Welcome to my blog, Christine. Readers – Christine has graciously decided to give one lucky commenter a $10 gift card to Starbucks or Amazon, the winners choice. So be sure and leave lots of comments.

What did you want to be when you were a child? Did you always know you wanted to be a writer?

CA: I flirted with being a ballet dancer for many years. I was a member (albeit briefly) of California Ballet Company, where I met my husband, and I loved it. I did know, however, that writing was in my genes (my father and brother are both published authors) and it would inevitably come out some day. Which it did, finally!

What genre(s) do you write in and why?

CA: I write paranormal romance, because I can make up the rules of the world. I write YA because I had an amazing teenagerhood, and want to share it. And I write contemporary romance, because I’ve been reading Harlequin Romances since I’ve been 13.

What genres are you drawn to as a reader?

CA: Everything! I love sci fi, fantasy, historical, the smexy, contemporary, memoir, history – I love it all. It just totally depends on my frame of mind as to what I pick up to read.

What do you have planned for the future?

CA: Writing-wise, I’m working on a YA series. I’m also writing a couple of plays, so that’s exciting.

Did you have several manuscripts finished before you sold? If so, did you send them out yourself?

CA: Yes. I had completed ten manuscripts, and dozens and dozens of partials. I’ve been rejected by all the best publishing houses in New York City! But I learned one thing about those books; none of them were finished. Every single book I had sent out to editors/agents between 2003 and 2009 hadn’t been rewritten anywhere nearly enough. So those editors and agents, thank God, rejected me because I hadn’t done the work. It’s that simple (in my mind, at least!).

Do you have any words of inspiration for aspiring authors?

CA: Don’t give up. Write the entire first draft, then rewrite. And rewrite. And rewrite some more. Get feedback. Remember, a query letter is a different animal from the novel. Learn how to write them. Don’t think you already know, because you probably don’t. And that goes for EVERYTHING writing-related, not just query letters. Keep an inquiring mind; strive always to learn, for there is always something to learn. Be polite; be respectful of other authors, reviewers, and all readers. Especially when you’re on social media; be careful of how you present yourself, because yes, the world IS watching.

Tell us about your current series.

CA: Thanks so much for asking! I’m writing the Caine Brothers series. The Caines are tribreds – they have demon, human and Fae blood in their veins. Each Caine brother deals with it in their own way. Gabriel went and hid for ten years. Gregor refuses to acknowledge that it exists. And Justin has a healthy respect for the differences, until his mind comes unglued and revenge becomes driving force. Of course, each man has that one special woman who makes everything worth it in the end.

Book One is DEMON SOUL. Gabriel Caine has had his soul stolen, and he needs to get it back before he gives in to his dark side. Only Rose Walters, who has been sent back from the dead to save Gabriel, can do it; but to retrieve his soul, she must become fire.

BLOOD DREAMS is the Short Story that comes after DEMON SOUL, and shows you a bit of the behind-the-scenes stuff with the Villain of Book 1.

Book 2, DEMON HUNT, is the latest release – it came out July 16th. Gregor Caine is forced to pair up with a full-blooded Fae Warrior named Serra Willows in order to get rid of the demons overrunning Los Angeles. In doing so, the gifts in his blood, safely ignored until now, start showing up. Ultimately, his acceptance of those gifts, and of Serra, are vital to them winning the battle against the demon who would claim Serra for his own.

Book 3, DEMON’S RAGE, is Justin and Magdalena’s story, one of revenge, desire, and forgiveness. I don’t yet have a release date for this one, but I’m hoping for Spring 2013.

Thanks, Cindy, for having me today – I had a blast!

Christine’s Bio:

Christine Ashworth is a native of Southern California. The daughter of a writer and a psych major, she fell asleep to the sound of her father’s Royal manual typewriter for years. In a very real way, being a writer is in her blood-her father sold his first novel before he turned forty; her brother sold his first book before he turned twenty-five.

At the tender age of seventeen, Christine fell in love with a man she met while dancing in a ballet company. She married the brilliant actor/dancer/painter/music man, and they now have two tall sons who are as scintillating as their parents, keeping the dinner conversation lively.

Christine’s two dogs rule the outside, defending her vegetable garden from the squirrels, while a polydactyl rescue cat holds court inside the house. Everything else is in a state of flux.

You can find Christine here:

Website and Blog: http://christine-ashworth.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/CCAshworth
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/ChristineAshworthAuthor
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4768755.Christine_Ashworth
Amazon Author page: http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Ashworth/e/B004WXK66O/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1338666193&sr=1-1

DEMON HUNT Excerpt

Gregor walked to Justin’s house at dawn, once again immaculate and in control in a gray three-piece suit. Fog still blanketed the streets in Santa Monica. The threat of more rain hung in the air.
He let himself in and heard the rush of the shower. Instead of bugging Justin, he went to the kitchen and poured himself a cup of coffee, then drifted toward the wide picture window framing the tropical backyard.
The pool in the corner of the yard gleamed. Mist rose from it. A pale form cut through the water, swimming steadily. He was out the door and striding across the lawn before he realized he’d decided to move.
Serra stopped swimming to tread water. Invitation shone from her. “Join me.”
“No.” He hadn’t remembered her voice as being sultry. Now the sound of it curled deep inside him, set him aching. That there was even a question in his mind about her, about the two of them, pissed him off.
She was Fae. Off limits. End of story.
Right?
The neat pile of her clothes on the chaise caught his eye. “I’ll get you a towel.” He turned on one heel and headed back into the house. Made his way blindly into the guest bathroom and stood, his mind blank.
She shook his control, and he didn’t like it. He reached for his customary imperturbability and caught sight of himself in the mirror, coffee cup suspended half way to his mouth, his reason for being in the bathroom escaping him for the moment.
“I’m drawn to water. It soothes me. It always has.” Coffee spilled over his hand at the sound of her behind him. He turned and blinked, and remembered why he had gone into the bathroom.
She stood there, naked, pool water beading on skin that gleamed like a pearl. He looked his fill, helpless to do otherwise. An inch- thick scar ran down her throat to the top of her breasts, which were plump and tipped with pink nipples that tightened as his gaze brushed them. Her waist dented in and her hips curved out, making his hands itch, and the sparse curls between her legs were as pale a blonde as the hair on her head. Her eyes, those amethyst jewels, watched him with unnerving intensity.
He yanked the towel off the rail and thrust it at her while he passed her on his way out of the suddenly too-small room. He’d almost made it to the living room when she spoke again.
“I want you.”
A straightforward declaration, not a whine nor an invitation. A muscle in his cheek twitched. “We’ve got a portal to close and demons to kill. There’s no time for sex.”
“There’s always time for sex,” she said, shocked. “I’m quite good at it. I know you’ll enjoy yourself.”
“I’m sure I would. Get dressed,” he said, and taking a deep breath, headed into the kitchen for more coffee. If the demons didn’t kill him, dealing with her just might do the job.