An interview with award-winning romantic suspense author Cherish D'Angelo and a giveaway

An interview with award-winning romantic suspense author Cherish D'Angelo

1.  Did anything in particular spark the idea behind the storyline of Lancelot's Lady?

When I first started writing Lancelot's Lady back in 2002 (when it was titled Reflections), I had two main bits of inspiration that came in the guise of questions. The questions that inspired me were: 1) What would happen if the heroine was stranded on an island with the hero and she couldn't leave for a duration of time because there was no boat and the radio was broken? 2) And what if there was a case of "mistaken identity"?

2.  Do you know ASL? Or was that something that you had to reference for your book? I found Misty to be an enchanting character, and to see how she copes and those around her to be very realistic.

I know some rudimentary basics of ASL―the alphabet and some basic signs. The alphabet I learned in Brownies and never forgot. I can even spell my name. The other signs I learned from a good friend who knows some ASL as she was a teacher. She taught me some important signs, like "friend" and "bitch". I had heard somewhere along the way about how names are often turned into signs, made special by people who knew each other. Something about that seemed poignant and I brought that into the story. Misty surprised me with her character growth throughout the novel. Though she isn't in on every scene, when she is everything seems lighter, funnier...sweeter.

3.  What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

If you mean style-wise, I think it's that I have the ability to use humor where appropriate, even when tacking terrifying issues or scary situations. I like to show all facets of my characters, to make them more real. Some have very dry senses of humor. Others are a bit goofy. Some don't show their humor because it's how they guard themselves.

4.  What book(s) are you currently reading?

I just finished reading One Child by Jeff Buick, a fantastic read that I highly recommend. I'm now reading an ARC (advanced review copy) of a new novel titled The Thiessen Affair by Mozelle Richardson. I haven't made my mind up about it yet. And I've started reading

Evidence by Jonathan Kellerman on my Kobo iPhone app. I have a lot of books on my TBR piles!

5.  Are you working on another novel? If so, can you tell us a bit about it?

I am ALWAYS working on another novel. LOL. I am working on a new thriller titled Submerged. It's one I've been planning for a while and I just know it's going to be good because the story excites me and inspires me. Though Submerged IS fiction, the main character is based on a childhood friend who faced some major challenges in his life. My friend bravely allowed me to interview him about his experiences and use them in my novel.

Submerged is the story of drug addict Marcus Taylor, former paramedic turned 911 operator, who is submerged in guilt and drowning in pain from past mistakes and horrific events. Marcus isn't really living life; he's just existing. Until something happens that makes him face his past and his choices. Something that makes him realize that it's never too late for redemption.
Even typing this description gives me shivers and a sense that Submerged may make it really big. I can already envision a movie. I smell popcorn. Mmm, there's the hot butter now.

6.  If Lancelot's Lady were made into a movie, who do you see playing Jonathon and Rhianna?

I had to think of this for a blog post over at My Book, The Movie. I really see actress Rachel McAdams (The Notebook, Sherlock Holmes) as Rhianna. She's very pretty, but not glamorously beautiful, so she fits the physical characteristics of Rhianna. Plus she's feisty and funny when she wants to be.

I'm torn though for casting an actor for Jonathan. As an older adult in my 40s, I see Josh Holloway―James Ford (aka"Sawyer") from LOST―as the brooding Jonathan, but "Sawyer" would have to darken his appearance and change his eye color. If a film was made for a slightly younger audience, then I'd have to say that Ian Somerhalder―"Damon" from The Vampire Diaries―fits Jonathan to a T. He's dark, brooding, has blues eyes and is HOT as hell. Yeah, he could do Jonathan.

Lancelot's Lady ~ A Bahamas holiday from dying billionaire JT Lance, a man with a dark secret, leads palliative nurse Rhianna McLeod to Jonathan, a man with his own troubled past, and Rhianna finds herself drawn to the handsome recluse, while unbeknownst to her, someone with a horrific plan is hunting her down.

Lancelot's Lady is available in ebook edition at KoboBooks, Amazon's Kindle Store, Smashwords and other ebook retailers. Help me celebrate by picking up a copy today and "Cherish the romance..."

You can learn more about Lancelot's Lady and Cherish D'Angelo (aka Cheryl Kaye Tardif) at http://www.cherishdangelo.com and http://www.cherylktardif.blogspot.com. Follow Cherish from September 27 to October 10 on her Cherish the Romance Virtual Book Tour and win prizes.

Do you enjoy flawed characters in romance novels, ones that aren't over the top gorgeous, or have personality or character flaws?

Leave a comment here, with email address, to be entered into the prize draws. You're guaranteed to receive at least 1 free ebook just for doing so. Plus you'll be entered to win a Kobo ereader. Winners will be announced after October 10th.