Can the place where a romance is set make the story sexier? You bet! In many books, the setting is used as a character and that character can ramp up the heat. Take for example a young couple on their first vacation together. Seeing the sights in say, Gary, Indiana wouldn't be particularly exciting. But take that couple to Paris and it's a whole different ballgame. A much hotter ballgame. Certain places have a mystique that sets them apart. Yet it's difficult to point to one attribute that makes a location sexy. Paris has little in common with Miami or Tokyo or New Orleans, yet I've read incredibly hot books that take place in each of these cities.
For me, the most exciting locales are those with a rich history and culture. I set my next release, Can't Stand the Heat in Savannah to draw upon this richness. Billed as one of the most haunted cities in the world, Savannah conjures images of historic buildings and graceful Spanish moss hanging from stately oak trees. My characters, Billy and Marissa are in love with the city almost as much as they are in love with each other, so I used that setting to turn up the heat.
What constitutes a romantic place for you?
8 comments:
I love a place where you can appreciate the grandeur of nature more than man-made "stuff". Moonlit nights, starry skies and all the other glories of anything without concrete. Cruise, desert, mountains, beaches -- I'm not picky. Of course, it's always nice to have someone special who shares the same appreciation.
Thanks, Terry. I find both beautiful cities and natural beauty romantic. What's more romantic than Niagara Falls?
I love historic settings! Saint Augustine is one of my favorite places to read about. I also love any beach settings, and mountain settings and rainforest settings...okay, who am I kidding? I'm not picky! You're right though, the right setting can totally set the tone of the book :)
I love St. Augustine, too.
Hi, Wynter!
I LOVE Savannah! My husband and I spent part of our honeymoon there and it's still one of my favorite cities!
I completely agree about the location making a book sexier. The locale sets the tone for the story and it adds so much color. Not to mention provides really sexy and creative places for love scenes! Hee-hee-hee!!
Romantic settings for me are quaint, Thomas Kinkade villages (just a coincidence my book takes place in a setting like that!) anywhere in Ireland and sultry cities like Savannah and Charleston.
Cool post!!
I love exotic settings used in unusual ways; e.g., I used an abandoned "nature" camp or nudist camp outside Berlin for a sexy romp in my WWII story.
Thanks, Naima. Charleston is another favorite! There's definitely something very sexy but at the same time wholesome about Irish locales, if that makes any sense!
Jina - Interesting choice.
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