In the 1930's, Ida Cook and her sister helped rescue many Jewish people from Nazi Germany by posing as eccentric opera fanatics. Their trips were financed in part by Ida's books for Mills and Boon. She wrote under the pen name Mary Burchill. Due to the risks she and her sister took, they were named Righteous Gentiles in 1965 by a grateful state of Isreal. Ida also served as a president of the RNA. You can read more about her here
It is rather thrilling in many ways to discover what other M&B authors have done. Because some many wrote under pen names, their other lives have oftenremained a mystery...
I am sure some have this imagine of romance authors being all like Barbara Cartland or perhaps some other frustrated old bat. The truth is v different. All M&B authors are interesting in some way, and I can't think of any who conform to the norm. I am certain that there are heroines in the pack like Ida Cook.
I want to celebrate the success of my cp Donna Alward for being offered her second contract with M&B. Her book Marriage at Circle M made me cry in an early draft stage and I understand that it has gotten even stronger. I am v much looking forward to it coming out.
1 comment:
Have only just caught up with this Michelle, as it's been a busy weekend, but just wanted to say a huge thank you for mentioning this. I didn't know anything about Ida Cook before, and it's great to hear this story.
I've found that Mills and Boon authors are amongst the kindest people I've ever come across, but it's amazing to have this so spectacularly demonstrated!
Post a Comment