Bombs or Bordellos - My Travel Adventures by Judith Ashley

Hi, I’m Judith Ashley, author of The Sacred Women’s Circle series, soul nourishing romantic women’s fiction that honors pagan spiritual practices. My stories show you what life could be like if you had a place like The Circle where you are unconditionally accepted, supported and loved. And where, with this support, you do overcome obstacles and find your happily-ever-after.

I lived well-over a quarter of a century never traveling far from home. I was in my thirties when I first visited other countries unknown to me and experienced a few Adventures in Travel.

But which story do I share?

Ending up in a bordello in Mazatlán, Mexico?

Being stopped by crossing guards and relieved of my passport when leaving Croatia during the Balkan War?

Or the tamer, missing my bus and almost missing my flight back to the US from a visit to Australia? Thankfully the bus driver turned around and came back for me.

Photo bySkitterphoto

While those all were adventures, the one that had the longest lasting effect on my travel was ending up at the United Airline Gate at Heathrow Airport, London, England to take my flight home from a visit in Ireland ---without a security stamp on my passport.

Said passport was confiscated.

I spot against the wall was designated “mine” as in with finger pointed at my heart “stay there and do not move.”

Oh, and I had a travel alarm clock in my checked luggage that “ticked” (this was in 1994 when there were active hostilities between the IRA and England. Passengers were warned that luggage could be destroyed if thought to be carrying a bomb).

If that wasn’t enough, I, unwittingly, had mace/pepper spray in my purse.

My efforts to be prepared on my first trip traveling alone as well as across the Atlantic was a dismal failure.

As I type this I’m smiling.

But in that moment, my heart raced, my hands sweated, my mind imagined all sorts of dire consequences.

I was grateful for a wall at my back when my knees weakened.

So how did I manage to create this disaster?

To this day I’ve no idea. I got off the plane from Dublin to London where I had to change to my flight to the U.S. I followed signs and asked directions to the United Gate. I did end up, at one point, outside Heathrow and knew that I’d taken a wrong turn somewhere. I felt immense gratitude to have finally made it to The Gate when my adventure truly began.

Yep, bright Yellow but tape and words
 "Security Inspection" on it
Photo by Kat Wilcox from Pexels

While polite, the security man was stern.

Did I know that carrying pepper spray was illegal in England and I could go to jail? Words failed and I shook my head.

Did I understand bombs ticked? I nodded.

Those questions I could reply to. The one that, to this day, I still cannot answer is “How did you get here?” Oh, I had a response. “I followed the signs and asked people when I wasn’t sure where I was going.” I’m sure my blurted confession that, at one point, I’d been road side didn’t help.

“Don’t move.” More threatening because of the deadly quiet tone than if he’d yelled.

Here I am in 2019, sitting at my computer, writing about this Adventure in Travel and not including my experiences in an English jail (and No, I do not watch Locked Up Abroad). It seemed hours when in fact it was under an hour before he returned and gave me back my passport.

When I arrived in the U.S., my luggage had bright yellow “security” tape. It had obviously been searched.

The next year when I traveled to Croatia during the Balkan War to help with a conference for my Glasser colleagues, my suitcase was also wrapped in yellow tape. I was pulled from the line and went through additional security when travelling within the U.S. Years later, when I traveled to Australia for yet another Glasser conference, my luggage still was wrapped with the yellow security tape!!!

Who knew that getting lost at Heathrow airport would have such long term consequences!

Available now in e-book and print

However, in 2008 I took my granddaughters with me to a Glasser conference in Edinburgh, Scotland. We flew in to Heathrow, and much to my relief, all was well. We safely made it through baggage claim with no yellow tape in sight! All’s Well That End’s Well!

You can find all of my books at your favorite e-book vendor. Be sure to ask your local library if you’d prefer to read my books through that resource.

Learn more about Judith's The Sacred Women’s Circle series at JudithAshleyRomance.com

Follow Judith on Twitter: JudithAshley19

Check out Judith’s Windtree Press author page.

You can also find Judith on FB! 

© 2019 Judith Ashley

What Bumps Me Out Of A Story?

Coming Summer 2018

Judith Ashley is the author of The Sacred Women’s Circle series, romantic fiction that honors spiritual practices that nourish the soul and celebrates the journey from relationship to romance.

