Your book ALONG CAME A PRINCE comes out February 15th. What can you tell us about it?
ALONG CAME A PRINCE rounds out my Regency novella trilogy called Regency Bon Bons. The heroine, Sonia, is the stepdaughter of the heroine in book 2 (A Kiss for Luck). There, Sonia was a debutante—this story starts a few years after her come-out.
Sonia’s most steadfast suitor during this time (she has turned down several proposals of marriage), is Mr. Townsend, who is very quiet and quite dull. He never ventures an opinion or a compliment and rarely talks about anything but the weather. He is proper and polite to the point of tedium.
All that changes when Mr. Townsend suddenly kisses Sonia in a garden at a soiree. The kiss is passionate, and she sees a man of deep feeling and many secrets behind the mask. After that, Mr. Townsend decides he should cease calling on Sonia, fearing to embroil her in his truly dangerous life. Sonia, not liking that he now avoids her, delves into his past, and learns, to her astonishment, that he is a prince in disguise. Not only that, but danger follows him, and he could be taken from her forever.
I always wish more books had excerpts in the front, like some Avon and Harlequin books, that gave a brief snippet of interaction between the hero and heroine. As a reader I want to get a flavor of the chemistry between the hero and heroine before I take a chance on a book. Some publishers and authors include the first chapter on their websites, but often that first introductory chapter doesn’t offer that same glimpse of the main characters together. How would you describe the dynamic between the hero and heroine in ALONG CAME A PRINCE?
Prince Dominik (aka Mr. Townsend) sees Sonia as a light in his life. He’d tried to keep distance between them because of who he really is, but he can’t stay away from her. Once Dominik kisses Sonia, blinders are ripped from her eyes. She realizes Mr. Townsend has been an anchor in her life and is determined not to lose that.
Do you know how many books you plan on having in this new “Regency Bon Bons” series? Or are you playing it by ear?
For now, there are three novellas. However, if more ideas come for stories in this world, I will write them! Tibor, the best friend of Dominik in ALONG CAME A PRINCE, might need a story, and maybe Aunt Margot will find herself a match.
I loved your cowboy-themed “Riding Hard” series. Do you have any more cowboy books, or any contemporary romances in the works?
I do plan a few more in the Riding Hard series. I have a Christmas story that hopefully will come out at the end of this year (2022), and I have a few more characters who need their stories told. I also have ideas for new contemporary romances, but it’s too soon for details.
Your recent historical romance, THE SINFUL WAYS OF JAMIE MACKENZIE, has a hero who is part of the new Mackenzie family generation. As a reader, I admit that when other others do that – like Stephanie Laurens with her “Cynster” series, and Lisa Kleypas with her “Wallflowers” series – I am always prepared to hate the new books. But I think it really depends on the series and the author. How has it been for you, writing a character with that history? Writing your previous characters as they age.
I am thoroughly enjoying exploring the Mackenzie family through the years. In my opinion, the story does not end with the happily ever after—I want to see that happily ever after. Also, as people age, romance doesn’t die, and the characters don’t become static. My original characters (in this case, the four Mackenzie brothers and their wives) continue to evolve and grow, which I hope to show in the next generation of books. I have stories I want to tell about Belle, Megan, Gavina, and others that will be dramatic, romantic, and exciting. And at some point, I will go back to the thirteenth century and tell the tale of the Mackenzie ancestor, the first duke.
What can you say about any future Shifters Unbound books?
I am right now working on Tiger’s Daughter, which will tell the story of Tiger-girl (introduced in Tiger Striped), and Connor Morrissey. Connor will learn more about his heritage, and Tiger-girl is learning how to live a normal life and fall in love (with Connor). But of course, danger and intrigue are around every corner, and Connor and Tiger-girl will have to save the day.
I have more books coming in that world. Many characters need their HEAs, overall issues need to be resolved, and I have ideas for spinoff books involving sets of characters.
What are you currently working on?
I am writing the following, in this order: Tiger’s Daughter (Shifters Unbound 14); Murder in the Eternal City (Captain Lacey Regency Mysteries Book 16); The Ring that Caesar Wore (Leonidas the Gladiator Book 3); and finished up The Secret of Bow Lane (Kat Holloway Book 6, out in August). Once those are done, I will continue the Mackenzies with Belle’s story, and get back to Riverbend. Plus, there may be more new projects on the horizon!
How can readers contact you online and find out more about your books?
Websites: https://www.jenniferashley.com
Facebook: https://facebook.com/JenniferAshleyAllysonJamesAshleyGardner
BookBub: https://bookbub.com/authors/jennifer-ashley
Instagram: https://Instagram.com/jennallyson6591
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jenniferashleyauthor
ALONG CAME A PRINCE by Jennifer Ashley
Sonia Broadbent is astonished to discover that the suitor she believed was the dullest man in creation turns out to be a prince in hiding. Dominik Laszlo Townsend, who took the surname of his foster family, has been incognito in England for years, hiding his true identity from his enemies. The only light in his life is visiting Sonia, where he absorbs her beauty while pretending to be the very tedious Mr. Townsend.
A shocking kiss opens Sonia’s eyes to the vibrant man beneath the facade, but is there anywhere safe in the world where she can fall in love with Prince Dominik?
Romance Historical [JA / AG Publishing, On Sale: February 15, 2022, e-Book, ISBN: 2940161115558 / ]
Buy ALONG CAME A PRINCE: Kindle | BN.com | Amazon CA |
About Jennifer Ashley
Jennifer Ashley has lived and traveled all over Europe and Asia, once sailing from San Francisco to Japan in a cargo ship. She has now settled with her husband and cat in the sunny southwest to work hard on her next books and drink gallons of gourmet iced tea. Her books have won the Golden Quill and RT Reviewers Choice awards and RWA’s RITA award.
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