THE NEXT CALL BLOG TOUR STOP!!



HI THERE! TODAY WE ARE FEATURING THE BOOK 'THE NEXT CALL' BY SUE BROWN, AND I AM VERY EXCITED TO HAVE A GUEST REVIEWER FOR THIS ONE! KATHLEEN KERRIDGE ! I READ THE BOOK AND I WAS IMPRESSED, I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT SHE THINKS ABOUT IT! WE ALSO HAVE AN INTERVIEW I DID WITH SUE, AND MUCH MORE SO LET'S GET STARTED:


I THINK THIS QUOTE IS PERFECT FOR THIS BOOK: LET'S LOOK AT KATHLEEN'S REVIEW:
                                    The Next Call by: Sue Brown
                                                          reviewed by: Kathleen Kerridge
COVER ARTIST: Christy Caughie

RELEASE DATE: 4th February 2015

LENGTH: 169 Pages

BLURB: Mark Grayson volunteers for an LGBT helpline, the same one that helped him through his teenage years. One day he takes a call from “Ricky,” a suicidal man being forced into a marriage he doesn't want. For weeks Mark talks to Ricky and provides support, but he’s frustrated by the lack of information Ricky provides and the decisions he’s making. In the meantime, Mark starts a relationship with another volunteer. Then tragedy strikes and Mark takes time away from the helpline, but when he comes back, Ricky is waiting. Mark realizes Ricky is stronger than before and their relationship changes, but Mark isn’t sure what their future holds if their relationship is destined to be at the end of the phone.




I went into this story with no real idea of what it might be about, mostly because I am terrible at bothering with blurbs. I was sent the book, I read the book. I was very pleasantly surprised by the story beneath the (very well thought out) cover.
We follow Mark. An I.T geek by his own admission, and part-time volunteer at the local LGBT helpline. The reader is introduced to him, when he ‘talks down’ a suicidal man on a bridge, ready to end it all, unable to cope with the pressures of life, without the added complication of being gay. The actual story starts years later, when Mark has been unceremoniously dumped by his long term boyfriend.
The plot line is simple, but it works. There are no huge surprises or revelations and, honestly, I don’t think there are meant to be any. It’s not hard to guess, from the very beginning of the book, that Dicky and Ricky are one and the same. It was slightly jarring to read and I did stop to wonder if it was meant to have that element of suspense, but I truly think it is meant to be so obvious. The story line does not so much follow the growth of a relationship between Ricky and Mark, as much as it follows Mark’s path to discovering himself and his confidence. It’s a series of circumstances that lead to make up the big picture, and I like that.
The characters, all of them, are well thought out and have flesh on their bones. Mark’s circle of friends do carry the story through the moments it could be lost, and I think each has their own story, inside Ms. Brown’s head. I like that—a lot. It is obvious when an author knows her characters and is not using stick-men to fill roles. It’s well written, with no discernible editing errors, which gives it another huge plus for me.
The only down side to this great story, which did cost a star from the rating, is the lack of emotional gelling through anything approaching a sex scene. There are two instances of phone sex, but nothing more. Even when Mark has his relationship, there is no sex. Nada. Not even a grope on the sofa at the end of the working day, which I found a shame. While I understand the need to build the relationship, via the helpline, with Ricky, I think it could have used a little more in the way of personalising Mark, as it is him we are following. Something deeper than a coffee with his boyfriend (I won’t spoil it for you, but it’s sad) could have gone a long way to making me fall a bit more for Mark.
That said, however, it was a good book and one I shall certainly be reading again—a rare honour indeed. Well done, Sue Brown. This one is a keeper.

                                                                           four stars :)    


THANKS KATHLEEN, I AGREE IT WAS A LOVELY READ, AND WHAT A STORY LINE AND COVER!! HERE IS THE BUY LINK:


NOW FOR MY INTERVIEW WITH SUE BROWN: 


  1. I have always wondered, is it easier to come up with the concept of a series, or just one book?

None of my books have started out as a series. Morning Report was a one-off fanfic because I’d discovered cowboys. They make me all melty and I had to write my own. The Isle of… Where? was just a holiday vacation story. I thought of the type of book you pick up at airports to read. I have thought of several series but I’ve never managed to write them. I am completely in awe of writers who have a five or ten book series in their head.

