Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I write under the name S C Cunningham. The ‘S’ is for Siobhan which is Irish and pronounced Shevonne. I know, I know, it’s a crazy spelling, go figure! I’m also a Crime Investigator.
I tend to write what I know; my story lines are founded on real life experiences.
From a very young age I’ve always known that my job in life was to entertain. To drag folk kicking and screaming into a world of escapism, to situations they’ve never experienced before and have them championing characters, willing them on and punching the air with a “Yesss!”
When building a character I draw on observations of people I know or have closely watched, it’s easier to write from truth. Luckily, I’ve had a hectic life path, worked in a few fascinating industries, and been able to study a wide range of characters.
In a nutshell my path has been – am British born of Irish parents, was plonked from the age of 8yrs into an Irish Catholic Nuns Boarding School. After a short spell of studying law (realising there is too much injustice in our systems) I went on to work as a fashion model, married a rock musician and worked in the music to film industry. Got divorced and then as a single mum worked within football, sports celebrity management, horse racing, children’s charities, and more recently for the Police as a Crime Investigator – Intel Analyst, Major Crime Team, Wanted and Absconder Units. Am proud mum to a wonderful daughter (Contemporary Artist) and owned by three dogs.
For the past ten years I’ve been drawing on these experiences as inspiration to write steamy Psychological Thrillers ‘The David Trilogy’ and gritty Paranormal Crime Romance ‘The Fallen Angel Series’.
The Penance List was kick-started by an incident that happened to me in my twenties when I was living in London. Quite frighteningly and out of the blue, I crossed paths with a prolific serial attacker who targeted single girls living alone in basement flats in Notting Hill and Olympia. It was then that I realised evil can sit around any corner, learn to trust you gut.
This male haunted London for a long period of time; he was astute, studied his victims for days and avoided capture. I believe he attacked 14 or so women, luckily I got away unscathed (must have an Angel looking out for me) and managed to help Police ID him with a photo fit. He was a nice looking, well dressed, calm, cold, precise and unhurried. He didn’t say a word, just stared, seeming to revel in the fear he instilled.
I remember looking into his face and asking why? I needed to understand how a human could be that cruel to another. He had the look of a spoilt mother’s boy; I guessed his mother must have loved him at some stage, but what life changing event or who had turned him from a sweet little boy into an evil adult? The seed for complex protagonist David Howard was sown.
Using a mix of my own experiences (nuns, boarding school, modelling, the press, celebrity management and fun loving career girlfriends) I created a fantasy world of manipulation, shining a light on the ripple effect carnage that the misuse of power, religion and passion can cause.
I enjoy complex characters that slowly reveal themselves, are not who they seem and engage with the reader, pulling at heartstrings and worst fears. I try to create a person who the reader would either like to hang out with or see as their worst enemy. Someone they feel empathy for and understand their choices, right or wrong. Someone they champion and punch the air with a resounding “Yessss!”
And because I’m an old romantic who loves a bit of drama, my books also have to have a few oh-so-sexy personalities with complicated love lives, evil exes, edge of seat fear, twists, turns, steamy romances and cheeky laugh out loud banter.
Working on a series allows you to build characters that hopefully people will fall in love with and get excited about. David is a very bad person, but fans often write saying they’re hooked; they love his charismatic charm warts and all, and can’t wait to see what he does next. They understand and champion the boy, but fear the man he has become.
The book has been adapted to film script, so we may see David on our screens one day. I love working on this character so much that I have dragged him into ‘The Fallen Angel Series’ where he causes a bit of more chaos in the skies.
Pleased be warned, The Penance List is a sexy thriller, think Psycho meets 50 Shades. It can be a little naughty at times and may not be for everyone. But if you’re brave enough, grab a glass of vino, close the bedroom door and read alone.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
After The Penance List and Unfinished Business I started The Fallen Angel Series, and released The Deal. Am currently working on book two, Karma.
When I was little, 3/4yrs, I was taken, I survived. Coming from an Irish Catholic family, I remember praying every night to God, offering him a deal; if I was a good girl, when I died could I sit on a cloud for a while, invisible, and help him get the baddies who slip through his fingers? I heard later in life that another little girl was taken in the next street, and she didn’t survive.
Like many others, I’ve found myself surviving a few unexplained dodgy situations where afterwards I’ve thought “Gosh, I must’ve had someone/something looking over me there…” I tend to like looking out for the underdog, getting justice. I’ve taken a few jobs which have enabled me to do that; child charity work, intelligence analyst and police crime investigator.
I’m not religious, but I feel that there is something out there, an energy. Maybe it’s just quantum physics we don’t understand yet. And with the world going a tad crazy at the moment, we need a little empowering escapism, so I adapted my childhood deal with God into a fictional series. I love romance and laughter, so of course sex and cheeky banter gets added to the mix.
The Deal is the story of feisty Amy Fox who was taken at 4yrs. She survived and did a deal with god. At 30, her deal and God long forgotten she mysteriously dies. She awakens to find MI5’esque Units in the skies, where vigilante angels dish out tough karma on those below. We follow her work, her revenge, her turbulent love life and attacks from competing forces. She has to wonder if her deal with God was a good thing?
My general inspiration is from people I meet and experiences I have had… I’d better not say any more, I’ve signed the Official Secrets Act and a few Confidentiality Agreements in my time.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have a writing room at home. I write whenever I can, I have no social life, am a bit of a recluse. I set the scene to write, with lovely smells/candles, soft music, lighting, nibbly food and dogs curled at my feet.
It takes hours/days to block out the world in my head, then I settle down to churn out the words. It’s hard to get to that writing ‘place’ but once you are in the zone, it’s wonderful.
My ideal writing spot would be in a villa with a pool in the sunshine, where I could pop out to take a dip in the pool between chapters… but hey, one day.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have a passion for Jack Reacher, so first on my list is Lee Child. Although if I ever met him I’d give him a bollocking, I can’t forgive for selling out to Tom Cruise. Tom is wonderful, am sure, but he is no Jack Reacher. Gutted.
Close second are; Martina Cole, Michael Connelly, James Patterson, Agatha Christie, Harlan Coben, John Grisham, Patricia Cornwell, Karin Slaughter… (I’d better shut up now!)
What are you working on now?
Am working on book II of The Fallen Angel Series. A Paranormal Thriller – Karma.
This mixes my criminal knowledge with my belief that there is something else out there. It’s based on a kidnap incident that happened to me as a child. Kick ass, naughty, crime-fighting angels that protect us. Love it, I get to tackle all subjects. Of course there romance and laughter mixed in with the murder mystery.
Am also working on book III of The David Trilogy – For My Sins.
Am gutted, I don’t want the trilogy to end… or does it?
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I source what other books are using and dip in and out of a few different sites. Marketing is one of the three hats you have to wear as an author – Writing / Editing / Marketing.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just do it. Start. Now… keep going.
The first draft can be a mess, it doesn’t matter, no one ever sees it.
The magic happens when you start to edit through it. Enjoy.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
As above, just do it…..
What are you reading now?
Am looking around for a Lee Child that I haven’t read yet.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Finishing two books, For My Sins, and Karma… then tackling the rest of the Fallen Angel series, which will be about 8 books in total…. phew!
What is your favorite book of all time?
I grew up with Enid Blyton books… the secret seven. The magic enthralled me.
Author Websites and Profiles
S C Cunningham Website
S C Cunningham Amazon Profile
S C Cunningham Author Profile Other Bookseller
S C Cunningham’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account