An anthology of Christmas stories based in and around the Lake District is set to be released.
'Christmas in Cumbria: A Regency Romance Collection' is out on November 6, featuring works from USA Today and Amazon bestselling authors.
One of the contributors, Emily Windsor, grew up in the North of England and has chosen to set her story, 'A Governess Should Never… Kiss at Christmastide', in the village of Ambleside.
She said: "I was lucky enough to first visit the Lake District on a school trip, primarily to learn about soil erosion for a geography assignment.
"However, it was the memory of the stunning scenery, the romantic poetry of Wordsworth and the kindness of the Grasmere locals to a gaggle of schoolgirls that has always lingered in my mind."
When a fellow author suggested the idea of writing the anthology, Emily jumped at the chance to take part.
A visit to Ambleside on the cusp of the Millennium with her husband has provided the influence for her latest tale.
"I prefer to set my romance novels in places I have visited, so it was obvious to set this one within Ambleside – or my semi-fictional version of it – in the year 1817, especially as I wished Wordsworth to have a cameo role!
"It was also fascinating to research the history of the market and mills of Ambleside and how the tourist trade was beginning to take off at that time."
One of Emily's characters even meets the artist William Green making sketches for the future 1819 Tourist’s New Guide to the English Lake District.
"My tale centres around the Duke of Shawdale who hires a governess for Christmas, who just happens to be his long-ago childhood sweetheart," Emily explained.
"They used to love walking the hills and waterfalls of the area as youths, so it was perfect being able to include local sites, such as Stock Ghyll Force and Wansfell Pike."
Writing the story has reminded the author of the Lake District's 'fabulous' setting and now hopes to set a full novel there in the future.
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