Meet the Marketplace: Ashley Matthews
Where darkness meets desire.
Some stories don’t shy away from the shadows — they step into them, unflinching, and find the light on the other side. That’s where you’ll find Ashley Matthews, a Canadian author whose dark contemporary romance explores the complex, transformative power of pleasure, surrender, and self-discovery.
Writing under a pen name, Ashley began crafting naughty short stories as a way to explore her own stifled sexuality. But what began as private creative release evolved into something much deeper: a journey of reclamation, truth, and healing through storytelling.
“As my sexual journey evolved, so did these stories,” Ashley says. “They shifted from focusing solely on exploration to full-circle journeys that highlight the benefits of owning all of your truth.”
Mercy: A Debut That Demands Surrender
Ashley’s debut novel, Mercy, is a dark, gritty, and beautifully unflinching exploration of power, vulnerability, and love.
The story centers on female protagonists who begin seemingly fragile, but through raw, sensual, and often intense BDSM dynamics, discover their own strength and agency.
The relationships she writes aren’t textbook-perfect — and that’s the point. Her characters navigate the gray areas of desire, control, and emotional survival, revealing the truth that even flawed, messy, or unconventional experiences can hold immense growth and meaning.
“Mercy is not for the faint of heart,” Ashley admits. “But it’s honest. It’s about earning your happy ending — the hard way.”
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Book Two in the series is set to release in April 2026, continuing the emotional and erotic evolution that began with Mercy.
Writing as Healing
Beyond the sensual storytelling, Ashley’s work is deeply rooted in personal transformation. Once sexually repressed herself, she writes with the conviction that pleasure and sexual expression are integral to wellness.
“It’s how we relate to ourselves, our bodies, and others,” she shares. “Seeking pleasure — in all its forms — is an act of self-love, which is the foundation of wellness. When applied intentionally, it can heal and empower.”
At its core, Ashley’s writing isn’t just erotic — it’s therapeutic. It’s an invitation to confront shame, explore desire, and step boldly into authenticity.
Meet Ashley at CLIMAX 2025
Join Ashley Matthews in the CLIMAX Marketplace, where she’ll be showcasing her debut novel Mercy — a dark romance that proves pleasure, power, and pain are often intertwined in the most illuminating ways.
Whether you’re a lover of emotional, character-driven stories or drawn to the psychology of BDSM, Ashley’s books offer something rare: honest, erotic storytelling that celebrates both the darkness and the light within us.
📚 Connect with Ashley Matthews
🌐 ashley-matthews.com
📸 @ashley.matthews_
