Union, KY – It was over ten years ago that local author Hannah Ledford was inspired to write a romance novel. She was a student at Miami University, and something about studying abroad in London sparked an interest in writing a love story set there. However, it wasn’t until she moved to Northern Kentucky that Ledford finally finished the long-term project of writing the novel. On May 28, 2024 her debut romance ELEPHANT AND CASTLE will be published by City Owl Press.
Originally from just north of Cincinnati, Ledford and her family decided to make Northern Kentucky their home a few years ago. It was her husband’s dream to settle in Kentucky, and it was her dream to publish a novel. In the middle of the pandemic, they decided to leave Southern California and move closer to her hometown.
“The beautiful stories and the success of authors like Emily Henry (another Cincinnati-area native), Jasmine Guillory, and Helen Hoang really inspired me to get back to the book,” Ledford says. “I had been working on my PhD in English, writing somber short stories and reading Balzac. Romance kind of fell off my radar. I had to remember I’d always loved it.”
In the novel, an American travel writer returns to London hoping for a second chance romance with her rock star ex-boyfriend. But as her ex’s best friend shows her around the city, she starts to daydream less about her first love and more about his down-to-earth best mate.
“I was completely enamored with London when I studied there,” Ledford remarks. “The setting is so important. After living in this area, I can’t help thinking that Northern Kentucky will have to make an appearance in a future romance.”
ELEPHANT AND CASTLE will be available online in print and e-book format. The e-book will be an Amazon exclusive included in Kindle Unlimited. You can find more information at hannahledford.com.
Title: Elephant and Castle
Author: Hannah Ledford
Publisher: City Owl Press
Date of publication: May 28, 2024
Price: $4.99 (digital), $16.99 (paperback)
Digital ISBN: 978-1-64898-455-6
Print ISBN: 978-1-64898-456-3
