A very dangerous attraction…
Julien Harcourt, duc de Valère, is more than willing to marry the lovely young lady his mother has chosen. Little does he know, she’s been sent to prove him a spy and a traitor.
And an even more dangerous secret…
Sarah Smith’s mission is to find out whether the duc’s trips to the Continent are as innocent as he claims, but the way he looks at her is far from innocent…
Their risky game of cat and mouse propels them from the ballrooms of London to the prisons of Paris, and into a fragile love that may not survive their deceptions…
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Thank you so much for having me here! I’m excited to talk about my new novel, The Making of a Duchess. If you don’t know anything about me, you might not realize I haven’t had a book out in several years. My last release, Blackthorne’s Bride, came out in November 2007. It was my best book to date and even garnered a nomination for the Romance Writer’s of America’s prestigious Rita award.
And then I sort of disappeared. I made some bad business decisions and was without a publishing contract for almost a year and a half. In that time I didn’t know if I’d ever be published again. I went back to teaching 7th grade English, took up some new hobbies, and decided to start a family.
But I couldn’t stop writing.
Even though I was working long hours and keeping very busy, I couldn’t get away from the stories in my head. I even found myself up at 4 a.m., pounding away on my computer, writing stories I knew no one but me would ever read.
And then I began a story I thought had a chance. It was a little bit unconventional. It had a French hero and a governess heroine. It was set in England and France, and everyone knows French settings are the death knell for historical romances. But what did I have to lose? Why not take a chance?
I was a little surprised when the story captured the interest of several agents, and I was excited to sign with a new agent. But did I think the agent could sell the novel? No way.
In fact, I received a lot of rejections. That’s right. I was a two-time Rita finalist with five published Regency historical novels under my belt, and I was still getting rejections. Getting The Call all those years ago didn’t guarantee I’d have a career forever.
So maybe that’s why getting my second Call was so sweet. I remember feeling pretty down that day. My agents had emailed about several more publisher rejections, and I was depressed about the very real possibility of setting The Making of a Duchess aside and starting over. Again. At the end of the school day I checked my voice mail and saw my agent had called. Probably just another rejection, I thought. Maybe they were calling instead of emailing to tell me to give it up already.
But when I returned the call my agent was enthusiastic. Sourcebooks wanted to buy The Making of a Duchess and the two other books in the series. It was April, and I had the contract for the next school year sitting on my desk. I also had another surprise. I was four months pregnant with a daughter. What I wanted more than anything was to be a writer and a mom. I wanted to stay home with my little girl, and I wanted to write the books in the series I’d proposed.
With that one call, all my dreams were realized. In was given a second chance, and here I am today, so grateful to be able to say my sixth Regency historical is now on shelves and two more will be coming soon!
Have you ever been given a second chance? I’d love to hear your responses, and I’ll be checking in later to read about your experiences.
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Shana Galen is the author of five Regency historicals, including the Rita-nominated Blackthorne’s Bride. Her books have been sold in Brazil, Russia, and the Netherlands and featured in the Rhapsody and Doubleday Book Clubs. A former English teacher in Houston’s inner city, Shana now writes full time. She is a happily married wife and mother of one daughter and two spoiled cats. She loves to hear from readers: visit her website at www.shanagalen.com.
Comment for the chance to win one of two copies of The Making of a Duchess.
Hi, Shana! Good for you for sticking with your dream! Since you taught 7th grade English, have you ever thought about writing YA Historical Fiction?
I like stories about second chances, not giving up, etc. Good for you! I’m a retired school librarian and have a soft spot for English teachers.
I’m so happy for your second-chance but it was mostly due to your dedication & love of storytelling, don’t sell yourself short 🙂
Virginia, I HAVE thought about writing a YA. I’ve read so much of it. Stay tuned! Linda, I love librarians. Every school librarian I have ever worked with has been awesome. Thanks, Scorpio!
Shana, you are a new-to-me-author. I really look forward to reading TMOAD, especially after reading the great review over at The Romance Dish. Second chance stories are great because the HEA didn’t come easily.
I’m not sure if I really have had a second chance. I know that there have been some trials in my life, but I have a loving husband and family and know the good Lord has blessed me in many ways.
I’m a 5th grade teacher and love to know authors who are teachers, too, like Carol Gorman, who also was a 7th grade English teacher. I hope you do write a YA some day!
I love second chance stories! I have been seeing this book around and would love to read it!
Congrats on your second chance!
Those types of stories always make for an even sweeter HEA because you feel as if the characters really deserve it.
I love the Regency era and 2nd chance stories. I’m really looking forward to this one.
I was a long-term substitute teacher for several years but I had to give that up when I could not find a full time teaching position. So my second chance has been law. I am now studying for the Bar and looking for a new job. We’ll see where that takes me!
