Ashley Suzanne's Blog, page 3

***NUTS ABOUT YOU COVER REVEAL***

I'm excited to announce that I will joining an amazing bunch of authors for a Testicular Cancer anthology, releasing on 1st April. This limited edition anthology will only be available for 60 days. 

Cover design by Book Covers by Bink

For more info, exclusive news and teasers join the Nuts About You - Release Party & Charity Auction​ - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1152384841515495/


Nuts About You has stories from 20 different authors and it's filled with over 15 BRAND NEW and exclusive romance stories written from a male POV all wrapped up in one amazing anthology!
There is something for everyone in this romance anthology, including comedy, contemporary, MC, M/M, erotica, BDSM and more. It's not for the faint hearted.
Tess Oliver S.E. Hall Ashley Suzanne Lucy Felthouse Skye Turner S M Phillips Jade C. Jamison Jamie Lake J. A Melville T.a. McKay Don Abdul Xavier Neal Esther E. Schmidt Amy L. Gale T.S. Irons Amanda Lanclos Xana Jordan J.M Witt T.H. Snyder Michelle Rene
All the profit from this anthology will be split between two charities - Worldwide Cancer Research https://www.facebook.com/worldwidecancerresearch The Male Cancer Awareness Campaign https://www.facebook.com/MaleCancerAwareness


If anyone would like to donate to auction, here's the form -  https://goo.gl/forms/7nE6PsD7VtczXa0J3

Brought to you by Love To Read Romance Books & Beautiful Banners, Teasers & Promos

ON SALE NOW THROUGH JANUARY 8, 2017

For a limited time only, nearly all of Ashley Suzanne's titles are on sale for 99c or less!!!

While you can, one click her back-list in preparation for a few new releases already planned for Ashley in 2017!!!

If you happen to see this post, please share with your friends who love to read.  Happy Holidays and Happy New Year everyone.  It's been a pleasure being with you for the last three years and I hope that year 4 is the best one ever!!


Mirage - http://amzn.to/2hSDwOD
Inception - http://amzn.to/2hSGRgT
Awakening - http://amzn.to/2gFLLwR
Facade - http://amzn.to/2hKL3Dv
Epiphany - http://amzn.to/2hSCIcR
Calling Card - http://amzn.to/2hSJ6AE
Rekindle - http://amzn.to/2hSD8Qu
Claim 1 - http://amzn.to/2hBobTE
Claim 2 - http://amzn.to/2hKD2hB
Claim 3 - http://amzn.to/2hSDbf7

Some New Information

As of recently, I've pulled my books from retailers other than Amazon so I can participate in Kindle Unlimited.  I've heard some good things and some bad things, but I'm never one to say no until I've tried it at least once.  So, from not until 90 days from now, my books will be exclusive to Amazon.  You can absolutely still purchase them from Amazon or you can read them for free using Kindle Unlimited.  If you're unfamiliar with Kindle Unlimited or KU as you'll see it referred to on social media, here's a link for a free trial ... see below



If you've tried KU or aren't interested in purchasing a subscription, you can absolutely purchase my books without hassle.  Click HERE for a link to be transported by my Amazon Author Page where you can peruse my available titles and any pre-orders that may or may not be coming up soon.

I just posted on my Facebook Fan Page about deciding between getting a new Kindle Paperwhite, another kind of Kindle or a FireHD ... I can't figure it out, but I think I'm leaning toward the FireHD, just because it's a Kindle but a tablet too.  It's a pre-order and it's only $10 more than the other new Kindle and somewhere like $30 less than a paperwhite.  I'll share that info with you too




Finally, if you've used another retailer in the past to purchase books such as Smashwords, Barnes and Noble or Kobo and you still want to follow my stories but don't want to have to purchase a whole new e-reader ... did you know you can download the Kindle App on your tablet, computer, phone, or whatever else you have basically ... and it's Free?  I suggest doing it anyway, even if you hate my stories, just so you can take advantage of all the free books you can get on Amazon you may not be able to get anywhere else.  I'm seeing a lot of authors participating in KU and I'd hate for you to miss out on some rad stories because you're partial to your Nook.  Here's the information below ...




