Interview and Giveaway: Jane Ashford and Once Again a Bride

Today I have Jane Ashford over for an interview, and there will be an international giveaway of her new book.

Welcome!

1. Could you introduce yourself to my readers?

JA: I’ve loved stories for as long as I can remember. My mother had a lot to do with that. When I was small, she was kind enough to read and re-read my favorite books, like The Wind in the Willows. She also read me a few fairytales and fables in French and German, which I’ve always seen as one source of my love of language. I’ve worked with words as a teacher, editor, and corporate communications professional, but telling stories has always been my first love. 

My website is www.janeashford.com and my Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jane-Ashford/154028944714495. 

2. Your new book is called Once Again a Bride; could you tell me about it?

JA: As the title implies, it’s about a heroine, Charlotte, who gets a second chance at love. The first one hardly even qualified as a chance. Her dying father pushed her into marriage with an acquaintance of his, wanting her to be safe when he was gone. Turned out to be a huge mistake. The despicable Henry Wylde only wanted Charlotte’s money, and she is treated with contempt by everyone in his household. When his murder sets her free, she has to struggle to re-make her life pretty much from the ground up.

Henry’s nephew Alec thinks his life is well in hand, even though his list of responsibilities is very long. The discovery that his unpleasant old uncle was married, and left an entrancing young widow, gradually turns his world upside down.

3. Poor Charlotte gets quite a few shocks in this book! Is it fun to cause some drama? ;)

JA: It is fun! And drama/conflict shows what the characters are made of. They learn about themselves and each other through intense interactions.

4. Now I wonder about the hero, Alec... Tell me why readers will fall madly in love with him..?

JA: Alec is a deeply-caring man who doesn’t trust the idea of romantic love. As a child he watched his grandparents’ love match crash and burn, and he never wants to experience anything like that. He works hard to watch over for his family and dependents on his estate. And then along comes Charlotte, who completely disrupts his responsible life. The ”adventures” she pulls him into finally let him see that the past doesn’t rule him, and let him open up to love.

5. What makes this era so fun to write about?

JA: I love Regency expressions and slang. They make for vivid language. It was a time of flamboyant, larger-than-life characters like the Prince Regent and Byron, and I think lends itself to sophisticated social comedy. And of course the social constraints of the nineteenth century offer lots of plot opportunities.

6. And last, what is coming next from you?

JA: My next historical is called A Compliant Husband. You can read a little about it on my website. http://www.janeashford.com/wip.html I’m working on another to follow. In the fall, Sourcebooks will begin re-releasing my backlist titles, so they’ll be available as e-books for the first time, which is exciting. Audible will be doing the same in audiobook format.

Thanks for having me. I’ll be at the RT Booklovers Convention in May. Hope to see you there!

GIVEAWAY

1 copy of Once again a Bride

1. Open to ALL, everywhere in the world

2. Ends Feb 18

3. Just enter :)

ONCE AGAIN A BRIDE BY JANE ASHFORD – IN STORES FEBRUARY 2013

She couldn’t be more alone…

Widowhood has freed Charlotte Wylde from a demoralizing and miserable marriage. But when her husband’s intriguing nephew and heir arrives to take over the estate, Charlotte discovers she’s unsafe in her own home… Alec Wylde was shocked by his uncle’s untimely death, and even more shocked to encounter his uncle’s beautiful young widow. Now clouds of suspicion are gathering, and charges of murder hover over Charlotte’s head.

He could be her only hope…or her next victim…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jane Ashford discovered Georgette Heyer in junior high school and was captivated by the glittering world and witty language of Regency England. That delight led her to study English literature and travel widely in Britain and Europe. Jane’s historical and contemporary romances have been published all over the world, and she has been nomined for a Career Achievement Award by RT Book Reviews. Eighteen of her Regency romances will be published by Sourcebooks in the near future! Born in Ohio, Jane currently lives in Boston. For more information, please visit www.janeashford.com. 

To Purchase Once Again a Bride:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Book-a-Million

IndieBound

Chapters/Indigo

Sourcebooks