Tuesday, April 03, 2012

Interview with Jillian Stone and Giveaway - April 3, 2012

Please welcome Jillian Stone to The Qwillery as part of the 2012 Debut Author Challenge interviews. The Seduction of Phaeton Black (Phaeton Black, Paranormal Investigator 1) was published on March 27, 2012.


TQ:  What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

Jillian:   I'd have to say it's my compulsive use of OED's historical thesaurus. I find some of the best words in there. I was looking up alternate words for condom the other day (first use 1706) and found these: rubber goods and rubber johnny. Aren't they brilliant? And they even have a British period feel.

TQ:  Who are some of your favorite writers?

Jillian:   Who do you feel has influenced your writing? Here are just a few influencers: Alfred Hitchcock, Tim Burton, Bob Dylan, Guillermo del Toro, Debussy, the blues-ier stylings of Amy Winehouse, Johnny Depp, Alexandre Desplat. My writer influences are extremely eclectic, from Lewis Carroll to Diana Gabaldon to Ray Garton's sexy, edgy horror fiction. I am currently reading Allyson James and Rochelle Staab.

TQ:  Are you a plotter or a pantser?

Jillian:   I do quite a bit of plotting. I start with sticky notes on my computer desk top, then I write a five to eight page synopsis which I let percolate for awhile. I do a lot of tweaking to the synopsis adding plot twists, analyzing where the plot drags––maybe add some plot drivers. At some point I begin writing! But very importantly I leave room for the characters to bring something new to the story, and they always do!

TQ:  What is the most challenging thing for you about writing?

Jillian:   Learning to write to a tight schedule continues to stress me out. There never seems to be enough time. I love to write, then let things percolate, then I go back in and enrich the character's dialogue, or add some world building. So many authors I know don't sweat the deadlines much. They can write with no sleep for a week. I get too goofy without sleep––even worse I write gibberish!

TQ:  Describe The Seduction of Phaeton Black in 140 characters or less.

Jillian:   Phaeton Black is dedicated libertine who lives in a flat below a brothel and uses absinthe and opium to dull the jabberwocky in his head. He consults with Scotland Yard on strange and unusual cases.

TQ:  What inspired you to write The Seduction of Phaeton Black?

Jillian:   My original thought was to write a Sherlock Holmes hero who appears to be a debauched libertine and substance abuser, but as the story develops the reader comes to know and understand the real man.

TQ:  What sort of research did you do for The Seduction of Phaeton Black?

Jillian:   Mostly historical research, from brothels in Covent Garden to opium dens in Limehouse.

TQ:  Who was the easiest character to write and why? Hardest and why?

Jillian:   Phaeton was harder than America Jones, because he has the biggest character arc. He needed to risk his heart and grow, but at the same time I wanted to hold onto his edgy lust for life––the thing that makes Phaeton, Phaeton. One of the easiest characters to write was Julian Ping, a hermaphrodite transexual crime solver with unusual abilities.

TQ:  Without giving anything away, what is/are your favorite scene(s) in The Seduction of Phaeton Black?

Jillian:   Phaeton gives America Jones a temporary job and roof over her head. Being a dedicated bachelor, it is fun to see how they work it out.

TQ:  What's next?

Jillian:   The Moonstone and Miss Jones is the second novel in the series. Phaeton is shanghaied in Shanghai and America chases him all the way back to London. They both become involved in struggle to save London from a number of beasts, terrors––and power grabbers.

I am giving away two copies of The Seduction of Phaeton Black to two commenters. Canada and International commenters welcome! My question to commenters: Do you have a favorite occult detective? Here are a few characters for you to consider: Hellboy, Agents Mulder and Scully from X-Files, Constantine, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Harry Angel in Angel Heart.

TQ:  Thank you for joining us at The Qwillery

Jillian:   Thank you for having me, Sally!


