A novel by local author Julie Gregson has been voted Romantic Novel of the Year 2009 by the Romantic Novelists Association.

Julia, who lives in Whitebrook, won the award with East of the Sun, a story about love, friendship and adventure, set in India during the last days of the British Raj.

The prize was presented to Julia at the RNA's Awards Lunch at the Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington, last Tuesday.

The judges, Alice O'Keeffe, Fanny Blake and Peter Crawshaw, said of the winning book: "The last days of the British Raj in India, at a pivotal moment of its history during the ascendancy of Gandhi, were brilliantly evoked in the author's skilled hands.

"With three remarkable women at its centre, each with different flaws, strengths and voices, the novel engages the reader from the first page and never lets go, following their various fortunes until it reaches its truly satisfying ending."

Alice O'Keeffe also commented, "Chairing the judging panel for the Romantic Novel of the Year was great fun. The strength of the shortlist meant every book was a pleasure to read but it did make the final decision very difficult.

"There was a healthy debate amongst the judges but, in the end, a unanimous decision was reached and we are certain that the winner is a novel to cherish."

Commenting on the award, a delighted Julia said: "It was a complete surprise - there were five or six of us shortlisted and I didn't actually think I was going to win."

She has now started on a new novel called Jasmine Nights. " It is set in the Middle East and Cairo and Julia will be travelling to Egypt next month as part of her research for the book.

She will also be speaking about the inspiration for her novels at Monmouth Women's Festival's literary lunch on March 8th.

Before concentrating on writing novels, Julia worked as a journalist and spent some time in India as a foreign correspondent.

She has had a variety of jobs ranging from working as a cowgirl in the Australia outback to a house model for Hardy Amies.