I was born in West Africa – in Accra, Ghana, more precisely – and I’ve had itchy feet ever since.  My father worked overseas and my first memories are of Africa, of what was then Tanganyika and Zanzibar, and South Africa.  Later we went to Papua New Guinea and to the Sultanate of Oman, where I first fell in love with the desert.  Since then, I’ve lived and worked in Australia, France, Indonesia, New Zealand and Cameroon, and I’ve travelled to some amazing places in between: Afghanistan, Algeria, Belize, Egypt, Greece, India, Iran, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Nepal, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey and the U.S.

So for me, one of the most thrilling things about writing romance is knowing that there are women in so many different countries reading the stories I write here in York.  Where are YOU? When you clicked on this page, the map below and flags on the right should have registered where you are.  If you can't see the world map below, hover your mouse over the white space and it will magically appear!
 
I’ve started a new gallery below, this one featuring some well-travelled Jessica Harts!  If the place that means most to you isn’t there, why not send a picture of your favourite Jessica Hart in situ  to add to the gallery -  I would love to see it and would be happy to send you a signed copy of one of my books in return.

 

 

 

First Oh-So Sensible Secretary goes to the Sydney Opera House...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Then Oh-So Sensible Secretary hits New York!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas Eve Marriage at Castle Point on the Colvend coast in south west Scotland.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Here's one of my books by the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And another couple of my books at Plaza Mayor in Madrid....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 This is Jensini from Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka.  She got in touch after reading BABY AT BUSHMAN'S CREEK, and here she is with the book to prove it.  Thank you, Jensini.

 

 

 

 

 

Natasha Oakley and Trish  Wylie went to Rome recently  - imagine what a good time that must have been!  It turns out that Natasha had a copy of A Whirlwind Engagement with her, so here it is by the Trevi Fountain!  You can see the fountain in all its glory, minus the Jessica Hart, as well, in the photo below.  Thanks, girls - I'm thrilled you found a moment to think of me!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I was delighted to get this photo from Hungary.  Zsuzsa is a teacher who works at a school right in the heart of Budapest.  Here she is reading "Marriage Reunited" while she waits for the tram on the banks of the Danube, with the Hungarian Parliament in the background.  Many thanks, Zsuzsa - and a book is on its way to you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Jasmine Dienes-Stevens reading "Cinderella's Wedding Wish" in her back garden on a gorgeous March day when Spring seemed as if it might be coming after all ... Jasmine has worked in Australia and Abu Dhabi, but now lives in West Sussex.  Thank you so much for the photo, Jasmine!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Louise took a copy of Christmas Dreams (which is out in the UK now and features Kissing Santa) on holiday to Argentina with her.  Here she is with it in Ushuaia, on the tip of Tierra del Fuego, which must be the furthest south any of my books have ever been (although obviously if you know of one that's been to Antarctica, I would love to hear from you!)  Thank you, Louise!

 

 

 

 

 

  

 You can't tell from the photo, I know, but it comes from Adelaide, in South Australia.  This is my favourite great-aunt Dora, who at 91 is not actually my oldest reader (I heard the other day about a lady of 96 who read my books!) but who is certainly my most loyal one.  Here she is with the complete Jessica Hart collection.  I've sent Dora a copy of every book since the very first, A Sweeter Prejudice, and she has read and kept them all!  Dora remembers my great-grandmother, who left Cornwall in 1888 to get married in South Australia, and is the reason I still fee such a strong sense of connection with Australia 180 years later.