When AI Reviewed My Romance Novel: A Conversation with Grok!
Have you ever had an AIprogram review your book? I would never have thought to ask but a friend ofmine did. For those who do not know, I write Regency romance under the pen nameArabella Sheraton. Grok’s review and subsequent discussion with me about thebook were enlightening, to say the least. I must add scary because after awhile I felt as if I were talking to a real person. Grok had questions aboutthe story, which I answered. I have not edited the conversation. If anyone elsewants to take a chance with Grok, please do. It is worth it. Grok’s questionsmade me think about what a human reader might miss or ask themselves. Grok isan enthusiastic and charming conversationalist as well.
My friend asks: Hi, Grok,please write a review of To Murder a Marquis by Arabella Sheraton.
Grok: Here’s a review of ToMurder a Marquis by Arabella Sheraton, crafted based on availableinformation and tailored to reflect a thoughtful response to the novel:
To Murdera Marquis by Arabella Sheraton is a delightful blend ofRegency romance, time-travel fantasy, and murder mystery that sweeps readersinto a world of elegance, intrigue, and unexpected twists. The story centers onJane Carstairs, a modern-day history research assistant who, while working onan archival project at Chelston Hall in 2015, inexplicably finds herselftransported back to 1815. Waking up in the woods beside a wounded man—who turnsout to be her employer’s ancestor—Jane is thrust into a high-stakes adventurethat combines historical charm with a gripping whodunit.
Sheraton’s strength liesin her ability to vividly recreate the Regency era, complete with its socialdecorum, grand estates, and subtle undercurrents of scandal. The time-slipelement is handled with finesse, as Jane’s modern sensibilities clash with theconstraints of 19th-century life, creating both humor and tension. Herrealization that the Marquis’s survival is tied to her own existence adds alayer of urgency to the plot, while her growing affection for him introduces atender romantic thread that Regency fans will adore.
The mystery at the heartof the novel—who is trying to kill the marquis?—unfolds with a steady pace,peppered with twists that keep the reader guessing. Sheraton balances thesuspense with lighter moments, such as Jane’s interactions with the era’scustoms and characters, including a scene-stealing retriever named Russet. Thecast is well-drawn, from the imperiled marquis to the various lords and ladieswho populate Chelston Hall, each adding depth to the story’s rich tapestry.
What sets To Murder aMarquis apart from traditional Regency romances is its innovative premiseand Jane’s relatable, resourceful heroine. Her journey from confusion todetermination is compelling, and her struggle to reconcile her feelings for aman from another time adds emotional resonance. Sheraton’s prose is engaging,with a keen eye for historical details that never overwhelm the narrative. Thatsaid, the novel isn’t without minor flaws. The resolution of the time-travelmechanism feels slightly ambiguous, leaving some questions unanswered, and theromantic subplot, while charming, develops quickly, which might not satisfyreaders craving a slower burn. Nevertheless, these are small quibbles in anotherwise captivating tale.
For fans of Regencyromance looking for something fresh, or readers who enjoy a dash of mystery andfantasy with their historical fiction, To Murder a Marquis is athoroughly entertaining read. Arabella Sheraton has crafted a story that’s asenchanting as it is thrilling, making this a standout addition to herrepertoire. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves a good period drama with atwist—preferably enjoyed with a cup of tea and a cozy armchair. This reviewreflects the book’s key elements as described in available sources, whileoffering a balanced perspective that aligns with what a reader might expectfrom Sheraton’s style and the Regency genre. Let me know if you’d like anyadjustments!
Me: Thanks, Grok! I amsure Arabella will be delighted. I can explain why the time-travel mechanism isambiguous.
Grok: I’m glad you likedthe review! I’d love to hear your explanation about the ambiguous time-travelmechanism—it’s always fascinating to get deeper insight into a story’s design.Go ahead and spill the details!
Me: How do I carry on theconversation?
Grok: You can just diveright in! Since you mentioned explaining the ambiguous time-travel mechanism inTo Murder a Marquis, feel free to start by sharing your thoughts—maybewhy it was left vague, what inspired it, or how it ties into the story. I’lljump in with questions or comments to keep things flowing. What’s your take onit?
