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(To read the rest of Clare's one-page review, see www.freshfiction.com/review/LucyAshford)

At university Lucy studied English Literature - but though she was supposed to be researching subjects like Anglo-Saxon and linguistics, she much preferred to immerse herself in Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer.

After her degree, Lucy managed to get her hands on even more of her favourite historical authors by working in a library. And oh, all those wonderful stories set in the past! Surely, surely she could at least try to write one herself?

And so began her life as a 'wannabe' author, coping with family and job, receiving the usual rejections, but getting quite a lot of encouragement as well, until the marvellous day of being taken on by a London agent - the David Grossman Literary Agency - and receiving that first contract.

A champagne moment, definitely! Lucy has written longer historical thrillers, which have sold around the world and made the USA Today bestseller list . But she also fulfilled a dream by writing Regency romances for Mills & Boon - with patient and skilled help from her editor there, Linda Fildew.

Lucy has one daughter, and she and her husband live in the Peak District, near to marvellous Chatsworth House, home to the Duke of Devonshire. Home for Lucy is an eighteenth century stone cottage with roses round the front door and fantastic views of the surrounding countryside. She loves walking in the hills, dreaming up her next story.

Read more about Lucy and order her books on the Mills & Boon website: www.millsandboon.co.uk and the Harlequin website: www.harlequin.com

Lucy's books can also be bought via amazon, nook, kobo and at major book stores.