AN AWARD-WINNING Australian author has drawn on her youthful experiences of Otley for her new novel.

Karen Turner visited the town as a child and lived with her grandmother, on Fairfax Street, when she was 19.

She describes her time in Wharfedale as some of the happiest in her life - and it has gone on to inform her work.

Karen's first novel, Torn - which was published in 2013, and followed a collection of short stories - was full of thinly disguised references to Otley and its countryside.

Set in the Regency era, in the early 19th Century, it follows 'wild child' Alex's struggle for love as her family is ravaged by war and deceit.

Karen has since gone on to publish a well-received sequel, Inviolate, and is now working on the third book of the trilogy.

Due to come out later this year, it is set in Otley and Leeds during World War Two, and the author has carried out extensive research into the wartime history of both areas.

Explaining the importance of Wharfedale to her, she said: "Living in Otley as a young woman was one of the happiest times of my life.

"I would roam the countryside, and the area has shaped my writing in so many ways.

"The town, and the rolling beauty of its surroundings, inspired the landscape, houses and village life described in my first novel, Torn.

"And the fictitious town I created in Torn, called Wolstone, is actually based on Otley."

Karen still visits Otley when she can, and was back in the town this year to seek further inspiration for her trilogy closer.

Her first literary offering, the short story collection All That and Everything, also features a tale called The Churchyard Wall with a description of a churchyard that should sound very familiar to Otley residents.

Karen's novels and short stories are available world-wide via Amazon and Booktopia.

The author lives with her husband, Stuart, and her cats Panda and Katie in Mornington, Victoria, Australia.