HarperFiction lassoes Emma Lucy’s ‘spicy’ cowboy romance series in four-way auction
HarperFiction has won a four-way auction for Emma Lucy’s cowboy romance series in a three-book deal.
Belinda Toor, editorial director, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights excluding Canada from Maddy Belton at Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency. North American rights were bought by Tessa Woodward, for Avon at HarperCollins US.
Live, Ranch, Love, the first book in the Willow Ridge Series, is scheduled for UK publication in May 2025. The second book in the Willow Ridge series will follow in autumn 2025. Lucy had previously self-published Live, Ranch, Love in e-book and paperback.
The novel follows London-based wellness influencer Rory Jones as she moves to a close-knit, small town in Colorado to sell her late Great Aunt’s ranch. She is determined to sell-up and leave as quickly as she can, but a grumpy cowboy stands in her way.
Toor said: “Lucy writes brilliant, escapist fiction, and Rory and Wyatt’s swoon-worthy romance had me gripped from the very first page.”
Lucy commented: “From the start, the passion and excitement that Tessa and Belinda, and their respective teams, shared for Live, Ranch, Love was incredible, and made me certain that the Willow Ridge series had found the perfect home.”
Belton added: “Live, Ranch, Love is such a brilliant, sexy treat and I am so excited to see it reach new heights with HC and for the rest of the series to come to life. Long live the cowboy era!”