What bumps me out of a story?

Unsympathetic characters

Outrageous, unbelievable story line

ERRORS: Even in a well-edited book whether indie or traditionally published a few errors happen and even Errors happen but ERRORS mean the author didn’t care enough to use spell-check, to have someone who knows grammar and punctuation read the story, etc. And if the author doesn’t care, why should I?

And there are those errors of punctuation and grammar but the worst error is in the information in the story-line. That means the author didn’t care enough about the story to be sure it was accurate. Something as simple as the time of year flowers bloom will pull me out of a story.

I love to read historical romance and most recently I picked up two books by authors I’ve read and enjoyed before. One book I managed to finish – at least the characters and plot held my interest enough.

The other book? It’s in my “recycle at used book store” pile.

The beauty of Scotland

Both are by well-known and skilled story-tellers. I’m sure the setting, etc. is accurate as both are familiar with Scotland, where the stories take place.

However, both books have a plethora of Scottish dialect. Not a few “donna” or “ken” or “aye” or “nay” but virtually every sentence spoken by a Scottish character has at least one if not numerous words.

I’m not talking about the use of Gaelic. I think that adds to the atmosphere of a story. I’m talking about idiomatic language as if I’m going to forget between one sentence and the next that the character is Scottish. I can only assume that, as both authors are traditionally published, that someone in the publishing houses decided to batter the reader with Scottish dialect as if that is a good thing.

Before I purchase another Scottish romance (one of my favorite genres), I’ll read a few pages ahead of time.

Available Now!

And, if you are interested in learning a simple process to find solutions to issues that are interfering with the quality of your life, check out my latest non-fiction book Staying Sane in a Crazy World.

Do you ever feel as if the world around you is tumbling out of control and there is nothing you can do to make your world a better place?

Do you ever wish there was?

Staying Sane in a Crazy World may help guide you toward stopping the tumbling and choosing how to take effective control of your life.

The reality is there is no One answer that fits all but we each have Our answer.

In this short guide, Judith Ashley leads you through a straight-forward process that allows you to find Your answers. Answers you’ll use to craft a Personal Staying Sane Plan that will help you regain and keep your balance whenever the world around you is out-of-whack.

Staying Sane is now available at your favorite e-retailer.

Learn more about Judith's The Sacred Women’s Circle series at JudithAshleyRomance.com

Follow Judith on Twitter: JudithAshley19

Check out Judith’s Windtree Press author page.

You can also find Judith on FB! 

© 2018 Judith Ashley

How a War Changed My Life by Judith Ashley

A version of this post first appeared at http://judithashley.blogspot.com

Judith Ashley is the author of The Sacred Women's Circle series, romantic fiction that honors spiritual traditions that nurture the soul.

In 1994 I attended a William Glasser Conference in Ireland. There I met colleagues from the Balkans. The Balkan War was raging and their once peaceful lives were in chaos. When asked what The William Glasser Institute could do, they said they needed everything.

Funds were donated and used to purchase diapers and formula and other necessities like soap and shampoo that were in short supply.

A group of us went a step further and organized a small conference on the shores of the Adriatic Sea in Rijeka, Croatia. We paid our own way and raised additional monies to cover expenses for those who could come. In addition we volunteered to lead workshops and support our colleagues however we could. Our group was received by the Mayor of Rijeka and one evening the government minister for prisoners of war and torture victims spoke to us.

I had a chance conversation with a professor at the local University. He invited me to speak to one of his classes. I also led a group discussion with a small group of women who’d braved Serbian fire as they drove up the Dalmatian Coast from their homes in Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik had been bombed that morning.

Jagoda Tonsic-Krema and husband - Scotland. Jagoda presented

Our evening activity (a boat trip to a nearby island) was canceled when Zagreb, the capitol of Croatia, came under fire (we were about 50 miles away). I went to breakfast in the morning and found colleagues I’d had dinner with missing. No one talked about where they were.

They’d just vanished—called back to the war.

That morning we were ordered to leave the country. We were an easy target and to kill ten US, Canadian, Irish citizens along with Croatians who were leaders in their country was seen as too tempting. While we understood that our being there actually put our colleagues more at risk than if we left, it was not easy to say good-bye, leaving people we’d come to know and care about in a few short days in danger.