And hell, since we're talking great deals ... did you know that if you sign up with Audible, you get TWO FREE audio books?!?!  I mean, how does that get better ... if you like it, you'll buy more, if not, you'll have at least listened to two books without paying for anything?!?!  I say you try it ... what can it hurt ... I'm going to do it right now!!!




Okay, I think I'm done now ... I hope that this information was helpful and maybe one day I'll decide between what kind of new Kindle to buy.  Be sure to check out the free trials of KU and Audible ... all you have to do is cancel and you can try the benefits of each to see if it's something you'd even like!!

Until next time my friends,

Ashley

***NEW RELEASE***

It's been a while, but I'm back!!!  You all loved Raven so much and the demand was there for a 2nd book, so I wrote it!!!  You'll still get some Garrett and Rian, but with CUTTER, you're getting exactly that .. .CUTTER AND JOSETTE!!!



This couple was so much fun to write ... sarcastic, witty, funny and loving.  You're going to fall for them and I can't wait to see the response you all have for Cutter and Josette.

If you didn't pre-order Cutter, you can purchase it now on all platforms!!!

Kindle --> http://amzn.to/29Lq78q
Nook --> http://bit.ly/29LqWOl
BAM --> http://bit.ly/29vTCMC
Kobo --> http://bit.ly/29nc5dA
iBooks --> http://apple.co/29jm8E9
Google --> http://bit.ly/29u5cuB

Once you meet Josette and Cutter, email me at AshleySuzanneAuthor@gmail.com and let me know how you felt about the book.  There are five prizes to go out next week on the line!!

I just need to speak

Tonight, I was faced with a man who I met in high school and he married one of my good friends from high school ... I never thought anything about this man, really.  He was just there, if you know what I mean.  I was probably just there for him, too, since we ran in opposite crowds.  Had he not married someone who was once a good friend of mine, I probably wouldn't even know anything about him, but I do, and here's why I'm bothered.

So many of you know where I stand religiously, because it's not something I really hide from.  I do, however, tend to keep my personal beliefs to myself, because my mother raised me with a sense to not talk about sex, politics or religion in public.  Well, this man started posting things about his religious beliefs that seemed to mirror my own and I got a little excited.  I got to stop being Ashley Suzanne for a few minutes and was able to be Ashley Smith.  I know, seems confusing, but there are two different versions of me.  One that's for the public and one that's reserved for private, it's how I'm able to give so much of myself to the book world, and have enough left for my family.

Neither here nor there, over the last week or so, mostly since the bathroom issue (I refuse to go back and discuss this) our beliefs changed.  We no longer saw eye to eye on anything, yet, because I had commented on so many of his posts, he was popping up in my timeline more frequently.  Again, this was okay, I didn't mind.  The majority of time, I'd just shake my head and move on, as his posts became more and more judgmental.

Tonight though, he posted about a move that's still in theaters and he was able to watch it for "free" on some pirate site.  This one got to me.  As a writer (and I'm sure 100% of my writing friends can agree) that piracy is an epidemic that steals food from our children's mouths, clothes off their backs and money from their household.  Nobody wants to work for free.  Yes, movie stars make a LOT of money, but you still shouldn't steal.  And to boot, speak about how if you're not living a Godly life, you're going to hell, while you steal, which was so important, God made it a commandment.

So, I commented ... I shouldn't have, but I did.  It hit a nerve and it got the better of me.  I basically said to this man "Stealing is stealing" and went on to tell him about how much piracy takes from people who are just trying to work for a living, and that my books (the ones that I pour myself into, spend countless dollars to produce, and take time away from my kids to write) get pirated and if we all stopped doing it, then the pirates would be out of "work" and we could go back to earning a living.  In return, from this man, I received this statement:

You claim to be a Christian, correct? You also claim to be further along, "evolved" as you so elegantly put it. Yet, your books that you choose to write are smutty at best and right along the lines of 50 shades of grey. As a fellow Christian myself, I must ask you "how can you, as one in the Faith, advocate for immorality? Honestly, you can't and truthfully you shouldn't!

