Featured Interview With Sydney Jamesson.
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am an English school teacher by day and a USA Today bestselling author by night. I have always written in one form or another. In a previous life I was a commercial journalist and a copywriter before becoming a teacher over twenty ears ago. I live in the north of England with my husband and Skpe as often as I can with our daughter, her husband and our new baby grandson, Leo, in Sydney Australia. Recently, I have made the sideways move from romance suspense to psychological suspense and drawn on my plotting skills and love of unpredictable developments to keep my readers on the edge of their seats. The Darkest Corners is the first of many books through which I will be delving not only into the hearts of new characters, but their minds too, allowing readers’ emotions to run wild and their hands to grip kindles just a little tighter as the plot twists and turns towards a dramatic climax.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
English was my favourite subject at school. During a Parents’ Evening interview when I was fifteen, my English teacher suggested I set my sights on becoming a journalist and a writer! Thankfully, I have been able to do both and, hopefully enthuse a few your readers and writers along the way. With so many external influences, it’s difficult for young readers to throw themselves into books when their world is filled with sound bites, three second scenes and abbreviated texts and private messages. I always love it when my students fall in love with a book. Teaching of Mice and Men to thirteen years old has been a delight and taught them so much about character development and themes. Next stop: Frankenstein!!
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
One of my favourite authors is Sylvain Reynard; there are few writers who convey that amount of romanticism in such a flawless way. It was his Gabriel series that inspired me to write The Story Of Us, an epic love story spanning twenty-six years. I love Gillian Flynn’s pithy, acerbic prose and characters so well drawn that they stay with you long after you finish the book. I will always be one of the first to pick up a copy of Alessandra Torre’s latest novel, knowing it will be a riveting read. I have enjoyed The Muse by Jessie Burton, The Dry by Jane Harper, Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine. An absolute favourite was Emma Donoghue’s The Wonder. I was close to tears so many times when I read it. I must confess that I love great prose and a story that is beautifully woven with interesting character, lots of emotion and a few surprises.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
The Darkest Corners has been a while coming. I was torn whether I should pitch it to literary agents with the hope of getting it traditionally published or self-publish as I had done with my previous six books. After a busy year with poorly parents, selling property – and all that involves – school work and our daughter’s pregnancy, the decision was made for me. I’m self-publishing!
The Darkest Corners is a story that needs to be told because it touches upon some serious themes which readers maybe able to identify with and should be talked about. Any book that deals with domestic violence, single parenting, the loss of a loved one, learning to love again and revenge must be a riveting read, right?
The central character, Maxwell Grant was an accomplished artist; he exhibited and sold his work and became quite famous and wealthy. Along the way, he lost track of what mattered most to him, his pregnant wife, Hope. and in a moment of madness, he did something terrible.
Concealing a secret he dare not even admit to himself, he is guilt-ridden, believing himself unworthy of happiness. He’s reclusive, a bad teacher, a neglectful father, until—that is—a victim of domestic violence, mature student Harriet Jane Harper joins his weekly night class.
When a dangerous character from Harriet’s past appears, events take a turn for the worse and Max must say and do whatever necessary to save his sanity and, more importantly, his four year old daughter, Poppy.
Some secrets never get to see the light of day; others are just waiting to be uncovered … with shocking consequences. It’s those who survive the excavation who live to tall the tale…
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