I am very pleased to welcome paranormal romance author, Ashlyn Chase to the blog. Ashlyn is a multi-published author and specialises in characters who reinvent themselves, having reinvented herself numerous times. She has worked as a psychiatric nurse, for the Red Cross, and has a degree in behavioural sciences. She lives with her true-life hero husband in New Hampshire.
You also have the chance to win The Vampire Next Door and a book from Ashlyn’s backlist, so don’t forget to enter at the end of this post.
So, without further ado, please welcome Ashlyn…
I recently look a trip to the Back Bay neighborhood in Boston. It’s where I used to live and where my Strange Neighbors series takes place. I absolutely love that area—especially in the spring and autumn. Summer is beautiful too, as long as it’s not too hot.
This is an example of a Brownstone. By definition, it doesn’t have to be brown! It’s a townhouse with a stoop and some stairs. My “strange neighbors” lived in a building like this. Back in the day, these were the homes of the Boston blue bloods—the rich high society people.
Now, these grand homes house students or working class people and have been split up into apartments or condos. It’s still a great address as far as I’m concerned—and if real estate prices are any indication.
Today’s Boston is a mix of old and new—business and residential. Even the new metropolitan designs have been constructed with the idea of fitting in with existing architecture. The John Hancock building (in background) is made of reflective glass, to act as a mirror and include its older surroundings.
I used to live at this address on Commonwealth Avenue when I was a student. Every September students “invade” the city. Streets are choked with double parked cars as college students unload their belongings into temporary quarters. Every May, they leave again and residents breathe a sigh of relief.
This is Newbury Street. Boston’s Fifth Avenue. Upscale shops and restaurants line both sides from the public gardens to Mass. Ave. I still can’t afford to shop on this street!
This is the Boston public library. It’s the oldest public library in the United States, and just keeps getting better. My vampire character Sly used to enjoy many evenings here.
Boston is home to a diverse population, and is known for its culture, educational opportunities and medical community. This is a statue at the Boston Women’s Memorial in the bike path that travels down the middle of Commonwealth Ave.
I hope you enjoyed the tour of Back Bay, and the setting of my series Strange Neighbors. Book 3 in this trilogy will be released August 1, 2011. Its title is The Vampire Next Door, and I promise you a happy ending for all the unconventional residents.
GIVEAWAY!
Thanks to Sourcebooks I have TWO (2) copies of ‘The Vampire Next Door‘ to giveaway! This giveaway is open to US & Canada only (publisher’s request) and ends 9th August 2011.
However, Ashlyn Chase is kindly offering my international readers an ebook from her backlist, this also ends 9th August 2011.
To enter all you have to do is the following:
1. Read Book Chick City’s giveaway policy
2. Fill out this form
3. One entry per person
GOOD LUCK!
12 Comments
Hi Ash, Just wanted to say Hi. I made it for this one too.
I ordered my copies of The Vampire Next Door last night. 
Have a great tour if I miss some stops.
chirth7(at)yahoo(dot)com
Reply
Hi Ashlyn,
Thanks for the pictures, the apartment is just how I imagined the Strange Neighbours apartment block would look like. I do love the collection on unconventional characters you have created
Tell me, will Chad get his own story?
Laura
Reply
Thanks for stopping by, Christine and for purchasing the books! That's awesome!
And Laura…I didn't have another story for Chad planned, but you're not the only one who has asked! I may be able to tie him in with the next series (if my publisher decides to contract it.) Cross your fingers for me!
Reply
Oooo!! What Good News!! Have both my fingers and toes crossed! Chad needs someone by his side permanently be they ghost or flesh.
Thanks for the tour around Boston! Those pics are just Terrific.
Reply
LOVE the tour of Boston! (It is one of my favorite vacation spots!) I'm excited to read this series now!
Reply
Hi, Ashlyn.
I can definitely see the gang living in that type of brownstown.
I look forward in continuing this series.
Thanks,
Tracey D
Reply
Thank you Jac and Tracey!
I'm really glad I took that little photo jaunt.
Reply
Oh Boston is so beautiful, its been years since I visited, I didn't get to see all of Boston but maybe some day I will.
I just picked up Strange Neighbors yesterday can't wait to read it.
Reply
That's terrific BL.
I do hope you can come back to Boston someday. It's all changed! The big dig buried a lot of traffic underground and it's so much more pleasant now.
Reply
Wow Boston seems to be the place to be if you're a student (one of my old student flat shares was a converted garage that leaked!) This series sounds right up my street I'll definitely have pick it up!
Reply
Yes. Boston and Cambridge are full of great colleges. BU, Northeastern, Tufts, MIT and, of course, HAHVAHD
Reply
These books look like a hoot. I would love to read them. Thank you for sharing this interview with this very interesting author. I loved the pictures, I have never been to Boston, but you never know what tomorrow may bring.
Reply