Interview with author Ashlyn Chase

Aurthur Ashlyn Chase interview for her paranormal romance series, Strange Neighbors.

Laurie-Hello Ashlyn. Thank you so much for doing the interview. Would you please tell us a little about yourself?

A.C.--That’s always a hard question. Well, one thing I tend to write about is something I do myself. I write characters who reinvent themselves, and as such I reinvent myself from time to time. I try to keep growing and improving my writing craft and my life. I’m almost perfect now. (Laughs)

Do you have a favorite place you go to write?

A.C.—I’m someone who can’t handle distractions. I have a quiet office in my daughter’s old bedroom. Note to anyone with kids, moaning about not having time or space to write…if you do your job right, they grow up and leave you an office.

Laurie-What or how has inspired you most to write?

A.C. –A few years ago, both of my parents were terminally ill at the same time. A fellow nurse knew what I was dealing with and handed me a book, saying, “Here. Read this.” I was well into the sequel before I realized it was a romance novel! Yes, I was one of those snobs who thought romance novels were trash. Thank God for trash! Reading romance novels saved my sanity during that emotional time. I had always wanted to be a writer. As soon as I discovered the genre, I knew what I wanted to write. I hoped to give back the healthy escape I received and pay it forward.

Laurie-What are some of your favorite paranormal romance books?

A.C. –It’s no secret I love the funny ones. Mary Janice Davidson, Katie MacAlister, Gerry Bartlett, Angie Fox... In fact, when asked who I’m most like I say, “If Mary Janice Davidson and Katie MacAlister had a baby , that would be me.

Laurie-Your light paranormal romance series Strange Neighbors is an apartment building full of different paranormal creatures. It’s such a creative idea. Would you please share how you came up with this series?

A.C.—A combination of ideas hit me at the same time. I heard my favorite quarterback (Tom Brady) owned a condo building in Boston. I used to live in the same neighborhood and began thinking of my old apartment buildings. While talking to a couple of friends about apartment living in the city and old neighbors, the idea of a building that attracts paranormal misfits occurred to me. I brainstormed it with those friends, and Strange Neighbors became a viable idea. A brief proposal sold it to an interested editor and I hired an agent to help me read the 15 page contract.    

Laurie-Can you share with us a little about the tenants living there?

A.C. Sure, there’s an unemployed vigilante vampire squatting in the basement; a wereraven on the first floor; an overly friendly werewolf on the second floor and across the hall is a Gladys Kravitz style building manager. The third floor houses a pair of witches who work from home as phone sex actresses. Our hero and landlord occupies the penthouse. The blurb shows how he fits in:

Hunky all-star pitcher and shapeshifter Jason Falco invests in an old Boston brownstone apartment building full of supernatural creatures, and there’s never a dull moment. But when Merry MacKenzie moves into the ground floor apartment, the playboy pitcher decides he might just be done playing the field…

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…

Laurie-Are you going to or thinking about writing a book for each tenant living in the building?

A.C.-- Book 2 is called The Werewolf Upstairs, and begins when Merry’s best friend, Roz, moves into her old apartment. Book three is called The Vampire Next Door. Don’t ask why my publisher insisted on “next door” instead of in the basement, but she did. Marketing reasons I think. That concludes the series, but don’t worry…there’s a happy ending for all.

Laurie-Can you give a hint of what will happen to the ghost Chad?

A.C. --He gets nicer. As time goes on and he grows fonder of the other tenants (not that he’d admit it to them) he begins to think about his Karma. Perhaps he’s been left behind without a white light or tunnel for a reason? Maybe if he’s nicer, more helpful, he can move on. Maybe, you’ll have to read the rest of the series to find out. (wink)

Laurie-Do you have a favorite character in the building?

A.C. --Good question. I became very fond of Gwyneth, one of the witches. I loved her southern expressions and how “human” she was. I wasn’t planning to write a book for her, so I made sure she got her happy ending too. It sounds as if you’re fond of Chad. I love him too. I enjoy having a character who spits out exactly what he’s thinking without much of a filter. It’s a great comedic tool.

Laurie-Do you write anything of yourself into your heroines?

A.C.-- Thomas Wolfe once said, “Every novel is an autobiography.” I can relate to that for the most part. We have backgrounds and experiences unique to us. Most of us draw heavily on that experience whether we realize it or not. For instance, I’m a nurse and have written 3 heroines who are nurses. I didn’t even realize I was doing it. Other people’s professions and experiences have wound up in my books. Moral of this story? Be careful what you say to a writer. *snicker* You’ll find some of these stories behind the story in my dedications or acknowledgements. 

Laurie-I see you also write erotic romance. I am hosting a paranormal erotic reading challenge. Would you give us some suggestion from your erotic romance books that would be good to read for this challenge?

A.C.—I guess the length might decide it for you since I’m proud of all my paranormal romances. The longest is Vampire Vintage. It’s a ‘novel plus’ at 76,000 words. (Long for an ebook, shorter than many novels.) Next paranormal in length is Wonder Witch, considered a short novel at 45,000 words. Being Randy is a Novella. Right on the line between short story and novella is Oh My God and Djinn and  Tonic. I love them both, but especially Oh My God. It was nominated for a Capa and an Eppie award, but hasn’t ben read by many because it’s with my British publisher, Total-e-Bound. It’s part of a print anthology or comes separately as an ebook. www.total-e-bound.com Look under Humor, there are very few titles listed. (Because it’s a hard genre to write!)  

The Werewolf Upstairs release date is Feb, 1st

Places to find Ashlyn

Ashlyn Chase website

Thanks for giving me a chance to reach new readers! Good press is always appreciated.

My review for Strange Neighbors 
My review The Werewolf Upstairs