Today I am happy to introduce you to such a lovely lady and talented author, Arabella Sheen. I met Arabella through the Romantic Novelists’ Association and it has been a pleasure to learn more about her work. Today she will be sharing the news about her latest sweet Regency release…Westbury.
Chit-Chat from Arabella Sheen…
Lizzie has asked me to tell her readers a little bit about me…so here goes.
Before, in a previous life, I left school with a few GCSE’s and trained as a nurse. Having qualified as a General Nurse, I then specialized in theatre nursing and moved to Holland in the Netherlands, where, for nearly twenty years, I lived, worked and breathed hospitals. I loved it. The work, the people, the place…everything. It was a brilliant life experience and I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. The challenge of solving health problems whilst helping sick people at the same time was amazing. Although hard work, nursing is a rewarding job and one that I would recommend to anyone. Sadly, due to personal health reasons and the need for family support, I returned to England and my career track changed completely.
By day, I’m now employed as a chef in a busy international hotel and by night, I’m pounding the keys on the laptop, working on my latest work-in-progress.
Writing has always held a fascination for me. I have drawers, shelves, cupboards, and bookcases, all filled and covered with books. Anywhere and everywhere a book can be stored, you’ll find one. And it was simply a step from the longing to read romance novels, that the urge to write books evolved. The creation of stories has always captivated me.
I was fortunate enough to have been born and raised in Clifton, Bristol, England, (where I now live), and grew up surrounded by beautiful classical Georgian architecture. The romance of the Regency era has always held me spellbound and my imagination runs riot whenever I think about what could have happened behind some of the doors and in some of the buildings I walk by on a daily basis.
But, it was while travelling to a RNA Chapter meeting which was being held with fellow authors in Lacock, a historical village in the heart of Wiltshire, England, (where Cranford, Pride and Prejudice, Downton Abby, not to mention Harry Potter, were filmed), that the urge to write Westbury evolved.
BOOK BLURB: Westbury
Can Miss Georgina Morton surrender her independence and accept the Duke’s love?
Miss Georgina Morton, at the age of four-and-twenty, with a modest annual income of four hundred pounds, believes she has no need of a husband and can manage quite nicely without one. Yet within a matter of weeks, she’s betrothed to Giles Glentworth, the Sixth Duke of Westbury, and bound for Regency London.
Set in rural Wiltshire and elegant, fast-paced London…a runaway ward, a shooting at mid-night, and a visit to fashionable Almack’s, are only a few of the adventures Georgina enjoys while falling for the Corinthian charms of the Duke.
BOOK EXCERPT:
The Marquis was a fine figure of a man. Handsome enough, with a crop of thick, raven-black hair swept back from his brow in the style known as a Brutus. His features, although not rugged, were strong and compelling. And his penetrating eyes, by startling contrast, were of a cool steely grey that was mesmerising. But his good looksand manly attractiveness did not sway her from the fact that his gentleman-likebehaviour wasn’t up to scratch or that he was shouting, giving her a dressing down in public.
Flustered and on the point of apologising for her hasty action, Georgina remained silent. When she heard his angry words and the tone of voice in which he spoke, she pointedly ignored his outburst and concentrated solely on straightening her lopsided bonnet. But when his horses moved, restlessly shaking their manes for attention, her bonnet, which had by now fallen from her head and dangled by its ribbons down her back, was completely forgotten.
Drawing near to where the high-perch phaetonstood, and with total disregard for her safety, she’d gone to the front of the carriage, taken the horses’ bridles in her gloved hands, and tried to calm them. Stroking their forelocks, she’d spoken soothing words before fixing a steely glare of disdain upon their owner.
Never before had she been more thankful for all the hours she’d spent in her bedchamber as a young girl, standing in front of the mirror, practising and perfecting the art of delivering the harshest of stares imaginable. Any lesser man than the Marquis would have baulked at herglower, but her unflinching look seemed not to affect him.
Westbury – Ballrooms, Cotillions and Almack’s
Available from:
Amazon Universal:http://bit.ly/2TAndcI
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/2DbG1Ie
Barnes & Noble – Nook:http://bit.ly/2RHldOb
Website:http://www.arabellasheen.co.uk/sweet-regency.html
and other reputable ebook retailers.
Arabella keeps in touch with her readers on:
Website:http://www.arabellasheen.co.uk/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ArabellaSheenAuthor/
Twitter:https://twitter.com/ArabellaSheen
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What a fascinating woman! I can only imagine all the experiences she’s had nursing and now being a chef! Thanks for sharing Lizzie1 It’s always great to meet new authors!
Hello rijanks, Fascinating! I’m not sure about that, but thank you for the compliment. To be honest, it was a privilage to have been able to care for people…and as for being a chef…well I love working with food and creating delicious dishes. And now I’m writing and creating all sorts of character and situations.
Happy-Ever-After endings have become my speciality. 🙂 Best wishes, Arabella Sheen
I do love Happy-Ever-After endings, Arabella!
Lizzie, Thank you so much for having me on your blog. It was great fun and I hope your readers weren’t too shocked by the photo of me at the operating table in scrub gear.
Best wishes, Arabella Sheen
You’re so welcome. The photos are fascinating!
Nice to meet you here. Arbella! What an interesting path of careers you have had. I enjoyed your excerpt and learning about you.
Thanks for joining us Denise!
Thank you, D.L.Flinn. Lizzie had set me a bit of a challenge as I really dislike putting myself in the spotlight. But it was fun and I hope you enjoyed getting to know a little bit more about me and my life.
You did a great job being in the spotlight:)