Tuesday, May 03, 2011

SECRETS OF THE HEART - Jillian Kent - 2 Free Books

I'm thrilled to introduce fellow Charisma House/Realms author Jillian Kent with her debut novel. Welcome, Jillian. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

I know that two aspects of my personality come out in my writing and those are humor and counselor.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Many years ago at a camping event I was hypnotized and I wouldn’t have believed it but for the fact that I couldn’t pull my index fingers apart from each other. Go figure. J

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

In seventh grade I wrote a piece about an ant watching Julius Caesar’s assassination. I think the thought that I could write occurred then.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I love historical romance with a heavy mystery/suspense element. I like romantic comedy but can’t say I’ve read any lately. Love Sherlock Holmes. Enjoy some of Julia Quinn’s books as well as Amanda Quick, Liz Curtis Higgs, Francine Rivers, Nancy Moser. Mike Dellosso has me reading his books: Scream, Darlington Woods. Love James Scott Bell and many, many more.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

Sanity? What’s that? Just because I’m a full time counselor doesn’t mean I’m sane. Sanity’s not all that’s cracked up to be. J That’s why there are lunatic asylums in my novels. Let’s see. I do enjoy a massage now and then and I’m joining a LifeSteps group to get my body in shape again and taking a new look at nutrition.

How do you choose your characters’ names?
I love choosing character names. Really. I use Character Naming books, Baby Name books, Telephone books, and name generating spots on line. Great fun!

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

It would have to be getting my three book contract with Charisma House.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

A wild horse. Run free and play with your friends. J

What is your favorite food?

That’s my problem. I love everything. Probably pasta.

Tell us a little about your journey to publication.

I’ve been studying the craft for a good twenty years. Writing for the past ten a lot more than I did the first ten. When Debbie Marrie posted on our loop at ACFW that she was looking for historical romance I  sent her a proposal. Alas, she wrote back that she meant they were only looking for Prarie Romance and I write during the Regency era. Many months later she e-mailed me and asked, “Have you sold your book yet?” I said there was some interest but no one had made an offer yet. Debbie said that fifteen folks at Charisma had read my book and they decided to offer me a contract after much positive feedback. I think I went a bit numb. J Then I e-mailed James Scott Bell who had mentored me at Mt.  Hermon and he suggested I contact Rachelle Gardner. Rachelle kindly took me on and that’s my story. Thank you, Jesus!

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

I fall in love with my secondary characters and have learned I can’t let them take over.

What advice would you give to others who are trying to get their first book published?

Don’t work on one book too long. Write it and gain more experience and have more than one book when you get that long awaited for call or e-mail. Go to conferences and learn.

Tell us about the featured book.

An English noblewoman rescues a runaway from an insane asylum which changes her life forever. My protagonist, Lady Madeline Whittington, has come out of mourning her siblings and more recently her father. Ah, but there is a connection to the death of her father and our hero. What I  love about my hero is that, Devlin Grayson, Lord Ravensmoore took a huge risk. He’s a nobleman training to become a physician. His father and brother died at sea and left him with the title. However, he wants to be the doctor he feels God called him to be. When he and Maddie meet, LOOK OUT!

Please give us the first page of the book.

You can read the entire first chapter at my website which I hope you will visit often. http://jilliankent.com/books.html



How can the readers find you on the Internet?

I’m at www.jilliankent.com and  my blog is at: http://jilliankent.blogspot.com/
You can also find me at  http://justthewritecharisma.blogspot.com/  where Lena blogs as well with our other Realms buddies.

Thank you, Jillian for sharing your journey and book with us.


Readers, here's a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 6 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.

Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

53 comments:

Charlotte Kay said...

I love a good secret.
Thanks for the giveaway.
Charlotte Kay, Ohio

Jillian Kent said...

Good Morning Everyone!
Well, as you know I'm a little bit excited regarding the release of my very first novel. And I'm grateful to Lena for a chance to get the word out. Have a fun day! It's raining and dreary here in Cincy today, but that's not going to bother me.:)

Coolestmommy said...

What an interesting storyline for this book. I was hooked when I read she rescues someone from the insane asylum. Having seen what those were like for the patients living there, I'm all for a rescue. Can't wait to read.

coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com
NE

Jillian Kent said...

