Every so often, I actually purchase a book because of the cover. I know, I know. You should never judge a book by its cover, and I usually don’t, but something about the cover of My Perfect Wedding by Sibel Hodge just grabbed me from the first moment I saw it.
Sibel has come by today to let us get to know her better. I’m looking forward to reading her titles and you all know I’m always up for a book discussion. So let’s get this party started.
Tell us a little about yourself.
My debut novel, Fourteen Days Later, was short listed for the Harry Bowling Prize 2008 and received a highly commended by the Yeovil Literary Prize 2009. It is a romantic comedy with a unique infusion of British and Turkish Cypriot culture. Written in a similar style to Sophie Kinsella and Marian Keyes, Fourteen Days Later is My Big Fat Greek Wedding meets Bridget Jones.
The Fashion Police is my second novel and was a runner up in the Chapter One Promotions Novel Competition 2010. It is a screwball comedy-mystery, combining murder and mayhem with romance and chick-lit, and the first in a series featuring feisty, larger-than-life insurance investigator, Amber Fox. Written in a similar style to Janet Evanovich and Myron Bolitar, The Fashion Police is Stephanie Plum meets Harlan Coben.
My Perfect Wedding is my latest novel and the sequel to Fourteen Days Later.
Tell us something many don’t know about you.
I have 8 rescue cats. I have dual British/Turkish Cypriot nationality. I’m addicted to Yoga and swimming.
What genre(s) do you like to read?
Romantic comedies, chicklit, comedy/cozy mysteries, thrillers.
What is your favorite novel and why?
Oh, that’s so hard to choose! Nope, can’t just choose one.
What was the last novel you read that you enjoyed and why?
The Witness Wore Bay Blood by LC Evans. It was a fun cozy mystery that I couldn’t put down.
When did you begin writing?
I’ve always loved writing. When I was a little kid, I was always scribbling away. I started my first novel when I was about seventeen but didn’t have a clue what I was doing, so I binned it. I started the second one when I was twenty-seven but never got further than the first three chapters. My third one I started when I was thirty-five and went on to become my debut romantic comedy, Fourteen Days Later.
What genre(s) do you write?
Romantic comedies and comedy mysteries
Where do your concepts for your novels come from?
Anywhere and everywhere. Films, books, stories from friends and family, things that have happened to me, a snippet of conversation.
How long does it typically take you to write a book?
Between 3 – 5 months, writing about fourteen hours a day.
Tell us about your latest book?
My Perfect Wedding is the sequel to Fourteen Days Later, although it can be read as a standalone novel. It’s a romantic comedy that combines murder and mayhem with romance and chicklit. Helen Grey is finally getting married and moving to the sunny Mediterranean to have the perfect wedding and escape the rat-race. She assumes it’s going to be nothing but love and romance, but living the dream isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. It shows the twists and turns in life that can happen unexpectedly.
Description: Helen Grey is finally getting everything she wants. She’s about to have the perfect dream wedding and begin an exciting new life abroad on the sunny Mediterranean island of Cyprus. But living the dream isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
After a mix-up at the airport, Helen finds herself drawn into the midst of an elaborate plot to steal an ancient statue and assassinate a local businessman. And as if that wasn’t bad enough, her wedding dress is AWOL, the statue seems to be cursed, and Helen is wanted by the police.
With the big day rapidly approaching, a roller-coaster of mishaps, misunderstandings, and disasters threatens to turn the newlyweds into nearly weds.
Can Helen prevent an assassination, save the statue, and have the perfect wedding? Or will the day to remember turn into one she’d rather forget?
Where can readers purchase your latest book? Amazon US, Amazon UK, Smashwords
If you could change one thing about your writing career thus far, what would it be?
I wish I’d started sooner! I spend most of my time in North Cyprus now so I’m able to write full time. When I was living in the UK, tied to a mortgage with a full time job, it was very difficult to have the opportunity to dedicate to my dream. Now the dream’s a reality!
What do you find to be the best and worst part of being a writer?
I love creating characters and writing dialogue. The beauty is you can make up anyone you want. Even the perfect man! I’ve always loved making people laugh, so the comedy element comes naturally to me. I hate the plotting side, which is a necessary evil. If I get too hung up on plotting in advance, it dampens my creativity a bit. I tend to just get stuck in and everything develops on its own.
What do you have on the burner for the next year?
I’m currently finishing off the sequel to my comedy mystery series featuring feisty insurance investigator, Amber Fox. It should be out in the next few months and will be called Be Careful What You Wish For. Then I’m planning on doing another romantic comedy.
How can readers reach you?
http://www.sibelhodge.com/
Facebook
Twitter
Independent Author Network
Sibel, thank you for taking the time to come out and play with us today. Anytime you’d like to drop by, you are welcome.
Readers, some of Sibels novels are available in eBook and Print. Happy Reading. Let me know what you think.
Dee
Dee Writes 
Sibel Hodge
February 24, 2011
Many thanks for having me, Deatri! 🙂