Amanda Ashley-Interview and Giveaway with the Author

AMANDA ASHLEY-Interview and Giveaway with the Author

 

Amanda Ashley-The Reading Cafe has recently featured several of the novels by author Amanda Ashley. Today we would like to introduce the author of His Dark Embrace-Amanda Ashley

 

Name: Amanda Ashley/Madeline Baker
Resides: in Southern CA
Marital Status:  married
Children:  3 sons

WEBSITE: Amanda Ashley/Madeline Baker

TRC: Hi Amanda. Welcome to The Reading Cafe. Please tell us something about yourself?

Amanda: Gee, there’s not a lot to tell. I love spending time with my family, going to lunch with my friends, walking my dog, playing with my grandkids. I love going to movies and plays. I collect all things Star Wars, also Beauty and the Beast and Phantom of the Opera.

TRC: You are a very prolific writer of many different genres.  Have you always had an interest in writing?  When did you first start writing?

Amanda: I never intended to be a published author. I was always, however, a reader. I started writing out of boredom. My husband worked nights. My kids were young. There was nothing on tv. I’d been reading a lot of romance novels and one night I sat down and started writing a book of my own. I wrote three books before I ever told anyone what I was doing. If not for a friend of mine, who read one of my stories and suggested I find a publisher, I would probably still be writing stories and hiding them under the bed.

TRC: What is the name of the first novel you ever published and in what year? How did you feel when you were notified that your novel was accepted by the publisher?

Amanda: My first published novel was Reckless Heart. It was published in 1985. Everything about that first sale was so exciting. I remember calling my best friend on the phone when I got the contract, and then running down to her house to show her the cover when I got it in the mail. Of course, actually seeing my book on the shelf was beyond words. I went back home, got my camera, and went back to the store to take a picture of my book. It was amazing, seeing my book on a shelf next to books written by authors I’d read. It’s still exciting to see my books on the shelf.

TRC: You have several different series and single books, in several genres including paranormal romance, historical romance and western romance. Which genre do you find most difficult to write and which genre are you the most comfortable writing?

Amanda: I don’t have trouble writing any of them. I think paranormal is my favorite because I can let my imagination run wild.

TRC: What or who do you attribute the rise in popularity of today’s many paranormal romance authors and books?

Amanda: I think it’s because there is such a wide variety in paranormal that you don’t find in other genres. In paranormal, we have werewolves, vampires, ghosts, fairies, shapeshifters, selkies, even zombies, not to mention other worlds.

TRC: Many of your short-stories can be found in anthologies, along with other authors.  What is your take on the anthology?  Do you use the short –story to keep the readers and fans happy, or do the works in anthologies, add to the different storylines already published?

Amanda: Actually, the only reason I’ve ever done an anthology was because I was invited to do so. I do think they’re a good way to connect with someone who might not have read my books before.

TRC: At The Reading Café, Sandy is a big fan of prequels-the story before the story-the background information never revealed in the current timelines. What is your opinion on prequels?

Amanda: I’ve never thought about it. I know the editor of my Reckless series wanted me to write a prequel to Reckless Heart, but I could never come up with a plot. I don’t think I’ve ever read a prequel.

TRC: His Dark Embrace is the next instalment in your Vampire Romance novels. Would you tell us something about the premise of this book? Click the title for our review: His Dark Embrace

Amanda: My hero is a very old vampire who found a tonic that allows him to live in the sun and eat mortal food. When the maker of the tonic dies, he tries to find the formula, which was made by the heroine’s grandfather. There is also someone else, someone evil,  looking for the formula, and the story involves Kaiden and Skylynn falling in love while looking for the formula, and defeating the bad guy.

 

TRC: Kaiden and Skylynn are the characters that drive His Dark Embrace.  What was your decision to match up this pair?

Amanda: I have no idea. 🙂  In the book I’m currently working on, the character I thought was going to be the hero just didn’t work, so I brought in another character who knew how to behave as a hero should.

TRC: On your website, you offer your fans and readers, quite a bit of information with excerpts, chapter out takes and prologues.  That is very generous.  Many authors post hints and clues. Why do you post so many ‘goodies’ for your fans?

