Marina Oliver
Biography
Most writers can't help themselves! It's a compulsion. Getting published, though, is something really special, and having been so fortunate myself I now try to help aspiring writers by handing on tips it took me years to work out. I've published over 60 titles, including four in the How To Books' Successful Writing Series, and Writing Historical Fiction for Studymates.
I have judged short story competitions, been a final judge for the Harry Bowling Prize and was an adviser to the 3rd edition of Twentieth Century Romance and Historical Writers 1994. If you want to find out more about your favourite authors, consult this book. I once wrote an article on writing romantic fiction for the BBC's web page, for Valentine's day.
I have given talks and workshops for the Arts Council and at most of the major Writing Conferences, and helped establish the Romantic Novelists' Association's annual conference. I was Chairman of the RNA 1991-3, ran their New Writers' Scheme and edited their newsletter. I am now a Vice-President.
As well as writing I have edited books for Transita, featuring women 'of a certain age', and for Choc Lit where gorgeous heros are the norm.
I was asked to write A Century of Achievement, a 290 page history of my old school, Queen Mary's High School, Walsall, and commissioned to write a book on Castles and Corvedale to accompany a new circular walk in the area.
Most of my Regencies written under the pseudonym Sally James are now published in ebook format as well as many others of my out of print novels which my husband is putting into ebook format. Our daughter Debbie is helping with designing the covers. For details of all my books and my many pseudonyms see my website.
Where to find Marina Oliver online
Where to buy in print
Books
The Chaperone Bride
by Marina Oliver
Price: $7.99 USD. 72320 words.
Published on May 7, 2012. Fiction.
A brand new regency romance from Marina Oliver, author of over 60 books.
Joanna, destitute after her gambler father's suicide, is offered a marriage of convenience. Sir Kenelm needs a wife as a chaperone, since governesses are reluctant to live in a widower’s household.
The twins, children of his first wife, reject her as new mama and the governess resents her.
Fires in the Forest
by Marina Oliver
Price: $3.99 USD. 48900 words.
Published on February 6, 2012. Fiction.
Nicola takes a holiday job in the New Forest, coaching teenage Sarah in French. She is horrified to meet Robert, Sarah's half-brother, with whom she had a serious confrontation about the wrong messages attached to floral gifts. She cannot understand Robert's antagonism towards Sarah's boyfriend, and wonders what his relationship to the glamorous Jane is.
Was "Fires in the Forest" by Brdget Thorn.
Hospital Heartbreaker
by Marina Oliver
Price: $2.99 USD. 38860 words.
Published on February 6, 2012. Fiction.
Fleur's nickname is Nurse Flirt, given her by a jealous rival because of her friendly relations with patients.
When one of these patients contrives to kiss her, she expects official retribution, but it never comes. She thinks this is because she is moving to a big London hospital a few days later.
Then she meets the amorous patient, surgeon Russell Delaney, and rumours once more fly.
Island Quest
by Marina Oliver
Price: $2.99 USD. 38030 words.
Published on February 6, 2012. Fiction.
When her young half-brother goes missing on the island of Majorca, leaving behind his precious drums, Ros Farleigh goes there in an effort to find him. She is distracted by, and suspicious of, the arrogant Spanish guitarist Lorenzo, who appears to know more than he tells her.
Previously published under the pseudonym Bridget Thorn.
A Question of Love
by Marina Oliver
Price: $3.99 USD. 48660 words.
Published on February 6, 2012. Fiction.
Pippa takes a job in Minorca, to prove to her protective family and persistent boyfriend Frank that she can stand on her own feet. The man she is working for is a former film star who is planning to write his memoirs, much to the fury of his last wife and his nephew Juan.
Previously published under the pseudonym Bridget Thorn.
Gavotte
by Marina Oliver
Price: $2.99 USD. 40280 words.
Published on January 23, 2012. Fiction.
Isabella does not want to marry, having been jilted by a faithless lover. She thinks her lovely young sister Clare should marry to restore the family fortunes, reduced by Civil War and exile.
