Archive for September, 2010

September 28, 2010

Five weeks to go until launch day and I’ve got my Blog Tour Dates. All I need now are some groupies, dodgy stimulants and a TV to throw out of the window.

Here are the some of blogs that will be featuring Dating Mr December and some will also be hosting contests and giveaways (for US and Canadian address only).

I’ll also be running a contest on this blog with signed copies open to everyone – as a thank you to my amazing existing readers.

I’ll probably need a holiday afer this – but isn’t it exciting?

11/2 – http://luxuryreading.com/

11/4 – http://myoverstuffedbookshelf.blogspot.com/

11/5 – http://casablancaauthors.blogspot.com/

11/8 – http://dearauthor.com/

GUEST BLOG—First Sale Feature.

11/10 – http://seriouslyinterviewed.blogspot.com/

11/12 -http://sizzlinghotbooks.blogspot.com/

11/16 – http://www.loveromancepassion.com/

11/17 – Borders True Romance – including giveaway of 5 copies (US and Canadian addresses only).

11/18 – http://www.nightowlromance.com

11/22 – http://freshfiction.com/

11/24 – http://romancefiction.suite101.com/

11/29 – http://book-chic.blogspot.com/

11/30 – http://www.romancejunkies.com/rjblog

12/1 – http://www.betweenthelinesandmore.blogspot.com/

12/3 – http://lauragerold.blogspot.com/

And there will be more! I’ll post all the dates and links on the blog as each one comes up. Thanks to all the blogs who have offered to host interviews, giveaways etc and to Danielle from Sourcebooks for arranging the tour. She is a star!

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September 25, 2010

Friday was a bit of a day, with a ‘so very near moment’ for something, sigh. But I’ve cheered up because here it is – the gorgeous DVD cover for 12 Men of Christmas

And as this blurb doesn’t mention it, I ‘m going to shout out that it’s based on my book, Dating Mr December available November 1st. (as if you didn’t know… )

You can check it out now on Amazon and also join in the discussions about movie vs book.

I’m getting my Blog Tour dates on Monday so will able to tell you where you can find me talking about the book and win free copies!

P x

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September 19, 2010

Doesn’t it all happen when you go away?

Apologies for the longish post but I’ve got lots to share.

We got back from our family holiday in Cornwall on Friday night after a nine-hour crawl along the M5 – but it was worth every minute because I’ve had such a fantastic time with Mr B, Ms B and someone I shall only refer to as Mr G. We spent our time bodyboarding, walking the coast path, eating pasties and um… eating pasties.

Evening rainbow over St Ives

We stayed near St Ives, a fishing village which attracts thousands of tourists, surfers and artists. Many of you know, that I can’t start a book without ‘seeing’, hearing and smelling the location. I’ve used this stunning coastal county of England as the setting for for two books, Just Say Yes and It Should Have Been Me.

US Book release dates
St Ives actually features in It Should Have Been Me and that’s part of my news – I’ve now got dates for the release of my next two books in the USA.

Wish You Were Here is out on June 1st 2010 followed by It Should Have Been Me in Fall 2010. In fact I’ve got to send off my cover sheet for ISHBM by tomorrow – eeek! They want to know what the hero and heroine look like, among other things so that’s an excuse to send a photo of Richard Armitage to my editor.

Reviews!

I’ve also been sent two lovely reviews for Dating Mr December - which is out is less than six weeks. The first is from Booklist. I didn’t know what Booklist was, so I had a big grin on my face when I found out it’s a critical review guide that goes out to libraries and booksellers across the USA. They said:

‘Ashley’s fun contemporary romance is crafted with humor, a sexy premise, and the intriguing backdrop of the picturesque Lake District’.

Also I had a fab review from Chick Lit Plus who gave it four stars and said:

‘What made this more than the typical romance story was Ashley’s comedic tone that she brought to help make the characters come alive. I especially enjoyed that she not only wrote from Emma’s point of view, but also Will’s, giving readers more of an insight on these two characters.’

Everything about the US book market is new to me; I’m trying to learn as much as I can but I don’t mind admitting that I’m a little bit um… daunted. I’ve no idea of the reaction that my book will get. Will US readers like my quirky British ‘voice’, will they get the humour or think I’m bonkers? Will they mind the setting being non-US?

The huge relief so far is that the reviewers have seemed to enjoy the humour and settings and want to be taken to a completely different world like a Lakeland mountain rescue base….

12 Men/Dating Mr December DVD release

I’ve also found out that 12 Men of Christmas (the Lifetime movie of Dating Mr December) is now available for pre-order on Amazon and ships on November 23rd. It’s a US version, so if you’re outside the USA and don’t have a multiregion DVD player, you’ll have to make your own arrangements to view it. No more news yet on any UK showing or availability – yet.

Sadly, we also got back to the news that a dear uncle of mine had passed away suddenly. He’ll be much missed and reminded me that we need to cherish times with the people we love and care for. So I’m going to post a couple of pictures of happy days with my own family: this is Ms B on her birthday with Mr B, at the Porthmeor Cafe, St Ives.

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September 7, 2010

Dating Mr December got its first US review – in Publishers Weekly! They’ve said:

“British author Ashley infuses her debut (first published in the U.K. in 2006, and the inspiration for Lifetime TV’s 2009 movie 12 Men of Christmas) with humor… readers will enjoy the breezy style and repartee.’

I definitely feel breezy now.

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September 6, 2010

I’m pleased to announce that Angela has won a copy of Forbidden by Christina Phillips.

Congrats, Angela – Christina will be in touch very soon to arrange delivery of your prize!

I hope you’ll all enter my contest in November to win copies of Dating Mr December. Not long now…

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