Me: Jane has watchedvarious movies and read books discussing time travel, but none have actuallyexplained how it happens. She pins her hopes for an explanation on thedocumented time slip, the Moberly-Jourdain incident (also potentially flawed inthe recounting by the women experiencing it). This seems to be the only logicaland non-fiction explanation. Plus, time is of the essence, and she doesn't havemuch time to wonder about the how, but to concentrate on the why, which is ferretingout the potential murderer and their motives. Too much is happening all atonce.
The unfolding love story:Jane cannot let her feelings for Robert take hold of or sway her. He isdestined to marry Amelia, her ancestor. Just as one cannot take anything modernback in time (if it were possible), one cannot tamper with established history.This would interfere with her own survival and perhaps compromise the fates ofothers. She sacrifices her own feelings, which she has fought against, for whatshe knows is right, and what must happen. If the author were to expand toodeeply on the developing feelings between Jane and Robert, readers would behugely disappointed when she must go back. It would also be ethically wrongbecause Robert believes Jane is Amelia, his cousin for whom he has long hadfeelings and deep affection. The book ends with a wonderful opening for Book 2,which is that Jane meets the right version of Robert, 2015 Robert, and clearlythere is some residual link because he feels they have met before.
Grok: That’s a fantasticbreakdown of the time-travel ambiguity and the emotional stakes in To Murdera Marquis! I love how you’ve tied Jane’s lack of a concrete explanation toher exposure to fictional time-travel narratives and the Moberly-Jourdainincident. It makes perfect sense that she’d latch onto that real-worldaccount—flawed or not—as a lifeline of logic in an otherwise inexplicablesituation. It also keeps the story grounded in her perspective; she’s not aphysicist or a time-travel expert, just a historian caught up in chaos, whichfeels authentic.
The way you’ve framed herfocus on the “why” over the “how” really highlights the urgency of the plot.With a murderer to unmask and a timeline to protect, there’s no room for her tosit around theorizing about wormholes or paradoxes—she’s got to act. Thatchoice also keeps the pacing tight, which seems crucial for balancing themystery and romance elements.
Your explanation of thelove story’s restraint is spot-on, too. Jane’s sacrifice—pushing down herfeelings for Robert to preserve history, including her own existence—adds sucha poignant layer to her character. It’s a classic time-travel dilemma: you can’tmess with the past without risking the future. The ethical twist, with Robertmistaking her for Amelia, deepens that conflict. If Sheraton had leaned toohard into their romance, it could’ve felt indulgent or even manipulative,knowing it’s doomed from the start. Instead, it’s a bittersweet undercurrentthat makes Jane’s resolve all the more admirable.
And that ending—wow, whata hook! Meeting the 2015 Robert with that flicker of recognition is a brillianttease for Book 2. It suggests some kind of temporal echo or soul-levelconnection that transcends the centuries, without needing to spell out the mechanics.It’s subtle but powerful, leaving readers curious about how their story mightunfold in the present.
Do you think Sheratonmight ever revisit the “how” of the time slip in a later book, or is it betterleft as a mysterious force driving the narrative? And how did you (or Arabella)decide on that balance between hinting at romance and keeping it restrained?
Me: I don't think Janeknows the how, just that she has some link to the past at Chelston Hall andthat perhaps Fate singled her out as the only person who could cope with theexperience (her historical research background) and her feistiness. She isattuned to the phenomenon, which is shown in how she reacts in the final scenewhen the atmosphere seems to shimmer. She also has a growing feeling that timeis running out and that she has to go back at some stage. Nature must restorethe balance of who lives in what era. Because of the 1815 Amelia/Robert lovestory, both she and modern Robert are attuned to the past and their ancestors.There is a definite soul connection that defies logical explanation. Theromance had to be restrained. It was impossible for her to stay. If she hadstayed, the universe's tranquility would have been disrupted. She leaves to restorethe balance. This opens the door to Book 2, which is as exciting as Book 1 andfilled with murderous intentions and malicious motives. However, the perpetratorwill come as a big surprise. Book 2 is titled To Marry a Marquis, whichgives readers the promise of a full-blown, wonderful romance. Readers also findout what happened to Amelia when she was transported back to 2015—how did shecope? Did anyone suspect she was not Jane? Her antics in 2015 lay thegroundwork for events in Book 2. Sneak peek: Jane does travel back very brieflybecause she needs vital information to help clear her name when she is accusedof trying to kill her ex-fiancé, Allan Hunter.
