By Sharon Bryant
Which Setting and Why?
Setting is an integral part of any quality romance novel. It can serve to highlight themes of the story, or emphasise a character’s feelings. Sometimes a setting can evoke introspection, or trigger a character’s memory from the past. It can even play a role in the developing romance.Rural Romance
Rural romance has a diverse range of settings including small towns, farms, and the arid landscapes of the outback. As a subgenre, it offers great breadth of opportunity to authors, and a diverse range of vicarious experiences to its readership.
Two of my favourite romance novels are described below. I hope you enjoy reading them.
Two of my favourite romance novels are described below. I hope you enjoy reading them.
Maggie's Run by Kelly Hunter
Maggie’s Run by Kelly Hunter is part of the Outback Brides series. Maggie Walker inherited run-down Wirra Station in rural Victoria when Carmel, the lady who raised her, dies. Maggie’s parents were tragically killed in a car fire when she was a child. She was saved from the flames by twelve-year-old Max O’Conner. He was unable to save her parents. She has never forgiven him. Carmel had her own demons to deal with, and brought Maggie up without love or kindness. Max has loved Maggie for many years, and is keen to reach out to her. He hopes for more than friendship.
Kelly Hunter uses setting masterfully to convey character’s feelings and elucidate relationships. “There was café coffee happening in Carmel Walker’s spartan kitchen and Maggie took perverse pleasure in knowing Carmel would have called it a frivolous indulgence.”
This is a fabulous novel. I felt for Maggie and Max, and was so excited when they reached their happy ending.
I was introduced to Penelope Janu's novels at her author talk at Anna’s Shop Around the Corner in Cronulla. I have been a keen fan of her books ever since. Penelope is highly intelligent, insightful, pragmatic and funny, and she brings these qualities to her writing.
On the Right Track is the story of Golden Sanders, a rural-based speech pathologist. Independent, feisty and determined, Golden has a damaged relationship with her family, and a physical injury to her leg. Her deceased father and grandfather are believed to have been involved with proceeds of crime. Tor Amundson, a confident and clever man with a touch of arrogance is sent to investigate. Golden loved her grandfather dearly, and wants to ignore Tor. However, her stepfather who has a financial hold over the rural property she loves, pressures her to assist him.
Like Kelly Hunter, Penelope Janu is gifted in the use of setting to convey a characters’ feelings, and awaken their memories. About halfway through the novel, Tor actively probes Golden’s knowledge of people linked to his investigation. The following lines in Golden’s viewpoint come immediately beforehand.
“I stop on the highest patch of ground where the roots of the tree are exposed, and rest my bag against the trunk. It’s smooth and cream, except for the uneven narrow lines that mark it.”
This description triggers memories for Golden, serves as a metaphor for her feelings about her injured leg, her reaction to Tor’s probing, and the risk she takes in furthering their relationship.
This novel is a joy to read. It's a real page-turner.
Do you have a favourite rural romance novel? Did the setting contribute to your enjoyment of the book?
I love to love: Family time
I love to laugh: With friends
I love to learn: More about the craft of writing
Kelly Hunter uses setting masterfully to convey character’s feelings and elucidate relationships. “There was café coffee happening in Carmel Walker’s spartan kitchen and Maggie took perverse pleasure in knowing Carmel would have called it a frivolous indulgence.”
This is a fabulous novel. I felt for Maggie and Max, and was so excited when they reached their happy ending.
On the Right Track by Penelope Janu
I was introduced to Penelope Janu's novels at her author talk at Anna’s Shop Around the Corner in Cronulla. I have been a keen fan of her books ever since. Penelope is highly intelligent, insightful, pragmatic and funny, and she brings these qualities to her writing.
On the Right Track is the story of Golden Sanders, a rural-based speech pathologist. Independent, feisty and determined, Golden has a damaged relationship with her family, and a physical injury to her leg. Her deceased father and grandfather are believed to have been involved with proceeds of crime. Tor Amundson, a confident and clever man with a touch of arrogance is sent to investigate. Golden loved her grandfather dearly, and wants to ignore Tor. However, her stepfather who has a financial hold over the rural property she loves, pressures her to assist him.
