I write romantic women’s fiction set in the South, and The Dress Shop on King Street is my debut novel. I have a Master’s degree in Creative Writing and enjoy teaching literature and writing courses as an adjunct. I’ve been an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers for almost decade! When I’m not writing, I’m re-watching You’ve Got Mail, dreaming of Charleston, and drinking all the English Breakfast tea I can get my hands on.
My journey to publication took ten years, so I am a huge believer that sometimes God-dreams can take a while to grow, and that’s really what The Dress Shop on King Street is all about. If you, too, are holding a dream that feels invisible or altogether gone, I hope you’ll come away encouraged that perhaps you are simply in a mending season, where God is still strengthening your dream at the seams.
Welcome to the blog, Ashley. I’m so happy to have you here today and talk about your stories!
It’s a pleasure to be here! Thank you and your readers for having me.
When did you first know you were a writer?
Well, I’ve loved books and stories from my first breath. I can remember always been enchanted by libraries, and also looking around at strangers and making up stories about their lives. But it wasn’t until I had almost graduated with a creative writing degree that God nudged me toward novel writing, and for the first time, it sunk in that this was something I could actually learn to do. Prior to that, I studied English because I loved it and love teaching.
I love it. What a gift God gave you from the very start.
Your upcoming release, Paint and Nectar, is a dual-timeline story. Can you tell us a few of your favorite time-slip tales?
Oh, where do I even begin? I think three of my favorites would have to be The Wedding Dress, The Butterfly and the Violin, and Freedom’s Ring. In the general market, I like Beatriz Williams’ stories.
Oh my goodness, those are some of my absolute favorites too! I haven’t read any by Beatriz Williams before, so I’ll have to look those books up now. 😉
Which character in your new release are you most excited for readers to meet and why?
This is a hard one! I would have to say my historical heroine Eliza, because she’s fiery, and I had a lot of fun writing her spunk. But she also learns some important lessons about the value and role of beauty, and how preservation plays into that both for society and for the individual – my hope is that readers can relate to her desire to cling to all the beautiful places in her life, and that they come away encouraged by her. I’m also looking forward to introducing her hero, William, who is a bit of a troublemaker in all the best ways!
Ohhhh, I’m intrigued! 😉 I can’t wait to meet them.
I see your book is set in Charleston. I’ve never been there, but it’s on my bucket list. 🙂 What’s one of your favorite places in the city?
I think the whole city is my favorite – ha! If I had to choose, I would say walking down East Bay Street with a cup of sweet tea in hand. There’s magic in the air there, especially if you walk down toward the water at sunset. It’s amazing to think of all those who walked before you, and the efforts they made to preserve the buildings in front of your eyes.
Okay, I must confess I just googled pictures from that street in Charleston and now I REALLY want to plan a trip there! Gorgeous!!
Which heroine from a book would you like to be for a day?
I’m going to pick Nora Bradford from Becky Wade’s True to You because she pretty much lives in a Hallmark movie!
Ohhh, I love Becky Wade books! 🙂
Before you go, is there anything else you’d like to add? Any upcoming projects you can share with us?
It’s been so fun being on the blog today – thanks again for having me! I really appreciate all the support and kind words I’ve received for The Dress Shop on King Street, and I hope all of you enjoy learning more about the bigger story with the characters in Paint and Nectar!
I can’t wait to read it. Thanks for joining us today, Ashley!
GIVEAWAY!!
Ashley has graciously offered to give away a copy of Paint and Nectar to one lucky winner. Enter below and it could be YOU! 😉
Thanks for entering! Contest ends April 30, 2021 . The winner will be notified by email. Happy Reading, everybody!
I’ve never been to Charleston, so that would definitely be in my bucket list. I love the water and the southern charm I always hear about.
Yes! Everyone I’ve talked to who has been there loves it! Hope you get to visit someday Perrianne! 🙂
Loved Dress Shop! Cant wait to read Paint and Nectar!!
Dream place to visit is Greece. The history, the beauty… 😍
Definitely! My dad went there for his senior trip. I can’t imagine! 🙂 SO cool!
I’d like to see Charleston or Savannah sometime.
Oh, I hope you get the chance, Megan! Thanks for visiting. 🙂
Mackinac Island is on my bucket list. I have not been to Minnesota, Michigan or Wisconsin and hope to make that trip before I die!
Did you know there’s a reader’s retreat in Minnesota in July? I think it’s called the Mississippi River Readers’ Retreat. It looks like so much fun! 🙂 Hope you get to see those places too, Joan.
A place that has always been on my bucket list and I hope to someday fulfill is Jerusalem!
Oh YES! That would be incredible!! I can’t imagine what an experience that would be. 🙂 Thanks for sharing, Paty!
I have not had the pleasure of visiting Charleston, which sounds very interesting. Also, I would like to visit more of the western National Parks. Enjoyed the interview!
Me too, Cathy! I’ve only been west of Colorado once in my life and it was one of my favorite trips ever! I’ve been dreaming of another road trip west ever since. 🙂
HAWAII IS ON MY BUCKET LIST!!! 🙂
That would be AMAZING! Hope you get to go someday, Alison! 🙂
I would love to go to Belize. Thank you for the wonderful chance. Blessings
I love seeing what everyone is sharing… all the wonderful places God’s created in this world. 🙂 Love it, Lucy!
I would love to visit Ireland and England.
Marilyn
That would be a dream of mine too, Marilyn. 🙂
Thanks for the fun interview! I’m looking forward to reading Ashley’s new book!
So glad you could join us, Winnie! Good luck in the drawing. 🙂
I’ve got The Dress Shop on King Street sitting here waiting patiently for me to read it! I’m so looking forward to diving in!
And Hawaii is on my bucket list! I hope I can cross that one off some day!!
Ohhhh, fun! I can’t wait to read it too, Melissa. 🙂 And YES to Hawaii!!! It looks so beautiful there. Hope you get to see it in person one day. 🙂
I would love to go to Las Vegas ,it is definately on my bucket list
Very cool! Hope you get the chance, Susan. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
i’d love to visit Ireand
Me too, Tricia! I’m sure all the pictures don’t give it justice. Looks amazing!
I’d love to visit Savannah, Georgia.
Me too, Caryl! Just talking about all these places makes me want to take a road trip asap! 🙂
I would love to visit Ireland and Scotland.
Me too! Did you know authors Laura Frantz and Pepper Basham are planning a readers trip there? Sounds amazing! 🙂
I have family in Georgia. Would love to go visit there some day. It has such beautiful places to visit!
Yes, I’d love to spend some time there too. I’ve seen such beautiful pictures from there. 🙂
I loved The Dress Shop on King Street and am standing in line for Ashley’s Paint and Nectar!! Thank you for your interview, Savanna. My bucket list is coming up soon! Our youngest daughter is being married on June 5 and our family is gathering together for that happy event! Kathleen
Oh, that’s wonderful, Kathleen! What a beautiful time of year for a wedding too. 🙂 Congratulations to all of you. (And I hope you get to read Ashley’s latest book soon as well!) Blessings to you!
Hawaii!
Definitely! 😉 Great pick, Patty!