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
