About The Author
Syrene R. Saladin grew up reading romance novels written by Western authors where chivalry softened the edges of patriarchy and monogamy offered some personal security to women and their children. How would a romance be written if it were set in an Eastern culture? Unfortunately, the only ones she had heard of were like Romeo and Juliet—cautionary tales about the dangers of love and the triumph of the tribe over the individual. Other stories often tell tales of unrequited love and self-sacrifice. Challenged by writing another type of Eastern romance, where a hero and heroine could fall in love and fulfill their love, Saladin began to write her novels.
In the East, falling in love can be not only tragic but taboo. All children can claim their inheritance, often by murdering their siblings and vying for a man’s favor can prove to be a deadly game. The East has its own rich and ancient history and a variety of cultures and religions. Saladin wanted to bring all of this to life, so she created Dilshad Valley.
Dilshad Valley is a place where Persia would be at a crossroads of cultures, ideas, and ideologies. The characters in the valley have the difficult task of navigating the constricting pathways of these cultures and their patriarchal ideologies to find their way to each other. Love, however, always prevails in Saladin’s tales, which feature intrepid heroines, irresistible heroes, and inspiring romance.
