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.

Vicky McIntyre
@vixmcintyre

What’s the title of your story?
Second Time Around.

Can you tell us about your story?
My novel is about the redemptive power of true love, found when you’re least expecting it.

What do you do?
I’m an English teacher, so words are my bread and butter! My aim has always to been to instil my love of language and books into my pupils, and hopefully I sometimes succeed!

Where do you live?
I live in Wolverhampton in the West Midlands; I’m a Black Country wench!

How you ever written anything before?
I’ve been writing stories ever since I was able to put pen to paper! I wrote my first proper novel, Lipstick, aged 16 and I’m still plucking up the courage to show it to anyone. I’m also writing a racy antidote to Fifty Shades, The Bones of You, which charts a 30-something woman’s journey of sexual self discovery when she starts a passionate but tempestuous relationship with a younger man.

When did you read your first Mills & Boon?
When I was a student my housemate Emmy would buy heaps of Mills and Boon books from the local charity shop and sit in the bath  all day reading them. She encouraged me to start reading them too and I’ve been hooked ever since!

Who is your favourite Mills & Boon author and why?
It’s a tough call but Sharon Kendrick has to be my favourite Mills & Boon author; I love her irresistible alpha male characters and her vivid descriptions of exotic settings. You can really escape to the world of the billionaire playboys she creates. Just fab.

What would you do if you won?
At first, I would cry absolute buckets, because being a published author has been a dream of mine ever since I was about 5. Once the idea of winning had sunk in I’d ring my mum, and then I’d treat myself to a cheeky glass of prosecco … or 2. I’m pretty sure I’d still be pinching myself for weeks afterwards!

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