October 25th, 2014
What's hot in Toronto this weekend? A list of events and my choice of dining/brunching spots to check out for October 25th and 26th:

If you're gearing up for Halloween and love to get the ball rolling with a frightful congregation of the grotesque and the unsightly, then you must get zombied up for the annual Zombie Walk starting at Nathan Phillip's Square, beginning at noon and carrying on throughout the day. You will be welcomed by zombie enthusiasts and a thriller dance party. The after party will be held at the Hard Rock.  More info here http://torontozombiewalk.ca/

If you're hoping to enjoy a spectacular and refined evening on the town or a relaxed Sunday brunch, Here are my weekend pics for the best dining option and the top brunching option. Choose to hit up one or both:

Buca Toronto - http://www.buca.ca/ A truly Tuscan adventure in fine dining. Head chef Gentile fuses all things Tuscan into his mouth watering creations. If you get easily squeamish, perhaps not enlightening yourself to his methods for food preparation is a good idea. The food is delectable!

School- http://www.schooltoronto.com/ One of my personal all time favourite brunch spots in the city, School has a scrumptious spread of anything that a fantastic Sunday brunch should include. From the fluffiest stack of blueberry pancakes or if you wish to walk on the sweeter side, try their caramel coconut pancakes (to die for), to their mouth-watering smoked salmon paired with a delightful mimosa or your choice of crepes, you won't be disappointed. School on a Sunday has never been more inviting! 

 And in between the Saturday evening dining experience and the Sunday morning brunching, of course there are a myriad of events to check out! Here is my top pick for tonight. It's not too late:

Keeping with the theme of everything fashion for Toronto World Mastercard Fashion Week, head to Muzik to toast the end of a truly magnificent 6 day event. Doors open for the Muzik After Party at 9:30. Follow the link for more information and strut on in to take part in the celebration http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/muzik-closes-world-mastercard-fashion-week-with-amber-rose-on-october-25-1960864.htm

Happy Weekend All!
Jessica Ashley

A change has been made, I must confess. Reveler Rhapsody Turned City Sophisticate

I love writing; I love reading; I love books; I love writing books and also love reading books. That is no surprise I'm sure to all of you lovely and loyal viewers who have tuned in to read about my publishing adventures. The first adventure has been completed, the second is well underway so I suppose I'm experiencing the sequel to my own debut.

As always intended, however, I have decided to expand this blog and branch off from the purely literature-based content to involve some more of my favourite things.Yummy food, beauty, fashion, entertainment, special events, book reviews and health and wellness will be the topics that you will begin to find touched on when visiting my blog. Please notice the new pages that have been added to the sidebar.

Why 'City Sophisticate' you ask? Well, let me be up front and say that I do not consider myself overly sophisticated. The term 'Sophisticate' is meant to highlight Toronto as a city that emanates sophistication.

This page will remain my own confessional about my own life and journey in the city that I love. Video confessionals will begin to be added weekly. Aside from what has already been added, next week you will also find coverage of  an event that makes me giddy just to think about. Sophie Kinsella, inspiration central for my debut novel, will be in Toronto! I'm attending, of course, so will have a few tidbits for you about my dream meet up.

I look forward to the new chapter that my blog is beginning and hope you all will continue to drop by.

Website: http://www.jessicaashleydafoe.com/

Please feel free to join me on Goodreads  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8419937.Jessica_Ashley_Dafoe

If you've yet to see it, check out my trailer for my novel, The Tantalizing Tale of a Bitter Sweetheart by clicking here  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzUCspmOebw

