A FORMER Burnley high school teacher who is tipped for “great things” has had her first book published in the UK.

Victoria Connelly’s fast-paced romantic comedy, Molly’s Millions, has already wowed bestselling authors.

The story features a lottery winner who gives away all her winnings as a way to beat the credit crunch blues.

Victoria, who taught English at St Theodore’s RC High School in 1999, said: “Romantic comedy is my favourite genre.

“They always have the power to make you smile, which is so important in these times when everything can seem so gloomy. If Molly's Millions can bring a smile to a few faces, I will be very happy.”

Bestselling author, Lisa Jewell, who wrote Thirtynothing and Ralph’s Party, reviewed Victoria’s latest book.

She said: “Molly’s Millions is sunshine on a rainy day. A charmingly written slice of warm-hearted escapism.”

Victoria, 38, taught under her maiden name Forsythe when she was in Burnley.

The author, who now lives in London, said she is still a regular visitor up north as she has many friends in Barnoldswick and her mother lives in Skipton.She added: “It was my first teaching job in Burnley and it was at an all boys school, so it was like a baptism of fire.

“It was challenging but it was a lot of fun and I had brilliant support from the staff.”

Until now Victoria has had two novels published in Germany, the first of which was made into a film last year.

Flights of Angels, published as Unter deinem Stern, was produced for television by the award-winning company, Ziegler Film.

Publishers Allison & Busby is hoping Molly’s Millions gets the same response here in the UK.

Victoria said: “I've just sent a magical romance to my German publisher and they are publishing my third novel in January 2010.

“I’ve also just completed my next UK novel, Connie Gordon’s Clan, about an actress who swaps Hollywood for the Scottish Highlands.

“I also want to write a teenage romance set in Venice, so there’s lots to keep me busy!”

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