A-Z: "Y" is for "Thank You" & "Your" Characters

It's the second to the last day for the A-Z Challenge and today's letter is of course for the letter "Y." Before I begin my post, I'd like to give a shout out or a "Thank You" to the band of bloggers that hosted this excellent challenge which turned out to an awesome networking opportunity. Today, I will be making my rounds to these fine folks to make sure I'm following them and to say thank you.  Below is the list of these awesome peeps:

Tossing It Out (Arlee Bird), Amlokiblogs (Damyanti Biswas),
Alex J. Cavanaugh (Alex J. Cavanaugh), Life is Good (Tina Downey), Cruising Altitude 2.0 (DL Hammons), Retro-Zombie (Jeremy Hawkins), The Warrior Muse (Shannon Lawrence), The QQQE (Matthew MacNish), Author Elizabeth Mueller(Elizabeth Mueller), Pearson Report (Jenny Pearson), No Thought 2 Small (Konstanz Silverbow), Breakthrough Blogs (Stephen Tremp), & Coming Down The Mountain(Karen Jones Gowen)

Okay, so since my theme for this challenge is all about likable characters, I decided my post for "Y" should be about "your" favorite characters.  It could be the ones you write about, read about or even the ones you enjoy on film.  

I read a post this week that prompted this post.  It was from USA Today & New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Ashley and it was titled Character and Control.  If you get a chance, I recommend reading it.  There are some interesting perspectives on this subject.  Ashley writes about how she lets her "characters tell the story" and goes even further to explain how her process works.  (For those interested, I interviewed Ashley nearly two years where she spoke about one of her highly acclaimed characters, Lord Ian Mackenzie.)  At the end of the day, everyone has their own process, which brought me to my next series of questions.  

Plot, suspense, pacing etc... are without a doubt imperative, but what happens when you have characters that are not likable? Or better yet not memorable?  Do you let your characters tell your story?  Or do you prefer to control them?  What's your process and what works for you?


Mina B.

My Free Book Giveaway Contest winner is…

Congratulations to Wildcat 32 for winning Stormwalker by Jennifer Ashley’s alter ego, Allyson James. To conclude the “All Things Jennifer Ashley” week, I want to thank all the contestants that commented and especially thank Jennifer Ashley who took time out of her busy schedule to be interviewed. For those of you who missed my author interview with Jennifer Ashley, click here to read some insight into a truly gifted writer.

Looking for more information on Stormwalker? Visit Allyson James site to read the first chapter.

As a special reminder, Jennifer Ashley’s Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage releases July 6th and promises to be an instant hit. Get a glimpse into the highly spirited characters by reading Chapter 1 by visiting Jennifer Ashley's site.

Also, for more information the Mackenzie series, click here for my review of Book 1:

The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie. 
And for Book 2, click here to see my review for Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage.


Thanks again for participating and check back frequently this month, as I’ll be running another giveaway contest for my mystic mind fans.


Until next time…read more about the Mackenzies.


Mina B.

Mina's Author Interview: USA Today's Bestselling Author, Jennifer Ashley

Hey, mystic mind fans. I haven’t been this excited about a blog post since… I don’t know when. It’s “All Things Jennifer Ashley” week and the hits just keep on coming. Today, I’m here at my mystic minds blog interviewing one of my favorite authors: USA Today’s bestselling author, Jennifer Ashley.


For those of you that don’t know, Jennifer Ashley is a celebrated, bestselling author who writes under two other pen names: Allyson James and Ashley Gardner. For more information about Jennifer and all her many riveting romance novels, visit her website at http://www.jennifersromances.com/ .


As an added perk, I’m running a“Free Book Giveaway Contest "for Stormwalker, a killer mystical series written by Jennifer Ashley’s alter ego, Allyson James. Click here to enter.

Now, let’s get to our questions.

Mina: Your “Immortals” series is on my list to read. But I have had the opportunity to read your Nvengaria series, which I find are like historical paranormal romance – do you agree with this genre label? And can you tell the readers about the next book planned in this series?

Jennifer Ashley: The Nvengarian series is indeed paranormal historical romance. When I first came up with the concept (each book based loosely on a fairy tale), I wasn’t certain I’d make it paranormal, but then it seemed like too much fun to pass up! Thus was born the magic, the prophecies, the logosh, and all the rest.


I don’t at present have another book planned in this series (the last story, so far, was the novella about Valentin and Mary in A Christmas Ball). But there are other characters out there (I’m thinking in particular of Adam Ross, Egan’s neighbor in Highlander Ever After) so who knows?