About Phaeton Black

The Seduction of Phaeton Black
Phaeton Black, Paranormal Investigator 1
Brava, March 27, 2012
Trade Paperback and eBook, 320 pages

In the gaslit streets of Victorian London, phantoms rule the night, demons dance till dawn, and one supernatural detective dares to be seduced by the greatest power of all…

He’s The Man With The Magic Touch

A master of deduction, seduction and other midnight maneuvers, Phaeton Black is Scotland Yard’s secret weapon against things that go bump in the night. His prodigious gifts as a paranormal investigator are as legendary as his skills as a lover, his weakness for wicked women as notorious as his affection for absinthe. But when he’s asked to hunt down a fanged femme fatale who drains her victims of blood, he walks right into the arms of the most dangerous woman he’s ever known…

She’s The Devilish Miss Jones

Pressing a knife to his throat—and demanding he make love to her—Miss America Jones uses Phaeton as a willing shield against the gang of pirates chasing her. As deadly as she is, with a derringer tucked in her garter, Miss Jones is not the vampiric killer he’s been staking out—but she may be just what Phaeton needs to crack the case. As the daughter of a Cajun witch, she possesses uncanny powers. As a fearless fighter, she can handle anything from Egyptian mummies to Jack the Ripper. But when an ancient evil is unleashed on the world, she could be his only salvation…or ultimate sacrifice.


About Jillian

In 2010 Jillian Stone's Victorian Romantic Suspense novel AN AFFAIR WITH MR. KENNEDY won the Golden Heart and sold to Pocket Books. Her sexy, supernatural Steampunk novel, THE SEDUCTION OF PHAETON BLACK, won the 2010 Romance Through The Ages Erotica category and sold to Kensington Brava. Jillian lives in California and is currently working on the next adventures for both series.

Website
Twitter
Facebook





The Giveaway

THE RULES

What:  Two commenters will win a copy of The Seduction of Phaeton Black from Jillian.

How:  Leave a comment answering Jillian's question:
Do you have a favorite occult detective?

Here are a few characters for you to consider: Hellboy, Agents Mulder and Scully from X-Files, Constantine, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Harry Angel in Angel Heart.
Please remember - if you don't answer the question your entry will not be counted.

You may receive additional entries by:

1)   Being a Follower of The Qwillery.

2)   Mentioning the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter. Even if you mention the giveaway on both, you will get only one additional entry. You get only one additional entry even if you mention the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter multiple times.

3)   Mentioning the giveaway on your on blog or website. It must be your own blog or website; not a website that belongs to someone else or a site where giveaways, contests, etc. are posted.

There are a total of 4 entries you may receive: Comment (1 entry), Follower (+1 entry), Facebook and/or Twitter (+ 1 entry), and personal blog/website mention (+1 entry). This is subject to change again in the future for future giveaways.

Please leave links for Facebook, Twitter, or blog/website mentions. You MUST leave a way to contact you.

Who and When:  The contest is open to all humans on the planet earth with a mailing address. Contest ends at 11:59pm US Eastern Time on Tuesday, April 10, 2012. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 years old or older to enter.

*Giveaway rules are subject to change.*

55 comments:

  1. +1 Follower
    +1 My favorite supernatural detective is Nicolas Brisbane from Deanna Raybourn's Lady Julia Grey novels. I know he doesn't chase werewolves or anything, but he does have his strange psychic abilities.

    Also, I'm glad to read more about Jillian and this book! Amazon says Phaeton and Wicked as They Come are most often bought together, and Alice and Outlander influenced me, too, and all that just makes me more avid to read it. =)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Delilah,

      As I am in the middle of a deadly deadline that puts me in a major grumpy mood, I have not been able to follow your new release, but I am looking forward to reading Wicked as They Come!

      I wonder who is the more wicked...Phaeton or Criminy? ;)

      Delete
  2. mine will be Constantine, really love this movie and love keanu reeve :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I never read the graphic novel/comic, but long before Constantine or Matrix I had a huge thing for Keanu. Not exactly sure why, but there is just something about him....

