Charity project

ON THE RUN released June 29
The Wild Rose Press
www.thewildrosepress.com

To celebrate its second anniversary The Wild Rose Press and Editor-in-chief Rhonda Penders wanted a project that would give something back to the community. What could be better for a publisher than a book, and I was honored to be asked to write it. The result is ON THE RUN, a romantic suspense that focuses on domestic violence. The first check from sales of the book will go to the Victim’s Advocacy Office of the San Antonio Police Department, chosen because the most of the story takes place in San Antonio. You can help contribute to this fund by purchasing a copy of this book and passing the word along.


Domestic violence should not happen to anybody. Ever. Period. But it does - and when it does, there is help. Maybe you have lived with abuse, maybe it happened just once; maybe you work or live next to someone who is being abused right now. In a 1995-1996 study conducted in the 50 States and the District of Columbia, nearly 25% of women and 7.6% of men were raped and/or physically assaulted by a current or former spouse, cohabiting partner, or dating partner/acquaintance at some time in their lifetime (based on survey of 16,000 participants, equally male and female). Approximately 1.3 million women and 835,000 men are physically assaulted by an intimate partner annually in the United States. In 2000, 1,247 women and 440 men were killed by an intimate partner. In recent years, an intimate partner killed approximately 33% of female murder victims and 4% of male murder victims. And so to all of these victims, many of whose story will never be told, I dedicate this book.


ON THE RUN

When Robin Fletcher saw her sister brutally murdered by her wealthy, abusive husband, she grabbed her five-year-old nephew and ran. Months late, living in Memphis with new names and a new life, their sense of security is shattered. First Andy is diagnosed with aplastic anemia. Then fate sends them directly into the path of the killer. Can Andy’s doctor who’s captured her heart protect her or will she again have to go ON THE RUN?

Excerpt:
Taking the highway into Oregon might have been easier on her, but she was sure that was the first route C.D. would check. Instead, she cut east immediately into Idaho. Besides, evading C.D., she had a specific reason for coming this way. Tomorrow they’d get to Helena, where she had important business to take care of. Things that would help keep her and Bobby safe. Robin had only a vague idea of how long they’d been driving but it felt as if she’d been doing it forever. Her eyes were gritty from lack of sleep and her muscles rigid with tension. It didn’t help that she was constantly watching for some ca to run her off the road or but her off. She’d been lucky enough to find a couple of drive-through’s where she fueled up with coffee. Caffeine raced through her system like a wild horse, revving her up and making her edgy. She slid a glance at Bobby, wrapped in a blanket and buckled into his car seat. What a lucky thing he was sleeping so heavily. Still, she knew they needed to find a bed pretty soon. And food. Starvation wouldn’t be a pretty way to die. By the time they reached Kellogg, Idaho, she was more than ready to stop. She pulled gratefully into a motel whose sign blinked ‘Vacancy’ in big red letters. It was the most welcoming site Robin had seen in a long time. Nervously she left Bobby in the car while she registered, keeping one eye on the parking lot, terrified that any moment she’d hear the screeching of brakes and C.D. would leap out of his car. At last they were in their room at the back of the motel, well hidden from the street. She toted in her duffel bag and laptop, then tucked the little boy into bed. After that she treated herself to a shower. Tired as she was, she still needed to wash away the strain of driving nearly three hundred miles at night. All she wanted was to wash the fatigue from her muscles before she climbed into bed. But as the hot spray beat down on her physically and emotionally exhausted body, her control disintegrated and tears began to cascade down her cheeks. She was thankful that the drumming of the water against the tiles drowned out the huge gulping sobs that wracked her body, so Bobby couldn’t hear. She cried as she had never cried before in her life, tears of despair and grief. And self-condemnation, that she hadn’t been able to do anything to save her sister. She didn’t think that particular guilt would ever leave her. Jamie! Oh, Jamie! How did I let this happen to you? The water ran cold before the last shudder died from her body. She drew in a long breath and blew it out slowly. Her heart ached unbearably, but she had a responsibility now. A mission, and she would not fail, no matter what. Keep Bobby safe and away from C.D. Create a whole new life for the two of them. This would be her tribute to her sister.

Desiree Holt

I'm so impressed...

This online workshop sounds awesome! I've already signed up and if you want to make your living as a writer (as I do) it's definitely worth looking into.

See remarkable Writers TeleSummit info here:
http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?af=800624

Ash

Great news!

I just received another contract from Ellora's Cave for a novel I've been working on with a writing partner for the last several months. It's called Love Cuffs and you're going to love it. Both Dalton Diaz and I have done our warped best to create an absolute hoot for you to enjoy! Watch for news of a release date.

Also Death by Delilah has been recieving it's first reviews! 5 stars and 5 hearts! Check out my reviews page to read snippets!!!

Stay tuned for my next contest coming soon! The cute pink coach bag has to be enjoyed by a lucky winner this summer so I'll post details to enter soon!