The fairy tales I used are: Cinderella (Penelope and Prince Charming); Beauty and the Beast (The Mad Bad Duke); Snow White and the Seven…Highlanders (Highlander Ever After); and Little Red Riding Hood (“The Longest Night” in A Christmas Ball; except in this case, the big, bad wolf is the hero!).

Mina: I noticed you’ve begun a new series, Stormwalker. Did living in Phoenix inspire this? Can you tell us some insightful information about the Janet Begay’s character – something that hasn’t been revealed?


Jennifer Ashley: The beauty of Arizona, New Mexico, and the Navajo Nation is, yes, very inspiring! I’d always had the vague idea of setting a book/series in northern AZ, and then one day when I was up there, I looked around at the craggy mountains and incredible vistas, and something in me said write it! Write it, now! The storms out there are amazing, and so Janet and her ability to use storms to work magic was born.


Something about Janet—Hmm. I reveal more and more about her as the series goes on, so I’ll just say that she’s more powerful than anyone guesses. She also loves her family (grandmother, aunts, father) very much, but it’s difficult for her come to terms with it.

Mina: I understand you’ve won a staggering amount of awards – which all speak to your unbelievable talent as a captivating writer. Can you tell us what award, accolade or accomplishment you haven’t won yet that would be the ultimate feather in your cap?


Jennifer Ashley: Thank you! Awards are a nice pat on the back from my peers, and I treasure them. I’ve won a RITA for best novel with romantic elements, and I’m up for one in novella this year, but I’d LOVE to win the RITA for either historical romance or paranormal romance. That would be fantastic.


FYI: RITA is an annual contest held by the Romance Writers of America.


Mina: I read you love to cook. What’s your favorite recipe?


Jennifer Ashley: I do like to cook and bake all kinds of things. There’s a chocolate/vanilla marble cake with nutmeg in it that is good to eat plain (without frosting), although sour cream chocolate frosting is good on it too! My husband (and my friends) also love my chocolate chip cookies, and try to coerce me into making them a lot. I make my own pizza (crust and all), because I can customize it for what I’m in the mood for: goat cheese, pepperoni, white sauce or oil and herb sauce, or whatever.


Probably my favorite dish (to make or eat out) is mole (pronounced moh-leh). Mole is a savory stew of meat (chicken, beef, or pork), with a smooth chile sauce with a bite of unsweetened chocolate. Different recipes use different veggies or no veggies at all, some add hazelnuts and other things. It’s divine! I have Janet eat some in Firewalker. “:-)


Mina:  Anything with chocolate, I'm a fan of.  I gotta try mole. Yum!  How do you stay motivated?


Jennifer Ashley: I do all kinds of things to stay motivated, because writing is a difficult job—it drains your emotions and your stamina. I do let myself write, write, and write when I’m in a frenzy, but I also let myself step back when I’m burned out (even if I’m on deadline).


To step back, I “play” a lot (build dollhouses and do musical things with my friends), spend time with my family, and do what I call “brain-cleansing” activities—such as take a short vacation/retreat, learn something completely new, do things that are about other people. I have stories in my head constantly, and I love nothing more than to pour them out, but I find that if I’m stuck, and I step aside for a day or two, I come back fresh and raring to go.


For me, reading books (that I didn’t write), especially ones I love, motivates me. Other people’s creativity, period, motivates me. I guess it’s a matter of “That looks like fun; I wanna do it too!”




Mina: I do a monthly segment on my blog called Creepy Classics where I review a classic mystic or paranormal novel. Last month I reviewed Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray. This month’s Robert Louis Stephenson’s Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde. What is your favorite Creepy Classic & why?


Jennifer Ashley: Picture of Dorian Gray is pretty creepy! That’s one of my favorites. Another is Henry James’s Turn of the Screw. It’s a weird and perplexing story (is she crazy, or are there really ghosts?). It’s one of Henry James’s shorter works (well, it’s short for him!), and I think one of his very best.


Mina:  Cool.  I've just added Turn of the Screw to my Creepy Classics in Queue.

Mina: In your Mackenzie series, your characters are so explosive, it’s amazing. With respect to Lord Ian, what was it with the gaze? What inspired you to write such a unique, intriguing, sensual character/hero?


Jennifer Ashley: Lord Ian has Asperger’s Syndrome, which is considered a form a high-functioning autism. In the Victorian age, autism hadn’t yet been diagnosed—so Ian would have been considered eccentric at best, crazy at worst.


Many autistic and AS people have trouble looking into someone else’s eyes (and, actually, I do too, unless I know the person very well). In my research I also learned that one reason to avoid a locking gaze is that the AS person loses track of the conversation while focusing on the other person’s eyes. I have to say that it was difficult to write a man not being able to look directly at another person! I couldn’t say: “Their gazes met.” No, they didn’t! I had to be very careful—no lazy writing!


