I am happy to be starting the week off with
ASHLEY ANDREWS!
Author of The Heaven I Found in Hell
Ashley Andrews was born in New York to Canadian parents. She moved to Canada when she was a very young child. She currently resides in Toronto. For years she has been a teacher, writer, and actress. She can normally be found in a coffee shop typing away at her latest work. She is the author of Bleeding Love, The Heaven I found in Hell and Breaking the Arm, Healing the Heart.
~INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR~
Q: Tell us something unusual about you.
A: I can actually be quite shy when I am in the spot light. The success of my books so far has meant I have had a lot of people interested in me and my books. Sometimes it is a bit overwhelming!
Q:
What gave you your start as a writer?
A: I was always the dreamer, fantasy type as a child. If anything I was more involved with the drama club and acting in school rather than becoming a writing, was just putting those ideas down on paper from my imagination. I never really thought of myself as a 'writer' type, but rather someone who just wants to share what my imagination was thinking.
Q: If you could pick a favorite character from your childhood who/what would it be?
A: Carmen, from Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego. I was what you called a 'granola head' in school, which meant I really liked geography with the possibility of traveling the world one day when I was older. I loved watching the Carmen Sandiego TV game show when I was younger. The winner of each show would could choose a trip to anywhere in North America as their prize. My dream was to go on that show one day. Sadly, that dream never materialized but I did dress up like Carmen for Halloween last year!
Q: Who is your target audience and why?
A: The older YA audience. Some guys are now reading and telling me they like the books too.
Q: Who/What has been your greatest inspiration for you books?
A: I probably would never have published a book in the first place had it not been for ereaders like the Kindle. I guess my inspiration was that anyone nowadays can make something and upload it to the internet where thousands of other people can share in what you have made. For an indie author like me it was something I could take advantage of without having to go the traditional route of book publishing where you need a publisher, book deal, physical books to distribute, etc.
Q: Who has been your biggest support in your writing career?
A: My readers and some of the other indie authors I have chatted with since publishing.
Q: What has been your biggest challenge in writing?
A: The more technical parts of publishing a book; lots of tricky little technical details like formatting I don't really get.
Q: Where is your favorite place to write and what do you snack on?
A: My local coffee shop. I'm always working (or at least look like I'm working) during the day time. I normally a nice big mug of coffee, or two, and maybe some food like a bagel, or peanut butter cookies if I have a sweet tooth that day.
Q: What advice would you give an aspiring writer?
A: Just go out and publish your first book. It has never been easier for an indie writer to upload and sell their material on the internet with amazon, smashwords, etc. Even if your first book is not 'good', you will learn so much from the process of creating something that will stay with you. You don't really know in life until you try.
Q: Currently, who is your favorite author?
A: Ironically since I've been writing so much I haven't had any time to read lately! I did read a bit of E L James 50 Shades at my friend's house and it seemed really exciting. I'll probably download the trilogy soon on my kindle.
Q: What can you tell us about your upcoming works?
A: I'm putting the final touches on my latest work Sunnyside up with Red Ketchup. Red is a secret agent who on her first undercover mission to protect arrogant, rich Zane Noble from a planned kidnapping. Innocent Red is Zane's new target and he wants her out. Can she gain his approval?
A: I was always the dreamer, fantasy type as a child. If anything I was more involved with the drama club and acting in school rather than becoming a writing, was just putting those ideas down on paper from my imagination. I never really thought of myself as a 'writer' type, but rather someone who just wants to share what my imagination was thinking.
Q: If you could pick a favorite character from your childhood who/what would it be?
A: Carmen, from Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego. I was what you called a 'granola head' in school, which meant I really liked geography with the possibility of traveling the world one day when I was older. I loved watching the Carmen Sandiego TV game show when I was younger. The winner of each show would could choose a trip to anywhere in North America as their prize. My dream was to go on that show one day. Sadly, that dream never materialized but I did dress up like Carmen for Halloween last year!
Q: Who is your target audience and why?
A: The older YA audience. Some guys are now reading and telling me they like the books too.
