Monday, June 14, 2010

Interview/Giveaway with Ashlyn Chase

I'm excited to welcome Ashlyn Chase to my blog today. Writing book Paranormal and Erotica she has many books under her belt, but her latest book is the first in a new series, Strange Neighbors.

Hi Ashlyn, Welcome to Anna's Book Blog! I'm glad to have you here. To start off can you tell the readers a little about yourself?

Sure…that’s not an intimidating question at all! (snicker) In my bio, I describe myself as an Almond Joy bar—a little nutty, a little flaky, but basically sweet. That pretty much describes my personality—and maybe my life.

When I graduated from high school, I was going to be the next great artist, ‘discovered’ right out of Mass College of Art, exhibiting in New York galleries, rich and famous beyond my wildest dreams. Yeah, that didn’t happen.

When I suddenly realized I’d have to get a j-o-b, I went to nursing school. I worked as a nurse for twenty years, but always found creative hobbies to keep that side of me happy. I should have known way back in high school that I was destined to become a writer. I loved my creative writing class and got my one and only A+ from my senior English teacher—and he was tough. Ah well…Only a few decades later, I discovered that George Eliot was right when he said, “It’s never too late to be what you might have been.”

Strange Neighbors is your latest release, can you tells us a little about it?

Well, as I mentioned, I went to Mass College of Art. I lived in Boston, in the very neighborhood I wrote about. To me, the building itself is one of the main characters…and the only “character” that figures prominently in all of the stories in the series.

I used a fake address, of course, but if it existed, it would have been very close to where I actually lived. If you try to visit 496 Beacon Street, you’ll find yourself in the middle of Mass. Ave. Don’t do that! It’s a very busy intersection, and Boston drivers aren’t known for their courtesy. Why did I populate the building with a bunch of paranormal misfits? Why not? It’s fun.

What is your writing day like?

I get up at the crack of dawn. My husband works in Boston, so his commute from New Hampshire begins early. I wake up with coffee in hand, watching the local news, and when fully conscious I go to my office upstairs to work. I usually answer email first, but that’s often a mistake. I try to be writing by 9 a.m. For some weird reason, I just can’t jump on the treadmill and wake up there, then write my book and sometime in the afternoon, answer email. I’ll keep working on it.

When you’re not writing what kind of books do you like to read?

I love to read the genres I write. Paranormal, romantic comedy, chic-lit, erotic romance, but lately I’ve been enjoying the occasional historical romance. I blame my critique partner Emily Bryan for that. She writes awesome historical romances. I’ll bet you’re wondering if I’m planning to write any historicals...You never know. The ghost of an eighteenth century nanny might possess me and demand I write her story. Hey, it happens.

Which Authors have influenced you the most?

Diana Gabaldon was the first romance writer I ever read. I was going through a terrible time in my life with two terminally ill parents, and a fellow nurse shoved a book at me and said, “Here. Read this.” She didn’t tell me it was a romance, and I’m glad. I would have politely refused. I was born into an intellectual family, and those books were beneath us for some reason. (I still don’t know why.) I didn’t realize I was reading a romance until well into the sequel! All I knew was this wonderful, brilliantly written story about an intelligent, modern woman provided me with hours of healthy escapism, exactly when I needed it. Since then, many authors have come into my life. Annette Blair is one of the major influences where my career is concerned.

Out of all the heroes you have written about, do you have a favorite?

I love them all for different reasons. But most of them are heroic when it comes to putting up with their heroines’ antics and loving them so much they won’t desert them, no matter what kind of trouble they get themselves into. I’m not saying it’s always the hero who saves the day…no damsels in distress for this author. Sometimes it’s the heroine who saves herself by being smart, not muscular. And it’s not always the heroine causing trouble. In one of my novella’s Being Randy, the shapeshifting coyote hero is the culprit.

Are there any real life people that have inspired the characters in your series?

