To aid in this newest release, Phillipa is my guest today here at One Literature Nut, and is going to share more about some amazing locations in England and featured in her newest novel. She also wanted me to announce a great giveaway of her book and a lovely Downton Abbey calendar from there in the U.K. Join me in welcoming Phillipa to my blog!
Guest Post:
I love visiting historic sites and homes and we’re spoilt for choice in Britain. I live in the Midlands of England and there are hundreds of places within a few hours drive – like London, Shakespeare’s Stratford, Jane Austen’s house and yes, Downton Abbey – which is Highclere Castle in Berkshire. But my favourite place is a bit further away in Cornwall, about five hours drive from my house.
St. Michael’s Mount is a spectacular island castle off the south west coast England has to be seen to be believed. Founded in medieval times, the island is cut off by the tide twice a day. A handful of families still live and work there, including the owners, the St. Aubyn family.
As soon as I visited it, I knew I had to write a story set in a place like the Mount – but not a historical novel -- a contemporary romance with mystery, passion and a ‘bad boy’ aristocratic hero. In January 2011, I was dozing off on a car journey and suddenly I had one of those moments: not just light bulb but lightning. The idea for Miranda’s Mount flew into my brain. I started writing the moment I got home and a year later the book was finished and is now published in the US and UK Piatkus Entice.
More About Miranda's Mount:
When Miranda finds herself fighting for her home, her job and her heart, sleeping with the enemy may not be the best tactic...
With no family of her own, Miranda Marshall has developed a healthy respect - some would say obsession - with other people's histories. As property manager of a spectacular island castle in Cornwall, she's made St Merryn's Mount one of the UK's most popular heritage attractions. While she may have the castle running like clockwork, Miranda hasn't bargained on its sexy owner returning to claim his birthright.
Dark, handsome and with a rakish reputation, Jago St Merryn not only looks like a pirate but is intent on flogging the Mount to a soulless leisure corporation. Miranda faces the battle of her life as she tries to persuade him to face up to his past and continue the St Merryn dynasty. But Jago has his own reasons for jumping ship and when he throws down the gauntlet to Miranda, she's forced to delve into painful memories she'd much rather keep hidden . . .
Check out more about Phillipa's latest novel and others out on the market:
Miranda's Mount (Amazon UK and Amazon US)
Phillipa Ashley's website
Hi Becky, great to be visit One Literature Nut again and yes please, ask me anything...
ReplyDeleteThanks Phillipa. Once again, your books make me want to travel more. :)
DeleteDo places often inspire your stories Phillipa?
ReplyDeleteHi Chanprett, oh yes, settings are very important in my books . I have to use a real place as inspiration, always a place that has fired my imagination. In Miranda's Mount, an island was the perfect way of having the characters thrown together with no escape from each other.
ReplyDeleteNice. So what usually comes first? The setting or the characters?
DeleteThat's a tricky one to answer: WithMiranda's Mount it was the setting, same as with Decent Exposure.
ReplyDeleteWell I think it's great you can come up with characters and stories in your head and transfer them into written words. That takes real skill! :)
DeleteSt. Michael's Mount sounds really amazing!
ReplyDelete