Where do I start?
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.
Posted by Phillipa @ 6:23 am | Leave a Comment
Jude Says:
The DVD is out…I’m off to Amazon post haste. Thank heavens for multiregion! Canny wait.
Hugs, Pip. Absolutely, cherish every day eh. Had a few shockers recently too. jx
Debs Says:
Glad you had such a wonderful trip and glad the dvd is out soon.
Sorry to hear about your uncle that must have been dreadfully upsetting for you all.
Nell Dixon Says:
Your books are fabulous, you’re fabulous and the US readers will love your stories.
Rachel Lyndhurst Says:
Echoing Nell here.
Phillipa, your books are ace and if the US readers don’t like them…well, they just will OK!
Best, Rach.
XX
Phillipa Says:
Thanks for the support, guys.
Liz Hanbury Says:
Ditto what Nell said! LOL would love to see your editor’s face when she sees the photo of the gorgeous Mr. A ;0)
Phillipa Says:
Liz – I got an email back yesterday from Sourcebooks saying I’d made their day and they all loved Richard Armitage. 🙂
Christina Phillips Says:
Phillipa, the US readers will love your books 🙂
Phillipa Says:
Christina – thank you!