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Who is Hazel Statham?

I live in the UK and have been writing on and off since I was fifteen (many, many moons ago).  Apart from writing, my other ruling passion is animals and until recently, I was treasurer for an organisation that raised money for animal charities.

How did your writing career begin?

At first, I didn’t look on writing as a career, just a hobby that I enjoyed.  It wasn’t until I joined a writing group at the local college a few years ago and the lecturer who headed the group badgered me into submitting my work, that I considered approaching publishers.

Tell us about your latest work.

Here is a brief blurb:

Can a shadowed heart be healed?  Can love grow where least expected?  The Earl of Waverly believes not.  How wrong can he be! After the death of his wife, the Earl of Waverly, believing his heart irreparably damaged, enters into a marriage of convenience.  However, he is not prepared for the healing influence his new young bride has on his life. Despite the couple’s new-found happiness, nefarious deeds abound and strange happenings are attributed to the ghost of his former wife.  Will their love stand the test or will the perpetrator emerge the victor?

How did you get the idea for it?

The premise came from a series of ‘what if…’.  The idea started at the middle of the story and worked outwards.  I was in the process of writing ‘Dominic’ at the time but thoughts of ‘His Shadowed Heart’ just wouldn’t go away.  By the time I started to write Richard and Caroline’s story, I felt I knew my characters intimately.

Have you always written Regency romance?  What attracts you to this genre?

It’s the romance and elegance of the Regency and Georgian eras that prompt me to recreate them in my work.  When I was younger, I devoured books by Austen, Sabatini and the Brontes, but when I discovered the world of Georgette Heyer, I was hooked and wanted to create my own historical world.

What can you tell us about the cover art for His Shadowed Heart?

The cover art was done by my friend Kathy Williams who is a cover artist with Wings ePress.  She read the book and we discussed several ideas.  I think the result of Caroline looking longingly in on the scene of her husband standing before the portrait of his former wife, whilst holding the child’s hand, represents the story exactly.

Who is your greatest champion?

My husband and daughter are my greatest champions as they are both proud and pleased with my writing success.

Who inspires you?

Initially, I would say Charlotte Bronte and Georgette Heyer, but over the years, I have read so many wonderful authors that it is difficult to define which has been my main inspiration.

What are you reading?

At the moment, Flowers from the Storm by Laura Kinsale, which, along with Jane Eyre and These Old Shades, is one of my favorite ‘comfort’ reads.

What’s next for you?

I am currently in the process of finding new homes for three of my novels.  One that was caught up in the Triskelion bankruptcy and two that I withdrew from another publisher.  They are all Regency Romances and I am looking forward to placing them and seeing them published.  I have a current WIP that, for the moment, has the working title of ‘Sarah’, which undoubtedly will change as and when a more suitable one presents itself.

Where can we find you on the Web?

www.hazel-statham.co.uk