Sugar Island by Sanjida O’Connell
John Murray, £17.99

Subconsciously, Sanjida O’Connell may have named the heroine of Sugar Island after the famous Bronte sibling whose masterpiece, set against the backdrop of her beloved Haworth landscape, inspired her as she strolled the moors while growing up in Ilkley.

“I really loved the moors and used to go for long walks by myself and I really loved the Brontes. Wuthering Heights is my favourite book,” says Sanjida.

Sanjida’s character, glamorous actress Emily Harris, arrives in America in 1859 to perform with her father.

Charles Earl Brook is one of her many male admirers and their relationship develops following the death of Emily’s father.

Charles fills the void in her life following her devastating loss. They marry, but it isn’t until Emily arrives, heavily pregnant, at his family’s plantation in Georgia that she discovers he is a slave owner.

Emily is horrified to see the squalid conditions the slaves are forced to live in. She tries to help them in secret, but her interference isn’t always appreciated – especially by her husband and his acquaintances.

The threat of Civil War puts Emily in greater danger. She either toes the line or forgoes her family.

Sugar Island is a fascinating novel based on the true story of actress, author and anti-slavery activist Fanny Kemble. As well as being a gripping story, it offers a compelling insight into conditions in which the slaves lived.

Sanjida became fascinated with Fanny while researching and writing her non-fiction book Sugar: The Grass That Changed The World.

The award-winning author grew up in Ilkley, where her parents still live, and now lives in Bristol with her partner Jaimie Rogers and their eight-month-old daughter Jasmine.

She was an assistant producer/director on BBC1 science magazine programme Tomorrow’s World, and has presented wildlife programmes. She also writes on science and environmental issues for newspapers and magazines.

Sanjida was 24 when she published her first novel, Theory Of Mind. She has a degree in zoology and says she’s always been fascinated by animals. Angel Bird and The Naked Name Of Love are among her other novels, and her non-fiction work includes Nature’s Calendar.

She considers herself lucky to combine her interests in animals and novel writing. “I have wanted to be a novelist my whole life. I think I’ve been very lucky to have a career doing that,” says Sanjida.