Today, I’m chatting with the heroine from Eileen Troemel’s latest book, Celtan Dilemma. I’m excited for this interview, so let’s get started…
What’s your name?
Lieutenant Lillian Buckner – ma’am.
Nice to meet you! What do you look like?
I’m petite. I have to keep the weight off so I fit in my fighter. I’m a soldier, a pilot with the human forces. I have short red hair and brown eyes.
What time period does your story take place?
In comparison to your time period – I’m far far far into the future. I fly spaceships ma’am. I’m trained to fight in my little fighter. We’re shoved out of the battle cruisers to fight the Celtan’s fighters. They’re tough.
That must be so awesome. And scary. What’s your goal in this story?
My goal ma’am. I want to keep me and my squad from being punished by our superior officers. I have to make a moral choice and I know my squad will follow me. They’ll follow me to the depth of hell and back. But I want to keep them safe – as safe as fighter pilots can be – and I want to make the right choice in order to avoid punishment.
Oh, I see. What conflicts are you facing?
In my time and place, the humans have invaded the Celtan’s space and are at war with them. At the beginning of what I shared, I didn’t even know what they looked like. I’m ordered by my captain to go out and destroy a transport. Not a problem. My squad and I we’re seven strong and against one transport, they’re going down. But… well you see there’s always more to our missions than we are told. Either there’s great danger or there’s something wrong. In this case, the transports filled with women and children, not warriors.
There’s always more to it… What is your occupation? Are you any good at it? Do you like it?
I’m the best damn pilot there is. I fly. I love to fly. I’d rather not be at war but being in space and flying makes sense.
What skill do you have that you’re proud of? Why?
I’m good at flying. I am good at keeping my squad safe. We’re used as cannon fodder and it gives me great pleasure to keep every single female fighter in my squad alive and safe.
Good for you. What did you think the first time you saw Lord Hugh Korol?
Lord Hugh Korol. He’s big. All the Celtan men are tall, dark, and big. But Hugh has nice green eyes.
Yum! What is your family like?
I’m the middle daughter. I have five older and five younger sisters. My parents are together and it’s a love match.
That must’ve been tough–and wonderful–growing up with so many siblings. What’s the most terrible thing that ever happened to you?
Punishment… the human military punishes the women differently than the men. Punishment is… bad.
I don’t want to imagine. *shakes head* What was your dream growing up? Did you achieve that dream? If so, in what ways was it not what you expected? If you never achieved the dream, why not?
Ma’am. Dreams aren’t… it’s better to not dream. I’m in the military and I follow orders. It’s best not to think too much past that role while in the military.
Makes sense. What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
My mother told me When you’re given an order, consider whether you’re following it because it’s an order or because it’s the right thing to do.
Good advice. What is people’s first impression of you?
Some think I’m rigid and by the book. In the military, that’s the best way to be thought of.
I can see that. Do you see morality as black-and-white, or with shades of gray?
Until I met Hugh, morality was a luxury for non-military people. Now, it’s shades of gray.
What’s your quirkiest habit?
I check my ship. Others don’t but before each flight, I put my hands on my ship and check it’s solid.
If you could go back in time, what one thing would you change in your life?
My life led me to Hugh. He’s the best thing that’s happened to me. The Celtan’s are the best thing to happen to me. I wouldn’t change a thing because here is better than there.
Awww. Why do you think your author chose to write about you?
I picked her. I knew she would tell my story my way.
What do you wish your author had not told others about you?
Well… I told her about them but it’s a little embarrassing how accurate she was about the love scenes.
Funny! I’m sure all your readers are very happy Ms. Troemel added them in such accurate detail. 🙂 Thank you so much for chatting with me, Lillian.
Blurb
Traitor or criminal?
Lieutenant Lillian Buckner receives orders to take her squad of women pilots out to specific coordinates and destroy an unarmed transport. Lilly must decide whether to be a war criminal by firing on an unarmed vessel or to be a traitor and disobey her orders. Her life and those of her six pilots depends on her decision. No matter her decision, the punishment may kill her if she returns to the human forces.
Trust or Punish?
Lord Hugh Korol fights against the humans. They invaded the Celtan’s territory and took sectors of space from them. The humans attacked their home world. When human women aid one of their unarmed transports, he must decide what to do to them. Can he trust the one he desires or will she break more than the fragile trust growing between them?
Excerpt
A big man, Ray Harris took anyone to his bed he wanted. He wanted Lillian but she steadfastly refused. Something about him rubbed her the wrong way.
“Are you clear on the mission,” he growled at her as he brushed against her breast, squeezed her bottom as he paced around and around her.
“Sir, we seek out this ship,” Lillian repeated her orders, careful not to call it a transport. “Once we find the ship, we destroy it.”
“Will there be any chatter, like you hens normally do,” Ray insulted them.
“Sir, my squad follows protocol,” Lillian defended her squad.
“There are complaints about your squad,” Commander Harris smirked. “You should be nicer to me. It will help me better address those complaints.”
“Sir,” Lillian realized a solution to both her problems. “When I return from this mission, I’ll be happy to discuss in detail how we can make my squad better. If you don’t mind a private meeting with me.”
Ray Harris smiled. His hands slid down to her bottom and squeezed. He walked around to stand in front of her. He yanked her into a tight embrace, pressed his lips against hers, thrust his tongue in while he squeezed her breasts. “I think a private meeting is optimal. There might need to be several,” he murmured against her lips.
“Yes, sir,” Lillian tried not to cringe or curl her lip at the prospect.
“We could start now,” he suggested.
“I don’t want to be late for the mission,” Lillian evaded his advances. “I think our meeting is too important to hurry, don’t you?”
“In your quarters,” Ray narrowed his eyes.
“Yes, sir,” Lillian affirmed while meeting his eyes. “We can both get comfortable.”
“Very well,” Commander Harris pulled her tighter against him before letting her go. “Get out there and make sure you follow all protocols.”
“Yes, sir,” Lillian said walking away. She managed to not jump when he slapped her ass.
Buy Links — Releases June 4
https://books2read.com/CeltanDilemma
Author Bio
USA Today Bestseller Author Eileen Troemel writes action packed and emotionally powerful fantasy, scifi, romance. She’ll try almost any genre if it means she can tell a good story. In addition to her writing, she loves to read, crochet, and research genealogy. Her best days are spent with her family of three adult daughters and her husband or writing.
Social Media Links
https://linktr.ee/eileentroemel
Hi! Thank you for sharing my books. Lily is a smart funny woman and I’m sure people will want to know more about her.
You’re welcome! I loved talking with Lily. 🙂