Ash Tough: Weaving Fantasy, Romance, and Adventure in Holly & Oak

Every author has an origin story, and for Ash Tough, it begins with a lifelong love of reading that blossomed into a career of writing unforgettable fantasy romance. Born in Brisbane and raised on the Gold Coast, Ash grew up rarely seen without a book in hand. It was during those early years that her passion for storytelling, and particularly for fantasy, first took root, setting her on the path to becoming an author.

Ash’s debut, Holly & Oak: Season One, is the first in what promises to be a spellbinding contemporary fantasy romance saga. Featuring faeries, fae, shifters, and heart-stopping narratives, the series combines the allure of otherworldly magic with the intensity of human (and not-so-human) emotions. It’s the perfect read for fans who crave immersive worldbuilding, intricate plots, and romance threaded through high-stakes adventure.

The seeds for Holly & Oak were planted during Ash’s time at Griffith University, where she studied Law, International Relations, and Japanese. Her academic pursuits took her abroad to Europe, where she immersed herself in landscapes rich with history and architecture. The grandeur of castles, the mystery of old forests, and the depth of cultural traditions became fuel for her imagination, inspiring the world that readers now step into when they open her debut novel.

After several years living and working in Brisbane, Ash has returned to the Gold Coast, where she continues to balance her everyday life with the boundless realms of fantasy fiction. When she isn’t writing or reading, she’s dreaming up new adventures for her characters, stories that transport readers into worlds both enchanting and dangerous.

The Holly & Oak series is more than just a fantasy romance, it’s a journey through love, loyalty, and destiny, told through characters readers will root for, fear for, and fall in love with. With its blend of romantic tension, magical intrigue, and richly imagined settings, Ash Tough’s storytelling invites readers to lose themselves in a saga that feels both timeless and fresh.

You can explore Holly & Oak and learn more about Ash’s work at ashtough.com.au.

For readers who want to be swept into a world of fae magic, shifters, and romance that lingers long after the last page, Ash Tough is an author whose journey is just beginning, and one you won’t want to miss.