Being in London for the coronation of Charles II provides opportunities to meet eligible men, such as the wealthy Jason Marlowe. Clare, though, has other ideas and draws Isabella into danger.
Lord Hugo's Wedding
by Marina Oliver
Price: $3.99 USD. 47560 words.
Published on January 23, 2012. Fiction.
The wedding plans of the Earl of Winton and Sophie du Plessis are disrupted when Sophie and her parents have to return home to the south of France where her grandmother is dying. Then odd problems arise and they must fight to find one another and solve these difficulties.
Lord Hugo's Bride
by Marina Oliver
Price: $3.99 USD. 49170 words.
Published on January 23, 2012. Fiction.
Hugo, Earl of Winton, decides it is time to marry and provide an heir, but Phillipa, his chosen bride, loves another man. Then he meets the delightful Sophie and his plans are overturned.
Highwayman's Hazard
by Marina Oliver
Price: $3.99 USD. 45710 words.
Published on January 22, 2012. Fiction.
Mr Middlewick, a wealthy merchant, longs for his daughter Clarinda to marry well. When he receives an offer from the elderly Lord Tarbuck she is horrified, and persuades her heiress friend Sarah, daughter of a baron, who lives with her Aunt nearby, to accompany her to the refuge of her grandmother in Harrogate. They fall into the hands of the strange highwayman and are forced to help him.
Restoration Affair
by Marina Oliver
Price: $3.99 USD. 46270 words.
Published on January 21, 2012. Fiction.
At the Court of Charles II the lovely Callias attracts much attention. Neglected by her husband John Cobden, who wants only her money, she feels free to love Sir Richard Weston. His own betrothal to Anne has been broken, but she and John contrive to separate the lovers.
Player's Wench
by Marina Oliver
Price: $3.99 USD. 45750 words.
Published on January 19, 2012. Fiction.
Mr Atwell, a prosperous City merchant, is angry when his middle daughter, Honour, shows a preference for Robert Reade, and longs to visit the new Theatre. He plans to marry her to a suitably Puritan husband. Honour goes with her father's apprentice to Drury Lane, and is delighted with the play, but disaster brings Gervase Dunstone into her life and alters it for ever.
Charms of a Witch
by Marina Oliver
Price: $3.99 USD. 44350 words.
Published on January 9, 2012. Fiction.
Women suspected of witchcraft have always been persecuted, but in the 1640s this turned into a frenzy. Matthew Hopkins, the self-styled Witchfinder General, found many victims in Essex. Lucy, caring at first for her grandmother, and then, after her death, living peacefully in her cottage, is caught up in the fever, and not even the protection of the Squire can help her.
Rebel Heart
by Marina Oliver
Price: $2.99 USD. 39790 words.
Published on January 9, 2012. Fiction.
Elinor does not know if her brother Kit has perished during the Jacobite rebellion, or is a fugitive. She is torn between his allegiance to the exiled King James and her betrothed, Francis, who serves in George I's army. Then a stranger appears who insists on carrying her off to France, to Kit, but first they have to evade their enemies.
The Baron's Bride
by Marina Oliver
Price: $3.99 USD. 50630 words.
Published on January 8, 2012. Fiction.
In England during the reign of Henry III marriages are business arrangements. Eva is told she is to wed Sir Piers de Granfort when she is in love with her cousin Gilbert, who is young and poor, and determines to escape this fate. Her efforts are all foiled, but does Sir Piers really want her, or is he in love with a beautiful widow?
Masquerade for the King
by Marina Oliver
Price: $3.99 USD. 47950 words.
Published on January 8, 2012. Fiction.
Sanchia becomes involved in the affairs of King Charles' II's supporters
Campaign for a Bride
by Marina Oliver
Price: $3.99 USD. 54580 words.
Published on January 4, 2012. Fiction.
Barbara deplores the marriage, but is caught up in the battle of Worcester.
Mating the Llama
by Marina Oliver
Price: $4.99 USD. 74640 words.
Published on January 3, 2012. Fiction.