And finally: I've updated my list of places where guest romance bloggers are welcome and whom to contact to set up your own virtual book tour! The list is so long now that I may have to set up a new blog just for that!

Guest Blog about Romance

League of Amazing Writers. www.leagueofamazingwriters.com
Ask any member—including me!

http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/CoffeeThoughts/ (Ask Karenne) WebMistress@coffeetimeromance.com

http://theromancestudio.blogspot.com (Ask Tina) tina@theromancestudio.com (full)

http://www.anncory.com/blog (Ask Ann) anncory_erotica@yahoo.com

http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/blog/ (Ask Cindy) cindy@fallenangelreviews.com

www.michellepillow.com/blog (Ask Michelle) michelle_pillow@yahoo.com also ask her about Raven Paranormal Blog - http://ravenhappyhour.com/ravenblog/

www.mandyroth.com/blog(Ask Mandy)mandy@mandyroth.com She wants ‘Behind the story’ posts or posts on Marketing.

http://www.myspace.com/romanceauthorblog/ (Ask Jane) neiljane@ihug.co.nz

http://www.romancingtheblog.com/ Open blog night. Send finished article to: invite@romancingtheblog.com

http://www.romanceroundtable.com/ (Ask Sindee) sindee@wmis.net

http://melissaalvarez.blogspot.com (Ask Ariana Dupré) melissaalvarez@comcast.net

http://blog.heatherhiestand.com/ (Ask Heather) halala@comcast.net

http://sandracox.blogspot.com/ (Ask Sandra) cast5away@yahoo.com

http://readingissomuchfun.blogspot.com/ (Ask Linda) readingissomuchfun@yahoo.com

http://www.elizabethdelisi.blogspot.com/ For G or PG books
http://liladupres.blogspot.com/ for R or X. (Ask Liz) edelisi@verizon.net

www.adeledubois.com/blog (Ask Adele) adele.dubois@verizon.net PG-13 articles

http://thehussiesblog.blogspot.com/ (Ask one of the Hussies)

http://nenscl.blogspot.com (Ask Danette) danetteb@sunvillas.no-ip.com

www.selenaillyriasthoughts.blogspot.com (Ask Selena) selenaillyria826@gmail.com

http://vickyburkholder.blogspot.com (Ask Vicky) vickyb@dejazzed.com

http://ashleyladd.blogspot.com/ (Ask Ashley) chinara@aol.com

www.chrisreddingauthor.blogspot.com (Ask Chris)

http://bellesobligatoryblog.blogspot.com/ (Ask Bella) belle_scarlett@sbcglobal.net

http://ndhansen-hill.tripod.com/books/ (Ask ND) ND@sfnovels@gmail.com

http://www.shelleymunro.com/blog/ (Ask Shelley) shelleymunro@gmail.com

http://www.mybonnierose.net/blog/index.php (Ask Bonnie) bonnie@mybonnierose.net

http://ellenashe.blogspot.com (Ask Ellen) ellenashe@hotmail.com

http://RomanceBooksRUs.blogspot.com (Ask April) April@AprilAsh.net

http://talesofthetrade.blogspot.com (Ask Marianne) marianne@mariannestephens.net

http://www.myspace.com/judithdesiree.com Contact Judith from this url: http://www.judithrochelle.com/contact.htm

http://anita-birt.blogspot.com/ (Ask Anita) anitabirt@shaw.ca

http://rainedelight.wordpress.com/ (Ask Raine) rainedelight@yahoo.com

http://www.mariannelacroix.com/?p=94 (Ask Marianne) marilacroix@yahoo.com

http://www.jupitergardens.com/wordpress (Ask Mary) marywinter.lists@gmail.com

I'm a Featured Author this month!

At the Romance Studio.

Check it out: http://www.theromancestudio.com/blue/who10.php

Ash

Guest bloggers! Updated list

Guest Blog about Romance

League of Amazing Writers. www.leagueofamazingwriters.com
Ask any member—including me!

http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/CoffeeThoughts/ (Ask Karenne) WebMistress@coffeetimeromance.com

http://theromancestudio.blogspot.com (Ask Tina) tina@theromancestudio.com (full)

http://www.anncory.com/blog (Ask Ann) anncory_erotica@yahoo.com

http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/blog/ (Ask Cindy) cindy@fallenangelreviews.com

www.michellepillow.com/blog (Ask Michelle) michelle_pillow@yahoo.com also ask her about Raven Paranormal Blog - http://ravenhappyhour.com/ravenblog/

www.mandyroth.com/blog(Ask Mandy)mandy@mandyroth.com She wants ‘Behind the story’ posts or posts on Marketing.

