I am excited to be apart of Ashley Beale’s Amazing Blog Tour for Forgive Me!

There is also an Event on Facebook for the tour here if you would like to join 🙂 Today I have an ARC review and Author Interview for you….

Author: Ashley Beale

Book Title: Forgive Me

Release Date: March 7, 2014

My rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Would I recommend: Yes

Blurb:

“I’m not asking you to forgive me, I’m begging you to.”

When Lexi returns home to Texas after being gone for ten years, she is surprised by how welcoming her distant family has become. But the real surprise is on them when Lexi doesn’t come back alone.

Questions are asked, Secrets are held, Hearts are broken. Lexi now has to explain to her family why at only twenty four years old she has a nine year old son. She also has to explain to Zander how he is unknowingly a father after all these years, and how her feelings never changed even with all this time apart. Two weeks before he is about to get married.

Now decisions need to be made. As Lexi makes a mess of things, she also starts to make a new life for her and her son. She now has to decide if sticking around or heading back to Ohio is for the best.

This New Adult Contemporary Romance is for mature readers, at least 17+ in age, due to adult situations.

MY REVIEW

I’m usually not a big fan of contemporary romances, they aren’t my go to genre, but I’m glad I read this one. It brought up those memories of first love and how much one action can cause so many chain reactions…

In the beginning I was having mixed feelings between being sad for the life this girl had and outraged. From none of her family noticing her and the fact that she was glad about it, to feelings of excitement for a first love.

Her friend Bray on the other hand is that friend that we all have and sometimes wonder why, then we realize…oh that’s why you’re my BFF, but she brings home the reason why you shouldn’t ask you friends at the age of 14-15 about sex. You don’t get very good information or safety talks. Just the you should because it feels so good and the “if you love him” speech…

Her parents are the worse sort of people in this world at first glance but when you are young you interrupt things one-way when the reality is something completely different. My first impression was that instead of taking the time to deal with their children they ship them to grandmas or any other relative that wouldn’t “mind” taking them in. How do you think your kids feel when they feel abandoned by the people who are supposed to love them the most? This sort of thing pisses me off! But as I said what we see at first glance isn’t always correct…

I thought I had just forgot the main females name so I went back to the beginning and nope, I’m on chapter two and have no clue what this chicks name is…Lexi. To me this was a good idea. I was more invested. I wanted to keep reading because her name’s in here somewhere right and in the process of looking I got hooked!

Then the good times roll…

Shit hits the fan when a secret Lexi has been hiding for ten years is known and emotions run a little high.

But everything isn’t as it seems.

The interaction between Lexi and Tanner is sweet and I don’t like how it ended up. That’s all I’ll say about that.

OMG holy fucking secrets!!! Secrets, secrets, everywhere and I admit I figured what some where as soon as it was being set up but it was perfect and but everything in perspective and made me go…ahhh that’s why.

At one point I wanted to punch Zander in the face with my booted foot, repeatedly…

There were a few teary moments.

In this story about love and lost it brings up memories of first love or the love that got away.

Only part I didn’t like is Lexi did seem to give in a bit too easy after the stunt Zander pulled at his wedding.

There is so much more I could say but I don’t want to spoil it for anyone else.

All in all a great romantic read with some amazing characters. I’d recommend this book to friends who love romance and want to know if rekindling old flames is worth the risk 🙂

The Interview – Ashley Beale

Personal, who are you type questions

Describe yourself in five words? Unique, cheerful, talkative, crazy, fun

Who do people say you look like? When I was skinnier, I was told by quite a few people I looked like Rachel Bilson- which used to make me so happy! Now I don’t get told I look like anyone, lol.

If a star could play you in the story of your life who would you hire? Rachel Bilson, Sophia Bush, Lucy Hale

What fact about yourself would really surprise people? I start out incredibly shy (to the point people think I’m mean/rude), then I come out of my shell and become this little fireball of crazy 😉 Both the good & bad kind, haha.

What are you addicted to? Oh boy, lots of things- coffee, Twisted Tea, salt & vinegar chips, reading, writing, talking, wine, hair, makeup, water, teeth.. lol. I have a lot of addictions, it’s a little sad really.

How do you work through self-doubts and fear? I’ve been through a lot more than one person really should have to go through- and the key words being… “been through”. I made it out onto the other side, and I’m happy, blessed, healthy, and most of all I’m living. Because of that, I remember life goes on, tomorrow is a new day, and life is meant for living not worrying about things. Therefore, I push through. Sometimes alone, sometimes with friends, sometimes with my children, other times with a nice bottle of hard liquor 😉 Either way, I don’t let it get to me, especially for long.

What scares you the most? Well- the obvious things such as death, the loss of a loved one, and anything horrible happening to my children. The not so obvious things include lady bugs, heights, and the unknown.

What makes you happiest? I’d have to say being able to be outside in hot weather while the children play, music going in the background, and either a computer in front of me or a book. It really is the simple things in life.

