Monday, July 16, 2012

Blog Tour: Character Interview w/ Jillian Stone + Giveaway!





WELCOME TO THE BLOG, JILLIAN! :)






Jillian Stone’s Victorian Romantic Suspense novel AN AFFAIR WITH MR. KENNEDY won the 2010 RWA Golden Heart and is the first novel in The Gentlemen of Scotland Yard series for 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 adventure for both series.

Where to Find Jillian:



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 Interview with an Antihero: Phaeton Black, Paranormal Investigator

Jillian: You are the most misunderstood character I have ever written. Why is that?
Phaeton: I suspect it’s because you wrote me in the fine tradition of the Byronic hero. To quote Lord Macaulay, he is a “man proud, moody, cynical, with defiance on his brow, and misery in his heart, a scorner of his kind, implacable in revenge, yet capable of deep and strong affection."
Jillian: May I finish the thought in Byron’s own words? “That man of loneliness and mystery, scarce seen to smile, and seldom heard to sigh.” I also gave you a strange profession, paranormal investigator––care to elaborate?
Phaeton: One might say it is my only other area of expertise after absinthe and lovemaking. A dubious sort of skill foisted upon me from birth. I am able to communicate with gorgons and goddesses, wraiths and demons, succubae and seraphim, bloodsuckers, shape shifters. I could go on...
Jillian: Why is it, do you think, that I didn’t give you special powers to battle these creatures?
Phaeton: I am a man who lives more by his wits than brawn. I have found that one can negotiate with the darker creatures of the underworld as effectively as one can say––do business with an corporate raider. Recently, after receiving instruction from Doctor Exeter, I have learned to manipulate the physical universe in a few interesting ways––but  again, I still rely heavily on my ability to communicate with darker side.
Jillian: In order to write a love story for you, I tossed a rather unique young woman at Phaeton Black––how are you holding up?
Phaeton: Ah yes, Miss America Jones. Enchanting, young Cajun beauty. You introduced us under rather unique circumstances. I was chasing an apparition down a dark alley off Savoy Row, and she was on the run from the filthy, thieving pirates. As I recall, she pressed a knife to my throat and demanded sex­­...I did my best to accommodate her.
Jillian: A rather shocking experience, wouldn’t you say?
Phaeton: Some readers do seem to be rather shocked by it. I found it­­ most stimulating, as did Miss Jones, by the way. We continue to find ways to astonish and arouse each other in the next two novels of the series, as well.
Jillian: You have quite a reputation as a lover. How did you become such a master of the amorous arts?
Phaeton: Giving pleasure to women arouses me nearly as much as receiving it. When a woman is arching her back, writhing and moaning my arms––let’s just say I respond readily to such sweet messages.
Jillian: There are essentially three plots interwoven into The Seduction of Phaeton Black. There is a blood sucking Egyptian goddess wreaking havoc all over London and then there is the added task of getting America’s stolen merchant ships returned to her––as well as the love story. Do you have a favorite part of the novel?
Phaeton: Besides the love scenes, I’d have to say I liked the mystery of tracking down Qadesh, the Egyptian goddess, better than being captured and keel hauled by pirates. As a reader, you get to decide for yourself. This first novel in the series is quite a romantic adventure––at least it was for me, but then I play Phaeton Black, Paranormal Investigator.
Jillian: I invite you all to join Phaeton and America on this sexy supernatural romp––and by the way, Phaeton has a question for commenters:
Phaeton: Besides the bedchamber, name a favorite trysting spot (either in fiction or in real life).

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The Seduction of Phaeton Black by Jillian Stone
Publisher: Brava (March 27, 2012)
Genre: Paranormal Romance (Steampunk)
Hold onto your knickers ladies, Phaeton Black has arrived!
He's the man with the magic touch. A master of deduction 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 after her. As dangerous as she is with a derringer tucked in her garter, Miss Jones is not the vampire killer Phaeton is stalking––but she may be just what he needs to crack the case. As the daughter of a Cajun witch, she possess 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 his salvation...or ultimate sacrifice.

Where to Buy*:

 


The Seduction of Phaeton Black by Jillian Stone
Excerpt:

