Sheila Walsh (novelist)
Encyclopedia
Sheila Walsh, née Sheila Frances O'Nions (b. 10 October 1928 in Birmingham
, England
, UK
– d. 20 January 2009) was a British
writer of romance novel
s from 1975 to 2001; she also wrote as Sophie Leyton.
In 1971, Sheila joined the Southport Writers' Circle and was elected life president in 1986. In 1980 she became the vice-president of the Romantic Novelists' Association
and later was the thirteenth elected Chairman (1985–1987).
, England
, UK
. She was the daughter of Wilfred O'Nions, a civil servant, and his wife Margaret (Moran) O'Nions. She studied at the Notre Dame Convent at Birkdale
, Southport
. During the World War II
, her family moved to Southport
, Lancashire
, where she met Desmond "Des" Walsh, son of Thomas Walsh, who had a jewelry store at 39 Chapel Street since 1926. She studied at Southport College of Art, from 1945 to 1948. In 22 April 1950, Sheila married Des Walsh, and they had two daughters, Frances Mary "Fran" Walsh and Teresa "Tess" Walsh. Sheila worked during years in her husband's familiar jewelry store, with her husband, her husband elder brother Gerard and his wife Dorothy.
In 1971, Sheila joined the Southport Writers' Circle, and years later, in 1986 was elected life president. In 1980 she became the vice-president of the Romantic Novelists' Association
, and later elected Chairman (1985–1987)
Her debut novel, The Golden Songbird, won the Netta Muskett award for new writers from the Romantic Novelists' Association
, and in 1984, her novel, A Highly Respectable Marriage won the Elizabeth Goudge award.
Sheila Walsh died on 20 January 2009, at age 80.
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
– d. 20 January 2009) was a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
writer of romance novel
Romance novel
The romance novel is a literary genre developed in Western culture, mainly in English-speaking countries. Novels in this genre place their primary focus on the relationship and romantic love between two people, and must have an "emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending." Through the late...
s from 1975 to 2001; she also wrote as Sophie Leyton.
In 1971, Sheila joined the Southport Writers' Circle and was elected life president in 1986. In 1980 she became the vice-president of the Romantic Novelists' Association
Romantic Novelists' Association
The Romantic Novelists' Association is a writers' association in the UK. Founded in 1960, mainly through the efforts of Denise Robins , Barbara Cartland , Vivian Stuart , and other authors like Elizabeth Goudge, Netta Muskett, Catherine Cookson, Rosamunde Pilcher and Lucilla Andrews.The RNA runs...
and later was the thirteenth elected Chairman (1985–1987).
Biography
She was born Sheila Frances O'Nions on 10 October 1928 in BirminghamBirmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. She was the daughter of Wilfred O'Nions, a civil servant, and his wife Margaret (Moran) O'Nions. She studied at the Notre Dame Convent at Birkdale
Birkdale
Birkdale is a village and district in the southern part of the conurbation of the town of Southport, within the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, Merseyside, though historically in Lancashire, in the north-west of England. The village is located on the Irish Sea coast, approximately a mile away from...
, Southport
Southport
Southport is a seaside town in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton in Merseyside, England. During the 2001 census Southport was recorded as having a population of 90,336, making it the eleventh most populous settlement in North West England...
. During the World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, her family moved to Southport
Southport
Southport is a seaside town in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton in Merseyside, England. During the 2001 census Southport was recorded as having a population of 90,336, making it the eleventh most populous settlement in North West England...
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, where she met Desmond "Des" Walsh, son of Thomas Walsh, who had a jewelry store at 39 Chapel Street since 1926. She studied at Southport College of Art, from 1945 to 1948. In 22 April 1950, Sheila married Des Walsh, and they had two daughters, Frances Mary "Fran" Walsh and Teresa "Tess" Walsh. Sheila worked during years in her husband's familiar jewelry store, with her husband, her husband elder brother Gerard and his wife Dorothy.
