Disclaimer: By posting this interview I am in no way endorsing any of the authors work but rather simply giving a forum so that we as readers can get to know them and the authors can promote their stories.
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Ashley: Shadows of Suspicion is the stand alone second book in my Shadows Series. It focuses on Kerry Reiley, a second grade teacher who just happens to have brothers in law enforcement who have made some enemies. She gets kidnapped and those brothers call in a favor and get Luke Reeding, who is considered the best, to find her and bring her home. As it turns out, Kerry finds Luke and their attraction is instantaneous! They have to run for their lives, stay alive and figure out why the psycho has targeted Kerry! Most of my favorite characters from Shadows From The Past are mixed into this book and we meet a few new people throughout.
DLC: Action, mystery and romance...can't ask for much more than that! =) As authors we must draw from our own experiences when creating characters. Was there a particular character that you most identified with?
Ashley: I most identify with Kerry. She unintentionally gets herself into trouble, her big brothers don't think she can handle herself and sometimes her family is so big that she feels lost in it but knows she is always loved. Kerry is a mixture of the women in my life. She is my mother, sister, niece, grandmother and probably some other women all mixed into one strong woman. I have a big family so I understand the dynamic and the complexities of her situation. She is focused on her faith and that is what will always see her through.
DLC: That's great. Now you stated you work with your husband as his legal assistant and mother, so when did you know you wanted to be a writer?
Ashley: Remember to always be passionate about your work. If you are passionate, that is contagious and can get you a long way and it will make the people who are working with you or helping you with your project passionate as well.
DLC: Having people to support you makes a world of difference. As an author I often use music to inspire me when I'm writing action scenes for my books. What source or sources do you draw from when creating a new story?
Ashley: Well, for the characters, I draw from everyone around me. Each of my family members has a character styled after them and a lot of times, if that family member is having a bad day, then my character is as well! I get a lot of the conflicts from personal life and Bible study. If I have questions during Bible Study, I just assume others would be curious too and I try to work it into my book. For me, inspiration is the world, it is just different aspects of the world effect different aspects of my work!
DLC: The world is an endless source of inspiration if we take time to look. You've mentioned a few characters from your stories so far. Do you have a favorite character?
Ashley: It would have to be Aurora. She has just gone through so much in her life and still comes out so strong and focused that it is amazing. She embodies the best and worst qualities most of us have. Most of the time, we are our worst enemies and though we should know God loves us, we still struggle with how we could ever be worthy enough to deserve His love, then finally come to realize He just loves us, regardless of what we've done.
DLC: Now that's a character I know most of us can identify with. You've written a couple novels now, what factors do you use that tell you the manuscript is done?
Ashley: Oh wow, I have to feel that the characters story was told fully. This book focuses on Kerry and Luke so any of their direct conflict had to be resolved, the 'bad guy' has to be figured out at least, hopefully caught :) and somewhere in the mix, the plan of salvation has to be mentioned. All those factors HAVE to be there before I can feel satisfied that I've done the story justice.
DLC: That's great criteria to go by. I admire authors that want to use the gift that they have and glorify God. Why did you choose Romantic Suspense?
Ashley: Ohhh too many! I love Dee Henderson, Irene Hannon, Tim Lahaye, Alex Kava, Trudi Canavan, Terry Brooks....and a whole host of others!
DLC: Are you working on a book now and if so tell us a little bit about it?
Ashley: I am, it is the third in my Shadows Series and it's title is Shadows of Pain. It focuses on Kammi and Daniel. A hit man has focused on both FBI and LAPD, so what is the tie that links all of them? Who have both been investigating that would lead to these types
DLC: Your stories sound right up my alley! You may end up converting me to romance novels yet...hehehe. A fun question for you. If you were stranded on a deserted island and could pick only 2 books to have with you, what would they be and why?
Ashley: The Bible of course...there is just so much you can learn from it no matter how many times you read it, new things are constantly revealed. Danger in the Shadows by Dee Henderson. Because you just have to have some romance and since this one is mixed with suspense and inspiration. I can read that one over and over!
DLC: A hopeless romantic, I love it! =) Where can people go to get more information about you and your book?
DLC: I'd like to introduce everyone to the author of the Shadows Series Ashley Dawn. Welcome Ashley to A Christian Man's Perspective.
Ashley: Hi Daniel! Thank you so much for having me today! Good morning everyone.
DLC: I'm so glad you could take time out of your busy life to be here today. Please introduce yourself to my readers and tell us a bit about you.
Ashley: I'm Ashley Dawn, author of Shadows of Suspicion (Book 2 of my Shadows Series) but most importantly mother of 2 precious munchkins and wife to a wonderful man. I have a 3 year old son, Garrett, and 1 year old daughter, Allyssa, who come to work with me and my husband, Josh, daily at his law firm. I'm his legal assistant and have been for most of the past 5 years. We live in Tyler, Texas and love to travel, I think my favorite place so far was Spain. I write in the free time I get and it is my absolute passion.
DLC: How you find time to travel is impressive. =) The Shadow Series sounds mysterious. Tell us about book 2.
DLC: How you find time to travel is impressive. =) The Shadow Series sounds mysterious. Tell us about book 2.