Lucy, widow of a young pop star, moves to an idyllic country cottage to start a new life. Drowning her sorrows when she is let down by the staid Edward, the latest man in her life, she is unprepared for having Rosa, a llama, invade her kitchen. Is this a mirage? Soon, though, she is drawn into helping Rosa's owner, the charismatic Cas Finlay, who needs to find Rosa a mate.
Strife Beyond Tamar
by Marina Oliver
Price: $3.99 USD. 47970 words.
Published on December 6, 2011. Fiction.
Cornwall and its people are involved in the Civil War. Royalists in Cornwall are determined to keep the Roundheads out of the county.
Runaway Hill
by Marina Oliver
Price: Free! 50780 words.
Published on December 6, 2011. Fiction.
Civil War sieges and the battle of Roundway Down. Roundhead troops occupy Reading, but are utterly vanquished at Roundway Down.
Highland Destiny
by Marina Oliver
Price: $3.99 USD. 46610 words.
Published on December 6, 2011. Fiction.
Civil war and conflict betweem the clans in Scotland. Competition to marry an ophaned Highland girl chieftain and control her clan.
Cavalier Courtship
by Marina Oliver
Price: $4.99 USD. 62440 words.
Published on December 6, 2011. Fiction.
The hunted Cavalier and the Puritan maiden. A Puritan child aids a fugitive Cavalier after the Battle of Worcester
A Civil Conflict
by Marina Oliver
Price: $3.99 USD. 52700 words.
Published on December 6, 2011. Fiction.
The English Civil War that divides families and friends. Lysbeth is torn between Royalist, Roundhead, and the charismatic Sir James.
Veiled Destiny
by Marina Oliver
Price: $4.99 USD. 62330 words.
Published on November 9, 2011. Fiction.
Contemporary romance in the Chilterns. Sophie is in danger from real threats, not accidents, but who can she trust?
Marina Oliver has published over fifty novels and several non-fiction books. Many of her historical novels, twentieth-century sagas, contemporary romances and crime books are now available as e-books.
The Marriage Gamble
by Marina Oliver
Price: $5.99 USD. 71690 words.
Published on November 9, 2011. Fiction.
Regency romance: To regain his family's Castle, Luke is prepared to marry the unknown heiress.
Marina Oliver has published over fifty novels and several non-fiction books. Many of her historical novels, twentieth-century sagas, contemporary romances and crime books are now available as e-books.
Lord Clifford's Dilemma
by Marina Oliver
Price: $4.99 USD. 64750 words.
Published on November 9, 2011. Fiction.
Regency Romance: How can Lord Clifford court Elizabeth while his ward is infatuated with her young brother?
Marina Oliver has published over fifty novels and several non-fiction books. Many of her historical novels, twentieth-century sagas, contemporary romances and crime books are now available as e-books.
The Knot Garden
by Marina Oliver
Price: $5.99 USD. 84790 words.
Published on November 4, 2011. Fiction.
Running a garden centre after her father is injured demands all Tansy's courage.
Marina Oliver has published over fifty novels and several non-fiction books. Many of her historical novels, twentieth-century sagas, contemporary romances and crime books are now available as e-books.
Virginian Lover
by Marina Oliver
Price: $4.99 USD. 74900 words.
Published on November 4, 2011. Fiction.
Bella, exiled to Jamestown, Virginia, in the seventeenth century, seeks to escape from her abusive husband.
Marina Oliver has published over fifty novels and several non-fiction books. Many of her historical novels, twentieth-century sagas, contemporary romances and crime books are now available as e-books.
Previously published as "Forbiddeen Love" under the pseudonym Donna Hunt.
Courtesan of the Saints
by Marina Oliver
Price: $3.99 USD. 49200 words.
Published on November 4, 2011. Fiction.
Spies and counter-spies plot during the years of the Parliament of the Saints in the mid-1650s.
Marina Oliver has published over fifty novels and several non-fiction books. Many of her historical novels, twentieth-century sagas, contemporary romances and crime books are now available as e-books.
Presentation to a Dying
by Marina Oliver
Price: $4.99 USD. 61370 words.
Published on October 18, 2011. Fiction.
