I’m so excited to turn the spotlight on a dear friend today. Jillian Chantal has written several books and short stories. I think she may have even snuck a few magazine articles in for good measure too! She has mastered the art of multi-tasking, because she is a full time attorney, is very involved with her family and friends, is always putting out new material for publication, and on top of it all, she takes time out to help others who are just starting out in the literary world. That is exactly how we met, and she has always been so willing to share her expertise with me. She is a true friend, and I am grateful that she took me under her wing.
Jillian, welcome to my little corner of Cyberspace. It’s great to have you with me today. Of course, it’s a special occasion because we’re celebrating the release of your newest book. At this point, I will turn the controls over to you, Jillian.
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Thanks for asking me to pop in and visit your blog, Joan. I appreciate it. I love to meet new people and am thrilled to chat a bit to your readers.
I’m here to celebrate the release of my latest romantic suspense, Sebastian’s Salvation. This book has had three names and that’s not really usual for me. I normally settle on one pretty early in the process and I did for this one as well until one fateful day when I was watching television and saw a movie on one of the movie channels. My inspiration for the hero in this story is Idris Elba, a British actor who I really like. This book was first called Obsession. Then came the day of the movie I saw. It was a movie named Obsessed. It starred Idris Elba and Beyonce. So, I immediately decided it would be best to change the name lest someone think I stole it from the movie.
Then the quest was on for another name that was something kind of like Obsession. After much thought and thesaurus research, I decided on Tormented. It seemed to fit as well as, if not better than, Obsession. Then I sold the book. The publisher didn’t really think a romance by the name Tormented would be appealing, so then it was on again for another title change. I have a beta reader who lives near Memphis and she helped me brainstorm a new name. We finally decided on Sebastian’s Salvation. I actually think it’s perfect. It just took me a while to get there.
The story is an interracial, contemporary, romantic suspense and there really is some obsession, some torment and some salvation in the book. I hope readers will enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
I love to hear from readers.
Visit me on the web here: http://jillianchantal.com/news/
email: Jillianchantal@gmail.com
twitter: https://twitter.com/JillianChantal
Book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvzMd4ttvmUhttp://youtu.be/Z-DIBWvGsoI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-DIBWvGsoI&feature=youtu.be
Buy link: http://www.bookstrand.com/sebastians-salvation
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Thank you again, Jillian, for taking time out of a very busy schedule to share with my readers. The book sounds great, and I have already pre-ordered mine!
As a special treat, Jillian is letting me publish the blurb for her book, as well as an excerpt. After you read it, I’m sure you’re all going to want to know what’s going to happen next! You’ll just have to buy the book to find out! 🙂
Blurb:
Three lives intertwine—a former Green Beret, now a painter of nude portraits tormented by the death of his comrade, an earl’s daughter, and a crazed stalker. Will the acts of the stalker force the soldier back into the life of violence which he sought to avoid?
Sebastian Hughes, wounded on a mission in Afghanistan, discovers a talent for painting nude portraits while in a rehabilitation center learning to walk again after losing part of his leg. He becomes the toast of London society and women clamor to be painted by him.
Lady Joanna Gresham, nursing a broken heart and used to getting what she wants, sets her sights on having her portrait painted by Sebastian. Once she meets him, she wants him for herself. She pursues him, intent on winning him. What she didn’t count on was a stalker who wants to harm everyone Sebastian holds dear.
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Excerpt:
Joanna Gresham passed Margaret in the hallway of Bast’s building. Margaret carried a saddle under her arm.
Margaret stopped her and hitched the saddle to a more comfortable position. “You one of the many?”
“Many what?”
“Clients of Bast’s?”
Joanna shook her head. “No. But I’m thinking about it. I was at his show last night and am very impressed.”
“With the man or the artist?” The woman smiled coyly
“The artist of course.” Joanna stood tall and looked down her nose at the impertinent woman. The nerve to ask me such a thing. As if I’d be interested in a hoodlum.
“Don’t have to get huffy, Lady Joanna. All the women in town are swooning over the man. Some are even commissioning portraits just to tempt him with their bodies. No harm meant.”
Joanna ran her hands through her hair. “Sorry. Just moody, I guess.”
“No problem. Enjoy your session.”
“I don’t have a session. I’m just going to talk.”
“Good luck then. I think you’ll like Bast. I gotta go. Late for a practice run.”
“Good luck with practice. Ta, Margaret.” Joanna waved good-bye and approached the door to Bast’s atelier. Why am I so nervous? He’s just a man I want to hire. Why should I feel so skittish?
Joanna knocked lightly on the door.
The door burst open, and the man asked, “What did you for—”
He stopped short. “Uh. Sorry, I thought you were Margaret, come back for something she forgot. She always leaves something behind.”
