Outraged

Ok, I hope this doesn't offend any one....I have nothing against Spanish speaking people, except those who come to our country illegally. My son's inlaws speak Spanish. However, I was incensed to be watching TV yesterday and hear a tide commercial in Spanish! This is America. Yes, we have a lot of different cultures, and they speak a lot of different languages, and that's wonderful. But people who come to this country to live should learn the language, the way my grandparents, who came from Italy and Denmark, did.

Signs in stores and on food labels are now in English and Spanish.

I'm beginning to feel like a stranger in my own country, and I don't like it at all!

I love Vincent

So, as I've done so often in the past, I recently discovered a new show - Beauty and the Beast. I probably would have found it sooner if it didn't come on the same night and time as Person of Interest, which I also love.  Oh my gosh, I am in love with the Beast....of course, that's not hard to believe, since I also loved Disney's Beast. I admit it, I am attracted to bad boys

I know I complained about The Vampire Diaries not long ago, but I have loved it less and less each week. It started off as such a great show, with great, likeable characters. Even Damon, was THE bad boy, was loveable, and easily my favorite character. That hasn't changed. However, IMO, the writers of the show have ruined it. Every character on the show has become a monster of one kind or another, killing left and right with little or no regret, and Elena is the worst of all.

Maybe I'm in the minority, but I find it hard to be sympathetic to her character. She's become the worst monster of all and even if the writers somehow find a way to redeem her, she will still be a monster. There are no "good guys" left on the show, except for Matt. If he was smart, he'd leave town.  End of rant.


On a happier note, my book, AS TWILIGHT FALLS, is due in stores at the end of this month.

And my book, DESIRE THE NIGHT, is a finalist in the Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence contest.

Happy Spring!



Time to Rant

So, I've been watching The Vampire Diaries since day 1, and loved it, especially Damon, but hey, what's not to love? The story was interesting - a teenage triangle. Two brothers in love with the same girl. Other characters were also interesting - Tyler and Matt, Jeremy and Jenna, Caroline and her mother, Bonnie and her grams. And Katherine, of course.  The plot was tight and I couldn't wait for Thursday nights.

But now, I hate to say, I'm losing interest in the show. There are too many characters. Too much blood. Too much death. I could live with that, but now, except for Matt (why doesn't he leave town?) there are no "good" guys left. Even Elena is a killer.

I find it increasingly ridiculous that anyone can be killed and revived and killed again. I mean, it seems like whenever the writers run out of ideas, they just kill someone, though few people stay dead. Enough already!

I wish the writers would get back to the core cast, get rid of Klaus and his messed-up family, bring back Tyler, let someone have a happy life.

I know a show needs tension, but, IMO, it's getting harder and harder to like these people when they've all become murderers, sometimes a dozen at a time!!!!

I received a preview of the cover for my book, NIGHT'S MISTRESS, and I think it's beautiful. My only concern is that, to me, it doesn't look like a vampire book. I think it looks more like the cover for a gothic novel. Other than that, I love it.

I was going to upload a photo, but the blog will no longer let me upload a photo from my computer. What a bummer. However you can see it on my Amanda Ashley  web page.

Hope the new year is being good to you.

Mandy

Last Post of 2012

So, another Christmas has come and gone....amazing how quickly it goes by, each one seeming to come faster than the last!

All that shopping - one for you, one for me, one for you, two for me.  Good thing I love to shop!!!! I have to admit, it's one of my favorite things, whether it's wandering through Target or browsing through the 99 cent store. And I love Hallmark stores, and Kohl's.

The one thing I hate is cooking. My oldest son decided we should have prime rib for dinner....since I'm a terrible cook, and hate to cook, I was a little worried about being in charge of the main course. So, of course, I went online to look for directions and the roast came out perfect!!!!

New Year's Eve is always fun. We get together with our youngest son and some friends and have a Star Wars Movie marathon....Speaking of Star Wars, I got a fantastic Darth Vader cookie jar for Christmas!!!! I have a collection of cookie jars. Most of them are Santas and snowmen, with assorted animals and a spaceman sprinkled in here and there. I also got a new, really cute snowman.   
Oh, I almost forgot. My eBook, RECKLESS HEART, is available here and on Amazon.

 All in all, it's been a wonderful year.   Wishing you and yours a blessed and happy new year!!!!!

So, only 12 days until Christmas. I can't believe the year is almost gone. Seems to go faster every year.

