Happy Earth Day!

So, what's funny about Earth Day? Absolutely nuthin'. Oh, I've heard jokes about penguins fighting polar bears as they float toward the equator on icebergs, but is global warming something to poke fun at? Probably not. So, I boiled it down to a personal level and figured I'd tell you about my--ahem--skills as a gardener.

I'm in the enviable(?) position of having plenty of room for gardens. When we moved in here, the previous owners had already planted bulbs that sprout into a gorgeous spring garden each year. Since that was none of my doing, I can't take credit for it...but I can take credit for the genius solution I came up with to take care of the aftermath once it all dies. Being the lazy-ass gardener I am, I simply have my husband mow it! Yup, it becomes part of the lawn again. See? Genius!

Now, I had to put in another garden because the plow guy rips up part of the lawn every winter. We tried to replant the grass there one year and threw our hands up in defeat the following spring when that patch was just bare dirt again. What did I do? I hired the plow guy's son to come over and edge it, and now it's my "annuals garden." His dad can plow it up to his heart's content each winter and it just turns the earth over for the next year's marigolds and begonias. Yup, I'm a genius all right.

Third garden...oh yes. We have one more. Our house can't be seen from the street and people used to miss the 550 foot long driveway, even with the mailbox out there. A garden would proclaim "Hey, somebody lives here" but the problem was getting water that far away from the house. So, I planted a xeroscape garden. What's that? It's plants that need zero watering and care once they're in the ground for a year. I live in a temperate climate, and there are plenty of drought tolerant plants that do really well. I have two overgrown juniper bushes at the back, between them, a row of lilacs that are too close together and need to be thinned. A redbud tree front and center, a St. John's wort on it's right and some yarrow and day lilies on the left.
For fall color, I interspersed some black-eyed Susan’s and asters. Cool, huh?

Well, my downfall is weeding all these gardens. I'm usually way too busy writing, promoting, and keeping up with the housework (yeah, right.) However, on the rare occasion that I get really, really angry, I weed. I picture the hair of whomever I'm mad at as I rrriiiiip up the weeds. (Hee hee) It works. I get my anger out in a healthy way, and my yard looks better for it. Unfortunately, the happier I am, the crappier my yard looks.

Does anyone else out there have any creative ways of dealing with mother nature? I know I'm not the only genius here!

I've finally stopped hyperventilating...

And now I can tell you that not only did Strange Neighbors get a fantastic write up in Publisher's Weekly, but it also caught the eye of a Hollywood producer!

Now you see why I thought I was going to pass out.

Here's the awesome review:
“The good-natured fun never stops. Chase (Vampire Vintage) brings on plenty of laughs along with steamy sex scenes as Merry and Jason bewitch each other amid the supernatural mayhem.”

Strange Neighbors Ashlyn Chase. Sourcebooks Casablanca, $6.99 (384p) ISBN 978-1-4022-3661-7

When nurse Merry MacKenzie rents an apartment in a historic Boston home, she's taken with her new landlord, sexy baseball pitcher Jason Falco, and intrigued by the possibility of a ghost on the premises. It doesn't take long to figure out that her neighbors are an odd bunch: a couple of witches who run a phone sex business, several shape-shifters, a werewolf, and a vampire in (of course) the basement. The scariest entity by far is determined reporter Lila Crum, whose pursuit of Jason knows no boundaries. Add in Jason's snoopy and decidedly nonsupernatural aunt and the good-natured fun never stops. Chase (Vampire Vintage) brings on plenty of laughs along with steamy sex scenes as Merry and Jason bewitch each other amid the supernatural mayhem. (June)

My agent is talking with the producer and I'm trying to breathe properly while I wait. Wish me luck!

Ash

Dear Sexy Lexie was released at www.jasminejade.com on St. Patrick's Day. It's the third in the Red Stilettos series. The fourth and last book is coming out tomorrow! It's Bad, Bad, Girlfriend by the delicious Delilah Devlin! Since our heroines are best friends and their heroes are cop partners, we had to work together to be sure the stories and characters dovetailed. I love these stories! Delilah's one HOT author!