Hey Charlotte and Robyn,
Aren't secrets intriguing? I've read a lot about the asylums all over the world. Sad but interesting stuff. Working in the mental health field fuels my passsion.

Charlotte, don't forget your e-mail so we can reach you if you win.

Lorna Faith said...

Love your fresh voice...you are a great writer:) I really enjoyed the prologue and ch. 1...of course now I want to read to the end!

Please enter my name for a chance to win:)

Lorna from Alberta
lornafaith@gmail.com

Keli Gwyn said...

Congratulations on your release, Jill! I have your book on my TBR shelf and am eager to savor the story.

Who is one of the secondary characters in Secrets of the Heart you love and why?

Jillian Kent said...

Hi Lorna,
Bless you for that compliment. You've made my day! So thrilled that you read the prologue and first chapter. Glad you like it!

Hey Kelli,
I'm in your TBR pile? How cool. I love my secondary characters as much as my leads. My edior thinks I love them a bit too much. :) Okay, without giving away too much you will meet a character named Simon. Simon makes me laugh but provides interesting truth along the way.

Debra E. Marvin said...

Hurray! I'm so excited about these books, Jillian! Thank you Lena for hosting. I shared Jilly's FB link on mine and I already have someone who was won over by the trailer.

Jill, I love where you are taking historical romance with this series. Congratulations!

Susanne Dietze said...

Congratulations, Jillian! I am so excited to read your book--I'm hooked.

Thanks for hosting, Lena.

Diana Flowers said...

Wow, the trailer was fabulous! I love this genre of books. Please enter me!

Diana from SC

dianalflowers@aol.com

Ariel Wilson said...

This book looks good! I'm from Oregon :)

Shirley said...

Very different story line! I am definitely interested! shirley at shirleymcclay dot com
manitoba

Anonymous said...

I would love to win a copy of this book. Love the cover.

Angela from Kentucky

Jillian Kent said...

Hi Deb and Susie,
I'm so glad to see your smiles here. And Susie, I'm glad you are hooked!
Hey, Deb and thanks for sharing the link. It's so amazing what technology can do these days.
I just love this book and the entire series, but that's such a different thing when you write the book than when you read it. Still, I think if we have fun in the writing, most of the readers will enjoy. I hope so anyway.

Jillian Kent said...

Hi Diana and Ariel,
So glad you like the trailer and the genre. It's really neat to see where people are from. No wonder Lena does it that way. Wow! South Carolina and Oregon.

Jillian Kent said...

Hi Shirley from Manitoba!
If you're drawn in by the story line it only gets better. Wait till you find out about some of these secrets!

Jillian Kent said...

Anonymous,
Did you have the same rain in Kentucky today that we had in Cincy? I thought I'd have to build my own ark.:) Anyway I'm glad you love the cover. I was very blessed to get such a great cover on a first book.

Anonymous said...

Great interview! I would love to read this...it looks FANTASTIC!

Molly from NC

Michelle said...

I love books set in England. The storyline sounds great!

mchapman (at) windstream (dot) net


Kentucky

Jillian Kent said...

Hi Molly,
Thanks for the kind words. I appreciate that.

Hi Michelle,
I love those books set in England too! Thanks for being here.

peachykath said...

Sounds really interesting. Please enter me in the drawing for this book. I love discovering new authors.
Thank you

peachykath79[at]yahoo[dot]com

Katherine from Northern California

Unknown said...

Looks like a VERY good read! Looking forward to it! Thanks for the chance to win!
Kari in Oregon

Jillian Kent said...

Hi peachykath and Kari,
So happy you are interested in this novel. Thanks for stopping by.

scottsgal said...

Love your author list - several of those are my faves as well
msboatgal at aol.com in IL

apple blossom said...

Please add me to this book giveaway

i live in nd

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Pam K. said...

The book trailer is just beautiful! The lovely photos made me want to read the book.
Please enter me in the book drawing.
Thanks.

pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
Kansas

karenk said...

thanks foar the chance to read this novel :)

karenk...from pa
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

G. said...

Sounds like a wonderful book, would love to read it.

Superior, Arizona

Courtney said...