      Delete
  3. My favorite supernatural detective is Van Helsing from Dracula or Hugh Jackman in the movie. Frankly, he was a lot sexier in the movie than in the novel, lol!

    +1 follower
    +1 Tweeted (https://twitter.com/#!/RebeLovesBooks/status/187201171562307584)

    rwschwarz11ATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Rebe!

      Hugh Jackman in...anything, playing...any character! Lol! Also, I love the idea of a dark, sexy Van Helsing. Didn't care for the movie much, but the concept was hot!

      Delete
  4. I LOVE occult detectives - Harry Dresden, Kate Daniels, Adriel, Markhat are a few of my favorites. I've always been a fan of detective fiction anyway and like it's portrayal in movies and books but since I'm a huge fantasy fan, bringing those detectives into a world with stuff I'd like to see (and stuff I probably wouldn't!!) makes it all that more enjoyable for me. If I didn't already have this one on my Goodreads to read list, I'd add it now ;-)

    april dot vrugtman at gmail

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Love Harry from Jim Butcher's great series, The Dresden Files.

      Phaeton Black as a kind of reluctant hero. Yeah, he has psychic abilities and yeah he's particularly suited to sleuthing as he is both curious and analytical by nature, but he is also somewhat of a tortured soul who goes on opium binges and uses absinthe to dull the jabberwocky in his head.

      Then he runs into America Jones in a dark alley off Savoy Row and the rest is...?

      Delete
  5. 1 Follower
    +1 My favorite supernatural detective is constantine
    +1 tweeted https://twitter.com/#!/rocapri/status/187205796109619200

    student.caprino[at]gmail.com]

    ReplyDelete
  6. I guess my favorite paranormal detective would be Egon from Ghostbusters, the quintessential geek.
    I follow this blog by email: carlscott(at)prodigy(dot)net(dot)mx
    I retweeted about the giveawayhttps://twitter.com/#!/QQwill/status/187139446427238400.
    I don't have a blog so Boo Hoo for me. That's my maximum 3 entries. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Carl,

    Who in the world doesn't love Dr. Egon Spengler? ;)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Constantine!

    +1 comment
    +1 blog follower (Throuthehaze)

    throuthehaze at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I've always enjoyed the Buffy the Vampire Slayer's team. Each member contributes and they draw from each other strengths. Giles the scientisit who helps research and trains them really helped them.

    GFC follower
    Cambonified(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Buffy had a good group around her. I enjoyed Angel as well.

      Delete
  10. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I don't have a favorite detective...but I would love to read this book and see if I can find my favorite. edysicecreamlover18@gmailDOTcom subscribed
    GFC Krystal Larson

    ReplyDelete
  12. You had me at "Phaeton Black is dedicated libertine who lives in a flat below a brothel and uses absinthe and opium to dull the jabberwocky in his head. He consults with Scotland Yard on strange and unusual cases." Now THAT'S a synopsis! Got to read!

    I really liked Angel and his LA detective agency in that old hotel.

    +Follower of the Qwillery - always look forward to that email!

    memoritz@sbcglobal.net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Aisling,

      Sounds like there is already an attraction between you and Phaeton! ;) And the Angel spin off of Buffy was excellent!

      Delete
  13. I have two favorite detectives: Elena Deveraux and Eve Dallas! Girl power!! BAM! :D Thank you for the giveaway!
    1+ GFC Follower: Gisele Alvarado
    1+ tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/Gisselle_Alv/status/187239993050271745

    ilepachequin(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Gisele,

    Eve Dallas, yes! What a great series that is!

    Speaking of girl power, you're going to love America Jones and there is lots more girl power on the way in The Moonstone and Miss Jones, coming in October!

