Today, we continue the monthly series on guest authors from my part of the world. Everyone, please welcome Nicola Marsh to the blog!
Nicola's giving away a book to a random winner - leave a comment before 12 noon tomorrow, New Zealand time, to be in to win.
THE ALLURE OF FOREIGN SHORES
I’m an avid reader. I devour books; have ever since I was a kid.
I read widely, across genres and could happily spend a day/week/month curled up with my nose in a book. For me, part of the appeal of reading is getting engrossed in another world, being so absorbed in the characters’ lives that I’m almost there alongside them, laughing and crying and feeling their pain.
It’s sheer pleasure to be swept up in the fantasy as I turn the pages, eager to reach the end yet reluctant to do so because I love the story so much.
So what helps sweep me along?
The setting.
I’m a sucker for an exotic setting, a place that brings the book alive.
How many of you have read a book set in Paris and can see the Eiffel Tower, the Place de la Concorde, Montmarte? A Roman book, with the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps? Venice with its charming waterways and gondolas?
Mention a city in the world and someone will have an instant mental image of what that place is like.
That’s what I hoped to evoke with my upcoming Harlequin Romance, A TRIP WITH THE TYCOON.
Set in India, I wove the sights, smells, sounds and tastes of this magical country through the book and by the reviews so far, readers are pleased with the results!
As I take readers on a journey through India, I also take them on a South Pacific cruise in TWO WEEKS IN THE MAGNATE’S BED (Harlequin Presents.) Balmy breezes, isolated beaches, Fijian islands, endless ocean…you can picture it, right?
Do you have any favourite settings around the world?
Both these books will be released in September and I’m giving away a signed copy of TWO WEEKS IN THE MAGNATE’S BED to a commenter chosen at random.
Want to know more about where I set my books? Visit my website at www.nicolamarsh.com
Happy armchair travels!
Nicola
(Thanks for having me, Nalini :-))
Nicola's giving away a book to a random winner - leave a comment before 12 noon tomorrow, New Zealand time, to be in to win.
____________________
THE ALLURE OF FOREIGN SHORESI’m an avid reader. I devour books; have ever since I was a kid.
I read widely, across genres and could happily spend a day/week/month curled up with my nose in a book. For me, part of the appeal of reading is getting engrossed in another world, being so absorbed in the characters’ lives that I’m almost there alongside them, laughing and crying and feeling their pain.
It’s sheer pleasure to be swept up in the fantasy as I turn the pages, eager to reach the end yet reluctant to do so because I love the story so much.
So what helps sweep me along?
The setting.
I’m a sucker for an exotic setting, a place that brings the book alive.
How many of you have read a book set in Paris and can see the Eiffel Tower, the Place de la Concorde, Montmarte? A Roman book, with the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps? Venice with its charming waterways and gondolas?
Mention a city in the world and someone will have an instant mental image of what that place is like.
That’s what I hoped to evoke with my upcoming Harlequin Romance, A TRIP WITH THE TYCOON.
Set in India, I wove the sights, smells, sounds and tastes of this magical country through the book and by the reviews so far, readers are pleased with the results!
As I take readers on a journey through India, I also take them on a South Pacific cruise in TWO WEEKS IN THE MAGNATE’S BED (Harlequin Presents.) Balmy breezes, isolated beaches, Fijian islands, endless ocean…you can picture it, right?
Do you have any favourite settings around the world?
Both these books will be released in September and I’m giving away a signed copy of TWO WEEKS IN THE MAGNATE’S BED to a commenter chosen at random.
Want to know more about where I set my books? Visit my website at www.nicolamarsh.com
Happy armchair travels!
Nicola
(Thanks for having me, Nalini :-))
52 comments :
HI Nicola *waves*
Hmmmm. I hate with a passion packing and getting to the airport, but once I'm on my way... I spent 5 years living in the UK and was lucky enough to visit some amazing countries, including China - Beijing is a fascinating city BTW -Egypt, Greece and Turkey. (For some reason I never really pottered around Europe :)
I've never been to India though, and that is one place I've always wanted to visit. And after my visit to Beijing and of late (probably because I'm reading manga) I've a hankering to visit Asia - Japan, Hong Kong etc.
