Falling in love with Setting

By Cassandra Samuels

 When a spark of an idea comes to life there are certain aspects a story must have. Characters, of course, and a setting. It's the old question - Whose story is it and where is it set? Obviously, there are other elements that also need to be added but these two are my launching pad.

At the end of this month - pre orders available now - my 3rd book with Dragonblade will be published. Most of my stories are set in England as I write Regency Historical Romance, but this idea hit me different. In book two the catalyst of the story is that Captain Markham, friend of the hero, had lost his finger and presumably his life and therefore the hero became the guardian of the captain's ward.  

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In book 3 we find out what happened to Captain Markham. He went to Spain on a mission and went missing. At this time Spain was still rebuilding after the Napoleonic wars where Napoleon's brother Joseph Bonaparte had taken the throne of Spain, by tricking the Spanish King into abdicating leaving the Spanish people feeling betrayed by their allies the French. England came to Spain's defense, even though they had been enemies on and off for centuries, and together the English and the Spanish ousted Joseph, installing the Spanish King, Ferdinand VII back on the throne. 

In the aftermath of all of this is when Once Upon a Reckless Rogue is set. I fell in love with the country, the customs, the food and the language. Through the power of the internet I was able to virtually travel around various towns where my book was set and see for myself how it might have been during the Regency period. It is a definite on my bucket list now that is for sure.

Not quite the right era but you can see the use of the traditional Mantilla

 The heroine of my story, Elena is the daughter of a doctor and through him learned about medicine and also herbal healing, using ingredients that grew locally and what could be sourced from Spain's colonies. I loved learning all about herbal medicine, that the Spanish got married in Black wedding dresses, not virginal white. That the Spanish national flower is the red carnation which represents romance, passion and emotions. How perfect is that?  Will I write another book set in Spain? I hope so, if the right characters and story come along how could I not?

Carnation. Photo by Stanley Vaughn on Unsplash

Have you ever read a book and just wanted to visit that place immediately? 

LOVE TO LOVE: Seeing my books in print

LOVE TO LAUGH: Silly Instagram reels - usually containing dogs, cats and toddlers

LOVE TO LEARN: About other countries and cultures.

 

Romance Around The World: Spain

By Sharon Bryant

The Rich History and Culture of Spain



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Spain has a diverse and fascinating history. The largest country in Southern Europe, in the early modern period, it was the first global empire in the world leaving a huge cultural heritage. Its art, traditions, music and food have been influenced over the centuries by a series of invaders, and by its location in the Western Mediterranean. The rich history and culture of Spain make it the perfect setting for a romance novel.

 Indiscretion

Indiscretion by Hannah Fielding is set in 1950, in post-war Spain. Alexandra de Falla, a romance novelist, travels to Andalusia in search of her estranged family on her father’s side. There she falls in love with a proud, passionate and intense Spanish count who disturbs and excites her. The cultural divide between her English home and her newfound Spanish one lead Alexandra on a tumultuous journey of love, intrigue and personal growth.

The Summer House By The Sea

The Summer House By The Sea by Jenny Oliver is set in modern-day Spain. When Ava’s elderly grandmother dies, just after she herself survives a bus accident, she decides to journey from England to her grandmother’s Spanish villa for a fresh start. She meets and falls in love with Tom, a retired actor. Ava’s brother Rory’s career is virtually destroyed after he makes one very foolish decision. His marriage was already on the rocks. Rory journeys to Spain with his young son, Max, and tries to mend things with his wife who is still back home in the U.K.

Billionaire M.D. by Olivia Gates 

When Cybele awakens in hospital, she has lost all memory of her past life. Her husband Mel is dead and she learns she is pregnant. Cybele is being cared by Rodrigo Valderrama, M.D. When she is well enough to leave hospital, Rodrigo takes Cybele to his villa to convalesce. Cybele is attracted to Rodrigo, but cannot fathom how he is connected to her past. Her memories are slowly returning.



Have you read and loved any romance novels set in Spain? What was your favourite?


I love to love: We’re travelling to country NSW to see our eldest daughter soon. I can’t wait.



I love to laugh: We saw Unqualified at the Ensemble Theatre last weekend. The comedy was infectious. I couldn’t stop laughing.



I love to learn: My husband and I just spend the most marvellous few hours doing a backstage tour of the Sydney Opera House.