Skip to main content

My Wild Irish Dragon is here!



There are certain milestones a writer never forgets. "The call." That first contract. The first time you hold your beautiful book in your hands... Yeah, it never gets old.
Each book is special in its own way. Sometimes a fabulous review will never leave you. One of the best feelings is when your editor says, "You nailed it!" Yup. That happened with this book. Book 1 got fabulous reviews too, but "you nailed it" from a Sourcebooks editor... Well, that memory will be treasured forever.


 But something else--something very special--happened because of this series. My trip to Ireland. Have you ever pictured a place in your mind--if you're a writer, maybe you've even described it in a book, never having been there. And then you go, and--gasp--there it is!

Yes. That happened. I described a castle on the western cliffs of Ireland. In book one, only a caretakers cottage and the broken shell of the ancient structure remained. But the caves...No one talks about the caves. This is how the dragons survived St. Patrick's purging in the fourth century. As they fell over the cliffs a few managed to grab onto the rocks and hide in the caves.
  
I had heard about the Cliffs of Moher, but had never seen them, not even a photo, until I went there. Oh, my! There it was. The "castle" is only an observation tower, but that satisfied my writer's imagination. I had to rebuild the castle. And Chloe was just the dragon to do it.

It's true that Boston Dragons is the name of the series, and yes...most of it takes place in Boston. But my characters travel back and forth, to and from their homeland. I'm glad I had a chance to see it. I experienced a smattering of how deep my characters' Irish roots go and their reluctance to leave. We have a large Irish population here in Boston, but those who still sport the accent speak lovingly of their home.

Speaking of accents and nailing it... Felicity, the narrator for My Wild Irish Dragon did a fabulous job! You'll have to check out the sample at audible.
http://www.audible.com/pd?asin=B01KU8QPLE&source_code=AUDORWS0427169GW2 
Even though Chloe is trying to be more "American" her accent slips through, especially when she's upset.



I have fun because of writing romance novels. Lots of it! I especially love readers and writers coming together to celebrate books, the genre, and each other. But none of those conferences ever come to New England. I asked a conference organizer if she would consider us for a future date. She said, "We'll never go there. Boston is too expensive, and it has to be near an airport."

New England is small. People don't realize that Manchester NH is only an hour from Boston. Also close are Providence R.I. and Portland Maine. Hmmm... The Manchester/Boston regional airport is right down the street from the Best Western Executive Plus Conference Center in Manchester NH. I gave them a call about a year ago, and discovered their prices were ridiculously cheap right after Columbus Day weekend. And guess what, the foliage is even better the following weekend. If I needed a sign, that was it! The Fall in Love with New England Reader/Author Conference became more than just a dream that day.
Now, the conference is getting close. Excitement is building. The registered authors and readers are looking forward to it as much or more than I am! And before it's too late, I want everyone to know about it! Registration ends Sept 30th!

It's only $75 for readers. Our author spots filled up in a week, despite costing a little more ($99) but we still have room for a few more readers, and we'd love to have you! That $75 covers all activities, tons of free books (thanks to SOURCEBOOKS, Harlequin, and a few others... Friday brunch, a sit-down Friday night dinner, free breakfast each morning, and a luncheon on Sat. We're having a big booksigning after that, which will be open to the public.

Since Boston is only an hour away, people may chose to enjoy our 'big' beautiful city. My old agent called Boston a 'small town'. Cough *New Yorker* Cough. We love it here in New England... And we'd love to show you why. Have you ever been here in peak foliage season?   




Oh, yeah...I almost forgot. Of course there's a contest! I'm looking for a comment with a specific word in it. It's nothing weird or eleven letters long. It's a word you might use any ol' day of the week. (Or try not to use. ;)) In fact, I used that word in this post!  Good luck! The prize in addition to one of my books? One of each of these charms...all having to do with My Wild Irish Dragon.







 

Comments

  1. Can't wait to read this book. I am gonna say the word is Dragon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good guess, but not this time. I might use that later.

      Delete
  2. I love your post and I'm guessing the word is "never" ;). Congratulations on My Wild Irish Dragon!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes! Victoria! You got the hint. Lol
      Never say never! Email me with your address so I can send your prizes. Ash@ashlynchase.com

      Delete
    2. Thank you Ash. Sending you an email now.

      Delete
  3. I'll have to ask my hubby if he wants to take a trip to New England in October <3 You sold me! My guess for the word is "Call". Have fun at the conference!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That would be fantastic! Register soon.
      http://fallinlovewithnewengland.blogspot.com
      Hope to see you there, Glittergirl!

      Delete
  4. showing some post love you are so inspiring and the word is never. and one i dont really use often sounds to final and giving up

    ReplyDelete
  5. "never"

    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  6. if the prize was only for the first correct answer, post should have said that

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment