For the Love of Ashley, please nominate my book!

by Inge Saunders

Okay, so who watched Got to Dance because of Ashley Banjo? *grin* Yeah, me too!

I mean *blushes* there were some great, truly, great talent on the show. And last season’s winners Duplic8 was awesome. I was introduced to the two dancers through a B-Boy DVD that chronicled different dance crews from around the globe taking part in the B-Boy Championships: World Series. I remembered them because I’d been so impressed by their skill as well as their back-story and then to see them on the show, wow, I so wanted them to win.

I love dancing and these types of shows, so of course no surprise that I would find myself in front of the TV two years ago enjoying a lazy Saturday afternoon. I haven’t gotten hooked on the show yet because there simply wasn’t enough time in the day. But here I was free, in control of the remote, an omnibus of the show was about to come on and well, I made myself comfortable…and crushed out like it was going out of fashion on Ashley! *laughs*

During those blissful moments a concept for a story made its way into my head. What if a competition hopeful falls for a judge on the panel and the feeling’s mutual? How would they handle it going forward?

Because I didn’t want to go the reality TV talent show route, I changed my idea to auditioning for the lead principal at one of the most respected dance companies in the world, where making it passed the audition guaranteed you a spot in the Ballet Boot Camp, and then a final showcase would decide the contestant’s fate. And all of this would be set in Rome, even though the heroine came from Cape Town, South Africa.

I’ve always been fascinated by Rome, the culture and history, so a story set in this beautiful city have been waiting in the wings to be written.

But as cute as Ashley Banjo was I needed a more ruthless judge on the panel. I needed someone arrogant, an Alpha male who exuded authority. Someone who you’d believe could be the owner of a dance company even though they were thirty years old.

As Got to Dance went to commercial, I flipped through the channels and BAM! There was the X Factor and Simon Cowell making some inane comment. Seriously, this guy *shakes head* I love him, but he could be too much at times.

But the idea of having a character embody everything that’s Simon Cowell made my stomach turn I had to throw in some Ian Somerhalder *grin* Okay I didn’t have to, but come on; he’s Damon Salvatore‒ Badass Vampire. I could already see that lopsided grin on my hero’s face as he critiqued one dance contestant after the other.

And so Antonio Machiavelli was born with the help of Ashley Banjo, Simon Cowell and Ian Somerhalder. Who said you couldn’t create the perfect man? *laughs*

On Tuesday I learned Dance of Love had qualified for The Romance Reviews Readers’ Choice Awards- Winter 2015. The book has made it to the next and final round, the Nominations Round. 

So for the love of Ashley, Simon and Ian please go nominate Dance of Love as your Readers’ Choice! 

(http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=18615).

It would be much appreciated and I guarantee, they will show up in your dreams tonight *wink* Maybe not Simon. Unless, you’re into taking orders than by all means, go for it! *fist bump*

What if They Find Out?

 by Inge Saunders

Dance of Love

**On Sale for 99 cents at Amazon.com**

All roads lead to Rome when Ashley Solomons embarks on fulfilling her dream to become a world-class dancer. But there’s one person who stands in her way. “It`s a no from me,” Antonio Machiavelli.

When Antonio’s auditions for a lead principal end in wintry Cape Town, the last thing he expects is to have more than a knee-jerk reaction to an audition. Ashley not only verbally challenges him, but also translates her fire and cheekiness into an edge of your seat performance.

Can Antonio keep his distance from Ashley? Can Ashley focus on fulfilling her dream of becoming a lead principal? Or will love have its way?

Ashley Solomons, the heroine of my latest book Dance of Love, is based on a real person.  And not a friend or family member, more an acquaintance. I’d gone so far as to even derive the first name of the character from them to keep me grounded in the ‘mind’ of the person she’s based on. Of course, I can add loosely, but that wouldn’t be truthful.

From the moment I met this person I was fascinated by her, from our interactions I assumed her to be several years younger than me. As it turns out, I`m several years younger. I constantly asked myself, "how can someone be so…naïve." And I don’t mean that in a derogative way, more in an "I’m viewing an alien from another planet" way (which also doesn’t sound good).

I met her three years ago and bonded over our shared writing journey. It was fun to have someone in the trenches with me. We’d email each other updates, share industry tips and also beta read for each other. And here’s another little nugget, we’re in the same writing group *finger on lips*

Now it’s becoming juicy, right? Oh I'm so going to get it when I'm done here!

Those who follow my blog (click HERE) know I’ve shared my struggle with writing Ashley, because we are such different people. My most comfortable female characters are the strong sassy, smart, funny and confident types. Not the I’m going to barf all over your shoes because I have stage fright types. *spoiler alert* Uh yeah, that happens in the book.

As New Adult heroines go, Ashley’s at that phase of her life where she’s carving out her place in the world, trying to work out who she is and where she fits in, AND having to deal with falling in love for the first time. Tough. Certainly not easy at any age, but at twenty-three Ashley fits neatly into this category. She’s uncertain of herself, even though tremendously talented, doesn’t quite believe it.

She’s insecure and though she’s got a bit of spunk, her lack of confidence can trip her up. I literally had to hold myself back from making this character too vocal, too assured and knowing, by walking away from my laptop. I would take a walk, make coffee, watch E-News (don’t throw virtual rotten tomatoes at me), then I’d read an email from this acquaintance and the character would slot back into place.

