My earliest memories from childhood are of reading.  Growing up as an only child, I found solace from the lonely times in books.  I believe, at one time, I owned every Nancy Drew book available, and read them all numerous times.  During those early years of my life, I became hooked into the world of mystery and suspense.  I began to write poetry and short stories in high school, although I rarely shared my musings except to a few select friends and one lovely English teacher.  It was a beautiful release for me to scribble down my thoughts in a journal, whether the words stemmed from joyous events or tragic ones.

As I grew, I discovered Stephen King, James Patterson, Robin Cook and John Grisham.  I fell in love with all of their works, especially those of Stephen King. The way that gifted man strings words together is nothing short of amazing.  By the time high school rolled around and I was introduced to classical literature, I was thoroughly addicted to the written word, especially thrillers that tugged at the heart strings.

Out of all the great classical texts that deal with revenge, the one that became a part of me, and what inspired me to pen Accountable to None, was The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas.  The physical and emotional pain suffered by Edmund Dantes left me an emotional wreck.  His calculated plans against all those that used him as a pawn in their life-altering game fascinated me.  Edmund’s transformation from the meek, mild-mannered gentleman into a revenge-fueled creature is truly a dark glimpse into the ravaged remains of a ruined mind.

Revenge for injustices perpetrated upon us is a tightly interwoven thread of the human condition.  Responding to immoral acts in a violent manner has been a part of society since the beginning of time.  The only thing that has changed over the centuries is the means by which an avenger might seek to accomplish their redemptive plans.

Accountable to None was written as an homage to Dumas’ masterpiece.  Set in modern day Phoenix, Arizona, the book centers around the upper management of a large, successful accounting firm, Winscott & Associates.  I chose to set the scene at an accounting firm since, according  to the most incredible words ever put on paper, the Holy Bible, the love of money is the root of all evil. Corporate greed is showcased through the actions of those that run the company.  The heroine suffers unimaginable pain and vows to seek revenge, which she ultimately achieves after years of plotting and planning.

I wanted to take the entire revenge motif to the next level in the sequels, Zero Balance and Adjusting Journal Entry. Sometimes, we tend to cheer and root for the avenging underdog, especially when they finally achieve their long awaited revenge.  However, rarely is the after effects explored once the revenge is completed.  My hope is that after reading these novels, someone contemplating vengeful acts upon another will give pause and reflect on the unfathomably high price of revenge.

I also am an avid reader and occasionally review books that pique my interest or showcase other authors on my blog, Ramblings of a Mad Southern Woman. As you might suspect, my favorite genre is suspense/mystery, but I do enjoy a great read in others as well.  Please take a moment to check out “Works I Recommend” link to view them.

A sincere thank you for taking the time to stop by my page.  Truly, it means the world to me.

Love,

Ashley

What if the unspeakable happened to you? Would you fantasize about seeking personal vengeance? How far would you go…and how much would you sacrifice to hold those responsible that believe they are accountable to none?

Welcome to the prestigious accounting firm of Winscott & Associates. Welcome to Audra Tanner’s personal hell. She had heard the rumors about her employer. The whispered secrets. But she had thrown herself into work to escape the pain of her miscarriage and demise of her marriage. Idealistic, she thought if she worked hard she would be rewarded. She thought wrong.

Savagely initiated into the brutal underbelly of the firm, Audra learns too late that the rumors are true. Now after five years of careful plotting, Audra is ready to push the wheels of justice in motion. Her goal of retribution has turned into an obsession and she will stop at nothing until everyone responsible pays. Will revenge set her free or is Audra’s quest for personal justice only beginning?

 
Nine months ago, Audra Tanner exposed the hidden secrets locked away at the prestigious accounting firm of Winscott & Associates. No one escaped her wrath. And once the smoke had cleared, everyone watched as the diabolical Olin Kemper was led away in handcuffs. Now Audra’s meticulous revenge has thrust her into the role of managing partner.

But the firm is struggling to survive amidst the turmoil and media attention surrounding the shocking arrest and upcoming murder trial of Olin. And Audra must face the fallout left from her explosive revenge while trying to heal and recover from the trauma of her past.

Audra thought she had ended the evil lurking within and that her revenge would set her free. Unfortunately, it’s only the beginning. Because evil never dies, it only assumes a new form. Soon everyone at the firm will discover that no one is safe when you are dealing with a psychopath that has zero balance.

 
Ashley’s Cause:

My charity that I donate to is The Joyful Heart Foundation, located here:

http://joyfulheartfoundation.org/

The Joyful Heart Foundation works to foster a community that turns toward the issues of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse. Such a community, empowered with knowledge, courage and compassion, can support survivors of this violence and engage in an open dialogue about how to collaboratively end the cycle of violence and abuse. We invite you to read our story here and join our joyful community.

Author Links:

Please write to me at:
ashleyfontainne@gmail.com

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