Q&A With J’nell Ciesielski 

I’m delighted to be doing this Q&A with J’nell Ciesielski who is an author of historical fiction mixed with romance. J’nell novels are Beauty Among Ruins, The Socialite, Among The Poppies, The Songbird And The Spy, The Ice Swan, The Brilliance Of Stars, To Free The Stars & her recent release The Winged Tiara. J’nell has also co-authored two books with Rachel McMillan & Aimie K. Runyan which are The Castle Keepers & her upcoming release The Liberty Scarf which will be available on November 19^th! 

Q: J’nell, would you like to give a brief description of each of your novels starting with your new and upcoming releases The Winged Tiara & The Liberty Scarf? 

A: Set during the Roaring 20’s, The Winged Tiara follows Jasper and Esme, two competing jewels and estranged husband and wife, as they caper about Europe in search of a fabulous tiara. 

The Liberty Scarf is a collaborative novel that features three different women connected by a scarf representing hope during the Great War at Christmas time. Perfect for holiday reading!

The Jack and Ivy duology is about husband wife assassins battling against a secret occult during after the Great War. Inspired by Marvel’s The Winter Soldier!

The Ice Swan features a Russian princess on the run from the Bolsheviks during the Great War where she escapes to Paris and meets a handsome surgeon on the forefront of cardiology.

Beauty Among Ruins is a take on the classic fairytale Beauty and the Beast. This one features a chirpy American socialite who goes to Scotland to be a nurse during the Great War only to come up against the grumpy castle laird.

In The Socialite, a sister goes to Paris to bring back her wayward younger sister who’s become a mistress to a Nazi. All with the help of a very handsome bartender.

The Songbird and the Spy is about an American singer who gets caught behind enemy lines during WWII and falls for a German officer. Only he’s not exactly who he claims to be.

Among the Poppies features a female ambulance driver on the front lines of the Great War who falls in love with a British army officer.

Q: I enjoy reading historical fiction with romance mixed just like I know you enjoy writing it. What is it about writing historical fiction with romance that you enjoy so much?

A: I love escapism. I love disappearing to another time and place where true love conquers all. There’s something so magical about that because deep down we all want love, and I love writing characters that are willing to fight for their happily ever after. Of course, there’s something so sweeping about romances set in historical with the gorgeous clothes and proper etiquette that you just don’t get today. 

Q: How do you choose a topic to research and write about, or does it just come to you? How long does it take you to research and write a historical fiction novel?

A: Ideas tend to come to me. Forcing a topic has never worked so it’s much easier to let an idea tickle my imagination and get me to think ‘what if…’. Watching movies or listening to music is a major source of inspiration, especially movies though because I’m a visual learner and I soak it all in. Sometimes it’ll be a scene or a single line that serves as a springboard. 

Typically, it takes me about a year to write a novel. From the start of research until I type The End. I like to do as much research as possible up front, learning all about the era, fashion, politics, social rules, way of speaking, etc. Once I feel comfortable enough inhabiting that world is when I start writing. I’ve gotten quicker at it over the years as I’ve established a foundation of knowledge for many of the eras, so I don’t have to go as deep into the research. It’s tucked into the back of my brain and ready to go 😊 

Q: What lessons & emotions do you hope readers learn and feel after reading your novels?

A: Above all, I want readers to have a good time reading my books. It’s all about escapism for me. Join the adventure, go on the roller coaster of thrills, highs, lows, romance, and always walk away with a sense of joy and hope even if it was earned bittersweetly. If they also learn a bit more about history (which I hope so!) then that’s fantastic and I feel I’ve done my job as a writer well. Learning while having a great time 😊 

Q: Can you reveal any upcoming releases and works in progress you are currently writing right now? 

A: I can’t say too much right now about what I’m working on because I’m currently in the submission process (submitting a proposed novel to editors at publishing houses). I will say that it’s a new era for me which is exciting, and filled with romance, history, folklore, and just a drop of gothic horror 😊