TQ: What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?
Ashlyn: Quirkiness is my most interesting quirk. Seriously, I’m known for my wild imagination, unique characters, and happy but not sappy endings.
TQ: Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?
Ashlyn: I love MaryJanice Davidson, Gerry Bartlett, Annette Blair, Katie MacAlister—basically anyone who write humorous paranormal romance—like I do. They’ve all inspired me.
TQ: Are you a plotter or a pantser?
Ashlyn: Both. I start off by the seat of my pants, but when I need a map, I stop and plot—usually around chapter three. Now that I’m writing for traditional publishers, I have to put together an outline first. As long as I have the freedom to change it as I go, it’s all good.
TQ: What inspired you to write the Strange Neighbors series?
Ashlyn: I heard that Tom Brady (hot quarterback for the Boston Patriots) owned a condo building in my old neighborhood in Boston—the Back Bay. Most books begin with a “what if?” I wondered what it would be like to live in his building—then my crazy mind comes in with “and what if the tenants are shapeshifters, vampires and witches?
TQ: Describe The Vampire Next Door.
Ashlyn: This is paraphrased from Amy Lignor’s 4 ½ star review in RT magazine:
Sly is one of those undead creatures that you actually want hanging around. He spends his time keeping the city safe from crime. Unfortunately, to save a young woman one night, Sly bites into a bad guy who’s wearing more bling than Mr. T, and his fang gets chipped on a bit of sterling silver — poison! He rushes to witch Morgaine’s apartment for her help. Morgaine yearns for the hot, dark vampire. She can stir up any pot of elixir or poultice that Sly needs. When the lawyer downstairs moves out of 1B, Sly’s daughter Merry plans to move her father in and get him hooked up with Morgaine. Add to this a vamp on the prowl named Malvant, who wants nothing more than to stop Sly and Morgaine’s happiness, and Sly’s undead life becomes extremely real.
TQ: Without giving anything away, what is/are your favorite scene(s) in The Vampire Next Door?
Ashlyn: The death scene. I can’t tell you much more without a spoiler, so I’ll just leave it at that. Believe it or not, it was one funny death scene.
TQ: In The Vampire Next Door, who was the most difficult character to write and why?
Ashlyn: Hardest--the merman/building super who couldn’t fix anything if his life depended on it. I wound up writing him out of the story by the end. I liked the other characters too much to leave them at the mercy of a pathological liar.
TQ: Why did you set the Strange Neighbors series in Boston, Massachusetts?
Ashlyn: Because I know it well. I lived, went to school, and worked there for four years. I have a special place in my heart for Boston. It’s chock full of history, cultural events, educational opportunities, cool places to shop, eat, drink…what’s not to love?
TQ: Will there be any additional books in the Strange Neighbors series?
Ashlyn: Not per se, but I’m just starting a little spin-off series centered around a Boston bar owned by a vampire. He believes if the various supernatural creatures in Boston had a place to socialize, they’d drop certain prejudices and hostilities between factions. I’m unofficially calling it The Paranormal Cheers.
TQ: What's next?
Ashlyn: Where there’s fire, there’s Ash www.ashlynchase.com Check out my news, contest, videos and reviews.
Chat with me: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ashlynsnewbestfriends/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ashlyn-Chase/101303673285353
…and I tweet as GoddessAsh.
TQ: Thank you for joining us at The Qwillery.
Ashlyn: Thank you for the opportunity to reach more readers!
About Ashlyn's Books
The Vampire Next Door
Strange Neighbors 3(Sourcebooks, August 1, 2011)
Amazon : Barnes & Noble : Book Depository
The Werewolf Upstairs
(Sourcebooks, February 1, 2011)
Alpha werewolf Konrad Wolfensen sees it as his duty to protect the citizens of Boston, even if it means breaking into their businesses just to prove their security systems don’t work. But when his unsolicited services land him in trouble with the law, he’ll have to turn to his sexy new neighbor for help.
She should know better...
Attorney Roz Wells is bored. She used to have such a knack for attracting the weird and unexpected, but ever since she took a job as a Boston public defender, the quirky quotient in her life has taken a serious hit. Until her sexy werewolf neighbor starts coming around…
Amazon : Barnes & Noble : Book Depository
Strange Neighbors
Strange Neighbors 1
(Sourcebooks, June 1, 2010)
There’s never a dull moment when hunky all-star pitcher and shapeshifter Jason Falco invests in an old Boston brownstone apartment building full of supernatural creatures. But when Merry MacKenzie moves into the ground floor apartment, the playboy pitcher decides he might just be done playing the field…
A girl just wants to have fun…
Sexy Jason seems like the perfect fling, but newly independent nurse Merry’s not sure she’s ready to trust him with her heart…especially when the tabloids start trumpeting his playboy lifestyle.
