Welcome Ashley March, author of Romancing the Countess

Ashley March is giving away a copy of Romancing the Countess to one random commenter, AND as a grand prize at the end of her blog tour, she is giving away at least 50 books to one lucky winner! 

From Ashley's blog: 

Apart from the chances visitors have of winning a copy of ROMANCING THE COUNTESS, Ashley will give away at least 50 books (maybe more!) to one lucky winner at the end of the book tour! All you have to do is collect the answers to the clues she gives for each book tour stop and at the end of the tour in November email her with your answers. One random winner with all the right answers will win at least 50 romance novels! Is this easy to do? Yes. Is August 22nd to the end of November a long time? Yes; such a contest is not for the faint of heart. Is it worth it for a chance to win at least 50 romance novels? If you're a rabid romance fan like Ashley is, definitely!

Ashley kindly took the time away from her hectic writing and family schedule (two little girls!) to answer all my questions, so be sure to read and leave a comment for a chance to win a copy here, and maybe you'll also win 

The Grand Prize! 

  Why historical romance? What is (are) your fave elements in a historical? The men on horseback? The ladies' ballgowns? The manners & culture? What genre besides historical romance do you like to read?

Thanks so much for hosting me today, Pamela! =) To be honest, the simple truth is that I started writing historical romance because that’s what I grew up reading. I started with the Jude Deveraux and Catherine Coulter books I found at my library, and later fell head over heels with the sub-genre again when I discovered Julia Quinn.

As for my favorite elements in a historical, I have to say that the one at the top of my list would be that the heroes fit into my fantasy of what a man should be. He’s strong and capable, yet he’s also caring and compassionate (even if those qualities are not readily visible on the surface). He wears what amounts to three-piece suits all the time (assuming he’s wealthy) and is an intelligent leader. He also says bloody hell when he’s upset, which for some reason I happen to find incredibly sexy. He doesn’t wear his emotions on his sleeve so he’s somewhat of a mystery, but when we do get to know him, we see that he’s head-over-heels, desperately in love with the heroine. Okay, I have to stop. I think I’m going to swoon at any moment if I continue. =)

Outside of historical romance, I’ve recently started reading quite a few contemporary romances (and love them so much I hope to write my own soon!). I actually have other sub-genres in my TBR pile, but truly the thought of falling in love with a new sub-genre intimidates me—I already have too many books to read and not enough time!

Which fictional literary character, or blend of characters, would you be, or would you emulate? (Feel free to name an author, or any figure, male or female. Any time period. I, myself, would be Annie Sullivan, blended w/Margaret Mitchell. But that's just me.)

Oh, I love this question. =) If anyone reading this interview has followed me for the past year, then you doubtless know that I’m a huge Gone with the Wind fan (with the caveat that I *must* have Scarlett to read afterward for my HEA). So, with that being said, I always thought that a combination of Melanie and Scarlett would make a perfect heroine. I think they’re both wonderful in their own right, of course, but I’ve always admired Scarlett’s confidence and bravery, as well as Melanie’s kindness and selflessness. If I were to emulate that combination, I’d be a much better person. And who knows? Maybe my husband would turn into Rhett Butler. ;)

How long have you been writing? What book, author, teacher inspires you? How did you learn your craft? Wish to recommend a lesson/course/seminar?

I started writing for a few months in early 2006 and quit because that first book was so terrible! Then I started writing again in February 2008 and haven’t looked back since. Julia Quinn and Lisa Kleypas are the two authors who inspired me to start writing my own historical romances and are also two authors who continue to inspire me to this day. In addition, I can add Laura Lee Gurhke, Sherry Thomas, Meredith Duran, Joanna Bourne, and Anne Mallory to that list as well. (These are just a few, though; there truly are so many more talented writers who I adore!)

After I started writing, the biggest help to me and the best thing I ever did as a beginning writer was to join the online critique group Romance Critters, where I found two critique partners that I still have now. Receiving such honest feedback from complete strangers who also loved romance really helped me to see my strengths and weaknesses (although I don’t believe you ever stop learning how to improve!). Outside of giving and receiving critiques, I think that the Writer’s Digest Elements of Fiction Writing series has been the most valuable in terms of learning how to improve the craft of writing.

 You are the creator of RBW - Romance Biggest Winner [Weight Loss Support Group].
 What made you think to reach out to the reading/writing romance community? (Besides your brillance!) Why not just go to WW or Jenny Craig? What have you learned through this experience?

