What first comes to mind if someone mentions the television show, Hawaii 5-0? The muscular actor who plays Commander Steve McGarrett, or perhaps a clever plot twist in an episode involving identity theft? More likely it’s a visual of tanned young surfers riding the perfect wave to the shores of Waikiki, or perhaps a volcanic peak rising from the mist above the rainforest. How about NCIS – New Orleans? Those who’ve seen the show might picture Scott Bakula chasing a murderer through the crowd of perennial spring-breakers on Bourbon Street, or maybe tracking a psychopath by airboat through the gator-infested bayous of Cajun country. Most TV shows and movies rely on setting for more than just backdrop. The setting becomes as integral to the story as protagonists and villains.
Yes, movie and television rely primarily on visuals, but books paint pictures in the minds of readers. Consider the imagery created by Michener’s South Pacific, John Grisham’s The Testament, or Charles Dickens’s Great Expectations. Could you imagine moving Oliver Twist from the slums of London to the heath-covered Scottish highlands? I don’t think so. Setting can be either protagonistic as in Jane Eyre or Under a Tuscan Sun or antagonistic as in Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath or Jack London’s Call of the Wild. Whether creating a romantic spot to rekindle the flame of lost love, or a dangerous snake pit from which characters must escape, an author must choose carefully to create a memorable world that readers can see, hear, taste and smell.
When an author contemplates a new series, location becomes even more crucial. Consider Jan Karon’s marvelous series set in Mitford, or Debbie Macomber’s lively romances in Cedar Cove. One of my favorite series by Nevada Barr involves Anna Pigeon, a federal park ranger engaged to an Episcopal priest. Mystery series particularly benefit by a change in locale as characters adapt to new challenges, both natural and man-made. Personally, I love to travel. I often set stories far from home, making several trips for research and to tweak final details. As my husband and I travel around the South, I find plenty of settings for my books.
For book one of my brand new series, Marked for Retribution Mysteries, I decided Charleston would be the perfect setting. In Hiding in Plain Sight, Kate Weller rents a room above an Italian restaurant owned by a handsome chef, where she lands in the middle of a family feud with robbery, arson and murder for the daily specials. Available in hardcover or in e-book, including B&N and Amazon.
Please tell me about your favorite setting for a book you've read for a chance to win a hardcover copy of Hiding in Plain Sight. US readers only. Drawing closes in one week. Mary Ellis ~ Suspense Sisters
I love Charleston as a setting! And I can't wait to read Hiding in Plain Sight!
ReplyDeleteYou are music to a gal's ears, Pat. I truly hope I've done justice to that Grande Dame, Charleston!
DeleteMine so far is the visually effective misty and lovely but haunting Yorkshire moors where Bronte lived and set Wuthering Heights--especially since I was privileged to visit and enjoy that exact area.
ReplyDeleteI have been to pitifully few places abroad, but the the moors of Yorkshire has been one of them. Nobody can capture the area like Bronte!!
DeleteHow can one choose just one favorite setting? I travel vicariously through my books so vivid descriptions are appreciated. I do also love reading about places familiar to me so Mary & Patricia's Memphis books have been fun. Can't wait to read this one,
ReplyDeleteSo like you enjoyed my Memphis story. And Memphis is just a hop and a skip away for Patricia! I adore that city and the Peabody will always be one of my favorite hotels.!!
DeleteThat's a hard question to answer - whether it be in the middle of Amish country or a large town, even at the ocean, I feel as if I am right there hearing the clippity clops of the horses pulling the buggies, cars blowing the horns, or the waves along the beach! I love your books and can't wait to read this new one!
ReplyDeleteBlessings on you, dear reader, Tammy Courts. If only the world were populated by more sweet people like you. Good luck in the drawing.
DeleteHow can one choose just one favorite setting? on a ranch, in the city, in the woods or in the middle of Amish country or on a boat. Thank you for the opportunity to win.Have a wonderful week.
ReplyDeleteYou have a wonderful week too, Emma. On a ranch...hmmmm..that's one of the few setttings I've never tried. Thanks for the suggestion.
DeleteI have visited Charleston, and it's a beautiful place. Looking forward to reading this book! I always love southern settings in books, because I lived in Alabama for several years. The south will always be 'home' to me. 🙂
ReplyDeleteAlabama is one gorgeous state. I'll never forget visiting Eufala many years ago with my mother in law. By the way, the south feels like home to me too, even though I live in Ohio. lol.
