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.
In this delightful traditional Regency romance, Miss Diana Dashwood accepts an invitation to Lady Prescott’s Christmas party at Camden House, in the countryside. But things do not go quite as she imagined. Through an unexpected event, she is forced to spend the night in a woodsman’s hut with one of the guests. What a scandal! Of course, Sir Gareth Blakely must propose, and he does. Unfortunately, Miss Diana Dashwood has already been engaged to and broken off her engagement from Sir Gareth Blakely after a bitter quarrel. Is it likely she will bow to social pressure and accept his proposal, one made only to save her reputation, and if they marry, does their union stand a chance of survival? And what about the pretty heiress, Miss Jemima Plymstock, whom everyone thinks is the lady Sir Gareth had his eye upon? Headstrong and proud, Miss Diana Dashwood is caught in a dreadful dilemma. A must-read for Regency fans!
1. What inspired this Christmas/Winter book?
Miss Dashwood’s Dilemma was inspired by the idea of a young woman in the Regency era having accidentally said yes to two suitors. My original plan did not work out but as the story progressed, I found the new story idea worked better. Miss Dashwood had broken her engagement to Sir Gareth, and knew another suitor would propose very soon. However, the dilemma arises on Christmas Eve when she is stranded with him in a cottage in a forest during a snowstorm and, to save her reputation, Sir Gareth announces they are engaged. But Diana Dashwood does not want to be engaged to Sir Gareth because she does not think her reputation needs saving. But of course social rules prevail. The story worked out much better than my original idea and has a lot of drama, wit and charm.
2. Do you have other Holiday books? If so, what are they are for which Holidays? If not, what other books do you write?
I write Regency romances which are set at different times of the year and actually are perfect for reading during the holidays. Lord Blackwood’s Valentine Ball is the only other book so far that is set specifically on Valentine’s Day.
3. What is your largest unfulfilled dream, and what are you doing to reach it?
My largest dream which I am aiming for is to have any of my Regency romances reach #1 on the Amazon book list. I hope readers will help me up the ladder!
4. Tell us about things you enjoy — what you do for fun or personal satisfaction besides writing?
Writing is such fun that I’m not sure anything else compares, but reading, music, travel, art, culture, theater and ballet also provide great satisfaction and enjoyment.
5. Are your characters/stories/scenes, etc. based on anything in real life?
While my characters are all fictional, there’s no doubt that people I have met over the years do pop into my mind and their traits often help solidify characters’ quirks.
6. Tell us one Christmas or Winter tradition that you love to do every year, and why it is so special to you.
Will I sound greedy if I say that having homemade mince pies and Christmas cake is an absolute must at any celebration over the festive season? It comes from my childhood, my grandmother actually, who used to make her own mince pies and Christmas cake and these were absolutely delicious!
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