Back in January Prima magazine launched our Flirty Fiction writing competition to win a publishing contract. After hundreds of entries our panel of judges have managed the difficult task of deciding on an exciting shortlist. In the weeks running up to the announcing the winner, we thought you might like to know a little more about each of the shortlisted authors.

Jackie Ladbury
@lackyjadbury

What’s the title of your story?
The Allure of a Stranger

Can you tell us about your story?
Candice Montrose, a senior cabin crew member, finds herself in the unenviable position of discovering her new boss is the handsome man she propositioned weeks before in a hotel. She feels she has to prove herself if she intends to join him on the journey to the top in his new airline.

Where do you live?
I live in a lovely old house in Hertfordshire with my husband, my youngest daughter and our cat, Pushkin.

What do you do?
I was an air stewardess for many years, giving me plenty of ideas for my airline stories, but now I work part time for my husband’s bespoke kitchen business. I organise the adverts in design and lifestyle online platform’s, along with local and national magazines – leaving plenty of time to pursue my love of reading and writing of course.

How you ever written anything before?
I have written thousands and thousands of words, it’s just getting them in the right order that’s been the problem! I have many heroes and heroines languishing under the proverbial bed, waiting to be resurrected.

When did you read your first Mills & Boon?
I came across my first Mills & Boon when I was a teenager. I can’t now remember what it was about, but I think it had a pink cover and was by Charlotte Lamb. I remember thinking that I wanted a husband who was as wonderful as the hero and hoping he was based on a real person.

Who is your favourite Mills & Boon author and why?
My favourite Mills & Boon author is Kate Hardy because she is a lovely person, works incredibly hard and is generous with her advice – she’s also written a pretty good romance … or two!

What would you do if you won?
If I won a publishing contract with Mills & Boon I would brush up the many airline stories that I’ve written over the years and make them so brilliant that I’d be a cult in my own lifetime. And I would drink lots of pink champagne, wear bright blue eye shadow and start calling myself Barbara.

The winner and the first chapter of their book will be exclusively revealed in the August issue of Prima magazine available from 3 July 2015.

Would you like to become a Mills & Boon author? Do you have a bestseller waiting to be told? Join our Author Lab community on Facebook and Twitter.

By The Mills & Boon team