Please follow the links below to learn more about the Because I am a Girl cause initiated by Plan International:

http://becauseiamagirl.ca/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_AQA1xb4Is&feature=youtu.be

http://plan-international.org/

Happy Reading!
Jessica Ashley Dafoe

My Creation Station

Waking up Saturday mornings bright and early, while the sun is just rising to stream through the cracks of my bedroom blinds is my most favourite part of the day and week. Monday to Friday I slump to my feet, brush my teeth, eyes half closed, attempting to tick off the items that need to get done that day at the school where I teach. My energy level remains stagnant until at least 8 a.m. then I finally have my first sip of coffee and am able to liven up for my class of cuties. On Saturdays, my schedule is wide open to do nothing but WRITE and just the thought of having an entire day to myself, interruption free, to purely put pen to paper, or I suppose fingers to keyboard, is heavenly to me.  It’s an indescribable energy that surges through me waking me as early as 6 in the morning; one that I can’t explain and one that disallows me to nod back off to sleep. I don’t even curse the early time and the fact that I’m awake. I jump up and let the energy plot my course.

That course often takes me out of my 10^th floor condo and down the road to one of countless coffee shops in the vicinity of my residence. This is entirely perfect seeing as when it comes to writing, I never visit the same coffee shop twice in a row. I need a selection and a change of scenery often.  The bustle of activity that surrounds me, the rhythm of the music that gently hums throughout the selected coffee shop of the day, the sound of the frother and the glorious aromas of the delicious blends of imported and local beans, the cheerful conversations between patrons at adjacent tables to my own, these are all welcome elements and necessary for the perfect setting while creating. Silence is death to my writing, no… more like murder.

If I attempt to write at home, the only area that proves to result in productivity is the balcony off of my sitting area. On the balcony I can hear the laughter of children at the park next to my condo and in the summer see them zipping through the spraying water at the splash pad. I see people jogging by and others walking hand in hand. At times the pub down the road hires bands to play on the patio in the middle of the afternoon and I let the harmonies resulting from their creativity inspire my own.

Seeing as I am not only a writer but an educator as well, I am fortunate enough to be given a number of weeks off throughout the calendar year. These weeks usually result in me heading off on numerous trips to a variety of destinations. I must say that I tend to glean remarkable benefits due to such experiences. From the people I meet, to the new surroundings I am able to become familiar with I have come to realize that it is when I travel that I collect much of my inspiration. 

I am a lively and active woman who needs activity and a buzz of energy around me when I write. If it isn’t there, I search it out, even if it means hopping a plane to find my muse.

Remember that you can always connect with me personally via my website at http://www.jessicaashleydafoe.com/

In addition, please feel free join me on Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8419937.Jessica_Ashley_Dafoe  if you want to begin your own Q&A with me. I'm happy to answer all questions, even the wacky and the weird. The wackier the better! I love thought provoking and intriguing questions, let's just be sure to keep things PG....we're just getting to know each other after all.

" The writing was strong from the beginning to end, and this was a solid debut from Jessica Ashley Dafoe that I recommend to chick lit fans!" Samantha March, Reviewer/Author/Publisher for Chick Lit Plus

"The Tantalizing Tale is fabulous! It would make a great love movie. I couldn't put it down." - Caroline Jones

If you've yet to see it, check out my trailer for my novel, The Tantalizing Tale of a Bitter Sweetheart by clicking here  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzUCspmOebw

Please follow the links below to learn more about the Because I am a Girl cause initiated by Plan International:

http://becauseiamagirl.ca/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_AQA1xb4Is&feature=youtu.be

http://plan-international.org/

Connect with me  via my author website  http://www.jessicaashleydafoe.com/ where you'll find additional info and learn how to get your hands on a copy of The Tantalizing Tale of a Bitter Sweetheart.

Happy Reading!

Jessica Ashley Dafoe

The Makings of a Tantalizing Series: How it All Began

Half the difficulty most writers face in beginning a work, regardless of whether they intend it to be a novel, novella or short story, is finding the narrative voice for the story they wish to tell.  I have these same struggles and suppose that’s why it took me until this past year to finally publish my first novel, The Tantalizing Tale of a Bitter Sweetheart. Leading up to this year I have always been an avid writer of short stories (which I never sought to publish), articles and blogposts.  Although ideas were swirling in my mind for a women’s fiction novel, I just couldn’t find the perfect voice to carry it through. 

