April 4, 2013
I can’t believe I’m saying this but … it’s our 26th wedding anniversary today. It’s not the 26 years I can’t believe, so much as the speed at which the past year has flown. This day in 2012 we were celebrating our Silver Wedding Anniversary, and now – eek! Last year, after a few health problems, we decided to make the most of every weekend and we did travel a lot, go camping, surfing etc and I think this is one reason why the time has sped by.
We’re off out to dinner tonight and these days, with life so busy, that doesn’t happen very often on a weekday. Can’t wait.
On a writing front, I’m working on Project X 2 and the reviews are coming in for Girl vs Earl.
There’s one from Kathy’s book Reviews HERE.
“An overall sweet, sexy and emotional novel that I highly recommend.”
One from Martha’s Bookshelf.
I recommend this to readers who enjoy flirty, British style romance especially with the addition of emotional challenges to overcome.
From Kim at Still Reading:
This is the fifth Phillipa Ashley book I have read and believe it to be the best one so far. She delves into the personalities and motivation of the main protagonists decision making and there are also many other well drawn players in this story to get to know. They are humorous, sometimes not quite what they seem and the dialogue is believable and flows easily.
and finally from Jen at MissBooklover
I enjoyed Girl Vs Earl. Phillipa Ashley tells a story you get pulled into, while giving you characters you can’t get enough of. My favorite was Jago. I love a good bad boy who buries his heart of gold. He’s got the whole sarcastic, charming personality that is multi-layered. Just when you think you have him figured out, he throws a curve ball at you.
This is a funny, witty love story filled with interesting characters. This is the fifth Phillipa Ashley book I have read and believe it to be the best one so far. She delves into the personalities and motivation of the main protagonists decision making and there are also many other well drawn players in this story to get to know. They are humorous, sometimes not quite what they seem and the dialogue is believable and flows easily.
Posted by Phillipa @ 7:15 am |
April 3, 2013
Last year I was made aware of a charity called HOOP UK. HOOP is is a group of people, including professionals, with the common aim to make the changes needed so that all children and adults struggling with obesity are given access to services which are right for them.
One of the patrons of HOOP is Jesse Pavelka, the diet and fitness expert who was also one of the stars of 12 Men of Christmas – the movie adaptation of my book, Decent Exposure – aka Dating Mr December in the US.
Jesse has some very loyal fans and having met them on Twitter and heard about their fundraising efforts for HOOP, I decided to donate a copy of Decent Exposure that had been signed by me and US Emmy winning star, Kristin Chenoweth, on the set of 12 Men of Christmas. Jesse Pavelka has also signed the book, which is appropriate as he was also there the day I visited with my family – and yes, he not only a lovely man but jaw droppingly gorgeous. 🙂
Sadly, I didn’t get a picture of Jesse but here I am with some of the other 12 men. 🙂
The Fans of Jesse Pavelka are holding a charity raffle of Decent Exposure on their Face book page HERE. All the details of how to enter are on this page.
Good luck!
Posted by Phillipa @ 4:48 am |
March 19, 2013
I have a fantastic guest today – my Aussie author friend, Christina Phillips, who has a very hot historical romance out tomorrow – and you can win an e-copy as part of her Blog Hop. Here she is to tell you about it. Comment on this post to be entered into a draw to win an e copy.
Thank you Phillipa for having me on your blog today to help celebrate the release of my first Ellora’s Cave book, BETRAYED on 20th March. I’m delighted to be here!
Although I now live in sunny Western Australia, I’m an ex-pat from the UK. As a child I grew up with ancient reminders of the Roman occupation all around me. And of course took it all for granted It wasn’t until we moved to Australia several years ago that I really started to appreciate the rich history of Britain. Isn’t that always the way!
Despite my love of history and the gory tales I penned at school about Pharaohs and Romans, it wasn’t until quite recently that I began writing historical romance with a view to publication. My first historical romance, FORBIDDEN, was set in AD 50, and featured a sexy Roman centurion and his Druid princess heroine. They met in Cymru, ancient Wales, when the Legions invaded and as soon as I discovered this magical world I never wanted to leave it!
It’s been two years since CAPTIVE, the second book set in this world, was released and I’m absolutely thrilled that finally the third book, BETRAYED, is about to hit the cyber shelves.
BETRAYED is set in the summer of AD 51, just after the bloodied defeat of the Briton king Caratacus by the Roman Legions. It’s the story of Tacitus, a Roman tribune conflicted by his past and cursed by a sense of honour few of his peers share. He’s forced to go against everything he believes in by enslaving Nimue in order to keep her safe. As for Nimue, she is caught up in a battle that threatens to destroy her world. But she also has to battle her illicit desire for a man who challenges every prejudice she has ever held.