We're celebrating with a contest! For a handpainted box from Kashmir, India, containing a beautiful toe ring, just view my brand new redesigned home page on my website. Join my yahoo chat loop and post anything you like about the new design. I'll draw a winner from the participants. (From now on, all my contests will be conducted on my yahoo loop. You can join right from my website's new home page.)

Dear Sexy Lexie is a story in the Red Stiletto series about an older woman advice columnist and a sexy, much younger cop hero. I'm very proud of this effort and so happy to be part of this awesome series!

TITLE: Dear Sexy Lexie

PUBLISHER: Ellora's Cave

RELEASE DATE 3/17/10

URL FOR EXCERPTS: http://www.jasminejade.com/p-8222-dear-sexy-lexie.aspx

ISBN# 9781419926921

GENRE: Contemporary, Multi-author Series

LENGTH: Novella

*Some women should take their own advice…

No-nonsense, thirty-nine-year-old Lexie Burns pens an advice column—Letters to Sexy Lexie—that delivers common sense with a dose of humor and a verbal slap upside the head. Tyler Black, a younger, drop-dead gorgeous cop, has had it with empty-headed, superficial women. In Lexie, he sees the kind of intelligent woman with whom he could build a solid relationship—if he can convince her to acknowledge his existence.

With the help of some magical stilettos, Tyler might get his woman…and Lexie might get a desperately needed slap upside the libido.

Red Stiletto Series trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3Xl4U8JA5g&feature=channel

Dear Sexy Lexie trailer here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLk-d389lxU

--

--
Where there’s fire, there’s Ash
www.ashlynchase.com

Chat with me:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ashlynsnewbestfriends/
I'm also on myspace, twitter and facebook

Strange Neighbors, coming June 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-nc0XXO-FU

Dear Sexy Lexie, just released! from www.jasminejade.com

This is book 3 in the Red Stiletto Series. Think of the concept this way: Sisterhood of the traveling pants for grown women--with a pair of gorgeous red stilettos that magically fit each of the four friends. Each book stands alone, but why wouldn't you want the whole series? They're terrific together! Find mine and the other two here: www.jasminejade.com and look for the last book by Delilah Devlin next week!

Here's the intro to each story:


LIFE Magazine, July 1959


When Ava Darling and her new husband Charles Stratton III returned from Italy, we were lucky enough to catch up with them in their suite at the Waldorf Astoria. They said they were spending the weekend recovering from jet lag, but one could surmise from the way they cuddled together on the brocade sofa that their visit was more of an extended honeymoon.

We asked Ava and Charles about their courtship and heard a charming story about the two literally bumping into each other on a crowded street in Rome--but that was just part of the story. Ava treated us to a surprising account of the moments which led up to their “accidental” meeting. If one believes in fate, their romance may have been no accident at all.

She blushed as she admitted to gaining a few pounds after succumbing to a number of tempting Italian pastas and mouthwatering desserts. Apparently, this led to discomfort when she walked the cobblestone streets in her unforgiving high heels. Her Italian costume designer urged her to seek out a cobbler named Giorgio in his shop Desiderio del cuore, which is Italian for Heart’s Desire. She said he could create a pair of shoes that would fit comfortably regardless of any changes in her size or shape.

Meeting Giorgio was a delight, Ava said. His eyes crinkled with mischief as he promised the red peep toe stilettos she ordered would be everything she wished for and more. It was just after she picked up her comfortable new shoes and wore them out of the shop that she met Mr. Stratton.

Coincidence? Perhaps, but not the way Ava sees it. She’s convinced the shoes are responsible for granting her heart’s desire…


See the trailers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3Xl4U8JA5g...feature=channel for the full montage
(heh heh, that didn't sound dirty at all!)
And here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLk-d389lxU for Dear Sexy Lexie!
Dear Sexy Lexie

Chapter One



“Lexie! I’m so glad you made it this year. We missed you and Sam at last year’s cookout.” The old woman glanced around. “Where is he, anyway?”

