Introducing the ROCK CHICK NATION!
To support those who supported me in living my dream, I will be creating the Rock Chick Nation, a community of sisters looking after sisters, doing good deeds, having fun and living, breathing and rocking the Rock Chick lifestyle.
The Mission is to live your best life, be true to your true self, recognize your beauty and, last but definitely not least, taking your sister's back whether they're at your side as friends and family or if they're thousands of miles away and you don't even know who they are.
To kick this mother off, I am launching the Rock Chick Nation with the first program, Rock Chick Rewards.
Rock Chick Rewards
What does a sister do when she's living her dream with thousands of sisters at her back making it real?
She gives back.
Therefore, I'm introducing my new program, Rock Chick Rewards.
Three to four times a year, on my Facebook page and the Goodreads Kristen Ashley Addicts Support Group, I will send a callout to my Rock Chicks to nominate their favorite woman's charity to receive a Rock Chick Reward. There will be a time limit on the callout and once that's done, the charities nominated will be put in a hat and one will be selected randomly.
Once the winner is selected, I will auction a Kristen Ashley Swag Bag (or, more accurately, a box). For the first auction, this will include a personalized signed copy of Rock Chick Redemption, a Rock Chick bumper sticker as well as other surprise goodies. I'll do my best to keep this exciting with different KA Swag Bags up for grabs and they won't be all about Rock Chick but all my books (we have got some killer, exciting ideas… just you wait!). All monies raised will be donated to the winning charity with a matched gift from moi (up to $500 USD just in case you sistahs go bidding crazy).
Now, I'm a Rock Chick so I'm not hip on a lot of rules but there must be some and here they are:
1) Anyone can nominate any woman's charity from any country. However, the charity nominated has to be a recognized charity in that country, for instance, in the US, it has to have 501(c)3 status or in the UK it has to be registered with The Charities Commission and have a charity number. They also have to be charities in good standing. And last, the charity must provide services to women. These can include domestic violence shelters, rape crisis centers, ovarian or breast cancer organizations, etc. Only women's charities will be put in the hat. After the auction is done, we will deal with payments or transfers of money.
2) Anyone from any country can participate in the auction as long as they can pay for their bid. We will send the Swag Bag anywhere, insured, but we cannot be responsible for local post delivery.
3) Spreading the Rock Chick love means that if a charity is chosen, it won't be eligible to receive another donation for a calendar year so other charities can have a shot.
4) All expenses for this program (swag bag, postage, etc.) will be paid for by moi so the entirety of the winning bid and the matching donation will be made to charity without expenses deducted.
5) Nominations for charities will only be accepted on the postings on my Facebook page or on the Kristen Ashley Addicts Goodreads page. Please don't email or tweet nominations, too hard to keep track of those!
Now all charities need our support and I want to give back to you by providing that support to a cause that's close to your heart. That said, although all charity selections will be completely random, I'll point out that smaller, lesser known and local charities often struggle mightily for funds. So when you're thinking about what you want the Rock Chick Nation to support, give a thought to local or little known charities who could really do with the dosh. And remember, the mission is sisters looking out for sisters so only women's charities will be accepted as nominees.
And last, this is the best way I could think of to thank you for making my dreams come true. You did me a world of good and it's important to me to give back. As the months roll by, more programs in the Rock Chick Nation will be rolled out so keep in touch on my website, my Facebook page and the Kristen Ashley Addicts Group on Goodreads.com to learn what's happening.
Now, let's link arms, sisters, and do some good together!
Message from The LAM Foundation
(The first recipient of a Rock Chick Reward)
Hi Kristen,
On behalf of the Board of Directors, the staff and the entire LAM community, we would like to thank you for raising funds in honor of The LAM Foundation. This generous gift will help the Foundation continue on its mission to seek safe and effective treatments until a cure is found.
If there is anyone interested in learning more about this rare disease or how they can help build awareness or raise funds in their communities, please let your readers know that they can contact me at srichard@thelamfoundation.org or at 513-777-6889. Readers can also visit our website at www.thelamfoundation.org.
If you ever want to write a book where one of your characters is affected by LAM and you need additional research information, please don’t hesitate to ask. We have tons of ladies living with LAM that would be willing to talk with you.
Thanks Kristen for all that you have done to help those affected by LAM!!
Sylvia A. Richard
Development Director
Want A Giggle?
Check out these two bloggers. Seriously. Laugh out loud, smack you back, wish they were your BFF funny. I mean, these women could make a Pilsbury Crescent Roll addict on Day 17 of the Atkins Diet laugh her butt off.
Scandalicious Book Reviews
First of all, "Scandalicious". I like anyone who adds the ending "icious" to anything. Yumalicious. Shizalicious. Cheese-ahlicious. (Those are all mine, by the way.) So she had me at the title of her blog.