The inspiration for Ian came from me pondering what it must have been like to have something we recognize now—autism, ADD, Asperger’s—in a time when such things weren’t recognized. What would a person do? Ian’s character was not easy to write, but worth the effort!




Mina: With my last question, please tell our readers about your upcoming release, the 2nd book in the Mackenzie series, Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage? (PS, fans can read the first chapter on your site and about fell out of my chair with the visual of Mac painting with his chest bare, wearing nothing more than a kilt with a bandana on his head. Holy cow…oh to be Lady Isabella!)

Jennifer Ashley: Mac is hot! He’s passionate, charming, a little wild, and did I mention hot? Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage begins a week after Madness of Lord Ian ends, with Isabella returning to London, and Mac following her. Three years previously, Isabella had left Mac, her turbulent marriage with him having nearly destroyed her. Mac, though heartbroken, let her go, sobered up, and reformed—and now he’s back. This time, he’s not going to let Isabella go again. Mac will do anything to get Isabella back into his life, and most importantly into his bed.


I ended up really loving Mac, and I hope readers to do. As a bonus, there’s a sneak peek at Cameron’s story in the back of Mac’s book!


FYI: Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage releases July 6th. Don’t miss out on a wickedly, delicious series. Order your copy today!




Mina: Thank you Jennifer for everything.


Jennifer Ashley: Thanks so much for interviewing me!

Hey, that wraps up my killer interview with Jennifer Ashley

but we still have the “Free Book Giveaway Contest" for Stormwalker.

Be sure and click on this link and comment

on its blog post to enter to win. Contest ends eod – July 1st.

Until next time...need something to read?  Read something by Jennifer Ashley.

Mina B.

Jennifer Ashley's Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage

Next up in my "All things Jennifer Ashley" week is my review of Book 2 in the Mackenzie series, Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage. This instant historical romance classic is all about Mac Mackenzie – the ingenious artist – and Isabella – the runaway debutante. They met on her coming out party where Mac snuck in uninvited on a bet to kiss an unknown debutante. Smitten instantly, Mac whisked Isabella away and married her in a scandalous elopement. Their relationship began a tumultuous one and sadly continued down that same rugged path.



We first meet Isabella and Mac in The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie where we learned they’d been estranged; separated when Isabella left Mac and neither one had spoken to one another in over three years. It was the near death experience Ian and Beth endured, that brought them somewhat back together. Mac, shaken by the tragedy, began to relook at his life, making a vow to get Isabella back in his life – and in his bed.


Relationships are a funny thing. Isabella, after marrying the notorious Mac Mackenzie was disowned by her family and then heavily scrutinized or slandered, rather by the ton.  But the worst part of her marriage was Mac and his alcohol induced episodes. After three years of instability, followed by another three of loneliness - as much as Mac wanted her back - Isabella wasn’t sure she could venture a second try at being married to such an incessantly maddening man.


What I loved about this book was Ashley stayed true to the characters – Mac and Isabella. This tale is not a rollercoaster of plot twists – like the previous novel. Oh, it wouldn’t be a Mackenzie story if there wasn’t some sort of an evil opportunist threatening the livelihood of Mac and his family. And so there is a no name man, trying to impersonate the great Mac Mackenzie to the point of being delusional about Mac, his career, his family and even his wife, Isabella. Oh the plot does get delicious but that’s not the crux of the book. What is then? Love.


The rollercoaster ride in this book is an emotional one; all courtesy of its main characters, Mac & Isabella. Now with a renewed commitment on Mac’s part, at what lengths will he go to mend Isabella’s broken heart?


In order to get a true appreciation for this book, you must…MUST read The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie. Only then will you truly appreciate this tale. The Mackenzie dysfunction is alive and still thriving and as a vivacious reader of this series I promise you’ll adore the glimpses of Ian and Beth as well as a few other family members.

On the Mina Burrows KilloMeter, I give Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage a 4 ½ .


Until next time…you MUST read about those kilt wearing Mackenzies!


Mina B.

Reminder:

Tune in tomorrow - June 29th - for my

Interview with Jennifer Ashley!

She'll be stopping by my mystic mind blog for an up close and personal interview.

Don't miss out on revealing insight into 

a beloved, brilliant and successful author.

PLUS -

 My Free Book Giveaway Contest -

going on now through July 1st.

Win a copy of Allyson James,

aka Jennifer Ashley's, Stormwalker.

This series is hot, hot, hot!

Don't miss out on your free copy today.

Sign up under comments on this blog post.