Instead I chose to abandon the idea of writing a novel of fiction and sat down to try my hand at an autobiographical account of all of the experiences the metropolis of Toronto, Canada’s largest city, has thrown my way since moving here seven years ago. From dating falters and their hilarious and sometimes unwelcome outcomes to career hiccups and the hunt for gainful employment in a fast-paced concrete jungle, it’s been quite the rollercoaster ride. I knew I had a plethora of entertaining circumstances to recount in my writing. I pulled out my laptop and titled the work 101 Dates . I’m just going to add a bit of an aside here and let you all know that I don’t think the number is quite that high, but it sure feels like it’s an accurate estimation. To be honest the term ‘dates’ was used with a double entendre, including the typical date of companionship as well as dates on a calendar measuring the passing of time.  How very deep of me.

I began to attempt to unravel the myriad of circumstances in my head out onto the document in front of me. About two pages in I became aware that the voice of this supposed autobiography was beginning to waver to one that wasn’t even my own.  Fellow writers have always asked me whether I had ever experienced characters in my work taking on a life of their own. I quite honestly hadn’t until this point.  I now know exactly what they had been referring to. 

  My own experiences ignited the story but I found the narration straying and transforming into what resulted in my leading lady, Portia Delaney, hijacking my attempt at a humorous autobiography and taking it on a fictitious journey.

Once I noticed that my writing had in fact morphed into fiction, I ran with it and was over-joyed that the narrative voice I had been unable to find for so long had finally found me.  Portia’s characteristics and traits are definitely fictional, though some of her idiosyncrasies are most certainly loosely based on my own.  Her tale of setting out to make real her dream of becoming a force to be reckoned with in the fashion world while entangling herself in budding romances are also somewhat autobiographical. My career focus obviously has more to do with writing as opposed to fashion. However, our drive and determination are linked. Portia’s vivacious group of gal pals is also inspired by my own crew of besties that I have been so blessed to be surrounded by throughout my time in Toronto.

When it comes down to it, I now realize that the trick to writing is to actually WRITE. Just because you don’t have the perfect plan laid out in your head from start to finish does not mean that the plan won’t work itself out. Just put pen to paper, fingers to keyboard and write. I waited far too long to find the perfect voice for my novel. Once I abandoned the plan altogether and just went with my instinct to at least write something, what I was looking for came bounding into my mind and out onto my page, resulting in a novel that I am extremely proud of, The Tantalizing Tale of a Bitter Sweetheart.

Remember that you can always connect with me personally via my website at http://www.jessicaashleydafoe.com/

In addition, please feel free join me on Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8419937.Jessica_Ashley_Dafoe  if you want to begin your own Q&A with me. I'm happy to answer all questions, even the wacky and the weird. The wackier the better! I love thought provoking and intriguing questions, let's just be sure to keep things PG....we're just getting to know each other after all.

"The Tantalizing Tale is fabulous! It would make a great love movie. I couldn't put it down." - Caroline Jones

If you've yet to see it, check out my trailer for my novel, The Tantalizing Tale of a Bitter Sweetheart by clicking here  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzUCspmOebw

Please follow the links below to learn more about the Because I am a Girl cause initiated by Plan International:

http://becauseiamagirl.ca/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_AQA1xb4Is&feature=youtu.be

http://plan-international.org/

Connect with me  via my author website  http://www.jessicaashleydafoe.com/ where you'll find additional info and learn how to get your hands on a copy of The Tantalizing Tale of a Bitter Sweetheart.

Happy Reading!
Jessica Ashley Dafoe

The Tantalizing Sequel

Yes, it's in the works, the follow up to my debut novel The Tantalizing Tale of a Bitter Sweetheart : Champagne Wishes and Cupcake Dreams which has been referred to as "pure entertainment" and a "lively romp". I assure you all that the sequel will be nothing less than entertaining.

