Ashley Hawthorne reveals her journey from writing fan fiction during COVID lockdowns to becoming a published author of contemporary romantic suspense novels. She discusses how finding an online writing community transformed her passion into a sustainable career.

• Found a supportive Discord server with experienced authors who guided her publishing journey
• Writes contemporary romantic suspense where "romance drives the plot and the mystery adds to the stakes"
• Published with a small press that handles covers and editing while giving her creative input
• Uses the mantra "firm in goals, flexible in methods" to balance writing with homeschooling
• Recommends finding beta readers who give honest but kind feedback

Author Bio-

Ashley Hawthorne writes contemporary romantic suspense. A soft-hearted idealist, she writes stories that take her character to dark places, but always with an eye on what love means to us, how far we'll go to get it, and what we're willing to give up to keep it. She lives in Texas with her husband, their two teenagers, and far too many rescue pets.

Book Blurb-

Every old house has its secrets...

When Grayson Barlow's grandfather dies under mysterious circumstances, he's forced to move back to his hometown of Widow's Point. After twelve years of running from his past, he's in no hurry to return to Barlow House or to confront the memories it holds, but he knows he now has to take care of the elderly grandmother he'd left behind.

His childhood home is exactly the way he remembered it, except his grandfather is gone and the house has gained a feisty new dog and a beautiful new caretaker, both of whom seem determined to protect the only family member he has left, even if that means driving him out before he has time to unpack his bags.

He wants nothing more than to leave, but he can't bring himself to break his grandmother's heart again. Staying means making peace, at least on the surface, with Becka Simmons, the enticing hellion who's determined to make his life miserable.

Becka is as grumpy as her pint-sized guard dog, but as he begins to understand her, he has two impossible revelations. The first is that he's in love with her. The second is that she may have killed his grandfather.

LINKS:
Website: https://www.ashleyhawthorne.net/

Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Ashley-Hawthorne/author/B0C2NCLRWQ?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_15&sr=1-15&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

About Victoria:

Hey there, I’m Victoria! As a writer and developmental editor, I specialize in helping busy writers bring their publishing dreams to life without the overwhelm. Editing doesn’t have to feel like pulling teeth—it's the magic that transforms your story from “meh” to masterpiece!

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Your story deserves to shine, and I’m here to make it happen. Let’s turn your writing dreams into a reality!

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