10 Questions with Arabella Sheraton

The ten questions game is back! Last year some brave authors agreed to answer a set of goofy interview questions for your entertainment and mine. We called it Musaling Monday. We're continuing with Musalings, but this year the spotlight will be on my fellow Aurora Regency authors. Cause I'm all about the Regency. The first victim...I mean GUEST is the lovely Arabella Sheraton.

 

 

1.      First the easy one: Can you tell us a little about yourself? (Told you it was easy)

 

I live in South Africa. I grew up on a diet of Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, and many other writers of that period. I also love history and generally find the past more fascinating than the future. I have been steeped in Regency writers since I was a teenager. From Jane Austen to Georgette Heyer, I read 'em all! The Dangerous Duke was my first romance novel and I wrote it for fun, actually to entertain my disabled mother who just adored historical romance. I didn’t think it would ‘go anywhere’ but MUSA and readers have proved me wrong. I have written seven Regency romance novels now, and four have been published with the others slotting into MUSA’s 2013 calendar.

 

2.      If you woke up one morning with super powers, what would your name be?

 

I think – because my superpower would be flying – I should have a name that makes people think of the wind/sky etc. So I think Aura, the Titan goddess of the breeze in Greek mythology.

 

3.      Would you use your powers for good or evil?

 

Absolutely for good. There are enough bad people around already that need a good shaking up to get their minds right.

 

4.      Cape or no cape?

 

Now that’s a toughie. I love the idea of a cape swirling around as I fly to rescue people or stop buildings from toppling over, but having watched the movie The Incredibles, I see that a cape can be a dangerous item. It can get trapped in things, and I don’t want my enemies to use it against me. 

 

5.      Who is your favorite super hero?

 

Another toughie. I love Thor, the Norse god of thunder (Avengers) because he can fly, he has a hammer to knock the baddies into next week, and he manages his cape very well. Runner-up would be maybe Hawk-Eye. I love the idea of a bow and arrow.

 

6.      We all know the Zombie Apocalypse is coming. Would you fight them or run away like a little girl?

 

Run away? Absolutely not! It’s a superhero/ine’s duty to stand and fight, with whatever forces and allies we can muster. As a superheroine, I would know everyone in the business and I know I could rally the troops in an instant. World War Z is opening in my country soon so that will be an excellent opportunity to study the enemy in action and discover their weaknesses.

 

7.      Say that you did fight the zombies with your super powers and you ran into a hardware store and the zombies were, like, fast zombies and they were right on your tail. What item would you pick up to defend yourself? 

 

That’s easy. Zombies eat brains (although it doesn’t do them any good because they remain complete idiots) so one has to cut off the top of their heads. Not their whole head, because it will regenerate or the zombie could stick it back on. Slicing the top off their heads whacks the brains. Anyway, I’d zip into the hardware store and pick up the latest hand-held chain saw available and go for it. As I fly over their heads, I will have excellent and unerring aim to take off the tops of a few heads as I swoop past. They can’t fly, although I have heard they are able to swarm up the sides of buildings, so I will still have the advantage.

 

8.      Have you ever written a superhero novel? 

 

No, but there’s always an opportunity for a superhero in Regency times. Not sure how she will manage with skirts though. No matter, she could always have a special costume. A superhero would have it much easier but I think women need to chance to show what they can do.

 

9.      Pimp it if you’ve got it. What’s new and next for you?

 

The Lady’s Revenge, which is the sequel to Lord Blackwood’s Valentine Ball, is next on the list. Women are ferocious when scorned and alas, Lord Blackwood (thinking his previous amour is dead) is about to propose to another woman. Imagine his shock and horror when lady number one comes back from foreign climes and does not want to let him go… Revenge is a dish best eaten cold.

 

10.   No one gets off the blog without writing a rejection haiku. Will you share yours?

My haiku is about not giving up. I was never rejected with my Regency romances, but I also write Middle Grade adventure for kids and I have suffered “the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,” but decided to “take arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing, end them.”

I have used the traditional 17-syllable, 3 line format.

Rejection is woe.

How I have suffered each blow

Surrender? Oh, no!

 Where can you get more Arabella in your diet?

Her Facebook page, Website, Barnes & Noble page

 

Now to make this even more fun, I'll give away a copy of Arabella's backlist. Just leave a comment with contact information and I'll randomly draw a name on Tuesday. 

Until then, keep it Regency, y'all!