UNITED KINGDOM AUTHOR · FICTION · AUTHORSHIP
Marina Oliver
Also known as: Marina Oliver, Sally James
Marina Oliver was born in 1934. She graduated from Keele University in Politics and Economics. Marina started published historical romances, in 1974, at Robert Hale, and since 1977 also under the pseudonym of Sally James. In 1981, she published a novel as Donna Hunt at Minstrel Books. Since 1983, she uses de penname Bridget Thorn. In 1992, she also published a novel as Vesta Hathaway and in 2000 as Laura Hart. She has published more than fifty novels under her name and her pseudonyms, plus half a dozen non-fiction books. Her novels are historical romances as well as twentieth-century sagas, contemporary romances and crime. She has edited her own quarterly magazine, and also many books and newsletters, mainly for educational organisations. Marina was elected the sixteenth Chairman (1992-1993) of the Romantic Novelists' Association, edited its Newsletter for 3 years, and now has been elected a Vice-President and runs the R.N.A. New Writer's Scheme. She reads for and judges short story competitions, reviews historical novels, and has done appraisals for (among others) a prestigious Regional Arts board. Married with Chris, they had four grown-up children: Jackie, Debbie, Cindy and Simon, and seven grandchildren, Marina now splits her time between an old manor house built in 1720, which at one time belonged to Princess Diana's Spencer family in the rural Shropshire and her beloved Madeira.
Most acclaimed
Writing Romantic Fiction
Romantic novels account for half the mass market fiction published in English. This invaluable handbook is for writers wanting to succeed in the popular genre. Both hugely successful authors Daphne Clair (aka Laurey Bright, Clarissa Garland, Claire Lorel) and Robyn Donald have each written more than fifty books. This book is the product of their experience and courses they have conducted in romance writing. Included are sections on characterisation; motivation and sources of tension; structure, plots and subplots; pace and focus; setting; language; emotional impact; and fiction techniques. Uniquely combining two strikingly different writers' styles, this book follows the premise that there is no one way to write — rather, that there are many techniques to learn.
Highland Destiny
"Few authors portray the Scottish highlands as lovingly or colorfully as Hannah Howell."—Publishers Weekly New York Times Bestselling Author Hannah Howell returns to the splendor of medieval Scotland in this first novel of her new trilogy—a saga of clan warfare, divided loyalties, and forbidden love. Here, in the Scottish highlands of the 15th century, a powerful knight meets his match in a mysterious beauty bent on revenge... When destiny brought Sir Balfour Murray and his wounded brother down the same road as Maldie Kirkaldy, she offered her services as a nurse even as she tried to deny the desire this dark-eyed knight had ignited at first sight. Soon they discover that they both share a mission of vengeance, but Maldie cannot tell him her true identity—to do so would brand her a spy...Sworn to avenge his family as chief of the Doncoill Clan, Balfour vows to destroy his greatest foe, with Maldie at his side. Yet Balfour knows that he can no more afford to trust her than he can ignore his lust for this sultry beauty. Now, he is not only determined to unearth her deepest secrets, but also to pursue his passion for her. And nothing will stand in his way...Murray Brothers #1