Um, excuse me?  Then I realized, if this is how this Christian sees my work, I wonder about other Christians.  Then I remembered that we don't judge, at least we're not supposed to.  For a man who has never picked up one of my books, how does he know that my books are like FSOG (which they're not ... not even a little ... not at all ... not even close).  Immoral?  Who's immoral?  Me?  Oh Lord.  So, I'd like to share my response to him, for any other Christian writer out there who may be wondering if they're sinning by writing the novels they choose to write:

Sir, I do not ever run from God ... God blessed with with a talent to share stories of love, compassion and soul mates ... he blessed me with a talent to support my family without having to work 60 hours a week at a dead end job ... God gave me the insight I needed to write the eloquent words I write ... Every word out of my mouth and my fingertips is a blessing ... and every time pirates steal my work, take food out of my children's mouths and make me question why it is that I continue to write, he gives me clarity to know that my gift is from him and him alone ... If you have never read my books, how dare you compare them to anything? I've never written a BDSM novel in my life, nor do I plan to. Not because I see something wrong with it, but because I write from my experiences ... I use my past, through the romance genre, to show that love isn't cookie cutter, sometimes the most important relationships are between groups of friends, and following your heart is the most important thing ever. God is with me every book I write, and I'd have it no other way .. and I'm not ashamed of anything I write, except that one book that wasn't edited properly .... talk about a blow to the heart ... but other than that, I write from my soul, which belongs to Christ. You're nothing more than a judgmental baby Christian who only sees black and white. You use the bible for fear as opposed to love. You preach about putting God forefront in your life, but choose to steal and justify it with WORLDLY behaviors. You, sir, are a contradiction to yourself and your faith. You, sir, make me worry for the Christians you touch, as I worry you're preaching fear instead of unconditional love. One day you will grow in the Lord, you will find your true calling and you will embrace all the love that Christ has to give ... until that day, unevened yolks don't mix and we're obviously unevened ... and you're bringing out a side of me that God delivered me from long ago ... I'm stepping away, from you, not God, because my spirit knows better than to even engage, but I allowed it ... I'll repent my sins and move on, because that's how Christians survive

Do not ever run from the blessings you've been given, and with each word, sentence, paragraph, chapter, novel you write, you thank God for the gift you've been given.  

That's all ... I'm just frustrated and a little bewildered.  I'll probably remove this, but who knows, it might be something that someone needs to hear.  

Til next time ... keep writing and keep reading ... and never let anyone make you feel ashamed of who you are, what your genre preferences are, and how you write ... you are made in God's image and you should rejoice in that and that alone!

XOXO
Ashley

ARC Copies of Cutter are AVAILABLE!!!!

If you'd like your shot at reading Cutter, Fight or Flight Book 2, here's your chance!!!  To request a copy from my publisher, click HERE and sign up for NetGalley if you haven't already, and you should hear fairly soon if you're approved!!!

If you decide to request a copy and you post a review to Goodreads, please copy it to me so I can share and give you all the credit you deserve for posting that review ... as you know, reviews are lifelines to authors!!!


Ashley Suzanne follows up Raven with the next round in her scorching Fight or Flight series—the story of a damaged MMA fighter from the wrong side of the tracks, and the sizzling affair that forces him to grow up.

Cutter Greer lives at the gym—literally. Abandoned by his parents as a teen, Cutter dropped out of high school and ended up on the streets. In a simple act of kindness, mixed martial arts trainers Garrett and Rian put him up in the apartment above their gym. Now he's got a surrogate family and a shot at MMA stardom—but he still has a lot to learn about women. And he certainly isn't prepared for the earth-shattering consequences that desire can bring.

