College days are a novel experience for author Phillipa Ashley

Ever wondered what goes on behind closed doors in our city’s esteemed colleges?

Well, if the action is anything like Pippa Croft’s Oxford Blue series, it’s all rather racy.

“I think the reality of Oxbridge is sometimes stranger and more exciting even than the Oxford Blue series, but no one would believe it in print,” says former Wadham student Phillipa Ashley (Pippa Croft is a pen name).

“The characters are all completely fictional and Wadham was/is a much more caring and friendly place than Wyckham [the fictional college setting in the books].

“However, I was inspired by my time there, in respect of it being a very emotionally intense and exciting period of my life.

“I started going out with my husband while I was at Wadham, even though he was at Birmingham Uni, he used to visit me at Wadham and so that time has many romantic memories.

“Oxford has such a unique, beautiful and intense atmosphere that makes it perfect for a romance novel. I’ve loved reliving that time although I had to quiz my daughter and her friends for a contemporary take on student life.”

Not only did Phillipa attend Wadham but also her daughter Charlotte, now 27 and working as a lecturer at Cambridge and researcher at UCL, read Human Sciences there.

“I think we were the first mother and daughter to go there,” says Phillipa.

“I’m a benefactor of the college and I go back as often as I can to events or just for a visit.

“My daughter says that while she and her friends never had as much money as Lauren (the books’ heroine) and some of her friends, some of stories are grounded in incidents she’s heard and that you couldn’t make some of them up.”

After leaving Wadham, where she read English Language and Literature, Phillipa, 51, worked as a copywriter, as a freelance writer for newspapers and in PR and advertising.

Writing is something she’s always enjoyed and she recalls sending a riddle in to The Beano comic when she was four, although they didn’t print it.

“I was a geeky child and spent my time writing and illustrating little encyclopaedias or brochures about where I’d been on holiday,” she says.

She started writing fiction in 2005 after joining an Internet creative writing site and soon found success.

“My first novel, Decent Exposure, a sexy romantic comedy set in the Lake District, was published in October 2006,” says Phillipa, who lives in Staffordshire with husband John, 51, an engineering manager.

The book topped the Play.com Romance chart, won the RNA New Writers Award and was made into a TV movie called Twelve Men of Christmas which aired on the Lifetime channel in December 2009.

Since the Phillipa has had 12 books published “all funny, sexy contemporary romances” including US Amazon Kindle Top 100 best sellers with Dating Mr December and Wish You Were Here.

The Oxford Blue series for Penguin written as Pippa Croft has hit the Amazon.com romantic erotica Top 30 and iTunes Top 100 romance charts in the UK, US, Norway, Australia and Belgium.

“Like many authors, I use different names for different genres,” explains Phillipa.

“My other books lean more towards romance/chick lit and are slightly less racy.

Phillipa after her MA, sitting on the steps of Wadham’s hall with her daughter Charlotte, then aged three, now 27

“The Oxford Blue series is technically a New Adult series – more emotionally intense and focusing on younger adults, although I have readers from 18 to 70 who are enjoying the series.

“The books are racier than my previous novels, but post 50 Shades, I find people are far more relaxed about discussing sexy fiction. Also, the one thing you learn very quickly about writing and publishing is that what the neighbours think is the very least of your worries.

“As for my family, I think they’d be far more concerned if I spent my time thinking up horrible ways to murder people. Occasionally people, usually old school friends we haven’t seen for a while, do tease my husband but he replies with a joke or an enigmatic smile.

“As for sex scenes, they’re great fun to write, but they hinge totally on the emotion of the moment and the motivation of the characters, rather than being about the nuts and bolts.

“They demand as much practice and skill as any writing other scene, sometimes more, but I must admit, writing a steamy scene can be very nice way to while away a gloomy winter’s afternoon.

phillipa-ashley.com

THE OXFORD BLUE SERIES

The three books follow the tempestuous relationship between US senator’s daughter, Lauren Cusack and aristocrat, Alexander Hunt who is also a serving army officer.

They meet at Wyckham College, Oxford where they’re both studying Masters degrees.

There’s an instant and powerful attraction between them but Alexander has a reputation as an emotionally distant, damaged young man with a troubled background despite his wealth.

Lauren is fresh out of a break up with her American boyfriend and given her initial meeting with Alexander, and his reputation, she’s keen to keep away from him.

She’s independent and definitely not in awe of him.

He, however, has other ideas and what Alexander wants, Alexander gets.

* The Oxford Blue series: The First Time We Met; The Second Time I Saw You and Third Time Lucky, by Pippa Croft, Penguin, are available to buy as paperbacks and ebooks.

A DATE WITH LAUREN AND ALEXANDER

Phillipa Ashley writes: There’s nothing an author likes more (apart from wine, chocolate and a movie deal) than imagining what it would be like to actually meet her characters in the flesh.

Hopefully, readers love that too. So if you’re thinking of spending a day with Alexander and Lauren from the Oxford Blue series, it might go something like this:

Morning

After an early morning jog (which just happens to take you both past Alexander’s house somewhere near Keble) Lauren would probably take you straight to the Covered Market for coffee and/or breakfast in one of the funky cafes such as Georgina’s – an Oxford institution that was even there in my day. While you’re there, check out the quirky stores selling everything from venison to fresh coffee beans; luxury handbags to unique gifts.

Then it’s on to a tour of the colleges, most of which are open to visitors, many of which are free – you can tell by the blackboard signs in the porter’s lodges. Check out Magdalen’s cloisters and deer park and visit Christ Church to see the Great Hall which doubles as Hogwart’s dining hall.

Lauren would certainly take you to Wadham which has beautiful gardens, a Jacobean Front Quad and bears an uncanny resemblance a certain Wyckham College in the series.

Afternoon

Your choices for lunch are almost endless but I’m guessing Lauren would opt for Queen’s Lane Coffee House. It’s been around since 1654 and also happens to be perfect for (imaginary) sightings of Scott, Lauren’s hunky US rower friend.

In the afternoon, you’ll probably wander or cycle over the cobbles of Radcliffe Square, taking in the majestic towers of All Souls College (only from the outside, no visitors allowed) and the Radcliffe Camera – a university library where I spent much of my time.

You can’t possibly miss a tour of the Bodleian Library. It dates from the 15th century and holds copies of every book published in the UK, not to mention treasures such as the unfinished manuscript of The Watsons by Jane Austen.

After a quick Earl Grey in St Mary’s Church vaults, you should just have time to visit the Sheldonian Theatre which was designed by Sir Christopher Wren. This is where all the formal university events are held, including graduation ceremonies.

By now, it will be almost Happy Hour but don’t forget to indulge in one of Oxford’s biggest delights – book shops! Blackwell’s is over the road from the Sheldonian but you’ll find numerous specialist bookshops tucked away in nearby Turl Street and Broad Street including the Art Shop – a favourite haunt of Lauren.

Evening

Alexander will join you now and will probably take you off to the High for cocktails in the Grand Cafe Bar before you head to the Cherwell Boathouse to dine by the river.

And finally, if you’re not too stuffed or exhausted, Lauren loves to round off the day with an ice cream or coffee at one of the branches of G&D ice cream cafes.

I’m guessing Lauren and Alexander will leave you at this point, for them the night is still young...

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