What’s your greatest character strength? I’m always trying to put a smile on other’s faces, even if for just a moment.

What’s your weakest character trait? So very forgetful, of everything!!!!

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? I get made fun of for this one- I’d say California or Alabama. I love the US, and although I love to travel, I couldn’t imagine living in a different country. Oh, and I love sunshine & warmth. Having snow for 6+ months out of the year sucks!!

Tell us about your family? I have the best mom in the world who is married to a great stepfather. My dad passed away 3 years ago, but he was simply amazing! (I was daddy’s little girl). Two daughters, three older sisters, 2 younger brothers- great extended family. It’s large, wonderful, crazy, supportive, talented… and I couldn’t imagine having better people in my life.

How much sleep do you need to be your best? Ahh. I have horrible insomnia but I love sleep. I could go two days straight on 4 hours of sleep, but then I’d sleep for three days I swear lol. I guess this is a hard question to answer. It depends on the day.

If you could have a dinner party and invite anyone dead or alive, who would you ask? My dad.

What’s your favorite meal? Steak on the grill and a large salad.

What movie do you love to watch? Anywhere But Here – its my go-to movie.

Are you a city slicker or a country lover? Somewhere in the middle. Living in the country my whole life is what I’m used to and I love it- especially raising kids in the country. However, I’m a city girl at heart. When my children are adults, I’m convincing them to move to LA or somewhere with me 😉

How important are friends in your life? Extremely!!! My three best friends have been in my life for well over a decade. I have other close friends that I couldn’t imagine losing.

How many friends does a person need? At least one. But it has nothing to do with numbers.

The Professional questions

Why do you write? Its therapeutic. Its always been a part of my life, more so now than ever.

Have you always enjoyed writing? Yes!

What motivates you to write? The voices inside my head 😉 My thoughts… my stories.

What writing are you most proud of? (Add a link if you like) Illusion. I took a story that popped into my head, did tons of research on the subjects, and had it written in two weeks. It has a lot of my life put into the story, and it also helps other people understand what its like to deal with something such as PTSD, depression, the thoughts/emotions of feeling suicidal and helpless. It’s a story I’ll always treasure deeply.

What books did you love growing up? I liked historical books, honestly. Not even romance ones. My dad loved the history channel, and in class when we had to read something about history, it immediately hooked me. Especially during the eras of the different wars. I also loved Of Mice and Men and Searching for David’s Heart. Those two books I’d read over & over.

Who is your favorite author? I can’t have just one. I saw Colleen Hoover & Jamie McGuire during an interview, and they both made me cry when they told their stories. They’re not just talented writers but also inspiration. Besides them there are just so many, I’d take up half this interview.

What book genre of books do you adore? New Adult, Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance, Thriller Romance, sometimes Paranormal. As long as it’s a great story line, well written, and has some sort of romance in the book, I’m hooked. I’m not picky.

Is writing a gift or a curse? Gift- most certainly. I’d be lost without it.

What book should everybody read at least once? Reason To Breathe by Rebecca Donovan.

Is there any books you really don’t enjoy? I don’t care for books written in third person (although I’ll read them).

Do you find it hard to share your work? I did at first, and although I still get nervous I’ve come to find out at least one person will love what I write, and its those people I’m writing for, not the critics.

Is your family supportive? Do your friends support you? Absolutely!! Both friends & family do so much. I’d be lost without them!! J

Do you plan to publish more books? Oh yeah, I plan to the rest of my life!

Tell us about your new book? What’s it about and why did you write it? It’s about a girl named Lexi falling in love at a young age and getting pregnant, then her mom sends her away (out of state) to live with her grandmother. She feels as though her family doesn’t love her, so she doesn’t return for 10 years. When she returns, she has to tell her childhood love, Zander, he is unknowingly the father after all these years… two weeks before he is supposed to get married to a seemingly perfect woman. The second Lexi sees Zander, she knows her feelings for him have never changed, but when he finds out the truth, he has a hard time accepting what Lexi did. It’s called Forgive Me for good reasons! I wrote it because it was what was going on in my head. I don’t typically plan my novels, they just come to me as I write.

When you are not writing, how do you like to relax? Relax? What is that?!! Uh, I love to read (but don’t have the chance much anymore), and I spend time with my friends & family. I enjoy a drink at night or on the weekend, and talking with friends/family. That about sums it up for me.

Do you have any tips on how writers can relax? Do what you love. Don’t write because you have to, write because you want to. If you want to take a bath, take a bath. You want to go soak up the sun, then do that. If you need a massage to get those back kinks out, pinch your pennies and get a massage!

How often do you write? And when do you write? I make sure to put in a few hours a week. I write when I can and when I want to. I don’t schedule time to write, because I don’t ever want it to feel like a chore. I started writing because I love to write- and I always want to feel this way.

What’s your next project? It’s called Ex Convict. (Well honestly I’m working on three novels at once—Ex Convict, Scarlet Devil & Disturbed Beauty). I write what comes to mind, I can’t help it.