Author Profile: Suzan Battah

Author Name: Suzan Battah

Website: http://www.suzanbattah.com/

Bio: Suzan Battah is a proud Australian born author who has loved to write since her teenage years. In 2011 she published her first novel a contemporary multicultural romance – Mad About the Boy. In her spare time she weaves magical tales to entertain. Suzan writes YA Fiction – Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance, Regency Romance and Contemporary Romance. Other fun things you can find her doing is training at the gym and Latin/Ballroom dancing. Suzan is afraid of heights, loves most things that are sweet, has no clue about fashion and one day hopes to speak Spanish fluently. Her second novel a YA Urban Fantasy Adventure - BaSatai: Outside In was published the 14th of April 2012.

Titles: Mad About the Boy, BaSatai: Outside In

See my reviews for Mad About the Boy and  BaSatai: Outside In

Visit Suzan’s tour pages for Mad About the Boy and BaSatai: Outside In

Bio retrieved from CLP Blog Tours

Author of the Month: June: Suzan Battah

Chick Lit Plus is pleased to announce the Author of the Month for June is Suzan Battah, author of Mad About the Boy and BaSatai: Outside In!

What was your reaction when you learned that you had been selected as the Author of the Month for Chick Lit Plus?

I was over the moon and very honoured to be chosen as the Featured Author of the month. As a fairly new author to the publishing world I’m still struggling to get the word out about my books so when I work with CLP Blog Tours I’m so grateful for the support that comes behind the hard work.

 

You now have two novels out – romance novel Mad About the Boy and YA sci-fi BaSatai: Outside In. Can you tell us more about what your next project will be?

My next project is continuing to work on the 2^nd novel of the BaSatai Trilogy, the title and planning is already there and I’m ready to get going an expected release for the ARCs will be December 2013. It follows Armani’s story and how she learns and grows as a BaSatai. There’ll be more drama, huge twists and turns and big discoveries. For those of you who enjoy a bit of mystery and thinking about the who and why things happen in the BaSatai series, you’re going to LOVE the next book. I’ve had a mixed reaction but remain firm in the journey I’ve taken with the characters. BaSatai is definitely a thinking book, I don’t like to explain too much but rather like the readers to think about why and how things might happen. Visually the BaSatai series will be dynamite on screen. I’m also in the process of writing the sequel to Mad About the Boy – Ben’s story a romantic drama titled Mad About the Girl. It will also be culturally diverse full of romance, love, laughter and drama of course.

Check out Mad About the Boy!

Julia Mendoza is driven by the success of her business. Since her husband Carlos passed away at such a young age, her business By Design is her number one priority. In her late twenties she works too hard and doesn’t take time out for fun. Annoyance with a pesky ex-friend has her begging one of the local surfer’s with a cheeky smile in the grocery store to pretend he’s her boyfriend. Suddenly, life takes a sudden detour from her business plan; much to the delight of her boisterous Latin American family. Christophe Augustine is groomed to take over his father’s successful chain of luxurious hotels. With a wealthy French-American background, Chris has been given privileges that not many have. He works hard, plays harder but seeks approval and recognition above all else. Family is a top priority for him as he fights for custody of his young brother. His parent’s divorce has not diminished his faith in romance. When a gorgeous Latino woman changes one boring morning into an interesting game of role play, though reluctant to help at first, he soon realises she’s not like the string of other women he’s known. A romantic first date ending dramatically doesn’t stop Chris from wanting to know Julia more. And for Julia, she’s all for a bit of fun but when things get too serious she’s running the other way. Too alike, in some ways and complete opposites, in other ways, Julia and Chris fumble through fun moments, annoying confrontations, passionate times and heartbreaking revelations. Love has no boundaries when soul-mates meet but when one is ready to love and the other one isn’t….

And BaSatai: Outside In!

Seventeen year old, Armani Radnelaq a full blooded BaSatai is plagued by a curse in her blood. A curse created from hate and designed to break the divide between two parallel worlds of Earth and H-trae when Armani’s blood is spilled in attack and she dies.

