Welcome to another week of Author Chat with me. Honored to be in the presence of another talented author today – Ana Ashley. She is not only a great author but she also has such an approachable personality. Her readers adore her and her books. Today, we have the pleasure of hosting Ana here as she stops by to tell her about her newest release.
So, let’s chat with Ana and get to know more about her and her new book!
ACwA Guest: Ana Ashley
How did the first story you ever wrote influence your career as an author and how do you feel about that story now?
Ana: I’ve heard it so many times, never publish your first story. But I did and I don’t regret it. Home Again (originally Made in Portugal) still is one of my favorite books for many reasons. It kickstarted my writing, it gave me a chance to tell a story featured in my country and to talk about things I’m passionate about. Every author’s writing improves and evolves but starting is the most important thing. Had I not pushed through to publish this book, I probably would still be in my day job doing something I liked but was no longer passionate about by the time I quit.
Which of your characters is most like you (or someone close to you.)
Ana: All of my stories have something of me. Whether it’s my passion for baking, the small town setting (I grew up in one), or how deep my characters feel, I’m a little bit in each of my books. But I don’t think there is a single character that is very much like me.
What is your favorite trope and why?
Ana: I love many tropes but I think my all time favorite is friends to lovers. Especially if it’s childhood friends who for some reason don’t get together for a while. I’ve written this in Home Again and Stronghold and they’re both books I’m really proud of.
I love it because when there’s a shared history, whether it’s good or bad, it shows the characters and how they’ve grown as people. I love writing their personal journeys and helping them find their happy ever after.
How many half-written stories are on your hard-drive and what do you plan to do with them?
Ana: None. It’s true. So far I’ve published all my books. I have more plot bunnies and ideas than I can shake a stick at, but other than my current wips, I don’t have anything in my hard-drive.
What are you working on next?
Ana: I’m currently working on several projects at the same time. Mostly it’s a lot of plotting because I’m planning a new series, but I’m about to start working on the final book of my Chester Falls series. It’s a book I’ve been dying to write and I can’t wait to get started. How to Catch a Happy Ever After does what it says. I’m revisiting some of the best loved couples in the series as well as introducing a new couple all in the setting of the wedding of the century. It’ll be unmissable, so for readers who haven’t yet visited Chester Falls they can start now with How to Catch a Prince, which is also free on all platforms.
Ana’s Newest Release
BLURB
A hotel room. Three men. One unforgettable encounter.
Jake
I had a plan. Graduate from my MA and work for my uncle’s resort.
The plan didn’t include hooking up with two guests, a hot older guy with stormy blue eyes, and his much younger, but equally sexy, husband.
After the most incredible experience of my life, I ran.
But you know, as they say, life has a way of catching up with you.
Now, Mal is my boss at the resort, and fighting my attraction to him and Griff becomes harder and harder…pun very much intended.
As we give in to the attraction between us, navigate the conflict of interest, and our growing feelings for each other, all that’s left to figure out is…will there be room for three?
The Resort is a standalone contemporary MMM romance that features an age gap, cute bunnies, and three men who can’t help falling in love. This is the first book in the Room for 3 series.
Buy Links
Giveaway!
About Ana
Ana was born in Portugal but has lived in the United Kingdom for so long, even her friends sometimes doubt if she really is Portuguese.
Ana Ashley writes sweet and steamy gay romance set in America, often in small towns where everyone knows everyone. Coming from a small town herself, she knows all about meddling families, nosy neighbors and that community spirit that comes from knowing people all your life.
I’ve enjoyed several books by Ana, the latest being Stronghold in the Vino & Veritas series; I loved it!