Our first snow is descending gently as I write this. Season’s Greetings and peace to all. I usually send this annual letter with my Christmas cards, but this year, I thought I’d post it on-line and share my personal stories with my readers too.
First of all, my husband and daughter are doing well. They’re still employed in the same jobs. My daughter was even promoted to Art Director. My husband’s just grateful that he didn’t have to go to India this year. Whew!
I’ve had a banner year. Our annual winter vacation last January took us to the Bahamas. I fell in love with the laid-back island life. It seems SO long ago--more than just a year. This year, we’re headed to Fort Lauderdale, FL and we’re planning to meet one of my best Aussie friends--for the first time!
My first paperback came out in print last January too. February and March were pretty much the months I shivered through, dying for spring to arrive. At the end of March I attended the annual New England Chapter conference in Natick, MA. I also presented a workshop on e-publishing. People told me it was informative and helpful, and that I didn’t sound as nervous as I felt.
In May I was elected chapter president. It’s already proving to be an interesting job, offering me plenty of valuable experience. This means that I’ll be “the host” of our chapter conference next March. I hope I don’t sound nervous or get the hiccups. I’ll be standing in front of a couple hundred people, trying not to trip over my words.
In July my wonderful hubby and I went to the Romance Writers of America convention in San Francisco. Can you imagine being one of the few guys in a crowd of two thousand? He didn’t attend the conference, though. Just kept me company at breakfast and dinners and attended one party with me. He kept himself occupied by sightseeing while I went to workshops. We spent a week there, which meant I had 3 days free to explore. It was a fantastic area! I saw Chinatown, Fisherman’s Warf, the Golden Gate bridge and beyond.
I absolutely loved Muir Woods. Gazing up, up, up at the Redwood trees and taking loads of pictures. We even found one with a hole in the middle and had our pictures taken inside it. (It’s on my blog somewhere.) I also really enjoyed Sausalito, Monterey with their seals, driving up the coast, Napa Valley, and our tour of the Korbel Champagne winery. Yes, they gave us free samples!
This year I saw 4 new books of mine released! A short story about Rapunzel in an anthology of fractured fairy tales will be released Dec. 22nd. I think I’ve finally faced the fact that I’m a writer. It’s not just something I like to do. It’s who I am. If I got paid nothing for it, I’d probably still write. Don’t get me wrong, I want my royalties! If my publishers are reading this, please know that I will still look for my statements and cash my checks when you send them to me. (chuckles)
It’s been a busy year and I may have some very good news in the near future. I’m doing a light urban fantasy romantic comedy…part of a series if all goes well. I can’t give out details until a contract has been signed, but there’s been interest from a mass market publisher and I have a good feeling about it. Oh, and my books have been nominated for some awards! Stay tuned since I'm still in the running.
So, I wish you and yours much happiness and a safe, wonderful, serendipitous new year!
Warm Holiday Hugs,
Ash
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Monday, December 1, 2008
Oh My God! Nominated for an Eppie!
I have some exciting news today! My novella Oh My God has been nominated for an Eppie! That’s kind of like the Oscar for ebooks. I’m so stoked! Here’s a tid-bit:
Oh My God
What happens when a Greek God has amnesia--especially Dionysus, the biggest bad boy of Mount Olympus?
The Greek God of wine, women, and party, falls off a balcony and lands on his head during Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Now he has amnesia and has to rely on witnesses to tell him about his life. All he knows is that they call him ‘Big D,’ and he’s a party animal who drinks too much and ought to give up alcohol for Lent.
Mandy and Brandy flashed Dionysus right before he fell and feel partially responsible for his amnesia. They’re nice enough to take him to an AA meeting, and then back to their homes until he recovers his memory. Fortunately, they’re not too nice to be naughty. They all agree that replacing a bad habit with a healthy one is the key to sobriety, and what could be healthier than sex? Will he come between friends before they know who he is? Will Zeus separate all of them, forever?
Chapter One
“Hello, everyone. I can’t remember my name, but I think I’m an alcoholic.”
The room fell silent. A few titters began in the back, then the chuckles spread and before I knew it, the whole room was guffawing.
“You came to the right place, Mister!” yelled a listener from the back of the room.
I could feel my cheeks redden. Well, fine, at least they’d match my eyes.
The gorgeous young women who took me to this stupid AA meeting slapped their luscious thighs and laughed out loud with the rest of them. If it weren’t for their sex appeal, I’d have stood up and walked out. How humiliating!