S’teuqoubs have been travelling back and forth across the divide for centuries without trouble. The BaSatai and Guardians monitoring activity and enforcing rules to ensure peace and harmony but if the divide splits and opens, a much greater number of supernatural S’teuqoubs will filter into earth destroying equilibrium which the BaSatai and Guardians will be unable to control. Humanity and the BaSatai will suffer and perish. The parallel divide must remain secure at all costs.

Armani has remained hidden on earth with her adopted father Elijah since her birth. She has been raised in the human way and fights her natural instinct to evolve into a BaSatai. The BaSatai in her requires her to evovle and shift, use her powers and strength. Yet Armani is freaked out by the need to shift. She smokes, has a bad attitude, must deal with aggressive bullies and control her natural BaSatai instinct. Her Guardian with BaSatai Warriors are coming for her. She refuses to accept her fate and doesn’t believe any BaSatai should die to protect her.

The blood curse maturing in her veins makes her a target for her enemies. Her Guardian Karhl and an elite BasSatai Warrior Rafael are the first to arrive and prepare her for her crossing over. Her attraction to Rafael complicates her purpose to stay on earth even more. They both insist she fall into line and follow their lead but she is not ready to leave earth just yet…

Guest Post from Suzan Battah

Some More Meanings and Fun Stuff about the BaSatai World

Thank you Samantha for allowing me on your blog, I love chatting about the BaSatai World and people often ask me how I remember so much about the world I’ve created and it’s simple because I love it, visualize it and feel and know the characters so well.

About the Title and What it Means – BaSatai: Outside In

BaSatai is referring to the supernatural people from the parallel world

H-Trae. The main character in the book Armani is a BaSatai hidden away on earth. Outside In refers to the way Armani feels like an outsider, different, singled out in the book there is a section where Rafael tells her ‘why are you always looking from the outside in?’. This book is mainly about Armani’s struggle with looking from the outside in.

About the Main Character Armani

Armani is plagued with a curse in her blood designed to break the parallel divide between H-Trae and earth when her blood spills and she dies. As she comes closer to turning 18, the elite BaSatai warriors and her Guardian have come to train her and take her home where she can be better protected. Yet Armani does not accept the curse in her blood nor does she accept the BaSatai and her Guardian giving up their lives just to protect her. Armani is suffering from human emotions and struggles to understand her purpose and identity in life. Her Guardian Karhl also arrives to guide her through the process of crossing over with Rafael, an elite BaSatai Warrior, who stirs up more confusion, emotions and guilt in Armani. She refuses to fall into line and doesn’t want to go back. She’s a walking target for her enemies crossing the divide to find her as the blood curse matures, the Supernatural’s are following the scent and willing to kill her to fulfill the curse.

Armani really struggles in this first book. She is a BaSatai suffering from human emotions and her stubborn belief she isn’t really cursed. She has a bad attitude and real vulnerbility. For Armani, the BaSatai coming for her mean the loss of her freedom and the guilt on her conscious if they die to protect her. It’s a tough struggle and she complains and fights it all the way. She’s like any normal teenager with usual issues but a more serious part of her life is that her death can destroy humanity.

 The Music that Inspired BaSatai

Music is a big part of my writing life. I love Within Temptation, Kanye, Rihanna, Evanescence, Gobsmack and any type of Classical music helps me to write especially emotional scenes. All I Need by Within Temptation is the song for Rafael and Armani.

The Characters and My Favourite

I love all my characters in my books, each has such distinct personalities when it comes to the choices they make and the reasons behind it. But a favourite is surprisingly not a main character in book 1 and that is Valko, he’s annoying and rude but so much fun to write and certainly honest when maybe he shouldn’t be.

 Big thanks to Suzan for dropping by CLP! Please visit her tour page on CLP Blog Tours to be entered to win a $30 Amazon gift card, $25 JC Penny’s gift card, or an eBook of BaSatai: Outside In!

