chat and new series

I had a lovely chat at The Mystic Castle last night. I was new to them, and them to me, but they made me feel most welcome. Reader sites are getting so creative--you can find one for almost any kind of book you like. Check them out. (www.themysticcastle.com)

Dang, I'm having so much fun working on Penelope and Prince Charming. I don't want to stop writing at the end of the day! I'm loving meeting the characters and the hint of magic, and all the fun stuff that goes with it.

This series will be set in England, but include a fictional country called Nvengaria. Nvengaria is located (in an alternate reality), right between Romania and the mountains of Moldovia. Picture a steep, narrow river valley running a couple hundred miles north/south, dotted with castles and secluded villages. Put it between the Carpathian and Transylvanian Alps. That's Nvengaria.

I'll do three books in the series. The first features Prince Damien of Nvengaria, who must follow a prophecy to find a long-lost princess (my plain English heroine, Penelope), in order to save the kingdom. The second book will revolve around Alexander, an anti-hero you'll meet in Pen and Prince Charming. The third book will feature a Scottish hero, Aiden, trying to attone for his dark past by helping a Nvengarian princess, with whom he's long been in love.

Now that I've teased everyone, the first book won't be out until Feb. 2006. Sorry. I'm enjoying the heck out of them right now, though. I hope that means readers will too. :)

In the meantime, there's always my funny contemps out in June and October. I just put up an excerpt for Confessions of a Lingerie Addict: http://www.jennifersromances.com/Excerpts.html#Confessions

Enjoy!
Jennifer Ashley

creativity

Thanks to those who posted here or emailed well wishes privately for finishing Anne Boleyn. It's a double feeling of whew it's done, and gee, hope my editor likes it.

Now that my anal work is done, my mind is flowing back to creativity. I start writing my next project (Lacey book 6) on April 1 (that's my goal). Now I'm having a great time brainstorming that book, world building for my next historical romance, and working on a few projects that are not contracted.

Non-contracted proejcts are fun, because I can do anything I want. No restrictions, don't have to follow what I've promised to do, don't have to follow an outline. I'm creating worlds, characters, events, etc. Eventually what I'm doing will get made into proposals to market, but right now it's like free-flow sculpting.

I also have a pile of books to read. I'm both catching up on fun reading and learning from the masters. I try to learn something new from every book I read, and every book I write. I want to get better and better, not blander and blander.

Ok, I also have to catch up on getting the weeds out of my yard that months of rain put in, but hey, I can use the exercise and fresh air.

Take care,
Jennifer Ashley
www.jennifersromances.com

'tis done 'tis done 'tis done

Last night I sent the polished Anne Boleyn to my editor. Whew. My critique partner should be given a medal for turning her thoughts around to me so fast and kindly pointing out to me all my mistakes.

This is the most challenging book I've ever done. I haven't worked so hard on a book since I wrote my first romance (which, sadly, sucked--I hope that's not a portent). It was also refreshing and fun. I looked forward to going to the keyboard every day for this one.

I feel like I've been hit by a truck, but I'll heal. Today I must catch up all those many, many things I let slide in the past two weeks. Sooner or later, I will collapse, and when that happens, I plan to enjoy it.

Take care,
Jennifer Ashley
www.jennifersromances.com

progress update

To update from my list of Feb. 28

4. Writing first draft of Anne Boleyn.

DONE!!! Mooo ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!!!

Finished it up last week. Yes! Am sending chunks to my CP now and revising, polishing. Have been sick this week, so no fun working too, but gotta do it. The weather is finally absolutely beautiful here--blue skies, 70s, slight breeze, bright flowers, so of course, I get sick. I was perfectly fine when it was cold and rainy. Ah well.

Take care,
Jennifer
www.jennifersromances.com

nice things

I received two nice pieces of news today. One, a reader site called The Mystic Castle (http://www.themysticcastle.com) chose Care and Feeding of Pirates as their spotlight book of the month. How nice! I'll be doing a chat with them on March 23. Jo Beverley and Sabrina Jeffries are also doing chats there this month, so check them out if you're fans.

Also, the RBL Romantica board (www.rblromantica.com) nominated The Pirate Hunter for their annual Hughie award. I am honored, especially since the other two people in the category are Sandra Hill and Nicole Jordan.

Thank you readers!!!! You are why I keep writing.

Jennifer Ashley
www.jennifersromances.com