Lol. Thank you! I’m so honored that so many other people decided to take part in the Romance Biggest Winner competition (not to mention how many wonderful people I’ve met as a result)! Outside of my family, I live and breathe romance. It’s my work and my entertainment. Nearly every person in the romance community—whether reader or writer—goes out of their way to show kindness to others…or at least, that’s been my experience. =) I’ve done WW before. I’ve done SparkPeople before. The biggest decision in turning to the romance community was that I wasn’t finding the support I needed from my husband. Instead of encouraging each other to get healthy, we were enabling each other. So instead, I turned to the people I interact with every day, some of whom I know also needed to lose weight, because I would see them post or tweet about it. I thought it was also a great way for readers and authors to join together to support each other and get to know one another on a deeper level.

The most rewarding part of this experience by far has indeed been the relationships built, both with members of my team (yay, Pamela!—go Pink Ladies!), and with others in the competition. I’m so proud of everyone for continuing on and staying strong—especially as we near the holiday season!

Tell us about RWA trip to NYC- what knocked your socks off there?

I really intended to write a blog post about the RWA national conference this past July when I returned home, but it just got away from me as I worked on the deadline for my third book and started getting prepared for the promotional work for ROMANCING THE COUNTESS. So I’m thrilled you asked. =)

This year’s national RWA conference in NYC was the first one I’ve ever been to, and I am so very, very glad I did! One of the reasons I continued putting off writing about it was because I knew it was going to be a HUGE post—there are so many things to say! So to keep this short, I’ll just give you my top three highlights here. =)

1)      Meeting my author friends, my author crushes (yes, I’m looking at you, Lisa Kleypas!), and other people I didn’t know before going but who I was delighted to meet there (special *wave* to Evangelina Joseph!). Just getting to meet other people who love romance as much as I do was an awesome experience.

2)      Meeting readers! I was fortunate to be able to sign at the literacy autographing session as well as at the NAL signing, and I met so many wonderful readers there—some of whom I still communicate with on a regular basis. Honestly, I was in awe whenever someone would come up and tell me that they loved my book, and was so thrilled when people who had never read my work before decided to buy it and give me a chance!

3)      I know I said I would limit it to three highlights. And the truth is that the RWA conference is centered on the workshops and panels meant to actually help you improve your craft. But I would be a horrendous liar if I did not admit that I skipped out on attending a lot of the workshops so I could go to the author signings and get FREE books. Yes, FREE books, signed by my favorite authors!! *SQUEE* I think I came home with—er, shipped home—approximately 200 books. Seriously. So you can see why my TBR pile intimidates me. =) *happy sigh*

What's on your horizon? Future writing plans? Future releases? Do you have any seminars you're working on for your own RWA local chapter?

Okay, I am really excited to be able to answer this question. I mean it! I’m so glad you asked!!! =) I just turned in final edits for my third NAL Penguin book, which should be out in May 2012 and is called MY LADY RIVAL. But I’m very excited to talk about what’s next because—because because because (yes, I’m THIS excited about it)—since I chose to start self-publishing, I’m able to write about anything I wish now, and not only have I decided to write the love stories for secondary characters from my previous books that I otherwise wouldn’t have gotten to write, but I’m also venturing into a new time period!

I expect that these two projects will actually be available BEFORE the third Penguin book, simply for the fact that the production schedule as a self-published author doesn’t take as long as it would traditionally.

So, with that being said, please keep an eye out for the following in early 2012:

Joanna and Ethan’s Victorian romance (two secondary characters from SEDUCING THE DUCHESS)

The beginning of a new series called The Golden Twenties, in which I write about romance in 1920s Long Island and Chicago (*squee!!*)

I’m also planning other big new projects for 2012, but will wait to talk about those at another time. Of course, readers can always keep updated on my books by checking out the Coming Soon page on my website (www.ashleymarch.com/coming-soon) and signing up for my newsletter (www.ashleymarch.com/email).

 Oh My Goodness Ashley! This is FAB news! More info on your decision here on your blog. 
And to show my support, I'll give away a copy of Joanna & Ethan's romance when it is released in January!! So stay tuned readers! 

As for seminars, I will be leading the workshop at my local Colorado Romance Writers chapter in January 2012. Am still deciding on what to speak on, though. =)     

I was born and raised in East Texas, moved to Colorado after getting married eight years ago, and have been craving snow-free winters ever since. I have a husband who just keeps getting better and better over time and two beautiful daughters.

Life is simply…fantastic.

One random commenter will be chosen to win a copy of my newest book, ROMANCING THE COUNTESS (open internationally)! Also, find out how to win the ROMANCING THE COUNTESS Book Tour Grand Prize of 50+ romance novels by visiting www.ashleymarch.com! 

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