But the woman is just plain old funny. And her blog design is all pinky and taupy and makes me want to go get India ink on my hands. And she's funny. Did I say she's funny?
Read SCANDALICIOUS here: www.scandaliciousbookreviews.com
Follow SCANDALICIOUS on Twitter by finding: @ScandaliciousBR
My Purgatory
Apparently, Purgatory Carol reviews a lot of shiz. I just had some of her friends point me to her Purgatory as defined by my Dream Man Series. And her shiz cracked my shiz right the hell up. I giggled myself SICK.
Read PURGATORY here: www.mypurgatory.com
Read Pugatory Carol's Kristen Ashley Dream Man Series PURGATORY here: mydreammanpurgatory.blogspot.co.uk
Now obviously, these bloggers like my books. I'm not gonna point you to people who hate me, am I? Even if they are funny. I draw the line there. Though, I have yet to read a blogger who hates me that's funny. It kinda happens like that. And, actually, I've never read a blogger who full-on hates me. Now I'm rambling. I'm just sayin', I am not steering you wrong about these chicks. The are the shiz. Check them out and get Scandalicious-ized or enter Purgatory. Trust me, you won't regret it.
Book Playlists
Recently, one of my Rock Chicks on my Facebook page, Shanta, had an awesome idea and shouted it out. The idea? What songs reminded folks of Kristen Ashley books?
Now, if you read my books, you know that music means a lot to me. Just to name a few, in For You I gave Colt and Feb “Landslide”. In Rock Chick Reckoning I gave Mace and Stella “Black” and “Open Arms”. Music speaks to me and I use it in my writing.
But I gotta say, going through and listening to every, single one of these songs and seeing how spot on my girls were about how my heroes and heroines feel was a moving experience. I had to stop, come back later and finish up because I was crying, feeling my books through my readers and their choices of music.
And obviously, I’ve decided this is a cool thing. So I’m sharing it with you. If you’ve read and enjoy my books, take time to check out this music. It’s worth it.
Note: The person who suggested the song is in italics after the song information.
Breathe - Chace and Faye Keaton
Ella Mae Bowen, "Holding Out for a Hero", KT
For You and Golden Trail - Alec and Feb Colton/Tanner and Rocky Layne
Black Stone Cherry, “Stay” –Gitte
Heaven and Hell - Sam and Kia Cooper
Sean Hayes, “Powerful Stuff” –Shanta
David Guetta, “Turn Me On” –Lori
Knight - Knight Sebring and Anya Gage
Hunter Hayes, "Wanted" - Brandi
Lady Luck - Ty and Lexie Walker
Adele, “Make You Feel My Love" –Jenny
Cyndi Lauper, “True Colors” –Shanta
Sarah McLachlan "Arms of an Angel" - Shanta
Shyne (feat: Barrington Levy), "Bonnie and Shyne" - Christina (perfect choice for Ty and Lexie's road trip)
Law Man - Mitch and Mara Lawson
Carrie Underwood, "Nobody Ever Told You", Brandi - AWESOME song EVERY Rock Chick should take to heart!
Motorcycle Man - Tack and Tyra Allen
Jana Kramer, "Why Ya Wanna", Brandi
Hunter Hayes, "Cry with You", Maria
Mystery Man - Cabe and Gwen Delgado
Pitbull, “Give Me Everything” –Shanta
Play It Safe - Gray and Ivey Cody
Black Stone Cherry, “In My Blood” –Gitte
Michael Bublé, “Home” –Lori
Adele, “Rolling in the Days” –Shelly
Alter Bridge, “Wonderful Life” –Gitte
Alter Bridge, “Life Must Go On” –Gitte
Rock Chick - Lee and Indy Nightingale
Pink, “Trouble” –Lezanda
Rock Chick Reckoning - Kai "Mace" Mason and Stella Gunn
Imagine Dragons, “Demons” –Tracy
Rock Chick Redemption - Hank and Roxie Nightingale
Jana Kramer, “Whiskey” –Joanne
Sweet Dreams - Tatum and Lauren Jackson
Ray Montagne, “Trouble” –Shanta
Bruce Springsteen, “Tougher Than the Rest” –Lezanda
Unfinished Hero Series
Greg Allman, "I'm No Angel", Tricia
General (in other words, all my books!)
