Fforde, Katie

(British, 1952– )

Katie Fforde was born and educated in London, studying the arts, cookery, typing, and shorthand before setting up business on the canals with her husband. Her first novel, Living Dangerously (1995), is a high-spirited contemporary romance set in Gloucestershire. Its heroine, who works in a health-food shop, might be faint-hearted, but finds true love nevertheless. The Rose Revived (1995) has three heroines who run a cleaning agency and live on a narrowboat. Wild Designs (1996) is another romantic comedy of manners with a heroine who loves gardening, and Stately Pursuits (1997) tells the story of disillusioned Hetty Longden who finds love in a decaying stately home. Katie Fforde writes unpretentious, entertaining romances in the Aga saga tradition.

Joanna Trollope, Marika Cobbold, Jane Austen  SA