Ashley March Guest Post & Giveaway

Today, I'd like to welcome Ashley March to In the Hammock for a guest post! 

Ashley is the author of the new historical romance "Romancing the Countess," and I'd like to thank her for taking the time out today to visit as part of her blog tour! 
 



Turning a Spark into an Idea…and the Truth about Random Hearts
By Ashley March


Thanks so much to Carrie for hosting me here at In the Hammock today! I have to admit that one of my dreams has always been to have a hammock slung up outside where I could while away the day doing nothing but reading. Now that I’m a mother with two young daughters, I know that will have to wait until they go to school. 
    My newest Victorian romance, ROMANCING THE COUNTESS, which releases on September 6th, is about an earl and his best friend’s wife who are drawn together after their spouses—who were having an affair—die in a carriage accident. I first had the idea (or, as I like to call it, a spark of the idea) for this book back in 2006. I was working late one evening at a part-time job—one of those jobs where you try to think of anything to amuse yourself to keep from getting bored—when I came up with the idea of a man and a woman whose spouses had an affair and then died. I must confess that at the time this spark of an idea was meant to be a dark comedy. Perhaps neither the hero nor the heroine would have loved their spouses, and they would have a competition to pretend to Society who could be the best at acting the proper widow or widower.
    Thank goodness I left the idea alone for four years. When it came back in 2010, I decided I really wanted to write the story because I was still intrigued by the concept of the cheating spouses who died, but also about how the surviving widow and widower would move on with their lives. I wanted to see how I would be able to write the challenge of such a widow and widower falling in love. But it quickly became apparent that it couldn’t be a dark comedy. Instead, it had to be something much, much more. It had to become a story of healing, redemption, and of forgiveness. It had to feature a relationship that goes beyond a surface attraction or romance to a deep and lasting emotional bond that can only be described as a love story.
    If you have the opportunity to read ROMANCING THE COUNTESS when it comes out next week, I hope you’ll let me know what you think and if I achieved these goals.
    Before I go, I have to tell you that when I first pitched this concept to my editor, her initial response was that, although she loved the idea, it sounded very much like Random Hearts, a movie made in 1999 starring Harrison Ford and Kristin Scott Thomas. Yes, that movie.  If you were like me, you probably turned if off within the first half hour. It was terrible. So terrible, in fact, that I thought I had completely blocked it from memory. But I suppose the idea was still lurking in the back of my mind, waiting to come out someday in the form of a romance novel. Please allow me to assure you, though, that the similarity to Random Hearts is nothing more than a…random coincidence. And although Random Hearts was a terrible movie, ROMANCING THE COUNTESS is much, much better. ;)

Did you ever see the movie Random Hearts? Did you think it was as terrible as I did? Because Harrison Ford is truly a much better actor than the character he played in that movie, I’d love to hear what your favorite Harrison Ford movie is!

One random commenter will be chosen to win a copy of my newest book, ROMANCING THE COUNTESS, and will get a chance to send a copy of my debut, SEDUCING THE DUCHESS, to a friend (open internationally)! Also, find out how to win the ROMANCING THE COUNTESS Book Tour Grand Prize of 50+ romance novels by visiting www.ashleymarch.com!  


 
GIVEAWAY RULES:


All you have to do is follow my blog publicly and answer Ashley's questions in the comments section along with your email address! Please follow publicly or I can't tell that you are following :) Also, if you aren't comfortable leaving your email here, go ahead and leave a comment and then send me an email with your email addy
Extra Entries:
+1 Tweet this contest (leave link in comment)
+1 Post link in sidebar of your blog (leave link in comment)

Rules:
  • INTERNATIONAL
  • Must be a follower to enter
  • Extra entries are optional and can all be left in the same comment
  • Leave a comment with your email address
  • Books will be mailed out by the publisher
  • Must be 18 or over 
  • Ends Mon Sep 12
Thanks to everyone for entering! Good luck!

51 comments

  1. I did not see Random Hearts but I think my favorite movie with Harrison Ford is the Remake of Sabrina!

    I'm a follower. thanks!

    Margaret
    singitm@hotmail.com

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  2. I ♥ Victorian Era romances. I look forward to reading your book. Thanks for the giveaway!

    I haven't seen Random Hearts. I like Harrison in the Indiana Jones flicks.

    I'm a follower
    jenalang(at)live(dot)com

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  3. OMG Ashley!!! 1 more week until ROMANCING THE COUNTESS. :)I may just have to eat non-Blue Bell ice cream to celebrate.

    Just leaving Ashley some ♥ here.

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  4. I've heard good things about this book. Count me in!!!

    natashajennex(at)gmail.com

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  5. Hi, Ashley ~ Stopping by to say "hi" and tell you how excited I am to read Romancing the Countess! Loved hearing how you came up with the idea. I love Harrison Ford and like almost anything he's in. I never saw Random Hearts, but I love him in the Star Wars movies (Han Solo - my first, big Hollywood crush!). The Indiana Jones movies are great. Enjoyed his role as Jack Ryan...I know you said "favorite", but I can't ever pick just one. Best of luck with the tour and the release!

    Tiffany :0)

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  6. I loved Harrison Ford in "Air Force One."

    castings at mindspring dot com

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  7. I haven't seen that movie and I honestly don't remember it at all-I guess this is a good thing if it was so bad.

    I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of RTC. I wish next week would get here already. =)

    iqb99@yahoo.com

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  8. Great post and Romancing the Countess sounds like a great read. I've never watched Random Hearts but I guess that's a good thing since it's bad acting.

    GFC follower
    lilazncutie1215[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  9. International :D Yay
    blodeuedd1 at gmail dot com

    Hm, no, I do not know if I ever has seen Random hearts. it does not ring a bell.

    But, this book sounds good and I like how they come together

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  10. I don't think I have ever seen Random Hearts. I guess my favorite Harrison Ford movie would probaly be the remake of Sabrina too.
    The book sounds great and I can't wait to read it and see how it ends up working out.
    June M.
    manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com

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  11. Hi Everyone! So sorry I'm late for the party. =) I've been out of the house with the kids all day. Thanks so much for visiting with me today!

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  12. Hi Margaret! =) Sabrina--that particular Sabrina with Harrison Ford and Julia Ormond, not the original--is one of my favorite romance movies of all time. <3 Obviously you have great taste. =)

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  13. Hi Jena! =) I have to admit that I've only seen glimpses of the Indiana Jones movies. I have a feeling this makes me somewhat un-American. =) I know hubby is horrified by this. Will have to rectify soon. =) Good luck with the giveaway!

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  14. Hi Kati! Thanks so much for the love, lady! And I can't believe it--another book on the shelves and in e-readers everywhere! =)

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  15. Hi Natasha! If you get a chance to read it, I hope you'll let me know what you think. =) Thanks for the comment!

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  16. Hi Tiffany! Thanks so much! =) I think you must be a true Harrison Ford fan (no penalties for not seeing Random Hearts ;) ). I think I've only ever seen one of the Jack Ryan/Tom Clancy movies. There's more than one, right?

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  17. Chery! I forgot about that movie! HOW could I have forgot about that movie. Okay, it's becoming clear that I need to have a Harrison Ford movie day. Speaking of which, has anybody seen Cowboys and Aliens, his new one with Daniel Craig, yet? Worth the watch?

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  18. Hi Danielle! Somebody on Twitter mentioned today that they thought of Shania Twain before Random Hearts. I completely forgot about how she ended up with the husband of the woman who cheated with Shania's husband. (Wow, that sounds really complicated.)

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  20. Hi Jeanette8042! I'm guessing you probably haven't heard of it since it wasn't very good. =) I hope you enjoy RtC if you get a chance to read it!

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  21. Hi Blodeuedd. =) I try to make my giveaways always international. International residents need romance and love, too. ;) Thanks for visiting with me!

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  22. Thanks, June! I'm always sad when I hear people say they've never see Sabrina. It's one of those movies that I can (and do) watch over and over and over again. Such a classic...and to me, so much better than the original Sabrina.

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  23. *seen Misspellings galore, even when I proofread my comments. =)

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  24. Hi Ashley!

    Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to answer everyone's questions and comments! Everyone here is in for a treat when they read Romancing the Countess! It's amazing!

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  25. I also want give a huge THANK YOU to Carrie for hosting me today at the In the Hammock blog. =)

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  26. Hey Carrie! We must have been typing at the same time. =) Tried to get on here earlier today, but was swept away by kiddos. So sorry about that. I'm so thrilled you enjoyed ROMANCING THE COUNTESS!!! *big smile*

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  27. Ashley, I just finished it today, I LOVED it!! My review will be up this week!

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  28. Yes, there are more than one with Harrison Ford as Jack Ryan: Patriot Games (1992) and Clear and Present Danger (1994) [Hunt for Red October was the first one but Jack was played by Alec Baldwin]. Another HF movie I love is Regarding Henry!

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  29. HI Ashley,

    I'm following you on your blog tour so Hi Again *waving*. I can't say i Random Hearts although i have watched a couple of Harrison Ford movies.

    sonalinaicker(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  30. I think I completely missed Random Hearts, and I guess that's a good thing. :D My favorite Harrison Ford movie is Indiana Jones - lots of action, adventure, and some romance too. I'm looking forward to reading Romancing the Countess, it sounds fabulous.