I feel like I should write her a letter to tell her she’s the inspiration for a character that I developed a deep respect and liking for. ‘Ashley’ taught me how to write characters that are as far from each other as Princess Kate, Duchess of Cambridge aka Royal Mother of future King of England, is from Kim K from the House of Kardashian, now House of Kanye West. As a writer this is a great lesson. We’re constantly required to reinvent with every book we write. And now I’m not talking about voice and writing style, I’m referring to characters who can’t be distinguished from each other.  The heroines and heroes read the same in every book the author writes.

So how do you break from that? Base them on real people. I know. What if they find out? *whispers*

Well two things can happen: either it’s a compliment, or they kick you from here to next Tuesday. Of course, it all depends on what you do with the character. In my first novel I told my cousin, "Look I`m going to borrow your name for the man-stealing harpy, and your hair and your long legs, but not your personality." 

She sent me a text back, "Oh, okay." When she read the book, she laughed. And here’s the thing; art does imitate life. I wrote two sisters in that story too and without realizing, I gave the eldest sister some of my sister’s quirks.

I realized these ‘real life’ aspects made my stories much richer and interesting to me as the author. I love "messing" around with real people on paper *smile*

So my writing tip; use one real person, for one whole character of your story. See what happens *grin*  

Meet the Character-- Damian Davidson

    I`ve always been a fan of Enrique Iglesias. Since he came on the scene, it was a toss between him and Ricky Martin, but not even Ricky`s Bon Bons could compete *cheeky grin* So when I first started with my sytycw2012 entry, Falling for Mr. Unexpected, it was no wonder that the male lead would be a spitting image of Enrique. (Let`s ignore the fact that I was watching a Perez Hilton interview with him, in his hotel room, at the time inspiration over took over).

   So without further introduction, there`s someone here who can`t wait to for me to introduce him to all of you, my favourite leading man Damian Davidson from Falling for Mr. Unexpected (released on 23^rd December 2014 ).

What is the name of your character? Is s/he fictional/historical?

I`m going to let Damian introduce himself...

My name is Damian Davidson, I was born and raised in South Africa, Stellenbosch, but moved to Los Angeles in pursuit of my acting career. I was supposed to follow in the footsteps of my brother and father, and become a surgeon, but I caught the acting bug when I took part in my senior showcase.

I did try to appease my father by enrolling for medicine at the University of Cape Town *shrug*, but it only lasted two years. Needless to say, my father disowned me and I ended up penniless on the streets of LA, working as a waiter and then model before I got my first break in a French film.

I`ve been nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award, so I`d say switching medicine for acting hadn`t been such a bad idea *grins*

When and where is the story set?

I live in L.A. but a recent *ahem* sex-tape scandal has forced me back to South Africa, to Strand, a coastal town in the Western Cape where I own a beach house. I hadn`t been there in years, so I figured it would be safe from the paparazzi. I was hoping after a couple of weeks out there the story would blow over and I could go back to LA. Unfortunately I got more than I bargained for.

What should we know about Damian?

I`m a very private person. A career in the public is probably not the most logical thing for someone who loves to lead a private life. I don`t mind interviews, obviously *smiles* and talking about my acting roles, but the paparazzi can be very invasive and tabloids have a way of getting their facts wrong. The image they portray of a celebrity isn`t always accurate.

What is Damian`s goal?

   The goal is to get away from everything Hollywood since the movie I`ve been working on was brought to a stop because of the scandal. The idea is to have a couple of weeks of relative peace, which also means, and I honestly love my fans, but I need a reprieve. The sex-tape seemed to have sparked a rise in fans sending underwear in the mail and posting naked pictures of themselves on my car`s windshield *clears throat* Which is probably why I mistook my brother`s sister in-law, Emma Cupido, as an *ahem* obsessed fan.

   Our first meeting wasn`t pretty. Me, in nothing but a towel, her half-naked clutching her clothes against her body, she had taken a dip in the ocean on my private beach. Something my brother failed to tell her when he offered for her to use the house for the school holidays. He`s been taking care of the place while I was out of the country.

What is screwing up Damian`s life (main conflict in writerly speak)?

   Emma Cupido and her bruised feet *grimace* Who knew a box filled with hardcovers could cause so much damage. She even has a broken pinky-toe *ouch*

I had initially shown her the door, but I couldn`t kick her out after the ‘accident’. Imagine the headline. Damian Davidson throws out injured woman on the streets. So no peace for me, since in spite of her miniature size, Emma does have a way of taking up a lot of space. Most disturbingly in my head.

   Oh, and have I mentioned that because of Emma, I now have to inform my parents, with whom I haven`t spoken to in four years, that I`m in South Africa? No, well, the word awkward doesn’t even begin to cover the situation.

What is the title?

Falling for Mr. Unexpected-- I guess I`m Mr. Unexpected *grins*

When can we expect the book to be published or when was it published?

Falling for Mr. Unexpected was published on the 23^rd of December 2014 and is available at:

Decadent Publishing || Amazon || Kobo 

About the Author:

First time author Inge Saunders fell in love with books when she started reading romance novels with her grandmother. Intrigued by the worlds books unlocked, it was inevitable she would take pen to paper.

At age fourteen she wrote her first novel which wasn`t such a roaring success according to her brother. Not discouraged, she realized something fundamental: as a writer you can only write about what interests you, a principle she still uphold in adulthood.

When she`s not writing about that ‘inexplicable attraction’ she`s reading almost every sub-genre in romance out there, spending time with friends and family and taking hikes in her hometown`s National Karoo Park.

Inge form part of Romance writers` Organization of South Africa (ROSA) and currently have two books contracted with Decadent Publishing, Falling for Mr. Unexpected and Dance of Love ( set for release in April 2015).

Blog: Inge Saunders - Inside These Lines || Twitter || Facebook || Goodreads || Pinterest