Lizzie's Rake by Hazel Statham

About the Author:


Hazel Statham lives in Staffordshire, England. She started writing at fifteen and has written on and off ever since. She has always been fascinated by history and writes mainly in the Regency and Georgian eras, although she has had a short medieval story published. When she was a child, she often told herself stories and this just progressed to committing them to paper to entertain family and friends. There have however, been gaps in her writing years where marriage and employment intervened, but now that she no longer works, she is able to return to her first love and devote her time to writing. She had her first two novels published in 2005.

She has been married to her husband Terry since 1969 and they have a grown daughter and beautiful grandson. Apart from reading and writing historical novels, her other ruling passion is animals and until recently, she was treasurer for an organization that raised money for animal charities. She currently shares her home with two lovely yellow Labradors named Lucy and Mollie, who are her constant companions. They are real sweeties, but it’s not always easy working at the computer with a large Labrador trying to get on your knee!

You can visit Hazel online at http://www.hazel-statham.co.uk/.

About the Book:

Can a rake reform his ways and truly love?

Lizzie's head tells her one thing, her heart another.Infamous rake and Corinthian, Maxim Beaufort, Earl of St. Ive, finding himself in possession of a property in Yorkshire, is unprepared for the changes it will bring into his life.

Irresistibly drawn to Elizabeth Granger, the former owner’s daughter, he attempts to help the family, finding himself filling the role of benefactor.

When the house is razed to the ground, he arranges for temporary accommodation for Elizabeth and her siblings on his estate and when Elizabeth rejects his proposal of marriage, he is nonetheless determined to win her over.

However, events and his reputation conspire to thwart his efforts and his course is one fraught with dangers.

Trust does not come easily and determined to protect her heart, Elizabeth struggles to resist her own longings. At times, their difficulties appear insurmountable but the earl is widely known as ‘The Indomitable’ and the name was not lightly earned.

I was lucky enough to get the author to agree to an interview. This is what she had to say:

Could you please tell us a little about your book?

Can a rake reform his ways and truly love? Elizabeth's head tells her one thing, her heart another.

When infamous rake and Corinthian, Maxim Beaufort, Earl of St. Ive, finds himself in possession of a property in Yorkshire, he is irresistibly drawn to Elizabeth Granger, the former owner’s daughter. Whilst attempting to help the family, he ends up filling the role as benefactor. When the house is razed, he arranges temporary accommodations for Elizabeth and her siblings on his estate but when he proposes to Elizabeth he is rejected.

Trust doesn’t come easily for Elizabeth and determined to protect her heart, she struggles to resist her longings, especially considering the earl’s reputation. At times, their difficulties appear insurmountable but the earl is widely known as ‘The Indomitable’ and the name was not lightly earned.

Who is your biggest supporter?

My family is very supportive and is always delighted when I sign a new contract.

Your biggest critic?

I have to say that I’m my own severest critic. I’m never completely satisfied with my work and even after publication feel the need to ‘tweak’ what I have written.

What cause are you most passionate about and why?

I hate cruelty and injustice in any shape or form, be it against humans or animals. I used to work as treasurer for an organization that raised money for animal charities.

What are you currently working on?



















My current work-in-progress is another Regency romance and I have finally settled on the title ‘For Love of Sarah’. It has been very much a start – stop process over the past few months but, hopefully, I will now be able to settle to it and finally see it completed.

Is there an author that inspired you to write?

I have to admit that, like many other writers of Traditional Regencies, I initially derived my inspiration from Georgette Heyer. When I read her books they opened up a whole new world to me, one I longed to recreate in my work.

What do you feel has been your greatest achievement as an author?

My greatest achievement is in becoming a published author. It never ceases to amaze me that people enjoy my writing. So far, I have been lucky enough to find a home for all my manuscripts and I am very grateful to the publishers who have given me the opportunity to share my work with others.

What do you feel is your biggest strength?

Writing is a compulsion I can’t ignore and I would continue to write regardless of whether it was published or not.

Biggest weakness?

Lack of self-confidence.

You know the scenario – you’re stuck on an island. What book would you bring with you and why?

‘Jane Eyre’ by Charlotte Bronte. I love the enigmatic Rochester and I think you will find a little of him in all my heroes.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

I hope everyone enjoys reading my stories as much as I enjoy writing them. I love to hear from my readers and promise to answer all my mail.