Another cosy village Dodie Fanshaw mystery by Marina Oliver. The Reverend Fairfax is dead - the tile imbedded in his skull proves that! And it’s clearly murder, but no-one seems to have an alibi.
Marina Oliver has published over fifty novels and several non-fiction books. Many of her historical novels, twentieth-century sagas, contemporary romances and crime books are now available as e-books.
To A Far Country
by Marina Oliver
Price: $4.99 USD. 72970 words.
Published on September 9, 2011. Fiction.
Evicted from their Highland croft, Jamie and Flora Lennox, with their baby daughter and other families of the township, go to Nova Scotia to start a new life.
The leaving of the glen is heart-rending, and soon more disasters strike, on the voyage and as they move westwards to find suitable land.
Can they survive in this new, raw country? Will they find happiness in their new lives?
Can Dreams Come True?
by Marina Oliver
Price: $6.99 USD. 114950 words.
Published on September 8, 2011. Fiction.
In this fifth Midlands saga Kate, scholarship girl, meets Robert who offers to take her flying. Kate's heroine is Amy Johnson, and she is ecstatic. Then various calamities make life difficult. Expelled, with no job, Alf killed and Hattie unstable, Kate struggles to support them, but more problems arise. Will Kate's dream of flying ever come true?
Wild Catriona
by Marina Oliver
Price: $5.99 USD. 81800 words.
Published on September 8, 2011. Fiction.
Catriona's passion is for fabrics and printing. With father lost at sea, her mother losing the will to live, her Uncle wanting her to marry the bigoted newcomer, and her cousin wanting her as his mistress, she must flee to her Dutch relatives. Needing money after hers is stolen, she persuades Rory Napier to employ her to supervise the block printing of linen at his Glasgow factory.
Riding for a Fall
by Marina Oliver
Price: $4.99 USD. 71460 words.
Published on September 1, 2011. Fiction.
When Dodie Fanshaw goes to stay with her old friend Christine, she soon realises there are tensions, both in the family living at the Manor and the one where Elena is organising daughter Rebecca's wedding. John, the young brother of Robert, who owns the Manor, hates his Uncle Michael, Robert's Trustee, and because he wants to be a detective, gains a reputation as a snooper. Then there is a tragic.
A Cut Above the Rest
by Marina Oliver
Price: Free! 68980 words.
Published on August 29, 2011. Fiction.
The second Dodie Fanshaw mystery by Marina Oliver.
Dodie's rural peace is shattered, first by a mermaid walking up the lawn from the river Thames, and then by a body near the pool. The body belonged to an author who lived next door.
His girlfriend, publisher, agent, ex-lovers and neighbours crowd into the garden. But who could have killed this best-selling novelist? And why? Dodie is drawn in.
Fatal Slip
by Marina Oliver
Price: $4.99 USD. 63350 words.
Published on August 27, 2011. Fiction.
When her son dies, Dodie is determined to find the murderer.
Royal Courtship
by Marina Oliver
Price: $2.99 USD. 33130 words.
Published on August 14, 2011. Fiction.
Bella is terrified when Henry VIII pays her attentions, looking for a sixth wife to give him sons. Her brother imagines himself Regent for a boy king, her Spanish cousin Pedro thinks of advantages for Spain with a half-Spanish Queen on the throne. She flees from Court, and handsome Comte de Nerac offers to help her. Will he betray her to Henry's vengeance and the men the King has sent after her?
Once Bitten
by Marina Oliver
Price: $3.99 USD. 51460 words.
Published on August 14, 2011. Fiction.
Judy goes to dog-sit for sister Fay while she and Paul are away. She unexpectedly finds Justin, Paul's cousin, also there. Then her ex-fiancé Mark arrives, angry she has rejected him. And the luscious Sadie moves in next door. Busy trying to establish her business selling greetings cards, preparing for a local craft fair, descended on by her parents, Judy frets at these distractions.
Chance-met Stranger
by Marina Oliver
Price: $2.99 USD. 28430 words.
Published on August 14, 2011. Fiction.
