Romance and historical writer Suellen Ocean has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Sonoma State University. The former radio personality has a "knack for storytelling and for making characters come alive." Although the stories are rather sexy and string romances together, she bases her novels on people who have suffered injustices. ‘The Lies of the Lion’ is the story of post-Inquisitional Jews in Amsterdam who built communities while pretending they were Christians. ‘The Celtic Prince’ is about the evolution of people away from their native Judaic roots and the pain it entails. ‘Gold River’ is about a struggle for Native Americans to preserve ancient burial grounds.
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Influences/Inspirations:
I write historical fiction and also non-fiction. I spend years researching my subjects through intricate
ancestral webs and visiting old European villages and sites like Jerusalem, trying my best to have all the history accurate and the characters based on true people who lived and loved during a different era.
Favorite Writers and Artists:
Favorite Books and Authors:
"Rembrandt’s Jews", by Steven Nadler, "Clan of the Cave Bear", by Jean M. Auel, "The Red Tent", by Anita Diamant
Current Projects:
I just published "The Celtic Prince" as an ebook. I wrote it before "The Lies of the Lion". Originally, "The Lies of the Lion" was intended to be part II of "The Celtic Prince" but creativity and inspiration took hold and changed things.
Interests:
I love researching history and genealogy. I'm particularly interested in the Middle Ages and the influence on us all. I'm fascinated with the secrets of our ancestors and the cryptic ways they concealed their ethnicities and their affiliations to secret societies. I enjoy recreating their lives and ancient paths while hiding clues about their identities for the readers to stumble upon.
Family:
My inner circle of family members includes my husband, children, their children, brother, sister, nieces, nephews, in-laws, extremely close friends ... and I'm shocked at the ancestral connections I've uncovered and the large number of relatives I've found on the genealogical message boards, the famous and the infamous, the salt-of-the-earth types and the movers and shakers... they are my family as well.
University Affiliations:
I'm not a big joiner but I have kept in contact with two of my Sonoma State University professors. Over the years they have become great friends. I'm inspired by them and gratified by their support of my creative projects.
Contact Information:
www.oceanhose.com
ocean@pacific.net
Charities/Causes:
Toys for Tots