The past is never over ... Jack Stewart thought he'd put the past behind him. On the surface, he has everything - success, money, a big house and he is never short of an attractive woman by his side, but a tragic road accident shatters his world. Raised as an Irish Traveller, Luke Kiernan hasn't had it easy, and when he wakes in a Dublin hospital to find the man he's hated since childhood at his bedside, he's hungry for revenge. Two very different worlds collide, bringing new dangers, exposing past deceits, and unearthing dark family secrets buried long ago. But from tragedy springs the promise of a fresh start with two women who are intent on helping Jack and Luke mend their lives. Can new love heal old wounds, or are some scars there for good?

Isabella Connor's profile page

Isabella Connor is the penname of Val Olteanu and Liv Thomas.

VAL OLTEANUgrew up in Scotland, and her childhood ambitions were to travel and to be a writer.

After studying English and Art History at the University of Glasgow, she moved to London where she worked in the Literature Department of the Arts Council England. Some years later, she decided to teach English and see the world. She lived and worked in Croatia, the West Bank, and Mexico, before settling with her husband in Canada. She is currently an adult educator in Burnaby, British Columbia. She "met" Liv Thomas on an internet forum, and the two decided to co-author a novel, despite living more than 4,700 miles apart. Through e-mails and late night/early morning phone calls, they succeeded in producing their debut novelBeneath an Irish Sky.

LIV THOMASwas born and raised in the South of England. She always had the dream of becoming a writer, but never had the confidence to pursue it completely.

After positive responses to Lord of the Rings fan-fiction, she decided it was time to make the dream a reality. Wife and mum, Liv works for the National Health Service in Southampton, England. Her children are grown up, but the West Highland Terrier is still at home. Ideally, she'd also like a tiger, a meerkat, and a giant panda. Realistically, this isn't likely. Liv has travelled extensively, including the United States and the Caribbean, without setting foot on an airplane as she has a fear of flying.

Val and Liv hope one day to meet in person.