Josette Morelli believes that she and Cutter have something special—more special than just being hot in bed. So when Cutter is scouted to go big time, the thought of being left behind scares her. And then Josette learns a shattering truth that could change everything between her and Cutter . . . unless she learns to set him free. Instead, she tells a lie that destroys their chances at happiness—and forces them both to fight for a future neither knew was possible.

Praise for Ashley Suzanne's Raven

“Holy crap, Ashley Suzanne completely blew me away with this book. All I'm saying is ‘Read this book!' It's fantastic.”—USA Today bestselling author Erin Noelle

“Ashley Suzanne shows her range in Raven with a totally original plot line full of twists and turns.”—New York Times bestselling author S.E. Hall

“Ashley Suzanne hits it out of the park with this book. I could talk about how incredible it is all day long. Just go read it. Now.”—K.D. Sarks, author of Unexpected Change

Includes a special message from the editor, as well as an excerpt from another Loveswept title.

10 Things I Want My Son To Know

I read an article this evening title "10 Things I Want My Daughter To Know" and it was all so true ... if I had a daughter, those are things I would want her to know as she grows into a woman.  (Full article here if you'd like to read it)  However, I don't have any daughters, but I do have sons, and these are things I'd like them to know as they age, from the perspective of a woman who was once a teenage girl who was constantly in love with other teenage boys ...

1.)  THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK ... I know this seems like common sense, but I mean it in a more specific way.  Little girls have hearts that are broken so easily.  Things you'd say to your dude friends can be taken harshly by little girls.  I, still to this day, some 20 years later, remember some of the mean things that boys had said when I was growing up.  It may seem petty, but that little girl is going to remember if you joke with her about her appearance, weight, or height (yes, I was abnormally tall as a little girl).  She's not going to take it as "funny ha-ha" like your guy buddies will.  Her feelings will get hurt and you'll make her think about those things for a very long time.  Watch your words and how you use them.  They're the most powerful tool you'll ever have.

2.)  YOUR WORD IS YOUR BOND ... People will remember the things you don't do before they remember the things you accomplish.  Don't give them a reason to have negative thoughts about you.  Make promises, and keep them, and if you can't, don't make them to begin with.  Keep your arrangements and honor your bets.

3.)   HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY ... lies come back to haunt you.  They will now, they will tomorrow and they will decades from now.  There's no such thing as a white lie.  Always remember, especially in a relationship when you're older, your significant other will rather have the truth than a lie.  If you're going to lie about it after doing it, it probably wasn't worth doing in the first place.  Your integrity is your most valuable attribute ... ALWAYS.

4.)  DATE AND DATE A LOT ... but don't be "that guy".  It's okay to date different types of girls.  The idea of dating is to find someone you're compatible with and could see a future with.  Now, as a teenager, this doesn't have much purpose, since dating usually consists of holding hands and talking on the phone, but when you're an adult, test the waters.  Date the pretty girl, the preppy girl, the goth girl, the alt girl, the chubby girl, the black girl, the Asian girl, the cheerleader, the nerdy girl ... date all kinds of girls ... this way, when you find YOUR girl, you'll know she's the one.  Now, please don't take this as "sleep with all the girls" because, again, your integrity is your most valuable asset, don't rack up sexual partners, it's not attractive and you will regret it when you finally find the person you're going to spend the rest of your life with.

5.)  I'M ALWAYS ON YOUR SIDE ... right now, I have to be your mom.  I have to be the one who lays down the law, but one day, we're going to be friends.  We'll be able to talk about all the messed up things you did as a kid and laugh about them (once you have kids of your own, that is ... don't tell me now ... I might ground you for like ever .. seriously).  There is nothing in this world that you can do to take away my love ... you are mine, a piece of my heart, soul and body.  We were connected in a way you'll never be connected to another human being.  We shared a body for nine months, son.  I'll protect you to the ends of the earth no matter how old you are.