Like Kelly Hunter, Penelope Janu is gifted in the use of setting to convey a characters’ feelings, and awaken their memories. About halfway through the novel, Tor actively probes Golden’s knowledge of people linked to his investigation. The following lines in Golden’s viewpoint come immediately beforehand.
“I stop on the highest patch of ground where the roots of the tree are exposed, and rest my bag against the trunk. It’s smooth and cream, except for the uneven narrow lines that mark it.”
This description triggers memories for Golden, serves as a metaphor for her feelings about her injured leg, her reaction to Tor’s probing, and the risk she takes in furthering their relationship.
This novel is a joy to read. It's a real page-turner.
Do you have a favourite rural romance novel? Did the setting contribute to your enjoyment of the book?
I love to love: Family time
I love to laugh: With friends
I love to learn: More about the craft of writing
Sharon, I love rural settings! I'm very much a city girl but love my excursions to rural towns and surrounds. For me they let me know a little bit more about the country and the Australian bush, where I'm rather a greenhorn. I do love Bronwyn Parry's romantic suspense set in the bush and national parks; she's such a wonderful writer. And I recently read a book by Kandy Shepherd set on a big rural property, One Night With Her Millionaire Boss, which is a complete stunner. Gives me a little bit of a holiday every time I read a book set in a rural setting; I love it! Great post.
ReplyDeleteThanks Miranda. I’ll add your recommendations to my to be read pile. Like you, I love reading rural romance.
DeleteHello Sharon. So lovely of you to refer to On the Right Track! And for your post (I love Kelly's writing too!). I think an interesting thing about a rural setting is that it allows us, as writers, to explore things we mightn't otherwise have considered. It was only as I started writing Right Track (luckily in the first chapter!) that I worked out that the deep connection between Golden and her grandfather was very much linked to the land (he loved Australian flora), and that is something, whether we live in the city or the country, we can all relate to. Trees and flowers are calming and inspiring and intrinsically beautiful. They support life and do so many other things. I could go on and on! But in terms of craft, finding something our characters connect to, can let us explore their thoughts and emotions in a natural and believable way (I hope - I've just submitted a novel about flowers!)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for dropping by Penelope. I love reading novels in which I can deeply connect with the characters.I’ve just finished “On Horseshoe Hill” and look forward to reading more of your books.
DeleteThank you so much, Sharon. I hope to see you at Anna's again soon. And best wishes with your own writing too!
DeleteThank you, Penelope.
DeleteSetting is so important and can sometimes even be a character in the story. It's that connection to the land which makes rural settings so popular.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your insights, Cassandra. I haven’t thought of setting as a character before. It’s an intriguing way to think of it.
ReplyDeleteI've never written a romance novel with a rural setting, but am currently plotting a new series which has a rural setting, so I'm very interested to read this blog, Sharon. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Alyssa. I love reading rural romance. I’m looking forward to learning more about how a well constructed setting in a novel can captivate readers.
DeleteI haven't read loads of rural romance but my favourite that i've read recently is Wildflower Ridge by Maya Linnell. She uses words exquisitely to paint the scenery in her books and enhance the story. The setting definitely contributed to my reasons for loving this book :) Great blog Sharon! Adding your suggestions to my TBR pile.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jayne. I'll have to add Wildflower Ridge to my tbr pile.
ReplyDeleteSetting is such an important consideration in my choice of romantic reading material, and I love rural romances! Thanks for these suggestions Sharon.
ReplyDeleteThanks Marilyn. I agree. A well-constructed setting can paint such a vivid picture for the reader. I think it enhances their experience of the developing romance.
DeleteI love a good rural romance, especially when it paints a unique picture. Fell in love with Mel A Rowe’s novels because of the NT outback setting. Sooooo vivid! I’ll put these on my TBR list. ��
ReplyDeleteHi Shona,
DeleteThank you for dropping by, and thanks for the recommendation. I'll have to read one of Mel A Rowe's novels. If you have time, please let me know which one is your favourite.