THE HINTERLANDS is Karen Mercury's 388-page debut historic novel with a romance genre twist that will be published by Medallion Press in March of
2005.

THE HINTERLANDS combines the sensual elements of romance fiction with the solid fundamentals of the historic fiction genre. This book will be enjoyed equally by romance connoisseurs, historic fiction aficionados, and just about anyone who loves to settle down for the evening with a book featuring a strong female lead and an equally strong male counterpart.

Displaying a fascinating gift for describing the everyday life of far-away and long-ago societies, while keeping her audience's attention by developing two multi-faceted characters who unfold in unison with the story, Karen Mercury draws the reader into the seemingly dark world of ritualistic human sacrifice and juju religion.  Masquerading as an anthropologist and pretending to be a photographer's wife, Elle Bowie is an oddity in 1896's Niger Coast Protectorate.  Brendan  Donivan, bona fide trader, leopard hunter, and fierce protector of his adopted way of life, does not fit into a socially accepted mold himself. When Elle and Brendan meet, their headstrong ways pit them against each other, yet also forcefully draw them together; at the same time the Kingdom of Benin faces the enemy of "civilization", well-equipped British forces, and an annihilation of a way of life passed down from generations of  ancestors.

Whether she depicts the trappings of British society, its American counterpart, or the Niger Delta waterways, Karen Mercury's masterpiece of historic fiction with a dash of romance guarantees her readers a roller-coaster ride of action, historic facts, and romance, as well as the depiction of a heroine second to none in historic fiction literature.  Those hesitant to pick up historic fiction novels will do well to pick up this page-turner!

Historic fiction is a fascinating field that only the bravest authors will dare to enter; among such, this book  is a jewel and defies the precepts of predictable action and instead offers heart-pounding twists and turns, dialog and character development that offer depth and substance, as well as sensual romance at its finest.  A must read!