Meet and Greet- Chantel Rhondeau

Today, please help me welcome Chantel Rhondeau, author of the Agents in Love series. All comments will count as (1) entry for a free book from an author featured this week.

Interview

1. I’ve always had stories floating around in my head so I have to ask. Did you always know you wanted to write?

Actually, I had no clue. I’ve always loved reading. It wasn’t until about 7 years ago that the idea to actually write came to me. I’ve always been a daydreamer, making up stories in my head for myself, but actually writing it down? Nah. I preferred living in other people’s worlds. Then, one day I couldn’t find something I wanted to read so decided to write the story myself. (It was a horrible fantasy that was complete crap, BTW, but was a good learning experience)

2. What made you take the leap of faith to submit your stories for publication?

I decided to get some opinions from someone (other than my very supportive mom) and submitted some chapters to a free on-line critiquing platform called Critique Circle. (www.critiquecircle.com). It was there I learned things the writing classes and books hadn’t taught me, and I first learned about the exciting world of self-publishing. I got a group of eight people who followed through my first published book (Always & Forever) with me as I wrote it and really believed in me, helping me make that leap.

3. Your suspense has a realistic edge to it which draws readers in. How do you come up with such great plots and what do you for research?

Honestly, I never know what I’m going to write. Part of the fun for me is discovering the story as I go along. I like dealing with real-life issues that are important and have affected either myself or people close to me. The character is usually what comes to my mind, and I go from there, exploiting their secrets and dipping them in danger.

 As far as research, I use the internet a lot as I come across things I need to learn more about. I can waste hours on YouTube and Wikipedia. I also search out people who have experience and can help me. My son taught me how to shoot a gun and a bunch of self-defense techniques, plus got hit with a tazer gun twice (for police training, he wasn’t running from the cops – hehe) so could help me with that. My nephew is a medic and told me what to expect in the back of an ambulance. I’m working on being less introverted so I can ask anyone for information I need – but I am a chicken by nature, so that’s tough.

4. We’re only three months into the New Year, but I’ve got to know 🙂 What books do you have planned for 2014?

I’m just getting reading to publish the second book in my romantic suspense Agents in Love series, Love & Redemption, in April. I also have planned to release the 3^rd book later this year, Love & Compromise, which I’m working on now. In May, I’m taking a ‘write a romance in a month’ class (which is free for anyone wanting to join through Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/romanceinamonth/ ) and I plan to publish whatever I come up with there. It will be contemporary romance, instead of romantic suspense, so I’m looking forward to the change. If I have time, I might sneak in another Agents book, but we shall see.

5. Tell us how you balance family with time to write.

In the beginning, it was real hard. My family didn’t understand this need I have to write when I wasn’t making money. Now that I’ve had some royalty checks, they are more understanding J. Family is my #1 priority, though. I work my day job, have dinner with my family and whatever activities we have, and then I write into the night. I keep myself in the living room with them during writing time, so I’m always available. Luckily, I can work amid chaos. Friday nights are usually reserved for family game night when the kids are home unless I’m nearing a deadline. Now that the kids are grown it’s much easier, but they still come first.

6. What’s one thing readers don’t know about you?

Hmmm… I’m pretty private as far as exact details of my personal life, but I do share a lot through Facebook so this is a tough question. Most probably don’t know that my children aren’t actually ‘mine.’ However, I started raising them right after I turned 18, when they were 3 and 5. In every way that counts, they are my children. It worked out really nice, actually, because I was told at 15 that I wouldn’t be able to have children, and all I ever wanted was to be a mom. I was lucky enough to raise some terrific kids who I’m extremely proud of (well, I’m sure my readers know the proud part – I brag about them ALL the time) 🙂

 Thanks so much for having me here and for these great questions!

You have the best son EVAH, Chantel. I can’t believe he got tasered twice in the spirit of research for his mom. LOL. Very cool to learn a little more about you and we’re glad you stopped by.

Author Bio

Chantel once thought a great mystery or fantasy book with strong romantic themes was the highest level of reading bliss. After reading her first romantic suspense novel, she never looked back. Before long, the need to create her own stories took over. She spend her days in the clinical profession of medical transcriptionist, but her passion is in the hours spent with her characters in the evenings.

She live in the western United States, and when she’s not writing she love playing cards with her family, bowling on leagues, and snuggling with her lazy kitties.

Author Bio

Chantel once thought a great mystery or fantasy book with strong romantic themes was the highest level of reading bliss. After reading her first romantic suspense novel, she never looked back. Before long, the need to create her own stories took over. She spend her days in the clinical profession of medical transcriptionist, but her passion is in the hours spent with her characters in the evenings.

She live in the western United States, and when she’s not writing she love playing cards with her family, bowling on leagues, and snuggling with her lazy kitties.

Want to contact Chantel?

Website: http://www.chantelrhondeau.com

Cyber Stalk on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ChantelRhondeau

Follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/ChantelRhondeau
Check out all Chantel’s available titles: http://www.chantelrhondeau.com/p/my-available-titles.html