Phillipa Ashley on Cornwall
Cornish authors revealing their love of Britain’s most romantic corner.
What makes an author Cornish? Do they have to live here, do they have to have a pedigree that goes back many grandparents, or can they simply write about Cornwall with love in their heart? I think the last option works well for me.
I am delighted to bring you a series of interview with Cornish authors this autumn. All the authors have two things in common, they write gorgeous stories set in Cornwall and they love Cornwall. This has been such a fun thing to do and I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. Today’s interview is from the very talented Phillipa Ashley.
Phillipa Ashley
Phillipa AshleyPhillipa Ashley is a popular author of numerous bestselling Amazon and Bookseller Heatseekers romantic novels. Before she became a full-time writer, she studied English at Oxford and worked as a copywriter and journalist.
She also writes rom coms as Ashley Croft and steamy romance as Pippa Croft.
She lives in a Staffordshire village with her husband and has a grown-up daughter.
What’s your connection to Cornwall?
I’ve always had fond memories of my Cornish holidays and lately, I’ve been visiting more and more – I think five times in a year is the record. Of course, I now also have the legitimate excuse of research.
What is your first Cornish memory?
Visiting a beach chalet with my family – which I now think must have been In Hayle Towans, still a favourite place of mine. My perfect day would be love body boarding at Godrevy!
I’m not even going to ask you if you are #jamfirst but what’s your favourite Cornish treat?
A hot pasty from Little Wonder Café overlooking Cape Cornwall.
North coast or south coast?
Penwith peninsular. Wild, rugged and atmospheric.
Care to share an image of Cornwall that you love?
People tend to forget how stunning Cornwall is, away from the beaches. Where is your favourite inland spot?
I really loved my Christmas visit to the illuminated Trelissick Gardens in 2018 and Truro Christmas market afterwards. Can’t wait to go again when we’re back to normal.
What do you think gives Cornwall such a different vibe?
Well, it helps that I’m always on holiday when I go there. I think local people have an independent character and a deep love of their environment that appeals to me. I also live in a village that is officially one of the furthest places in the sea in England according to Wikipedia so the coast holds a magnetic appeal for me.
What does a normal day look like to you?
I am awake pretty early – I am usually writing by 7.30, write until lunch. Go out for a run, walk or to visit friends and family. Come home and write some more then start the dinner and household stuff!
What is your favourite book set in Cornwall?
Warleggan by Winston Graham
What Cornish fact do you wish was better known?
That Cornwall has an incredible number of amazing ancient sites like the Merry Maidens and men-an-tol – some of which feature in my summer 2021 book!
Thank you Phillipa!
Praise for A Perfect Cornish Escape:
‘Wonderful. A love story with a mystery at its heart, it will make you laugh, cry and yearn for Cornwall. I loved it! Miranda Dickinson
‘A slice of Cornish sunshine. Gorgeously romantic, with plenty of twists to keep me turning the pages. Absolutely loved it’ Holly Martin
‘Escapist and uplifting’ Woman & Home
‘We love Phillipa Ashley’s books and A Perfect Cornish Escape is full of atmosphere with both familiar and new characters. It was a delight to return to Porthmellow, it made us long to visit Cornwall again! A heart-warming summer read, highly recommended’ Hot Brands Cool Places
Praise for Phillipa Ashley’s books:
‘Warm and funny and feel-good. The best sort of holiday read’ Katie Fforde
‘Sparkling and festive – loved it!’ Milly Johnson
‘Filled with warm and likeable characters. Great fun!’ Jill Mansell
‘Deliciously entertaining’ Liz Fenwick
‘One of the freshest voices to emerge in women’s fiction today’ Claudia Carroll
‘A delicious festive treat with as many twists and turns as a Cornish country lane’ Jules Wake
Find out more about some of Phillipa’s other titles below. She written LOADS. Find them in Hurley Books or available online.
A Perfect Cornish Summer
https://amzn.to/33IFaxb
A Perfect Cornish Christmas
https://amzn.to/36Pr2El
And track her down online
@phillipaashley
Website: Phillipa-ashley.co.uk
If you have enjoyed this interview you’ll probably like these ones as well
- Discover her connection to the Lord of the Rings
- A Norfolk girl in love with Cornwall.
- An American who passed The Test! Find out more…
- Clotted cream and pasties? Sold!
And you might also enjoy my book, Cornish Dreams in Cockleshell Cottage by Liz Hurley
Sitting alongside the beach and just up from the gently lapping waves, sat a perfect cottage. She had found where she was going to live. Her own little cockleshell cove.
Ever since the Byrne sisters – Ariana, Aster, Clem, Paddy and Nic – discovered they were heiresses to the vast Hiverton fortune, their lives have never been the same. No longer living in poverty in London, they now own an estate in Norfolk, a castle in Scotland and a picturesque village in Cornwall.
When sensitive Paddy, the baby of the family despite her successful career as a model, swaps the catwalks of Paris Fashion Week for the cobbled lanes of Tregisky on the beautiful Cornish coast, it’s time for her to stand on her own two feet.
Soon, she’s settled in her new home of Cockleshell Cottage overlooking the wild surf, the seals her closest companions.
And when she meets ex-soldier Hal, she’s instantly smitten. Funny, considerate, and not to mention drop dead gorgeous, he’s perfect in every way apart from one – he’s engaged. But after a misunderstanding brings the two together in ways they couldn’t have imagined, it seems like they might just change each other’s lives.
Will Paddy fall in love with more than just the glorious blue skies of Cornwall? Or are there storm clouds gathering ahead?
Escape to the Cornish coast this summer with this completely uplifting romcom – perfect for fans of Holly Martin, Phillipa Ashley and Milly Johnson.
Readers are falling in love with Cockleshell Cottage…
‘had such a delightful rom-com feel…loved every minute of reading this book. I highly recommend it.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review
Liz Hurley as well as being the owner of this blog, runs a bookshop in Cornwall, right by the sea and writes books. You can buy them in her shop (of course), Waterstones and other outlets, as well as Amazon.
When she’s not reading, she’s writing and when she’s not writing, she’s walking. And when she’s not doing any of that she’s binging on box sets and sleeping.
This website is for her fictional works. Her Cornish non-fiction titles and walking guides can be found at https://www.cornishwalks.com
