Ann Cliff

Ann Cliff made a gradual progression from writing non - fiction books and articles about country life and local history, to Yorkshire regional sagas.

A small farmer herself, Ann has written about traditional country cures and country crafts, as well as smallholding including the “Backyard Farming” series, formerly writing as Ann Williams. She has always been interested in organic and sustainable farming and gardening.

Moorland Lass, Ann’s first novel, was developed on and off over twenty years, before seeing publication by Robert Hale Ltd. It was inspired by the history of her favourite piece of Yorkshire, the eastern side of Nidderdale, locally called ‘The High Side.’

 Ann retains an interest in her family’s farm at Grewelthorpe near Ripon, which her brother and his wife are converting into a nature reserve and learning centre, and she visits Yorkshire often. Her second novel, Bitter Inheritance, set in the same nineteenth-century Yorkshire location, includes some of the stories handed down in her family.

For most of the year Ann lives in Victoria, Australia with her husband Neville, on an upland farm on the edge of the Tanjil State Forest, where they breed Angus cattle.

She also works in adult education.

Moorland Lass; Bitter Inheritance; Yorkshire Rose (Hale)

Bitter Inheritance

Facing eviction from her Yorkshire farm after the death of her parents, red-haired Sally Mason refuses to accept that a woman is not capable of independence. In doing so, she must fight her formidable aunt and worse still her grim landlord, Oliver Radford, who maintains a bitter feud with the Mason family over a murder committed fifty years before. Sally finds an ally in her new friend Marcus. However, when she discovers he is Oliver's son, the barriers between them seem insurmountable. There could be a way for Sally to keep the farm but, apparently, only by sacrificing her chance of happiness with Marcus. Can they ever solve the murder mystery and lay the feud to rest?

It wasn’t until Hilary Johnson set me on the right path that I was able to match what I  wanted to write with current market requirements.  Hilary and her staff have a way of presenting exactly the objective, constructive and yet encouraging criticism that we all need.   I’ll continue to use her service as a sounding board for future projects.