Guest Author, Sharon Ashwood with Giveaway!
by sue on Jul.10, 2010, under Book Chat
Setting: Modern day Fairview, a small, coastal city in the Pacific Northwest.
Subgenre: Paranormal romance/urban fantasy
Hero: Captain Reynard, younger son of family of landed gentry from the 1700s. He is an immortal guardsman of the Castle, a prison for the supernatural. After two and a half centuries trapped in the dungeon, he’s more than ready for a vacation.
Heroine: Ashe Carver, witch, kick-butt monster slayer, and librarian. As a single mother of a ten-year-old daughter, Ashe is also desperate for a holiday. But, instead of getting some R&R, she’s being stalked by vampires, demons, lawyers, and a killer rabbit.
One Two sentence summary (c’mon, I can’t do anything under 100,000 words!): Faced with a custody battle, Ashe Carver has hung up her stakes and taken a job at the public library, determined to show the courts and her ten-year-old daughter that she’s as good a mother as she is a hunter… but after centuries guarding a supernatural prison, Captain Reynard strides into her world like a hero from the library’s Must Reads. Smokingly gorgeous, passionate and courageous to a fault, he has only weeks to live unless Ashe finds the thief who took his soul.
Scene you like most and would never cut: Ashe and Reynard’s first love scene. They’ve both got huge emotional barriers and even bigger challenges at a survival level, but they finally connect and surrender to each other. They’re both looking for a shot at life before it’s too late—and for Reynard, every second counts. The fact that they can find joy in the face of such odds is incredibly affirming.
The scene gave me a chance to go deeper into the characters than I had before. This moment really moved me. I wanted so badly for everything to work out for Ashe and Reynard, and at times I had serious doubts.
Never mind that the fate of an author’s characters is completely at your own whimsy. I have these oddball fantasies like: what would happen to my characters if I were hit by a bus before I finished the book? Would they be stuck in limbo forever? The thought is utterly horrible to me. Yeah, writers are very weird people. But at least I watch for speeding cars.
Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying: Ashe is a tough girl—she’s had to be—but there’s a softer, feminine side buried under the motorcycle gear and bad attitude. However, she would never willingly wear anything baby aspirin pink. She’d fall on her own stake first.
Your hero, is he a boxer or brief kind of guy: Given that Reynard is used to historical dress, I would assume boxers, if anything.
Ancillary character you had the most fun with: I love the character of Errata Jones, the radio announcer of 101.5 FM CSUP, “the radio station denies and defies the normal in paranormal.” Writing her spots is often a highlight for me, because I can be totally loopy and serious at the same time.
Your heroine’s favorite hobby: Ashe enjoys any sort of extreme sports. Rock-climbing, wind-surfing, vampire origami.
Your hero’s favorite hobby: Reynard didn’t get much hobby-time as a Castle guard, but travel fascinates him—not a bad thing, since he ended up a time traveller of sorts. He’s also an avid horseman.
What you think readers will like best about this book: Non-stop action, hot sex, and killer rabbits.
The person that readers want you to write about but you haven’t yet: Ashe and Holly Carver (Ashe’s sister and the heroine of Ravenous) have a half-brother, Brendan, on their dad’s side. He’s actually only mentioned in the Monsterpedia on my web site—he doesn’t have anything to do with the witchy side of the family—but a number of readers have picked up on his existence and started asking me when he’ll get a book. Soon, I hope—I’m planning some new Dark Forgotten stories right now!
What’s next: The next book after Unchained will be out in the spring of 2011. The title is still up in the air. It is about the young hellhound Alpha, Lore, and some very nasty, evil enemies that show up in Fairview.
**
Ashe is a slayer not only of vampires, but also any supernatural creature that threatens humans. What do you think would be the most dangerous monster to face? Vampires? Werewolves? Demons? The cable guy? How would you get rid of them? Give us your opinion, and somebody will win signed copies of the first two books in the Dark Forgotten series: Ravenous and Scorched.
And if you’re looking for inspiration in dealing with monsters, check out Ashe’s advice for shooing the undead and the fanged from your life by clicking on the following:
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Sue G - Borders True Romance Host - Borders Romance Buyer, reads romance. For her JOB. No, really. You can email Sue at sgrimshaw at bordersgroupinc dot com.
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Shape-shifter Dev Peltier thought he knew it all. But one night when a Dark-Hunter, who is also an official member of the Dogs of War, sashays into his bar, he realizes he might have met his match. But as old enemies and new move into New Orleans, Samia realizes that Dev just might be the only hope she and mankind have to save the world.
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July 22nd, 2010 on 2:27 pm
It is my great pleasure to visit your site and to enjoy your awesome posts here. I like that very much. I can feel that you put much attention for those articles, as all of them make sense and are very useful
July 12th, 2010 on 1:36 pm
I think demons . . . vamps can be done in by stakes, sunlight, etc. and werewolves by silver bullets (at least most of the time). Demons . . . well, I’m not quite sure how to get rid of them other than holy water?