http://www.myspace.com/romanceauthorblog/ (Ask Jane) neiljane@ihug.co.nz

http://www.romancingtheblog.com/ Open blog night. Send finished article to: invite@romancingtheblog.com

http://www.romanceroundtable.com/ (Ask Sindee) sindee@wmis.net

http://melissaalvarez.blogspot.com (Ask Ariana Dupré) melissaalvarez@comcast.net

http://blog.heatherhiestand.com/ (Ask Heather) halala@comcast.net

http://sandracox.blogspot.com/ (Ask Sandra) cast5away@yahoo.com

http://readingissomuchfun.blogspot.com/ (Ask Linda) readingissomuchfun@yahoo.com

http://www.elizabethdelisi.blogspot.com/ For G or PG books
http://liladupres.blogspot.com/ for R or X. (Ask Liz) edelisi@verizon.net

www.adeledubois.com/blog (Ask Adele) adele.dubois@verizon.net PG-13 articles

http://thehussiesblog.blogspot.com/ (Ask one of the Hussies)

http://nenscl.blogspot.com (Ask Danette) danetteb@sunvillas.no-ip.com

www.selenaillyriasthoughts.blogspot.com (Ask Selena) selenaillyria826@gmail.com

http://vickyburkholder.blogspot.com (Ask Vicky) vickyb@dejazzed.com

http://ashleyladd.blogspot.com/ (Ask Ashley) chinara@aol.com

www.chrisreddingauthor.blogspot.com (Ask Chris)

http://bellesobligatoryblog.blogspot.com/ (Ask Bella) belle_scarlett@sbcglobal.net

http://ndhansen-hill.tripod.com/books/ (Ask ND) ND@sfnovels@gmail.com

http://www.shelleymunro.com/blog/ (Ask Shelley) shelleymunro@gmail.com

http://www.mybonnierose.net/blog/index.php (Ask Bonnie) bonnie@mybonnierose.net

http://ellenashe.blogspot.com (Ask Ellen) ellenashe@hotmail.com

http://RomanceBooksRUs.blogspot.com (Ask April) April@AprilAsh.net

http://talesofthetrade.blogspot.com (Ask Marianne) marianne@mariannestephens.net

http://www.myspace.com/judithdesiree.com Contact Judith from this url: http://www.judithrochelle.com/contact.htm

http://anita-birt.blogspot.com/ (Ask Anita) anitabirt@shaw.ca

http://rainedelight.wordpress.com/ (Ask Raine) rainedelight@yahoo.com

R rated Excerpt from Death by Delilah

Happy Cinco de Mayo, everyone! Have a Corona with lime for me. It's no longer on my diet. *pout*

Anyway, here's a treat to heat up your holiday!

Josh stepped into the back seat, scooted across and patted the empty spot beside him. Delilah slid in next to him and shut the door. He faced her squarely and looked her in the eyes.

“There’s something I want to say.”

She smiled and shrugged. “Say it.”

Josh gently placed his hand behind her head. The other one he wrapped around her waist. Leaning in and drawing her to him at the same time, he kissed her. She tipped her head and pressed against his mouth harder, opening to him.

Their tongues met and swirled together slowly, dancing. She tasted the slight tang of beer and salt but also something sweeter. Something that must have been pure Joshua Sparks.

Delilah knew they shouldn’t be doing this but a big part of her didn’t care.
Josh stopped suddenly. “I’m sorry.”

She tried to cover her crushing disappointment. “Why? Are you afraid that an officer kissing an enlistee might be construed as ‘fraternizing’?”

Josh laughed. “I’m sure it is but no. I was operating under the assumption that ‘it’s better to do what you want and beg forgiveness than to ask permission and be told, ‘no’.”

“Ah, I see.” Delilah traced the shape of his lips with her finger. “And what if I said that I wouldn’t forgive you?”

“I’d…”

She put a finger over his lips and whispered, “Shhh. I wasn’t finished.”

“Oh. What were you going to say?”

“What if I said I wouldn’t forgive you—if you stopped what you were doing?”

Josh pulled her into his strong grasp and kissed her soundly. Delilah felt the heat building between them and answered his passion by meshing her body to his. Their mouths stayed fused together as he lowered her and pulled her bottom toward him until she was supine. His hand found her breast and moved over the slinky material of her dress. She moaned around his mouth as his finger circled her erect nipple. Damn, I’ll kill him if he stops now.

I'm dazed, confused and grateful!

I have someone to take over the daunting job of promoting myself! She seems like someone who will take care of doing many of the things I used to have to do myself, which took up valuable writing time! Things like running contests, posting excerpts and managing newsletters! How wonderful is she?

Soon you'll see things about me and my books coming to you from Phoenix Promotions. (Thank you, Goddess Phoenix!)

If you've been wondering about my latest contest...well, so am I! I notified a winner for the designer inspired bag and waited a week. She never got back to me. So, I selected another name randomly from my e-mailing list and haven't heard back from her yet, either! If I give her a week and still no response, I'll be picking another name. So, if you're on my e-mailing list, you're still in the game.

Ash