And thanks to Jillian's generosity I have 3 e-copies of her book to giveaway :) (see rafflecopter at the bottom of this post)
Why did you want to be a writer?
I don’t know whether you choose to write, or writing chooses you. That’s a trite answer, perhaps, but there is some truth to it. Like many people, I found I enjoyed it immensely when I started writing down stories bit by bit, creating scenes and people and relationships out of nothing but my imagination. I became hooked on it.
Where did the idea for THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT first come from?
The initial inspiration came from the movie Cactus Flower. For those people who aren’t familiar with it, it’s a sixties romantic comedy starring Goldie Hawn, Walther Matthau and Ingrid Bergman. When his girlfriend (Hawn) makes a dramatic attempt to get Matthau’s attention, he reluctantly agrees to divorce his wife. The trouble is, he’s been lying to his girlfriend—he’s not really married at all. So when she decides to seek out his non-existent wife, he has to enlist the help of his dental assistant (Bergman). You can guess how it ends …
I loved the idea of a charade causing the hero and heroine to discover their true feelings for each other. I also like to torture my heroes, have them hoist by their own petard—you know, live by the sword, die by the sword. My regency rake discovers that the more he tries to orchestrate himself out of trouble, the more he manages to get himself into it.
THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT is the story of Hugh Trevalyn, who invented a mythical fiancée to fend off marriage-minded females. Now, after many happy years of sowing his wild oats, he has decided he wants to marry. But when the girl he’s chosen wants to make sure his ex-fiancée is happier now without him, Hugh has to find a woman to play the part. Luckily, his old friend Amelia just happens to be a woman—one who knows him inside and out. Of course, things don’t turn out as he plans!
How did you choose the genre you write in?
I fell in love with historical romance when I was a teenager (a while ago now :-) ). When I discovered Georgette Heyer, Victoria Holt, not to mention Austen and the Bronte sisters, I was hooked. Over the years I’ve enjoyed a multitude of authors and a variety of settings. My favourite, though, right from the beginning, was the regency.
If you had to go back and do it all over, is there any aspect of your books or getting them published that you would change?
I just wish I’d started writing seriously a bit sooner. It takes time to hone your craft.
In your experience, what are the best and worst things about being a writer?
As an introvert (and most writers are), I love being able to immerse myself in my story, spend time with my characters. It’s a natural fit, really—an author and her imagination. The most nerve wracking thing about being a writer, on the other hand, is what happens when you send your ‘baby’ off into the world. You hope that others will enjoy it, and worry that they won’t. You try not to obsess about the variables you can’t control, but obsess anyway. Whether you’re published or unpublished, there’s always something to worry about.
Who are your ‘must read’ authors and who would we find on your bookshelves/e-reader?
Must read authors include: Julia Quinn, Tessa Dare, Sophie Kinsella. In my e-reader at the moment: Karen Hawkins, Katharine Ashe, Eloisa James, Darcy Burke.
Fast Five
Favorite food… chocolate. In any form, with any additives. Or alone. Doesn’t matter.
Favourite movie… I have so many, but here are a few different types: Love Actually (romantic comedy), The Music Man (musical), To Kill A Mockingbird (drama), Rat Race (hilarious though totally stupid comedy).
Cat lover or Dog person… I have a soft spot for all sorts of animals, but I’ve always owned (i.e. been owned by) cats.
Celebrity crush… You mean, crushes, don’t you? Is it possible to have only one? Mine vary from time to time but George Clooney, Hugh Jackman, Johnny Depp and Michael Fassbender remain favourites.
If you weren’t a writer, you’d be… a world-famous actress, the toast of Hollywood and the critics (well, I can dream, can’t I?). To paraphrase Pride and Prejudice’s Lady Catherine de Bourgh, if I’d ever auditioned for a role, I would have been an Oscar contender.
Thanks so much for agreeing to be interviewed Jillian <3
Title: The Rules of Engagement
Author: Jillian Leigh
Release Date: May 22nd 2013
Publisher: Boroughs Publishing Group
Long ago, Hugh Trevalyn invented a fiancée to fend off marriage-minded females. Now he must procure the perfect girl to play the part.
Who better than Amelia Grant, his oldest and dearest friend? She alone might understand—and forgive—his moment of madness upon beholding the beautiful Lucy Meriwether, a moment that resulted in Hugh’s first real proposal of marriage and Lucy’s vow to meet his ex-fiancée in the flesh. However, as the proposed conversation snowballs into an elaborate charade involving Hugh’s rakish cousin, scandal, and inappropriate kisses, as Hugh risks Amelia’s friendship to win Lucy’s hand, a wise reader has to wonder: What exactly are the rules of engagement? And, after the battle, whose heart will be won?
Buy links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Rules-of-Engagement-ebook/dp/B00CXT6WTO/
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-rules-of-engagement-jillian-leigh/1115446928?ean=2940044548886
BPG: http://boroughspublishinggroup.com/books/rules-engagement
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-therulesofengagement-1214498-160.html
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thanks for interviewing me, Cath. I hope that whoever wins a copy of RULES enjoys it (please let me know if you do!)
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