It took her seven years, nine manuscripts, and 128 rejections, before Ingela F. Hyatt finally realized her lifelong dream. Her debut historical romance novel, A Knight of Passion, was released into bookstores across America on October 17, 2006 and Ingela and her family couldn’t be happier.

As the author said during a recent interview, “It was a long and hard road. Being rejected 128 times by literary agents and publishers alike, tends to wear one down. Several fellow authors who I’ve met since signing my contract in February of this year, have openly told me they would have likely given up long ago, if they had experienced such rejection. And I think they’re right, most would not endure such punishment, but I had to get published.... and I finally did!”

Ingela’s publisher, Samhain Publishing Ltd., is a US based book publisher, who contracts mostly romance novels. When asked why romance, and why Samhain, Ingela said, “Actually I never started out to write romance novels. My father was totally against the idea and tried to direct my writing talent to something a bit more respectable (his opinion). The first manuscript I wrote was a fantasy, complete with giants, elves, and the like. But something was missing. I had studied and loved European history throughout my childhood, and at age fourteen had begun to read historical romance. So finally, and without telling my family, I wrote my first historical romance novel-length story. When my father found out he was not too happy. But I asked him to read it before he judged my decision. To make a long story short - he loved it! And the rest is history, as they say.”

And why Samhain Publishing? Ingela says, “I continued to write until I had several manuscripts under my belt, trying to hone my skill, of which I had no formal training. My parents helped me with advice and by acting as my in-house editors. I finally reached a point where I had to send one of my ‘babies’out into the world, and find out if I had a possible career as a writer or not. It was a scarey moment, but it had to be done.

"In my search for a publisher, I discovered two interesting facts. First, romance novels are the number one selling genre in North America (with sales of 1.2 billion USD in 2004). And second, a significant number of romance readers in North America are men (22% in 2005). I sure didn’t expect that. I started sending out my manuscript, and the rejections started rolling in. I clearly remember that first rejection - it almost killed me. I was ready to give up at that moment, but I had no idea of what was yet to come! My book was rejected 128 times over a period of several years. Many times I wanted to quit, but my family wouldn’t let me.

"After much frustration, I decided to join Romance Writers of America, a fantastic organization dedicated to furthering the careers of aspiring and published writers. It was through one of their lists that I discovered a new publisher who'd just opened their doors and were seeking submissions from new and established authors. What really impressed me besides their professionalism, were the authors who'd already signed up with them, like Michelle M. Pillow, Mandy M. Roth, and Lora Leigh. Once more I submitted my manuscript, and a couple of months later, my life long dream finally came true -- I got 'the call' and everything changed."

Ingela’s debut book, A Knight of Passion, takes place in 12th century Northamptonshire, England. It’s filled with love, lust, adventure, murder, revenge, and intrigue, and has been receiving rave reviews from book reviewers, garnering several five-star ratings. Her novel is available across America in such bookstores as Borders and Waldenbooks, and can be purchased online from booksellers around the world. Ingela is currently immersed in her next exciting romance novel.