Fresh Face Friday - 9/16/11

Who: Ashley Blalock

What: An Immortal Legacy

When twenty-one-year-old Brooke Hansen receives a large inheritance from a great-grandfather she never knew, she thinks it’s just random good luck. But then a man shows up; he’s dark and mysterious, and Brooke can’t shake the feeling that he’s connected. She begins to wonder if her recent abilities of super-human power and speed are the keys to understanding of what’s happening to her, and she vows to find answers. But her life takes another surprising turn when the man reveals himself to be her guardian, placed as her protector from the outside world. As Brooke falls in love with Cameron, she learns another truth about him—one that will question her devotion and call her to become part of a world she’s only read about.

An Immortal Legacy is a story of true love battling evil. Can Brooke and Cameron’s love survive in the face of a darkness that threatens to invade everything she holds dear? And when she’s called to make the ultimate sacrifice, will she be able to stand firm?

My Thoughts: LUV-ED it! I was lucky enough to read and HERE'S exactly what I thought.

Cover: Typically it's not something that would scream at me, but the intense eyes totally draw me in!

Stalking Ground: Facebook, Website, Goodreads

Interview & Giveaway - Ashley Blalock

Everyone welcome Ashley Blalock, author of An Immortal Legacy

Do you have a writing routine?

Well, I don’t really plan it all out ahead of time or brainstorm. I just put the pen to paper and it flows. Yeah, a story starts in my head but when I start writing is when characters come in, their names, personalities, and the situations they face. I write it all out on paper and then I enter it in the computer, deleting and adding as I go. Then after that I go through the manuscript to add another scene or two and edit.

 In An Immortal Legacy, there are a few things that mimic your life. (i.e. Twins, softball) If you could mimic something from the book in your life what would it be?

I would love to be telekinetic. How cool would that be? I could do work around the house without having to do any physical labor. I could also play tricks on people. That would be crazy.

Cameron, the hero, is a completely hunk! Who do you see playing him?

That is a tough one. I don’t really know. I didn’t really picture someone I knew when I described him; handsome, muscular, dark brown hair and gorgeous green eyes. Someone told me that there is a guy on a TV show that fits his description perfectly but I can’t remember what name or what show. Right off the top of my head the hunk that plays on the TV show White Collar, Neal Caffrey is closest. If he would put some green contacts in, WOW. I haven’t seen him without that suit on either…maybe he has a little muscle going on underneath.

Favorite book out right now?

As much as I hate to admit it, I don’t get to read as much as I would like. Between having a real job (yes, by day I am an evil tax collector) and a 2 year old and 3 year old, I am just excited to actually have a chance to rest. Most of the free time I have goes to writing and sleeping. But, I have started reading A Game of Thrones, which has started off very well.

Quickies (food edition):

Chocolate Chip or Oatmeal Cookies?

Ugh, meat… I’m not much of a sweets person. But, if I was starving and had to pick one, I would have to pick oatmeal I guess. It would be more filling. I know, I’m not a chocolate lover, I’m weird. I eat it sometimes but I don’t just crave it.

(you are a freak of nature...but I still <3 you)

Soup or Stew?

Stew

Fruit Salad or Potato Salad?

Potato salad

Steak or Chicken?

Hmmm, depends on my mood. Right now, chicken.

(sorry, I need to eat, lol)---Me too!

~~~~~~~~~~~

GIVEAWAY:

Ashley is kind enough to offer up 4 prize packages!

#1: 2 winners - each will get 1 copy of An Immortal Legacy, 1 bookmark and 1 pushcard

#2: 2 winners - the winners will get An Immortal Legacy Poster, 1 bookmark, 1 pushcard

Just leave a comment with the following:

• Your favorite cookie
• E-mail
• Name

Contest is U.S. only, and will run until Wednesday, the 21st!

Wrap It Up - March

Feel SUPER proud & accomplished for all my reading I did in March compared to February! So if you missed out on any of the reviews, here at the books I was able to read:

The Demon Trappers Daughter - By Jana Oliver
(review here)

Rush of Darkness - By Rhyannon Byrd
(review here)

Rage - By Jackie Morse Kessler

(review here)

An Immortal Legacy - By Ashley Harrison Blalock

(review here)

Uniform Behaviour - Edited by Lucy Felthouse

(review here)

Second Chances - By Jennifer L. Place

(review here)

So now let's BLAST into April & read our little hearts out!

Before the Press Review: An Immortal Legacy - By Ashley Harrison Blalock

I met Ashley through, Taking It One Book at a Time's Facebook page. After reading up on her book, I became very interested so she then sent me her manuscript to review, because her book is in the process of being published, and I can honestly say I was blown away!

In, An Immortal Legacy, Brooke Hansen has just received an inheritance from an unknown great-grandfather who she has never met and wants to keep his identity secret. (Sounds intriguing right?) Now with a ton of money, a new house & car, Brooke is trying to keep her life as normal as possible. That is until she stumbles upon thee gorgeous Cameron O'Connor. He seems to good to be true, and he likes her....like REALLY likes her. Along with her new life she has found a new love, but will he accept the fact that she's different? The fact that she has abilities that she has only ever told one person about ever? But Cameron's got a secret of his own, a few actually, and they are some that will change Brooke's life forever.

There were so many aspects that I loved about not only this book, but Ashley's writing style as well. She has managed to create a vampire world that's not like every other vampire world out there. In hers there are different races of vampires. From ones who are not limited by the sun, to others who are tenacious fighters regardless of their height. Plus just when you think that you have everything figured out, BAM, twist. Then, BAM, another twist. Ashley's able to intertwine humor, passion, danger, and mystery without making it a jumbled mess. You know that the book is always on the right path, and not tumbling down some side-story hill.

Then there's Cameron & Brooke. These two main characters share a love so pure and true that makes you feel like you've fallen in love for the first time. They develope a relationship that has no hint of jealousy, or doubt. Though it is very fast paced you don't get the feeling that it's being rushed or force, it's as if loving each other comes as naturally to them as breathing.

I can not wait for Ashley to finalize her publication date so that I can begin the count down for all of you. But in the mean time make sure you check out her Facebook for daily updates, and she just started her Twitter. So make sure you go show some support & follow her!

5/5