Bec was born in Guildford, Surrey and N J (Neil John) was born in Eastleigh near Southampton, Hampshire. Although both Southerners they moved up North and met through mutual friends; in Preston, Lancashire. Friends for about 5 years they originally bonded because of their love for stories and shared interest in writing. Little did they know that when Neil gave Bec the rough draft of his first book and she pretended to edit it (eventually handing it back unchanged with an apologetic smile) that they were setting up the dynamic that would eventually be replayed a long time later when Nemesis was written. And, following a drunken night, friendship became something much more. Not much time… later, when Neil witnessed how emotional Bec became when watching a TV show she had seen many times before, he proposed and she agreed to marry him. After the stress of planning and achieving the perfect wedding, moving house twice and collectively training a dog (Jack), and dealing with more than a few medical issues, they have found a stronger love for each other (and the dog) and believe that the book is an accomplishment that they can both be proud of.