Arabella Sheraton grew up reading her mom’s collection of Georgette Heyer novels, the queen of modern-day Regency romance, and of course, Jane Austen’s iconic Regency novels. Although Arabella’s literary background was in publishing and editing, she had never written a fiction book. Her first novel started out in response to her mom’s complaint that she had nothing new to read. That first Regency novel was The Dangerous Duke! Since then, Arabella has penned six more authentic Regency novels and a romance self-help guide to finding the right partner, with useful quotes by none other than Jane Austen. Arabella has branched out with a mash-up of genre in her latest work in progress. A murder-mystery, time travel, Regency romance coming soon!
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Before you started writing your book, what kind of research did you do to prepare yourself?
Research is essential in historical romances, especially the Regency era. I subscribe to various excellent blogs that cover day to day historical details as well as Regency ‘encyclopedias.’
Did you pursue publishers or did you opt to self-pub?
I found a publisher via a writing newsletter, quite by accident!
If self-published, did you hire someone to format the ebook version for you or did you do it yourself? Can you tell us what that was like?
I would never even try to format it myself. The publishers handled all that technical stuff.
Did you purposefully choose a distinct month to release your book? Why?
The publisher asked me to write a Valentine novella and that is how Lord Blackwood’s Valentine Ball came about. The sequel, The Lady’s Revenge, was released 6 months later.
How did you choose your cover?
I have an excellent designer who gave me various options and I chose the ones that said the most about the stories.
Did you write your book, then revise or revise as you went?
I always revise as I write. Then I leave the book to ‘simmer’
for a few weeks and go back to it. It is amazing what one can miss.
What’s your opinion on giving your book away to sell other copies of your book?
It’s a great lure to attract readers. The first book, Lord Blackwood’s Valentine Ball, is perma-free on all book sites and the second one, The Lady’s Revenge, is reasonably priced.
What are three of the most important things you believe an author should do before their book is released?
Make sure the book is edited to the high standards of the publishing industry; spend money on an eye-catching cover; tell everyone you know, friends and family, and on social media that your book is coming out on whatever date you have chosen.
What are three of the most important things you believe an author should do after their book is released?
Chase after as many reviews as you can; maintain your marketing drive (do not drop the ball!); do a blog tour.
What kind of pre-promotion did you do before the book came out?
I have a Twitter and FB page for my romance books, so I promote and keep up to date. A book blast is always a great way to let people know what is coming.
What would you like to say to your readers and fans about your book?
For die-hard Regency romance fans who want authentic Regency
and historical accuracy, The Lord Blackwood Regency Romance series is for you. There
is love and romance, intrigue, mystery, machinations behind the scenes, subterfuge,
deceit, mystery and a whole lot more!
Inside the Books
Title: LORD BLACKWOOD’S VALENTINE BALL (Book 1)
Author: Arabella Sheraton
Publisher: Bublish
Pages: 90 (novella)
Genre: Regency Romance
BOOK BLURB:
In this romantic traditional Regency novella, Patience Cherwell is resigned to a life of spinsterhood. Therefore, when her young friend, the lovely Lorna Hartley, comes to stay for a London season, she decides the eligible, charming Lord Blackwood is the perfect match for Lorna. Granted, Lord Blackwood, at forty, is much older than the vivacious 20-year-old Lorna, but Patience is determined to help her young friend make a good match. So why isn’t she happy when his lordship and Lorna seem to like each other’s company? The problem is that Patience is already madly in love with his lordship! An unexpected invitation arrives for Lorna and Patience to attend Lord Blackwood’s Valentine Ball. This is the perfect moment for him to propose to Lorna. Mysteriously, a corsage arrives from an anonymous admirer. Who is it for? And what will be the outcome for the wearer at Lord Blackwood’s Valentine Ball? Patience and Lord Blackwood’s enchanting story continues in The Lady’s Revenge.
PRAISE
“Set in the era of grace and chivalry, Lord Blackwood’s Valentine Ball by Arabella Sheraton is the heart-warming novella prequel to the more adventurous novel, The Lady’s Revenge. Written with similar charm and panache of Jane Austen’s, Pride and Prejudice, this enchanting story captivates the reader and draws them into the vibrant life of Patience Cherwell. Patience’s loving and noble spirit is evident from the onset of the story; instantly capturing the reader. Despite the results that could lead to a lifetime of loveless solitude, Patience’s sacrifice of self for the love of a friend is gut-wrenching, yet profoundly noteworthy. This is a beautiful story of eternal love and redemption, and I highly recommend it to hopeless romantics.” – Amazon Reviewer 5 stars
Charles Edward Jasper, Lord Blackwood, was, in her opinion, the handsomest man she had ever met, possibly, the handsomest man in London. The first time he shook her hand had sent a shocking tingle radiating right through her body and caused her to blush so fierily that she was sure he must have noticed. He had held her hand for a few moments as he spoke to her, his touch producing such an alarming effect that her knees trembled as if they had turned to water. Patience had felt breathless and thought she might have gasped her greeting. He did not appear to have observed her awkwardness because by then he had turned to welcome Lorna and her ever-giggling friend, Miss Sophie Sutcliffe. Had he even really noticed her that first time? Perhaps the only reason he tried to engage her in social chat on subsequent occasions was out of politeness to her as Lorna’s hostess during her London sojourn.
Title: THE LADY’S REVENGE (Book 2)
Author: Arabella Sheraton
Publisher: Bublish
Pages: 186
Genre: Regency Romance
BOOK BLURB:
This engaging traditional Regency romance is the sequel to Lord Blackwood’s Valentine Ball. Miss Letitia DeVere decides that revenge is a dish best eaten cold when she returns to London after a two-year absence to find her former admirer Lord Charles Blackwood on the verge of proposing to Miss Patience Cherwell. Lord Blackwood’s Valentine Ball proved to be the turning point in his fledgling romance with Patience. Letitia is not the kind of woman who gives up easily, as Patience and Charles soon find out. She stops at nothing to achieve her aims. However, Letitia has a dark past, with secrets that threaten to return and destroy her newfound social success. When Charles proves less malleable than in the past, Letitia resorts to subterfuge, seduction, blackmail, and even violence to force him to propose. Will he see through her tricks and remain true to Patience, or will Letitia’s seductive wiles lure him back?
PRAISE
“The timing is one of the most wonderful things in this read, especially because of the various means of subterfuge and blackmail which are at play. Author Arabella Sheraton has a knack for timing her comedy and her suspense in just the right balance to keep that rompy pace going, just like authentic Regency novels should do. I can’t recommend this two-partner enough, or indeed the author herself and her other super-fun works. Readers with a modern mindset or a lack of historical knowledge might not fully ‘get’ the style, but if you’re someone that does, then you’re going to truly fall in love and want to keep stepping back into this world time and again, so give them a try!” – Amazon Reviewer 5 stars
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