The Mayor sent his van and driver to take us across the border into Slovenia and on to Bled. Traveling through border check points where the guards were armed was an event I’ll never forget. We were in Bled for a couple of days waiting until our flights back home left.

Sitting in an airport waiting for a flight with military tanks on the runway, armed soldiers carrying automatic rifles patrolling the concourse—I’d never had any of those experiences.

When I reached my home I was compelled to do something.

This is my Circle of Life. While the flowers are silk, everything else is natural (well, actually the silk flowers are made from the spinning of silk worms).

Because of that trip I’m very aware of how quickly deep and abiding relationships can form in times of trial. I still hold in my heart many of the people I met over two decades ago. I still feel an instant connection when I see any of them at conferences. One of my favorite experiences was at the Edinburgh, Scotland conference when most of the women I’d met in Croatia were there. Tears of joy, of gratitude on both sides—they’d rebuilt those lives that had been so traumatically disrupted.

There are so many aspects of that trip that were life-altering.

Hearing firsthand the experiences of people who became friends. Hearing how their lives had changed. Hearing the pain and resolution to not just survive but to overcome the challenges they now faced.

Seeing people create a life out of chaos. Seeing people find a point of light, of optimism in the darkness that surrounded them. Seeing the displaced rebuild some semblance of their former life.

Touching the edges of suffering through compassion and empathy. Touching and hugging knowing their healing powers. Touching and connecting with strangers who quickly became friends.

The sights and sounds I experienced fifty miles away from an active war zone changed my life. Even more so I seek to understand another’s point of view, to find a way through disagreements to solutions. Seeing the cost of war leads me, even more than before, to seek peace.

What life altering event have you undergone?

How has it changed who you are?

What have you done to honor that experience and that transformation?

You can learn more about The Sacred Women’s Circle series on my website.

Check out my Windtree Press author page.

Follow me on Twitter: @JudithAshley19

I’m also on Facebook

© 2016 Judith Ashley

Memories of Scotland by Judith Ashley

Judith Ashley is the author of The Sacred Women's Circle series, romantic fiction that honors spiritual traditions that nurture the soul.

Taking my granddaughters with me on a trip to Scotland to attend The William Glasser International Conference in Edinburgh in 2008 was and remains one of my best decisions.

One of at least a dozen pictures of the misty Scottish hills 

While my ancestry is thoroughly English (Edward Rawson came to the Massachusetts Bay Colony from Gillingham, England on the next boat after the Mayflower), I've a bit of Irish and Danish mixed in too.

When it was announced that the next European Conference was going to be in Edinburgh, I grabbed the opportunity to not only take me to the United Kingdom but also expose my granddaughters to international travel in a venue with which they were familiar.

London's Heathrow airport was where we arrived. We spent several days London and the surrounding area seeing the sights but this post is about Scotland so...

We traveled by train to Edinburgh. Found our lodgings and jumped into the conference.

I'd made arrangements for a couple of tours: Castles, the Highlands and Loch Ness which we took after the conference.

Inverness Castle

Yep, Nessy made an appearance for us

During the conference, the kids (hate to call a 12 and 18 years old children) toured Edinburgh Castle, the old town, the world renowned Edinburgh Zoon and swam in the Olympic Pool, as well as other activities all under the supervision of adults. It's one of the best things about William Glasser Institute Conferences, there is something for the kids (7 - 18 or so) during the day.

Roslyn Chapel was being restored when we visited

A group of us, including Sister Elizabeth, a Catholic nun from Ireland, were talking about what to see and do on a half-day off from Conference activities. We all decided to visit Roslyn Chapel, less than an hour away.

You may remember Roslyn Chapel from Dan Brown's The DaVinci Code. 

I was enthralled. There was no way we could do everything we wanted. Every inch of the interior was carved with symbols, motifs and figures. Of course we saw the major draws like the Apprentice's Column but we did not have time to go down into the vault/catacombs.

Sister Elizabeth and I stood together in the center taking in the magnificence.

"Do you feel something?" she asked.

"Yes, I do." 

We remained for several minutes in the same place with a buzzing sensation flowing through us.

