by Ashlyn Chase
In some of my bios, I mention the idea
of the writer’s theme. It’s not the theme of a book; it’s the
theme of all that author’s books. Whether or not we writers
realize it, an all-over pervasive theme usually emerges in every book
by a particular author. I’ve come to realize my theme has to do
with characters who reinvent themselves.
I’m well qualified to write it too.
I’ve reinvented myself many times—both as a writer and a person.
I began by attending Massachusetts College of Art, hoping to become a
famous artist and travel the world showing in premier galleries. Then
I got real.
Reinvention number one: From artist to
nurse. Nursing doesn’t allow for a lot of creativity. In fact, it’s
actively discouraged. You follow doctor’s orders, period. And if
they get “too creative” it’s your job to reel them in.
But as you might have guessed, I’m a creative person and that trait
doesn’t stay buried easily. Most artists will tell you they become
very uncomfortable—physically, emotionally, spiritually—if they
can’t create. I’m no different. To satisfy my creative urges, I
took a course in screenwriting. It wasn’t as messy as painting and
I had since married a neat-nick.
Reinvention number two: From nurse to
writer. I tried a couple of other things along the way. I trained as
a hypnotherapist and an interior designer, but for some reason my
clients eventually began smoking or gaining weight again, and it was
discouraging. I never earned a dime with my Interior Design training.
There were just too many pitfalls, so I used my knowledge to design
my own home and offer opinions to friends—if asked. But it was
writing that stuck.
Reinvention number three: From hot
suspense to hot comedy. I was a published author. I had a few devoted
followers and some great reviews, but something was missing. My joy
and spontaneity. I wasn’t having as much fun as I would have liked.
Writing these books had turned into work. Then I had an experience
that changed me again. I wrote my first erotic comedy. I let myself
go buck wild, and it just poured out of me. What resulted was an
off-the-wall novella that every reader and reviewer loved. It was
nominated for a CAPA and an Eppie award. And I loved it too, plus I
loved the experience of writing it. The story was Oh My God.
Reinvention number four: From short to
long: I had heard that what readers and publishers wanted were not
one, but several related books in a series. So I tried to come up
with an idea for a hot humorous series. Let’s see…write what you
know…use your voice…and try to make it a long, rich storyline
that can go on and on and on…
The Strange Neighbors series set in
Boston began and was followed by a spin-off series. Flirting with
Fangs. These were loooong books and took forever to write. Six months
each. Yup. Six months of my life for one of those suckers and a
voracious reader will devour it in a day. What? Wha…?
I’m in mid-reinvention again. I want
to write shorter and more. My story Oh My God was happily
resurrected, rewritten to dovetail nicely with a storyline by my dear
friend Dalton Diaz, and then we were fortunate enough to score a
bonus story by USA Today Bestseller Terry Spear!
Thus, Gods Gone Wild was born and Oh My
God was reborn. I hope you love it as much as we do!
Ashlyn Chase
Dalton Diaz
Bonus story from USA Today Bestselling
Author Terry Spear
Two Gods are in big trouble with Zeus.
Gods will be gods and when these two taunt Pele for their own
entertainment, she erupts, literally, creating a whole new Hawaiian
island. But Zeus is not amused and must teach them a lesson they
won't forget. Who knew their punishment would lead to finding the
loves of their lives?
Great Zeus! (Dalton Diaz)
Epimetheus knows he screwed up. Well,
he knows it since Zeus pointed it out with a lightning bolt or two.
He’s willing to take his punishment like a Titan, but all bets are
off when his beloved dead wife Pandora shows up. Pandy has no memory
of him. Epimetheus has no powers, and no forethought. What could
possibly go wrong?
Oh My God (Ashlyn Chase) Rewritten and
expanded version of 2009 Eppie nominee, same title
The Greek God of wine, women, and
party, falls off a balcony during Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Now he
has amnesia. All he knows is that they call him 'Big D', and he
drinks too much and ought to give up alcohol for Lent.
Mandy and Brenda flashed Dionysus right
before he fell. They're nice enough to take him to an AA meeting, and
then back to their homes until he recovers his memory. Fortunately,
they're not too nice to be naughty.
Bonus Story: Goddess in Training (Terry
Spear) Previously published 2010 Indie, same title
In a game of the gods, librarian
Lisandra, who has never been loved, is chosen to be the goddess of
fertility. The demi-god of pleasure, Assarian is ordered by Zeus to
train her in the hallowed halls of Mount Olympus to prove to his
wife, Hera, goddess of marriage, mortals and immortals alike only
need be physically satisfied to find fulfillment, to which Hera
disagrees—all creatures must have love to be whole.
This book is
getting lots of 5 star reviews! If you enjoy erotic comedy, please
pick up a copy and feel free to leave a review of your own.
Thank you!
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