 

On Tour: BaSatai Outside In by Suzan Battah

Suzan will be on tour June 4-25 with her novel BaSatai: Outside In

Seventeen year old, Armani Radnelaq a full blooded BaSatai is plagued by a curse in her blood. A curse created from hate and designed to break the divide between two parallel worlds of Earth and H-trae when Armani’s blood is spilled in attack and she dies.

S’teuqoubs have been travelling back and forth across the divide for centuries without trouble. The BaSatai and Guardians monitoring activity and enforcing rules to ensure peace and harmony but if the divide splits and opens, a much greater number of supernatural S’teuqoubs will filter into earth destroying equilibrium which the BaSatai and Guardians will be unable to control. Humanity and the BaSatai will suffer and perish. The parallel divide must remain secure at all costs.

Armani has remained hidden on earth with her adopted father Elijah since her birth. She has been raised in the human way and fights her natural instinct to evolve into a BaSatai. The BaSatai in her requires her to evovle and shift, use her powers and strength. Yet Armani is freaked out by the need to shift. She smokes, has a bad attitude, must deal with aggressive bullies and control her natural BaSatai instinct. Her Guardian with BaSatai Warriors are coming for her. She refuses to accept her fate and doesn’t believe any BaSatai should die to protect her.

The blood curse maturing in her veins makes her a target for her enemies. Her Guardian Karhl and an elite BasSatai Warrior Rafael are the first to arrive and prepare her for her crossing over. Her attraction to Rafael complicates her purpose to stay on earth even more. They both insist she fall into line and follow their lead but she is not ready to leave earth just yet…

Please visit CLP Blog Tours for all the tour stops! **Everyone who leaves a comment on Suzan’s tour page will be entered in the BaSatai giveaway! You can win: 1) a $30 Amazon gift card 2) a $25 JC Penny’s gift card, or 3) 5 winners will receive an eBook copy of BaSatai: Outside In. If you purchase your copy of BaSatai before June 25 and send your receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, you will get five bonus entries!***

Future Tour: BaSatai: Outside In by Suzan Battah

Suzan will be on tour June 4-25 with her novel BaSatai: Outside In

Seventeen year old, Armani Radnelaq a full blooded BaSatai is plagued by a curse in her blood. A curse created from hate and designed to break the divide between two parallel worlds of Earth and H-trae when Armani’s blood is spilled in attack and she dies.

S’teuqoubs have been travelling back and forth across the divide for centuries without trouble. The BaSatai and Guardians monitoring activity and enforcing rules to ensure peace and harmony but if the divide splits and opens, a much greater number of supernatural S’teuqoubs will filter into earth destroying equilibrium which the BaSatai and Guardians will be unable to control. Humanity and the BaSatai will suffer and perish. The parallel divide must remain secure at all costs.

Armani has remained hidden on earth with her adopted father Elijah since her birth. She has been raised in the human way and fights her natural instinct to evolve into a BaSatai. The BaSatai in her requires her to evovle and shift, use her powers and strength. Yet Armani is freaked out by the need to shift. She smokes, has a bad attitude, must deal with aggressive bullies and control her natural BaSatai instinct. Her Guardian with BaSatai Warriors are coming for her. She refuses to accept her fate and doesn’t believe any BaSatai should die to protect her.

The blood curse maturing in her veins makes her a target for her enemies. Her Guardian Karhl and an elite BasSatai Warrior Rafael are the first to arrive and prepare her for her crossing over. Her attraction to Rafael complicates her purpose to stay on earth even more. They both insist she fall into line and follow their lead but she is not ready to leave earth just yet…

Please visit CLP Blog Tours for the full tour schedule! **Anyone who purchases their copy of BaSatai: Outside In before June 25 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five entries into the BaSatai giveaway! You can win: 1) a $30 Amazon gift card 2) a $25 JC Penny’s gift card, or 3) 5 winners will receive an eBook copy of BaSatai: Outside In.**

Blog Tour Sign Up: BaSatai Outside In by Suzan Battah

Suzan will be on tour in June with her urban fantasy/paranormal romance novel BaSatai: Outside In. Print books will be available for US/Canada residents, and eBooks will be available worldwide. Please use the sign up for below to select your preference. Suzan will also be available for guest post and interviews, and book excerpts can be provided. I will contact everyone chosen to participate. Thank you!