Judith outside Roslyn Chapel

What was interesting to me is that other's in our group and other tourists did not sense anything even though standing exactly where we stood. It is said that there is an old source of energy upon which Roslyn Chapel was built. That rings true because virtually all Catholic churches stand on areas that were considered sacred sources of power to the indigenous people or pagans who originally lived there.

If or, hopefully, when I return to Scotland, I'll plan on spending a day at Roslyn Chapel.

If you are a fan of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander books you are most likely aware that the STARZ network is televising the series - 2016 is Season 2. And Outlander is set, in part, in Scotland and is all about the Jacobite Rebellion and Scotland's fight for independence from England.

Since April 18th Romancing The Genres has hosted Michele Monkou's reviews of Season Two of the Outlander STARZ series. There are two remaining episodes (July 4th and July 9th). To celebrate we are sponsoring the following Facebook Event: Hunting Outlander, an Outlander STARZ Scavenger Hunt and a "Who's Your Favorite Scottie Hottie" (with pictures) contest.

We'll be posting details here on Monday, July 4th including re-posting links to the Facebook Event page. The Scavenger Hunt will begin on Tuesday, July 5th and end on Wednesday, July 13th. Winners will be announced Friday, July 15th.

Judith Ashley

You can learn more about The Sacred Women’s Circle series on my website.

Check out my Windtree Press author page.

Follow me on Twitter: @JudithAshley19

I’m also on Facebook

© 2016 Judith Ashley

What Would You Do In Scotland?

July 5th begins Romancing The Genre's Hunting Outlander Facebook Event.

As you know, Outlander is set in Scotland and revolves around the Jacobite Rebellion and the Battle of Culloden.

To set the mood, we have a few questions and lots of pictures.









Have you been to Scotland? If you have, what's your favorite place, scene, event?

Here's the link to Romancing the Genres' FB page where you can leave a picture: https://www.facebook.com/romancingthegenres/

If you haven't been to Scotland, but would like to go, what do you want to see?

Again, click on The Link Above to the FB page to leave a picture if you have one.

Told you it was a short post!!!

Tomorrow you can read about Judith Ashley's trip to Scotland. Would she go back? You'll have to read tomorrow's post to find out.

 Again, here's the link!!!
https://www.facebook.com/romancingthegenres/

Setting the Stage for "Hunting Outlander"

One way to get to know a country is to read books set in that country from historical fiction, through historical romance and into contemporary times. Because Romancing The Genres is gearing up to host Hunting Outlander, a Facebook Event, we are taking a few days before the actual "hunt" begins to set the mood.

RTG's Outlander STARZ Hunting Outlander Facebook Event starts Tuesday, July 5th and ends Wednesday, July 13th. Winners will be announced Friday, July 15th. Details are available here.

In addition, you'll have the opportunity to share who your favorite Scottish Hottie is, including pictures.

Starting July 5 through July 10, two questions about Michelle Monkou's reviews of the STARZ network's second season of Outlander will be posted on the Event site. Links to the episode's review will be included.

The last question will be posted on July 11, the day of Michele's review of the last episode of Season Two. Again, you can read details here.

Today, however, is about setting the stage by talking about books set in Scotland.

In February 2015, Romancing The Genres Celebrated romance authors whose books were set in Scotland.

We were excited to host

Collette Cameron


 Amanda Forester


Claire Delacroix


Amanda Scott.

Genre-istas were also featured in the Windtree Press anthology, The Gifts of Christmas.

Maggie Lynch's "The Hogmaney Stranger" is a favorite from that collection.

By using the "search" feature on our blog (type in Scotland) you'll get eighteen or so posts that have something related to Scotland included. It could be about a trip to Scotland, a character who has Scottish ancestry or books set in that country.

This is in no way an exhaustive list!!!

Please add your favorite Scottish Romance author's name, favorite book set in Scotland, and if it is PG-13 or lower heat level, include a link to website.

Of course you can always go to your favorite e-book distributor and search for Scottish Romance or Scottish Historical Romance.

Tomorrow we continue our adventure in Scotland.

Michelle Monkou's Recap of Outlander, Season 2, Episode 12

Outlander Season Two, Episode Twelve - Hail Mary
(See below for links to all recaps)

(Courtesy of Sony Pictures Televsion)

Rewriting history is a nerve-wracking and tedious affair. Not only must Claire and Jamie worry about their roles and actions as they try to reset world events, but they must worry about other major players who can also tilt the balance. This constant state of affairs drives Jamie's strategy when handling the prince and when Jamie's desire to march on and fight the Redcoats.