Bec- Yeah i couldn't imagine coming up with a series all at one time, my hats off to the people that do it! 

2. Is there one book that you wrote that was the easiest, or most fun to write?

The Night Porter just flowed. I started with the end and then I had the whole story in my head. The Isle of… Where? was fun because I loved the Owens family and they loved me back. The main problem I had with that story was when to finish. I could have gone on with that story forever.

Bec- OH! I haven't read that one yet, (writes down the name in excitement!) I will be reading that one soon for sure!

3. What was the one moment that you knew you wanted to be a writer? Is there a moment that stands out, or was it always in your plans?

I loved writing as a kid but I was a fantasy fan and never managed to find a plot I could finish. It was only when I saw Captain Jack dancing with the real Captain Jack in Torchwood (Season 1, Captain Jack Harkness, Doctor Who spin-off) was the moment I realized that here was something I could write. I know people are scornful of fanfic but it is a huge platform for people to learn to write and I have found amazing writers through my time in fandom.

Bec- I can see where that would help hone an authors writing skills, it makes sense to me :) !

4. Is there a concept for a book that you have always wanted to write that you haven't yet for one reason or another?

A crime or a military novel. I’m nervous about writing something where I don’t know the language. But I have so many plots in my head and I really want to give it a go.

Bec- You should totally do that Sue, I have no doubt you could pull it off beautifully!

5. What is one author that you can't get enough of?

Just one? Are you serious? It tends to be series rather than authors. And no, I’m not answering the question.

Bec- Haha, fair enough, that was a tough one :)


6. What is your favorite type of book to write? Paranormal, Romance, etc...

I write M/M romance, but within that genre I like tackling pretty much everything; contemporary, crime, western, paranormal. This is my chance to enjoy every genre.

Bec- I bet it is fun to write about most anything, and I know your readers love reading your work!

7. What would be the one emotion you would want readers to feel most when reading your books? 

I want to wring my reader’s hearts and then give them back hope.

Bec- The books I have read of yours, you sure do that well! Thanks Sue, for answering my questions, this has been a ball!

HOPE YOU GUYS ENJOYED THE INTERVIEW! HERE IS SUE'S AUTHOR BIO AND LINKS TO GET IN TOUCH WITH HER:

AUTHOR BIO: Sue Brown is owned by her dog and two children. When she isn't following their orders, she can be found plotting at her laptop. In fact she hides so she can plot and has gotten expert at ignoring the orders.

Sue discovered M/M erotica at the time she woke up to find two men kissing on her favorite television series. The series was boring; the kissing was not. She may be late to the party, but she's made up for it since, writing fan fiction until she was brave enough to venture out into the world of original fiction.

AUTHOR LINKS:
Website: http://www.suebrownstories.com/
Blog: http://suebrownsstories.blogspot.co.uk/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/suebrownstories
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/suebrownstories

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
Because two of her book tours (for The Next Call and Stolen Dreams) are going to run simultaneously, we have decided we would have a common giveaway for both the tours! It makes for an awesome giveaway as you’ll see :D

There will be FIVE winners chosen from this contest:
  1. First Winner will get a $20 Amazon Gift Card.
  2. Second Winner will get a paperback copy of Stolen Dreams. (The contest is open for everyone and not limited to a specific region!)
  3. First Runner up will get e-copies of The Next Call and Stolen Dreams each.
  4. Two Second Runners up will win an e-copy of either The Next Call or Stolen Dreams.

Contest Begins: 26th January, 2015
Contest Ends: 28th February, 2015

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY, CLICK THE RAFFLECOPTER PIC BELOW! GOOD LUCK GUYS!!



I HAVE TO THANK CREATIVE MINDS PROMOTIONS FOR HAVING US ON THIS TOUR! 

TOUR ORGANIZER:
CREATIVE MINDS PROMOTIONShttps://creativemindpromotions.wordpress.com/



THANKS FRIENDS, FOR JOINING US ON THIS TOUR STOP, AND THANKS KATHLEEN FOR DOING THE REVIEW, IF YOU DIDN'T KNOW IT, SHE IS A WONDERFUL AUTHOR IN HER OWN RIGHT! 


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