All the best with the release!
Hi Nicola and welcome!
I would love to travel and one of the reasons I love to read is being swept away to places I've only seen on television, on the internet or in my dreams. I love reading about tropical get-a-ways, castles in lush surroundings and other exotic places. Especially when I do not have to suffer through the insects, the humidity, etc.
Good luck with your upcoming releases and thank you for the contest opportunity!
hey Nicola,
Reading takes me away from reality and into a whole new world. That is what I love and look forward to when picking up a book.
Good Luck!
:winks:
Hey, Nicola! Hey, Nalini!
I love Harlequin Presents. It's such an easy, but still good, read and sweeps you far away. I always gravitate to, though I try others, gotta have the one with the sheik in the Arabian desert. Maybe it's those hot desert nights or some dark, gorgeous, princely sheik, but it gets me every time,hehe.
Hi Nicola
What could be better than a cruise with sand water and of course tall and handsome?
I have been reading Harlequin books for more than half of my life and they only get better. More story, more love,just more...
Hello Nicola!
Your name sounded familiar to me, so I looked through my e-book library, and what do you know?! I own The Billionaire's Baby, and I'm a huge fan of yours! Thanks for sharing your inspiration and travel thoughts - and for enabling all of us armchair explorers.
Best of luck with your new releases, and thanks for visiting!
And I forgot to say...my favorite setting for stories is Australia. Truly. After that, anywhere mountainous (terrain counts as a 'setting' too, right?).
Hi Nicola!
I don't know that I have a favorite setting for a romance, but I went to Italy a few months ago and I loved it! Now when I read any books set in Italy, I can close my eyes and imagine I'm there again. :)
Hi Nicola, i would love to travel and i will read anything with a nice cover and decent blurb :) Thanks for the opportunity to read something new
Bree aka VampireGurl
Hi Nicola!
Welcome to the blog. I love to read Asian themed books. Or those set in a deep forest. I have no idea why but it tickles me when the civilizations can be made up!
Personally I don't have a favorite setting for a book. I'm happy to go wherever the author takes me:) I love reading about different countries and cultures. Since I haven't traveled much I always imagine the places described in books as the best of what I would see if I did.
Hi Nicola :)
Fav setting, well there is just soemthing special about Scotland. Those castles, the highlands, the kilts.
Of course then there is the desert in harlequin, it comes from the first Harleqin I ever read and it will always be a fav
I like to visit different places. Traveling is fun and it really opens your eyes to the world around you. I think more people need to travel to more foreign countries. It'd probably create more tolerance for differences.
As to a favorite setting for a story? I think I would have to historical or fantastical settings. Places that I can't visit. Imagination is a wonderful thing.
I love mountains, the ocean, and forests, so I love places that incorporate all three. Northern California is one of those places. I also love deep dark woods, like in southern areas of Oregon. Green rolling hills are pretty awesome, too.
And, cities. New York, San Francisco, Chicago, London are all amazing and different. Portland, OR, and Seattle were nice, too. I think I just like places in general. In books, however, usually less populated places make for good tales. Sometimes the city is too unfamiliar to me, so I can't appreciate the description.
In books, my favorite settings in books have been ones that play a part in the story instead of simply a backdrop.
I'm with you on the packing, Orannia. I'd much rather just reach the place!
Sounds like you've visited some amazing places :)
Thanks Una.
I'm a sucker for a tropical setting too.
Something about all that island heat... (check out my Hot Nights with a Playboy, set on a Whitsunday Island. Hot!)
That's what I love about reading too, Midnight, the escapism.
Princess Bumblebee, sheikhs are popular! The whole Arabian Nights fantasy is very appealing...
Diane,
I'm with you on the cruise thing. What could be better? :) That's why I absolutely had to write about it!
Thanks Celi.a.
Always love to meet a fan :)
I adore Italy, Lindlee. Out of the countries I've visited in Europe, it's my favourite.
