Irene Mossop

Irene Swatridge, née Irene Maude Mossop (6 December 1904 in Woking, Surrey, England – 26 October 1988 in England) was a British writer of over 175 children's and romance novels.

Swatridge wrote under her maiden and married names, as well as under the pseudonyms of Jan Tempeste, Fay Chandos, and Virginia Storm. She also wrote in collaboration with her husband Charles John Swatridge (1896–1964) under the pseudonyms of Theresa Charles and Leslie Lance, and after his death under the pseudonyms alone.

Life and career Born Irene Maude Mossop on 6 December 1904 in Woking, Surrey, England, she was the elder child of Maude Binford Eyre and Robert Mossop, a solicitor, later she had a brother. She was educated privately.

Swatridge started writing very young, and after her father's death she started publishing girls' schools novels as Irene Mossop. In 1934, she married a former RAF officer and recently widowed Charles John Swatridge (1896–1964). They moved to a Devon farm, where she continued writing.

After her marriage, Swatridge started to write gothic and romance novels, first as Jan Tempest and later as Fay Chandos. In collaboration with her husband, Swatridge published as Theresa Charles, years later, also published with her husband some novels as Leslie Lance, and after his death she continued using the pseudonym alone.

In the 1950s, Swatridge had serious discussions with Alan Boon of Mills & Boon about her novel Without A Honeymoon when she introduced the idea of an illegitimate child. He felt that she would encounter difficulties with the Irish audience.

Swatridge died on 26 October 1988.