Chanel Cleeton
Author Interview - Chanel Cleeton
Author of Next Year in Havana, When We Left Cuba, The Last Train to Key West, The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba, Cuban Heiress, and The House on Biscayne Bay.
About The House on Biscayne Bay:
As death stalks a gothic mansion in Miami, the lives of two women intertwine as the past and present collide in New York Times bestselling author Chanel Cleeton’s atmospheric new novel.
With the Great War finally behind them, many Americans flock to South Florida with their sights set on making a fortune. When wealthy industrialist Robert Barnes and his wife, Anna, build Marbrisa, a glamorous estate on Biscayne Bay, they become the toast of the newly burgeoning society. Anna and Robert appear to have it all, but in a town like Miami, appearances can be deceiving, and one scandal can change everything.
Years later following the tragic death of her parents in Havana, Carmen Acosta journeys to Marbrisa, the grand home of her estranged older sister, Carolina, and her husband, Asher Wyatt. On the surface, the gilded estate looks like paradise, but Carmen quickly learns that nothing at Marbrisa is as it seems. The house has a treacherous legacy, and Carmen’s own life is soon in jeopardy . . . unless she can unravel the secrets buried beneath the mansion’s facade and stop history from repeating itself.
Author Interview - Chanel Cleeton
About The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba:
At the end of the nineteenth century, three revolutionary women fight for freedom in New York Times bestselling author Chanel Cleeton's captivating new novel inspired by real-life events and the true story of a legendary Cuban woman--Evangelina Cisneros--who changed the course of history.
Author Interview - Chanel Cleeton
Author I draw inspiration from:
There are so many. To name a few: I love Tana French’s writing and am in awe of both her prose and the manner in which she crafts her stories. I adore Rhys Bowen’s historicals and admire the charm she injects in her characters and settings. I have tremendous respect for Nora Roberts’ work ethic and dedication to her craft, as well as her impressive body of work. I am a huge fan of Beatriz Williams’ sweeping love stories. I also greatly admire the wit and verve of Sophie Kinsella’s books as well as the meticulous research and detail in Margaret George’s writing.
Author Interview - Chanel Cleeton | Author I draw inspiration from
Favorite place to read a book:
I love to read curled up in bed into the wee hours when everyone else has gone to sleep.
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with:
Mark Watney from The Martian because I think he’d get us out in no time at all :)
Author Interview - Chanel Cleeton | Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author:
I think the moment came when I received a slew of rejections from agents for the first book I’d ever written. Up until that point, I’d dabbled with writing, but I really wasn’t taking it seriously. I thought I’d send the book out, and if I was rejected, I would know writing wasn’t for me and try something else. But when I saw those rejections, I realized how badly I wanted this and got back to work, starting a new book and dedicating myself to the pursuit of becoming an author. That next book eventually landed me my agent.
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook:
Probably ebook because I tend to read late at night and it sufficiently avoids the eternal marital dilemma of, “Can you turn off the light? I’m trying to sleep.”
The last book I read:
I’ve been binging Karin Slaughter’s Will Trent series and I just finished Criminal, which was amazing.
Author Interview - Chanel Cleeton | The last book I read
Pen & paper or computer:
Computer, definitely. I’m much slower with a pen and paper and always end up with hand cramps.
Book character I think I’d be best friends with:
Elizabeth Bennet. Besides the shared love of books, she would be a witty and loyal friend, and I would definitely love to sit beside her at a party and listen to her observations about the guests. Plus, I feel like she needs a new best friend since I’m still not really over Charlotte Lucas going after Mr. Collins.
Author Interview - Chanel Cleeton | Book character I think I’d be best friends with
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a:
I’d be working in international politics in some capacity probably for a think tank or an international organization.
Favorite decade in fashion history:
I love the Regency period. It’s such a fun and glamorous time period in fashion history.
Number one on my bucket list/Place I’d most like to travel:
Cuba. I was supposed to go on a family reunion right before I started working on the book, but my grandfather feels very strongly about not supporting the currently regime, and ultimately, out of respect for his wishes, we decided to cancel the trip. It’s number one on my bucket list AND the place I’d most like to travel, but I don’t feel comfortable doing so until there’s a sea change in the country.
Author Interview - Chanel Cleeton | Number one on my bucket list/Place I’d most like to travel
My signature drink:
I can rarely say no to champagne ;)
Favorite artist:
In terms of living artists, I love Royo. He’s this amazing Spanish artist who paints beautiful oil on canvas paintings of women in his life. There’s something so romantic and evocative about his work.
I also love Van Gogh, Renoir, Klimt, Monet, and Degas.
How I celebrated Valentines Day:
A quiet evening at home with my husband, a bottle of champagne, takeout sushi, and dessert.
Thanks for hosting me today!
About Chanel Cleeton:
Author Interview - Chanel Cleeton
Chanel Cleeton is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick Next Year in Havana, When We Left Cuba, The Last Train to Key West, The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba, Our Last Days in Barcelona, and The Cuban Heiress.
Originally from Florida, Chanel grew up on stories of her family's exodus from Cuba following the events of the Cuban Revolution. Her passion for politics and history continued during her years spent studying in England where she earned a bachelor's degree in International Relations from Richmond, The American International University in London and a master's degree in Global Politics from the London School of Economics & Political Science. Chanel also received her Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law.