You're welcome, Bree.
Enjoy :)
Fuarie Ali, invented civilisations sound intriguing...
That's the fabulous thing about books, Jennifer, the armchair travel factor :)
Blodeuedd,
I bet you're a Diana Gabaldon fan.
Jamie is hot!
Imagination is indeed wonderful, Aymless.
Exactly, Tiffany! I want the setting to be a vivid part of the story, not just a backdrop.
Hi Nicola,
welcome here!
I think the Taj Mahal is a place I would love to visit someday in the future. So reading about it in a love story could be wonderful.
I like castles and special palces like Venice (the waterways...).
Thanks for the contest and good luck with your release!
Karima
Thanks Karima.
I'm dying to visit the Taj Mahal one day too.
Writing about it just whet my appetite :)
I love reading about places I will probably never get to visit. I also like to find new (to me) authors to read. Great post!
Thanks Colleen :)
Hi Nicola. I love books set in exotic locations. Since I can't travel to Greece, England, Sardinia, Egypt, and other exotic locales, I can live vicariously through my books and journey there.
I'm with Una. Reading takes me to places I might otherwise not get to visit and I don't have to experience the creepy-crawlies and the other hardships first hand!
I had the opportunity to travel to an archipelago in the middle of the Indian Ocean half-way around the world from my home once. It was quite an experience. However, I had a really hard time being away from my husband and my young children. Now that my kids are grown, I can think about visiting some of the places I read about. I think the British Isles are the first place I would like to visit.
I love to read because I get taken away to different countries and locations I'll never be able to visit myself. I enjoy reading about beaches and places that have lots of water! Hoping someday to go to Hawaii!
I don't have a favorite place, I will admit however that I bought Tara Janzens new book mainly because it takes place in a country that is very dear to my heart Paraguay.
I love for books to take place in places that I dream about going to.
I don't think I have a favourite setting. I like to "see" new-to-me settings through authors descriptions. one of the best parts of reading is getting to "travel" without even having to pack!
I like to read stories with settings all around the world. It's fun to take a break during the day and travel somewhere far away.
I love all settings! That's what makes it interesting, all the new locations! :)
Hi Nicola! I don't think I've read a book set in India, so I am most intrigued by A Trip with the Tycoon.
I don't have a favorite setting (although, since I'm an Irish historian, I guess I am partial to the emerald isle ;) As long as the story is well written, I'll go where the author takes me.
Crystal,
all those countries sound great to travel to, whether in reality or vicariously through a book :)
I'm not a huge fan of creepy crawlies either, Patty!
Tetewa, Hawaii is fantastic!
I visited years ago, would love to go again.
Wow, Heather, Paraguay sounds like a great setting for a book!
Must look it up...
Chey, you're so right about being able to travel without packing!
Maureen and Chelsea,
new locations, travel through the day, all sounds good!
Hope you enjoy my Indian story, Christina.
It's my favourite :)
Hi Nicola and Nalini!
I have just recently begun the reading experience, and wish I had started years ago! I enjoy reading because I get to imagine what could be possible in life even if I cannot find it in my life! I love to imagine different settings, and ancient cities and pretend I'm standing right there with the characters!
I love visiting places I have never been in my reading. Granted it gives me wanderlust in real life. I wish I had the money to travel. However, food and other stuff has to come first. LOL As long as there is a happy ending, I can visit anyplace. Please count me in for the giveaway. Have a great day.
That's great you've recently started the reading experience, Shannon.
I've been a book addict since I was young, can't get enough of them :)
I know the wanderlust factor well, housemouse!
Right, I've just done the 'random number from a hat' for the book prize and the winner is...
Orannia!
Please email me privately with your details and I'll pop the book in the mail to you.
Thanks to Nalini for having me, I've had a ball, and a huge thanks to all of you for your comments.
I've really enjoyed it.
Happy reading :)
It sounds like you had an interesting experience at the Blue Lagoon! I appreciate the detailed information about the various packages and amenities.
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