Annie Burrows was born in Suffolk, England, to parents who loved to read. Her home was always full of books, and every Saturday they went to the local library to stock up on more! Always a bit of a daydreamer, Annie began to make up stories in her own head during long walks to and from school, and during the prolonged bouts of illness that kept her in bed.

Part of every family holiday was spent visiting stately homes, or exploring ruined castles. As soon as they got home, Annie and her older sister would either dress up as lords and ladies and romp around the garden, or, if it was raining, draw intricate plans of their very own imaginary stately home, complete with secret tunnels and a maze in the extensive grounds.

Her love of stories meant that when she was old enough to go to university, she chose to study English literature. She wasn't sure what she wanted to do beyond that, but meeting a handsome student of math, who was also the owner of a very powerful motorbike, helped her make up her mind. She married him, and followed him to Manchester, where he earned his doctorate.

For many years Annie felt it was important to stay at home to raise her two children, but one day, when the youngest was at senior school, she began to wonder if all those daydreams that had kept her mind occupied whilst carrying out mundane chores, would provide similar pleasure to other women.

Her first attempt at working one of her storylines into a manuscript that she could send to publishers took almost two years, mainly because she kept tearing it up and starting all over again. Having to get a job to help pay school fees and university tuition for her children didn't help either. This first completed novel was rejected by every single publisher she sent it to, but by this time, writing had become an addiction.

Fortunately, Mills & Boon eventually accepted another one of her manuscripts, and His Cinderella Bride was published in September 2007. Because all she wants to do is write, having to go out to work to earn money had been really getting in the way!

Laura Martin is a mom by day and a middle grade author by night, although in her heart she will always be a seventh-grade language arts teacher. After spending six years teaching the fine art of dream chasing as a teacher, she is enjoying every minute of this lifelong dream of being an author. She lives in the Indianapolis area with her family. Y