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.
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:
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