In Conversation with Christine Ashworth

I met Christine when I went to my first LARA (Los Angeles chapter of RWA. Christine is a wonderful friendly human who made me feel very welcome. I didn't realize till later that she was President of our chapter. 

Christine and her dad, Chet Cunningham. Chet's written over 300 books.

I got to read Christine's latest release, Christmas Star before it was published. I loved the story so I asked if I could interview her for the blog.Thank you for agreeing, Christine. Please tell us a little about yourself.

I’ve been been a ballet dancer, a musical theater dancer, an actress, an assistant theater director, and a desk jockey. I’m now writing romance novels for Boroughs Publishing Group, as well as holding down a Day Job doing Important Stuff. For some reason, I decided I wasn't busy enough, and four years ago started writing a play because dialog is easier than description. I have one husband and two sons and a cat.

I love firsts, so tell me about the moment when you found you’d made your first sale.
I was in Colorado, spending time with my best friend, waiting for my appointment with a neurologist to start the ball rolling on this brain surgery I needed (benign tumor on the auditory nerve). So having a publisher tell me during that very emotional time that she wanted to publish two of my novels was amazing. 

Pretty amazing story. Thank you.

Another first, please: How about the first time you kissed your true love?It was a very long time ago now. I remember our first date. We went walking along the beach in La Jolla and held hands. I was seventeen, and yet I knew this guy I was with was a keeper. Tom and I have been married for 34 years now.
Yes! I love long happy ever afters.

Other than your own, who are your favorite (heroes/heroines/writers) in your genre?
I have a lot of favorite writers that aren’t necessarily in my genre - Stephanie Laurens for historical, Nora Roberts for contemporary, Kendall Grey because there is no one like her ever. 

I've never heard of Kendall Grey. Now I have to read her.

What is the most exciting moment, so far, in your writing career?
This one, right now.

Oooh  Nice.

What is your favorite pastime, other than writing?
Reading. After that, I’d have to say gardening or camping.

What’s your snack of choice while writing?
If I’m at home, anything is fair game. If I’m at a coffee shop, I gravitate to an onion bagel, toasted, with cream cheese and a big cup of coffee. That habit got started in 2001 and I haven’t kicked it yet.

Got a recipe you want to share?
Easiest Hollandaise Sauce Ever:
1/4 c butter
1/4 c heavy cream
2 egg yolks
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground (powdered) mustard
In microwave, melt butter in a 2-cup glass bowl - 15 to 20 seconds. Mix egg yolks with heavy cream, and add to butter. Add lemon juice, salt and mustard, stir well. Microwave on high for 1 minute, stirring after every 15 seconds, until mixture is thickened. Voila! Vou are done. Easy Peasy.
Love it. Can’t wait to try it.

Any advice for new writers just starting out?
1. Don’t expect to make a fast buck. 2. If you can do something else, do. 3. If you must write, then write every day and never, ever, ever give up.
What genre or genres do you write?
I write contemporary and paranormal romance, both adult and YA.
Tell us about your latest release.

CHRISTMAS STAR came out Friday, October 17th from Boroughs Publishing Group. It’s a short story, and launches my StarTide Agency series.

Blurb: After a whirlwind courtship and surprise proposal, makeup artist Elle Houston is in a fairytale setting, awaiting her Christmas Eve wedding to a movie star. But when the resort’s chef starts cooking, Elle finds that more than her appetite is being tempted, and she realizes just how wrong fairytales can be…

I had so much fun reading this novella. I heartily recommend it.

What’s your current WIP?
I’m working on SHINING STAR, Book 2 of the StarTide Agency series. It’s set here in Los Angeles, and is a reunion story. Book 1, GUARDED STAR, comes out on February 5th, 2015.
And I will be first in line to buy it.

And finally, where can we find you?
http://christine-ashworth.com is my online presence - I blog about wine and books and gardens.

Links to my
FB Author Page
Twitter: @CCAshworth
Pinterest: ccashworth
Amazon Author Page: 

I loved Christmas Star and I am offering one lucky reader a chance to win a copy. Thank you for being here, Christine.
Thanks so much for having me, Sue!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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