The World of The Charming Duke
Welcome to this website! The aim is to tell a little about myself and my novels with special focus at the newest one, which in English translation is called The Charming Duke. One of my favorite things to do is to be creative & promote my books! Build websites, put togehter videos and so on is something I really love. A Finnish version of the video above will be used in Otava's social media marketing campaign.
Who Am I?
Sara Medberg, a romance novel author since a few years back at Finland's biggest publishing house Otava. I love history: Mr. Darcy, Bridgerton, Jane Austen - not necessarily in that order! The court, servants' hardships, mystical castles, misty landscapes, yes, the list of interests can be made endless. But first and foremost I am a storyteller conveying feelings and experiences.
I am also a doctoral researcher at Helsinki University, my thesis is a study of young womens' conduct manuals in Sweden in the 18th century. The perspective is the modernising ideal for women and upbringing of girls. I have recieved academic scholarships from for example The Swedish Cultural Foundation, Waldemar von Frenckell's Foundation and The Swedish Literature Society. My literary work is sponsored by e.g. The Finnish Author Association and Otava's Book Foundation. I was semifinalist in Harper Collins Nordic's writing contests of 2014 and 2015. |
BONUS FAQ
I love coffee, chocolate, and cats (the fluffier the better!) and running amidst nature :) Romance novel consumption rate approximately 1 book a week. Languages are my native Finnish, fluent Swedish and good English. ( Also basic courses in ancient Hebrew, Greek and Latin but I wouldn't say I master them :D ) It is my dream to meet the supertalented Australian actor Daniel Lissing <3 Current power song is the Swedish-Italian pop-singer Benjamin Ingrosso's Shampoo. |
OVER 20 000 SOLD COPIES IN FINLAND
"Medberg's descriptions are almost poetical..."
Helsingin Sanomat, the biggest newspaper in Finland
Helsingin Sanomat, the biggest newspaper in Finland
"Romantic fiction in Jane Austen's style"
Turun Sanomat, the 3rd biggest newspaper in Finland
Turun Sanomat, the 3rd biggest newspaper in Finland
"Sex or discretion - which best in romance?"
Finnish National Yle Radio 1, Culture One
Translated freely by Sara Medberg
Finnish National Yle Radio 1, Culture One
Translated freely by Sara Medberg
Presentation of The Charming Duke:
Glamour, Passion & Danger à la Bridgerton
A vision of what a translated cover could look like
SPOILERS Arabella tries - to no avail - to fight a passion that has ignited between her and the dashing footman Jonathan. This leads to many romantic scenes and is the main emotional storyline. It was impossible to have such a relationship. Aristocratic men could take mistresses of a lower social status but highborn ladies' situation was very different. Besides this there is an attempted coup d'état and a secret brotherhood planning conspiracy in the book. The inspiration comes from real historical events. |
SHORT SYNOPSIS
The Charming Duke is a story about the mistress of Blackthorn Castle: Arabella Öhrnmarck. She becomes widowed after an unhappy marriage and travels home to Stockholm to be near the Royal Court. But something strange is going on. Mystical incidents and threatening situations occur non-stop. It seems that somebody is out to silence her. But what is the secret they are searching? Then a fascinating English duke starts to court Arabella... The novel's events take place in the years 1815 and 1816 under the rule of crown prince Carl XIV Johan. The genre is regency romance, in other words same as in the popular series Bridgerton. The era is also parallel with the classical novelist Jane Austen's life. Places that are visited are for example the still standing Royal Palace of Stockholm and the imposing castles of Drottningholm and Strömsholm. 
The good-looking and thoughtful footman Jonathan is involved in the proceedings. Everything looks impossible but don't worry! In a real romance spirit this is a great love story with a happy ending against all odds.
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Read an excerpt from The Charming Duke!
I picked out one of my favorite passages!
Previous Work
The way here has been long... or at least interesting! I started as a self-publisher at BoD 2015 and published two novels there, see below. After that Otava offered me a contract and I've been there ever since. Negotiations to transfer my first books to Otava are ongoing as best which of course makes me very glad! These covers are my absolute favorites, made by the incredibly skilful Australian graphic designer Angela Haddon.
Publishing House Produced Books
Here are my Otava published novels!
Besides these there is The Charming Duke, in stores around Easter 2021.
Besides these there is The Charming Duke, in stores around Easter 2021.
