RWA National Convention (my experience)

I just returned from the RWA national convention in NYC. It was awesome in many ways. I drank too much champagne, received overloads of adulation and inspiration, and felt like a rock star.

Strange Neighbors was up for a National Readers Choice Award, and even though I didn't win, I received plenty of positive attention by getting a ribbon and 3 certificates. One for me, one for my editor and one for my agent. My editor and publisher were there to see it, which was a nice surprise.

They took us (all the Sourcebooks Authors) out in limos to a Vietnamese restaurant down on 2nd Ave. We were on 45th, so it was a nice long limo ride. I finally learned how to use chopsticks! It was either that or starve. There were about 10 courses, and when the final one came out, there were metal spoons to serve it with. I almost yelled, "Come on, you had silverware all this time? And you didn't tell us?" Sheesh. Oh well, I'd only have eaten more if I'd had it at the beginning.

I saw lots of my Ellora's Cave buds and the bosses as well. They gave us these pretty umnbrellas that said Thank You in several languages. I love mine!

Because it was in New York, I was able to take the train, which is a beautiful ride along the coast. Guess who walked by me in my car on the way home? Elijah Wood! Traveling coach. Alone. His stock just went way up in my eyes. I like celebs who aren't full of themselves.

Well, that's about it for now. I need to go back and revise my proposal and finish up a story that Ellora's Cave just contracted. Well, I best be getting back to work!

Oh! And my agent and I came up with the funniest idea for a scene by scene freebie right here on my blog! Stay tuned for Karma Cleaners!

4 1/2 stars from RT for The Vampire Next Door!

My August release was just reviewed by RT magazine.

Here's a snippet: Genre: Paranormal/Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Sensuality: MILD

Description: http://www.rtbookreviews.com/images/star-4.5.pngRT Rating

Vampire Sly has been suffering a broken heart since he lost his wife 26 years ago. What Sly can’t imagine is that his family and friends are desperately trying to get him involved with a Wiccan woman whose psychic powers may end up not only easing his heart, but saving his undead life as well. In a literary world chock full of vampires, this is one that’s absolutely fantastic. With its humor, dialogue, theme and heart, Chase has put together an outstandingly fun romance with a great twist!

Amy Lignor

It's availabe for pre-order now and will be released Aug. 1st.

Another author needs help!

Oh, dear. More sad news. This one affects one of my biggest fans and supporters.
Over the past few days Rhonda and her family have been living a nightmare that none of us would wish on anybody. Her niece Tori died of a rare disease at the age of 20, leaving behind an infant son.

If you can and would like to donate to the family, Rhonda has set up a paypal account to help with funeral expenses and anything Hunter might need.

toriandhunterfund@gmail.com

Thank you!

A fellow author needs help.

One of my fellow EC authors is battling a serious illness and needs help with medical bills. An auction is being set up as we speak. It will run from June 21 to July 1. I'll be offering a bunch of Ellora's Cave paperbacks. (Not just mine.)

Or, if auctions aren't your thing and you'd like to help, you can make a direct donation at the same place.

www.labanksauction.org

National Readers Choice Awards finalist!

Awesome news!
Strange Neighbors was nominated for a prestigious National Readers Choice Award!
Woo Hoo! Winners will be announced at the annual RWA convention in New York City. That takes place from June 28th to July 1st...and I'll be there! Woot!

Last book in the series available for pre-order

Whew! All the hooplah surrounding The release of The Werewolf Upstairs is over. I hardly know what to do with myself now that I'm not blogging every day...oh yeah, perhaps I'll get back to writing 1,000 minimum words per day. I'm writing two more books simultaneously, so I'd better do that if I intend to finish either one.

Meanwhile, The Vampire Next Door is up at Amazon and Barnes and Noble now, ready for pre-orders! Please help me get rich slow, and pre-order your copy now!

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Vampire-Next-Door/Ashlyn-Chase/e/9781402236631/?itm=8&USRI=ashlyn+chase

http://www.amazon.com/Vampire-Next-Door-Ashlyn-Chase/dp/1402236638/ref=sr_1_9?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1299248740&sr=1-9

AND I just noticed that Amazon Kindle's edition of The Werewolf Upstairs is going for only $2.99 today! Wow!

Blog Tour, Contests, and more!

It's that time. The release of The Werewolf Upstairs came a bit early! Fine with me. Waiting is one of the hardest parts of being an author.

So, the celebration blog tour is in full swing. This is the updated calendar.

2/14 TRS (The Romance Studio) blog http://theromancestudio.blogspot.com/
TWU will be their book-a-day giveaway on 2/5

2/15 Interview Queen of Happy Endings http://alainereading.blogspot.com

2/16 Kristal Lee Romances http://www.kristalleeromances.com

2/17 The Book Fairy blog, topic: what inspired me to write paranormal romance and tips on character building http://tbfreviews.net/category/book-tours/guest-post/
(Sorry about the previos typo. Try this url.)

2/18 http://debsbookblog.blogspot.com Topic: How I got my start in publishing

2/19 NEC blog http://www.naughtyauthorchicks.blogspot.com (my regular bi-monthly)

2/20 Interview http://amberkatze.blogspot.com/

2/21 http://starcrossedromance.blogspot.com blog topis: Inspiration and ideas

2/23 Interview http://www.loveromancepassion.com

2/24 http://www.literaryescapism.com Topic: What makes your shapeshifter different?

2/28 Interview http://thebookreadinggals.blogspot.com
I have a few events in March, but those details will be posted later.

I hope to see you at one or more of these tour stops and good luck in the drawings!
If you don't win a signed copy, please let me know and I'll be happy to send you a signed bookplate (or 3 if you plan to buy the whole series!)