What made you write Pursued by Love?

A number of things came together. I became totally entranced by Richard Armitage in North and South, found myself on an internet chat forum for the very first time (discussing him and lots more!) and began reading the fanfic on there. I’ve always written bits and pieces and longed to write something more substantial. The website C19 gave me a readership for what I was writing and that, in turn, gave me the confidence to put something out to publishers. PbL began as the scene in the pub with Nick and Perdita – they just wouldn’t leave my head. They kept buzzing round until I had them captured on paper! The rest of the story grew from there.

The book has mentions of Shakespeare, are you a big fan of The Bard?

I studied Drama at university (along with History) so I’ve read and seen a lot of Shakespeare – and acted in a little of it too. I’m lucky enough to live not too far from the RSC in Stratford and was a regular theatregoer for a few years. What can I say? One of the world’s greatest writers: wonderful, enduring stories and resonant characters. I’d say I was a big fan, yes!

The 'hero' of your book, Nick Wainright is gorgeous. Where did he come from?

I’m glad you think Nick is gorgeous – thank you. I think so too! For me, as a writer, I have to be a little bit in love with my ‘leading man’. In the early stages of the novel he was probably John Thornton from North and South (and there are still lots of references to Elizabeth Gaskell’s book in PbL) then he evolved and became his own person. He’s tall, dark and handsome but as well as that, he’s hard working, passionate and determined. He’s also vulnerable and I think that’s what makes him most attractive. He’s not simply an alpha male.

And Perdita, the 'heroine', was it difficult to think up a good match for Nick?

Perdita was tricky to write, as she’s so different to me. It’s hard to make beautiful, talented women sympathetic to women readers! But underneath the cool exterior, Perdita is vulnerable too. She’s very lonely and falls prey to a man who exploits her. I think she develops a growing sense of who she is as the novel progresses. She goes through a lot and becomes stronger as a result. Nick senses her vulnerability and wants to protect her. I’m a great believer in people finding qualities in others which improve themselves and which complement. The partnership makes better people of both. But does that make me sound hopelessly romantic and optimistic? Maybe that’s why I write romantic fiction!

Your two main characters are both actors and the story is based around a production of Pride and Prejudice, was it difficult writing about this?

Not really, it’s a book I know well and I’m addicted to those behind the scenes/making of programmes. And from studying drama, albeit theatre acting, I know something of what an actor has to do. If there are any inaccuracies however, they are mine entirely!

We have to ask - who is your favourite Darcy?

What a question! For a long time it was Colin Firth and I remain a huge fan of his. I began liking his work when I saw him in ‘Another Country’. I couldn’t believe he was to be Darcy, he seemed completely wrong for the part. I was very pleased to be proved utterly wrong. My all time favourite though has to be the man in the book – the original Mr. Darcy. I love the way he grows as a character through Elizabeth’s influence – and through loving her. My favourite scene is one hardly ever included in film and TV adaptations – the one near the end of the book, where Lizzie teasingly asks Darcy when he began to love her. It gives a sense of what their life together will be like – and how much he has changed.

Out of all the actors in the world, who would you love to play Darcy?

An impossible question. I’d love it if I had a time machine and Laurence Olivier was 35 now and could do it!

And is Pride and Prejudice your favourite Jane Austen novel?

It’s my all time favourite novel – of any author. I met it when I was 12 or 13 and have reread it time and time again. It’s a real comfort read.

Pursued by Love has a fantastic array of sub characters. Who is your favourite and why?

Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed them. I like writing the larger than life characters – Briony (who plays Jane Bennet in PbL) and Venetia (who plays Lady Catherine) were great fun to write.

If you wrote your autobiography, what would you call it?

Lost the plot, but bags of character. 

Finally, who are your favourite authors?

Far too many! Jane Austen, Jilly Cooper, Barbara Erskine, Phil Rickman, Sebastian Faulks, Jill Mansell, Katie Fforde, Phillipa Ashley, Elizabeth Jane Howard, Lynne Reid Banks, Mary Stewart, Olivia Manning, Mary Wesley, Sarah Harrison, Elizabeth Gaskell, Clare Chambers, Sarah Challis.

There are also stand-alone books – books that I’ve read and go back to but haven’t read much else by the author: Atonement by Ian McEwan, Snap Happy by Fiona Walker, Hidden Riches by Nora Roberts, Ferney by James Long.