Obscurity – RT Book Review’s Top Pick

Wow, what a surprise. Obscurity, book 2 in the U-District series, made RT Book Review’s Top Pick.

“Ashland writes a compelling tale featuring a sexy cowboy who steals a beautiful, spunky author’s heart. This page-turner with plenty of sexual tension, swoon-worthy moments, twists, and suspense will keep readers enthralled to the end.”

Each book in the U-District series is a romance and mystery which can be read as a standalone or in order.

I am a Breast Cancer Survivor!

Two years after being diagnosed with breast cancer, I just found out I’m still cancer free!! I’ve had many people ask me how I stayed so positive after my diagnosis. I think part of it was my strong work ethic and the other part was my life long battle with depression and the understanding that I couldn’t let it take over. When I was diagnosed, I told my doctor and family that “I am a cancer survivor!” I committed right then and there that I was going to beat this thing. And one thing I knew from battling depression, is that I couldn’t curl up into a ball and stop taking care of myself or it would be a death sentence for me. Instead, I did research to find out what life changes I needed to make to survive this. Breast cancer does not run in my family. So why did I get it? I found so many toxins that I was exposed to from food, water, the environment, synthetic medicine, and my own mental and physical health. That’s what I’m going to share in my Detox Your Life posts that many of you have asked me to share.

While I worked hard during the day to eat healthy, exercise, and remove the toxins from my environment, it was deep into the night that the anxiety and depression threatened to take over. When I’d wake up terrified and in a cold sweat thinking about dying, about not seeing my daughter graduate college or my son get married, I knew I needed to turn off these depressing thoughts or it would take over. Netflix was a godsend and I found the longest running show that interested me. Supernatural was in its 11th season, so I binge watched it every night until I could sleep without my own demons haunting me. And I re-watched every funny episode because laughter lightens the heart and pushes away depression.

A month after I was diagnosed, I had a lumpectomy and several lymph nodes removed in my left armpit which confirmed the cancer hadn’t spread. I was blessed that we caught it early on a 3D mammogram. Within two months, I had undergone six weeks of radiation Monday through Friday. Every day, I parked at the top of the hospital garage, and every day I walked up and down those five flights of stairs. The radiation kicked my butt in weeks six (the final week) through week eight, but everyday I’d get up, eat right, and go for a walk. I worked thirty-five hours a week as a telecommuter from home through all of it. It was amazing how much support I got from my employer, co-workers, family, and friends. I shared what I was going through with anyone who would listen, even my co-workers. And everyone was thankful. No one pulled away or got weird when I’d talk about it. Instead they opened up to me and told me about what they or their loved ones were going through. I consider that such a blessing.

I no longer consider my cancer diagnose a death sentence. I consider my cancer diagnosis a life sentence. Because without it, I would not have made the changes in my life that have led me to lead a much richer and deeper life.

Stay positive, strive to be healthy, fight against depression, and live life like there is no tomorrow.

Note: My blog at http://www.jodiashland.com auto feeds my author blogs on various web-sites. If you see funny characters, it is a result of their import routine. My apologies. I wish I had time to update them all by hand.

Editing Obscurity – Book 2 of U-District Series

I’m currently in final edits of Obscurity, book 2 of the U-District series. Expected publish date is March 2016. I’m super excited to share Selena and Tucker’s story. Check it out…

 

After suffering unbearable loss, Selena Hawkins has found her way out of the fog and is working toward independence at her San Francisco bookstore. Her controversial new book brings her face-to-face with Tucker Calhoun, who threatens her on so many levels. Deciding to help the famous country singer or suffer the consequences of a lawsuit, she uncovers a deep mystery that puts her life in jeopardy. Can she help Tucker see the deception right in front of him or will he lose everyone he cares about, including her?

When a loved one is abducted, Tucker Calhoun will do whatever it takes to save his family, including avoiding police involvement and going after the author who threatens his ability to meet the ransom demands. Confronting Selena wasn’t meant to bring anyone else into his life, but the more time he spends with her, the more he can’t let her go. He’s devastated when she betrays him by going to her brother, a detective with the Seattle Police Department. Will he push her away and turn to the one person he shouldn’t trust?

Synergy published on Amazon

Synergy is now available on Amazon in print and e-book formats. Although it is book 1 of the U-District series, it can be read as a standalone novel.

This romantic mystery series takes place in the University District of Seattle following Detective Neal Hawkins (aka Hawk) as he gets involved with each crime, sometimes outside of his jurisdiction. Yeah, he’s that kind of cop. Don’t discount the strong heroine and hero who will not only have a sizzling romance, but may help solve the mystery.  See my earlier post titled “Synergy – Debut Novel” to see what Synergy is all about.

I hope you share my excitement and enjoy Jade and Bryce’s adventure.

Waiting to see my first book in print

My fabulous editor just uploaded Synergy to Amazon for me to buy a proof. It’s difficult to put into words just how excited I am to see my book in print for the very first time. I’ve set a release date for August 2nd and will post when it’s available for sale.

See my earlier post to see what Synergy, book 1 of the U-District series, is all about.

Synergy – Debut Novel

Super Excited!! This summer I’ll be publishing my debut romantic suspense mystery novel, Synergy, book 1 of the U-District series. Here’s what it’s about:

Desperate to save her late grandmother’s financially ailing company, a young woman must unearth a murderous embezzler—even if the evidence points to the man she loves.

Twenty-two-year-old Jade Buchanan suffers one blow after another. First, her grandmother dies, then she’s forced to quit college to take over Gran’s mysteriously ailing company. While handling a rebellion among the senior managers, who resent taking orders from an inexperienced CEO, Jade desperately tries to uncover the reason for the company’s financial difficulties before it goes under. The only bright spot is working side by side with her long-time crush, Bryce, but he runs so hot and cold, she doesn’t know where she stands. Can Jade uncover the murderous embezzler in the company’s midst before she becomes a target—or is it already too late?

Even though Jade seems under-qualified, Bryce Radisson accepts his new position as COO, but working with an impulsive—and incredibly attractive—woman like Jade could be more than he can handle. His feelings for her are irrational and unprofessional. Even worse, she stokes in him a deep, uncontrollable passion that he fears will ruin him. As Jade digs deeper into the truth, Bryce has to choose between protecting himself or protecting the woman he loves.

I’m an Award-Winning Author

The lyrics, “I’m so excited” by the Pointer Sisters, keep randomly popping into my head when I remember seeing my name in the September 2014 issue of Romance Writers Report. Listed as a finalist in the Touch of Magic contest for single title, I’m now an award-winning author. Woo-Hoo! Synergy was submitted before my editor convinced me to turn it into book one of a series. Okay, I have to say it one more time. Woo-Hoo!!!