Hurts, “Stay” –Kamile
Black Stone Cherry, “Blame it on the Boom Boom” –Gitte
Apocalyptica, “Not Strong Enough” –Kamile
Kings of Leon, “Sex on Fire” -Jenny
Buckcherry, "Open My Eyes"
John Legend, "Tonight (Best You've Ever Had)", Brandi
Flo Rida (feat. Sia), "Wild Ones", Shanta
Rock Chick Music
Become a Rock Chick… easy as pie. Below is every song and artist mentioned in every one of the Rock Chick novels. Every… single… one. If you don’t have them or songs by them, find them, download them (after paying for them, of course!) and create a set list. Then rock out while listening to them. I promise, if you’re having a bad day, this music will make it better. Abso-freaking-lutely.
Rock on!
Rock Chick
The Allman Brothers Band
“All Right Now” - Free
“American Pie” - Don McLean
Garth Brooks
BTO
Black Crowes
The Eagles
“Girls Girls Girls” - Motley Crue
Molly Hatchet
Heart
Billie Holiday
“Jungle Love” - Steve Miller Band
Led Zeppelin Reunion
Motorhead
“No More Tears” - Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Carlos Santana
“Dakota”, “Handbags and Gladrags”, “Have a Nice Day” - Stereophonics
Thin Lizzy
George Thorogood
“Time and Tide” - Basia
Van Halen
War
Neil Young
Rock Chick Rescue
“Bad to the Bone” - George Thorogood
“Jet” - Paul McCartney and Wings
“Proud Mary” - Ike and Tina Turner
“Winning” - Carlos Santana
Big Head Todd and the Monsters
Charlie Daniels Band
Coldplay
Queen
Steppenwolf
Rock Chick Redemption
AC/DC
“Because the Night”, “Born to Run” (the album), “Candy’s Room”, “Incident on 57th Street”, “Jungleland”, “She’s the One”, “Thunder Road” - Springsteen
Bob Marley
“Both Sides Now”, “Case of You” - Joni Mitchell
Johnny Cash
Cream
“Gimme Three Steps” - Lynyrd Skynyrd
“Into the Mystic” - Van Morrison
Led Zepplin
“Low Rider” - War
“Minutes to Memories”, “Small Town” - John Mellencamp
“Misguided Angel” - Cowboy Junkies
“Ridin’ the Storm Out”, “Roll with the Changes” - REO Speedwagon
Hank Williams, Jr.
Rock Chick Renegade
“Listen to the Music” - Doobie Brothers
“The Bitch is Back” - Elton John
Green Day
The Marshall Tucker Band
“All in Love Is Fair”, “Isn’t She Lovely”, “Sir Duke” - Stevie Wonder
St. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band - The Beatles
Rock Chick Revenge
“American Girl”, “Mary Jane’s Last Dance”, “Learning to Fly” - Tom Petty
“Ain’t No Easy Way” - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
“Ghostriders in the Sky” - The Outlaws
Stella’s set:
“China Grove” - The Doobie Brothers
“Flirtin’ with Disaster” - Molly Hatchett
“Black Betty” - Ram Jam
“Stop Kickin’ My Heart Around” - The Black Crowes
“Black Water” - The Doobie Brothers
“Black Velvet” - Allanah Myles
“Ain’t No Easy Way” - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
“Can’t You See” - The Marshall Tucker Band
“Jessica” - The Allman Brothers Band
“Bring Me Some Water” - Melissa Etheridge
“I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” - Hank Williams
Rock Chick Reckoning
“Ain’t No Easy Way” - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
“All the Small Things” - Blink-182
“And So It Goes”, “Only the Good Die Young”, “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant” - Billy Joel
“Black” - Pearl Jam
“Black Betty” - Ram Jam
“Blackbird” - The Beatles
“Black Velvet” - Allanah Myles
“Black Water”, “Dangerous” “Jesus Is Just Alright” - Doobie Brothers
“Death Letter” - Son House
“Don’t Fear the Reaper” - Blue Oyster Cult
“Faithfully”, “Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’”, “Open Arms”, “Wheel in the Sky” - Journey
“Feelin’ Alright” - Joe Cocker
“Get Out ofDenver”, “Turn the Page” - Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band
“Ghostriders in the Sky”
The Guess Who
“Hit Me with Your Best Shot” - Pat Benatar
“I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” - Hank Williams
“Jump, Jive an’ Wail” - The Brian Setzer Orchestra
“La Grange” - ZZ Top
“Lawyers, Guns and Money” - Warren Zevon
“Looks Like We Made It” - Shania Twain
“More Than A Feeling”, “Peace of Mind” -Boston
“ParadiseCity” - Guns ‘n Roses
“Roll with the Changes” - REO Speedwagon
“Ventura Boulevard”, “Sister Golden Hair” -America
“Shambala” - Three Dog Night
“Thunderstruck” - AC/DC
“Where the Streets Have No Name” - U2
Rock Chick Regret
“I Will Survive” - Gloria Gaynor
“My Heart Will Go On” - Celine Dion
“This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” - Natalie Cole