    ReplyDelete
  15. My favorite new supernatural detective right now is Charley Davidson from Darynda Jones's First Grave on the Right Series. I just finished the third one (Third Grave Dead Ahead) last night, and these books just get better with every sequel. They make me laugh, and there is so much chemistry between the characters, I can't get enough of them.
    I would love to try out your series, Jillian- it looks interesting!

    +1 comment
    +1 email follower
    debbie at burdeen dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you love mixing humor with chemistry then I think you're gonna like Phaeton Black and America Jones.

      Delete
  16. Thanks for such a fun interview and giveaway! I've really wanted to read this book! I really enjoyed An Affair With Mr. Kennedy and I've had this book on my wishlist as soon as I heard about it!

    You've pretty much listed all of my favs: Buffy and the Scooby Gang, Hellboy, Mulder and Scully (makes me feel old to say that I watched them when they originally aired), The Team from Fringe.

    +1 comment
    +1 gfc: erin
    efender1(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Erin,

      Very glad you enjoyed Mr. Kennedy! Phaeton Black is a little like Mr. Kennedy on steampunk paranormal steroids. Lol!

      I actually love writing both series. One gives me a break from the other.

      Delete
  17. I would have to say Buffy or Angel, from t.v. I would also have to say that I really like Charlie Madigan and Hank from the Charlie Madigan series by Kelly Gay. This book sounds interesting. Thanks for the chance.

    I am a follower
    sariahwalters at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Sariah,

      There are aspects of America/Phaeton that remind me a little of Buffy/Angel

      Delete
  18. I like Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

    I follow the blog.

    The book sounds very good. Thanks for the giveaway.

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi bn 100!

      Buffy, Angel and Harry appear to be most mentioned by commenters so far!

      Delete
  19. Harry Dresden, though he's billed as a wizard, he functions as a PI.

    GFC Anne38
    acm05atjuno.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. I have to go with Harry Dresden too, although Angel and his motley crew of occult investigators would come in a very close second :)

    +1 comment
    +1 blog follower Julie Witt
    +1 tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/jwitt33/status/187270518146203648

    jwitt33 at live dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anne and Julie:

      Since you are both Harry fans I just want to say––count me in!

      Delete
  21. I don't really have a fave supernatural detective...Does Sookie count? Maybe Rachel Morgan, I just don't know. Not a sgl. character really stands out.

    +1 comment
    +1 GFC: Molly Frenzel
    +1 RT: https://twitter.com/#!/dg_molly/status/187330692974260225

    molly(dot)frenzel(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, kinda-sorta in her own unique, Sookie sort of way. Lol! :)

      Delete
  22. I am a follower and email subscriber. I always loved the Buff the Vampire Slayer team. Thanks for the giveaway. Please enter me. Tore923@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. I would choose Harry Dresden as my favorite occult detective.
    I've had The Seduction of Phaeton Black on my wish list since I first heard about it, and I'm really looking forward to reading it.

    Barbed1951 at aol dot com
    GFC follower - Barbara E.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Barbara E

      Harry Dresden is a favorite of mine, as well.

      Delete
  24. +1 following
    +1 twitted: https://twitter.com/#!/Monlightangel/status/187406434005303297
    +1 blog: http://luana-book-shelf.blogspot.ca/2012/04/qwillery-interview-with-jillian-stone.html
    contact :luanasirbu@hotmail.com
    Is a very hard question for me,because i love so many supernaturals detective, especially the ones you gave as example. Anyway i have always been crazy for Buffy the Vampire Slayer, i think i have watched all the seasons at least 30 times (all 7 seasons), love the ones where Angel is with her (not where he is Angelus). I only have to close my eyes for few seconds and i will be able to see parts from actual episodes. Guess i loved that she was a tough girl, being able to take care of herself, independent (until she has to be the adult).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you liked Buffy that much, then I do believe you will love America Jones. She holds her own and then some with Phaeton! Thanks for sharing!

