July 2021
3 days ago
0
About Jill
Jill Wallace was born and bred (her mother would prefer ‘brought up’) in South Africa, and lived the second half of her life in America. She feels like the African baobab or “Upside Down Tree”, with roots that look like branches. Like the confused baobab, she no longer knows where the South African ends and the American begins.
Sometimes, she loves dogs more than people, chocolate more than good sense, and Netflix binge-watching more than house cleaning (well… make the latter ALL the time!) Jill’s addicted to writing. Expect her novels to have a South African flair, and no matter the century of her characters, she’ll strive to keep their situations relevant and their emotions real.
Wallace listens to the voices in her head which describe her characters' dilemma and state of chaos. Then she waits, pen poised, to see what they’ll do about it. She records how they find the courage and strength to attain what they really want—be it friendship, peace, acceptance, or everlasting love. That’s the magic that keeps her heart pounding and her fingers flitting across keys.
Jill started her writing career as a screenwriter. Her first script was twice optioned by producers for movies. When disappointment flooded in and dreams collapsed, an author friend said, “To hell with them all. Write a book.” So, she did. It took her three years to write her first novel.
'War Serenade' is inspired by a true story about a bon vivant Italian opera star forced into WWII, who is shot down, captured by the allies and sent to a run-down POW camp in South Africa. Broken and longing for death, he sees a spunky red head through the barbed wire and when their eyes meet, she becomes his reason to live but to see her again, he must find his voice if he ever wants to see her again. IIf they're caught together they'll be put before a firing squad. Stakes are high but their passion drives their need to be together even higher.
'War Serenade' is an epic love story for the ages (as referred to by USA Best selling author Roxanne Saint Claire) and recipient of a number of literary awards including: Quill Contest Winner Desert Rose, Reader's Favorite, IAN Awards finalist, Maggie Awards and Rone Awards 2020, for best audio book.
'Zebra' Friends by Fate. Enemies by Destiny is Jill’s second novel and it's largely based on her husband’s experiences. Athol grew up in a remote resort in the Drakensberg Mountains of South Africa during the apartheid era and fought in the Bush Wars in the 60’s and 70’s. This literary fiction/historical/action adventure/coming-of-age saga spans 4 decades. Though the times are incendiary, Zebra is not about politics but a divine, true bond of friendship. 'Zebra' is an Amazon #1 New Release and a Killer Nashville winner.
Reader's of 'Zebra' say: “I’ve just this moment finished 'Zebra.' All I can say is Wow. I have tears in my eyes. I don’t have the words to articulate my feelings right now…Bravo. Bravo. Bravo. Now I sleep, but tomorrow I start reading ZEBRA again." Frank G-Beta Reader.
"No politics here, just an incredible story of friendship told with gorgeous attention to detail. A page turner, and one that left me shaken and impressed. Outstanding writing, story, and characters. Add this to your "Must Read List" You won't be sorry. Amazon Reader *****
Jill is currently working on a Women's Fiction series about five former South African Airways airhostesses in search of their soul mates, decades after they dreamed about them in the crew rest on board a specific 747.
Check out Jill's brand:
Unique traits: My stories, set in South Africa always have a theme, a positive message and a satisfying ending. 'War Serenade' is a rich WWII saga set in Pietermaritzburg and Venice and the theme is "Beware of the consequences of what you wish for" and 'Zebra' set in the Drakensburg Mountains, the African bush and in Johannesburg area. This is a story about an unusual friendship between a white boy and a Zulu teen during apartheid. Zebra's themes are: Blood is Thicker than Water or Friendship knows no color. Both these themes are as current today as they were in the years in which they were set. I am looking for a manager/agent/producer who feels me and can make these sagas into television gold.
Badges
Links
Loglines
-
War Serenade. Divided by War. United by Music. Endangered by Passion. Budget: $10M - $30M | War ⋄ Romance A bon vivant opera star hits earth with a jolt when his German plane is shot down by the Allies. In a horrific POW camp in South Africa he just wants to die. But then he sees her and he knows he must find his voice if he is ever to see her again. Their love story will end with a firing squad or the end of the war - both tragic - unless he can find another way...
-
ZEBRA. Friends by Fate. Enemies by Destiny. Budget: $10M - $30M | Action ⋄ Adventure A white boy and a Zulu teen forge a strong bond during apartheid in South Africa. The Drakensburg Mountains are their playground and when one saves the other's life, they become blood brothers. Society tears them apart and they meet again in ten years on opposite sides of a battlefield. Can only one survive?
-
ZEBRA. Friends by Fate. Enemies by Destiny. Budget: $10M - $30M | Adventure A Zulu teen and a white boy forge a golden friendship during the apartheid era in South Africa, and when one saves the others' life, they become blood brothers. But society rips the friends apart and when they meet again, ten years later on opposite sides of a battlefield. One a reluctant soldier, the other a passionate freedom fighter. Can only one survive or is blood thicker than water?
Awards
-
Zebra: Killer Nashville Action & Adventure Finalist
(2022) -
Zebra: Rone Awards Winner for best Audio Action Adventure
(2022) -
Zebra: #1 Amazon New Release
(2021) -
War Serenade Rone Awards Winner for the Audio Book by Peter Noble
(2020) -
War Serenade: Golden Quill - Best First Book
(2019) -
War Serenade: Maggie Awards - Finalist
(2019) -
War Serenade Killer Nashville - Silver Falchion Awards Finalist
(2019) -
War Serenade: Independent Authors Awards - 3rd Place Book of the Year
(2018) -
War Serenade: Readers Favorite Awards - Five Stars
(2018) -
War Serenade: On-line Book Club Winner - Book of the Year
(2018)
Share This Profile
Register / Log In