Then pandemonium breaks loose and Merry and Jason will never get it together without a little help from the vampire who lives in the basement and the werewolf from upstairs…
Amazon : Barnes & Noble : Book Depository
About Ashlyn
She holds a degree in behavioral sciences, worked as a psychiatric RN for several years and spent a few more years working for the American Red Cross where she still volunteers as an instructor. She credits her sense of humor to her former careers since comedy helped preserve whatever was left of her sanity. She is a multi-published, award-winning author of humorous erotic romances.
Represented by the Nancy Yost agency in New York, NY, she lives in beautiful New Hampshire with her true-life hero husband and a spoiled brat cat.
The Giveaway
THE RULES
What: Two commenters will each win a copy of The Vampire Next Door from Sourcebooks. US and Canadian mailing addresses only.
How: Leave a comment answering the following question:
Who or what would you like as a 'Strange Neighbor'?
Please remember - if you don't answer the question your entry will not be counted.
You may receive additional entries by:
1) Being a Follower of The Qwillery.
2) Mentioning the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter. Even if you mention the giveaway on both, you will get only one additional entry. You get only one additional entry even if you mention the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter multiple times.
3) Mentioning the giveaway on your on blog or website. It must be your own blog or website; not a website that belongs to someone else or a site where giveaways, contests, etc. are posted.
There are a total of 4 entries you may receive: Comment (1 entry), Follower (+1 entry), Facebook and/or Twitter (+ 1 entry), and personal blog/website mention (+1 entry). This is subject to change again in the future for future giveaways.
Please leave links for Facebook, Twitter, or blog/website mentions. In addition please leave a way to contact you.
Who and When: The contest is open to all humans on the planet earth with a United States of America or Canadian mailing address. Contest ends at 11:59pm US Eastern Time on Thursday, August 11, 2011. Void where prohibited by law.
*Giveaway rules are subject to change.*
I think I'd like to have Sly, the vampire, as a neighbor. From what I read in the first two books, he uses his vampire abilities to protect his neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteHe gives the catchphrase: "Take a bite out of crime", hiliarious new meaning.
Well said, Virginia! Why didn't I think of that? LOL
ReplyDeleteWell I would love the sexy hot vampire or the broody moody were next door. This book looks great! I cannot wait and the Werewolf ND was fabulous.
ReplyDeleteterilhack at gmail dot com
I want some para in my normal so bring on the vamps or weres for a neighbor. Most books make then totally hawt and manly so either would be delicious to like next to. They could totally help me op those hard to twist peanut butter lids.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Teril!
ReplyDeleteEncouragement totally appreciated!
LOL Kaya,
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly right. In fact using their strength to help their neighbors do things was mentioned in both books 2 and 3! LOL
I love the idea of having supernatural neighbors....great idea for stories and I look forward to reading them. As for me, I think I'd take the werewolf. I've always loved wolves, and a werewolf living near me, keeping the area safe, does appeal to me. :)
ReplyDeletecsolinda at hotmail dot com
Yes, Linda,
ReplyDeleteThat was a major piece of Konrad's mindset. He was very protective of his neighbors and friends--even the pack who kicked him out.
I have had so many strange neighbors that answering this question seems like an invitation for trouble...
ReplyDeleteWho would I like as a neighbor!? I suppose a vampire would work as they are quiet :)
I am a follower.
robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com
Though I'm a big vampire fan and am thrilled Sly has his "own" book, I have a soft spot for... Nathan!
ReplyDeleteI like is dry personality.
I am a follower.
Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com
I'd like a brownie who would come over and clean my place when I'm gone.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure a vampire would be a good neighbor for me. I like it very quiet at night, precisely the time he would be up.
acm05atjuno.com
I would love to have a sexy, hunky, werepanther as my strange neighbor! I would definitely take him a casserole when he moved in!
ReplyDeleteThanks for a great giveaway! I just bought the first and second books so I'm all ready for the third one :)
jwitt33 at live dot com
I forgot to mention that I'm a GFC follower!