DeleteHard to decide a favorite setting, It depends on my mood for that day. I like the surreal type settings. I like the Amish Farms and other type of Amish places.
ReplyDeleteI have found such serenity during my many trips to Amish farms. Nothing like it. Thanks for leaving a comment.
DeleteA favorite place for our whole family is Williamsburg, VA. I would enjoy a book written about life there during the formative years of our country. Thank you for this opportunity.
ReplyDeleteIsn't Williamsburg VA outstanding? My parents took me as a child and I've been back several times since. We even took our English friends there. However, they were not impressed with Yorktown since we won, and England lost. lol.
DeleteI’ve loved Alaska during the summer in Summer of the Burning Sky trilogy by Susan May Warren.
ReplyDeleteI have never been to Alaska, so I'll have to look for that series myself. Thanks.
DeleteIt's hard to choose! I like smaller towns though because, it's easier for me to visualize, I don't know why lol.
ReplyDeleteSmall towns are easier to visualize, I think because they're more universal than big cities. For instance, NYC is nothing like Charleston, SC, but many small NY state towns could be mistaken for SC small towns.
DeleteI have no favorite setting...but love experiencing all the different possibilities. I read sooo many books and can relate to many different places.
ReplyDeleteReading is like arm-chair travel, no? Good luck in the drawing.
DeleteI agree with Pam. It's impossible to choose just one setting, or one book. To me, books are like music...music that reaches deep into my imagination and soul to evoke a flood of different emotions. The characters and dialogue are notes harmonizing, or not, that can make a beautiful symphony, a fun toe tapping tune, or pull me into a maze, while I try to find my out.
ReplyDeleteWell said, Mary Gessner. My guess is you're either a poet or a novelist too. You expressed yourself beautifully. Thank you.
DeleteThank you. :)
DeleteI like the old historical fiction set in the Kentucky mountains.
ReplyDeleteMe too. Have you read Ann Gabhardt's books about the Shakers??
DeleteI read a book that was set in the San Juan Islands. I loved the vivid images that the writer was able to put to paper..
ReplyDeleteOh, my email is somesmartcookle @ aol dotcom. cookle is with an L, not an i
DeleteThanks for the comment. I didn't know where the San Juan Islands were until I Google them just now. (they sure are a long way from Puerto Rico! lol) Thanks for the comment.
DeleteIt is hard to choose one setting. I enjoy the variety and learning about the setting. I love to picture the small towns or cities or countryside in which the novel is set.
ReplyDeletebetsylu2@msn.com
That's why I travel around looking for the perfect spot to set my story. Thanks for leaving me a comment.
DeleteThank you for the opportunity to enter a giveaway! Since I haven't read this book yet, would love to win a print copy! Sounds like a great setting and good plot. Thanks, again! My email is: krautter12ATbresnanDOTnet
ReplyDeleteThanks for being a Suspense Sister reader! And good luck in the drawing.
DeleteMy husband picked a number out of a hat and YOU are the lucky winner of Hiding in Plain Sight. I'll contact you for your mailing address. Congratulations.
DeleteI love reading about places that are familiar to me, but I also love being swept away to places that I will only be able to visit through the written word.
ReplyDeletelhanberry1(at)gmail(dot)com
Swept away is what I feel anytime I read a book set in England or Scotland, the moors in particular. Thanks for leaving me a comment.
DeleteI really enjoy books set in the antebellum South! Thanks so much! RW620 AT aol DOT com
ReplyDeleteAnd I love writing stories set in the South. Good luck in the drawing and thanks for being a Suspense Sister reader.
DeleteHaines, Alaska would be a great setting for a book. Small town, weekly market days, rivers filled with fish and visiting bear, mountains and trees with circling eagles...need I say more!!! mauback55 at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteWoW! I want to go to Alaska...NOW. I would love to see everything that you mentioned.
DeleteI love reading books set in the Appalachian mountains, but honestly I love most all settings as I feel like I can see the world.
ReplyDeleteleliamae54(at)aol(dot)com
I love the Appalachian Mountains, especially the Blue Ridge, Smokeys, Alleghenies, and Shenandoahs. Thanks for posting a comment.
DeleteI actually adore the rugged hills of Scotland in my books because I have been there and have seen the beauty! lattebooksAThotmailDOTcom
ReplyDeleteI would love to see that. Thanks for posting a comment.
DeleteI prefer water (ocean or lake); however, the thing that grabs me most is the characters and their interactions. Therefore, if they are well written, I can even take the desert. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dawn, I must agree with you about settings near water. Those are my favorites too.