She had never met the like of such a man.
After a few deep draughts of spirit, he kicked a chair out from under the table and straddled the seat. “The chair rails guard my bulging privates. Not to be confused with filthy pirates.”
He took another swig from the bottle. “Tell me about these imaginary, cutlass wielding corsairs. Miss––?”
 “My name is America Jones.”
He set an elbow on the chair back and cupped his chin. He had a wary way of studying her, as if she were some kind of curiosity. “Are you incapable of answering questions in a truthful manner? Again, Miss––?”
She set her jaw and glared. “America.”
“Is the name of a continent, or two. I can never remember if there are two continents designated north and south, or one continent designated south and north. Which is it?”
Why did he play the Mad Hatter? Leaning far back off the chair, he had to catch himself. The grog appeared to be having an effect. “And there is a new country, the United States of America.”
Even with arms tied down, she still managed a shrug. “It is my name, sir. America Síne Jones and I have learned to live with it these twenty-ought years.”
 “I believe I may call you by your middle name.” His mouth twitched. “Sin–ay. I do so admire the first syllable.”
Her gaze narrowed to a quizzical squint. “Is your mind always in the gutter, Mr.––?
“Black.” Liquid sable eyes flecked with gold drank in every inch of her. “Only when I am interested, Miss Jones.”
“And are you interested?”
“I once enjoyed a meal at the Langham Hotel, which I thought about repeating for weeks afterward.”
“Is that what I am to you? A supper?”
 He lowered his chin. “A banquet, my tempting dark dove.” Hooded ebony eyes crinkled at the sides. He enjoyed taunting her. 
Captivated for a moment, she mentally slapped herself.  “I would love to stay and chat, really I would, but I must be on my way.” She flashed the faintest of smiles. “Now that we are introduced, certainly you can release me from bondage?”
“One more thing, Miss Jones. If you would kindly explain about the pirates?” He tilted his head. “Your eyes are most extraordinary. Almost feline.”
What an exasperating man! While he swigged from the bottle, she tugged again on her bindings. “Why do you insist on torturing me?”
She pressed her lips together and chewed the inside of her bottom lip. A force of habit when vexed beyond endurance. Well, she supposed two could play this silly, annoying interrogation game. “Are your parents still living, Mr. Black?
He sat up and blinked. “Mother died of a virulent meningitis years ago. My father teaches advanced mathematics at Trinity College.” He ran a hand through thick waves of dark brown hair. “He might as well be dead. We don’t get on.”
“I could not tell you if my mother is alive or dead. I’ve not been home to Louisiana in many years. Buried my father four short months ago. Charles Gardiner Jones.” She leaned forward purposefully. “A decent and honest merchant trader. Acquaintances said he couldn’t face his business failure––that he died of drink. People who knew him well, told a very different story. My father’s heart was broken by his lying, scheming business partner.”
When her eyes threatened to tear, she lifted her chin. “After his funeral I vowed to bring Yanky Willem to justice.”
“And how goes this pursuit?”
She frowned. “Not as well as I’d hoped. Last night Willem caught me rifling through a year’s worth of cargo manifests.”
He arched a brow. “Searching for––?”
“Proof of piracy, Mr. Black.”
He smiled that maddening grin of his. “I knew if I was patient, we might actually get round to the original subject of my query––the filthy pirates.”
“Chased me from the Docklands all the way down the Strand.” She laid her head back against the padded chair and counted the cracks in the ceiling. “When you stepped into the sharp edge of my blade, I was clean out of bullets.”
“Bullets? And where, pray tell is your pistol?
Now it was her turn to grin. “Untie me, and––“
“I think not, Miss Jones.” From behind protective rungs, Mr. Black stepped over the seat of his chair and ventured closer. “Shall we search together?”

 

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The Key to Phaeton's Heart and ten print copies of The Seduction of Phaeton Black are being given away tour wide!


Steampunk Necklace designed by Ula Kapala



How to Enter:


Use the Rafflecopter below---all entries for the tour go into this one "hat".

Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway





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Thanks for stopping by, Jillian, and please know you are free to do so again! :) I look forward to reading your books, they all sound great!

I absolutely loved your interview with Phaeton, he sounds like quiet a character and a unique hero! :)

Now, dear readers, remember that Phaeton has a question for you:
Besides the bedchamber, name a favorite trysting spot (either in fiction or in real life).

Hm, I'll start the discussion, shall I? :) Let the fun begin, ladies!

I'm afraid I can't give you a favorite spot in real life. (Hehe--take that as you will...my lips are sealed!).

As to fiction, there are so many great choices, but....I have to say I've always had a fondness for trysts in the library/study. Perhaps it's my fondness for being surrounded by books, the quiet of such a room, but I love when the characters, ahem, get to know each other in these rooms. :) Generally this is only in historicals, but I'd like to see one in a contemporary book--naughty librarian feel, anyone? :D

What about you? Share, please! :)


Be sure to follow the rest of the tour! :) Giveaway/Tour ends on July 20th.




Enjoy!




Until Next Time,
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*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

8 comments :

Melody May said...

I read a couple of steam punk and I find my self really liking it. I think I like it cause it's different from anything I have read.

Unknown said...

I've not read a steam punk book yet. This one looks very interesting.

Unknown said...

steampunk is great. I have followed the trend since I can remember,(2000, I think) I really love the fashion of steampunk, I also love the mixing of mediums(metal, leather,etc).

Jillian Stone said...

Hi Melody,

Steampunk can work really well with romance as well as paranormal. At least that's how I write it!

Jillian Stone said...

Hi Amy S.,

If you like scorching hot romance and some paranormal tossed into the story, I think you might enjoy Phaeton and America's story.

Jillian Stone said...

Trellyn.

Steampunk gear is fun, isn't it. Thanks for stopping by.

Danni T said...

I love the mix of different inventions that appear in steampunk books. I also love the clothing they were. Everything seems so different and yet so fascinating.

Amanda Ray said...

I enjoy reading romance genre but have never read any paranormal. This sounds very interesting. Definitely worth adding to TBR list and, from what I have read in the review, getting comfortable when reading it(grabs you and you just have to finish reading the entire book right then).