicles

Book One – The Lost Sentinel

The magical island of Kalaya is dying, along with its Sentinel. With the Kalayan people turning their back on magic, can Tei help the exiles find their new Sentinel before it’s too late?

Tei has been raised to hide her magic, until her father, Migil, is visited by an old friend who warns them that they must seek refuge in the mountains.

Tei must put her trust in these strangers, especially when mysterious Masked Riders seem determined to stop her reaching Turrak.

Struggling with self-doubt, Tei joins the exiles in their search for their lost Sentinel. But the Masked Riders want the Sentinel too, and time, as well as hope, is running out.

Can Tei help the exiles save the island magic and reunite the Kalayan people before their ignorance destroys them all?

And here it is…

To be published in June 2017!

Let me know what you think.

The Authors Bookshelf – Suzanne Rogerson @rogersonsm

Posted on April 29, 2017 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

Check out my Authors Bookshelf on Brizzlelassbooks blog today. I’ve shared my book loves, let me know what you think.

Book News! #fantasy #indieauthor #IARTG #ibelieveinbookfairies

Posted on April 28, 2017 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

My big news is that Visions of Zarua is about to get some publicity via The Book Fairies.

On Tuesday 2nd May 2017 they will be hiding 20 copies in public places and posting about it on twitter and instagram. It follows on from the initiative of Books on the Underground, which I’m sure many of you will be aware of Emma Watson (Harry Potter star) supporting.

The Book Fairies are all over the world, currently 25 countries are involved. Check out their website ibelieveinbookfairies for more information.

So if you’re out and about in the UK on Tuesday 2nd May, keep a look out for this book with a white and green Book Fairies sticker on it;

I believe this book drop will be nationwide, so who knows who will pick up a copy! Hopefully, lots of book lovers will find Visions of Zarua, take a picture and tweet about it. Then they can take it home to read, before returning it to any public place for another book lover to find. If you find it, let me know what you think. I love hearing from my readers.

Amazon book link – If you’re not lucky enough to find a copy, it’s free to read through Kindle Unlimited.

***

My other big news is that I’m almost ready to set up the Amazon pre-order for The Lost Sentinel!

I still have a couple of minor details to work through, but it is almost there and I’m so excited. I hope to reveal the book cover to the world next week.

I’ll also be looking to send ARC’s to book reviewers, but I’ll post more about that once the changes are done.

Here’s a taste of what The Lost Sentinel is about.

The magical island of Kalaya is dying, along with its Sentinel. With the Kalayan people turning their back on magic, can Tei help the exiles find their new Sentinel before it’s too late?

Cover reveal, excerpt and a beta reader’s review will follow in the coming weeks.

***

If you’d like to review either The Lost Sentinel or Visions of Zarua please get in touch.

#WordlessWednesday Valley Gardens at Virginia Waters #spring #blossom

Posted on April 26, 2017 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

Tip for #indieauthors Check your Royalty payments! #selfpub #indiepub

Posted on April 25, 2017 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

This is just a warning to other self published authors who might not be aware of the 30% tax withholding that’s applied to Non-US citizens royalty payments. This affects Amazon, Createspace etc. Maybe you’re a new self published author, or hoping to self publish in the near future. If so, read on and learn from my mistake…

When I checked my royalty payment due from Amazon US book sales and KENP pages read, I realised there was a 30% tax withholding fee. At first I thought it was a mistake, then I thought why the hell hadn’t I noticed it before? They don’t hide the fact from you, I just hadn’t paid any attention to that column until now. Looking down the list, each month I’ve been deducted 30% on my US royalties (haven’t told the husband yet!).

So I’ve spent the morning trying to find out what went wrong when I did the tax interview on Amazon back in 2015 and how I can rectify the issue. I’ve googled, checked forums and blog posts, cursed and pulled out my hair.

Finally, I re-did the tax interview on Amazon and Createspace and added my non-US tax reference. Now its showing as 0.0% tax withholding. It’s a huge relief and turned out to be a very simple solution. If only I thought to do it when I registered as self employed last year.

So this is a word of caution, although maybe I’m the only one silly enough not to check their royalty reports properly. I also want to ask a question of those more clued up than me on the whole royalty payment and tax process. Is there any chance Amazon will kindly refund me the 30% underpayments which started in June last year?

Does anyone know how to go about requesting that refund, or have you any experience of trying to get your money back?

If not, it’s back to google and the forums for me.

#Tuesdaybookblog The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman #bookreview

Posted on April 25, 2017 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

Blurb

THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE is a fable that reshapes modern fantasy: moving, terrifying and elegiac – as pure as a dream, as delicate as a butterfly’s wing, as dangerous as a knife in the dark – from storytelling genius Neil Gaiman.

It began for our narrator forty years ago when the family lodger stole their car and committed suicide in it, stirring up ancient powers b THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE is a fable that reshapes modern fantasy: moving, terrifying and elegiac – as pure as a dream, as delicate as a butterfly’s wing, as dangerous as a knife in the dark – from storytelling genius Neil Gaiman.

It began for our narrator forty years ago when the family lodger stole their car and committed suicide in it, stirring up ancient powers best left undisturbed. Dark creatures from beyond this world are on the loose, and it will take everything our narrator has just to stay alive: there is primal horror here, and menace unleashed – within his family and from the forces that have gathered to destroy it.

His only defence is three women, on a farm at the end of the lane. The youngest of them claims that her duckpond is an ocean. The oldest can remember the Big Bang.

My Review

A guy from my book group recommended this. It’s the first Neil Gaiman I’ve read, so I had no idea what to expect.

I was instantly drawn into the story of a man revisiting his past and unlocking hidden/repressed memories. I love mysteries and this definitely has that element, I just had to keep reading to find out what happened all those years ago.

I did spend half the time wondering how reliable the 7-year-old narrator would turn out to be, and if I should take the story at face value or look for the deeper meaning behind the tale. Instead, my advice is to sit back and read this for what it is – a great fairy tale.

The writing is excellent. There’s a strangeness to the story and I was completely absorbed by it.

It’s a short novel, but I’d say it’s the perfect length.

I rate it 5 stars and recommend to those who enjoy modern fantasy and fairy tales.