July 12th, 2010 on 9:12 am
Gotta be demons since they can come in all kinds of flavors. Vamps & weres have know weaknesses, but with all the different demons, it could be anything.
July 12th, 2010 on 8:51 am
I would say Demons. With vampires, you deal with them using holy water, crosses, sunlight. With the wolfies, you can use silver bullets. But what can you use against demons? They seem to be all powerful! EEK!
July 11th, 2010 on 6:36 pm
The Cable Guy? I would point out he is a shy beast and it is much harder to glimpse this rare creature.
Getting rid of him would only require a couple words, “Under warranty”.
July 11th, 2010 on 8:34 pm
Good one, Kate!
July 11th, 2010 on 6:30 pm
congrats on your new release!!
I think Demons would be the most dangerous to face….as for getting rid of them…uh..holy water? LOL!!
Thanks for the chance to win!
Froggy
July 11th, 2010 on 8:36 pm
Thanks for joining us, Froggy. Say, were you the winner of one of my Writerspace giveaways once upon a time?
July 11th, 2010 on 5:53 pm
Congrats on the new release!!
Sounds silly, but the cable guy!! Because you don’t know what you’re going to get. He could be a vamp or a demon!
July 11th, 2010 on 8:33 pm
or a zombie!
July 11th, 2010 on 12:36 pm
Congrats on your new release! I love your books! Love the cover and I can’t wait to read it!
July 11th, 2010 on 3:34 pm
Thanks, Lisa! I hope you enjoy the read.
July 11th, 2010 on 6:03 am
Hi Sharon!
congrats on your newest release - I loved book 1 and can’t wait to read on…
as for monsters, I think demons are quite difficult to get rid of, but spiders are the worst *gg*
wish you all the best,
Ina
July 11th, 2010 on 3:34 pm
Jansen’s History of Art is the ultimate weapon against the eight-legged fiends. Mine got a workout when I lived in a basement apartment.
July 10th, 2010 on 10:40 pm
Hi! I think perhaps were-beasts would be the most dangerous as they can look the most human. I don’t think vampires of demons can look as human because they are inherently not. Were-beasts and shifters though do have a human phase and so are more able to pass for one. Although demons may be tougher to destroy, they would be identified more readily (that stench of brimstone gives them away every time). As for getting rid of them, I’ll leave that to the professional writers.
July 11th, 2010 on 3:33 pm
Hi, cories
Werebeasts are tricky, but you can sometimes identify them because they always carry lint rollers to hide those unpleasant shedding moments. There’s always a tell.
July 10th, 2010 on 9:05 pm
I think it’s The Demon. Because they can possess you
And make you whatever they want you to do! scary
You are a new for me author, it will big gift for me if i could win the first two books of yours ! Pick ME !
July 11th, 2010 on 3:31 pm
Yeah, demons … beer… there’s a similarity when either one possesses you …
July 10th, 2010 on 8:52 pm
I think demons would be the worst. Hmm think I might ask your heroine of your books to get rid of them for me. I just found you as an author & your books so I haven’t had a chance to read them yet. Sure are going to check them out. They sound really good.
July 11th, 2010 on 3:30 pm
Thanks, Sue! Ashe is always available if you need her!
July 10th, 2010 on 8:27 pm
For the supernatural I’m going to say the Demon. But I really think it’s the TELEMARKETERS, you can’t ever get rid of them.
July 11th, 2010 on 3:27 pm
Oo, I’m with you there - and you can’t even find them to stake them! On principle I don’t take any service that uses telemarketers.
July 10th, 2010 on 7:43 pm
Ohhhh The cable guy, for sure! I would get rid of him by switching to another cable company. Muhahahaha!
July 11th, 2010 on 3:29 pm
Hi, Chelsea! Switching is a good idea, but you have to be careful. Those satellite dishes are what the aliens use to read your thoughts. I recommend tin foil over the windows.
July 11th, 2010 on 6:36 pm
And armadillo helmets
July 10th, 2010 on 4:27 pm
I would think demons would be the worse. Or a hell bent god of destruction. That would suck too
July 10th, 2010 on 6:11 pm
Gods of destruction always suck. I think one possesses my cat periodically.
July 10th, 2010 on 2:41 pm
This book sounds great!
I think vampires would be hardest to slay.
July 10th, 2010 on 6:15 pm
Vampires do seem to be persistent! Must be something to do with having to sit in the dark basement all day with nothing but daytime TV for company. They have plenty of time to think up evil schemes.
July 10th, 2010 on 1:58 pm
I would hate to face a demon. As I can be easily tempted, I would hate to be sucked into the dark side!!
July 10th, 2010 on 6:16 pm
But maybe the dark side is more fun?
July 10th, 2010 on 11:19 am
I think the most dangerous monster to face would be a demon. They’re really scary and hard to get rid of because there seems to be rules about them. I think I’d get the advise of someone who had studied demonology to help me get rid of a demon, I think you need a team working together for those dudes.
