Sarah, the Duchess of York, signs book deal for historical romance

LONDON: Sarah, the Duchess of York, has landed a book deal for her debut novel for adults, a historical romance fictionalizing the life and loves of her great-great-great aunt.

In a promotional video posted Wednesday on her Twitter account, the former Sarah Ferguson said the novel, titled 'Her Heart for a Compass', is set in the Victorian era and is ``about daring to follow your heart against the odds.''

The duchess wore a Victorian-style outfit in the video and described her heroine as strong, rebellious and courageous.


Publisher Mills & Boon, a romance imprint of British publisher Harlequin UK, said the story is based on Sarah's ancestor, Lady Margaret Montagu Douglas Scott, who fled an arranged marriage and ``the confines of polite society.''

The duchess said she also drew on ``many parallels from my life'' for the love story.


Sarah was married to Prince Andrew, Queen Elizabeth's third child, but the couple divorced in the 1990s. She has previously published her memoirs and authored a number of children's books.

Her novel, which was written with author Marguerite Kaye, is set to be published in August.