Mills & Boon novels were Julia James' first "grown up" books she read as a teenager, and she's been reading them ever since. She adores the Mediterranean and the English countryside in all its seasons, and is fascinated by all things historical, from castles to cottages. In between writing she enjoys walking, gardening, needlework and baking "extremely gooey chocolate cakes" and trying to stay fit! Julia lives in England with her family. Clare Connelly was raised in small-town Australia among a family of avid readers. She spent much of her childhood up a tree, Harlequin book in hand. She is married to her own real-life hero in a bungalow near the sea with their two children. She is frequently found staring into space - a surefire sign she is in the world of her characters. Writing for Harlequin Presents is a long-held dream. Clare can be contacted via clareconnelly.com or on her Facebook page.