Even under their jeans I was able to picture their creamy skin. The brunette with big brown eyes would have a bikini tan. The other, an auburn redhead with long, spiral curls, would probably be a sunscreen wearer, but I loved fair complexions too. In fact, I enjoyed pretty much everything about women. It’s odd how I know that about myself--but little else since the amnesia.
I elbowed the pretty brunette next to me on my right. “Hey, I came here to get help and everybody’s laughing at me.”
The young woman, Brandy she said her name was, patted me on the knee and said with a southern drawl, “It’s all right honey. We understand. We’re laughin’ with you.”
“But I’m not laughing.”
“Well you should, darlin’. When you’re feelin’ better, you’ll be tellin’ your story to the world, and you’ll be laughin’ too.”
The meeting resumed, but I was too hung-over to listen to what was being said. Yet, despite the pounding headache and roiling stomach, I was able to concentrate on Brandy and Mandy’s thighs. Mandy was the redhead and she was the quiet one. Like a swan though, she had all kinds of energy underneath the surface. I sensed a passionate nature in both of them.
Brandy was a toucher. I loved touchers. Every chance she got she puts a hand on my arm or my leg. Now if I can just get her to zero in on the space between them. My jeans grew tighter as I imagined it.
Mandy wagged her top leg continuously, and I could barely keep my eyes off her shapely ankle that was graced by a rhinestone anklet. The afternoon light refracted and glittered as if fairy dust had been sprinkled all around. Her T-shirt spoke volumes in glitzy rhinestones too. They spelled out: ‘Half Naughty Half Nice. Which half do you want?’ over her ample breasts.
Read more in my free reads section!
TITLE: Nectar of the Gods (Anthology)
PUBLISHER: Total-e-Bound
RELEASE DATE: 9/29/08
URL FOR EXCERPTS: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?CAT_ID=&P_ID=355
ISBN: 978-1-906811-07-5
GENRE: Fantasy, Greek Gods
Oh My God
What happens when a Greek God has amnesia--especially Dionysus, the biggest bad boy of Mount Olympus?
The Greek God of wine, women, and party, falls off a balcony and lands on his head during Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Now he has amnesia and has to rely on witnesses to tell him about his life. All he knows is that they call him ‘Big D,’ and he’s a party animal who drinks too much and ought to give up alcohol for Lent.
Mandy and Brandy flashed Dionysus right before he fell and feel partially responsible for his amnesia. They’re nice enough to take him to an AA meeting, and then back to their homes until he recovers his memory. Fortunately, they’re not too nice to be naughty. They all agree that replacing a bad habit with a healthy one is the key to sobriety, and what could be healthier than sex? Will he come between friends before they know who he is? Will Zeus separate all of them, forever?
Chapter One
“Hello, everyone. I can’t remember my name, but I think I’m an alcoholic.”
The room fell silent. A few titters began in the back, then the chuckles spread and before I knew it, the whole room was guffawing.
“You came to the right place, Mister!” yelled a listener from the back of the room.
I could feel my cheeks redden. Well, fine, at least they’d match my eyes.
The gorgeous young women who took me to this stupid AA meeting slapped their luscious thighs and laughed out loud with the rest of them. If it weren’t for their sex appeal, I’d have stood up and walked out. How humiliating!
Even under their jeans I was able to picture their creamy skin. The brunette with big brown eyes would have a bikini tan. The other, an auburn redhead with long, spiral curls, would probably be a sunscreen wearer, but I loved fair complexions too. In fact, I enjoyed pretty much everything about women. It’s odd how I know that about myself--but little else since the amnesia.
I elbowed the pretty brunette next to me on my right. “Hey, I came here to get help and everybody’s laughing at me.”
The young woman, Brandy she said her name was, patted me on the knee and said with a southern drawl, “It’s all right honey. We understand. We’re laughin’ with you.”
“But I’m not laughing.”
“Well you should, darlin’. When you’re feelin’ better, you’ll be tellin’ your story to the world, and you’ll be laughin’ too.”
The meeting resumed, but I was too hung-over to listen to what was being said. Yet, despite the pounding headache and roiling stomach, I was able to concentrate on Brandy and Mandy’s thighs. Mandy was the redhead and she was the quiet one. Like a swan though, she had all kinds of energy underneath the surface. I sensed a passionate nature in both of them.
Brandy was a toucher. I loved touchers. Every chance she got she puts a hand on my arm or my leg. Now if I can just get her to zero in on the space between them. My jeans grew tighter as I imagined it.
