Welcome Jillian Chantal Today

Why don't you start with telling us a little about yourself? What genre do you write in and why?

My name is Jillian Chantal which is a pen name that I devised with the middle names that my sons would have had if they were girls. I liked the names so much that I wanted to use them for something, thus my pen name was born.  I write mostly contemporary romantic suspense. I do have a love of history and this book, Redemption for the Devil, is a historical based in 1920.

Tell us a bit about your latest book, and what inspired you to write such a story.

It's a historical based in 1920. The hero is an member of the Irish Republican army and on a mission for the organization when he meets the heroine. I woke up one day with this Irish man in my head and he said, "My name is Liam Cormac and you're going to tell my story." I know that sounds odd, but that's exactly what I did.  It was almost like taking dictation, the words flowed so well. I wrote the story in 21 days.

Did your book require a lot of research?

Just the research to refresh my memory. I love the early twentieth century era and am intrigued by all the changes that occurred in those times, so I just had to spot check my data. The funniest thing I almost messed up was that I wanted my hero to see the Empire State building being built but that was later in time so I had to change the landmark.

If you could have any vice without repercussions, what would it be?

To be able to eat all the bread I want. I'm addicted to yeast products. Give me a good yeast roll over chocolate any day although I won't turn down chocolate either.

If you could have been the servant to any famous person in history, who would that be and why?

Yipes. I'm not sure I have the personality to be a servant. I'd probably be beaten on a daily basis for insolence. But if I have to pick, I think I'd pick George Washington. He freed his slaves and that makes me think he was a gentle soul and maybe he wouldn't have hurt me too bad when I was sassy.

What so you see for the future of publishing and e-books?

I think it's the  wave and we've not even begun to ride the crest yet. It's just a small swell now and is going to be a tsunami. I'm glad I'm already on the surfboard.

Which of your characters do you love/hate/fear/pity the most and why?

That's a tough one. I love them all as I'm writing them. For this book, I think it has to be Liam. He's lived a hard life and he really does need redeeming, even if only in his own eyes. He's the third son and has always felt superfluous.

Do you get along with your muse? What do you do to placate her/him/it when she/he/it refuses to inspire you?

I do. She/he/it is very good to me. If I feel stymied, I watch a movie and that gets the juices flowing again.

Do you have another book in the works? Would you like to tell readers about your current or future projects?

I have a couple in the works that are out on submission. My favorite one is about a former Green Beret who lost part of his leg. It's a bi-racial story and I adore both the hero and the heroine. Idris Elba, the actor, was my inspiration for the hero.

Have you ever experience weird cravings while you write? If so, what kind?

Nope. Never have.

What is the most ridiculous thing that you have thought about doing to any of your characters but never did?

I almost put my hero in a skirt once but he was having none of that, thank you. He said he'd be happy to wear a kilt in the traditional manner but he absolutely would not participate in a "dude looks like a lady" contest.

 If you had to write yourself as a heroine/hero, what kind of heroine/hero would you be? What would you be named?

I'd be kick ass tough. Probably brassy and obnoxious, to boot. My name would be Jaclyn Bodacious.          

 

If your muse were to talk behind your back, what secrets would he/she tell?

She would tell that I fall a little in love with each of my heroes in turn and that I'm fickle when it comes to staying true to them.

 

If someone hasn't read any of your work, what book would you recommend that they start with and why?

Surfer Bride from Siren-Bookstrand probably since it's very exciting and fun. It's a contemporary romantic suspense and it was a joy to write.

If there was a soundtrack to your latest novel, what genre/songs would be included?

There is a soundtrack. I make one to every book I write.  This one had a mix of songs, from old 1920s standards to some Billy Joel and Tom Jones. I make a play list of songs that speak to me about the plot and immerse myself in the music as I'm working on the book.

When you're not writing, what do you like to do to just kick back and have fun?

I work as a lawyer in my day job and I don't really relax much- writing is really my relaxation. I also am an amateur photographer and I scrapbook.

