Description
Story Origins:
Authors have a habit of inventing names for their characters and then hiding behind the familiar disclaimer that “any resemblance to real people is entirely coincidental”.
I’m afraid I have to deny the denial. My Hazel Williams is a very real person.
We have never actually met, but we’ve known each other virtually for some time. I am reminded of an Alan Partridge line that pops up on my television: ‘I’ve got 104 friends.‘ Well, Hazel is one of mine.
I have always enjoyed reading her journal. I hesitate to call it a blog because it isn’t really that. It’s more of a meander through everyday life, written with warmth, humour and the sort of quirkiness that makes me smile. One day, I hope she gathers it all together into a book because I’ll certainly buy a copy.
When readers first met the fictional Hazel Williams in The Woman Who Loves, I hadn’t the slightest intention of giving her a book of her own. She was simply another character in Lily Blackwood’s story. By the time I had finished Secrets and Shadows, however, I realised there was much more to Hazel than I had first imagined.
So I asked the real Hazel what she thought about having a book of her own.
‘Go for it,’ she said without hesitation. ‘But I want to read the rushes.’
That seemed a fair bargain. It also meant that, for the first time, I had someone travelling alongside me as the story unfolded.
As the story grew, I would often tell her where her namesake was going next and what she was up to. Finland. Estonia. Latvia. Lithuania. Poland. She freely admitted that many of the places were new to her, but she liked the idea of helping Marfa escape the tyranny of a violent husband. Jumping from a moving train sounded particularly exciting as well, although I did suggest she leave that part to the fictional Hazel.
The one thing I never told her was how the story ended. So she bought a copy, ‘to see where I end up.’ And when she eventually reached the final page, she congratulated me and thanked me for taking her ‘on a fantastical journey.’
People often ask where ideas come from. Sometimes it’s a place. Sometimes it’s a title. Sometimes it’s a question that refuses to go away. And sometimes it’s simply because someone comes into your life and, without ever realising it, inspires a character.
When we chat, I am reminded that Hazel has always wanted to visit the Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden.
Now, there’s a thought.
Keith Salter Ford –
The book-reader review of HAZEL – by K.S. Ford
From the very first page, Hazel pulls you into a world where danger feels constant and every decision carries weight. The story begins with Hazel Williams during the Gulf War, where love and loss shape her into the strong, composed woman she becomes. Years later, what starts as a simple mission quickly turns into a high-stakes escape across Europe, as she protects a frightened mother, Marfa, and her young son Lev. With assassins closing in and secrets that could shift global power, the plot moves with gripping tension, blending emotional depth with edge-of-your-seat action.
The characters are where this story truly shines. Hazel is calm yet fierce, carrying both her past pain and present responsibility with quiet strength. Her bond with Lev is especially touching it’s protective, almost maternal, and adds emotional warmth to the intense storyline. Marfa’s desperation as a mother escaping an abusive past makes her decisions feel raw and real, while the antagonists constantly remind you how high the stakes are. The writing style is smooth and engaging, with a steady pacing that balances action scenes and emotional moments beautifully never too rushed, yet never dull.
What stayed with me the most are the themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and resilience. This isn’t just a spy thriller—it’s about the choices people make when everything is at risk, and how ordinary individuals step up in extraordinary times. Personally, I found Hazel both thrilling and deeply moving. It’s the kind of book that keeps you hooked but also makes you feel. If you enjoy intelligent thrillers with heart and strong female leads, this one is definitely worth picking up.