In 1971, Sheila joined the Southport Writers' Circle, and years later, in 1986 was elected life president. In 1980 she became the vice-president of the Romantic Novelists' Association
Romantic Novelists' Association
The Romantic Novelists' Association is a writers' association in the UK. Founded in 1960, mainly through the efforts of Denise Robins , Barbara Cartland , Vivian Stuart , and other authors like Elizabeth Goudge, Netta Muskett, Catherine Cookson, Rosamunde Pilcher and Lucilla Andrews.The RNA runs...
, and later elected Chairman (1985–1987)
Her debut novel, The Golden Songbird, won the Netta Muskett award for new writers from the Romantic Novelists' Association
Romantic Novelists' Association
The Romantic Novelists' Association is a writers' association in the UK. Founded in 1960, mainly through the efforts of Denise Robins , Barbara Cartland , Vivian Stuart , and other authors like Elizabeth Goudge, Netta Muskett, Catherine Cookson, Rosamunde Pilcher and Lucilla Andrews.The RNA runs...
, and in 1984, her novel, A Highly Respectable Marriage won the Elizabeth Goudge award.
Sheila Walsh died on 20 January 2009, at age 80.
Single novels
- The Golden Songbird (1975)
- Madalena (1976)
- The Sergeant Major's Daughter (1977)
- Lord Gilmore's Bride = A Fine Silk Purse (1978)
- The Incomparable Miss Brady (1980)
- The Rose Domino (1981)
- A Highly Respectable Marriage (1982)
- The Runaway Bride (1983)
- The Diamond Waterfall = Cousins of a Kind (1984)
- The Incorrigible Rake = Improper Acquaintances (1984)
- The Wary Widow (1985)
- An Insubstantial Pageant (1986)
- Bath Intrigue (1986)
- Lady Aurelia's Bequest (1987)
- Minerva's Marquis = Minerva's Marquess (1988)
- The Notorious Nabob = The Nabob (1989)
- The Arrogant Lord Alistair (1990)
- A Woman of Little Importance (1991)
- Until Tomorrow (1993)
- Remember Me (1994)
- The Perfect Bride = Cornwell Bride (1994)
- Kate and the Marquess (1997)
- The Lady from Lisbon (2001)
Omnibus
- "The Christmas Star" in A Regency Christmas (1989) (with Mary BaloghMary BaloghMary Balogh is a Welsh-Canadian historical romance novelist.-Personal life:...
, Sandra Heath, Emily Hendrickson, Emma Lange) - A Regency Christmas II (1990) (with Mary BaloghMary BaloghMary Balogh is a Welsh-Canadian historical romance novelist.-Personal life:...
, Carla KellyCarla KellyCarla Kelly, or Carla Sue Kelly is a popular and acclaimed writer in the Regency romance genre. She is the author of over forty books and short stories. Her books are "keepers" and accordingly hard to find. Renowned for what she calls "dukeless" regencies, her stories often revolve around ordinary...
, Anita Mills, Mary Jo PutneyMary Jo PutneyMary Jo Putney is a best-selling American author of over twenty-five historical and contemporary romance novels. She has also been published fantasy romance novels as M.J. Putney. Her books are known for their unusual subject matter, including alcoholism, death, and domestic...
) - "Midsummer Masquerade" in A Regency Summer (1992) (with Mary BaloghMary BaloghMary Balogh is a Welsh-Canadian historical romance novelist.-Personal life:...
, Charlotte Louise Dolan, Sandra Heath, Melinda McRae) - "Dear Delight" in Tokens of Love I (1994) (with Mary BaloghMary BaloghMary Balogh is a Welsh-Canadian historical romance novelist.-Personal life:...
, Sandra Heath, Carol Proctor and Margaret Westhaven) - "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" in A Regency Christmas VI (1994) (with Mary BaloghMary BaloghMary Balogh is a Welsh-Canadian historical romance novelist.-Personal life:...
, Sandra Heath, Emily Hendrickson, Emma Lange)