But his plans never materialize for that pesky prince who either wants to go headlong into battle with a weary, underfed army or doesn't have a sense of direction when it matters. And so, Jamie and his men must retreat to fight another day.

In the meantime, Claire runs into Mary who is not thrilled to see her. Remember when Claire talked Alex into leaving Mary during her stint in Paris? Well, Alex turns up with consumption, but well enough to tell Mary about Claire's advice. Learning that Alex is ill, Claire tries to make amends with an offer to help Alex and simultaneously apologize to him.

(Courtesy of Sony Pictures Television)

And so Claire is in the middle of tending to Alex when - holy moly - Jack Randall appears. He's equally surprised, while she is more horrified. I couldn't stop laughing because the man was like a bad rash that keeps popping up at a bad time. Mary and Alex gush over Johnny's kindness and generosity. Claire decides to get the heck out of the room, but Jack chases after her to ask her to look after his brother. Always shrewd and seizing opportunities, Claire extracts the necessary information about the British army's location before she'd agree to help Alex.

On the other hand, Jamie faces a surprise visit from Colum. And he's sure that his uncle is there on business regarding the Jacobite cause. However, Colum is clearly ailing and in much pain from his debilitating disease. And Colum has come to request from Claire assistance to ease his transition into the afterlife.  I must admit to being surprised that Claire did help him and not go on her soapbox for political correctness sake.  Colum's visit and tying up of loose ends before he passes on allows for the big reveal that Gaelis and Dougal's baby is alive and well.

(Courtesy of Sony Pictures Television)

Once Jamie learns of Jack's appearance, he finds it difficult to let Claire be alone in that man's presence. Murtagh who makes one ferocious bodyguard will accompany her as she tends to Alex. But there is no nursing Alex back to health. He is dying. Something that Jack Randall can't accept. But his head is about to spin when he hears his brother's dying request for him to marry Mary so that she and the baby can inherit his property, her widow's pension, if necessary, and (remember he will be Frank's ancestor). He vehemently refuses and with good cause as he reveals his fear
 that his inner monster may not be tamed enough for Mary.

But in the sweetest gesture and sincerity, Murtagh volunteers to wed Mary. And Claire can't allow him to do that because of Frank's existence. Although now she knows the truth about Frank's lineage and he wasn't descended from such a vile creature. Before Alex dies, he is able to witness Mary's future secured with marriage at his bedside. And in great Jack fashion, he takes out his frustration and grief with a fit of punches on Alex's dead body. It was the perfect reminder to let us never forget what Jack is.

But this emotional episode isn't over because Colum is still taking care of his personal business by giving Jamie the enviable position as guardian of his son (remember Dougal's the biological father) until he's old enough to take over as the laird. A position that Dougal wants and makes no bones about his disappointment that Jamie, a Mackenzie shall be the surrogate father of a Fraser. But Colum doesn't back down. And in a heartbreaking scene - the kind that would be sent in for nomination consideration - Dougal is there with Colum in his final moments, but he misses telling him how he feels from the heart. Truly a beautiful scene between an often rancorous relationship between brothers.

Share with me what you thought of Season 2, episode 12. While you’re compiling your thoughts, I asked K. M. Jackson, author of Romancing The Fashionista to share her thoughts of Outlander and tell us about her latest releases. 

The secondary male characters ruled the day. With regard to Dougal - is he the big loser with all that will occur in the Mackenzie family affairs (including Geillis’s baby)? Did you feel sorry for him?

KM: Having not read the Outlander books (am I committing an Outlander sin here? Please don't throw tomatoes) I don’t know if Dougal is the biggest loser since if Claire turns out to be right in her predictions and they are not successful in their quest then none of them will come out on top. But I will say with this past episode for the first time I felt a surprising bit of sympathy for Dougal as the second son. He showed a tender side and love for his brother that was heartbreaking and relatable. Though he is not a typical hero his convictions are strong and he’s loyal to his clan. With Dougal, I feel whether you like it or not, you know where you stand. That’s respectable.