ReplyDeletejwitt33 at live dot com
I'm thinking more towards a fairy as a neighbor. Vamps or werewolves can be too unpredictable. :)
ReplyDeleteJen
GFC follower as Romancing the Book
admin.bookblog AT gmail.com
I would love to have a sexy hot vampire or angel as my neighbor. That would make life very interesting. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book and series. Tore923@aol.com
ReplyDeleteOh, Tracey!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you like Nathan. He gets hi HEA too in this book. I think you'll be pleased.
HI Anne,
ReplyDeleteA Brownie isn't a paranormal you hear about much. I think I need to do some research. There are way too many jokes waiting with that one!
Hey, Julie,
ReplyDeleteI was about to write a were panther, but changed it to another werewolf. I don't think I'll be able to look at them the same way since Trueblood.
I always love coming to the Qwillery for the good post...*S*
ReplyDeleteO...I would love to have a werewolf as a Strange Neighbor! It would be differnt than having the occassional wolfpack that howls onces in awhile behind the mountain we live on here in Alaska. Definitely a werewolf shifter. I would love it...*S*I don't why I couldn't because they can build a home on the Federal land next to me. I have 10 acres where we are living and the fereral land is next door....:) Perfect !...LOL
1+ Already a Follwer of The Qwillery
1+Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pommawolf
1+ Twitter : https://twitter.com/#!/Pommawolf/status/99191843333488641
1+ My little Blog: Pommawolf's Place
http://pommawolf.blogspot.com/2011/08/qwillery-interview-with-ashlyn-chase.html
Darcy
pommawolf @hotmail.com
I wanted to say that I read the excerpt the other day, and just loved it he was lisping, and trying to not lisp. He is so cute!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ladies!
Darcy
I'm glad you enjoyed the excerpt, Darcy!
ReplyDeleteI had fun writing it.
A vampire would be a good neighbour as long as he/she keeps his fangs to slurping from low lifes.
ReplyDeleteI follow the Quillery from leestewarttaylor at gmail.com and I post links on my blog to busy reading:
http://toobusyreading.blogspot.com/
A werewolf - I thought about a fairy but the fae can be very self-centered.
ReplyDeleteLOL. Yes, Lee. Sly doesn't snack on anyone he knows--except Morgaine and she had to urge him to. (I'll say no more or I'll have to toss in a spoiler alert.)
ReplyDeleteI am torn between the vampire and the werewolf....can I have both?? lol
ReplyDeletesariahwalters at gmail dot com
Hi Sariah,
ReplyDeleteOf course you can! In my building you can live near a witch and a ghost too!
I would love to live next to a sexy werewolf that could cook and give great massages~!
ReplyDeletegreat giveaway
follow via gfc
drakebdog@gmail.com
I'd love a sexy vampire as a neighbor, I think it would be wonderful to get to know him.
ReplyDeleteBarbed1951 at aol dot com
GFC follower
As a strange neighbor I would have to go with the quirky vampire. The type who both annoy and endear his neighbors by reminding them to turn down their lights, lock their doors and windows and keep an eye on their property at night. Since he's a nightly creature he'd make a handy, handsome watchdog :)
ReplyDeleteGFC follower
Cambonified[at]yahoo[dot]com
Oh, Samantha! What a great idea. I'd like that too.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, I like the idea of geting to know an old vampire. imagine all the satories they'd have to tell!
ReplyDeleteI think I would like to have a werewolf for a neighbor. They do intrigue me. The book looks great. I love the covers. I do follow this blog debby236 at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteI would love to have a werewolf for a neighbor, extra points if he has ripply muscles! GFC Krystal Larson edysicecreamlover18@gmailDOTcom
ReplyDeleteIm a total wolf girl I gotta agree with previous posters that I would want a werewolf neighbor.I am so excited that book three is out Im dying to read it .This series is one of the best Ive ever read .Thank you so much for the chance to win a copy .
ReplyDeleteflanagan@mebtel.net
oops forgot to add I follow on twitter @lilblupixie
ReplyDeleteand via email
flanagan@mebtel.net
Congrats on another fab book, Ash! And for the record can I have them all. I'd like to start my own harem!!
ReplyDeleteI just got Strange Neighbors and would love to read The Vampire Next Door. I would love to have a fun-loving witch next door that I could go out and explore the supernatural world with. If the vampire would be fun-loving, I think that would be fun and certainly quiet during the day :)
ReplyDeletedz59001[at]gmail[dot]com