Betrayed
In 51 A.D., Druid priestess Nimue is injured and enslaved by the hated Roman Legions. Even though she is drawn to her captor, she’s determined to escape and complete her mission for the Briton king and her duty to Arianrhod, the goddess she is bound to.
The tough Roman warrior who captures her is far from the brutal barbarian she expects. His touch inflames her desires and passion burns between them. Though Nimue does not accept her enslavement, her heart surrenders to her enemy. When Arianrhod appears to her in the form of an owl, Nimue knows the union is blessed.
Roman warrior Tacitus is enchanted by the fiery beauty who shows no fear and challenges him at every turn. Though enslaving her goes against his heart, he’s determined to make her his. No woman has ever heated his blood as she does. But when he discovers her true nature as one who actually communes with the gods, his loyalties are torn between his heritage and a woman who could destroy everything he’s ever believed in.
A Romantica® fantasy erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave
Excerpt ~ from Chapter One (edited for PG rating)
An eerie chill trickled along Nimue’s spine, causing the hair to rise on the back of her neck and arms. Without thinking she leaped to her feet, dagger once again in her hand. But it wasn’t a lone legionary who had caught her so unawares. It was a mounted Roman officer, in a flowing scarlet cloak, with his shield in one hand and sword in the other.
For a moment all she could feel was the erratic thud of her heart in her ears, the uneven gasp of her breath in her throat. The sun dazzled her, glinting off the polished metal of his armor as he stared down at her, and obscurely she noted his impressive biceps, his muscles flexing as he urged his horse forward.
Flee. The command whispered in her mind, faint and insubstantial. But the treacherous rocks on her right, the fast flowing stream at her back and the steep bank on the far side did not offer her a speedy escape. But somehow she had to lead him farther away from the queen and princess. Except he had effectively trapped her by the edge of the stream.
Yet even as the weight of her responsibility tormented her conscience, she couldn’t drag her fascinated gaze from the Roman. His face was hard, autocratic, unsmiling. The face of countless Romans, and yet like none she had ever seen before. His eyes were narrowed, his strong jaw shadowed. And the tip of his sword was a mere arm’s length from her face.
“Surrender to the might of the Eagle,” he said in the ancient Celtic language of her people. His voice was deep, sensuous, and dark embers stirred between her thighs, as if she faced a brave warrior of Cymru instead of a cowardly barbarian of Rome. “And you shall remain unharmed.”
Her palm was sweaty around her dagger and she tightened her grip before it slipped from her grasp. She might not have a chance against this Roman but she would never surrender to him. And she would never willingly give up her weapons, either.
“I would sooner die fighting you,” she said in Latin, just to show him she was no ignorant native of a fractured land. Her mother had taught her the language well. “Than surrender my freedom to your filthy Emperor.”
She had no freedom under Rome. As soon as they discovered she was a Druid, her life would be forfeit. Crucifixion was terrifying enough, but it was the torture she would doubtless endure beforehand that shriveled her soul.
His black stallion whickered, pawed the ground, but the Roman did not break eye contact nor did his sword waver.
“Brave words, little Celt.” Still he spoke in her language, and disbelief unfurled through her breast at the tone of his voice. Did he find her challenge amusing? “But I don’t fight women.”
She ignored the threat of his sword and stepped forward, her dagger on clear display. He had no right to enter her land and then mock her prowess as a warrior. Just because she did not possess the brute strength of a full-grown male didn’t mean she lacked dexterity or speed. She glared up at him, wishing, obscurely, she could see the color of his eyes.
“Why? Are you afraid I may unman you?” Why was she trying to raise his ire? Wouldn’t it make more sense to beg for freedom? Pretend to be a mere peasant, caught up in this revolt? Perhaps, then, he would allow her to escape without persecution?
Even as the thought teased her mind she knew the silver bracelets on her wrists, the torque at her throat and jewels in her ears plainly branded her as anything but a peasant.
For one brief moment the corner of his lips quirked, as if he found her not only amusing but highly entertaining.
“I believe,” his voice was a seductive caress along the naked flesh of her arms, the exposed swell of her breasts. “I am more than man enough for you, Celt.”
Ellora’s Cave
Read Chapter One of Betrayed
I have an e-copy of BETRAYED to give away to one lucky commenter on this post!
Posted by Phillipa @ 10:38 am |