Seventeen year old, Armani Radnelaq a full blooded BaSatai is plagued by a curse in her blood. A curse created from hate and designed to break the divide between two parallel worlds of Earth and H-trae when Armani’s blood is spilled in attack and she dies.

S’teuqoubs have been travelling back and forth across the divide for centuries without trouble. The BaSatai and Guardians monitoring activity and enforcing rules to ensure peace and harmony but if the divide splits and opens, a much greater number of supernatural S’teuqoubs will filter into earth destroying equilibrium which the BaSatai and Guardians will be unable to control. Humanity and the BaSatai will suffer and perish. The parallel divide must remain secure at all costs.

Armani has remained hidden on earth with her adopted father Elijah since her birth. She has been raised in the human way and fights her natural instinct to evolve into a BaSatai. The BaSatai in her requires her to evovle and shift, use her powers and strength. Yet Armani is freaked out by the need to shift. She smokes, has a bad attitude, must deal with aggressive bullies and control her natural BaSatai instinct. Her Guardian with BaSatai Warriors are coming for her. She refuses to accept her fate and doesn’t believe any BaSatai should die to protect her.

The blood curse maturing in her veins makes her a target for her enemies. Her Guardian Karhl and an elite BasSatai Warrior Rafael are the first to arrive and prepare her for her crossing over. Her attraction to Rafael complicates her purpose to stay on earth even more. They both insist she fall into line and follow their lead but she is not ready to leave earth just yet…

**Suzan’s blog tour is now full. Thank you to everyone who signed up!**

Mad About the Boy by Suzan Battah

Suzan Battah is on tour with CLP Blog Tours. Mad About the Boy follows Julia Mendoza, a workaholic widow in her late twenties, who spends all her time building up her business instead of having fun. A panicky moment in the grocery store with an ex-friend causes her to ask the stranger next to her to be her boyfriend. Julia doesn’t realize the stranger is Christophe Augustine – the Christophe Augustine who is set to take over his father’s super-luxe chain of hotels. Christophe is immediately taken by Julia, but she isn’t so sure. Losing her husband Carlos at such a young age has closed off a part of Julia’s heart. Can Christophe find a way to let Julia love again, and will these soul mates be able to get through the struggles to find true happiness?

I enjoyed reading Mad About the Boy, but at times I also struggled. It’s a super cute romance idea, and I thought it was very intriguing that Julia is such a young widow. Christophe is a fine gentleman, who made me swoon throughout the book. I struggled when the plot started to go a bit all over the place. Julia is in a terribly car accident, Christophe is trying to adopt his little brother, Julia’s ex-mother-in law likes Julia then seems to not like her so much…a lot happens and it was a little difficult to keep up with. But I did like that this didn’t seem like a typical romance book. The characters were deep and had many layers, and overall, I read recommend this book to chick lit and romance fans!

[Rating: 3.5]

**Everyone who leaves a comment on Suzan’s tour page will be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift card! If you purchase your copy of Mad About the Boy before March 5 and send your receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, you will get five bonus entries!**

On Tour: Mad About the Boy by Suzan Battah

Suzan will be on tour February 13- March 5 with her novel Mad About the Boy

Julia Mendoza is driven by the success of her business. Since her husband Carlos passed away at such a young age, her business By Design is her number one priority. In her late twenties she works too hard and doesn’t take time out for fun. Annoyance with a pesky ex-friend has her begging one of the local surfer’s with a cheeky smile in the grocery store to pretend he’s her boyfriend. Suddenly, life takes a sudden detour from her business plan; much to the delight of her boisterous Latin American family. Christophe Augustine is groomed to take over his father’s successful chain of luxurious hotels. With a wealthy French-American background, Chris has been given privileges that not many have. He works hard, plays harder but seeks approval and recognition above all else. Family is a top priority for him as he fights for custody of his young brother. His parent’s divorce has not diminished his faith in romance. When a gorgeous Latino woman changes one boring morning into an interesting game of role play, though reluctant to help at first, he soon realises she’s not like the string of other women he’s known. A romantic first date ending dramatically doesn’t stop Chris from wanting to know Julia more. And for Julia, she’s all for a bit of fun but when things get too serious she’s running the other way. Too alike, in some ways and complete opposites, in other ways, Julia and Chris fumble through fun moments, annoying confrontations, passionate times and heartbreaking revelations. Love has no boundaries when soul-mates meet but when one is ready to love and the other one isn’t….

