Jillian Chantal

Posted by: Author | April 4, 2011

Weekend

I had a pretty nice weekend even though I was thinking it wouldn’t be so hot with the tasks I had to do. At the end of last week, I got my edits for my July release and have made some good progress on them. I have a ways to go with it but I’ve got a pacing plan and it seems to be working pretty well. I also worked on a long response to the editorial letter about my historical research. I stand by my research as accurate. I have citations of authority and none of them are Wikipedia and none of them are from discussions I’ve had with friends over the years. They are all tangible research sources.

I also attended my local RWA chapter meeting and one of the members presented a program on setting. She did an excellent job and I took some good information away from that lecture. It was great to see all my buds and hear what’s happening in their lives. This group I belong to is very, very supportive. I’m blessed to have them. After the meeting, 5 of us went to Atlanta Bread Company and wrote (I edited-lol). It was a productive hour.

I also started the new James Grippando book called Are You Afraid of the Dark. It’s quite good (as usual) and I love that part of it takes place in Pensacola at the Institute for Machine and Human Cognition. I have a friend whose husband works there and it was fun to see it in the book. I hope everyone had a grand weekend.

2 Comments

Posted in Writing | Tags: Are you Afraid of the Dark, GCCRWA, Institute for Machine and Human Cognition, James Grippando, July, Pensacola, writers, writing

Posted by: Author | April 1, 2011

Friday Facts- April 1, 2011- Hamza Hand

Bet you thought I was going to talk about the origins of April Fool’s Day, didn’t you? I’m not in a fun mood, so I’m not going there. I just finished a Heather Graham book and the Hamza hand played a role in it so I thought I’d tell you about it. It is a symbol used in both the Jewish faith and the Arabic faith. It’s a symbol used as a talisman against the evil eye. In the Jewish faith, they call it hamesh and in the Arabic faith, it’s called hamza. I believe it symbolizes the hand of Fatima. In the Christian faith, they call it the hand of Marion.

I wasn’t able to find a picture that wasn’t copyrighted but google it and see what they look like. I think you’ll recognize the symbol right away.

6 Comments

Posted in Friday Facts | Tags: April Fool's Day, Friday Facts, Hamza Hand, Jewish. Arabic

Posted by: Author | March 31, 2011

This Writing Community

Can I just say that I love the writing community that I’ve become involved in as a result of my membership in the RWA. They are always there to cheer me on- when I sell, when I get a great review or when I need some answers on plotting, they are there to lend support, to clap for the successes and to even share their husband’s brains/knowledge for research issues.

On the other side of the coin, when I’m feeling frustrated and down, they’re there to support me and talk me down off the ceiling where I got stuck as I went into orbit. It’s a wonderful thing to me. I work as a lawyer in the day job and I see so many instances of people who are nonsupportive even in their own nuclear families that this writing community makes my heart soar.

There are a few people I’ve met on this writing journey that don’t make my heart happy, but luckily, they are few and far between. I try to disconnect and not engage those folks that bring me down.

I’m grateful for my friends and wanted to say thanks for being there for me on the roller coaster ride. This week has definitely been one of those weeks. A great review made ny week and you guys were there to cheer me on. Thanks! Read it here: http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/surferbridebyjillianchantal.html

5 Comments

Posted in Random thoughts | Tags: Coffee Time Reviews, GCCRWA, Thanks, Writing community

Posted by: Author | March 30, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

6 Comments

Posted in Wordless Wednesday | Tags: wordless Wednesday

Posted by: Author | March 29, 2011

Happy Birthday to #2 Son

Today is birthday #17 for my youngest son. He’s like me in many ways but unlike me in many ways as well. He’s much more laid back and casual than me. I’m very much a Type-A personality and he’s a musician type. He’s very intelligent which I’m sure he gets from me. LOL! I’m very proud of him even though he sends me over the edge sometimes with the lackadaisical attitude. He’s generous and outgoing. I despair of him sometimes as he will give his lunch money to someone that has none and do without food himself. I love that about him but as a mother, I worry about him for that same thing, too.

He loves his guitars and also loves history and politics. He has an amazing, wicked smile that he only bestows on people once in a while. It lights up his face but he tries not to show it often. I’ve never figured out why he’s reluctant to smile. But I guess it means more since it’s not bestowed very often. He’s a doll and I’m blessed to be his mother. Happy birthday, kiddo!

