A warm
Casablanca welcome to author Jane Ashford, who is celebrating the release of
her brand new Regency romance, THE BRIDE INSISTS!
Tomorrow
is the official publication date for The
Bride Insists, my twentieth regency set historical romance. In honor of
that event, I invite you to join me for high tea. I’ve set out my best china,
the Haddon
Hall. There are pots and pots of English Breakfast blend. Milk or lemon for
you? We’re offering scones and iced teacakes and lots of those little crustless
sandwiches, just like the ones served at The Ritz. Cheddar and
chutney? Smoked salmon? For those who prefer something a bit stronger than tea,
have no fear. We have Pimm’s Cups,
with a slice of cucumber and a few blue borage blossoms. Just keep in mind –
there’s gin in there! Hungrier guests are directed to the tray of scotch eggs, quite
filling.
So,
does everybody have a cup or a glass and a plate of goodies? Splendid. Do have
a seat.
If
we were all members of the haut ton,
or even just hangers-on, we’d now exchange the latest on dits about reckless debutantes and straying lords. We could talk
about the Duchess of Cambridge or Prince Harry. Did you hear Princess Madeleine
of Sweden just had a baby girl? Here’s a test for royal watchers – when
Charles, William, and then little George become King of England (in due course,
over the years), what will their “numbers” be? As in King William the ??th. Can
you answer without Googling?
As
you can see, I’m an Anglophile. I’m not sure if I love Regency romances because
of that, or vice versa. Whichever, I can’t seem to stop telling stories set in
that era. In The Bride Insists we get
to travel from Regency London to Cornwall and back again, as Clare and Jamie
struggle toward a loving partnership. Since they’ve both been scarred by
financial reverses when young, even an inherited fortune doesn’t make that
easy. Jamie, in particular, has to fight engrained cultural expectations of a
man’s role in the world.
I
like creating characters with issues and flaws. Their blind spots can be bit
irritating, perhaps. But I think they deepen a story. A change is more
significant if you have to battle inner demons in order to make it, don’t you
think? And the payoff is bigger when characters like that find their way to
HEA.
My,
aren’t we getting serious here? But no matter. Those Pimm’s Cups were very
popular. I think there’s somebody under that table in the corner. So raise your
glass (or cup) to the delights of Regency England, and thanks for coming to the
launch party! I hope you had a good time. Cheers!
Thank you,
Jane, for celebrating with us today! We’re giving away two book prize packs—each
prize pack will include The Bride
Insists, The Marriage Wager, Man of Honour and The Three Graces, all of which are by Jane! To enter, tell us what
you’re bringing to Jane’s celebratory high tea. Winners will be announced in the
comments on Wednesday, March 5. Open to US and Canada only,
please leave an email address in your comment so you can be contacted easily!
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.” —RT Book
Reviews, 4 Stars
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
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 http://janeashford.com/.
To purchase The Bride
Insists:
I can answer without googling. I have the official site for the British Monarchy bookmarked. However, on the top of my head guess I had one too many Georges but the others were spot on.
ReplyDeleteMy contribution is a plate of Vanilla Cream Wafers. They are petite shortbread wafers sandwiched with a dab of vanilla cream icing. A friend described them as the most decadent things this side of chocolate.
vlettel at cox.net
Sounds delicious!
DeleteCongratulations! It sounds like something I'd enjoy.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your release. I hang my head in shame at my lack of ready royals knowledge. Thank goodness we have you as our hostess.
ReplyDeleteI'll bring some Yorkshire Gold tea! Those Scotch eggs look interesting, and so does the new book! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteWhat fun and congratulations. I'll bring my famous cucumber sandwiches and/or ham and cheese stuffed yeast rolls. The new book looks so inviting and yes, ma'am, I'd love a cup of tea. No milk or lemon, just a spot of honey and thank you!
ReplyDeleteTea with honey coming right up!
DeleteCongrats on the release! What a wonderful party, I'm enjoying the tea and scones. I brought my appetite with me. :) Oh and a flask to share with anyone who wants a little more tastier tea.
ReplyDeletelattebooks at hotmail dot com
Warning partygoers, don't mix spiked tea and Pimm's Cups! : )
DeleteCongratulations on your book, Jane! I used to be an avid royal watcher in the Princess Di era, but not so much anymore. I'm curious about the muffin with cooked egg inside. Intriguing... What is it called?
ReplyDeleteThanks! That's a Scotch egg and actually has sausage around it. Definitely filling. : ) http://allrecipes.com/recipe/scotch-eggs/
DeleteCongratulations on the book release! I am afraid I would have to Google. And I would bring Bakewell tarts. Love the jam layered on to the pastry and then the almonds in the filling.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Sounds delicious.
DeleteCongratulations on your release - such a lovely cover! How about scones with clotted cream? I've never had it but I've read about it a lot. And Scotch eggs are very good!
ReplyDeleteSourcebooks does such a great job on covers! Devonshire cream, yum.
DeleteCongrats! Chocolate cake
ReplyDeletebn100candg at hotmail dot com
Yea, chocolate!
DeleteGorgeous cover, and you throw a great party! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sherri!
DeleteCongrats on the release!
ReplyDeleteThe menu you listed sounds fabulous. I'll add some floral-decorated petit fours. Many of them will be chocolate.
Petit fours, yum!
ReplyDeleteI'd bring chocolate covered strawberries. They might be a more modern treat, but they're tasty. :D
ReplyDeleteAnd cover our fruit food group. : )
ReplyDeleteI'd love to bring honey tea and buttermilk scones with strawberry jam! Mm, now I'm getting hungry! :)
ReplyDeletethebigbluewall77(at)gmail(dot)com
Aren't we all!
DeleteCongrats on the release! I would bring classic English Sponge cake to go with all the deliciousness that everyone else is bringing :)
ReplyDeleteahui89 at hotmail dot com
It's become quite a feast!
DeleteI would bring some fancy little cucumber sandwiches and a big appetite! Your book sounds wonderful. I love reading those kind of books.
ReplyDeleteJWIsley(at)aol(dot)com
Thanks!
DeleteCongrats on your launch! The book looks fabulous :)
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteI would bring petit fours. Your book sounds wonderful. I love the cover.
ReplyDeleteCrystal816[at]Hotmail[dot]com
You can never have too many petit fours.
DeleteHello! I apologize that listing the winners is coming a day late!
ReplyDeleteOur winners of Jane Ashford Prize Packs are
Joye
and
Virginia E
I'll be emailing you both soon!
Thanks to everyone who commented!
Danielle