What can be expected from the pages of the sequel you ask? Well, with a name like The Tantalizing Tale of a Conflicted Fashionista: Handbags, Hang-ups and Haute Couture you can be sure to enjoy some high fashion drama and immense mess ups on the part of the lovely yet peculiar Portia Delaney,

 All in a brand new and intoxicating setting, readers will be invited into the cutthroat high-fashion industry and cringe along while Portia finds herself in vise- like binds stirred up by both career matters and matters of the heart. If you've read my first novel, you know exactly what that setting is. If not, go get it at My Bookstore .

Just a reminder to all to follow along with my current book tour that is continuing on until October 27th and is orchestrated by Chik Lit Plus . You can check out all of the stops and read up on the stops from the past week by visiting my News and Events page on my new and improved author website.

A book can inspire, entertain, enlighten, motivate, inform, delight, revitalize, renew, energize, release, captivate, promote, provide, enrich, and most of all can be like magic in the palms of your hands. It is for this reason I read and write endlessly, to experience all of that magic for myself and to do my best to provide it for others.

Remember that you can always connect with me personally via my website at http://www.jessicaashleydafoe.com/

In addition, please feel free join me on Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8419937.Jessica_Ashley_Dafoe  if you want to begin your own Q&A with me. I'm happy to answer all questions, even the wacky and the weird. The wackier the better! I love thought provoking and intriguing questions, let's just be sure to keep things PG....we're just getting to know each other after all.

"The Tantalizing Tale is fabulous! It would make a great love movie. I couldn't put it down." - Caroline Jones

If you've yet to see it, check out my trailer for my novel, The Tantalizing Tale of a Bitter Sweetheart by clicking here  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzUCspmOebw

Please follow the links below to learn more about the Because I am a Girl cause initiated by Plan International:

http://becauseiamagirl.ca/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_AQA1xb4Is&feature=youtu.be

http://plan-international.org/

Connect with me  via my author website  http://www.jessicaashleydafoe.com/ where you'll find additional info and learn how to get your hands on a copy of The Tantalizing Tale of a Bitter Sweetheart.

Happy Reading!
Jessica Ashley Dafoe

The Tantalizing Tale on Tour

The day before the day has finally arrived. That day before the day being, the day that my social media blog tour begins!

 For a whole month's time, in conjunction with Chick Lit Plus, my novel will be featured and reviewed by a variety of American book enthusiasts.  In addition you'll have the opportunity to find out a little more about me via some fun and informative Q&A sessions and interviews. Want to know my inspiration for my debut novel and writing in general? Hope to learn what motivates me to keep on with my writing and where it is that I most prefer to create? Need to know whether I prefer heels or flats,

 chips or chocolate,

 vampires or zombies (yeah that's right) ?

Then follow along with all the stops here:
http://www.clpblogtours.com/2014/09/the-tantalizing-tale-of-bitter.html


Also, remember that you can always connect with me personally via my website at http://www.jessicaashleydafoe.com/

 In addition, please feel free join me on Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8419937.Jessica_Ashley_Dafoe  if you want to begin your own Q&A with me. I'm happy to answer all questions, even the wacky and the weird. The wackier the better! I love thought provoking and intriguing questions, let's just be sure to keep things PG....we're just getting to know each other after all.

Lastly, I'd like to add how wonderful it is for me to hear that you're enjoying my novel. I would love to create a photo gallery of all of you lovely folk enjoying the read so feel free to take selfless selfies  of you reading The Tantalizing Tale of a Bitter Sweetheart and send them directly to me via the contact page on my author website (link at the bottom of this post). You will likely find yourself featured in the gallery, you beautiful creatures!

'The Tantalizing Tale of a Bitter Sweetheart....very readable and entertaining.' -Dr. Andrew Cook, Raucous Publishing Co. , UK.