 
Jack Randall - a walking man with a death sentence because Claire shared the info. Did you feel for his pain or empathize with his reluctance?

KM: Oh Jack. Though I can’t look away from him, I live to hate him. He’s a man I just can’t feel sorry for and the more Claire does to stay in his path, the more I get annoyed with her. Try as I might I could not feel the same pain for his loss as I did for Dougal. Jack feels like a different kind of monster to me. A man completely into feeding his own appetites, who cares not for his fellow man, yet alone his brother. There is nothing respectable or relatable for me when it comes to Jack.

That Jack is a super villain.

So now tell us about your current release and the one on the horizon.

KM: My current release is a flirty novella from Samhain called Romancing The Fashionista. Here is a bit about it: When fate offers a second chance, only a fool waits for the other shoe to drop. The Flirty Fashionistas, Book 1

Manhattan fashion maven and magazine editor Melinda Mitchell shuns the social media spotlight. That is, until a tipsy girl’s night out ends with her first Facebook account and a friend request from none other than her secret high school crush, Nolan Parker. 

When Nolan lost his chance at the big leagues, he signed on with Doctors Without Borders and never looked back. Now he’s back home to help out his ailing father. Running into Mel at his fifteen-year high school reunion rekindles old feelings he thought he’d buried for good. 

Intrigued by Nolan’s irresistibly sexy profile, Melinda heads to the reunion with her best friend to see if the picture matches up to the man. Their instant attraction flares brighter than the Manhattan skyline. 

Although the tough fashionista and accomplished ex-jock rub each other the very right way, a few stumbling blocks will decide if the heat between them is a symptom of forever love, or a past that should be left where it belongs.

Enjoy Romancing The Fashionista : Amazon; iBooks; Barnes & Noble

KM: And coming in October of this year I’m thrilled to be in a holiday anthology from Kensington Publishing with two incredible bestselling authors: Donna Hill and Farrah Rochon. It’s a dream come true! My contribution is called From Here To Serenity. Here is a little about Holiday Temptation and From Here To Serenity which is available for pre-order now.

Here is a bit about HOLIDAY TEMPTATION:

’Tis the season to satisfy your holiday desires with this festive trio of sexy stories…

A GIFT OF LOVE Donna Hill 
Drama professor Traci Long spends her free time at the CoffeeMate café, pursuing her true passion—writing her own plays. Meanwhile, sexy barista Noah Jefferson is doing his best to distract her. But once they get involved, past betrayals make Traci wary. She’s right that Noah is keeping something from her—but it might be something that will make this Christmas as sweet as a rave review—and steamier than her favorite chai latté…

HOLIDAY SPICE Farrah Rochon
A Christmas-time tragedy took photographer Miranda Lawson’s holiday spirit with it. Since then, she’s traveled the world, determined to outrun her demons. This year she’s off to Istanbul. But the scenery isn’t the only gorgeous site she spots through her camera lens….Kyle Daniels loves Christmas, but he’s looking for escape too—and soon he and Miranda find it in each other’s arms. Yet their connection doesn’t end there. Maybe staying put isn’t such a bad idea after all—especially when there’s someone to celebrate with…

FROM HERE TO SERENITY K.M. Jackson

Unstoppable real-estate developer Ross Montgomery is under orders to get some holiday R&R. A cruise to Miami on his yacht, “The Serenity,” is the perfect place to start—especially when he meets his new personal chef, Essie Bradford. Between her calming presence, her amazing food, and her delectable beauty, Ross just might develop a taste for the good life. And when the two discover they have a lot in common—including an irresistible attraction—the next course may be a spicy New Year…

Pre-order HOLIDAY TEMPTATION: Amazon; iBooks; Barnes and Noble: 

Thanks so much again for having me, Michelle. Happy Outlanding! 

To stay updated with K.M. Jackson, visit her website.

My Weekly Recaps

Episode 1

Episode 2

Episode 3

Episode 4
Episode 5
Episode 6

Episode 7
Episode 8
Episode 9
Episode 10
Episode 11

Michelle Monkou writes for Harlequin Kimani, Evernight Publishing, and her indie pursuits with Stella Maris Publishing. Michelle’s website is michellemonkou.com. You can also connect with her on Facebook.