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All About Anna Sugden

I’ve always been a sucker for a happy ending. Even as a child, whether it was Laura Ingalls and Almanzo Wilder or Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe, I preferred books and films with a happy ending. And, if a story I loved didn’t come to the joyous conclusion I wanted, I’d imagine a new ending of my own. I was always a voracious reader too, so discovering romance novels was perfect.

It’s probably no surprise that I had a dream of writing my own romances one day. Busy with my career as a senior Marketing manager for a major multinational company that makes household products, then as a primary school teacher, it was something I imagined in the future, perhaps when I’d retired. In the meantime, I dabbled away, penning scenes and scenarios, plotting stories and listening to the characters who inhabited my head. (yes, I hear voices!)

Who’d have known that my husband’s posting to the US would open the door for me to write? Thanks to a lengthy and torturous immigration process, and no work permit, I had a lot of time on my hands when we moved to New Jersey. My husband came across an online romance writing course on Barnes & Noble’s website, linked to the Gotham Writer’s Workshop in New York, and encouraged me to take it. Through the course, I was introduced to eharlequin.com and RWA. I’ve never looked back!

I write heart-warming contemporary romances and heart-pounding romantic suspense, primarily for category romance. A three-time Golden Heart finalist, my work has won or finalled in a number of prestigious writing contests. I’m edging ever closer to that magical sale - fingers crossed that this will be the year!

When I’m not writing, I enjoy watching/going to hockey and football (both soccer and American football) games, collecting autographs, movie and TV memorabilia, and penguins. I love travelling too, and enjoy finding ways to combine writers’ conferences with new places to visit.

I’m lucky enough to have had a happy ending - or rather a happy beginning as the story continues - in my own life. I’m married to a wonderful man, my very own romantic hero, who supports me in everything I do and who makes me believe dreams can come true. We share our home, in a village near Cambridge, England, with two spoiled cats. To find out more - check out my website, www.annasugden.com.