Sounds like such an interesting story line, the video clip about it felt like I could feel the pain and then you add the mystery and I'm hooked!! I would love to read this, thanks for a chance to win it!

Courtney
WA

Jillian Kent said...

Hello scottsgal,
Those are some good books. One thing that got crazy when I started writing a lot was that I didn't have as much time to read and everything I was reading I analyzed to pieces. So my idea of a good read now is something that makes me forget to analyze. :)

Judy K said...

Loved the interview. Congrats Jillian on your first book release. I pray you will have many more! I would love to win a copy of your book Secrets Of The Heart.

Blessings,
Judy K from IN

Jillian Kent said...

apple blossom, karenk, G.

Welcome to the place where secrets are waiting for you to discover them. All you have to do is read, Secrets of the Heart. :)

Glad to see you all here. Thanks for helping me celebrate.

Jillian Kent said...

Hello there Courtney and Pam K.,

Glad the video clip got to you. :)
Thanks for stopping by.

kylady717 said...

Hi Jillian, I live near Cincy and I agree yesterday was so dreary, but today is beautiful, would love to win this book, sounds wonderful....

Mona G./Ohio

Jillian Kent said...

Hi Mona,
So happy to see the sun shining today in Cincy! I have the blinds open in my office and am soaking up the rays. It's still a bit chilly out but I noticed that next week it will warm up a lot. Yeah! Glad you have an interest in the book. Enjoy the sun!

Anonymous said...

Would love to have this book.

Thanks,
Shirley T./Illinois

Abigail Mitchell said...

Looks very interesting, Enter me in the giveaway.
Abigail Richmond
Blanch, N.C.

Jillian Kent said...

Hi Shirley and Abigail,
Nice to hear from you and your interest in the book. Have a great week.

Anonymous said...

Wow, this is my kind of book, I so want this book...

Angela C./Ohio

Jo said...

This book sounds good and would love to read it.I'm from Southern Arizona

Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

Jillian Kent said...

Hi Angela and Jo,
I'm so glad this is a book of interest to you. I think you will really like it.

I think many of you may like the blog that Lena and I and all the Realms authors can be found. If you get a chance please visit us at http://www.justthewritecharisma.blogspot.com/

You just might find book give aways there as well. :)

Have a great Mother's Day weekend everyone. :)
Jillian

rbooth43 said...

A nobleman training to become a physician and wants to be the doctor he feels God called him to be and a possible love story to boot has me hooked to read SECRETS OF THE HEART.
Thanks!
Rebecca in NC
rbooth43(at)yahoo(dot)com

Jillian Kent said...

Hi Rebecca!
So glad your hooked. :) I hope you enjoy this book when you get a chance to read it.

Cindy W. said...

Secrets of the Heart sounds like a book I would really enjoy. Love the cover too! Thank you for the chance to win a copy.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Jillian Kent said...

Hi Cindy,
I was blessed to get such an awesome cover. Thanks for stopping by. Have a great weekend.
Jillian

Ann Lee Miller said...

Sounds great!
Ann Lee Miller
Gilbert AZ

Jillian Kent said...

Hi Ann!
I bet it's hot in Arizona now. I lived in Phoenix as a kid. :)
Thanks for stopping by.
Jill

Terri said...

Sounds good.
Terri Harr
Arlington, TX
angelmom1165(at)yahoo(dot)com

Patricia PacJac Carroll said...

Sounds like a good book. Nice to get to know you, Jillian. Good interview, Lena.

Jillian Kent said...

Thanks Terri and Patricia. The reviews are starting to come in on Amazon if you want to take a look. I think some should come through on CBD.com and Good Reads. Hope to see you around cyberspace. :)
Jill

Lena Nelson Dooley said...

Readers, Jillian just let me know that we will have TWO winners on this blog.

Thanks, Jillian

Bakersdozen said...

Congratulations to Jillian and please enter me! I live in S. California.

Jillian Kent said...

Congratulations Terri!
Congratulations Patricia Carroll!
I hope you love Secrets of the Heart. I appreciate everyone who took the time to leave a comment and showed interest in this novel.
Blessings to each of you and remember 2Timothy 1:7.
Jillian