Lorna Read was born in Liverpool and started writing at the age of six, when she wrote her first song (words and music) and first poem (about her cat!). When she was eleven, she wrote the first few chapters of a book featuring a Canadian lumberjack, which is still lurking in a battered old notebook. At school, she won several essay prizes and came second in an RSPCA essay competition.

After gaining an Honours degree in English from Bangor University in North Wales, she moved to London and started work as an advertising copywriter, then spent several years as a rock music journalist whilst singing with her own band. Next came a stint with IPC Magazines as editor of romantic story magazine, Loving. During her decade on the title, she regularly appeared on radio and TV as an agony aunt.

Lorna now lives in West London. The Earl's Captive is her first title for Next Chapter and she is currently working on the follow-up, The Earl's Concubine.