Since I haven’t had a chance to read Ravenous and Scorched yet, it would be fantastic to win.
July 10th, 2010 on 6:17 pm
I bet the demons make up the rules, too! Good luck, Barbara!
July 10th, 2010 on 10:01 am
I think werewolves are the most dangerous because it only takes one bite from them and you can be infected, not to mention they are super strong. I would try to avoid close range contact and just shoot them with silver bullets from a distance.
July 10th, 2010 on 10:20 am
If it was a werewolf like the one from the recent movie with Anthony Hopkins, I’d have to agree!
July 10th, 2010 on 10:00 am
Although I follow the Judeo-Christian ethic of “thou shalt not kill” I think The Blob would be a severe pain in the butt to face and get rid of. However I’d try to throw salt on it and hope it had the same affect that it has on snails. *g*
July 10th, 2010 on 10:21 am
You could try beer. I don’t know if the blog would melt like slugs do, but at least it would be happy!
July 10th, 2010 on 9:53 am
I think demons would be the most dangerous. They can take different forms, be invisible. They exist in day or night. I don’t know how I would destroy one. I probably would have an exorcism.
July 10th, 2010 on 10:22 am
Or call Sam and Dean Winchester. Oh, heck, I’d call them with or without the demons!
July 10th, 2010 on 9:29 am
I’m going to go with demons since they are more of an unknown quality and I’m going to leave the how up to the fabulous authors that can write this stuff lol.
July 10th, 2010 on 10:24 am
I’ve discovered there is an important rule - never create a monster if you can’t figure out how to get rid of it. I ran into that with the dragon from SCORCHED - I had a real moment of, “oh, now what?” Fortunately my characters are sometime (often) smarter than I am.
July 10th, 2010 on 8:41 am
I think fighting demons would be tricky,as long as you have the skills to kill them its all good.As for the rest i think if you are good with cold weapons your okay.
July 10th, 2010 on 10:27 am
I dunno - there are always flame throwers! But those don’t work so well if you’re dealing with fire demons …
July 10th, 2010 on 8:23 am
Thanks Sharon for posting — I would say the devil would be my worst nightmare . . . . & holy water?
Here at ROMCON in Denver having a super time meeting all the great authors. Had fan girl moment when I met Christine Feehan — what a wonderful person & author!
Love the video!
Best 2 U,
Sue
July 10th, 2010 on 10:27 am
Hi, Sue, thank you so much for having me! I hope RomCon is a huge success!
July 10th, 2010 on 8:10 am
I think demons are probably the worst. Vampires drink blood to survive and werewolves aren’t always aware of what they’re doing when in werewolf form. Demons are usually just, well demonic. Not really sure what I’d do to get rid of them though.
I’m new to your books, but will definitely be checking them out…I really enjoyed the excerpts on your website too!
July 10th, 2010 on 10:29 am
Hi, Caitie, thanks for checking out the excerpts! I like to give readers the chance to kick the tires a little.
July 10th, 2010 on 8:06 am
I think vampires are the most evil. They suck your blood and your soul. The good old stake through the heart seems seems to be the tried and true method of ridding yourself of these nasty pests!
Your book sounds awsome. Will have to check it out!
July 10th, 2010 on 10:31 am
Yep, the stake is always a classic - although getting up close and personal enough to do the deed has its drawbacks!
July 10th, 2010 on 7:56 am
I’m not sure which would be the most dangerous. I sort of think that it would be a werewolf because they have the ability to change forms and heal their selves. Although vampires can heal really fast too.
July 10th, 2010 on 10:32 am
Yeah, it’s a bit scary to the think that the guy in accounting could have a secret life and you just don’t know ….
July 10th, 2010 on 7:34 am
The cable guy??!!LOL Of course….they drive be nuts. When they say “We’ll be there between 8:00 and 10:00.”
and their there at 2 minutes till 12:00, so unfar.
July 10th, 2010 on 10:33 am
And we may not be talking the same month!
July 10th, 2010 on 5:49 am
Hi, Sharon! Ashe sounds like a terrific heroine–a single mom who can handle a ten-year old with one hand and take out a monster with the other!!! Vampires will never lose their eerily erotic allure. They can easily dispatch all challengers to the paranormal throne. Vampires are the most insidious evil, often appearing solicitous and charming. All the while, they are sensing the beat of your heart and savoring the thought of slaking their thirst with the red, red wine of your blood. I’ve no doubt Vampires will be around as long as humanity exists.
July 10th, 2010 on 10:34 am
I’m with you, Virginia, the vamps rule, were-beasts drool … or at least the vampires are fond of saying so.
July 10th, 2010 on 4:48 am
Love the sound of this book. I’m new to you but will be checking out Ravenous and this one.
July 10th, 2010 on 10:35 am
Thanks Lisa! Thanks so much for checking out the Dark Forgotten!