Viral Storytelling with The Story Lady, Ronda Del Boccio

Today I am excited to introduce you to Regency Romance author Hazel Statham.  Hazel has written three novels, Dominique, My Dearest Friend, and her latest release His Shadowed Heart. 

You can purchase all of Hazel’s books from Amazon.com, Fictionwise, and Wings ePress.

Blurb/summary of book 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?

Do you set writing goals and write them down? 

I don’t set goals.  I write as and when the mood takes me.  Working to a schedule wouldn’t work for me as I like the freedom of writing what and when I like without any pressure.   

Do you set goals for your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of your life with specific action steps and deadlines? 

My mobility is limited through rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, plus heart problems. However, despite some physical restrictions, I join in the family activities as much as I can.  To try to strengthen my legs, so that I can go on walks with my dogs, I have joined the gym and although I can only use the recumbent bike at the moment, I am improving. I keep my mind agile by writing and reading and enjoying research on the internet.  I hate the thought of sitting and doing nothing so therefore, it is very important to me to keep occupied.   

What aspects of your own life are woven into your book? 

My love of the romance and elegance of Regency England.  I suppose it’s inevitable that an author weaves a little of herself into her work, but often, as in my case, it is quite unconsciously and difficult to pin-point.  However, animals have always played a huge part in my life, so, as you might expect, one usually has a small cameo part in my books.  In ‘His Shadowed Heart’, there is Dog.  Not an animal I know, but somehow, he just belonged there and in the end, he plays an integral part.  

How do you spark your creativity? 

Many things can spark my creativity.  A dream, a line in a song, a piece of music, or, as in this case, a series of ‘what if…’  In my imagination, the story started at a particular scene in the middle and worked outwards.  

How do you relax? 

Reading and spending time with my dogs.  I currently have two yellow Labradors, Lucy who is ten and Mollie who is five months.  As you can guess, they are a lively mix.  I also love spending time with my grandson, Daniel, who is a constant delight.  He’s six and very bright and intelligent. 

What do you enjoy doing with friends? 

Sometimes, we go to the cinema or out for a meal.  We meet for lunch and sit talking for hours.  I also go to dog shows with my daughter who shows her two rescue dogs in the fun classes with some success. 

What quality do you most desire to develop in yourself as a person? 

Wisdom in all things.  

What themes and/or issues predominate in your work? I

 write historical romance so it is the romance that predominates my work.  Each story-line is different, but the theme is always the same.  

What is better about your life now than it was 5 years ago? 

I have more confidence, both in my writing and my life.  I have just given two talks at the local college and five years ago the thought would have terrified me.  Now I take it in my stride.What was the most important lesson you learned about yourself as a person during the writing of your book? 

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