Today's guest at Books by Banister is British author Terry Tyler. Terry writes contemporary women's fiction and just recently released her third novel, THE OTHER SIDE. Read on to learn more about this unique and interesting book and the author who penned it.
Terry has generously offered to give away one KINDLE copy of her e-book. So, be sure to leave a comment, including your e-mail address, below to be entered for the chance to win. This giveaway is open to both US and UK residents.
Take it away, Terry . . .
1) Can you give us a brief overview of THE OTHER SIDE?
Without giving all
the twists away – it explores the massive effect the decisions we make can have
on not only our own lives, but those of others.
It goes backwards in time, so the reader finds out what brought the
characters to certain stages in their lives – then an epilogue set in the
present brings all the threads together.
It starts off with four different stories, which can be enjoyed
separately, as well as being part of the overall story.
2) What's your favorite quality about your
hero/heroine?
She is
‘everywoman,’ who makes mistakes, like we all do!
3) What made you want to write this book?
I’ve always been
fascinated by our parallel possible lives – what might have happened had we
chosen a different path…
4) What are you working on now?
A fun and
lighthearted novel, ‘Dream On’, about Dave Bentley, who is a wannabe rock star,
Ariel, the singer he lusts after, and Janice, the long-suffering mother of his
son, Harley. It’s funny, very down-to-earth,
and will include lots of situations and emotions to which my readers can all
relate.
5) What comes first for you -- character
idea, plot idea?
It’s hard to say –
I think it’s more of a concept than anything else. For instance, when I thought up ‘Nobody’s
Fault,’ I wanted to write a novel that centred round a fake Facebook profile.
6) How
do you think up the titles for your books?
Ah – I’m not
saying! With the exception of ‘You Wish’
(which I wish now had been called ‘Pandora’s Box’), all my titles have a
connection – no one’s noticed it yet!
7) What are your thoughts on love scenes in
books? Do you prefer to read/write sweet/romantic encounters between your
hero and heroine or spicy ones?
Neither – I like
them to be realistic. I don’t write
hearts and flowers stuff, but neither do I like to give all the gory details.
8)
Who are the authors who inspire you?
There are loads I
love, but none who have particular effect on my own work. I will say, though, that my starting to write
again two years ago after a break of 10 years was partly due to a nice email I
got from Emily Barr, after I’d written to her to tell her how much I loved her
books. She took the time to write me a
very encouraging reply, which made me get down to work again.
9) What genres do you like to read? Do
you stick to one or are you eclectic in your reading tastes?
I like light
women’s fiction, like Emily Barr and Deborah Moggach, but my favourite authors
are John Boyne and Douglas Kennedy. I
like historical fiction very much – I’ve just bought a book by Beverly Swerling
about New
York
10)
What was the last book you read that
really WOWed you?
‘The Absolutist’ by
John Boyne – set in World War 1. A
masterpiece.
11) Do you prefer a series or stand alone
novels?
I’m not bothered –
but I wish George R.R. Martin would hurry up and finish the last two books of ‘A
Song of Ice and Fire’!
12) If you could be plopped down in the
middle of any book, which one would it be?
I wouldn't mind being plopped down in the middle of 'The Devil Wears Prada,' as
long as I could escape after one day - but long-term I'd like to live in the
happier bits in the 'Chronicles of Narnia.'
13) If you could invite any five people
(living or dead) over for a dinner party, who would they be and why?
Journalist/Authors
PJ O’Rourke and Bill Bryson – two of the funniest men ever!
Hunter S Thompson,
because he’d make the night a party.
Joan Collins,
because I adore her.
And probably
Dorothy Parker – another great favourite of mine.
That’s off the top
of my head! I don’t think I’d need to
talk; I could just sit back and watch the conversational ball bounce around the
table!
Fast and Flirty
Favorite scent? Guerlain’s
L’Heure Bleue. Love all the Guerlain
perfumes.
Favorite color? Purple
Favorite food? Salmon
– can eat it 'til it comes out of my ears!
Favorite word? Zeitgeist. Wish I could use it confidently.
Dream vacation spot? Cornwall , England
Favorite time period in history? 1950s. I find it fascinating how the world has
changed so much since then. An idyllic
period on the face of it, but not in every way . . .
Favorite girl's night out drink? Whisky
based cocktails – I like things like whisky sours.
Favorite date night activity? Lying
in bed watching films! Or going to see a
good rock band.
Coffee or tea or soda? Coffee. Has to be freshly ground java beans – I drink
loads of it.
Strong but lean or built and burly? Strong
but lean, ideally….depends on the man!
If I fancy/love someone I don’t mind them having excess body weight!
Scruffy or clean-shaven? Clean-shaven
Dark-haired or blond? Usually
fancy dark men more.
Celebrity hottie on your laminated list? Actor
Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) ticks all my boxes. Also love Michael Chiklis, Sean Bean, the
bloke who played Khal Drogo in Game of
Thrones – how many can I have?
Novel hero crush? Gino
Santangelo in Jackie Collins’ ‘Chances.’
I often fancy my own characters, too.
In ‘The Other Side’ I LOVE Ben Cassidy, and Niall.
Thanks so much for participating in Authorpalooza, Terry!
Thanks so much for participating in Authorpalooza, Terry!
Leave a comment below telling me about one of the big decisions you made in your life (Go to college? Take a new job? Get married? Move to a different country?) and you'll be entered to win a KINDLE copy of THE OTHER SIDE. Don't forget to leave your e-mail address so that I can contact you if you win! Drawing will take place on Tuesday, June 12th, so get your comments in by midnight on Monday, June 11th.
Purchase THE OTHER SIDE at:
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