Isolde Martyn

With two small children, a husband away a lot on fieldwork, a career and no extended family nearby, life got in the way of writing for quite a while but Isolde Martyn has now caught up on her lifelong ambition to share her love of history. Her first two medievals have each won the 'Romantic Book of the Year Award' in Australia and her debut novel The Maiden and the Unicorn won a Rita for 'Best First Novel 2000' in the USA.

Born in Warwickshire, UK, Isolde grew up in London and gained a history honours degree at the University of Exeter with a specialisation in Yorkist England. She was a major contributor to the Australian Bicentennial History Project and has worn alternative hats of editor and historian since settling in Australia. She worked as a Senior Editor at Reader's Digest General Books before taking up writing historical novels full time. Her books are published in the USA, Australia and Germany and are also available in audio. Visit her website at www.hutch. com.au/~martyn/index.html.