Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

‘Forbidden’ launch party, sexy warriors – and book giveaway!

September 2, 2010 | 14 Comments

As promised I have a sizzling hot guest author today (or rather her book is!) It’s Christina Phillips, whose debut novel for Berkley Heat (a big US imprint) is out this week. I’ve ‘known’ Christina online for a few years now and while she lives Downunder, she’s an honorary Brit – her books are set in Ancient Wales. You can win a copy of Forbidden by commenting on the blog and letting us know your idea of a sexy warrior – just a warning, the books are very racy so you need to be over 18 to enter.

Hi Phillipa, thanks for having me on your blog today to chat a little about my debut ancient historical romance from Berkley Heat, Forbidden!

He was a master of seduction – but no match for the magical allure of the woman he wanted most…

Carys knew from the moment she first spied on Maximus in his naked barbarian glory that he was a dangerous Roman centurion – his taut, battle-scarred flesh marking him as a fearless warrior. But her desire for him was as undeniable as it was illicit.

Charged by his emperor to eliminate a clan of powerful Druids in Britain, Maximus never expects his mission to be thwarted by the clan’s ethereal princess, Carys, his daring voyeur. Falling under her spell, he doesn’t realize her true heritage – until he captures her heart as well as her body.

As Carys’s loyalties are twisted, and freedom is no longer her single-minded obsession, an avenging former lover threatens to crush Maximus’s people into oblivion. Now Carys and Maximus must overcome the devastation of war and face the ultimate sacrifice if their forbidden love is to survive.

Excerpt (Over 18 Only)

Forbidden is the first book in a new erotic historical series of magical heroines and sexy warriors. My hero, Maximus, is a Roman Centurion, a patrician and loyal to his Emperor and Rome. When he discovers his heroine, Carys (who’s been spying on his bathing rituals for the last three months!!) he’s instantly captivated. Who is this woman and why hasn’t she been seen in any of the villages the Legion has vanquished?

Carys is, in fact, a Druid princess and acolyte of the Goddess of Wisdom, Cerridwen. She and the rest of her clan of Druids escaped into a magical enclave before the Romans invaded, and are waiting for a sign from their gods before they attack their enemy. But despite knowing this Roman would strike her dead if he knew who – what – she is, Carys can’t stop thinking about him.

Maximus has been charged by his Emperor to eliminate all Druids. And Carys has sworn to rid her land of the barbarous invaders. Yet despite everything that conspires against them they are irresistibly drawn to each other.

Do you enjoy reading romances set in more unusual times and/or settings? Which warrior (from history/romance novel/movies or the actor himself!!!) sets your pulses pounding? I’d love to giveaway a copy of Forbidden to one commenter and as always I’m open to discovering a new hot warrior to add to my *ahem* research files!!!

To give you some ideas, Christina supplied me with some pics of sexy screen warriors but I’ve found one of my own. It’s Goran Visnjic as Spartacus.

  

A sizzling start to September

September 1, 2010 | 4 Comments

September has dawned here with glorious sun, blue skies and cool, clear nights. Here’s Mr September from 12 Men of Christmas (movie version of Dating Mr December.) He was played by Matt Embry, an actor with the sexiest ‘cowboy’ drawl I’ve ever heard.

I’m getting him in quickly because I’ve got a special guest author tomorrow – or later today if you live in Australia.

It’s Christina Phillips who writes sizzling hot historical romance and launches her sexy debut novel, FORBIDDEN, today. Back later with a fan and a hosepipe!

Are you ready for the new term?

August 27, 2010 | 3 Comments

Do you remember the horror of seeing ‘Back to School’ promotions in the shops – the day after you’d broken up for the holidays? Ohh, I used to hate that. Then there was the uncertainty of starting a new class, school or university. I’ll never forget leaving home for uni …then 25 years later I saw my own daughter off. I don’t know which was more traumatic!

But thankfully, I’m actually very excited about this coming new ‘term’.

We have a Bank Holiday weekend in England – the last chance for families to get away before a new school year starts. We’ve just got back from the Lakes, and for a change, we had sunny, warm weather while the southern half of the UK got a soaking. Some people don’t believe that it really was glorious up there so here’s a pic to prove it.

This is Waterhead at the northern end of Windermere and you can just glimpse the chimneys of our flat building poking up through the trees in the centre of the photo.

Naturally, every time I visit, I’m reminded that this gorgeous place was the inspiration for Dating Mr December. We even saw a house that *could* have been Will’s:

I remember walking into an estate agents when I was writing Dating Mr December and asking for details of ‘the sort of place a multi-millionaire would own’. I omitted to mention that it had to be a great sh*g-pad too so I didn’t get thrown out!

I got back to a totally unexpected piece of good news about my US books. It’s not something I can share but I had a big grin on my face when I told Mr B. He can’t retire yet but I can treat him to a new mountain bike jersey. The last of the big spenders, me.

For those of you asking about new UK books, I have no news yet but if do get any, you’ll hear about it! For now, I’m going to focus on the launch of my US books.

Already, mentions of Dating Mr December are popping up all over the book blogosphere, as the romance reviewers receive their advance copies. This morning, I had the bizarre experience of spotting my new book in someone else’s hands, 5000 miles away – and on a video too. My book’s featured about 3 mins in.

So, I’m looking forward to my New Term with the usual mix of excitement, anticipation – and fear of the unknown. Will I get hauled into the toilets and have my head flushed down the loo by the School Bully (aka a snarky review site?) Will I make any new friends or end up mooching around the playground, ignored and kicking up the leaves? Will I get into trouble with the headmistress (aka my US ed) or be Teacher’s pet?

Oh err…. perhaps it’s a good thing I don’t have a crystal ball!

How about you? Are you dreading or looking forward to September?

PS if you haven’t already, please join my Facebook Like page for extra pictures, updates and news of all the free giveaways and contests for my US releases.

New Facebook page and new tent!

August 12, 2010 | Comments

I’ve finally succumbed and set up a Phillipa Ashley Like Page on Facebook.

I feel slightly embarrassed about this – it’s not very ‘British’, is it? But it is the perfect way of sharing news about my books, contests, reviews, photos and Youtube clips from 12 men of Christmas on Facebook. Please come and join!

In non-writing random news, here’s a picture of our new Vango Orchy tent. Mr B and I want to get out into the Great Outdoors more. You know I love all that walking/biking/bodyboarding stuff – and the tent is a way of ‘getting back to nature’ more often. It keeps me sane and is the antidote to all that time spent I spend inside, sitting on my bottom, writing.

However, rest assured I shall be taking chilled Champagne with me to ease the pain of not having my TV and own loo.

Featured at RWA Conference 2010

August 5, 2010 | 6 Comments

Squee …Dating Mr December was featured by Sourcebooks in their RWA Conference brochure 2010. This is getting real!