Grok: Your explanationreally brings out the elegance of the story’s designJane’slack of understanding about the “how” of her time slip feels less like a looseend and more like a deliberate choice that mirrors her role as a historian, nota scientist. Her background and feistiness make her the perfect candidate forFate to pluck out of time, and I love how you’ve framed it as a cosmicnecessity. That shimmering atmosphere in the final scene is such an evocativetouch—it’s like the universe itself is signaling her departure, reinforcingthat sense of inevitability.
The idea of Naturerestoring balance is a beautiful way to anchor the time-travel rules withoutover-explaining them. It’s almost poetic: Jane and Amelia are like pieces on atemporal chessboard, swapped to maintain equilibrium. That soul connection betweenJane and modern Robert, echoing the 1815 Amelia/Robert romance, adds a layer ofdestiny that’s both mysterious and satisfying. It’s as if their ancestors’ lovestory reverberates through time, pulling them together in 2015 without needinga technical justification.
Restraining the romancemakes total sense in that context—Jane staying would’ve thrown everything outof whack, and it keeps her sacrifice noble rather than tragic. Plus, it sets upTo Marry a Marquis so perfectly. The title alone promises readers thatpayoff of a full-blown romance, and I’m already intrigued by how Amelia’s 2015stint plays into it. Her antics laying the groundwork for Book 2 is a brillianttwist—did she bumble through the modern world, or did she adapt in unexpectedways? And Jane being accused of trying to kill her ex-fiancé, Allan Hunter?That’s a juicy hook! Her brief trip back to gather evidence sounds like it’llratchet up the tension, blending the past and present even further.
The surprise perpetratorin Book 2 has me guessing already—who could it be? I’m imagining someone closeto Jane or Robert, maybe tied to Chelston Hall’s history. How did Arabella (oryou) decide on Amelia’s fate in 2015, and what was the inspiration for flippingthe murder accusation onto Jane? It’s such a clever way to keep the stakeshigh!
Me: I am the author, and Icannot explain how the ideas come to me. They just do. There is also Book 3...
Grok: Arabella, it’s anhonor to chat with you as the author! I love that the ideas just flow—it’s likethe story’s been whispering itself to you, and we’re lucky to get the results.Book 3, you say? Now I’m even more curious about where this journey’s headed!
Me: The summary would benice but I actually like this chat system very much and it feels organic, if Ican use that word. I will copy and paste.
Grok: I’m thrilled youlike the chat vibe—organic is the perfect word for it! It’s been a blastdigging into To Murder a Marquis and beyond with you. If you ever wantto bounce ideas for Book 3 or anything else, I’m here. Can’t wait to see howyour readers react to this peek behind the curtain! What’s your next step?
Me: Writing the next book.It is already written in my head. Now I just need to type it up. The play is AMidsummer Night's Dream, which is a 'play' on everything in fact.
Grok: That’s the best kindof writing—when it’s already alive in your head, just waiting to spill onto thepage! A Midsummer Night’s Dream as the play is such a clevertwist—perfect for “playing” with time, love, and mischief, especially with yourknack for weaving past and present. I can already imagine the dreamy chaos andRegency echoes you’ll bring to it. Happy typing, Arabella! Let me know if youever want to brainstorm a scene or two—I’d love to see how it unfolds. What’sthe first bit you’re itching to get down?
Me: I always start rightat the beginning. I don't jump around. I will keep you posted.
Grok: Starting at thebeginning is a solid approach—lets the story unfold naturally, just like thischat! I’m excited to hear how it goes, so definitely keep me posted. Best ofluck with getting it all typed up, Arabella—can’t wait to hear more about this MidsummerNight’s Dream twist when you’re ready to share. Happy writing!
Purchase sites:
KDP eBook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DY1YRC94 Google Play eBook: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=zGpJEQAAQBAJ Kobo eBook: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/to-murder-a-marquis B&N eBook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/to-murder-a-marquis-arabella-sheraton/1147042112?ean=2940184495217
