Monday, March 18, 2013

Crime & Passion by Chantel Rhondeau - Book Tour w/ Character Interview


Check out this exciting new release by romantic suspense author, Chantel Rhondeau.

Crime & Passion

Genre: Romantic suspense/mystery

Release date: March 15, 2013

Cover art done by LFD Designs for Authors



A decorated police officer, more intent on justice than following the letter of the law, lands in trouble when a schoolteacher finds a dead body on the beach.

Officer Donovan Andrews knows how to have a good time—ask any woman in town. But when it comes to men abusing their wives or children, Donovan takes it upon himself to make them regret it.

Madeline Scott is unlucky in love. All she wants is a quiet place to heal, away from cheating, womanizing men. However, her life is far from peaceful once she stumbles across the body and witnesses someone fleeing the scene.

Terror spreads in Pleasant View when the small community hears a killer is on the loose. All evidence points to Donovan, and he realizes someone is trying to frame him. When troubling suspicions from his past surface, even fellow officers believe he’s guilty. Madeline might be the only person who can clear his name, but first he has to win her trust.

The body count rises and no one is safe. The murderer makes it clear Madeline is next. Soon, Donovan’s whole world is focused on protecting her and keeping himself out of prison. The more time he spends with her, the harder it is to fight his growing attraction. Since she’s been burned by love, convincing Madeline he’s interested in something more than hot sex may prove harder than keeping her alive.

Read the first three chapters at Chantel’s blog: http://www.chantelrhondeau.com/2013/03/crime-passion-romantic-suspense-and.html

Author vs Character Interview

Book Name:  Crime & Passion
Author Name: Chantel Rhondeau
Character Name: Donovan Andrews

Melinda:  Welcome, Donovan and Chantel. It’s an honor to have you here.

Let’s  begin. How did you two meet and how long ago was it?

Chantel:  We actually met in March of 2012 when I first started writing Crime & Passion. Donovan was the first responding officer to a 911 call made by my heroine, Madeline, when she reported a murder on the beach.

Melinda: What was your first impression of each other?

Donovan: **laughs** I knew she was trouble right away. I just knew she’d want to pull all sorts of feelings out of me and make me a better person.

Chantel: You thought I was trouble? Well, my first impression of you was that you were a total jerk!

Donovan: Wow, that’s harsh. Tell me what you really think. Now I see where Maddie gets it.

Chantel: Being outspoken? I’m glad she’s that way. Madeline said some truths you needed to hear.

Donovan:  Maybe.

Chantel:  **raises her eyebrows** Are you really sorry we met? Didn’t I make it all worth your time?

Donovan:  **nodding** Yeah. Maddie’s definitely worth it.

Melinda:  Chantel, what does Donovan do that annoys you the most?

Chantel:  Donovan is sort of an all-or-nothing person. Either totally reckless or full throttle with trying to conform. Also, he buried his feelings deep down a long time ago and it was hard to get to know the real him. He’s a tough case.  

Donovan: That sounds like no matter what I try to do, you don’t like me. A guy can’t win around here.

Chantel: **rolling her eyes** Don’t be sensitive. It’s all good now. You grew on me the more time we spent together. At first, though, I thought you were difficult.

Melinda: I thought you were pretty hot, Donovan, if that helps any.

Donovan: It helps a lot. Nice to know at least somebody around here appreciates my finer qualities.

Chantel: And those would be what, exactly?

Donovan:  **grimacing** Maddie definitely gets that attitude from you.

Melinda: Donovan, if you could say just one thing to Chantel, what would it be?

Donovan: Even though you like to harass me, I will always appreciate the fact that you helped me find a woman who I could trust. I needed someone I could be honest with about my past in order to face my demons. Thanks for that.

Chantel: Awww. Now I feel bad for being so harsh before.

Donovan: **trying to cover a smirk with his hand** Good.

Melinda: What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s happened between you two?

Donovan: I’ll tell you what embarrassed me the most. Chantel showed everyone my disastrous date with Christy. I don’t want that up for public consumption.

Chantel: It’s your fault. You had that planned before I even met you. If you stopped dating college girls earlier, I wouldn’t have had to tell anyone. You’re the one who didn’t break the date after you met Madeline.

Donovan: I couldn’t break a date at the last minute. I know you think I’m a jerk, but that’s low.

Chantel:  Ummm…I don’t even know how to respond to that, considering how many hearts you’ve broken. I guess at least you realized you’re too old to date twenty-somethings and wanted a relationship with more substance.

Donovan: **grins** Like the one with Maddie.

Melinda:  Chantel, what do you feel the worst about doing to Donovan?

Chantel: Where do I start? There are lots of things I feel bad about putting him through, but what sort of author would I be if I didn’t present challenges? I think the worst might have been making him deal with one particular ex. She sure caused problems.

Donovan: No kidding! I could have done with a little less drama and terror in my life, thank you very much.

Melinda: Do you think you two will meet again in the future?

Donovan: Please no. Just let me have my happy ending and leave my family alone.

Chantel: **laughs** Normally, I tend to agree with Donovan. He and Madeline went through a lot and I’d like to let them get on with more peaceful lives. However, despite Donovan’s flaws, I ended up really liking him once I knew him better. I wouldn’t be opposed to him having a small cameo in a future book. I’m not making any promises, but he and Madeline were characters I wouldn’t mind spending more time with.

Chantel: Thanks for having us here today, Melinda. It was fun chatting with you, but I guess we’d better get going.

Donovan: Thanks, Mindy. Good luck with your upcoming book, by the way. I hope Jake and Amanda can find happiness, just like I found with Maddie.

Chantel: Donovan, are you crying? I didn’t know you were such a sap for romance.

Donovan: No, I’m not crying. Sheesh. You make me sound like a bad guy and now want people to think I’m a wuss. You’ve got problems, lady. I’m out of here. Thanks again, Mindy. 

Melinda: Well, it was certainly entertaining to have you both here today. I wish you the best of luck with Maddie, Donovan. And I, for one, would love to see a little Donovan cameo in a future book. *wink wink* 

Thanks for stopping by!



About the author:



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 spends her daytime in the clinical profession of medical transcriptionist, but her passion is in the blissful hours she spends with her characters in the evenings.

Chantel lives in the western United States. When she isn’t writing, she loves playing cards with her family and snuggling with her lazy kitties.

Want to connect with Chantel? You can find her here:

Want the book?
Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/Z24vsP
Amazon Paperback in Createspace Store: http://bit.ly/ZJDjOp
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/Ys0lHs
All Romance eBooks: http://bit.ly/YnS2iX
Add it on Goodreads: http://bit.ly/14ZgyHW  

1 comment:

  1. Thanks, once again, for having us over for a chat, Melinda! I'm getting super excited about your upcoming release!

    ReplyDelete