Nicola Jane Swinney (Author) Nicola Jane Swinney is a former newspaper journalist and editor for the equestrian publication?Horse & Hound. The author of more than fifteen books - most of them about horses and dogs - Nicola is married and lives in southeast London. Romy Blumel (Illustrator) Romy Blumel is a German illustrator based in Berlin. She graduated with a degree in Design & Illustration from the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences in 2008. Since then, her work has been employed by a broad list of clients for newspapers, magazines, books, advertising and cultural events. Romy has been represented by Heart Artists Agency since 2011.