Amanda: Because they deserve it. I have the greatest fans in the world. They’re always so anxious to know what’s coming next. And I love sharing my new covers as soon as I get them. I think it’s also a good idea to give someone who’s never read one of my books a chance to find out what they’re getting before they buy the book.

TRC: In your Vampire Romance series, which hero or heroine is your favorite and why?

Amanda: It’s usually the couple from whatever book I’m writing at the moment. I have to say, I really love Zack from Bound by Blood. And Gabriel, from Embrace the Night, which was my first vampire book.  But then, I love all my heroes. As for heroines, I love Kaitlyn, from Desire the Night. She’s such a spunky little werewolf!

TRC: Is there any character you regret?  Any character who is not redeemable?

Amanda: Nope! I have a character, Rhys, who was supposed to be a bad guy in Everlasting Kiss. But I liked him so much, he turned into the hero in Everlasting Desire.

TRC: DESIRE THE NIGHT will be released September 2012.  Please tell us something about this novel and its’ characters Gideon and Kay—a love story between a vampire and a wolf?

Amanda: Oh my gosh, I love this book. I think it may be one of the best I’ve written! Gideon is such a hunk. It was fun to pair a vampire and a werewolf and watch the fur fly! They meet under the worst of circumstances – he’s been imprisoned  by a witch and Kaitlyn is captured and brought to him as his prey. The story revolves around escaping the witch, falling in love, and trying to win her father’s approval. I can’t wait for it to come out. And I love the cover.

TRC: Have you ever considered writing an anthology that included all of your Vampire Romance characters/couples-each with their own chapter than culminating in a single event?

Amanda: No, but what a great idea!

TRC: As an author, you have several short stories available.  Which type of book/novel do you believe is harder to write—a full-length novel or a short novella, where all the information must be contained with a shorter number of pages?

Amanda: For me, full-length novels are harder simply because I tend to write short….my preferred length is 80,000 words – my publisher wants 100,000 – we compromise at 90.

TRC: What are you working on today?

Amanda: I’m working on a story that is very Twilight Zone-ish. My critique group thinks it’s kind of creepy, scary, which it is. It’s very different, but I’m loving it so far. I don’t want to say more. But this is the book where the character I thought was going to be the hero isn’t. I’m loving this one!

TRC: Many authors and artists have spouses/partners who offer advice, ideas or criticism.  Who is your muse when you are looking for ideas?

Amanda: My critique group. We’ve been together for years. One of them, Carol Amato, gave me the idea for Unforgettable. My oldest son gave me the idea for A Whisper in the Wind.

TRC: Is there anything you would like to add?

Amanda: Just a hearty hello to all my readers. I appreciate you and your support through the years, and hope I never disappoint you.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Movie: The Holiday

Favorite TV Show: The Vampire Diaries

Favorite Dessert:  Chocolate anything

Dark or Milk Chocolate:  Definitely dark

Last Book that you read:  River Marked by Patricia Briggs

Favorite Author: It’s a tie between Patricia Briggs and Charlaine Harris

Pink or Red Roses: Red

Favorite Food: Spaghetti

TRC: Thank you Mandy for answering our questions.  It has been a pleasure.

**************GIVEAWAY************

Amanda has offered a copy of her new release HIS DARK EMBRACE  to one lucky member at The Reading Cafe.

1.  To be eligible, you must be a member at The Reading Cafe.  If you are not, please sign in using the Log-in at the top or by using one of the social log-ins.

2.  You MUST post a comment.  Please answer one of the LIGHTNING ROUND questions.

3.  Open to Canada and continental USA only.

4.  Contest from June 11 to June 15, 2012

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29 thoughts on “Amanda Ashley-Interview and Giveaway with the Author

  1. Amanda, thanks for stopping by! I love reading about new authors to myself, I find such gems! I saw your newest on the bookshelf and it looked good,…….but I hesitant to buy a new series without a great recommendation! Which I got today at TRC!! Spaghetti and chocolate dessert,…mmmmmm!!!!!

  2. Thank you Amanda for this wonderful Interview. I totally loved reading about when you sold your book, saw the cover for the first time, and running home to get your camera. Totally cool.

