The Love In Bloom Extravaganza will feature an author a day from 3/30 – 5/16/12. Daily book give aways and a GRAND PRIZE of a Nook Touch or Kindle Touch ($99 gift cert for INT) See form at end of post for details.
A Time for Romance…
I don’t like the winter—okay, I love snow and I like Christmas, but that’s it. I grew up in the north of England where it seemed as though the sun rarely shone and it rained most of the time. I headed south as soon as I could, and I’ve finally settled in the mountains in southern Spain, overlooking the Mediterranean. But we still get a definite winter—even some snow—and it’s always a relief when spring comes.
And right now, spring is here; the almond trees are in blossom, you can almost see things growing, and soon the mountains will be coored scarlet with wild poppies.
Lots of romance novels take place in the spring, because spring really is the season of love. The year is still young and stretching out ahead of us, everything is bursting into life. It’s a time of new beginnings, and there’s a feeling that anything is possible.
Yes, it might be corny–but I reckon love really is in the air in springtime.
So spring is the time for romantic gestures and visiting romantic places. We used to travel a lot, and spring was always a time when I got itchy feet. So I thought I’d share a few of the romantic places I’ve visited in the springtime.
· One of the most romantic views I’ve ever shared with my husband was while sitting in the red fort in Agra, watching the sun set over the Taj Mahal. The Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, built the Taj Mahal in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal—how romantic is that?
· Paris – my husband (still to be at that point) first took me to Paris for my 21st birthday. It was April, and it rained. Anywhere that can be romantic in the rain has to be a winner.
· Venice—how about a trip to the beautiful romantic city of Venice. Sit, drinking wine in an outdoor café in St Mark’s Square, then take a gondola ride on the canals.
· We lived in the south of Scotland for a while, and whenever we could, we’d go up into the highlands. It’s a beautiful place, especially in the spring when the mountains and moors are carpeted in wild flowers.
There are loads more places I’ve only read about, that I would love to visit in the springtime: Okinawa to see the cherry blossom, Rome, Athens…
So if you could whisk your loved one off for a romantic spring break, somewhere you’ve read about in a romance novel, where would you go?
Let me know for a chance to win an ecopy of Blackmailed by the Italian Billionaire and a $10 eGift card from Books on Board. Winner will be selected using random.org on 4/25, winner must leave a comment and fill out the form at the end of this post.
Seduction by any means necessary…
Olivia Brent is happy with her quiet life in the country, until the imminent loss of her home forces her to embark on a search for her estranged father. Catapulted into a world of criminals and totally out of her depth, Olivia is rescued by the stunningly gorgeous and enigmatic billionaire Luc Severino.
Luc has never considered himself a knight in shining armor, and if he had been, then Jimmy Brent’s daughter was the last person he would choose to rescue. But Olivia is the key to finding her father, and Luc is willing to use any methods available, including blackmail, to persuade Olivia to help him find Jimmy and finally put the past behind him.
And if blackmail doesn’t gain her total cooperation, then perhaps a little seduction will…
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Bio:
Nina Croft grew up in the north of England. After training as an accountant, she spent four years working as a volunteer in Zambia which left her with a love of the sun and a dislike of 9-5 work. She then spent a number of years mixing travel (whenever possible) with work (whenever necessary) but has now settled down to a life of writing and picking almonds on a remote farm in the mountains of southern Spain.
Nina writes all types of romance often mixed with elements of the paranormal and science fiction.
Find me at:
Nina Croft grew up in the north of England. After training as an accountant, she spent four years working as a volunteer in Zambia which left her with a love of the sun and a dislike of 9-5 work. She then spent a number of years mixing travel (whenever possible) with work (whenever necessary) but has now settled down to a life of writing and picking almonds on a remote farm in the mountains of southern Spain..jpg)
Okay, it sounds corny, but I’d like to go to Harmony, Texas, from the Jodi Thomas books. Harmony is a small town with ranches and farms, lots of open space, where everyone knows everyone, and helps each other. Sounds wonderful. Thanks for the giveaway.
e.balinski(at)att(dot)net
Spring definatly brings love. Sounds like a wonderful read. Thanks for the giveaway
Romance stories have given me so many places I want to visit. I would like to go to Scotland and also visit small towns nearby. Some stories have a knack for making the ordinary seem very comforting.
I think I would take my husband to Ireland. He is very Irish but doesn’t want to cross the atlantic. lol I’d have to drug him or something.
Lauren
I have read about so many amazing places i would love to visit. Scotland would be toward the top of my list as would anywhere in the Caribbean
Froggy
froggarita@gmail.com
Great post! I really think I would love to go to Europe and visit the south of France, Paris, and then if we could afford it and had the time I would love to squeeze in a trip to the Alps.
Great post. It would be Monaco- the topless beaches would befor my husband.
I’ve traveled all of Western Europe but I haven’t been to Ireland or Scotland. I love Highlander stories so I would probably want to go to Scotland.
Thanks for the giveaway!
geishasmom73 AT yahoo DOT com
I’d like to go to the French Riviera.
bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
Thanks for a great post! I’d love to go to Hawaii. Hang out on the beach w/ my BF. Go to a luau, hike in the rainforests 🙂
Paris in spring holds a lot of appeal. I’d go to Greece anytime of year and would love to go to Scotland, but I’m thinking summer would be the best time to visit there.
I live on a remote farm in the Ozarks and raise tomatoes for the farmers’ market. For some reason living on a remote almond farm in Spain sounds a lot more romantic!!
There are a lot of places I’d like to travel to…but, if money weren’t an issue…I’d LOVE to go to Australia!
barbbattaglia @yahoo.com
Well, we actually did the vacation a couple of years ago. We took a two week trip starting in Yellowstone and ending in the Badlands. We have been talking about what comes next. I think maybe Alaska or drive the west coast from Seattle down. jepebATverizonDOTnet
There are so many places I want to visit but to answer your question Scotland would be the place I’d go.
I choose London.
There are so many beautiful places I would want to be wisked away by my lover..But I think a secluded cottage on a remote Island would be so romantic. No phones, no email, no nothing, just him, me and the warm tropical breezes.. Those tropical nights too…
I don’t know if this is in a romance book as I haven’t read one yet…but my hubby would love Alaska. Being all cozy in front of a fire in a lodge in the middle of nothingness.
Mel
It’s so hard to choose one place but France would be my choice.
Jess1
I’d like to go to Ireland or Scotland… yummy accents! I know its sad that I’d base a vaca destination based on that but I like the history, castles and such!!
I bought this book and read it last week. It was so good.
Thank you all for stopping by!
Congrats to barbbattaglia, you are the winner of Nina’s post!
I’d go to Esme island…gotta admit that island was sweet!
Wow what an interview loved it book is on my wish list.