~NEW ZEALANDER ANNE ASHBY IS HERE TO TELL US HOW THE CEO GETS HER MAN~

Hi, I’m a contemporary traditional/sweet/clean

romance writer from New Zealand, published with The Wild Rose Press.  I grew up in a very small coastal town in Southland, New Zealand’s southern-most province. An eagerness to travel, fostered by my mother, led me to join the Royal NZ Navy where I enjoyed a very satisfying career. I have been fortunate to have travelled extensively and lived in Singapore and Maryland USA. I began writing contemporary romances when my youngest child started school. I enjoy including family issues, genealogy, rugby and/or snippets from my past military life in my stories. I have realised my very own dream of bringing something of my beautiful country to romance readers everywhere, so New Zealand always features in my stories, normally as the setting.  When not reading or writing, I find plenty to occupy my time with my family commitments. I currently live in Auckland with my husband and two of our four children.

I'd like to share with you my latest release which is initially set in the southern region of New Zealand before shifting to our capital city, Wellington.

Back Blurb of "The CEO Gets Her Man"

Ensuring her company's success is Debra Laurie’s life. But when she goes undercover to investigate a failing hotel in southern New Zealand, she finds her confidence crumbling. Masquerading as a waitress is a disaster—especially when the hotel’s assistant manager is a former rugby star she once had a crush on.

Jase McEwan is struggling to keep the hotel afloat. An unpredictable manager, ridiculous demands from the head office, and employee unrest are problems enough. Now a haughty new waitress is causing mayhem in the restaurant—and in his heart.

Determined to be impartial, Debra sets out to discover if Jase is responsible for the hotel’s drastic situation. But the more she investigates, the more she likes his work—and the more their attraction sizzles. Before long, Jase has turned Debra’s world upside-down. But what happens when he learns the new waitress is really his CEO?

Excerpt

Continually jabbing at the lift button probably wouldn’t make it come any faster, but Debra tried anyway. Every second counted. About to dive for the stairs instead, the ding of the lift stayed her movement. Bouncing from foot to foot while the doors inched open, Debra burst through the widening gap and punched the down button.

Thank goodness no-one was around. She should be able to keep out of sight of the reception staff if she stuck close to the wall and nipped around the corner. Then a dash across the dark car park to the staff quarters and she’d be safe.

Slinking out of the lift she did exactly that. Hugging the wall she backed cautiously around the corner, pausing when she neared the staff doorway to take a relieved breath. Grinning at her achievement of exiting the VIP suites without being seen she spun around to leap for the door--and ploughed into a dark blue brick-like wall.

The “wall” barely budged despite the whack exploding every last ounce of breath from her. Warmth tingled the hand inadvertently slipped beneath the blue telling her this was no ordinary brick wall. Her fingers registered a steady thump-thump-thump.

With a winded ache of rising panic imprisoned somewhere deep in her chest her eyes crept upwards...past the crisp white shirt with its perfectly Windsor-knotted blue tie...past a thick brown column of skin...past the closely shaven squarish chin and slightly crooked nose. She absently wondered if that nose was a result of a rugby injury, some permanent physical reminder of his playing days.

Her mind flew back but so many years had passed since she’d even thought about the hunky All Black she couldn’t remember whether his photos showed that bump on his nose or not. She trembled as she found herself where she’d once dreamed of being--in his arms.

An interview with Debra Laurie, the Heroine of "The CEO Gets Her Man"

      

(Recorded before her arrival at Riversleigh Resort  - and before her arrogant haughtiness begins to take a beating)

 Tell me about yourself?  

I'm single, in my thirties.

The interviewer looks at her strangely, waiting, in vain, for more

            

Ahh, what is your occupation?  

My brother and  I run a multi-national company dealing in real estate, hotels, restaurants etc

             

What do you consider your strengths and weaknesses? 

Strengths, my single mindedness, determination, dedication to my company.

Weaknesses? weakness isn't tolerated in business, especially not by a woman.

What’s your family like and how does your upbringing affect you now? 

My brother and I are twins so we work well together. My father was a very astute business man and a major influence in my life. I strive to follow in his footsteps and continue to expand the business he left us.

What about your mother? 

My mother is a social butterfly who enjoys shopping and meeting friends for coffee. She is quite involved with varying charities, though.

You're not close to your mother? 

No. We have nothing in common.

What is your earliest childhood memory? 

My most pleasant early memories are of visiting my father's office.

But your earliest memories? 

Warm and fuzzy moments, you mean? I have no time to indulge in early fantasies.

What tangible object would symbolize you? 

(shrugs) My office, my computer, my blackberry

Describe your hero. What was your first impression of him and did it change over time?

When I was a silly teenager I used to watch Jason McEwan playing rugby. He was very good, you know and probably every girls' ideal man. I used to fantasize about meeting him and...(an uncharacteristic blush coloured her cheeks) ...What was your other question?

Did your first impressions change? 

Oh yes, most definitely. Whoever was silly enough to employ a broken down rugby player as the Operation Manager of one of my hotels, (shaking head and clicking her tongue with disapproval). His ability to do his job is not the only thing I doubt. His honesty is also now under scrutiny.             

Is there anything about your hero that you would consider a flaw? 

Other than him possibly being a thief? (eyebrows shoot upwards) His inability to help run my hotel without the need for outside assistance is definitely a flaw, and that alone is a likely reason to terminate his employment.

What is it that you want out of life? 

What do I want from life? Exactly what I have, a successful  career, a respected business.

Has life handed you any major disappointments? 

(A very distinct pause) - not any that matter            

If you had an unexpected free day, what would you do with it? 

I don't have free days.

But what if you did, what would you do? 

Go into the office, of course.

What CD is in your CD player right now? 

CD? Music? (she glares at the interviewer in astonishment) I don't have time to listen to music. And even if I did, it would be sure to disrupt my thought processes.

But all Debra's preconceptions are about to get knocked to smithereens.

Links:

website - http://www.anneashby.com

website blog - http://www.anneashby.com/blog

facebook - http://www.facebook.com/AuthorAnneAshby

twitter - http://www.twitter.com/AuthorAnneAshby

goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4386672.Anne_Ashby

my publisher - http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=679

Buy Links:

Book is available in both print and digital from:

Publisher - The Wild Rose Press http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=679

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/The-CEO-Gets-Her-ebook/dp/B00AU50QHW

B&N - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-ceo-gets-her-man-anne-ashby/1115202539