      Delete
  25. Hahaha, a rubber johnny! Now that sounds like a toy from Pure Romance! That is great!
    Glad to hear you have book two set up, yay! I have had The Seduction of Phateon Black in my TBR list for months and now that its finally out I can't wait to check it out. I love detectives solving puzzles. One such detective I am a fan of is Harry Dresden, yeah I know, not original. But he is good. =)

    GFC follower Lexi
    eyesofblueice (at) gmail

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isn't rubber johnny the best? I can't wait to use it!
      And Harry is soooo good ;)

      Delete
  26. Mine has to be Mulder & Scully from the X-Files. I can hear the music playing in my head right this minute.

    I follow.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. X-Files theme music was great. I also got attached to the sound design (can't really call it music) for LOST.

      Delete
  27. I like Constantine and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, i have other to, but i forget who is, because i not to watch TV.

    +1 follower GFC as Filia Oktarina
    +1 comment
    +1 facebook : http://www.facebook.com/filia.oktarina

    filiafantasy at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Constantine and Buffy are two classic hunter/sleuths!

      Delete
  28. Hi, Jillian.

    My favorite occult detective... I really liked Mulder and Scully, but I just loved Hellboy. Maybe it was those leather pants! LOL

    I'm so excited about The Seduction of Phaeton Black; I can't wait to read it.

    +1 comment
    +1 follower

    Thanks,
    Tracey D
    booklover0226 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  29. I'm at work, so I had a separate window open and kept adding to my long long long list of detectives I love. Then I hit the wrong button, and *poof* they were gone. ::sob::

    I'm just gonna list a couple and scoot before anything else goes wrong:
    In addition to all the names already listed in the comments above, I'd add Rachel Morgan, Harper Blain, Rad Bradley, John Taylor, Thursday Next, Peter Grant, early Anita Blake, Jack Fleming, etc...

    I'm looking forward to seeing if Phaeton Black is as much fun as my favorites. :)

    rissatoo
    +3: comment, follow, retweet

    ReplyDelete
  30. Buffy the Vampire Slayer!

    csolinda(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  31. Thank you for the interview and giveaway! I really dig this kind of novels, so I'm def. going to check this one out.

    My favourite investigator is Rachel Morgen (Kim Harrison), though since reading the fourth Dresden novel, Harry Dresden is picking up. On tv, nobody can ever beat Buffy, she's amazing.

    +1 reply
    +1 follower

    jannick.verleysen[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  32. My favorite is Constantine. I also enjoyed the tv series called The Dresden Files which featured detective Harry Dresden.

    +1 comment
    +1 follower
    +1 twitter https://twitter.com/#!/TwilightDew7/status/188771068138360835

    Tami
    bluetwilightdew at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  33. My favorite paranormal investigator is Elena Deveraux from Guild Hunter series, being vampire hunter, angel and investigator at the same time make she kick ass! . If its from movie, Constantine and Van Helsing both are my favorite. And I wish there more movie about them

    +1 comment
    +1 follower
    +1 Twitter :https://twitter.com/#!/r3n87/status/189291563493494784

    Thanks!
    Ren
    sawamura_foxman AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I never really thought of who my favorite occult detective would be, but I love Hellboy! He's irreverant but he gets the job done with some fun weapons and great sidekicks.

    GFC: ML
    Tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/Rogue237/status/189511263666188289
    mljfoland AT hotmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  35. Buffy is great as far as tv series are concerned. I love the Nighside series as well, even if I've just recently started it.

    aliasgirl at libero dot it

    Follower!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Thank you for the fantastic interview Jillian! Though I love Buffy (both the character and the TV show), somehow I never considered her an occult detective as usually she wasn't the one solving the mystery but rather vanquishing it. I would choose Sherlock Holmes, even if he only combated evil forces in The Dog of the Baskervilles ;-)

    +1 commented
    +1 blog follower as Stella (Ex Libris)
    +1 tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/Stella_ExLibris/status/189826457361596416

    Thank you!

    stella.exlibris (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete