I'm thrilled to have the lovely Ashantay Peters here today to share what inspired her newest release, Pipe Dreams!
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Thanks for inviting me to your blog today, Terri. I
appreciate the opportunity to visit with another Wild Rose author and to meet
some new folks!
You asked me to write about my inspiration for Pipe Dreams, my book releasing tomorrow
through The Wild Rose Press. I’ll state a disclaimer first – if you don’t
believe in ghosts, you likely won’t believe my next words, either. You see, Pipe Dreams was inspired in part by a
ghost who visited me many years ago.
My then husband and I moved to Florida and purchased an
older home. The house had been built and owned by one set of owners, one of
whom died there, though we didn’t know that last until later.
The landscaping had been allowed to grow long, and the
interior held decades of tobacco smoke coating every surface, but the bones of
the house were excellent. Not being strangers to hard work, the low purchase
price made this an attractive deal.
After we completed the work and moved in, I began noticing
what smelled like fresh tobacco smoke at odd times. We didn’t smoke and had
cleaned, primed, and sealed every surface, so I had no clue where the odor
originated.
One quiet morning, I finally understood that the house held
a ghost. Our neighbors had told us the older man had died at home, and that he
smoked heavily. I figured he was the ghost and addressed him by name. We came
to a consensus, he left, and the tobacco odors stopped, though every now and
again, I sensed a wisp of smoke.
So there you have it—my inspiration for Pipe Dreams. I hope you
enjoyed my little story, and that you will also consider reading the fictional
account. The book’s coffee house owner is much sexier than my former husband
ever was!
No I’d love to hear from you, readers—have you had a ghost
experience? Did it work out well?
Pipe Dreams
by Ashantay Peters
Publisher – The Wild Rose Press
Genre – Fantasy
Words – 55,630
Release Date – March 27, 2015
Abigail Stephens left her past behind or did she? When she moved to Blue Peak,
she expected to find sanctuary and a new start. Instead, her new home includes
a hippie, a ghost with a mission, and a sexy coffee house owner who undermines
her plans.
Carlos
Young quit teaching when his fiancée left him for another professor. He’s
avoided dating, but his mother’s demand for grandchildren is unceasing and more
attractive once he meets Abby.
She
resists his overtures...for now. Can an intrusive mother, a reticent ghost, and
a run-down house bring Abby and Carlos together or will they continue to live
pipe dreams?
Buy Links
The Wild Rose Press – http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=195&products_id=6139
Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Pipe-Dreams-Ashantay-Peters-ebook/dp/B00U00CT4K/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426516733&sr=1-8&keywords=pipe+dreams
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Excerpt
“So
are you the new owner of this wreck?”
Her hands clenched, along with her jaw. “I’m the proud owner
of what will soon be a lovely home.”
He snorted. “You planning to have this in shape any time
before winter? Because from where I’m standing, you’ll need more than a mop.”
Abigail’s ears heard echoes of Rich. “I have power tools,
and I know how to use them. You have an issue with that?”
“No, I don’t have an issue. You’ve got work ahead of you.
Just sayin’. I guess you’ll be hiring a crew for the big stuff, right?”
Abigail threw her shoulders back. This guy sounded exactly
like Rich. Bossy. “I can handle it.” She’d already sub-contracted the larger
jobs, but that wasn’t his business.
His mouth drew into a tight line, his hands fisted on his
hips. “Sorry to bother you. I stopped because it looked like you might need a
hand. Guess I misunderstood.”
Dropping his hands, Carlos turned to leave, looking back
with a frown. “Good luck with this place. Come on, Henry, we’re not needed
here.”
Henry paused, allowing her to ruffle his fur. He broke into
a run, following the pissed-off man. An imp on her shoulder prodded her to call
after him, “Bye, Henry. You can come visit anytime.” Sotto voce she added, “But
leave your human home.”
The dog’s owner kept walking with his shoulders up around
his chin.
“Men,” she huffed under her
breath. “Just a bunch of know-it-all jackasses. And the good-looking ones are
the worst.”
About the Author
Ashantay Peters lives in the North Carolina mountains, where
she loves escaping into a well-written book. Her reading addiction also has her
perusing magazines, newspapers, Internet articles and even food labels. The
last is often feebly excused as an attempt to maintain health, but her friends
know the truth.
Ashantay has four romantic-suspense/mystery releases with The
Wild Rose Press: Death Stretch, Death Under the Mistletoe, Death Rub,
and Dickens of a Death. She is at work on a sequel to Pipe Dreams entitled Déjà vu All Over Again.
She loves
to hear from readers and promises not to stalk anyone who contacts her.
Contact Links
Web
site -www.ashantay.com
Email
- ashantay.peters@gmail.com
Facebook
– http://www.facebook.com.ashantay.peters
Ashantay, while I'm skeptical about unexplained happenings and feel there is usually a logical (this world) explanation for them, I'm open to the possibility that some unexplained things are supernatural. And, of course, a good ghost story is a real treat. Looking forward to reading Pipe Dreams!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda! I added that upfront disclaimer just for you. Teasing. I appreciate your stopping by and your ongoing support
DeleteAshantay, this sounds very interesting, and I'm sure it's full of that fun sense of humor you're known for. I can't wait to read it. By the way...love the cover!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Lori! I love the cover also - Diana Carlile created this one, as she has my last three. I hope you enjoy the read.
DeleteHi Ashantay, Love the back story! BTW...Great cover and blurb. Best of luck with sales :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joanne! I appreciate the well wishes!
DeletePipe Dreams is a wonderful story, with Ashantay's quirky humor. A great read,
ReplyDeleteThanks, Robin! Your stories are also great reads!
ReplyDeleteWow, Ashantay, that's one helluva story. Glad you had a friendly ghost, though. When I lived in the UK we heard stories about real demon ghosts so I think you were very lucky. Good luck with the book!
ReplyDeleteI know there are spirits I'd rather not meet and am happy I had one who was willing to leave! Or at least, not be so obvious. Thanks for stopping by and for the good wishes!
DeleteI loved the excerpt and yes I do believe in ghosts. My husband and my youngest daughter see them from time to time. The young one would deny it, but when she was little we would hear her on he baby monitor telling the ghost to go away. I always thought it might be her dead grandfather coming to talk to her.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gift for your husband and youngest daughter! How funny that she told the ghost to leave - that took courage! Thanks for your comment.
DeleteGreat behind the scenes story Ashantay. So glad it was a friendly spirit visiting you. :)
ReplyDeleteMe, too, Abigail! Thanks for your comment and visit!
DeleteYour book sounds very entertaining, Ashantay. Good luck. And I do believe in ghosts. We lived with one for a while whom we believed to be my mother in law. She died in the house. She would change radio stations, unlock the back door and once actually appeared to my sister. We eventually sold the house and I wonder if she stayed on with the new tenants. Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteThat is so fascinating, Ashantay! I definitely believe in ghosts. Ever since I was a kid I've believed. I haven't had an experience like yours, though.
ReplyDeleteLove your inspiration, Ashantay! I'm a huge believer in ghosts and my sister can actually see them. Several in my family have the "gift." Wishing you all the best with your new release. Sounds great and I've added it to my tbr list.
ReplyDelete