So far, only one…and she knows who she is. In fact, she thinks it’s hilarious. My friend Dalton Diaz was relating her tale of woe to a group of writers—about how she attended her town’s Founder’s Day fair, fell into a hole and twisted her ankle. Then she was further mortified when the cute EMT’s kicked the kids off the display ambulance and carted her off to the hospital. A mutual friend of ours teased her saying, “If you weren’t so top-heavy, you wouldn’t have fallen over.” That became the inspiration for my comedy, Heaving Bosoms. Moral of the story…be careful what you say in front of writers.

If you lived in a building full of paranormal creatures, which would like as a neighbor?

Oh, man! What a scary and great question. First of all, I’m not sure my current neighbors aren’t a family of vampires. They keep all the windows covered and have only been seen out at night. You do the math! If I had my preference, I’d say…whoever could wave a wand and grant my fondest wishes. My fairy Godmother, I guess? Maybe a genie? One who took a liking to me and didn’t play tricks, like the genie in my short story Djinn and Tonic.

You write both Erotica and Paranormal Romance, do you find one easier to write than the other?

Writing anything presents its challenges. But I’d say because I write comedy (which is probably the hardest) and combining it with erotic romance (also an ordeal,) there’s a high level of difficulty in most of what I do. But I never took the easy way in my life. An elderly female writer (I can’t remember her name, darn it) said that to be a writer, you must be fearless. That means you have to try not to care what other people think, you have to stick to your guns and write what matters to you, and you have to risk putting yourself out there, knowing that someone will wonder—Oh my goodness, did she do that with a vampire?

What are 3 things that are "must haves" for you when you sit down to write a book?

Something to drink…water, soda or coffee, not wine. I need to concentrate. That and my glasses are very important. A computer or lap top is nice too. Sure, I can write long-hand…if I want writer’s cramp and misspelled words.

What is up next? Will Strange Neighbors lead into a series?

Yes, book two is already complete, and has a working title of The Werewolf Next Door, and will be in stores in February 2011. After that, I’ll finish the third one, which I’m writing right now.

Thanks for the interview, Anna! I hope you enjoy reading Strange Neighbors as much as I
enjoyed writing it.


STRANGE NEIGHBORS
BY ASHLYN CHASE

IN STORES JUNE 2010


He’s looking for peace, quiet, and a little romance…
There’s never a dull moment when hunky all-star pitcher and shapeshifter Jason Falco invests in an old Boston brownstone apartment building full of supernatural creatures. But when Merry MacKenzie moves into the ground floor apartment, the playboy pitcher decides he might just be done playing the field…

A girl just wants to have fun…
Sexy Jason seems like the perfect fling, but newly independent nurse Merry’s not sure she’s ready to trust him with her heart…especially when the tabloids start trumpeting his playboy lifestyle.

Then pandemonium breaks loose and Merry and Jason will never get it together without a little help from the vampire who lives in the basement and the werewolf from upstairs…

About the Author
A multi-published, award-winning author, Ashlyn Chase specializes in characters who reinvent themselves, having reinvented herself numerous times. Among her many day jobs, she has worked as a psychiatric nurse, run blood drives for the Red Cross, and now uses her degree in behavioral sciences to avoid writing exhaustive character sketches. She lives with her true-life hero husband in beautiful New Hampshire. For more information, please visit http://ashlynchase.com/.

__________________________________________________________

Giveaway:

Thanks to Sourcebooks I have 2 copies of Strange Neighbors to giveaway. To enter leave a comment along with and email address. Open to U.S. and Canada. Winners will be announced on June 19th.

34 comments:

  1. crosses my fingers i soo wanna read this would love a chance to read it deff be going and haven the lib order it


    mortalsinn@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Good luck in the contest, SiNn!

    You're right...having your library order it is a great option. All you need is the ISBN# and they can get it for you.

    Strange Neighbors ISBN# is:
    978-1-4022-3661-7

    ReplyDelete
  3. This looks like such an interesting book! I love the idea of the Boston setting because it's a little unusual - and I happen to be a local girl (okay, west of Boston), so it would be cool to read a book that I can really picture in my head, knowing a little bit about the city as I do.

