Blog Tour: The Actress and The Aristocrat: Katie Ashley

by - Monday, September 06, 2021


THE ACTRESS AND THE ARISTOCRAT
Katie Ashley
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Release Date September 6, 2021


Charlotte aka Charlie
 
For years, my acting career consisted of bit parts in forgettable Hallmark movies along with a few embarrassing commercials for feminine hygiene products. But then the fates finally aligned, and I’d been given my big-budget break: the lead in an Edwardian era social drama set on a sprawling estate in Sussex. Everything was going great until I discovered my costar and current flame was banging his way through the upstairs and downstairs of the cast. That’s when this Southern girl channeled her inner Scarlet O’Hara by hurling a vase at him. Turns out the owner of said vase, the infuriating Earl Whittingham, did give a damn about the priceless heirloom. Just as I was imagining a life of servitude to pay him back, he gave me an unorthodox proposal.
 
 
Randall “Rand” Halsey, Earl Whittingham
 
Being a member of the British aristocracy isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. As a matter of fact, it can be a royal pain in the ass, especially when it comes to the required social season. The only thing worse than having to attend all the myriad of events from horse races to garden shows is attending them single. Throw in the likelihood of running into my ex-wife with her new boy-toy and it’s bloody insufferable.  I’d resigned myself to keeping a stiff upper lip while drowning my sorrows in Laguvulin for the month when an opportunity fell into my lap. Actually, it crashed into the wall of my drawing room. As an actress, Charlie is used to playing a part, but she’ll need to turn an Oscar-worthy one to prove she’s in love with me.

Charlotte/Charlie Monroe is a country girl from Georgia who is now in England filming her dream lead role in a movie. She is thrilled to act in the period piece and absorb the atmosphere of the English Estate. She is sassy, vibrant, and maybe just a bit too outspoken. 

Randall, Earl Whittingham is a broody brit still grieving his divorce and all that is destroyed in his life. And due to financial burdens from it, he has to allow tours and filming in his family Estate. He already has been disenfranchised with Americans and women, and his self-worth has taken a hit. So his reaction to the unfiltered American actress is a bit antagonistic. 

Through the filming, they tried to avoid more discord, but when Charlie gets herself into a bit of a mess and becomes indebted to the Earl, he has a stellar idea on how she can pay him back. It's time for the season and all the parties and galas and he needs a hot woman on his arm. They just might have to make a few adjustments and tell some white lies and maybe create a fake identity. But it will all be okay in the end, right? Just a friendly professional favor. 

As they traverse garden parties and events, the media spotlight can either help and hurt them. And not everyone is happy to see them together. Their personal situation gets a bit blurred with what is fake and feal, mixed-up feelings, confusion, and fear. They are opposites and also have trust and self-worth issues. But they seem to spark something in each other. She chips away at that hard veneer and makes him more relaxed, more open, and feel alive. And he is happy to share new exciting experiences with her.  

But it is only supposed to be a temporary relationship for society and the cameras. Charlie has her own life that is very different from that of the Brit. But sometimes the best laid plans often go awry.

This is an enemies-to-fake relationship-to-real-lovers, opposites-attract, slow burn, witty, romance between a sweet Georgia girl and a stoic Earl finding love when they least expect it. It is about finding love, but it is also about finding self-worth, acceptance, empowerment, fulfillment, and joy. I found the British society events to be interesting. I loved his outspoken brother, Rob, and am looking forward to his story. 
Charlotte (Charlie) Monroe is wrapping up her first major movie role in a period piece shot at the manor house of Earl Whittingham. Her first meeting with the Earl was disastrous, but since her time at his home is almost over, they should be able to avoid each other until the cast and crew leave. She finds herself in a fit of anger in an area off-limits to the cast and crew and without thinking throws an antique vase, shattering the piece. Facing Earl Whittingham with apologies is the only way she will be able to finish out her film obligation.

Randall (Rand) Halsey is tired of having to be “on” for the social season, but as a member of the aristocracy it is an expected part of the privilege. But on the heels of his very public divorce, he isn’t keen on facing the season by himself. When Charlie, one of the actresses working in his home, breaks a priceless vase in a fit of anger, Rand comes up with the perfect plan to have Charlie repay for the damages while also benefiting his social standing.

These two start off as pretend, but as they move past their original animosity and awkward meetings, start to develop real feelings. But how can they continue to carry on their ruse without hurt feelings or broken hearts?

This was a bit of a slow burn, with the focus on helping Rand through the season. But the tension that developed between them served as the perfect progression for their story. Even as they are pretending, each realizes that the feelings they are feeling are true. But without the ability to break character, neither realizes what the other is thinking.

This was a fun, quick read that hit all the right marks. Charlie and Rand have the perfect set up, with the character of Eliza Littleton created and donned by Charlie. As the ruse continues, they face Rand’s ex-wife and her new man, as well as many in the aristocracy and even some royals. I enjoyed watching as they worked to stay in character, and as the season progresses the challenges they face were great additions to the story and added a level of surprise I wasn’t expecting.

Katie Ashley
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Katie Ashley is a New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon Top Three Best-Selling author of both Indie and Traditionally published books. She's written rockers, bikers, manwhores with hearts of gold, New Adult, and Young Adult. She lives outside of Atlanta, Georgia with her daughter, Olivia, her rescue mutts, Belle and Elsa, and her rescue cats, Mama Kitty, Luna, Ella, and Sassy. She has a slight obsession with The Golden Girls, Shakespeare, Harry Potter, and Star Wars.

With a BA in English, a BS in Secondary English Education, and a Masters in Adolescent English Education, she spent eleven years teaching both middle and high school English, as well as a few adjunct college English classes. As of January 2013, she became a full-time writer.

Although she is a life-long Georgia peach, she loves traveling the country and world meeting readers. Most days, you can find her being a hermit, styling leggings, and binging on Netflix.

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