If you've yet to see it, check out my trailer for my novel, The Tantalizing Tale of a Bitter Sweetheart by clicking here  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzUCspmOebw

Please follow the links below to learn more about the Because I am a Girl cause initiated by Plan International:

http://becauseiamagirl.ca/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_AQA1xb4Is&feature=youtu.be

http://plan-international.org/

Connect with me  via my author website  http://www.jessicaashleydafoe.com/ where you'll find additional info and learn how to get your hands on a copy of The Tantalizing Tale of a Bitter Sweetheart.

Happy Reading!
Jessica Ashley Dafoe

These Are a Few of My Favourite Things - From Launch Parties to Pumpkin Spice Lattes!

The tail end of summer and the transition into the dazzlingly vibrant colours and cooler temperatures of fall time, believe it or not, is most certainly one of my favourite times of the year. Although I bid adieu to the lazy days of summer and say hello to the daily 8-4 grind, once more, I also say hello to some of my most favourite things:
-Pumpkin Spice Lattes (and pumpkin everything for that matter)

-A new cozy and work wear appropriate wardrobe

-Halloween costume hunting

-The Christmas/New Year's countdown

-Lower weekend airfare prices so I can zoom off to New York and Chicago on a whim

-Regular meet ups with friends on the town (summer often causes a hiatus to this due to travelling M.I.A.- ness )

-And I could go on and on, but I think you get the picture. I LOVE FALL!



One new item that has been added to my transition into the fall season this year,  and one which I most certainly would not hesitate to add to my 'Most Favourite Things About Fall' list, has been to distribute my novel to local bookshops around Toronto. It has been unbelievably wonderful to chat with book vendors and bookshop owners. I have had the pleasure of meeting some incredibly remarkable and kind individuals who have not thought twice about stocking my novel. Book City, one of my favourite independent bookstore chains in the city, has been especially welcoming. Below,  you will find a list of the Toronto locations at which you can find my novel in store by the month's
end!

Ottawa is most certainly next on my list, followed by Montreal. By holiday time I will have an updated list of locations in those cities as well.

On a different note, I do love to reflect on the summer that has passed us so swiftly with a fondness, especially seeing as it included the launch of my novel.  I couldn't have asked for a better reception of my efforts and I was over-joyed to have hosted my first launch/signing event.

Thank you once again for all of the support you've shown me! I've enjoyed every moment of the journey and look forward to what the future holds in store.

The most recent review about The Tantalizing Tale of a Bitter Sweetheart from a lovely reader:
"Just finished this awesome book. It was such a fun and smart read. The main character had such a great personality, she was very relatable and had a very fun best friend. It's a love story that focuses more on the main character's life development with the romance as an added bonus. I thoroughly enjoyed reading every word.... I encourage you all to read it!!!" -Sarah Richards, Facebook 

Just a reminder of the outlets at which you can purchase a copy of the novel:

In Store-Toronto:
Book City Bloor West Village
Book City St. Clair & Yonge
Book City The Beaches
Another Story Bookshop
BMV Books

Print and Ebook
Amazon.com
Amazon.ca
Amazon.co.uk
Amazon.de
Amazon.co.jp
Barnes & Noble/ Nook Books
Chapters/Indigo

Ebook:
Kobo Books
ebookmall.com
iTunes

Print online only:
Powell's Books
Waterstones
Friesen Press Online Bookstore

If you've yet to see it, check out my trailer for my novel, The Tantalizing Tale of a Bitter Sweetheart by clicking here  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzUCspmOebw

Please follow the links below to learn more about the Because I am a Girl cause initiated by Plan International:

http://becauseiamagirl.ca/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_AQA1xb4Is&feature=youtu.be

http://plan-international.org/

Connect with me on Linkedin Jessica Ashley Dafoe

For copy editing services check out my site by clicking here

Follow me on twitter: Jessica Ashley@City_Rhapsody

Happy Reading!
Jessica Ashley Dafoe