Welcome to Mandy's Madhouse Home of Romance Author Madeline Baker/Amanda Ashley

Well, I just heard from my editor at Cerridwen, and there's been a change of plans with regard to my upcoming anthology. They've decided to break it into two books. The first book will be HEART OF THE HUNTER. The second book will contain my two related short stories, LOVING SARAH and LOVING DEVLIN. I was just reading through HEART OF THE HUNTER. I'd forgotten what a good story it is! No pub date yet.

As I mentioned earlier, I've finished the first draft of my sequel to EVERLASTING KISS, and I'm really happy with it. I love Rhys. He was never supposed to be a hero, but some characters just won't let you go, and he was one of them. I hope you'll like him as much as I do.

I emailed Leisure Books and asked about the possibility of reissuing my RECKLESS books. They said they were planning to do it, but, with the state of the economy, they weren't sure when it might be. Thanks, Mr. President!

I was toying with the idea of doing Jim Hewitt's story, but then I got another idea, so Jim is on hold.

I received my first review for IMMORTAL SINS, which said, in part:
"As a long time fan of Amanda Ashley’s I think Immortal Sins is more supernaturally involved, and I liked it! She added in a wizard, people trapped in paintings, as well as quite a bit of history on Transylvania that she normally wouldn’t put in her books. I think this was a nice shake up for her stories, but she still had the devastatingly handsome vampire, and the woman that was perfect for him, along with a happily ever after that will make you feel complete once you finish that last page. Perfection and flawless as always, Ms. Ashley is still in my top five favorite authors! And, the cover art is smokin’ hot!! 5 Hearts
Crystal." Thanks, Crystal!

EVERLASTING KISS back cover copy:

"DESIRE NEVER DIES

Daisy O’Donnell doesn’t get the attraction some women feel for vampires. She likes her men with a pulse. And she’s just met one who’s full of life: Erik Delacourt, the unreasonably sexy man she keeps meeting at a popular L.A. nightclub called the Crypt. She barely knows him, but there’s no resisting the connection she feels…

There’s one important detail Erik hasn’t gotten around to telling her yet. He’s a powerful vampire out to hunt the Blood Thief who is draining young vampires all over the city—and who has just raised the stakes by destroying one of Erik’s friends. To Erik, Daisy is a bright spot of innocence in a world of darkness and menace. He’ll do anything—even lie to her—to keep her safe and pure.

If only he knew that Daisy has something of her own to hide…"

I think I may have mentioned that I really love this story. Wish it was coming out sooner!

BAKER NEWS....

I should be getting the cover proof for SHADOWS THROUGH TIME soon, as the last I heard, it was scheduled to be available August 13th. It will be pubbed first as an ebook and then in trade paperback. Cerridwen's covers have all been terrific so far. Four of my older historicals - Apache Flame, Wolf Shadow, Lakota Love Song, and Hawk's Woman - are available from Cerridwen Press.

Recent reviews of my Cerridwen titles:

HAWK'S WOMAN
Joyfully Reviewed said:
Orphaned at a young age, Hallie McIntyre was raised by a group of nuns in a convent where she’d planned to eventually take her own vows of celibacy. Hallie never imagined how her world would change when she came across a wounded man in dire need of her help. Assisting John Walking Hawk while he recuperates from his wounds opens Hallie’s eyes to the possibility that maybe there is more in life than prayer and abstinence. John Hawk is not a simple man; he’s a man on a quest to avenge the rape and murder of his dead wife. A man who comes with the stigma of Indian blood flowing through his veins as he hands out his own personal brand of justice to the men responsible for tearing his world apart. Nothing will come easy for a mixed breed and a white woman in a land where justice isn’t given to everyone and sometimes the weight of a person’s past can be deadly.

Set in a world long since gone, Hawk’s Woman is the tale of an innocent young woman who decides to follow her heart to happiness. Hallie was too naïve in the way of the world to be afraid of a man who was surely running from the law which made for a sweet love to build and grow. Taking a chance on Hawk, a man who couldn’t see past his need for vengeance, Hallie showed a strength that belied her age and experience.

Madeline Baker’s novel will be considered by some a slow burning tale of romance. Outside of the instances of danger from varied enemies, human and animal, the story basically outlines a sweet and tender romance between a man who needs a reason to live again. A reason he didn’t realize he already had without the guidance of a young woman’s love. Hawk’s Woman is heart warming historical and one readers who like their romance to simmer before the big pay off will definitely enjoy.

Literary Nymphs said:
Hawk’s Woman was not what I expected at all from the description of the genre but I was pleasantly surprised. This was a plus novel that kept me reading every opportunity to see what would happen with the two main characters and I was not disappointed. There was a lot of deceit on the part of others in telling Hallie the truth about her father and she was able to forgive him for deserting her. When the two lovers finally come together it is very explosive for them each time, and the end results were not what they wanted or expected.

Madeline Baker has done a fantastic job of telling this story about two very different ways of life among the Lakota and white families. More often than not, there were a lot of similarities in the lifestyles that will have you wondering about it if indeed being the same. This book had me laughing and hoping that bodily harm was done to one or more of them but overall I would not change the innocence of a young girl blossoming into a new life.

LAKOTA LOVE SONG
Literary Nymphs said: 5 Stars
Lakota Love Song is a story about love, devotion, family, forgiveness, and retribution. Madeline Baker brings us a heartwarming love story, set in a period when Indians were trying to keep what was rightfully theirs. Through the struggle, Kaylee and Blue Hawk found something most never get a chance to experience. They found love. This is an impressive story sure to please those who enjoy Wild West romances. Ms. Baker gives us a generous portion of history, and then adds sweet erotic encounters, suspense, and action to give Lakota Love Song and wonderful balance.

WOLF SHADOW
Contessa at Romance Junkies said:
WOLF SHADOW is the first novel I have read from author Madeline Baker. Ms. Baker is a fantastic storyteller, so this will definitely not be my last reading of her work. With her thorough research and well-expressed characters, Ms. Baker managed to bring an incredible story to life. Throughout the entire read, I imagined myself sitting right in the middle of all the exciting happenings. There were times where I cried or laughed out loud, and others where I was caught up in the romantic rapture of Wolf Shadow and Winter Rain. Not for one moment did I grow tired, or find my mind wandering away, as I flipped from one page to another. WOLF SHADOW was a tale filled with heartache, sorrow, betrayal, determination, love, trust and most of all, hope. This is one book you will not want to miss!

Did you know you can order my books online from Target? I didn't. If you're interested, here's the website:
Buy Ashley Books

DEAD PERFECT is available in hardback from the Rhapsody Book Club and also from from the Double Day Book Club as well as in bookstores everywhere.

Thanks to all of you who take the time to write and let me know you enjoy my books. Those letters mean a lot.

I have bookmarks for IMMORTAL SINS and NIGHT'S PLEASURE, as well as for some of my older books. If you're interested, please email me at DarkWritr@aol.com Be sure to let me know which bookmark(s) you're intersted in.