    Barbed1951 at aol dot com

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  31. I am pretty sure I've seen Random Hearts but just don't remember. I love Harrison Ford. My favorite Harrison Ford movie has to be Indiana Jones~as that is when I was first introduced to him. I also enjoyed him in the modern time movie Sabrina. Yes, I know I am such a nerd-but I love heros with flaws.

    kamwh1207(at)att(dot)net

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  32. I didn't see Random Hearts. Hard to pick just one movie as a favorite, but I think I'll choose Air Force One. I really liked Regarding Henry and Witness, too.

    Im looking forward to reading Romancing the Countess; really liked your 'story' about creating it.

    kacbooks(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  33. I'm so glad, Carrie! Thank you for reading and reviewing it! =)

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  34. Hi Tiffany--I've never even heard of Regarding Henry. Will definitely have to look that one up!

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  35. Hi Sonali! It's always great to see familiar faces...I mean, names. ;)

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  36. Hi Barbara! So nice to see you in the blogosphere again. =) While I've only seen snippets of the Indiana Jones series, I have to say that I miss those kinds of movies being out. I think I loved the movie Inception so much because it was that same kind of thrill/adventure. But we need more great movies like that!

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  37. Hi Tina! =) It was probably so terrible you blocked it from memory. ;) And I LOVE LOVE LOVE the newer version of Sabrina. Not just because of Harrison Ford. Julia Ormond makes such a great heroine in that movie!

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  38. Hi Karen! Thanks for visiting with me today. =) Wasn't Harrison Ford in The Fugitive, too? Or am I thinking of someone else? (Obviously I'm too lazy to go look it up on Google right now. ;) ) Air Force One was great. =) If you get a chance to read ROMANCING THE COUNTESS, I hope you enjoy it!

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  39. Hi Ashley! I just loved your first book and can't wait to read your next one.
    I didn't like Random Hearts either. My favorite Harrison Ford movie is probably the 3rd Indiana Jones movie. I also really liked him as Jack Ryan in the Tom Clancy movies.
    lvsgund at gmail.com

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  40. I am already a GFC Follower as librarypat.

    I never did see Random Heart. Sounds like I didn't miss anything. My favorite Harrison Ford movie is INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE. His and Sean Connery's characters meshed perfectly.

    I look forward to reading ROMANCING THE COUNTESS. Sebastian is my kind of hero. He is a loving faithful husband and his child's welfare and future are of utmost importance to him.
    I hope the release is a big success.

    librarypat AT comcast DOT net

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  41. Haha! No I haven't seen that movie yet, but now I'm a bit curious... I may just have to watch it to see how bad it really is!

    books[a]muggle-born.net

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  42. I've not watched Random Hearts. I don't watch a lot of movies; my quota is 1 a year! I just loved Harrison Ford in the Star Wars trilogy & in the 1st Indy movie.

    thumbelinda03@yahoo.com

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  43. I haven't seen Random Hearts, and my favorite Harrison Ford movie is Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
    marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  44. I have not seen Random Hearts but I like The Fugutive and The Witness.

    felecia@twinoaksfl.org

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  45. I'm going to buck the trend and admit that I actually enjoyed Random Hearts. I suppose it is because they are both such good actors that I was able to get over some of the less stellar moments.

    However, my favorite Harrison Ford movie is probably Witness. I loved that he attempted to blend into the Amish community to protect that young boy and that he tried so hard to resist his attraction to the boy's mother.

    I'm now a follower and here's the tweet link:
    http://twitter.com/#!/heartoftxbooks/status/110737733613391872

    Thanks,

    Laura
    heartoftexasbooks[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  46. I didn't see Random Hearts. I enjoyed Ford's earlier movies more than I have his recent ones.

    meredithfl at gmail dot com
    GFC follower

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  47. I never saw random hearts. I'm not much of a movie person though.

    reflectionsofabookaholic[at]gmail[dot]com

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  48. My favorite Harrison Ford movie...
    I couldn't pick one movie, but I can pick a series of movies... The Indiana Jones movies! Still love them, lol and I made sure to get them all on dvd when vhs went outta style! =D

    emilytardy@yahoo.com

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  49. My favorite Harrison Ford movie, asides of Star Wars (which is PURE awesome) is The Fugitive. I can't help watching it each time it comes on TV.

    http://twitter.com/#!/DarthClavie/status/113443265746968576

    Animegirrl(at)gmail.com :)

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  50. Sadly, I've never seen Random Hearts. My favourite Harrison Ford movie has to be either the Star Wars movies (yes, I know there's more than one, I cheat ;) ) or 6 Days 7 Nights.

    Thanks so much for the giveaway!

    +1 Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/DBetweenpages/status/113501795455746048

    daisyjdebruin(at)gmail(dot)com

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  51. My favorite Harrison Ford movie is The Fugitive. Ashley's book sounds great. Beautiful cover.
    Crystal816[at]hotmail[dot]com

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Thanks so much for your lovely comments!