If we peeked at your bookcase(s)/e-reader, what kind of books/authors would we find there? Mostly romantic suspense, pure suspense, crime thrillers, some YA and a lot of Dean Koontz. I also love Martha Grimes for her cozy mysteries named after British pubs.

Where can we find you on the web?  www.jillianchantal.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/JillianChantal

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/jillian.chantal

SirenBookstrand: http://www.bookstrand.com/jillian-chantal

DesertBreeze: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/StoreFront.bok

Booktrailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izodnXeyzDI

BUY Link: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/StoreFront.bok

Redemption for the Devil by Jillian Chantal

Desert Breeze Publishing

December, 1920: Mary Margaret Kincade, known as Peg, a devout Catholic, is the only child of an Irish adventurer presumed dead in an Arctic expedition gone awry. When her odious cousin comes to take over the family business and presumes to force Peg into marriage, she decides to make a new life in America by working her way across the ocean on a cruise liner.

Liam Cormac, a Protestant member of the Irish Republican Army, fighting for freedom from English rule, signs on to the same ship with the intention of blowing it up in the middle of the ocean.

Liam and Peg encounter each other in the first class passenger lounge and the attraction is mutual. When Peg is taken hostage by Liam’s partner, Liam has to make a decision about where his loyalties lie- with his country and his mission or with an Irish Catholic lass

Sneak Peek Excerpt:

The two men Rena talked about noticed them and crossed the floor to where Peg and Rena stood. The taller one said, "I'm Devlin Cosgrove and this is me mate, Liam Cormac. And you ladies are..."

"Ooh, Peg, they's from your homeland. Hear that accent?" Rena said with glee.

Peg made eye contact with the two men. "Where do ye live?"

Devlin sketched a bow. "We hail from Dublin, Miss Peg. You?"

She said, "Cork."

Liam lifted one eyebrow and said, with a leer, "Let me guess. Your friend called you Peg. But you're really Miss Mary Margaret Whatever, nice Irish Catholic girl, go by Peg to seem informal but wouldn't open your legs for a man without a wedding ring, right? That sum it up?"

Peg gasped, stunned that a man she'd just met made such a statement. She wasn't so shocked as to be paralyzed, though, and she smacked him across the mouth, the sound carrying a bit even in the loud room. "How rude you are. You're not a nice man."

"Never said I was, did I ma'am? I can tell by the dress you have on, the thick stockings and the long hair braided on top of your head that you're wound tighter than the ropes holding this ship to its berth. I've been around the Catholics enough to know how rigid the women can be. Good luck to the man that tries to pull your dress over your head." With that last comment, Liam bowed at them, stalked off across the room and straight to a girl with bobbed hair and in a flapper-style dress.

"Well, Gor! What an ass your friend is," Rena said to Devlin.

Devlin said, "Ignore him, he's a bit uncouth. He's back in society after a three or four year break. Forgot how to talk to women. Especially the Catholic ones, Protestant yob that he is."

"Was he in prison?" Rena asked in a whisper.

"Not for me to say," Devlin replied with a shrug. "Now, what's your name?"

"I'm Rena Comstock."

"Rena, will you dance with me?" asked Devlin.

"Sure I'll dance. I love the Charleston." She turned to Peg. "You don't mind, do ye?"

"No," Peg said. "Go, have fun."

Peg headed to the bar and ordered a straight Paddy's Irish whisky, neat. She leaned on the wall near the bar to enjoy the drink. Taking a deep breath, she savored the smell of the liquor. Her da's favorite brand.

As she savored her first sip of the elixir, Liam walked over. "You must really be from Cork to be drinking Paddy Flaherty's whisky. Straight." He indicated her glass. "It'll grow hair on your chest."

"Did ya think I was lying about where I lived?" Peg snarled at the man she'd smacked just a few minutes prior, stunned at his audacity in approaching her again. Her hand itched to make contact with his face again.

"Can't trust many folks these days, Mary Margaret."

"Why are you here? You dismissed me as not worth your time. Why are you talking to me now?"

"I merely came over for a refill, Mary Margaret. Can't I be neighborly while I wait for my drink?" He leaned his elbows on the bar.