All in alll, 2012 was a good year for our family. I hope it was good for you and yours as well.

Of course, I'm looking forward to the release of two of my books in the New Year - AS TWILIGHT FALLS in May and NIGHT'S MISTRESS - my 5th book in the Night series - in August. I really love both of these stories.

I hope you have the very Merriest of Christmases and the Happiest of New Years.

God bless us, every one.

Mandy

Just stopped in to share the cover for my next book.....I know it won't be out until next May, but I just can't wait to share it!  What do you think?

The back cover copy says ~

Photographing ghost towns across the American West, Kadie Andrews takes a wrong turn and ends up in Morgan Creek—a spot that isn’t on the map. It’s a quaint little place, but there’s something off about its complacent residents. And when twilight falls, it takes on a truly sinister air…


Unable to run or to find any way out, Kadie finds herself a prisoner, hunted for her blood. Still more disturbing, her spirit and beauty have captured the attention of the town’s leader—the mysterious Rylan Saintcrow. When he looks into her eyes, she can see his hunger. When he takes her in his arms, she can feel his power. When he presses his lips against hers, she can taste his need. Saintcrow may be the most powerful creature she’s ever imagined, but Kadie knows in her heart that he is also a man. A man who needs a woman. To want him, desire him, crave him. To be his willing prisoner—for all eternity…

I love this story. It has a kind of "Twilight Zone" feel to it. And, of course, I LOVE my hero. Hope you will, too.   I can't believe we're in the middle of October. Of course, if you look at store shelves, you might think it's Christmas!   TTFN (ta-ta-for-now)   Mandy

Happy Fall Ya'll

So, here we are in October. You can tell because the stores are filled with Christmas decorations!!!!
And Halloween decorations, too....you'd think they could wait until Halloween was OVER before they started in on Christmas. Talk about rushing the season!

Of course, as a paranormal romance writer, I love vampires and werewolves and witches....and things that go bump in the night.

I'm excited about my upcoming book, AS TWILIGHT FALLS. It has a kind of "Twilight Zone" feel to it - a town where people go in but can't get out.....a Master Vampire....I had such fun writing this book.

The back cover copy says ~
Photographing ghost towns across the American West, Kadie Andrews takes a wrong turn and ends up in Morgan Creek—a spot that isn’t on the map. It’s a quaint little place, but there’s something off about its complacent residents. And when twilight falls, it takes on a truly sinister air…

Unable to run or to find any way out, Kadie finds herself a prisoner, hunted for her blood. Still more disturbing, her spirit and beauty have captured the attention of the town’s leader—the mysterious Rylan Saintcrow. When he looks into her eyes, she can see his hunger. When he takes her in his arms, she can feel his power. When he presses his lips against hers, she can taste his need. Saintcrow may be the most powerful creature she’s ever imagined, but Kadie knows in her heart that he is also a man. A man who needs a woman. To want him, desire him, crave him. To be his willing prisoner—for all eternity…

What do you think of the cover?

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I LOVE TV

I don't watch a lot of TV - but I can't wait for the return of Hawaii 5-0, The Mentalist, Grimm, Once Upon a Time, The Vampire Diaries, Person of Interest, The Middle,  and Hell on Wheels.

I also love Longmire and I'm glad it's being renewed for another season.

I guess I should revise my opening statement. I don't watch a lot of network tv. Mostly, I watch reruns on cable - shows that are timeless - like The Dick Van Dyke Show, M*A*S*H, Cheers, The Andy Griffith Show, and Frasier. These shows had STORIES and actual PLOTS, they weren't just a bunch of suggestive jokes strung together.  Little wonder so many new shows don't last a month, let alone 10 years. It's no secret why the shows I mentioned are still being broadcast. They were about something - about people we cared for.

And then there's I Love Lucy - surely no other show in the history of TV has lasted so long. I don't think it's ever been OFF the air!

Nothing much to say except that my Muse has been AWOL since the end of May. Not sure where she went. Someone said she ran off with Damon from The Vampire Diaries. If that's true, I can't blame her.

However, her departure has left a huge hole in my life.....and lots of free time, which I fill by playing Spider Solitaire - I guess I've lost about half a million games , shopping, and eating. If she doesn't come back soon, I may outgrow all my clothes!!!

More photos from Lassen...........

Cute Chipmunk

Pretty Place

My dog, Lady, had a good time, too.

Hope you're having a wonderful summer!!!!!!