Q: Who/What has been your greatest inspiration for you books?
A: I probably would never have published a book in the first place had it not been for ereaders like the Kindle. I guess my inspiration was that anyone nowadays can make something and upload it to the internet where thousands of other people can share in what you have made. For an indie author like me it was something I could take advantage of without having to go the traditional route of book publishing where you need a publisher, book deal, physical books to distribute, etc.
Q: Who has been your biggest support in your writing career?
A: My readers and some of the other indie authors I have chatted with since publishing.
Q: What has been your biggest challenge in writing?
A: The more technical parts of publishing a book; lots of tricky little technical details like formatting I don't really get.
Q: Where is your favorite place to write and what do you snack on?
A: My local coffee shop. I'm always working (or at least look like I'm working) during the day time. I normally a nice big mug of coffee, or two, and maybe some food like a bagel, or peanut butter cookies if I have a sweet tooth that day.
Q: What advice would you give an aspiring writer?
A: Just go out and publish your first book. It has never been easier for an indie writer to upload and sell their material on the internet with amazon, smashwords, etc. Even if your first book is not 'good', you will learn so much from the process of creating something that will stay with you. You don't really know in life until you try.
Q: Currently, who is your favorite author?
A: Ironically since I've been writing so much I haven't had any time to read lately! I did read a bit of E L James 50 Shades at my friend's house and it seemed really exciting. I'll probably download the trilogy soon on my kindle.
Q: What can you tell us about your upcoming works?
A: I'm putting the final touches on my latest work Sunnyside up with Red Ketchup. Red is a secret agent who on her first undercover mission to protect arrogant, rich Zane Noble from a planned kidnapping. Innocent Red is Zane's new target and he wants her out. Can she gain his approval?
I am aiming to have it published in less than a month from now. I'm looking for reviewers to read it over when it comes out and offer their opinion. I can be reached at ashleyandrewslp@gmail.com
If you would like to know more about the author and her work,
Please visit her on :
Alex is a Victoria's Secret model that is forced by her parents to go to Boarding School. Being downright gorgeous, she can make any guy, both male supermodels and high school boys, turn head over heels in love with her. But why is she having a hard time catching the interest of her roommate's handsome brother?
Full of sexual tension, high school parties, tease fests, and a certain reappearance from a superstar ex, this story is a wild ride of teenage humor and romance.
~MY REVIEW~
The Heaven I Found in Hell is a very fun read! Perfect for when you are in the mood for something light.
I enjoyed the authors writing style. She has written a relatable and attention grabbing book. This story also has an important message which makes it perfect for young adults.
The main character, Alex, is a wild girl who is used to a glamorous life style. Being thrown into boarding school helps her realize there is more to life than just looks and outrageous partying habits.
She is shown what having real friends is like and learns to accept the love that is given to her. I liked that Alex's guy friends have her back when she gets herself into certain situations. You can tell that what she needs the most is support and she definitely finds that in her new friends. Good thing too, because with the degree of drama that seems to follow her she needs them a lot!
Alex's relationship with her parents is similar to one I am sure many young adults have with theirs. This makes it easy for the reader to relate to the characters and situations through out the story.
As a whole this book was well written and thought out. Alex's character developed and grew nicely as the story progressed.
I do feel that this book dragged a little at parts. Some chapters seemed to be more filler than constructive to the plot, which is why I have given it a three strawberry rating. To be honest I was on the fence about it because I did enjoy the story line but in the end I felt that it lacked a certain depth to it.
Ashley Andrews does know how to write a romance novel! The romance in this book was great and ripe with sexual tension. If the book focused solely on the romance aspect, I am sure it would be even better.
Anyone who enjoys a good romance should pick up one of Ashley's books. I recommend this book as an easy beach read!
If you would like to purchase your own copy of
The Heaven I Found in Hell or one of Ashley Andrew's other books,
They can be found on AMAZON
What a great picture of Ashley. I really enjoyed reading the the interview, and I thought your review was even-handed and insightful. :-)
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