Please visit CLP Blog Tours for all the tour stops. **Everyone who leaves a comment on Suzan’s tour page will be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift card! If you purchase your copy of Mad About the Boy before March 5 and send your receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, you will get five bonus entries!**

Author Bio:

Suzan Battah is a proud Australian born author who has loved to write since her teenage years. In 2011 she published her first novel a contemporary multicultural romance – Mad About the Boy. In her spare time she weaves magical tales to entertain. Suzan writes YA Fiction – Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance, Regency Romance and Contemporary Romance. Other fun things you can find her doing is training at the gym and Latin/Ballroom dancing. Suzan is afraid of heights, loves most things that are sweet, has no clue about fashion and one day hopes to speak Spanish fluently. Her second novel a YA Urban Fantasy Adventure - BaSatai: Outside In will be released on the 14th of April 2012.

Buy the Book!

Future Tour: Mad About the Boy by Suzan Battah

Suzan will be on tour February 13- March 5 with her novel Mad About the Boy

Julia Mendoza is driven by the success of her business. Since her husband Carlos passed away at such a young age, her business By Design is her number one priority. In her late twenties she works too hard and doesn’t take time out for fun. Annoyance with a pesky ex-friend has her begging one of the local surfer’s with a cheeky smile in the grocery store to pretend he’s her boyfriend. Suddenly, life takes a sudden detour from her business plan; much to the delight of her boisterous Latin American family. Christophe Augustine is groomed to take over his father’s successful chain of luxurious hotels. With a wealthy French-American background, Chris has been given privileges that not many have. He works hard, plays harder but seeks approval and recognition above all else. Family is a top priority for him as he fights for custody of his young brother. His parent’s divorce has not diminished his faith in romance. When a gorgeous Latino woman changes one boring morning into an interesting game of role play, though reluctant to help at first, he soon realises she’s not like the string of other women he’s known. A romantic first date ending dramatically doesn’t stop Chris from wanting to know Julia more. And for Julia, she’s all for a bit of fun but when things get too serious she’s running the other way. Too alike, in some ways and complete opposites, in other ways, Julia and Chris fumble through fun moments, annoying confrontations, passionate times and heartbreaking revelations. Love has no boundaries when soul-mates meet but when one is ready to love and the other one isn’t….

Please visit CLP Blog Tours for the full tour calendar. **Anyone who purchases their copy of Mad About the Boy between December 7-March 5 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five entries in a drawing to win a $10 Amazon gift card!!**

In My Mailbox: Week of November 13

In My Mailbox: Week of November 13

 

Title: Unscripted

Authors: Natalie Aaron & Marla Schwartz

Received: Via CLP Blog Tours

Synopsis: As a producer on a reality dating show, Abby Edwards knows that true love is a myth. Her career and her friends are all she needs. Right?

When her screenwriter ex makes a hit movie based on their relationship, Abby’s faults are projected on screens across the country. Suddenly the fact that her job depends on orchestrating hot tub hook-ups doesn’t seem so impressive.

Her friends rally to help. Zoë thinks she needs to meet a guy. Stephanie suggests an attitude adjustment. Nancy wants her to get in touch with her inner Goddess. Abby knows they mean well, but she prefers to focus on her work. Unfortunately, she’s already embarrassed herself in front of her new boss, Will Harper, who she would find totally crush-worthy if he weren’t so irritating.