Congrats on getting your book out there! It is wonderful when people get a second chance at something that is really important to them! 😀
What a great story. We not only get an HEA in the book, but we get to share your life HEA! Thanks for visiting and congrats on the release of Duchess.
Great post, you are new to me but I’m glad I found this!!!
Brandy
Thanks, Deb. Oh, 5th grade. Bless you. That’s a tough one.
Quilt Lady, nice to see you here!
Colleen, I couldn’t agree more.
Thanks, GSM!
Congrats on the new release, Shana. There aren’t many instances where we get a second chance or an opportunity to do things differently.
Wow, Shana, I loved reading of your second chance. One does assume once you are published, you stay that way. Not necessarily. So glad it all came together for you. I must lead a boring life, never needed a second chance…yet! All the best for your release!
Glad you did not give up!
Thanks, cyclop8. You are so right.
Karyn, my life is pretty boring, too. I hope you never NEED a second chance.
Congrats on the release!
Second changes are the best, are they not? 🙂 So glad you got yours.
Hi Shana. Glad to hear you stuck with it and got your second chance. Will be looking forward to your new release.
Wonderful post. Enjoyed it. You are also a new author to me. love the book cover. Very pretty.
Such a great story. So happy that it worked out for you with the writing and the family.
Hmm, I can’t think of a time that I’ve gotten a second chance. Makes me kind of wonder about my life.
Thanks throuthehaze and Chelsea B.
I’m glad I stuck with it too, Pam. I have wanted to give up many times but something good always happened at the last minute to convince me to try again.
Thanks, Sue. Sourcebooks does do wonderful covers.
Brae, it’s good you haven’t had to have second chances. It means you do everything right the first time… 🙂
Welcome back, Shana. I always enjoy second chance stories and the journey to finding the characters HEA is just so satisfying. Hope to read The Making Of A Duchess and congratulations on its release.
Hi Shana,
Great second chance/second call story. I’m just so happy to see your name on a new book….don’t have my copy yet, but I will soon. I’ve read your earlier work and can’t wait to read this new series. Sounds like a good one.
Hi Armenia, thanks for the congrats. Hey, Karen H, I recognize you. Good to see you here!
Hi Shana. Love your second chance story. Your determination and dedication is admirable.
I am so excited for you to be with your new pub! When I saw your post, I was elated you are back! You’ve been so missed Shana. I’ve done that with making decisions that didn’t work out but in time, things change back around when you least expect it or given up a bit. I know I’ve been given a second chance with my health after searching high and low for a doctor to help for so long. And that can be so devasting hearing the words ‘We can’t help you anymore’ and then one day thinking you’d get that same response and it was more like ‘We not going to give up on you’ and I knew I found the right doctors to help!
Shana, you got this story so unique, usually its the opposite, they running from their mothers picking their brides! And Governess’s so deserve their HEA’s! Again I’m so elated for you! And congrats on the upcoming baby girl! Or did you have her already?
I enjoyed reading your post and look forward in reading your works.
Thanks, Crystal. You can’t make it in publishing without being very determined.
Caffey, so nice to know I was missed. I’m so glad you found the right doctors for you. My daughter is nine months old tomorrow and finally asleep for the night! Whew!
Thanks, Tracey!
would love to read this fabulous novel…i like the message you so wonderfully write about 🙂
Tempest in Eden -Sandra Brown
I loved the chemistry between Shay a nude model and Ian a conservative minister when they find themselves attracted to each other after their widowed parents marry.
One scene I remember is when they are both playing a tennis match of one up-manship and Shay collapses after being hit really hard by a tennis ball and Ian rushes over and gathers her in his arms. His concern is touching!
I also remember the first time they meet Shay came home to meet her mom’s new husband . She goes to her bedroom to unpack and inadvertently sees him naked as he steps out of the shower ( in the room across the hall) singing and dancing to the Beach Boys. She laughs, he’s embarrassed…sparks fly. Then they find out about their very different occupations.
OOPS that was for you blogging elsewhere SORRY!
Second chances…My dad developed heart problems at the age of 59 while I was a junior in college. He required immediate emergency heart surgery. I was lucky that he survived! He lived until the age of 75. He gave me away at my wedding and met all four of his future grandchildren. I’m so happy that I had those extra special years with him!
Laurie, I thought you were giving an example of characters who got second chances. Good examples, too! But I like your real life example even more.
Wonderful interview today I enjoyed it I love your new book and am looking forward to reading it. Thanks for being here today!
Penney
Yep, I got a second chance with my now husband, and that’s worked out beautifully 🙂 Congrats on your latest, Shana–sounds like a great read!
glad to hear you never gave up! I’m all for second chances.
I can’t really recalll any personal second chances but I love reading about them!