Mandy wagged her top leg continuously, and I could barely keep my eyes off her shapely ankle that was graced by a rhinestone anklet. The afternoon light refracted and glittered as if fairy dust had been sprinkled all around. Her T-shirt spoke volumes in glitzy rhinestones too. They spelled out: ‘Half Naughty Half Nice. Which half do you want?’ over her ample breasts.
Read more in my free reads section!
TITLE: Nectar of the Gods (Anthology)
PUBLISHER: Total-e-Bound
RELEASE DATE: 9/29/08
URL FOR EXCERPTS: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?CAT_ID=&P_ID=355
ISBN: 978-1-906811-07-5
GENRE: Fantasy, Greek Gods
Monday, November 10, 2008
70 Days of Sweat!
Today, Nov. 11th, I'm beginning the 70 days of Sweat challenge. I found out about it on Lauren Dane's blog. For 70 days, one must write at least 1,000 words per day. I'll continue to post my progress in the comments section of this blog post.
Today I'm off to a good start! I've written 1,300+ words already! And I could keep going. The ideas are flowing fast and furious!
Wish me luck if you like. I know the 137 people who've signed up to do this with me will send encouragement to each other, so if you're busy--no sweat. LOL. See
http://70daysofsweat.com/wordpress/ for all the authors particpating and our progress reports each Weds. and Sun.
Ash
Today I'm off to a good start! I've written 1,300+ words already! And I could keep going. The ideas are flowing fast and furious!
Wish me luck if you like. I know the 137 people who've signed up to do this with me will send encouragement to each other, so if you're busy--no sweat. LOL. See
http://70daysofsweat.com/wordpress/ for all the authors particpating and our progress reports each Weds. and Sun.
Ash
Sunday, November 9, 2008
More contest goodies!
I can't help it. I love to play Santa. I just read recently that it's been proven that shopping and gifts makes people happy. However shopping for others and giving gifts rather than receiving them makes people happy longer!
I believe it. There's nothing like a good shopping day with a few extra dollars in my wallet...especially in this economy! Yet, I don't need much of anything. So what do I do? I shop for you! For contest prizes! Good prizes. Something I, myself, would love to win.
And I consider bargain hunting to be a sport. Seiously! I probably have the same thrill of the hunt when I find some of these "steals" as a hunter feels when he bags an especially large... Ugh. Let's not talk of stealing or killing. Let's talk in fishing terms! I used to love to fish--haven't been for years and I miss it. Will have to go again soon. ANYWAY The catch of the day...yes. Yesterday's catch included these wonderful items!
1) A warm, sofisticated, black and gray scarf with your name written all over it! Well, if your name is Gucci, that is!
2) A pair of tortoise shell "Dolce and Gabbana" sunglasses.
3) A "Dior" shoulder bag. (strap inside)
and 4) A "100% cashmere" scarf made in Scotland.
And from a previous shopping trip I returned with other goodies to give away soon.
No pictires of those yet, though. A black "Prada" purse, A cherry "Louis Vuitton" wallet, and a few other little things.
So, I'll need to hold some contests soon! Especially since I have winter items...The scarves and bags will need to go first. I can hang onto the "Fendi" umbrella for spring. Oops! I wasn't supposed to say anything about that. Saving that surprise for another day.
The reason I'm putting these names in quote is that I'm never sure if these are real or knock offs. I get them at an upscale flea market. They sure look real, though!
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Contest Winner!
My latest contest winner for the Coach bag is Christy Hawkes! The contest was to send a friend to my website, then have them email me with feedback. Christy sent her friend Lee. Lee will also receive a surprise gift for participating.
It just goes to show, you never know when good things will come your way. (Big grin)
Ash
It just goes to show, you never know when good things will come your way. (Big grin)
Ash
Monday, September 29, 2008
More pics from the book signing
Pic #3 Ash, Rowan West, Sahara Kelly
Pic #2 Arianna Hart, Sierra DaFoe
Pic #1 Kate Hill, Ash, Rowan West
Group booksiging. What fun!
We had a blast this weekend despite the rain.
5 Ellora's Cave authors, Sahara Kelly, Kate Hill, Arianna Hart, Rowan West and moi got together to sign our books at two stores. Annie's Books in Lowell MA on Sat and Annie's Book Stop in Salem NH on Sunday. Plus on Sunday we were also joined by Sierra Dafoe and Dalton Diaz just showing up to support us!
Arianna Hart said it best; Put a bunch of authors in a box of rocks and a good time will be had by all."
Picture: Ash and Sierra talking at each other so fast, poor Kate Hill can't get a word in edgewise!
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