2 Comments

Posted in Random thoughts | Tags: birthday, Love, seventeen, smile, type A

Posted by: Author | March 28, 2011

New WIP

I started a new WIP last week with the setting as the Queen Mary. I’m pleased with how well it’s going. I’m on Chapter Five already. It’s moving along nicely. The murder is coming very soon. I’ve set it up where there are a plethora of choices as to who dun it. I almost feel like I’m writing a Murder She Wrote episode, a Columbo episode or a Matlock episode. You know how they all show at the beginning all the people the victim is mean to or antagonizes? Well, that’s about what I’ve done. It’s going to be fun to try to solve this one. Maybe it’ll be like Murder on the Orient Express and everyone will get a lick in. LOL! Nope, they won’t- for a change, I already know who dun it and with what. I usually find out when the whole thing is almost written but not this time!! Yeah, I can hear you now. “That Jillian is so cocky, she just thinks she knows who the villain is. She’s only 11,000 words into the thing, what does she know?”

But anyway, I’m happy so far and having fun is what it’s all about, right? I have two potential working titles. One is A Taste of Honey and the other is Barefootin’. I haven’t decided on which is better. They’re both relevant.

5 Comments

Posted in Random thoughts | Tags: Barefootin', Jillian Chantal, Queen Mary, Taste of Honey, WIP

Posted by: Author | March 26, 2011

Deadly Heat- Praise for a Rita Finalist Novel by Cynthia Eden

Yesterday was the day for calls for finalists in the Rita Awards which is like the Oscars for romance writers. I got up with high hopes for my friend, Cynthia Eden, to get one of those calls. AND she did. No surprise there as the book is awesome. I am going to be there on the night of the awards praying for her to win it. She’s an inspiration and her books rock!

I read this second book in her Deadly series back in February and reviewed it here. It’s called Deadly Heat. As usual, Ms. Eden did not disappoint. Her hero is ultra swoon-worthy and so sexy. Her heroine was just like I like my heroines- strong, sassy and a match for any man.

The story centers on a series of arsons where victims are trapped in the flames and don’t really have a chance to survive. The heroine is a firefighter and the hero is a member of an elite unit of the FBI. His unit is called in to help solve the crimes of this serial arsonist.

One of the reasons I love to read romantic suspense is to challenge myself to solve the mystery before the characters do. I thought I knew who-dun-it about half way through the book. I was right but it was fun to read how Ms. Eden got the characters to solve the crimes and well as get the hero and heroine to the resolution of their love story.

The sex scenes are as hot and good as we’ve come to expect from this writer and I highly recommend this book. Run, don’t walk, and grab this one. If you haven’t read Book One in this series, Deadly Fear, you need to grab it, too. Book three came out March 1, 2011 and it’s called Deadly Lies and it’s near the top of my to be read stack- I wish there were enough hours in the day to get to it as I know it’s gonna be great, too.

Friday Facts- March 25, 2011- The Queen Mary

Did any of you have any doubt that this marvelous ship would be the subject of this Friday Fact? As I prepare this post, last week at the same time, I was on this beauty. AND I’m not exaggerating the sheer beauty of her at all. Check her out if you ever get the chance.

Here are a few tidbits I learned while aboard:

(1) Cary Grant loved the ship so much that he tried to plan his trips to London to coincide with her schedule so he could travel on her. He even proposed to one of his wives onboard.

(2) It took five days for the ship to go from New York Harbor to Southampton.

(3) on a one-way trip, they would carry 25,000 lbs of fresh meat, 20,000 lbs of fresh vegetables, 5,000 lbs of butter/lard, and 50,000 (yes, 50,000) bottles of wine, liquor and mineral water.

(4) Her maiden voyage was May 27, 1936.

(5) She served as a troop ship in WWII and Churchill was aboard to plan the D-Day invasion. It was a big secret when he was aboard as there were death threats against him. When she was a troop ship, she was called the Grey Ghost as she was painted grey and could slip quickly past in the fog.

(6) After WWII, she brought nearly 15,000 war brides and children to the United States and Canada.

(7) She became a luxury liner again in July 1947. She was sold in 1967 to the City of Long Beach, California as the Cunard/White Star line was losing money due to the popularity of air travel.

2 Comments

Posted in Friday Facts | Tags: California, Friday Facts, Long Beach, Queen Mary

Posted by: Author | March 24, 2011

Can’t Seem to Get Past the Pollen and Time Change

I recommend never traveling the week of the time change to the spring time. I went to California which is two time zones behind mine and then had to set the clock back yet another hour. Since I’ve been home, I feel like I’m in a fog. I have vowed each night to go to bed early but then I get home and get busy doing stuff and before I know it, it’s not early anymore. To top it off, the pollen count both in California and here must be through the ceiling. I’m really feeling the effects of it. My whole body is sore and I can’t take a deep breath. My two lovely writer friends that I eat lunch with on Thursdays picked today to sit outside. The table top was covered an inch thick in pollen. I had to come back to the office and practically take a bath to get the stuff off me. Thanks guys!!

So, I’ve groused on and on now and you’re bored with all the whine, whine, whine- c’mon, you know you are. So, to make up for it- here’s some pictures of the pollen fiends!