Jennifer Ashley's The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie

To continue on my special segment of “All things Jennifer Ashley”, I’m deviating from my usual paranormal reviews and featuring one of my favorite historical romance novels – and I mean FA∙VOR∙ITE – The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie. As I’ve mentioned previously, I have a wicked hunger for not only killer paranormal books but delicious historical romance books.

Don’t ask me to divulge how many historical/reagent novels I’ve read. I’ve seriously lost count. Being an avid reader of genres like paranormal, urban fantasy and historical romance, I often see some of the same old tiring plots. But Jennifer Ashley’s The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie is breathtaking: a true masterpiece in historical romance novels. Beyond the obvious i.e. romance and suspense, Ashley creates the Mackenzie world which epitomizes family dysfunction.  Coming from a long line of raging lunatics, they're all cursed, especially Ian, the youngest of four brothers. With his Ian’s unique personality and bizarre gaze combined with a perilous murder plot, Ashley has perfected a recipe for a wickedly good book.


Ian and Beth are misfits among England’s high society and when they meet, both are mesmerized with one another. Ian becomes instantly obsessed with Beth (a widow) and attempts to steal her away from her fiancé. Despite his brilliant mind, Ian’s considered the craziest in his kin, suffering from early childhood abuse and a stint in an asylum. As the ton dismisses him, Beth gravitates towards him. His peculiar nature is alluring and Beth gets a glimpse of passion and love; something she hasn’t seen in 9 years since her husband’s death. With Ian and Beth’s checkered backgrounds, it’s no wonder they were practically made for each other. But that’s only the beginning.


Ian is cursed with not only his madness but murder. There’s a killer lurking about and Ian – the suspected killer - has been running for the last five years, trying to thwart Scotland Yard and protect his family. When wooing Beth, Ian’s terrified of her learning that side of his life. And what will Beth do when she finds out the entire truth about Ian, his family and their many lies. It’s a mouth-watering read from beginning to end. I won’t say anymore because this book – in my heart – is a classic. It has mystery, suspense, heroism, sinister motives, love, romance, salacious content and above all, a killer plot. And to add a cherry on top, I have a new found respect for men in kilts. Oh, those Mackenzie brothers (…sigh). If you’re looking for a unique romance novel with imperfect characters and a brilliant storyline, The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie is just for you.


On the Mina Burrows KilloMeter, Jennifer Ashley’s The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie gets a 5. Yes. It’s that good. I love, love, love this book. Since reading it last year, I’ve reread it at least 5 times. I’m also a huge fan of the series. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s posting as I review Book 2 in Jennifer Ashley’s The Mackenzie series, Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage. Ooooo…I can’t wait to give you the 411 on that yummy continuation.


Until next time…read about crazy Mackenzies’.


Mina B.

Reminder:  Free Book Giveaway Contest -

going on now through July 1st. 

Win a copy of Allyson James, 

aka Jennifer Ashley's, Stormwalker.  

This series is hot, hot, hot!

Don't miss out on your free copy today. 

Sign up under comments on this blog post.

Coming up next… USA Today’s Bestselling Author, Jennifer Ashley

This week and next is all about USA Today’s Bestselling Author, Jennifer Ashley. First, stay tuned as I continue to review Jennifer Ashley’s paranormal historical romance novels. The 2nd installment in the Nvengaria series, The Mad, Bad Duke, is what I call a cool continuation and just wait until you get a load of the Duke. (See my previous post for Book 1 in the series, Penelope and Prince Charming.)

Second, I’ll be segueing to a slightly different genre – historical romance. Jennifer Ashley exhibits sheer brilliance when writing her historical series, The Mackenzie’s. And I’m freakishly excited to review one of my favorite historical romance novels, The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie. This series is completely void of the paranormal aspect that we know and love but don’t let that deter you from reading it and revelling in its mystery, its madness and its intense seduction. There’s perfection riddled throughout this story as Ashley peels away the imperfect qualities of riveting characters like Lord Ian himself.  I promise you, you’ll be fumbling for your wallets to add these prized books to your collections – and I mean pronto. Following this, I’ll be reviewing an ARC copy of Book 2 of the Mackenzie Series, Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage. And oh, I can’t wait to tell you about that one too.

This week and next promises to be wickedly inspiring with the crème de la crème being my one-on-one interview with the bestselling, kick-A author herself, Jennifer Ashley. Yes, I got an interview with one of my heroes and might I say, I feel blessed (cue in singing angels – Ahh Aaaa). Don’t miss out on some keen insight from my killer interview with Jennifer Ashley scheduled for June 29.

Until next time...the must read of this season is Jennifer Ashley’s The MacKenzies.

Mina B.