Andra Ashe writes about heroes and heroines who veer from the mainstream to indulge their desires and find love. As a self-confessed genre-hopper, her erotic romances span historical, contemporary and paranormal. When not writing, Andra can be found wielding a paint brush at her latest renovation site. She sees renovating as a lot like writing; you start with something that’s rough around the edges and pummel it into submission. Andra lives in Melbourne (Australia) with her wonderful man and her never-ending TBR pile and hopes her adult children aren’t too traumatised by having a mother who writes smutty stories.
Your re-release of ‘Mistletoe Kiss
Christmas is such a family time, I wanted to incorporate that. My widowed hero, Ry, is a family man with a young daughter while heroine, Holly, has never had real family life, tries to avoid it and heads out of town for the holiday period – until she’s stranded in a snow storm, rescued by Ry with no option but to spend Christmas with the Maxwell family.
Which author would you most like to meet?
I’m lucky in that I already know so many fabulous authors, but if I had the chance I’d love to meet Sylvia Day. Her characterisation and way with words in her Crossfire series is exceptional and her sensuality almost sets the page on fire. I admire her work so very much.
If you could be one of your characters – Who would you be? And why?
I haven’t written a character who I wouldn’t want to be (who doesn’t want to meet an awesome man!) and I’d happy have a HEA with all of my heroes, but I’d love to spend time as Louisa in my partially written historical (working title Pleasure’s Mistress). It’s set in Regency period, but it’s far from your traditional Regency. To get to wear the clothes of the time, live in a grandish house and go to a ball would be so much fun. But I’d be happy to come back to the conveniences of today!
Do you have a book from your childhood that really resonated with you? What was it about that book that was special?
Oh so many but a series I remember giving me so much pleasure (and reread many times) was the Katy series by Susan Coolidge. Written in the 1870s, they follow the exploits of a feisty young Katy at home, and then at boarding school. I had a ‘thing’ for boarding school stories (especially those written in the 1920s), heaven knows why because I certainly didn’t hanker to go to one! I think I envied Katy her adventurous nature and all the harmless fun she had.
What place is on your travel wish list?
Again, so many choices, but I think No.1 is Italy, particularly Venice. Something about that city calls to me (from a previous life?). I read In the Company of the Courtesan: A Novel
About Mistletoe Kiss
When Holly James, restaurant manager and temporary Christmas elf, is stranded with Ryland Maxwell and his young daughter she’s confronted with two things she’s worked hard to avoid.
A man who arouses her body and her heart – and a family.
Since his wife died, Ry has kept his amorous adventures away from home and his daughter.
Until he kisses their unexpected guest under the mistletoe.
Buy link (affiliated Amazon link): Mistletoe Kiss