Oh, no. Please don’t tell me Maude didn’t hear about Sam.

As soon as that thought rolled through Lexie’s brain, the hostess rushed over and whispered furiously in Maude’s ear.

Maude gasped. “Oh, you poor dear! Oh, I’m so sorry. How did he die? No. Never mind. I’m just a nosy old woman.

You got that right. The last thing Lexie wanted to do was relive the horror of her late husband’s cancer at a cookout when she was finally moving on.

Maude waited, obviously hoping Lexie would answer the question anyway. When she didn’t, Maude said, “Here, let me get you a chair, you should sit down.”

“I’m fine, Maude. It’s been a year and a half.”

“Oh. Are you sure you don’t want to sit? I could load up a plate for you.”

And tell you all about it while I try to digest a greasy burger? No thanks. “No, really. I’m fine.”

Tyler Black strolled over. He looked just as hot in his off-duty Dockers as he did in his San Francisco police officer’s uniform. Six feet of solid muscle, dark brown hair and blue eyes with black lashes were only the start of his sex appeal. His twin dimples and wolfish grin gave him a boyish charm he might never outgrow.

“Hey Lexie. You are lookin’ fine.” He winked.

His flirtation made her feel like a normal woman, who happened to be single again and she grinned.

“So, have you started dating yet?”

Maude gaped at him. “Tyler Black! What an outrageous question.”

Lexie had had just about enough of people speaking for her. “Actually, Tyler, I’ve been thinking it’s about time.”

Maude’s jaw almost hit the patio, then she whirled and stomped off in a huff.

He sidled up next to Lexie and said in a low voice that made her shiver, “Good, then I can be your first.”

When she laughed, he leaned in closer and whispered, “And who knows, maybe your last.”

“Why? Are you gonna kill me?”

Tyler burst out laughing.

Lexie sighed. “Maude’s right about one thing, Tyler. You are outrageous.”

“It’s part of my charm. And come to think of it, you’re pretty outrageous yourself, Sexy Lexie. Think of how much fun we can have together. So how about it? Are you busy Friday night?”

Lexie placed a hand on her hip. “How old are you?”

“Just turned twenty-seven.”

“Ha! Do you know how old I am?”

He stepped back and studied her. “I think you’re legal. At least I hope so.”

She snickered. “You’re charming all right. But to answer my own question, I’m thirty-nine, and only for a few more weeks.”

“So, you’re fortieth birthday is coming up? Congratulations! We’ll have to celebrate in some special way.”

Lexie tipped her head. “Did you not hear me? I’m a dozen years older than you.”

“Yup. I did the math.”

“I’ll be getting gray and wrinkled any day now. And that doesn’t bother you?”

“Nope. I see more than a beautiful woman, maybe five foot eight with dark wavy hair I’d like to run my fingers through. I see an interesting, intelligent woman with a sense of humor, who I’d like to get to know better.”

I don’t think he’s kidding. Better change the subject. “Jolie said she and Gabe were coming, but I don’t see them. Did your partner get called in to work today?”

“Not that I know of. I’m sure they’ll be here. Hey, maybe since your friend is dating my partner, we can double some time.”

Lexie gave him a slow eye-roll and headed off to the bar.

"There's your home."

On the plane to Boston from London, I sat next to a nice gentleman from the UK. We chatted a bit and then I fell asleep. A few mintues after I awoke, he pointed out the window and said, "There's your home." The lights from the east coast were just winking into view.

I have to admit, I got a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. I never expected to be affected like that after returning from a vacation. Sure, there's always the relief of a safe return to familar surroundings, but this time, coming from India, and realizing all I have that I take for granted...well, my reaction was more emotional.

