Meet The Author Monday – Ashley Clark

 

Happy Monday!

Each Monday I would like to take some time to get to know some of our favorite authors. My hope is that this will help readers connect with the authors.

Today I would like to introduce you to: Ashley Clark!

Ashley is a newer author to watch! I absolutely loved her debut book and have her newest one on my TBR pile!

Author bio:

Ashley Clark (www.ashleyclarkbooks.com) writes romantic women’s fiction set in the South. With a master’s degree in creative writing, Ashley teaches literature and writing courses at the University of West Florida. Ashley has been an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers for over a decade. She lives with her husband, son, and rescued Cocker Spaniel off Florida’s Gulf Coast. When she’s not writing, she’s rescuing stray animals, dreaming of Charleston, and drinking all the English breakfast tea she can get her hands on.

 

To help us get to know her, I have given her some questions and here are her responses:

 

Q: How long have you been writing?

A: Eleven years, if you can believe it!

 

Q: What are you currently working on?

A: I have two projects I’m currently juggling… I’m launching Paint and Nectar into the world (book two in the Heirloom Secrets Series) and finishing up my edits on book three of the series!

 

Q: What are some of your writing must haves? (Drink, snack, supplies, etc.)

A: Pre-pandemic, I would’ve told you Panera Bread. HA! I love writing at Panera. But I’ve since learned to be a little more flexible with a cup of strong English Breakfast tea. Reese’s Pieces work to incentivize goal-setting for me even better than they work on my kindergarten age son. Other than that, I’m pretty low maintenance when it comes to supplies. I know some writers like vision boards or elaborate Post-it systems, but I’m not that organized!

 

Q: What is your favorite time period to write about? Or read about?

A: Paint and Nectar is set in the 1920s, and I have to say, I really enjoyed going back to that time period because I’ve always loved those fashions. Not necessarily the obnoxious feathers and whatnot, but moreso the bob styles and loose-cut dresses and glitzy jewelry. I also love the music from the 1920s. As for the favorite to read about… I really enjoy contemporary stories. I do read a lot of historicals too, but I wouldn’t say there’s one particular period that stands out to me as a reader, as long as the storyworld feels interesting.

 

Q: What are some of your favorite books?

A: Oh, I have so many! Let’s see… My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade, The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron, Freedom’s Ring by Heidi Chiavaroli, and Melissa Tagg’s Christmas novellas! 

 

Q: If you could spend a day with one fictional character, who would you pick and what would you do?

A: I would absolutely choose Christy Miller from the Robin Jones Gunn series and hang out with her in Hawaii!

 

I have saved my favorite question for last!

Q: What would you like readers to take away from your books?

A: I hope readers come away from my stories with a God-whisper in their heart to keep going. I hope they feel challenged to dream bigger dreams and encouraged to never let those dreams go. I hope they see the beauty in God’s creation and remember that despite and through the aches of this world, that beauty points to a greater hope that remains. And I also hope they feel as though they’ve spent a little time with some friends who understand their journeys.

 

To connect with Ashley, please click on any of the following links: her website, Facebook, and Instagram.

 

I’m also featuring her newest release Paint and Nectar. It just released last week! You don’t want to miss this one! Be sure to add it to your Goodreads shelf!

About the book:

In 1929, a spark forms between talented watercolorist Eliza and William, a charming young man who has been hired to forge her popular paintings. Her aunt makes it clear Eliza should stay away from him because of a feud between their families over missing heirloom silver. But the source of the rivalry was long ago, and as the two get to know each other, they fall in love. William regrets the job that desperation led him to take and their families’ ongoing bitterness, but setting things right comes at a cost.

In present-day Charleston, Lucy Legare has just inherited an old house from a mysterious benefactor, along with all the secrets it holds, including an old silver heirloom. Declan Pinckney is determined to buy the house for his family’s development company. But as Lucy uncovers secrets about the house, garden, and silver, she becomes more determined than ever to preserve the historic Charleston property, not only for history’s sake but also for her own.

 

Thank you Ashley for your time! Please leave some love in the comments!

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