Ruth Elwin Harris is the celebrated author of the historical quartet novels, The Sisters of the Quantock Hills. The inspiration for this series began during her childhood amidst the backdrop of World War II. During the wartime bombing, she and her brother found refuge with their grandfather in rural Somerset, England. His home and garden served as the model for Hillcrest, the residence of the Purcell sisters in her beloved series.

At the age of twenty-one, Ruth Elwin Harris emigrated to Canada, marking a significant turn in her life. In those days, communication was quite different. She recalls, "There was no such thing as e-mail then, and the telephone was rarely used -- it was expensive and calls had to be booked. Letter writing was the way we kept in touch." This constant correspondence provided her a unique insight into personal narratives, which is evident in her writing.