“Is that why you were already at the door?”
He smiled. “Yeah. I give her about three minutes after she leaves to come dashing back. I thought I timed it right.” His smile got larger.
Why does his smile have to be so spectacular? He’s gorgeous even with that scar across his face. “Sorry, it’s just me. I’m not sure if you remember—”
“Of course, I do. You’re the lady in the alley, the one that needed no help with her aching feet. Come on in.” He opened the door wider to allow her access to the loft.
Once they were inside, he showed her over to a client chair. He took a seat behind the desk, leaned across the top, and asked, “What can I do for you?”
She put one hand on the desktop and scraped her nail across the surface. “I was at your show last night—”
“Yeah, I know. I saw you, remember?”
“I recall.” She frowned. Was the man determined to make her feel stupid?
“Sorry, ma’am. I didn’t mean to interrupt you. Go on.” Bast nodded his encouragement.
“I was thinking I might want a portrait of myself. Your work is impressive. Very tasteful. I know it seems like I’m just jumping on a trend, but I really am in awe of your abilities.”
“Thank you, ma’am. I appreciate it. I’m a little full right now. The show last night garnered me a lot of commissions, and I’m afraid I don’t have time to add one more person to my schedule. I’ll be glad to put you on the waiting list.” He pulled a pad out of his top drawer.
She stood, and the chair teetered and fell back against the wall. “I know what you’re doing. You jerk.”
He leaned back in his chair and looked at her. His face showed no emotion. “What’s your problem, Lady?”
“Lady? You say it that way because you know who I am? You think you can be a sarcastic bastard to me?”
“Ma’am, you came in here, didn’t introduce yourself to me, and now you’re offended? I can’t figure that out. All I said was I have to put you on my waiting list. How you think that’s something offensive, I don’t know.” He sat forward in the chair.
She glared. “I’m Lady Joanna Gresham. I don’t do waiting lists.”
He stood up and walked around the desk to her. He got in her face and said, “I don’t do snobby Ladies. So, I suggest you get out of my studio.”
Joanna pushed his chest. “I just bet you don’t do ladies.” She looked around and took in the whole room and nodded toward the fainting couch under the window. “I bet you do the ladies right over there.”
Enraged, he grabbed her arms and shoved her against the wall. He pressed against her. “If I wanted to do a lady, I’d do her right here against this wall.” He lifted her off her feet as if she was no larger than a toy doll and pulled her over to the other client chair. He sat in it and pulled her on top of himself. “Or here in this chair.”
She jerked off his lap and stumbled backward. “How dare you touch me, you arrogant—”
“What? Black bastard? Is that what you want to call me, your white holiness? Lady Joanna Gresham that doesn’t do waiting lists? Huh? Huh? That what you want to say?” He stood up.
She continued to back up. “You’re crazy. You know that? You’re insane.”
He stalked toward her. “And you’re all alone here with me. A crazy, scar-faced, big black man who isn’t intimidated by a title. Now, what are you gonna do?”
“I’m leaving.” She flounced toward the door.
Just as she got to the door and opened it, he slammed his hand on it and shut it. His body leaned against hers. He pressed against her and whispered, “I bet you always leave. When the going gets tough and you don’t get your way, you leave. Right?”
He let go of the door and stepped back. “Thank you for coming by, ma’am. I’ll be sure to not add you to the waiting list.”
She jerked the door open and left.
Wow. I’m super humbled by all the awesome comments. Thanks Joan, darlene, Lavada and Daisy. I’ve got tears in my eyes reading your comments. They mean the world to me. Thanks all of you for being so super!
Joan you are absolutely right about Jillian she’s always giving back and helping someone. Myself included. Jillian this looks like a great book I can’t wait to read it. Happy Release Day.
Congratulations on the release. I’m looking forward to reading it. And, I so agree with Joan’s introduction.
I know, right? I don’t think she realizes the effect she has on others. She totally gives off a vibe from the first time you meet her that she’s an ally whenever you need her. Thanks for visiting today on Jillian’s big day!
I think I’m following you today, Jillian. Love premise of this book. I wish you super loads of sales!!
HUGS!!
Daisy Dunn
I really love that she chose to write about an amputee. I have two cousins who served in the Middle East recently. Thankfully, they both returned home unharmed. But if either of them had been injured, I would love to think true love was still waiting for them just around the corner.
Thanks for all your kind words, Joan. You make me sound like so much more than I really am. I do treasure my friends and am loyal like a hound dog, but I’m just a poor chick who can’t turn off her brain. To give my thoughts somewhere to go, I have to write. I love story telling! And I love my friends. Thanks for letting me share a bit about my book here.
Don’t sell yourself short – you’re awesome. You always seem so calm whereas I get very frazzled and everyone knows it! Loved having you as my guest today!