2015 To Do List

I saw this image online and I'm "borrowing" it from Nathan Young since it says it all in a cute graphic.

For those of you who don't know, I'm finally leaving my EDJ after umpteen thousand years of being a worker bee.  It's like bungee jumping off Victoria Falls.  One minute I'm vibrating with excitement over this change, and then I go into a tailspin, terrified that I'll end up living under a bridge somewhere.  You can tell I'm a writer.  My worse case scenarios are always over-the-top.  For the most part, I'm looking forward to being my own boss, having my own hours, doing my thing.  A part of me will miss the old routine of getting into the car each morning, fighting the assholes vying for a spot on the road, and dealing with humanity eight hours a day.  I've been able to squeeze in my writing all this time by creating a grueling schedule some consider inhuman.  Getting up at 3-4 am to put in a couple of hours of writing each day has enabled me to blend my day job with my writing career and now it's finally going to end.  I'm wondering if I'll ever learn to create stories at a decent time since I'll have nowhere to go in the morning except my desk.  Hmm...I'll give you an update on that in a few months.  I've never been a sleep glutton so I'll probably keep on waking up with the roosters because it's what I do.  Hopefully my body will allow me to finally get six straight hours without feeling guilty.

On to my bucket list for 2015.

First thing I want to do is finally get a dog.  I've been holding off for so long because I'm never home long enough to give it my full attention but now I can.  Thanks to Brandon Witt, I've fallen in love with Corgis.  If you haven't read Then The Stars Fall, you should.  It's a wonderful book, and will introduce you to this amazing breed I'm determined to adopt. I have to wait until I get home from my trip in May which I'll tell you about in a minute.

On May 22, I'm going back to Spain (San Sebastian) to visit my cousin who recently lost her husband, the ex-Jai Alai player who inspired me to write the character, Tono, in my Loving Edits trilogy.  It'll be nice to spend time with her and her children even though it'll be bitter-sweet. Her husband always accompanied us to the bars around the area, pushing one delicious 'tapa' after another, the bite-size meal famous in that part of the world.

From there, my sister and I are off to Amsterdam to catch a boat for a two week cruise around Ireland, Wales, England, and Belgium.  I saw a few of these places the last time I was in Europe, but not all of them, so it'll be another item I'm crossing off my bucket list.

In October I'm flying to the Philippines for a class reunion.  I haven't been back there since I left in 1979,  I know everything will be different but I'm looking forward to seeing old friends and catching up on years of gossip.  The food alone is worth the long flight.  It'll also be a good refresher course on everything Filipino as my novel Mayon will soon be re-edited and moved over to DSP Publications, Dreamspinner's new imprint.

On the writing front, I will have a new release at the end of May.  A brand new universe so there's no need to catch up on anything to enjoy this novel.  It's called Enforcing Emory.  The cover that was created for me by Catt Ford is stunning. I can't wait to share it with you.  Soon.  Very soon...

A few days ago I signed a contract for the 4th book in the Bay Area Professionals Universe (Impacted, Bonds of Love, Fractured).  It's another stand-alone with guest appearances from Scott and Robin from Impacted.  Forged In Trust has a tentative release date of September.

My current WIP is kicking my ass.  Challenging as all get-out as it involves a lot of research.  I like to push myself and this one is certainly making me think.  I'll report back on that when I can.

Chyna Doll, my most current release has garnered several wonderful reviews I'd like to post for those of you who are interested.  I'm thrilled that readers have connected with Chyna.  I do plan on re-visiting these characters sometime next year.  Another item to add to the bucket list.  It's getting longer by the minute.

Cindi from On Top Down Under Reviews gave it 5 Stars. http://ontopdownunderbookreviews.com/chyna-doll-horizons-4-mickie-b-ashling/

Caroline from Prism Book Alliance rated it 4.5 Stars. http://www.prismbookalliance.com/?s=chyna+doll&submit=Search

Pixie from MM Good Book Reviews rated it 4.5-5 Stars. https://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/2015/03/06/chyna-doll-by-mickie-b-ashling-blog-tour-excerpt-review-giveaway/

Lucy over at Hearts on Fire Reviews gave it 4.5 Stars. http://heartsonfirereviews.com/?p=32654

In closing, I want to thank all the readers who let me know how much they enjoyed Chyna Doll . Your words of encouragement continue to push me each morning to create stories I can be proud to share.