Susanne McCarthy

I'm a Londoner, though I haven't lived there for many years. But if you're born a Londoner you're always a Londoner. And what could be better than growing up in London in the 60s? The clubs, the live music, the shops - all now passed into legend.

I got fed up with school and left before taking my A levels. Over the next few years I had lots of jobs - measuring fabric in Jones and Higgins in Peckham, cleaning chalets at Butlins Bognor Regis, even a short stint in the Civil Service. Then I decided it was time to grow up, so I went to Liverpool to train as a teacher. I loved life at University, but I wasn't so keen on teaching, so I switched to adult education, which suited me fine.

Shortly after I met my husband we moved to Shropshire, where we lived on the side of a hill with a series of rescued Afghan Hounds, a couple of small terriers, some cats, some birds, some fish, and an iguana called Spike.

A few years ago we decided to move to Devon. My husband is a Devonian, and had always wanted to come home. And me... I wanted to live near the sea. So now we are settled here in South Devon, a twenty minute stroll from the beach. And I love it!

My writing:

I've always loved telling stories. Even when I was barely old enough to write I could spin a yarn. I tried writing thrillers and murder mysteries - but it always seemed that whatever I tried to write, it would turn into a romance. And after all, what's wrong with romance? Life's serious enough - we all need a little escapism with a happy ending to cheer us up! So in the end I decided to dump the other stuff and focus on the romance.

Back in the day, I wrote twenty-five novels which were published by Mills&Boon - some of them are still available as e-books direct from M&B. Then I took a long gap doing other things - but when I retired I found my love of writing again. Initially I published three books myself, which you will be able to see on my website.

But I knew that if I could find an established publisher I could reach more readers. Step in Joffe Books. They were at the top of my list, so I was delighted when they picked up the first novel I sent them. To quote from the best romantic movie of all time, Casablanca, I think this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.