6.)  BE KIND TO YOUR MOM .. .because one day, I'm going to have to come to the realization that another woman is going to be an important part of your life.  It's going to hurt.  I'll probably cry.  I might even snarl at this girl when you bring her home to meet me. Just know, deep down inside, that because you love her, I love her too.  I will know that I raised you to find the greatness in people, and even if she's not the kind of girl that I would want in your life, that doesn't mean that I'll hate her (I might not like her, because you're my baby boy and I don't want to lose you).  So when I say things that might make you mad at me because you love this woman, remember, you're gaining a new part of your life and I'm losing a part of mine.  It's going to be an adjustment period.  But never be shy to tell me how you feel about her, because that's going to let me know that I've done something right.

7.)  HAVE AN OPINION ... yes, we pick and choose our battles, but never be afraid to voice how you feel.  If something's upsetting you, speak your mind.  If you're having issues with school, friends, relationships, or work ... use those powerful words we already talked about.  Be passionate about issues.  Whether it be political, religious or fighting for the rights of cats to get a driver's license, if it's something you feel strongly about, use your opinion and fight for what you feel is right.  I raised you this way, don't forget it.

8.)  SOMEONE IS ALWAYS WATCHING YOU ... To someone, you're a role model.  You might not ever know it, or it might be someone that comes to you 20 years from now to tell you how you made an impact on their life.  It might even be your little brother who watches your every move.  Make sure that when these people are seeing how you act, you're putting on your best face every day.  Make sure that the actions you're portraying are actions worth mimicking.  Remember, you can be a hero or a villain.  The choice is all yours.

9.)  DON'T BEAT YOURSELF UP ... some days you'll win and others you'll lose.  It's a part of life, my sweet, sweet boy.  Learn at an early age that it's okay to lose, as long as you remember that feeling and make sure the next time you try your best and win.  From grades, tests, relationships, sports, picking friends, and making scary choices ... there's no wrong answer if you put your all into it.  If you're truly trying your best, then you're a winner already.  Every day you wake up, you should strive for greatness, because that's why you were created ... to be great.  (And I think you're pretty awesome already)

10.)  BIG RISKS ARE SCARY BUT CAN BE SO REWARDING ... you're going to accomplish so many milestones throughout your life.  The journey might kick you in the butt sometimes, and you'll feel like quitting, but getting to the finish line ... that's the greatest feeling in the world, I promise.  Son, I was a quitter.  When things got hard or scary, I'd quit so I'd never have to finish, and risk losing.  I took no chances ... until I did.  Then, that's when life really got exciting.  With no risk, comes no reward.  Don't fit into a mold and follow what the world deems acceptable.  Step outside the box, think for yourself and find your own path.  I promise it'll be so much more exciting.  Follow your passions and do what makes you happy.  In the end, it's going to be you, pal.  I'd hate to see you doing what everyone else wants and you be unhappy.  Never sacrifice everything.  Keep a little for yourself.  You'll need it for your sanity when you become a father.

All in all, I want my boys to know how much value they truly have.  Not just in their academics or personal lives, but in their souls.  They are blessings and should always remember that without them, my life wouldn't have been complete.  They might not have been born in the best of circumstances, but more than anything I try to lead by example, and one day, I hope they remember this and follow this advice, because it would have been really helpful to me when I was growing up.

I love you, my sons.  And you're my greatest accomplishment ... and I'll never have a more important job than being your mom.  There is no greater reward than watching you blossom into bright, strong willed, young men.  You'll only know how honestly proud I am when you become parents.

