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Amanda Ashley-Interview and Giveaway with the Author

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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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HIS DARK EMBRACE by Amanda Ashley-a new release review

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HIS DARK EMBRACE by Amanda Ashley- a new release review

HIS DARK EMBRACE by Amanda Ashley

HIS DARK EMBRACE is the June 5, 2012 latest release in Amanda Ashley’s Vampire series of novels. Amanda (aka Madeline Baker) is one of the most prolific writers of paranormal and romance novels, and His Dark Embrace is the latest in a series of sexy vampires.

Kaiden Thorne is over 400 years old, a master vampire and has been in love with his neighbor’s granddaughter since she was a small child. In the beginning, Kaiden thought only to protect the young child, as requested by her grandfather, but as the girl grew into a young woman, Kaiden’s desires and feelings changed. When Skylynn moved to Chicago and married, Kaiden left town, only to return on the occasion when it was necessary to seek out the old man across the street.

Skylynn (Sky Blue) had always known she was in love with the mysterious Kaiden Thorne. As a young girl, she dreamed that one day she would marry and raise a family with Kaiden, but their age difference would be a problem. After a failed marriage, her brother Sam missing in Afghanistan, and now the death of her grandfather, going home to Vista Verde, California was difficult. Would Kaiden still live across the street and would he remember Skylynn?

As the story progresses, it becomes apparent that there is a mutual attraction between Skylynn and Kaiden, but Kaiden needs something of her grandfather’s. Hoping the old man had written the secrets to his many experiments, Kaiden and Skylynn search through her grandfather’s vast collection of journals and books, but the only clue is an old notebook with torn and missing pages. Without the information, Kaiden is doomed to return to a life of darkness and blood.

Desmarais is a vampire hunter and his target is Kaiden. Seeking revenge for the death of his wife, Desmarais has tracked his wife’s killer to the town of Vista Verde-the same town where the old man with his ‘life-altering’ experiments has recently died. Hoping to recover the secrets, Desmarais is unable to find the journals, but discovers that Kaiden is involved with the old man’s granddaughter and that would alter the stakes for revenge. Skylynn was now on the vampire hunter’s list of intended victims. When Desmarais is approached by an ancient vampire, more powerful than Kaiden, the true nature of the vampire will be revealed to the once proud vampire hunter. And it is with his new-found powers, that Desmarais is willing to risk everything to avenge the death of his wife.

The relationship between Skylynn and Kaiden progresses, but the revelation that the man she has loved all of her life is not human, sends Skylynn back to Chicago searching for answers. Adding another detail into the storyline, Skylynn’s brother Sam returns from the Middle East suffering amnesia. But it is Sam who will once again fall prey at the hands of monsters.

His Dark Embrace is a romantic paranormal novel with an interesting HEA. Amanda Ashley has written a story about love, death, betrayal and revenge, without the use of foul language, graphic sex or scenes of violence and death. A refreshing look at a love story involving two people who have always loved the other without the angst of playing hard to get or pushing away the one that you love. Another wonderful read from the desk of Amanda Ashley.

LINKS to purchase:
B&N Nook
B&N Books
KOBO
Amazon Books
The Book Depository

copy supplied by author

Reviewed by Sandy

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HIS DARK EMBRACE by Amanda Ashley

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HIS DARK EMBRACE by Amanda Ashley

Amanda Ashley’s new novel His Dark Embrace to be released June 2012

A VAMPIRE’S KISS. A WOMAN’S SURRENDER.

Tall, dark, mysterious—and with a faint scar on his cheek that only makes him more gorgeous—Kaiden Thorne is one schoolgirl obsession Skylynn never forgot. Now, returning to her childhood home after eight years, she can’t believe her reclusive neighbor is still living across the street—and hotter than ever. Skylynn doesn’t know how Kaiden manages to stay so young, virile, and impossibly attractive. But she knows she wants him…even if he harbors a fearful secret he refuses to tell her.

When Kaiden sees the beautiful young woman Skylynn has become, he can no longer control the bloodlust that is his true nature. Once he pulls Skylynn into his arms, presses his lips against hers—and accidentally draws blood—he longs for more. Only she possesses what he wants and what he needs. Only she can save him or destroy him. But once Skylynn agrees to help Kaiden battle his darkest desires, there is no turning back…

 

Amanda Ashley’s Desire the NIght be be released September 2012

 

A VAMPIRE IN CHAINS
Held captive in a basement prison, wrapped in silver chains, the vampire Gideon is too weak to fight the monster who enslaves him. For years, she’s tapped his precious blood like a fountain of youth—sustaining him with human females she captures for his pleasure. But with the latest victim she brings him, he senses something intriguingly different. Something dangerous, yet oh so tempting.

Kay Alissano is no ordinary woman. Every full moon, she must answer the call of the wild—unleashing the wolf within. As daughter of the Shadow Pack’s Alpha, Kay is extremely powerful—and when she’s offered up to Gideon, she doesn’t surrender easily. In wolf form, she might be able unchain Gideon’s heart and set them both free—if only he can resist the urge to consume her, body and soul, before the next full moon…

http://www.madelinebaker.net/events.htm

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