Janie is desperate when her removal company let her down at the last minute. Luckily the men dealing with her neighbour's move are willing to help. The handsome Manuel asks her out for dinner, and then becomes involved in her feckless sister's latest disaster. To make things even worse, Brian, the step-nephew of her godmother produces a will leaving the cottage to him.
Previously A Dangerous Love.
The Blazing Glen
by Marina Oliver
Price: $2.99 USD. 27240 words.
Published on August 14, 2011. Fiction.
Janet Mackay dislikes Englishmen, especially the Marquess of Sutherland who will evict them to make way for sheep. So when Alastair Fenton arrives, she is far from friendly. After the eviction grandmother Mary dies. Janet will go to Canada to join her brother, who fled after the '45, but on the way to Glasgow disaster strikes. Janet accepts Alastair's help, rejecting Murdo who wants to marry her.
The Garden Prize
by Marina Oliver
Price: $2.99 USD. 28830 words.
Published on August 14, 2011. Fiction.
Melanie longs to win the Garden Prize for her dead father's garden. She will run the guest house for a year, and the garden can be judged on the three weeks the village gardens open.
Her former boss offers her a partnership and marriage, her sister wants to sell the house quickly, vandals attack her garden. A guest Paul Hunt is helpful, but mysterious. Can she trust him? Was Love's Sweet Secrets.
Her Captive Cavalier
by Marina Oliver
Price: $2.99 USD. 23140 words.
Published on August 14, 2011. Fiction.
Determined not to allow a band of roaming Cavaliers into her home, Caro threatens their leader with a pistol. When he ignores her challenge she shuts her eyes and fires. Compelled to nurse him when her shot grazes his head, she realises she must protect him from his enemies. But that is not enough. His enemies become hers, and to escape them she has to trust herself to his protection.
Theft of Love
by Marina Oliver
Price: $2.99 USD. 24590 words.
Published on August 12, 2011. Fiction.
Linda's new boyfriend Pete enjoyed looking at stately homes. She was horrified, when they went to The Old Grange, where a big reenactment weekend was taking place, to find he was planning to steal some of the antiques and expected her to help him. Furiously angry, she found help from a knight in armour, and together they determined to foil the crooks.
Previously Her Stolen Heart by Bridget Thorn.
A Stratford Jewel
by Marina Oliver
Price: $6.99 USD. 99020 words.
Published on July 23, 2011. Fiction.
Rosa and her sister Celia long to become professional actresses, and do appear in the Shakespeare Festival Plays. When the Stratford-on-Avon theatre burns down their hopes seem dashed. Max, an American architect, is interested in the competition to design the new theatre, while Rosa's brother Jack, home from the war, becomes more and more strange, and damages their haulage business.
The Golden Road
by Marina Oliver
Price: $6.99 USD. 122460 words.
Published on July 21, 2011. Fiction.
When her stepfather dies, Josie and her mother Dora have to face being poor. Her stepbrother Leo, owner of a jewellery factory, gives Josie a job. He introduces her to Motor Rallying, but when Josie is accused of theft she leaves. Unable to find a job, rejected by her aunt Phoebe, Josie and Dora are forced to live in a slum. Her dream of competing the Monte Carlo Rally seems hopeless.
The Glowing Hours
by Marina Oliver
Price: $6.99 USD. 124670 words.
Published on July 21, 2011. Fiction.
Three girls, escaping from difficult homes, meet because of their love of dancing. Nell, Gwyneth and Kitty join chorus lines in 1920s Music Halls, and dance all over the English Midlands. Then they have the chance of appearing at Paris's Folies Bergère, but malign fate intervenes before they can go. And there is Andrew, Kitty's cousin, Timothy, languid aristocrat, and Paul, charismatic doctor.
The Cobweb Cage
by Marina Oliver
Price: $6.99 USD. 142480 words.
Published on July 20, 2011. Fiction.
Marigold is devoted to her family, and determined to make life easier for them. She meets Richard, wealthy and charming, and despite their differences in background, they fall in love and marry. Then comes the Great War, and Richard, a qualified pilot, joins the army. He is missing, Marigold's family is struck by tragedy, and she has to make an agonising decision in order to help them.
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