    Loved Sandy’s review of His Dark Embrace, and your description of Desire into the Night. To the top of my tbr list it goes. I am beginning to think perhaps i should forgo sleeping, more time to read and catch up. lol

    • Hi Barb ~ It’s still exciting to see my books on the shelf. It just never gets old. LOL re not sleeping so you can read more. I’m sure you’re not the only one who’s felt that way….there’s just nothng like getting lost in a good book.

  3. I truely enjoyed your interview Amanda and have been a fan for awhile now and have Love Loved many of your books and am looking forward to reading His Dark Embrace and Desire the night also sounds amazing and am looking forward to it in September , They both sound like winners to me ,And i’m looking forward reading many more of your books . I for one think You Rock !!!!!!!

    And for the Question ; Patricia Briggs is also one of my favorite Authors .

    • Hi Lori ~ Thank you for your kind words. I’m happy to know you’ve enjoyed my books. I’m kind of bummed out that Harris is ending her Sookie series 🙁

      I hope you’ll enjoy my new books!

  4. Great interview again Sandy… I have several of Amanda Ashley’s books both in my library and my TBR pile… which tells everyone I have had her on my author watch for a while. I have just finished reading All Spell Breaks Loose by Lisa Shearin. Love books with humor and action. Love reading reviews and interviews about authors I follow…:D

  5. Great interview again Sandy. Thanks Amanda for taking time out of your busy schedule to share a little about yourself with us. I too enjoy seeing covers for new books and I’ve loved the covers of your books so far. Really like the cover for Desire the Night and it sounds pretty cool. Will have to check it out for sure.

    Hmm, Vampire Diaries, anything chocolate and spaghetti, I think we would get along famously Amanda. 😉

    • Hi Marci ~ I’ve been really lucky to have some great covers. Can’t wait to see what Zebra comes up with for my next book! Damon, chocolate and spaghetti – it just doesn’t get any better!

  6. I was reading the Star Wars comment.

    When my children were younger I would buy double of all the STAR WARS toys-one for play and one for collecting. My hubby was tired of all the boxes of ‘collectible’ I was ‘collecting’…so he made me sell them in a garage sale. OMG-some would be worth a pretty penny today…*sniff*

    I had the Darth Vadar helmet-action figure carrying case….filled with every character…sold it for $5…including the figures…waaaaaaa

    • Hi Sandy ~ I wish I’d been there when you sold that Darth Vader carrying case!!!!! What a steal that was. My husband calls all my Star Wars stuff “junk” but I’m not parting with it. I have a room filled with collectible “junk” and I love it!

  7. Great interview Sandy! And, great answers Amanda!! LOL!!! You have something in common with one of my favorite authors. She also gives us a lot of excerpts, etc. from upcoming books. Love when an author does that!!! I’ll definitely be checking out our books!! Thanks again for stopping by!!

    • Hi Vickie ~ It’s nice to “meet” you! I now have 2 web sites – one for Amanda Ashley and one for Madeline Baker. Be sure to check out the new Baker one….EC Blush is reissuing a lot of my out-of-print historical romances.

  8. another super interview, especially with Amanda. Have read a few of your books.
    you love vampire dairies, so do i. do you get any ideas from that show to use in your books?

    lightning round i love vampire dairies

    • Hi Mari ~ I don’t recall getting any ideas from the Vampire Diaries, but a lot of inspiration when I look at Damon….he has the sexiest eyes – and the rest ain’t bad, either!

  9. Great interview Sandy. Thanks for coming to The Reading Cafe Amanda. I am a great fan of your vampires and have read them all. I have the newest but haven’t got to it yet. I have no doubt it will be good as I have enjoyed all your books.

  10. Nice interview Amanda. I have only read one novel by Amanda Ashley, but I had no idea she had written so many books. Looking forward to reading more.

    • Hi Alexis ~ I’ve written over 50 books – vampire and historical romance (as Madeline Baker). I hope you’ll try a few more and let me know what you think.

  11. I haven’t read Amanda’s work in several years. I beleive I own most of her older work. I going to have to pull out the boxes. Amanda’s new book looks good. Anything with a vamp/werewolf mating works for me.

  12. Hi
    Amanda, thanks for the heads up about this contest. I really enjoyed the interview, of course I already know must of the stuff about you. I have been a fan for a long time. I’m anxiously waiting for this new book.
    Favorite Movie: Pirates of the Carribean- all of them LOL
    kansassweet

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