Thanks for reading,

Ashley

**Not Book Related, but Love Related** --- Open letter to the educators of my son's Kindergarden school

Good evening Ms. Kreusel, Mr. Allen, Mrs. Mitchel,

Please see the below email dated March 3rd that I sent the evening after his aunt (the social worker) and I picked up Brayden, we verbally discussed getting together an IEP for Brayden in Mr. Allen's office that day.  Never was I informed that I needed to make this request, formally, and in writing with a date and signature until yesterday after speaking further with Mrs. Mitchel.  Within an hour of that conversation with Ms. Mitchel, I handed Mr. Allen a handwritten note, signed and dated, explicitly requesting an IEP for Brayden.  
Upon further research, I found the following document on the D7 website (photo listed at the end of this communication) which states that a request for an IEP can be made in writing or verbally and within 10 CALENDAR days, I'll be contacted to give consent for the district to conduct the REED examination.  Seeing as by your own document, on your own website, that you're in violation of your commitment to your students, specifically my child.  
Also, found on your own website, under the special education services section, the following information can be found, and I directly quote, "Michigan Law, under ACT 451 of the Public Acts of 1976, requires that special education supports be available to all eligible children, from birth to age 26, or graduation, free, at no cost to the parent. Persons residing within Dearborn Heights Schools No. 7, qualified to receive special education supports, will be provided with appropriate programs and/or services by a local educational agency (LEA), the intermediate school district, and/or through an approved contract agreement. The types of supports provided for each student vary depending on individual need."
My child has been diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder, which you've been made well aware of since the day of diagnosis.  We've made every effort on our end as parents to ensure that you're in the loop at every turn.  We've made ourselves available for someone to pick Brayden up from school when he becomes too much for you  to handle, at the expense of our jobs and businesses with the exception of one day where we refused to pick him up.  
A plan needs to be in effect immediately.  Brayden's education is in jeopardy.  Brayden's mental health is in jeopardy.  If he needs to be moved to a different teacher, then let's do that, as sad as it would make me to lose the relationship I've been building with Karen since the beginning of the year.  I truly believe she's a wonderful educator, and I also truly believe that our educators are underpaid, overworked and given guidelines by a politician on how to interact with children and the levels of care she's able to give.  That's not fair to her.  That's not fair to Brayden.  And that's not fair to the 21 other children inside that classroom.  I asked about a special education class to put Brayden in to see if that environment will better suit him current needs, and was told that Bedford does not have a special education class, that the students with special needs are in a "general population" situation.  If that's the case, how do you deal with the children who are high functioning autistic, downs children, or children with other behavioral issues.  I'm sure the protocol isn't to send them home when the tough gets going.  
As I stated earlier to Mr. Allen and Ms. Herbert, if I chose to pick up Brayden half day because I wanted to spend time with him, it would take 10 occurrences before you referred me to the prosecutors office for truancy.  Bedford Elementary is forcing my child to be truant from school.  It's not right, not fair, and I'm sure not what you signed up for when you took your college courses and testing to become educators.  
I am a mother who will constantly fight for the rights of her children.  During the last year both of my children have been let down by the D7 school district and that's going to come to a stop immediately.  I ensured that my children were in school on count day so the district would get the state funding per student that it allows.  When you accepted that money, it was with an unwritten contract that you would spend that money to educate my child.  If my child isn't being educated, was that money accepted under false pretenses?  Because I'm fairly sure that's a crime?
Please note, I would request that when and if you decide to reply to this email that you reply to all, so we're all in the loop.
Thank you,
Ashley

What's Next for Ashley Suzanne?!?

I've been asked more times in the last few months what the heck I'm working on ... well, I just finished writing a new book for Random House that releases in July ... but you will NOT have to wait until July to get some new Ashley in your life ...

Check this out ... coming this winter!!!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

***COOL NEW STUFF ALERT***

Guess what .... Chicken butt ...Okay, no really ... I want to do something really awesome for 2016, and it starts off with me making you feel as wonderful as you make me feel ... so I'm going to be spending the year sending out little things in the mail to some pretty rad people ... who are those people, you ask?  YOU .. I want to send YOU mail ... cards, letters, secret projects, love messages, pictures of hot guys ... you know, the regular stuff ... and even better ... IT'S NOT A BILL!!!  You'll get snail mail and you won't have to give me money (unless you want to of course.  I accept payment in form of hugs and coffee).  So, it's easy ... sign up here and maybe you'll get some mail sometime this year <3 <3 <3 <3
Happy Almost New Year Friends,
Ashley

Click HERE to fill out the form for my snail mail friends <3