Helen Kirkman

Helen Kirkman always enjoyed dreaming up adventure stories. Her love affair with history began when, as a schoolgirl, she stood on the mysterious grassy remains of an Anglo Saxon hill fort and dreamed of what might have been. Romances of long ago found their place in her imagination but it seemed impossible that daydreams could ever become more than that. When Helen was thirteen, her family moved from England to New Zealand. She fell in love with the relaxed and friendly atmosphere in New Zealand and the spectacular landscape (featured so well in the "Lord of the Rings" films). A university degree in languages, some travelling, marriage and various secretarial jobs followed. But the stories she dreamed about began to be written down - in time snatched at the computer during weekends or even scribbled on the back of an envelope while waiting in a queue! Helen now spends her time writing passionate romances (in between looking after her husband and two sons). Her powerful stories are charged with an emotional intensity fuelled by her love of history and all things romantic. She has recently travelled to Britain to have another first hand look at some of the places and historical treasures she writes about in her books. Helen is a member of Romance Writers of New Zealand and began her career by winning the Clendon Award for best unpublished romance. The dream became real when her winning manuscript was bought by Harlequin. She now writes for Harlequin's mainstream romance imprint, HQN Books.