Suddenly my aversion to the winter snow and cold seemed minor. And little things like being able to drink water right from the tap seemed huge. As we drove from Boston back to our beautiful home in New Hampshire, my husband I took stock of many other things that made our lives better than we realized.

Little things like, knowing how much things cost and being charged the same amount as everyone else; a quiet ride driving within lanes--not relying on the constant honking of horns to avoid hitting someone in overcrowded conditions; food that doesn't make you think twice about its effects; flush toilets and toilet paper...and big things like peace within our borders; knowing that most people don't go hungry day after day; lack of preventable diseases... I could go on. But I guess all I want to say is that we really are a whole lot luckier than we realize.

And I'm glad to be home in the USA.

Ash

This shopaholic is all shopped out!

Wait until you see all the amazing stuff I bought over here. I took a couple of pictures yesterday. At first, I just spread out the items I bought in Chennai. But then I decided to put out the things I got in Bangelore and Mysore too. Oh my goodness! I have way too much stuff!

I managed to get it all into a carry-on, but one more thing in that bag and it'll explode! LOL. I don't even want to know how much I spent. It was worth it, though. I've experienced both sides of Indian commerce. The kind where the store manager greets you at the door, takes you to the items you're interested in, sits you down in a comfortable chair and shows you all their wonderful things. Some even serve you coffee or tea.

Now, the other side... I'm laughing inside as I remember yesterday's shopping experience. I got the high-end treatment first, then we went to a five story shopping mall. Same old western mall stuff. (I bought sunglasses, nothing more.) Then we hit the streets. Oh yeah. T-Naggar is the place for "good stuff cheap." My driver kept telling me it wasn't the best quality, but I was looking for a particular item and we couldn't find it anywhere. T-Naggar Street in Chennai has everything you could want, including tailors. I finally found the little sari blouse and underskirt but the blouse was a little tight. (Happily, it was tight across the chest.) LOL. But there was a generous margin which the tailor used to ease the fit.

Then I got home and discovered the colors not only didn't match, but were a horrible clash! Oh No! Now, I think I'll have to buy at least one, and perhaps two more saris.
Oh woe is me. Where the heck will I put them???

Driving in India

I wish I could record the sounds here. Honk honk, hoooonk, honk, honk, honk...all day and most of the night. You know what? I think I can! Our camera takes short videos. I'll try to remember to record the noise and traffic from the rooftop deck.

Driving in India includes beeping one's horn every time you come up to a vehicle that might possibly get in your way. The concept of lanes is "merely a suggestion" as my cab driver in Bangelore put it.

According to what I hear, the reason there aren't more accidents is because everyone is only responsible for what happens in front of them. Who's doing what behind you is their problem. As long as you don't hit anyone, and the guy behind you makes sure he doesn't hit you, everyone manages to get where they're going.

I'm about to meet my cab driver in Chennai. I hope to brave the street markets for some bargains. I need a few things, I won't get there...like slips to go under the saris I bought. I watched a couple of videos on you tube to show me how to put it on. It's quite a process. I also noticed the young women here wear a more fitted pant-like leggings under their churidars. I'd prefer those to the voluminous silk pajama pants. I should go to the mall for them. Yes, they have malls here. Only instead of spreading out, they're high-rise malls. It should be fun.

In the street level shops or markets, I hope to pick up some fun things for prizes to give away on my yahoo loop, Ashlyn's New Best Friends. I love giving presents to my friends, so if you want to be one of my new best friends, simply go to the home page of my website, www.ashlynchase.com click on the yahoo icon, and sign up!

I know the gang is still having fun even though I'm not there. Sherry and Dalton should be there to welcome you. Maybe Garry, our resident guy, will give you an excerpt or two from my books. Rhonda usually pops in when she's not busy at work. Plus we hear from Athena more now that she's back from Brazil. Monica in jolly old England has been MIA recently because of illness, but I hope she's right as the Enlish rain and back to post pictures of hotties which the groups greatly appreciates!

Jeez, I miss you guys!

Hugs,

ASH