Ashley: Shadows of Suspicion is the stand alone second book in my Shadows Series. It focuses on Kerry Reiley, a second grade teacher who just happens to have brothers in law enforcement who have made some enemies. She gets kidnapped and those brothers call in a favor and get Luke Reeding, who is considered the best, to find her and bring her home. As it turns out, Kerry finds Luke and their attraction is instantaneous! They have to run for their lives, stay alive and figure out why the psycho has targeted Kerry! Most of my favorite characters from Shadows From The Past are mixed into this book and we meet a few new people throughout.
DLC: Action, mystery and romance...can't ask for much more than that! =) As authors we must draw from our own experiences when creating characters. Was there a particular character that you most identified with?
Ashley: I most identify with Kerry. She unintentionally gets herself into trouble, her big brothers don't think she can handle herself and sometimes her family is so big that she feels lost in it but knows she is always loved. Kerry is a mixture of the women in my life. She is my mother, sister, niece, grandmother and probably some other women all mixed into one strong woman. I have a big family so I understand the dynamic and the complexities of her situation. She is focused on her faith and that is what will always see her through.
DLC: That's great. Now you stated you work with your husband as his legal assistant and mother, so when did you know you wanted to be a writer?
Ashley:I'm not sure there was ever a specific moment. I've always written things, poems, songs, kids stories and my first book just seemed like a progression from all of that. I started it at 19 and I just felt like I was called to do it, that is what God made me for.
DLC: "that is what God made me for" Now that is the most perfect answer! =) You're life sounds full with children, work, traveling and yet you found time to be an author. What advise would you give to other authors or aspiring authors?
DLC: "that is what God made me for" Now that is the most perfect answer! =) You're life sounds full with children, work, traveling and yet you found time to be an author. What advise would you give to other authors or aspiring authors?
Ashley: Remember to always be passionate about your work. If you are passionate, that is contagious and can get you a long way and it will make the people who are working with you or helping you with your project passionate as well.
DLC: Having people to support you makes a world of difference. As an author I often use music to inspire me when I'm writing action scenes for my books. What source or sources do you draw from when creating a new story?
Ashley: Well, for the characters, I draw from everyone around me. Each of my family members has a character styled after them and a lot of times, if that family member is having a bad day, then my character is as well! I get a lot of the conflicts from personal life and Bible study. If I have questions during Bible Study, I just assume others would be curious too and I try to work it into my book. For me, inspiration is the world, it is just different aspects of the world effect different aspects of my work!
DLC: The world is an endless source of inspiration if we take time to look. You've mentioned a few characters from your stories so far. Do you have a favorite character?
Ashley: It would have to be Aurora. She has just gone through so much in her life and still comes out so strong and focused that it is amazing. She embodies the best and worst qualities most of us have. Most of the time, we are our worst enemies and though we should know God loves us, we still struggle with how we could ever be worthy enough to deserve His love, then finally come to realize He just loves us, regardless of what we've done.
DLC: Now that's a character I know most of us can identify with. You've written a couple novels now, what factors do you use that tell you the manuscript is done?
Ashley: Oh wow, I have to feel that the characters story was told fully. This book focuses on Kerry and Luke so any of their direct conflict had to be resolved, the 'bad guy' has to be figured out at least, hopefully caught :) and somewhere in the mix, the plan of salvation has to be mentioned. All those factors HAVE to be there before I can feel satisfied that I've done the story justice.
DLC: That's great criteria to go by. I admire authors that want to use the gift that they have and glorify God. Why did you choose Romantic Suspense?
Ashley: That is what I read the most and what is most relateable to me. It seemed natural to write about what I loved reading.
DLC: We write what we're passionate about... so very true. =) I find that authors often write like those that they read. Do you have any favorite authors?
DLC: We write what we're passionate about... so very true. =) I find that authors often write like those that they read. Do you have any favorite authors?
Ashley: Ohhh too many! I love Dee Henderson, Irene Hannon, Tim Lahaye, Alex Kava, Trudi Canavan, Terry Brooks....and a whole host of others!
DLC: Are you working on a book now and if so tell us a little bit about it?
Ashley: I am, it is the third in my Shadows Series and it's title is Shadows of Pain. It focuses on Kammi and Daniel. A hit man has focused on both FBI and LAPD, so what is the tie that links all of them? Who have both been investigating that would lead to these types
DLC: Your stories sound right up my alley! You may end up converting me to romance novels yet...hehehe. A fun question for you. If you were stranded on a deserted island and could pick only 2 books to have with you, what would they be and why?
Ashley: The Bible of course...there is just so much you can learn from it no matter how many times you read it, new things are constantly revealed. Danger in the Shadows by Dee Henderson. Because you just have to have some romance and since this one is mixed with suspense and inspiration. I can read that one over and over!
DLC: A hopeless romantic, I love it! =) Where can people go to get more information about you and your book?
Ashley: You can go to http://ashleysbookshelf.blogspot.com and click on the My Books Page. Or you can purchase the ebooks for $2.99 on Amazon,B&N, or Smashwords. You can purchase paperback versions on Amazon as well or you can email me directly at ashleywintters@gmail.com.
DLC: Thank you Ashley for doing this interview with me. It has been a pleasure and I pray you have great success!
DLC: Thank you Ashley for doing this interview with me. It has been a pleasure and I pray you have great success!
Ashley: Again, thank you so much for having me today Daniel!
Blessings,
Daniel L Carter
Author of The Unwanted Trilogy