Helen JR Bruce has been writing novels since she was about ten, and they have always involved too much blood. Gaining confidence from winning the title of 'Essex Young Poet of the Year' for three years running, she studied English Language and Literature for her A levels, before going on to the University of Westminster. She graduated with a First Class BA Hons in English Literature and Creative Writing which she followed by taking a SCITT training course and qualifying as an Outstanding teacher of English. After deciding that her passion lay beyond classroom teaching, she began offering private tutoring for A level students and working as a mentor with authors looking to prepare their books for publication. Alongside this she works as a storyteller and has been using all her spare time to get 'Heat of the Hunt' finished, and her next book planned, of course. In her work, she enjoys exploring the choices of characters in dark places and difficult situations, using a grounding in reality to bring fantasy to life.