DeleteSeveral years ago I discovered a series by Jennifer Chiaverini that was set at a quilting retreat in Elm Creek Valley. Sylvia Bergstrom Compson and her young friend Sarah McClure open a quilters' retreat at Sylvia's family estate, Elm Creek Manor. There are other characters who appear regularly and the quilters even travel to Hawaii but Elm Creek Valley is the primary setting. I fell in love with these books and hated to see the series end!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Connie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
That sounds like a wonderful series of books. Thanks for leaving me a comment.
DeleteI guess I would have to say that books set in Rural New York state have been some of my favorites. I have read many books set in Ohio and PA as well. Rural settings and the lifestyle are my favorite but I have also read some set in cities.
ReplyDeleteBoth including suspense! Most Amish or Mennonite in content.
Blessings
Linda Marie Finn
Faithful Acres Books
faithfulacresbooks (at) gmail (dot) com
Thanks, Linda, for dropping by and leaving me a comment. I love rural settings and small towns the best.
DeleteSan Diego, Sally John The Beach House and Castles in the Sand!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Mj Christopher
I have a book by Sally John in my "to read" pile. I can't wait to get to it. I've never read a story set in San Diego.
DeleteI travel through the books I read so I enjoy lots of different settings. I live in the south so I enjoy especially reading books set there. But my happy place is the beach so those draw my attention right away. Thank you for the gracious giveaway.
ReplyDeletetumcsec(at)gmail(dot)com
Ahhhh, the beach in the South. Wait till you see what's coming in February. Thanks for leaving me a comment.
DeleteOh, I just finished Hiding in Plain Sight a few days ago! Loved it!
ReplyDeleteI guess any setting centered around the Revolutionary War is one of my favorites.
duellonlusis(at)aol(dot)
Thanks so much for letting me know you enjoyed Hiding in Plain Sight! You made my day. Did you ever see the movie The Patriot? So very good!!
DeleteI enjoy reading books set in a national park, near water, or wilderness area like Alaska. Although settings in just about anywhere can be fun when it is well written.
ReplyDeleteWow, so many readers like an Alaska setting! I must see what I'm missing. thanks for the comment.
DeleteI like the old south for a setting or a small town such as is in Annie’s Attic series or Ann Gabhart’s cozy mysteries. I’m anxious to read your book.
ReplyDeleteI love Ann's books, but will have to look for Annie's Attic. Sounds like my cup of tea. Thanks for posting.
DeleteThe Night the Lights went out" was set just outside of Atlanta, Georgia.I could also hear her soft southern voice telling her tale.
ReplyDeleteOH, my, yes! I can hear that in my head too. And what about that old song "Black Velvet"? Doesn't that just paint a mind-picture?? Or the "Ode to Billy Joe".
DeleteHawaii
ReplyDeletebn100candg at hotmail dot com
I haven't read a book set in Hawaii since Michenor's Hawaii. That book was wonderful. Thanks for leaving a comment.
DeleteI love stories set in the mountains or in small towns. I also love ones set in Scotland.
ReplyDeletewhthomas13 at yahoo dot com
You just named 3 of my personal favorites. Thanks for being a Suspense Sisters reader.
DeleteI love stories set in New Orleans, in the mountainous area of ky, tn, va,
ReplyDeletejohnnabooks(at)hotmail(dot)com
Hi Johnna, did you read my story, Midnight on the Mississippi? First southern mystery I wrote. Thanks for leaving me a comment.
DeleteHave you read the series by Nevada Barr?? Each one is set in a different National Park. My favorite is Deep South, set on the Natchez Trace.
ReplyDeleteThanks to everyone who took the time to post a comment. The drawing will be Wednesday, 8-22.
ReplyDeleteDee Henderson's Book, "FULL DISCLOSURE" I enjoy the description of Ann Silver's farm, (her retreat!) and when she's flying her plane!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Barb, I'll have to put that book on my to read list!
DeleteI live in SC so i loved the setting of the Charleston area (the lowcountry)
ReplyDeleteForgot my info
DeleteCw122552@gmail.com
DeleteThanks so much for leaving a comment. You are entered in the drawing!
DeleteI enjoy a variety of settings. Books are the best way to travel.
ReplyDeletepsalm103and138atgmaildotcom
That is so true, Caryl. Books are also the cheapest way to travel.
DeleteThanks to everyone who left me a comment. Lual Krautter, you are my lucky winner of Hiding in Plain Sight. I will contact you separately for your mailing address. Congratulations.
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