Abby’s about to be reminded that life doesn’t follow a script—and good things happen when you least expect it…

 

Title: Good-Bye to All That

Author: Margo Candela

Received: From Margo Candela

Synopsis: Raquel Azorian has worked her way from temp to executive assistant and is this close to a promotion to junior marketing exec at Belmore Corporation, the media behemoth she’s devoted herself to. She’s learned to play the Hollywood game—navigate office politics, schmooze the right people, avoid the wrong ones, and maintain a sense of decorum even in the craziest of times. All she needs is for her boss to sign her promotion memo. Instead of putting pen to paper, he suffers a very public meltdown that puts not only his professional future but also Raquel’s on the line.

Getting to the next rung on the Belmore ladder will require every ounce of focus, but that’s not going to be easy. Raquel’s mom has decided to leave her husband and move into Raquel’s apartment, and her older brother seems to be sinking deeper and deeper into depression. Raquel has to keep her job, stop her parents from divorcing, and save her brother. In the chaos of juggling so much, she finally reaches a breaking point: there’s just not enough time for everything or for everyone. She’s going to have to choose—success at work or happiness at home. But then a chance encounter at a bookstore café leads Raquel to start planning her own Hollywood ending . . . on her own terms.

Title: Mad About the Boy

Author: Suzan Battah

Received: From Suzan Battah/Via CLP Blog Tours

Synopsis: Julia Mendoza is driven by the success of her business. Since her husband Carlos passed away at such a young age, her business By Design is her number one priority. In her late twenties she works too hard and doesn’t take time out for fun. Annoyance with a pesky ex-friend has her begging one of the local surfer’s with a cheeky smile in the grocery store to pretend he’s her boyfriend. Suddenly, life takes a sudden detour from her business plan; much to the delight of her boisterous Latin American family. Christophe Augustine is groomed to take over his father’s successful chain of luxurious hotels. With a wealthy French-American background, Chris has been given privileges that not many have. He works hard, plays harder but seeks approval and recognition above all else. Family is a top priority for him as he fights for custody of his young brother. His parent’s divorce has not diminished his faith in romance. When a gorgeous Latino woman changes one boring morning into an interesting game of role play, though reluctant to help at first, he soon realises she’s not like the string of other women he’s known. A romantic first date ending dramatically doesn’t stop Chris from wanting to know Julia more. And for Julia, she’s all for a bit of fun but when things get too serious she’s running the other way. Too alike, in some ways and complete opposites, in other ways, Julia and Chris fumble through fun moments, annoying confrontations, passionate times and heartbreaking revelations. Love has no boundaries when soul-mates meet but when one is ready to love and the other one isn’t….

 

Title: One Pink Line

Author: Dina Silver

Received: From Dina Silver/Via CLP Blog Tours

Synopsis: Can the love of a lifetime be forever changed by one pink line? Dina Silver’s tender, absorbing novel, One Pink Line, is the warmhearted, wry story of love, loss and family, as seen through the prism of one singular, spirited young couple who find themselves in a predicament that changes the course of their lives, and those closest to them. With heart, humor and compassion, this debut work of women’s fiction is certain to stir anyone who relishes a good laugh, can stand a good cry, and, above all believes in the redemptive power of love. This unique, contemporary story gives readers a dual perspective. Sydney Shephard, a sweet-tempered, strong-natured college senior is young, in love with an exceptional man, and unexpectedly pregnant. Faced with a child she never planned for, she is forced to relay this news to her neurotic mother, relinquish her youth, and risk losing the love of her life. Then there’s Grace, a daughter, who believed she was a product of this great love, grows to realize her existence is not what she assumed, and is left with profound and puzzling questions about who she really is. Spanning generations and every imaginable emotion, One Pink Line reveals how two points of view can be dramatically at odds, and perhaps ultimately reconciled. Simultaneously deeply felt and lighthearted, One Pink Line deftly mines how the choices we make are able to alter so many lives, and how doing the right thing and living honestly can bring unexpected, hard-won happiness. It’s a must-read for anyone who craves a great love story, absorbing characters, and plenty of laughs along the way.

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