Guest Post: Historical Romance Author Wendy Soliman

Wendy Soliman writes historical romance and intriguingly, marine mysteries. Since I’ve never read a marine mystery, I will certainly be checking them out! She has written for Robert Hale, Samhain Publishing and now, Carina Press. Wendy is a true worldwide wanderer, and currently lives in Andorra, a tiny country you never hear about except at the Olympic Games, during the opening ceremonies. (At least, that’s how I heard about it. I remember scouring the globe until I at last found it. Yeah, it was before the Internet–probably in 1980.) Wendy’s upcoming book is called OF DUKES AND DECEPTIONS, and this one is a Regency Romance.

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Hi, Tia, and thanks for inviting me to visit your blog.

I grew up on the Isle of Wight in southern England, surrounded by historic buildings, Roman ruins, spooky castles and constant reminders of the Island’s rich past. I suppose a love of history seeped into me without my being aware of it, stirring my imagination, because I can’t remember a time when I didn’t make up stories, often writing them down to entertain my friends. Looking back, the only things I can recall being any good at when I was a kid are riding horses and writing stories. I still do both, lots of years on. The only difference is that my stories now get published!

I made my first attempt at a full length novel when I was fifteen. Nowadays, any kid showing that sort of initiative would be sent on courses and given all sorts of encouragement. If that had happened in my day, who knows…

Anyway, my next novel came about ten years later and languished in a back of a cupboard, until I was moving house and setting up home in Andorra some eight years ago. (In case you’re wondering, that’s a small principality high up in the Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain). I read that novel through and it set me off again…only now I had the time to devote to it properly. Little did I know what I’d set in motion.

I was lucky enough to be successful quite quickly and had five historical romances set in the colourful Regency period published by Robert Hale in England. With those under my belt I gathered up my courage and decided to have a crack at the American market. A Reason to Rebel, published by Samhain in print and e-book form is the result. And I’m pleased to say that I have two more historicals coming out this year with Carina Press. The first, Of Dukes and Deceptions, will be released as an e-book on March 14 and Scandalous Propositions comes out on September 12.

People often ask me where I get my inspiration. It’s a difficult question to answer. I guess I simply have the gift of imagination, a bit like some people can draw, cook, make beautiful flower arrangements and stuff like that. I admire people who are able to because I can’t do any of those things.

I never plan my stories but simply ask myself that age old question, ‘what if?’ and let my characters take over. With Of Dukes and Deceptions I asked, ‘what if I create a young, single, handsome and, naturally, rich duke who’s been brought up to consider himself superior to ordinary mortals and behaves accordingly?’ What does he need to have happen to make him see there’s more to life than riding roughshod over everyone’s feelings and thinking of no one but himself?

The love of a good woman is the obvious answer but he’s swamped by those at every turn. So when he visits a stud farm he counters his boredom by striking a wager with his henchman that he’ll bed the poor relation, Alicia Woodley, before the end of his sojourn at Ravenswing Manor. But this time he’s miscalculated. Alicia is disgusted by his arrogance and wants as little as possible to do with him. But at the same time she feels herself gradually falling under his thrall and can’t help being flattered by his attentions. Will she be able to hold out against his coercive charm?

Find out when Of Dukes and Deceptions is released by Carina Press on March 14 and visit my website www.wendysoliman.com where you can read the first chapter and enter a contest that offers you the chance to win a copy of the book.

Happy reading!

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Wendy twitters as @WendysWriter and also has a Facebook page. To make Wendy feel welcome, please leave a comment about either things that set your imagination on fire, or the most exotic or unusual place you’ve ever been. I’ll start!