Today I’m on the Eurostar fast train traveling from Roma, Italia to Venezia,, Italia – I’m a bit worried about changing trains in Firenze. YIPES- I hope I can find my way to the right connector. LOL! Wish me luck.
Here’s what the train looks like: 
I’m guest blogging today and talking about my new release on Dawn Roberto’s blog – check it out here: http://lovesbooksandmore.blogspot.com
Built on Seven Hills, Rome was allegedly founded by twins who were raised by wolves. Romulus and Remus were these twins. Romulus killed Remus and named the city for himself. It’s located on the Tiber River and is a place rich in history and lore. The city itself is not pretty; it’s dirty and crowded, but the monuments are awe-inspiring and the atmosphere is electric. Of course, I’ve heard rumors of thieves and gypsies. Here’s hoping I don’t meet any.
I’m back in Rome today after a long absence and when I get back home, I hope to have lots of stories and photos to share with you. I’ll probably be jet lagged today as I was on an overnight flight and will be arriving in Rome at about 2:30 am my time- 9:30, Rome time. Have a great week. I have some posts set to go off while I’m gone so you won’t get bored.
Speaking of not getting bored, you can read my new book, Redemption for the Devil that’s out today!! It can be ordered here: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/StoreFront.bok It should also be available at Barnes and Noble.com and other e-book outlets.
Posted in Friday Facts | Tags: Friday Facts, Italy, Remus, Rome, Romulus
I was excited to be invited to be a guest at Lush Book Reviews today. My new book comes out tomorrow and Danielle was nice enough to give me some air time over there. Come by and visit if you get a chance.
http://lushbookreviewss.blogspot.com/
The book will be available to order from http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/StoreFront.bok
Posted in Books | Tags: Desert Breeze Publishing, Jillian Chantal, Lush Book Reviews, Redemption for the Devil
Posted in Wordless Wednesday | Tags: wordless Wednesday
So, I’ve got the first submissions ready to go from the requests at RWA National Conference. My goal was to get this particular one done before I leave for Italy on Thursday. I re-read the first three chapters of the two books I’m sending and I know I like them but I’m biased. LOL!
I’m talking today here: http://fourfoxesonehound.wordpress.com/ and my title there is “Growing a shell” – let’s hope I don’t need the shell this time around.
I’m sending the first three chapters of two books, a synopsis on each , and summaries of the other two proposed books in each series. All to one person. What if she loves one and hates the other? Yipes!
Wish me luck!
Posted in Random thoughts | Tags: Agent submission, Italy, Mystery on the Coast, Queen Mary Historical, RWA National conference
One of the books I picked up at the RWA conference was Forgive my Fins by Terra Lynn Childs. It was quite entertaining and had a neat premise. A mermaid tale is a fun idea. I loved the underwater world that the author created and I could see it all in my head. I like it when a writer doesn’t over-describe the world so that I can fill in the blanks with my own thoughts. There was enough description to make it easy to make the world come alive. I loved the colorful visions that the undersea world evoked.
The hero in this story was my kind of guy and would’ve been someone I might have dated myself in high school- in fact, I think I did in the 10th grade. LOL! I also think I knew some girls like the heroine- funky dressers and lots of fun, as well as pining over a boy that had no interest in them. I think Ms. Childs nailed the teen angst without making the heroine seem whiny. A fine line indeed.
The ocean slang was quite cute as well. It wasn’t overdone and the light touch of the writer made it more enjoyable.
I like that this story was a full story with a satisfying ending. None of that stopping in the middle of the action to manipulate me into buying the next book to get an ending. This one, I want to get the next one because the first was such a joy to read.
I recommend this one highly- or should I say Deeply? Deeply as the ocean. LOL- bad one, I know.
BY THE WAY, JOANNA B, YOU WON THE COPY OF ONE OF MY BACKLIST BOOKS ON THE FOURTH OF JULY BLOG HOP. I SENT YOU AN EMAIL.
Posted in Books | Tags: book, book review, Forgive my Fins, mermaid, ocean, recommend, review, RWA, Tera Lynn Childs, YA fiction
Since my book, Redemption for the Devil comes out a week from today, I thought I’d talk a bit about the Arctic Ocean and the Northwest Passage that was first navigated by Roald Amundsen between 1903 and 1906. This is a sea route that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. Many explorers tried to open that route for many, many years. Amundsen was the first to have success. Canada says the Passage is theirs and the US and European countries say it is an international strait. Right now, it’s open for use for free passage.
In my novel, the heroine’s father is an adventurer and is fascinated by the Northwest Passage and takes off to explore it for himself. His ship goes down and he’s presumed dead. This, and the fact that her cousin comes to Cork, Ireland to take over the business, is the impetus for Peg to search for a new life in America and thus begins her story and her adventure.
I have always been fascinated by the great white North and this was a fun way to pull it into my stories. 
DON’T FORGET THE BLOG HOP GOES TIL THE 10TH – LEAVE ME A COMMENT FOR A CHANCE TO WIN. Click here for a complete list of all 85 Blogs participating in the Skyrockets in Flight Blog Hop
Posted in Friday Facts | Tags: Arctic Ocean, Blog hop, Canada, Friday Facts, Northern passage, Redemption for the Devil, Roald Amundsen, USA
While I was in New York for the RWA conference, my friend and I went to see How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. It stars Daniel Radcliffe and John Larroquette. Anderson Cooper is the voice of the narrator.
Let me just tell you, it was fantastic. I saw Daniel in Equus and he was amazing in that dark and dramatic role. This show I saw this past weekend was the total opposite on the spectrum; light, witty and very high energy. It was such fun. Dancing and singing and even some gymnastics. The man can really perform. Daniel puts all he has in the role and I could tell. I was on the second row and could see the sweat on his brow as he danced and ran around. He’s going to go a long way in his career. He’s just adoreable.
John Larroquette was spectacular as well. No one can quite pull off deadpan like he can (except maybe Tim Conway). John was cute and funny. He played his role to perfection and his dance number with Daniel was priceless. They were just too funny. AND, what I especially liked was the way John bowed to Daniel as he presented him to the audience at the curtain call. He won a Tony but he bowed to Dan as the star of the show. That’s very impressive to me.
See this one if you get a chance. You won’t regret it.
Don’t forget your chance to win an e-copy of one of my books. Leave a comment for a chance to win. Click here for a list of all participating sites in the Skyrockets In Flight Blog Hop
Posted in Random thoughts | Tags: Broadway, Dan, Equus, How to Succeed in Busines, John Larroquette
Until I can get the link to work on the blog hop, please see prior post for the contest and prize. Hope to have it operable this afternoon. Win an e-copy of one of my books.
Posted in Wordless Wednesday | Tags: wordless Wednesday
Happy Birthday to the US of A. I love this place we call home. It's a great country and the freedoms we have here are the best on the planet. I've been a world traveler since I was a kid and I can tell you, we really do have it good here. I hope you all have a wonderful day no matter what your plans. 
To add to the fun, one lucky commenter will win a copy of either of my books that are out now. Solo Honeymoon or Surfer Bride. Leave me a comment about your favorite July Fourth holiday tradition for a chance to win- also tell me which book you’d prefer if you win. You can check out the book trailers on each on this website under that tab.
Posted in Random thoughts | Tags: Blog hop, Fourth of July, holiday, Solo Honeymoon, Surfer Bride
Jillian Chantal 