A Macclesfield author is celebrating after being shortlisted for a national award.

Macclesfield novelist, Elisabeth J Hobbes, only released her book Daughter of the Sea in December, and it has already received glowing recognition.

The captivating page-turner has been shortlisted in the Fantasy Romantic Novel Award category for the Romantic Novelists' Association's annual Romantic Novel Awards for 2022.

The awards celebrate the best in romantic fiction in all forms, with the Macclesfield authors latest effort being recognised as meeting their standard of excellence.

Elisabeth began writing in secret, but was soon offered a two-book contract with Harlequin in 2013. So the mum-of-two soon had to own up to why the house was such a tip!

She has published numerous historical romances with Harlequin Mills & Boon and One More Chapter, spanning the Middle Ages to the Second World War.

The shortlisted story, Daughter of the Sea, has a five star rating on the Waterstones website.

The Macclesfield mum teaches Reception but she'd rather be writing full time because, unlike four-year-olds, her characters generally do what she tells them.

When she isn't writing, she spends most of her time reading and is a pro at cooking one-handed while holding a book. She was born and raised in York but now lives in our town because her car broke down there in 1999 and she has never left since.

"The Romantic Novelists' Association has been such an important part of my writing career in terms of developing my writing style and forming close friendships, said Elisabeth.

"I feel privileged to be part of such a supportive and talented group of authors, any of whom are household names, so being shortlisted is such an honour.

"I had to read the email three times to check it was meant for me! Daughter of the Sea started off as an entry (and winner) for The Elizabeth Goudge writing contest for the 2018 summer conference so I'm absolutely delighted that the novel it became has been shortlisted for the Fantasy Romantic Novel Award.

"Of all my books, this one is closest to my heart, dealing with characters who are outsiders, either because of their life choices or differences outside their control. As a parent of two autistic children (and probably on the spectrum myself) I wanted to portray a mother who loves her children unconditionally and sees the people beyond the label."

The heart-warming love story with a mythological twist, is set in North Yorkshire. It costs just 99p on Kindle, or just over £8 for a paperback copy.

Sharon Ibbotson, the Awards Coordinator for the Romantic Novelists' Association spoke fondly of the Macclesfield author's work.

"During a difficult year, people needed escapism and romance more than ever," she said.

"Our shortlisted authors, chosen by our readers, delivered both. The Romantic Novelists' Association is proud to celebrate them and their achievement."

Since their inception in 1960, the Romantic Novel Awards have recognised outstanding Romantic fiction and previous winners include Phillipa Gregory, Joanna Trollope and Rosamunde Pilcher.

The winners of the awards will be announced during the Romantic Novelists' Association's Romantic Novel Awards ceremony.

It is being held at the Leonardo Royal Hotel London City in London on Monday March 7 at 6.30pm.

You can purchase Elisabeth's coastal romance book here.

The blurb is as follows:

"On a windswept British coastline the tide bestows an unexpected gift … It was the cry that she first noticed, the plaintive wail that called to her over the crash of winter waves. Wrapped only in a sealskin, the baby girl looks up at Effie and instantly captures her heart. But when Midsummer arrives, so too does a man claiming to be the child's father. And Lachlan tells a story she never anticipated… one of selkies, legend, and the power of the sea…

Elisabeth J Hobbes can be followed on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

See Also: Books: Five current Macclesfield authors you should check out.

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