In this special
feature about addiction I am truly delighted to have, Suzi Stembridge sitting in the
hot seat talking about her books, The Scorpion’s Last
Tale and The Glass Class. Please sit back and be prepared to be addicted!
Tell us a little about each book
In
many ways, THE SCORPION’S LAST TALE & THE GLASS CLASS although part of a
quartet, are also a duo. Both are set in the 1970s, partly located in Greece
and partly in Yorkshire and other areas of Britain.
The
Scorpion’s Last Tale takes place in Corfu at the time of the Colonel’s Junta,
around 1972-1974 it is not always a comfortable read, this was a grizzly time
in a regime that ruled by torture and fear which contrasts with an idyllic
family holiday.
The
Glass Class is also social history, this partying group of young married
couples are finding real life is often tougher than their antics would perhaps
suggest.
Both
novels feature many of the same characters, particularly the heavy drinking but
nevertheless devoted family man, John Griffith Rhyl-Jones and it is pretty
obvious he is an alcoholic and his wife affected by his addiction. Although
efforts are made by friends and professionals to encourage John to quit
drinking, this is never easy. There is plenty of drama in both scenarios, vivid
scenery and adventure and there are touching moments of concern. Both books
feature death, either accidental or is it outright murder and have elements of
a thriller about the plot.
What or who inspired you to write about
alcohol and gambling?
Sadly, it was those closest to me who were
forced to confront their addiction to alcohol. These two books do not tackle
heart-breaking and difficult path to sobriety, that is too raw. What both books
do highlight is, in what is often very close and loving relationship in an
addictive marriage, the pain and suffering are not just of the addicted but of
the co-dependents. In many ways, heavy drinking was the norm of the twentieth
century and the first book in this series CAST A HOROSCOPE also treats, as
normal, the characters’ attitude to heavy alcohol consumption, (here 1960s
aircrew).
Tell us a little about you?
It is probably the time to admit that I am
(just) a pre-war baby! The books discussed above are probably a product of my
era (1960s-1980s), my career has always been in travel, from working as an
air-hostess in the 1960s in the very early days of package holidays, flying out
of Southend airport, up to time of founding and running my own tour operation,
taking clients to quieter and remoter parts of Greece, called Filoxenia.
Mid-career, I took an Open University degree and graduated after studying the
culture and history of Ancient Greece, Modern Art, the Nineteenth Century Novel
among other subjects. I am married, we have two adult children and live on the
Pennine hills in West Yorkshire. When I retired, I began a series of novels, which
I call JIGSAW. I wrote 8 novels and one children’s book about a Spaniel dog.
The 8 books form one family saga, comprising two quartets, THE COMING OF AGE
(see above) and THE GREEK LETTERS QUARTET, (this last beginning at the time of
Greek War of Independence and running to the present day).
Is there another book on its way and if so
can we have a peek at what is about?
With
my husband, we may write some memoirs about our travels all over Greece at the
time of our travel business. Or perhaps there is just one more “Working Title”
to complete the Jigsaw! (Characters who have lived and been alive in eight
books surely won’t just die all at once!!)
You can find Suzi on all of these Social Media platforms...
Website:
Twitter:
WriterOfGreekNovels@zaritsi
Facebook:
Jigsaw:
Greek Letters & Coming of Age – Two Quartets
Author–
writer of historical novels & contemporary fiction
Greece
is the Theme
Pennine
Writers & Landscape Artists Capturing Greece
Blog:
I am sure you agree these books are addictive, so please check them out.
And, don't forget to come back and meet another, best selling author and their page turning book.
And, don't forget to come back and meet another, best selling author and their page turning book.
See you tomorrow!
Until then, have a fabulous day and I hope the sun is shining on your face and in your heart.
Until then, have a fabulous day and I hope the sun is shining on your face and in your heart.
Pauline
Brought to you by
In the Cold Light of Day
In the Cold Light of Day
And
Chill Awards for Independent Authors
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