Chanel Cleeton, author of the
Capital Confessions series, joins Fresh Fiction to
talk
about her sexy cast of characters, inspiration, and HOT romance!
Jen: Hi, Chanel. Thank you for joining us on Fresh Fiction!
Chanel: Thanks for having me!
Jen: PLAYING WITH TROUBLE is the second book in the
Capital
Confessions series, which features three sisters. I love series that
feature sisters and this one adds in a dose of political tension and sizzling
romance. Where did the idea for this series come from and how has it changed as
youโve developed the characters?
Chanel: Iโve always loved politics and Iโm a huge
Scandal fan, so
the
idea of setting a series in Washington D.C. was really appealing. Will and
Jackieโs
story (
FLIRTING
WITH SCANDAL) came to me first. I knew I wanted to write about a political
candidate who falls for his intern. Their first meeting at the Hay-Adams hotel
came
into my mind, and I suddenly knew Jackie had an interesting backstory that
would be
an obstacle for them to overcome. I realized that she was the illegitimate
daughter
of a U.S. senator and that her past and issues with her paternity had made her
the
woman she was. From there, the idea of the
Capital
Confessions blog was born and I began wondering about her sisters.
Blair
and Kateโs stories began to emerge, but it wasnโt until I began writing
PLAYING WITH
TROUBLE that I realized just how intertwined their lives would be.
This series has been so much fun to write, and it gave me the opportunity to
draw
on many of my own experiences and interestsโattending law school and my passion
for
politics and international relations.
Jen: If you could pick the perfect movie star cast for Capital
Confessions
who would you pick?
Chanel: I love this question! Itโs been so fun seeing the casting
choices
readers have made for these characters in their teaser graphics. I would love
to
cast Blake Lively as Jackie, Ryan Reynolds as Will, Leighton Meester as Blair,
Tom
Hardy as Gray, and Kristen Bell as Kate.
Jen: Youโre an avid reader and hopeless romantic. :) Which writers have
inspired you and continue to inspire you and why?
Chanel: Iโve been reading romance novels for nineteen years, and theyโve
always been a huge passion of mine. Thereโs nothing like reading a good book to
get
over a bad day or to inspire you when youโre feeling stuck. Some of my
favorites
include: Judith McNaught, Nora Roberts, Brenda Joyce, Kristen Ashley, Joanna
Wylde,
Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Jennifer Crusie, Lisa Kleypas, Julie Anne Long, Sarah
MacLean, Johanna Lindsey, Loretta Chase, Christina Lauren, and Jenny Han. I
love a
story that can take me on an adventure.
Jen: Summer has always been one of my favorite times to binge-read or
watch
a favorite series. What is your current series obsession: TV or book?
Chanel: I just started watching
The Americans and Iโm really
enjoying
it. I love the sexy intrigue and D.C. setting. Some of my other favorite shows
include:
Jane the Virgin,
Nashville, all the
Real
Housewives
franchises,
The Daily Show,
Last Week Tonight,
Turn,
Homeland, and of course,
Scandal. I get a lot of inspiration from
TV
shows :)
Jen: Can you give us a sneak peek into what is coming after your
Capital
Confessions series? Where will you be taking your fans to next?
Chanel: My next series will be released by Penguin in ebook and print in
2016.
The Wild Aces series features a squadron of F-16 pilots who fly
fast,
love hard, and risk their lives defending the country they love. The first
book,
FLY WITH ME, will be out in May 2016, followed by
INTO THE BLUE
in
July 2016, and
ON BROKEN WINGS in October 2016. Each book is an adult
contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. This series is HOT and
was
one of my favorites to write. I promise readers plenty of laughter, swoons, and
the
occasional tear.
Jen: WOW! Lots to look forward to from you! Thank you so much for
joining
us!
Chanel: Thanks for hosting me today!
Originally a Florida girl,
Chanel Cleeton moved to London where she
received
a bachelorโs degree from Richmond, The American International University in
London
and a masterโs degree from the London School of Economics and Political
Science.
Chanel fell in love with London and planned to stay there forever, until fate
intervened on a Caribbean cruise and a fighter pilot with smooth dance moves
swept
her off her feet. Now, a happily ever after later, Chanel is living her next
adventure.
Law school made Chanel realize sheโd rather spend her days writing sexy stories
than in a courtroom, and she hasnโt looked back since. An avid reader and
hopeless
romantic, sheโs happiest curled up with a book. She has a weakness for
handbags,
her three pups, and her husband.
Chanel writes contemporary romances and women's fiction. She is published by
Harlequin HQN, Penguin/InterMix, and Penguin/Berkley and is the author of the
International School, Capital Confessions, and Wild Aces series.
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The author of FLIRTING WITH SCANDAL presents her second book in a sexy
contemporary romance series about three sisters in a powerful political family,
the
scandals that threaten to destroy them, and the passion that drives themโฆ
The daughter of one of the Senate's most powerful figures, Blair Reynolds was
ready
to become the ultimate political wifeโuntil she caught her fiancรฉ cheating on
her
wedding day. Law school is a fresh start, her shot at putting the pieces of her
life back together. Thatโs the plan, at least. Until trouble comes in the form
of
her Torts professor, the man whose arrogance infuriates her in class but haunts
her
private fantasies.
Graydon Canter had a fortune and a place on all the hottest "Thirty under
Thirtyโ
lists, until a series of personal missteps nearly destroyed his career. A year
teaching at a D.C. law school is just the break he needs to get his life back
in
order, as long as nothingโand no oneโtrips him up.
When Blair and Gray are forced to work together, their explosive attraction
becomes
impossible to resist. But Grayโs demons have drawn him dangerously close to the
edge, and Blair has spent her life playing by the rules. Will she break them
for a
shot at love?
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