    Margay

    Margay1122(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Ashlyn :)

    I liked that saying, a writer must be fearless, great words to go by.
    Looking forward to book 2

    ReplyDelete
  5. I've been hearing alot about this one, sounds good! tWarner419@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm very excited about reading this book. It looks so good!! Thanks for stopping by today!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Margay! (waving to a homegirl)

    I grew up just north of Boston. Before I was old enough to drive, I took the train into town and enjoyed day trips. When I was 16, I borrowed my father's new buick. I can't believe he let me drive his 'baby' in Boston!

    When I graduated high school I moved to the city for college and lived in teh back bay (my favorite area) for four years. I lurve Boston!

    Ash

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sounds great. I would love to read Ashlyn's book.

    Crystal816[at]hotmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I havne't read any of Chase's novels, but I've heard good things. I have to check her out now for sure! Thanks. :)

    natashajennex(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  10. this book sounds really fun, thanks for the giveaway!


    van
    Littopandaxpress(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Sounds great and I can't wait to read this book. Loved the blog post.

    miztik_rose@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh please enter me too dear!

    robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Great interview. Thanks for sharing. It sounds like a great start to a new series. Looking forward to it.

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thanks for your encouragement, everyone! You'd be surprised how nervous authors are about how the world will see their work.

    So far I've had nothing but awesome reviews! Lots of 5's out of 5, and it's even won an award.

    I'm pretty confident that almost everyone with a sense of humor will enjoy it.

    Ash

    ReplyDelete
  15. I would enjoy this read. Thanks.

    dorcontest at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I've been reading about your book all over the blog world and have added it to my TBR list. Congrats on the new release!

    lilazncutie1215 @ yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Ash! Just got internet service back was out all morning. UGHHHH if you know what thats like. lol
    I'm so so glad your books such a success and your series is going to be mad crazy!!Everyone will want this series, I just know it!
    You know I have my copy, I'll try and make time to start on it soon.

    Hugs & best wishes in all you do!! Christine

    ReplyDelete
  18. I have this one on my wishlist. I'd love to win it.

    forwhlz at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  19. I have heard some good things about this book around the net.
    I am looking forward to reading it.

    kissinoak at verizon dot net

    ReplyDelete
  20. Thanks so much for coming today, everyone!

    I hope some of you will follow the rest of my blog tour.

    I have the schedule on my news blog
    http://ashlynchase.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi Ashlyn,

    Thanks for doing the interview and stopping by to chat with the readers. :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. I would love to read this book the names alone has me intrigued Jason Falco
    Merry MacKenzie
    how could I not want to read there story....
    Loved the Interview.
    alba47@gmail.com
    Have a great day ladies.
    Ann

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hmm... I've never read any books like this. Enter me please :)

    -Briana

    b.a.m.bookreviews@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. I've been wanting to read this! Thanks for the great giveaway!
    bangersis(at)msn(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I would really enjoy reading this book. Please enter me in contest. I really enjoy the Twilight Series. Thank you. Tore923@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. This book is definitely on my wish list. Looking forward to reading it.

    jen at delux dot com

    ReplyDelete
  27. Strange Neighbors sounds awesome!! I would love to be entered to win this one..

    I follow on gfc

    mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Please count me in.

    simplystacieblog at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Thanks for the great interview.
    I would love to be entered in the contest

    ReplyDelete
  30. Strange Neighbors sounds like a great book and I really want to read. I have read some great reviews and added to my wish list. Ashlyn, I enjoyed your interview and like it that you like humor.

    Anna, thanks for hosting this great giveway and for the opportunity to enter.

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  31. oh, this sounds like a lot of fun! count me in!

    k_sunshine1977 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Fun interview! The book sounds so cute - it's definitely on my wishlist.

    jax1204[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  33. A houseful of strange neighbors...sounds almost like home sometimes! hahahaha just kidding! Sounds like a fun book to read!

    meredithfl(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I like paranormal novels with humor like Ashlyn's Strange Neighbors! Great title, too!

    delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete

LinkWithin

Blog Widget by LinkWithin