Kim: From your bio, you have traveled widely in Britain and Europe - can you share a memorable sight, smell and sound from your travels.
Jane: Walking in the west of Ireland, we stumbled on a path that led to an ancient circle of mossy stones. Trees bent over them, with bushes behind. The place felt hushed and secret. The sight, and the silence, were profound and felt like such a gift.
A wonderful scent I recall came floating across a park in Oxford, England, near one of the colleges. It was rainy (‘cause, England), and the damp air intensified the flowery smell. I think it was lemon verbena, but I’m not sure. I do know it was lovely.
Kim: Also from your bio, you discovered Georgette Heyer in Junior High School. If you could cast yourself as a "background character" from a Georgette Heyer novel, tell us about the character and which novel!
Jane: I love this question. Hmmm, so many to pick from. I think I’ll choose Kitty’s companion Miss Fishguard from Cotillion. She’s amusingly dotty, but she also uses her wits and finds a future for herself when things look bleak.
Kim: How do you create the names for your characters, especially those with titles?
Kim: Also from your bio, you discovered Georgette Heyer in Junior High School. If you could cast yourself as a "background character" from a Georgette Heyer novel, tell us about the character and which novel!
Jane: I love this question. Hmmm, so many to pick from. I think I’ll choose Kitty’s companion Miss Fishguard from Cotillion. She’s amusingly dotty, but she also uses her wits and finds a future for herself when things look bleak.
Kim: How do you create the names for your characters, especially those with titles?
Jane: Okay, I should have a clever system. But as far as I am aware, I just pull them out of the air.
Kim: Tell us about THE BRIDE INSISTS - what inspired it?
Jane: It was that Regency phrase we’ve all probably read, “the marriage mart.” I got curious. What if I took it sort of literally? What if a woman set out to “buy” a husband? What would her circumstance be? And how would that go? The story developed out of those questions.
THE BRIDE INSISTS BY JANE ASHFORD – IN STORES MARCH 2014
She Thinks She's Bought a Compliant Husband
Although Clare Greenough has inherited an unexpected fortune, her money is in the hands of a trustee until she marries—everyone knows a woman is incapable of managing funds. What she needs is an easygoing husband, right away...
They're Both in for a Shock
She makes a deal with impetuous young James Boleigh, seventh baron Trehearth: they will marry, Clare will get control of her money, and Jamie will get the funds he desperately needs to restore his lands. To stave off ruin, Jamie agrees, believing Clare will soon become a proper, submissive wife. But to expect a serene, passionless marriage was only their first mistake...
Praise for The Bride Insists
“Perfectly delightful Regency romance... Remarkably executed.” —Publishers Weekly
“Ashford captures the reader’s interest with her keen knowledge of the era and her deft writing…a charming plot and just the right amount of sensuality.” —RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars
“…a marvelously engaging marriage of convenience tale, and Ashford's richly nuanced, realistically complex characters and impeccably crafted historical setting are bound to resonate with fans of Mary Balogh.” – Booklist
Jane Ashford discovered Georgette Heyer in junior high school and was captivated by the glittering world and witty language of Regency England. That delight was part of what led her to study English literature and travel widely in Britain and Europe. She has written historical and contemporary romances, and her books have been published in Sweden, Italy, England, Denmark, France, Russia, Latvia, the Czech Republic, and Spain, as well as the U.S. Jane has been nominated for a Career Achievement Award by RT Book Reviews. Born in Ohio, she now lives in LA. For more information, please visit janeashford.com.
To purchase The Bride Insists:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Books-a-Million
Chapters/Indigo
I posted my five star reivew of THE BRIDE INSISTS on Goodreads (link). Sourcebooks is giving away a print copy of THE BRIDE INSISTS to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,
1. Leave a comment about Cornwall - what do you know about it?
2. This giveaway is open to readers in the US and Canada.
3. Comments are open through Saturday, March 15, 10 pm in Baltimore. I'll post the winner on Sunday, March 16.
Mahalo,
Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City
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| Restormel Castle, former stronghold of the Duke of Cornwall |
I only know that it's famous for its seaside resorts.
ReplyDeleteI visited a bit of Cornwall in 2002 - we went to see the Tintagel area - didn't have enough time to explore much more - would love to get back there. I've read lots of historical romances set there.
ReplyDeleteI didn't really know much about it, so I googled it. The following are some of the facts I found out.
ReplyDeleteTin mining was important in the Cornish economy, becoming increasingly significant during the High Middle Ages and expanding greatly during the 19th century when rich copper mines were also in production. In the mid-19th century, however, the tin and copper mines entered a period of decline. Subsequently china clay extraction became more important and metal mining had virtually ended by the 1990s. Traditionally fishing (particularly of pilchards), and agriculture (particularly of dairy products and vegetables), were the other important sectors of the economy. The railways led to the growth of tourism during the 20th century, however, Cornwall's economy struggled after the decline of the mining and fishing industries. The area is noted for its wild moorland landscapes, its long and varied coastline, its many place-names derived from the Cornish language, and its very mild climate. Extensive stretches of Cornwall's coastline, and Bodmin Moor, are protected as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Wow! How did we ever live without Google?
DeleteI don't know much about Cornwall except that it's main industry was mining and of course, fishing. But I do know that it is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI know there is mining and beaches and fishing. It sounds beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that I do not know that much about Cornwall. I know in some of the books I read they mentioned Cornwall.
ReplyDeleteI don't know much but think that it is near the ocean.
ReplyDeleteNever been to Cornwall, but I'd like to!
ReplyDeleteI love everything about Cornwall. We used to go on holiday there every year when the kids were younger. I loved the fishing villages, the cream teas, the beaches, and the very friendly people. I also had the opportunity to visit Jamaica Inn for lunch, situated on Bodmin Moor. This was a "must see" for me.
ReplyDeleteJane's new book, "The Bride Insists" sounds wonderful, and I've added it to my "wish list".
Thanks! How great that you went to Cornwall every year.
DeleteEverything I've heard about Cornwall, I've learned from reading historicals. It would be a lovely place to visit and so much history.
ReplyDeleteI don't know anything about Cornwall except from stories I've read, I'm ashamed to say. When I visited England in 1986 I did not make it to Cornwall before my visit was over and I'm sad about that. I've heard the countryside is sea swept and wild and it's coast was at one time a great place for smugglers. I need to go back to England to visit! jdh2690@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteSadly, I don't know anything about Cornwall.
ReplyDeleteI know zilch... and despite all of the historical romance I read, I haven't retained all that much :) Thanks for sharing and I'm sooo looking forward to this book!
ReplyDeletenot that much
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a place I'd like to visit. I really don't know much about it so can't really add to the discussion.
ReplyDeleteThanks :)
Lori
All I really know of Cornwall is that it is one of the Celtic parts of England.
ReplyDeleteI don't know much about Cornwall except that its in the South West of England.
ReplyDeleteI don't know a lot about Cornwall, but I do love Cornish pasties. I live in Michigan and there were a lot of Cornish miners that came to our upper peninsula, so the pasties are now really popular here. I even made them in middle school and still use that recipe. Yum.
ReplyDeleteMarcy Shuler
I don't know anything about Cornwall... but I'd love to learn!
ReplyDeleteI only know a little about Cornwall through reading.
ReplyDelete