What is the title of your latest release?
TENTACLES & TRIATHLONS
What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
In this spicy sweet monster romance, a grumpy park ranger trains for a triathlon with the help of a sunshiney kraken – who happens to be his fated mate.
How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
I wanted to create a picturesque small town where monsters and humans live together in a way that feels normal.
Would you hang out with your hero in real life?
Yes, I would hang out with my human main character Reece in real life. While he might seem abrasive, he has the best intentions deep down.
What are three words that describe your hero?
The kraken in my story, Cyrus, is sassy, hilarious, and sometimes depressed.
What’s something you learned while writing this book?
I learned that the grumpy/sunshine dynamic is probably one of my favorites to write. In that dynamic the characters balance each other so well, leading to a deep emotional connection and fantastic banter.
Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
I edit as I draft! It’s easier for me to shape the story that way.
What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
A soft serve vanilla ice cream cone covered with rainbow sprinkles. It’s simple but nothing compares to the flavor and texture balance.
Describe your writing space/office!
Answer: It’s cozy, curated, yet slightly disorganized. Notepads clutter my desk and my bookshelves are full of craft books. Everywhere you look there are trinkets gifted to me by readers. It reminds me of what a great readership I have.
Who is an author you admire?
I really admire Sierra Simone. Her prose is beautiful and she writes some of the best spicy scenes I have ever read.
Is there a book that changed your life?
THE HEIR APPARENT’S REJECTED MATE by Cate C. Wells. It is rare that I find an accurate representation of my lower middle class upbringing so well portrayed in a book. I found it so relatable – the good and the bad – and it was so well written.
Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published). Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
I self-published before moving to traditional publishing, so I already had a sense of success. However, getting the offer call from my agent for Berkley was one of the most exciting moments of my career.
What’s your favorite genre to read?
Romance, of course.
What’s your favorite movie?
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. It is such a beautiful portrayal of the pain of breakups, the desire to forget, and the realization that you’d rather not forget because the relationship meant something to you.
What is your favorite season?
Fall! Sprinkled with comfortably warm days and cool nights where you can keep the windows open, it is the perfect season here in Maryland.
How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
My husband cooks me a nice steak dinner and we spend the evening watching documentaries.
What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
I really love the podcast “Your Stupid Opinion.” The hosts read reviews of places and products from all corners of the internet. One episode that really stood out were reviews of the Sistine Chapel and the complaints about a lack of air conditioning. I find it hilarious.
What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
Mexican cuisine. The flavors are amazing and there are so many stand out dishes.
What do you do when you have free time?
I do latch hook projects, play with my daughter, and walk my dogs.
What can readers expect from you next?
The third book in my Leviathan Fitness series, MANTRAS & MINOTAURS releases Sept. 1st 2026. It is a later in life romance between a minotaur and a human woman.
TENTACLES & TRIATHLONS by Ashley Bennett
Narrator: Jack Calihan, Liam Price
REVISED AND EXPANDED EDITION
When a grumpy park ranger meets a charming kraken, love might be worth the swim upstream in this sexy monster romance.
There is only one thing holding back Briar Glenn Parks Department supervisor Reece Rollins from success in his upcoming triathlon—his subpar swimming skills. At the urging of his sister’s wolven mate, Reece joins Leviathan Fitness to train in the gym’s Olympic-size pool. There he meets Cyrus, a charming kraken with unparalleled skill in the pool, and many, many tentacles that both intimidate and intrigue Reece. When Cyrus offers to coach Reece for his race, he happily accepts the help.
For the past few months, Cyrus has been floating through life without his usual spark. He’s even hit a creative block with his painting and hasn’t been able to produce a new piece of artwork in a while. But the opportunity to train this handsome human grump gives Cyrus something real to smile about.
New and unexpected feelings begin to arise from the depths as Reece and Cyrus start to spend time together in and out of the water. But can both men let down their guards enough to be swept away by love?
Romance Erotica Sensual | Romance Paranormal [ Berkley, On Sale: June 9, 2026, Trade Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780593956991 / eISBN: 9780593957004 ]
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About Ashley Bennett
Ashley is an avid reader and the co-host of The Smut and Spice Podcast. During the Covid-19 pandemic, she decided to dip her toes into writing and hasn’t looked back. She lives in Maryland with her husband, daughter, five dogs, and three cats. When she isn’t immersed in all things books, she works full time as a veterinary anesthesia technician. She loves coffee, candles, fall weather, mid-century modern furniture, and a good alien romance (complete with fancy peens).
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