Arabella Sheraton grew up on a diet of Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, and many other writers of that period. From Jane Austen to Georgette Heyer, Arabella has found both enjoyment and inspiration in sparkling, witty Regency novels. She also loves history and generally finds the past more fascinating than the future. Arabella wrote her first Regency romance to entertain her aged mom who loved the genre. Arabella is honoured to share the adventures of her heroes and heroines with readers.
You can visit her website at https://regencyromances.webs.com or connect with her on Twitter and Facebook.
Her latest book is the regency historical fiction, The Reluctant Bridegroom.
Thanks for this interview, Arabella. Congratulations on your new book! Would you say it’s been a rocky road for you in regards to getting your book written and published or pretty much smooth sailing? Can you tell us about your journey?
Actually, it has been pretty much smooth sailing because I am already quite established with my Regency novels. The Reluctant Bridegroom is my eighth book in this genre. I think it’s my best so far. I hope readers think the same!
When not writing, what do you like to do for relaxation and/or fun?
Writing is relaxation and fun! I’m not joking. I love the genre and I find it very easy to fall into the era, the language, the manners, and the social issues. But … since you ask, I love reading and watching movies, walking my dogs, swimming, and anything cultural so I travel when I can.
What makes your book stand out from the rest?
Although Regency romance is quite a niche genre, it is not at all narrow. I think I make my characters real and relatable, even though they operate in a setting that is two hundred years removed from the modern reader. I also think there is a lot of humour in my stories, either in the plot itself, or in the characters.
Can you give us the very first page of your book so that we can get a glimpse inside?
“But my dear Almeria,” said Hugo, casting an amused glance at his older sister, “I am in no hurry at all to get married. It seems that you are more concerned than I am over my marital state, or the lack thereof.”
A small explosive squawk of annoyance came from Lady Almeria Pickerton, the earl’s senior by fifteen years. She was a handsome, dark-haired woman who had kept both her looks and her figure, despite the passage of time. At that moment, she surveyed her sibling with an angry expression and a jaundiced eye.
“You’ll be the death of me, Hugo, I swear it!”
“Oh, surely not. You must not become too excitable over matters which do not bear thinking about, well, not yet anyway.” He yawned. “Not for a very long time, at any rate.”
Hugo unhooked his leg from the arm of the chair in which he had been lounging during his sister’s lecture on the benefits of matrimony and strolled over to the window. He gazed down upon the busy throng of carriages and people in Mount Street, an excellent address in London. But then, Almeria always did everything so well.
Almeria was a superior woman in all respects: an excellent wife, hostess, and sister. Her Mayfair home was comfortably furnished yet retained a fashionable elegance that pleased the discerning eye; her French cook was a culinary master, and the well-stocked Pickerton wine cellar was a delight to sample. She was a credit to the Wendover family and her husband.
However, the only marital task she had failed to complete was to present Lord Pickerton with an heir, and a nephew to inherit his title should Hugo Charles William St. John Wendover, the Earl of Wenham, fail to marry and produce a successor.
“Look at you!” she said. “You’re tall, good looking—that much you got from Papa—with more money than sense, possessing enough charm and style to satisfy every woman in London and yet—”
Hugo swung round to face Almeria. “And yet at thirty, I am still unmarried, with no firm intention to correct the situation in the very near future.”
Almeria’s face crumpled a little. She fished a dainty handkerchief out of her reticule and dabbed at her eyes. Then she gave a tiny heart-rending sob.
“But why, Hugo, why?”
Her voice was unusually wistful, very different from her customary firm tones.
“Is it too much to ask that you choose a wife? If you don’t produce a son then you know very well that upon your death the entire lot, and by that, I mean the title, the estates, and the money, will go to that awful cousin of ours, Felix Barstowe.”
Hugo blinked in surprise when his generally calm and collected sister almost spat their cousin’s name.
If your book was put in the holiday section of the store, what holiday would that be and why?
I think it would fit very well into the long summer holidays because it’s such a delightful book I am sure readers will want to dive back into the Regency era again and again.
Would you consider turning your book into a series or has that already been done?
This book is not a series, but I have a series already with Lord Blackwood’s Valentine Ball and the sequel, The Lady’s Revenge. I am busy with To Murder a Marquis and the sequel to that is To Marry a Marquis. Quite a few readers have asked for spin-offs on favourite characters in other titles.
When you were young, did you ever see writing as a career or full-time profession?
Not at all. I used to write amusing poetry for my family, but I was dead set on becoming an actress and going into the theatre. I did for a while since I studied acting in London and mime in Paris, but life has a funny way of taking you where you are supposed to be going.
What’s next for you?
Finishing To Murder a Marquis and then getting stuck into To Marry a Marquis. After that I have at least three ideas for new stories.
A traditional Regency romance about the vagaries of the heart in a delightful romantic comedy! The handsome Earl of Wenham has no intention of marrying any time soon. His sister Almeria points out to Hugo that he owes it to the title and the estates to marry and produce an heir. Failure to do so means the entire lot devolves upon his second cousin, the Honourable Felix Barstowe. She also reminds him that their father had promised an old friend, Lord Lavenham, that his son should marry Lord Lavenham’s daughter, Miranda. Out of respect for his father’s dying promise (which he had never taken seriously), the earl sets off for Lavenham House. He is stranded by snow a few miles away from his destination and takes refuge in a local inn. He meets up with a heavily veiled, mysterious young woman, who, by her confidences to him, he realises is the elusive Miranda. To his shocking surprise, the feisty Miranda declares she will not have anything to do with someone whom she declares, “is possibly so fat and gouty, that he needs to have a wife found for him.” In fact, she would rather run away with a childhood friend. Intrigued, the earl makes it his business to get to know Miranda better by inviting her to stay in London with his sister. Unfortunately, this strategy annoys his dandyish cousin Felix Barstowe who is determined that the young and healthy earl should not marry and cheat him out of his birthright. Will Felix succeed in a dastardly plan to murder his cousin? A must-read for fans of Regency romance!
“Arabella Sheraton gifts her readers with a beautiful traditional Regency romance when she introduces the feisty Miranda Lavenham and the charming Earl of Wenham. The chemistry between the lead couple in this story is sparkling. Ihave seldom enjoyed witnessing the banter of two people as much as I have between these two, and they seem to bring out the best in one another. I loved watching the self-assured young earl deal with self-doubts and jealousy; it was definitely fun for me and his sister was a puppet-master without emasculating him. I lost myself in the traditional plot and could not have asked for better descriptions or settings. The supporting characters were well developed and entertaining and added depth and value to the story. I’d love to see Miranda’sbest friend get his own adventure as I believe he deserves to find himself a stunning match. I’ve come to expect a good solid read from this author and this story lived up to my expectations. If you are a fan of sweet historical romance,then this is a fabulous choice.”–Pauline Michael, Night Owl Reviews
“The Reluctant Bridegroom starts us off on the right foot as soon as you pick the book up! I absolutely adored this story. It was a quick read, but fun and containing both witty and situational comedy that had me grinning like an idiot on my train. Arabella Sheraton gets full marks from me for her Reluctant Bridegroom!”–Katelyn Hensel, Readers Favorite Book Reviews
“From the very first Arabella Sheraton novel I read, I was forever lost in a world of romance. These novels are absolutely captivating and keep one spellbound from beginning to end. Arabella Sheraton is an exceptionally talented writer.” — Lizette Nolan, romance reader
Book Information
Release Date: April 10, 2015
Publisher: Bublish
E-Book: 208 pages; $2.99
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3OVxpZX
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