Victoria Vane is really taking off. If you haven't yet heard of her, you will. A talented author of historical romance, she has taken a classic novel and retold it to appeal to modern-day readers, adding her own twist as she did so--a must stronger heroine. I'm pleased to have her here today. She's agreed to answer two questions that immediately came to my mind when I first learned of The Sheik Retold. Join us. ****I'd also like to add that The Sheik Retold is only 99 cents right now.*
Book Babe: E.M. Hull's The Sheik, first published in 1919, was a hugely popular novel in its time, with over fifty printing before 1921 alone. Was it intimidating modifying a classic, rewriting someone else's story?
Victoria: In a way it was. I knew when I took on such a well known and controversial novel that I would face some controversy myself, but it was still something I was compelled to do.
The Sheik had been on my radar for years but it was only upon stumbling across a free download at Amazon that I decided to finally read it. My reaction when I finished the book was mixed and conflicted. There were some aspects of the story that I loved. E.M. Hull's descriptive prose was nothing short of enthralling, but there were so many other things I found appalling—such as the heroine's rape by the sheik. I felt the book had so much potential to be more than what it was. The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to tell a different version of the story— my vision of it—so I did!
The Sheik Retold is a fresh retelling from the heroine, Diana May's POV. In my version of the story, I have kept everything I loved about the original but have added a number of plot twists. My biggest changes, however are in the characters themselves, especially that of Diana. I feel that my version stays much truer to Diana's character and nature than the original story.
Book Babe: Now this really intrigued me. Tell us how you changed the heroine and why.
Victoria: What bothered me most about The Sheik was E.M. Hull's inconsistent portrayal of Diana. She begins as such a strong and independent woman but by the third chapter seems like a completely different person - whiny and whimpering. I could not respect her. My Diana is cool and pragmatic. She knows she has no choice in submitting to the sheik, but still manages to do so largely on her terms!
Book Babe: Fabulous! And below is an excerpt. Read away, folks!
EXCERPT
I had tempted him in the same way just this afternoon, defiantly daring him, taunting him to kill me. He had only laughed. For the moment my protestations and rebellious antics amused him, but should he begin to grow weary of it…of me… I shuddered.
So, it was all back to the matter of my inevitable submission, for it was inevitable. I'd already accepted that fact, and in truth, had only continued fighting to delay the actualization of it. Perhaps even the loss of my virginity was also a matter of perception, or misperception, as it were.
I had never understood why the act of losing one's virginity was referred to as being taken, an expression that seemed ridiculous to me. When considering the mechanics of it, the act involved a great deal more giving from the male perspective and receiving on the woman's part.
In truth, my decision was not whether to give him anything, but merely to receive what he desired to give me. I could enjoy it or not, but I would be no weaker for it. I fingered the necklace, the cool jade pressed against my breast. I had not wanted to receive this either. It had pleased him far more to give it to me than it had for me to accept it.
Indeed, in the great scheme of things, I suddenly saw power rather than weakness in being the object of a man's desire. Although it was not in my nature to manipulate—I was too honest and forthright for that—I was also not fool enough to pass over the opportunity to play the cards I was dealt to my best advantage. I could either let him have me in the deferent and submissive manner of a lowly servant or meet him on equal footing, allowing myself also to take from him.
I laughed aloud on this absurdly liberating thought.
Yes, I decided. I would take him as my lover—for as long as it suited me to do so.
***
THE SHEIK RETOLD by Victoria Vane and E.M. Hull
The Desert Was Never Hotter!
Pride and passion vie for supremacy in this steamy retelling of E.M. Hull's romance classic.
A haughty young heiress for whom the world is a playground…
A savage son of the Sahara who knows no law but his own…
When pride and passion vie for supremacy...
Blistering desert days are nothing compared to sizzling Sahara nights…
"There will be inquiries." I choked out. "I am not such a nonentity that nothing will be done when I am missed. You will pay for what you have done."
"Pay?" His amused look sent a cold feeling of dread through me. "I have already paid… in gold that matches your hair, my gazelle. Besides," he continued, "the French Government has no jurisdiction over me. There is no authority here above my own."
My trepidation was growing every passing minute. "Why have you done this? Why brought me here?"
"Why?" He repeated with a slow and heated appraisal that made me acutely, almost painfully, conscious of my sex. "Bon Dieu! Are you not woman enough to know?"
AUTHOR BIO
Victoria Vane is an award-winning romance novelist, cowboy addict and history junkie whose collective works of fiction range from wildly comedic romps to emotionally compelling erotic romance. Victoria also writes historical fiction as Emery Lee and is the founder of Goodreads Romantic Historical Fiction Lovers and the Romantic Historical Lovers book review blog.
Look for Victoria's Contemporary Cowboy Series coming summer 2014 from Sourcebooks
CONTACT:
victoria.vane@hotmail.comWeb:
Twitter: @authorvictoriav
Facebook: Author Victoria Vane
Available now from Amazon in E-book and Trade paperback.
Comment below for a chance to win a digital copy of A Breach of Promise, another incredible historical romance from Victoria Vane. Contest runs for one week. BE SURE TO LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS. Answer the question: what classic novel would you love to see retold?
When charm and persuasion fail...only seduction remains...
On the night of her betrothal, Lydia Trent receives just a taste of what ecstasy will be at the hands of her fiancé…and then he leaves her wanting. After waiting six years, and tired of being neglected by her exceedingly reluctant husband-to-be, Lydia decides to break it off.
When Marcus, Lord Russell, receives Lydia’s letter requesting a release from their contract, he is stunned by her audacity. Confident he’ll have her eating out of his hand with his usual wit and charm, he’s determined to repair the damage. However, the headstrong woman she’s blossomed into is equally determined to thwart his every effort to win her back.
Marcus discovers, in spite of her conviction to end the union, Lydia is more responsive to his touch than he ever imagined. He just needs to get her alone to unleash the promised passion he sees within his wanton virgin. Marcus will use any tool in his arsenal to exploit her weakness—his kisses, his hands, his mouth…her own body. In short, he’ll just have to ruin her!
