by Lisa Swift | 11 Dec 2020 | News
Gracie Taylor is a pen name for Lisa Swift, who also writes as Mary Jayne Baker. This is her first historical novel
Avon Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, has acquired World All Language rights (including dramatic) to a new novel by Gracie Taylor in a deal with Laura Longrigg at MBA Literary Agents.
Titled Edie’s Home for Strays in the UK and Edie’s Home for Orphans in North America, the World War Two story was originally inspired by the true story of Ferne Animal Sanctuary set up by the Duchess of Hamilton, who realised that with so many going to war, a lot of animals lacked homes to take care of them.
Tilda McDonald, Senior Commissioning Editor at Avon said: ‘I cried a lot of happy tears reading Edie’s Home for Strays, which is a brilliantly uplifting, heart-warming Home Front read that will appeal to all animal lovers. Avon are proud and delighted to publish it.’
Gracie Taylor grew up in rural West Yorkshire. After university she spent time in several different cities, but eventually returned to settle in the Dales. Gracie Taylor is a pen name for author of romantic comedies Mary Jayne Baker, and uplifting women’s fiction Lisa Swift, who also won the RNA’s Romantic Comedy of the Year Award 2020. This is her first historical novel.
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by Lisa Swift | 10 Feb 2020 | News, Ramblings
I’m thrilled to reveal the cover for my second book as Lisa Swift, The School of Starting Over! The blurb is given below.
Nell’s going back to school… but now she’s learning lessons of the heart
Reception class teacher Nell Shackleton has a plan. At least, she had until she arrived at her new home of Humblebee Farm, a dilapidated farmhouse on the Yorkshire moors. But so what if the roof’s full of holes, the back door’s hanging off and there’s a sheep in the front room? Because sometimes a new beginning means starting at the bottom… right? Xander Scott is one of the youngest headteachers Leyholme Primary School has ever had. But managing over-zealous parents and their semi-feral kids proves a tricky task for shy Xander – as does keeping his mind on the job when his feelings for the new Reception teacher become more than strictly professional… At 43, Nell’s new friend Stevie Madeleine has given up on love. After losing her wife, Stevie’s decided that her four-year-old daughter Milly and cocker spaniel Red are the only girls she needs in her life. That is, until larger-than-life dog-walker Deb arrives on the scene. But will the secrets of Stevie’s past stop her new romance dead in its tracks? Meeting Xander and Stevie brings joy back into Nell’s life – but when old secrets start to surface, there may be some hard lessons to learn for them all… A gorgeously uplifting and hilarious romantic comedy that will delight fans of Milly Johnson, Holly Martin and Heidi Swain.
by Lisa Swift | 19 Jul 2019 | Ramblings
I’m very excited to reveal the gorgeous cover of my first book, When You Were Mine!
When You Were Mine is the story of Maggie and Ibby, two best friends raising their teenage daughter Amelia together in an unusual but happy family. But their settled lives are thrown into turmoil when a face from the past – troubled rock star Jordan Nash – reappears in their lives and long-buried secrets rise to the surface. The blurb is given below.
Life is a love song when you find the right notes
Maggie and Ibby make up a happy – if unconventional – family. After meeting at university, they now live in the village of Applecroft on the beautiful West Country coast.
Okay, so Ibby’s gay and prone todisastrous dates, while couples’ counsellor Maggie spends her days helpingpeople with their relationship problems despite having no sex life of her own.Nevertheless, they’re devoted to bringing up teenage daughter Amelia – theresult of a drunken one-night stand when they were students – in a stable andloving family.
Until a face from the past – in theform of hard-partying rock star Jordan Nash – disrupts their quiet lives. AsJordan struggles with his personal demons and old secrets are revealed, canMaggie and Ibby stay strong? Or will bringing back the past threaten all thatthey’ve built in the present?
A feel good, heart-warming novel about about first loves and second chances. Fans of Holly Martin, Dani Atkins and Heidi Swain will be captivated.
Lisa Swift is the pseudonym for bestselling women’s fiction novelist, Mary Jayne Baker.
by Lisa Swift | 24 May 2019 | Ramblings
Hera are delighted to announce that they have agreed a two-book deal with Lisa Swift, the bestselling romantic fiction novelist who also writes under the name Mary Jayne Baker. Lisa’s first book, When You Were Mine, a heart warming, romantic and utterly captivating read about Maggie, Ibby and Jordan Nash, the globally famous rock star who crashes back into their lives, will be published by Hera in August, with her second book coming out early 2020. World English rights, including audio, were acquired from Laura Longrigg at MBA Literary Agency.
Publishing Director at Hera, Keshini Naidoo, said of the deal:
‘I’ve long been an admirer of Lisa’s writing – effortless, charming and always featuring the funniest dialogue, her romcoms are some of the best in the genre. I was absolutely thrilled to read When You Were Mine on submission and am even more excited to be publishing it – full of kind, complex characters, a beautifully realised setting and an incredibly engaging plot, this is the kind of fiction that reminds us that romance is not just boy meets girl, and that love and family are things that we can all create for ourselves. Plus, there’s an ice-cream van that sells books – what’s not to like?! I can’t wait for readers to fall in love with Ibby, Maggie and Jordan this summer.’
Lisa Swift said: ‘I’m absolutely delighted to be joining Hera for my first novel as Lisa Swift. I’ve loved working with Keshini and the Hera team to bring When You Were Mine to readers, and feel very lucky to have such a wonderful group of professionals championing my book. I hope readers will adore this story and characters as much as I do!’
Laura Longrigg said: ‘It’s a great pleasure to be working with Keshini and Lindsey and we are very excited about Hera’s plans for Lisa Swift!’
