Hi and Happy Valentine's Day. It's one of my favorite holidays and the perfect one for romance writers. It celebrates the belief in happy-ever-afters--and happy-yet-to-comes.
Recently some friends and I were debating the perfect spot to celebrate a romantic evening. None of us agreed where that might be.
So I thought it might be fun for you to share your ideas of 'the' best Romantic Getaway. Anywhere. Any era. And, of course, the perfect hero with whom to share it.
And to make the sharing even more special, one lucky commenter will receive a box of chocolates from our special local chocolate shop. (Sorry-no wine or roses.:>) Don’t forget to leave your email address. The contest will run through Friday. Writers' Wednesday will be back next week.
Okay. I’ll start.
If I were dreaming, my Romantic Getaway would be in a medieval castle on a cliff overlooking the sea. (There would be no damp smell, no mildew in the castle, no drafts. It would have a garderobe that flushed. And it would be one story tall because heights make me dizzy. It's 'my' dream.)
My hero, of course, is a knight. But no shining armor. It's so uncomfortable. He'd look at lot like Sean Bean or Richard Armitage. (Check them out at the Hall of Heroes on my website.)
Now, your turn. Be specific. Give examples. Name names.
Oh, and if you'd like a peek at some Valentine Day history trivia, check out Allison Merrit' blog at http://www.havenovelwilledit.blogspot.com/
Best selling autor Cait Logan has a backlist book just released for her Valentine special. Find her at http://caitlondon.blogspot.com/2012/02/sleepless-in-montana-for-valentines-day.html
Quotes about Love:
Love poetry abounds, and each of us has our favorite. History.com has a list of quotes that may not be terribly familiar. Here are two that caught my eye:
"Love does not dominate; it cultivates." Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
And from one of my favorite poets, Pablo Neruda:
"I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride; so I love you because I know no other way than this: where 'I' does not exist nor 'you', so close that your hand on my chest is my hand, so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep." - from"Love Sonnet XVII"
Happy Valentine's Day
Bodiam Castle in England with my husband, love of my life. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post and it sounds like we might have a lot in common with the castle theme. I'd love to slip back in time and see one it it's glory days.
Toni Nichols
tsue4u@sbcglobal.net
Oh, Toni, I love what I've seen (pictures, only, darn it) of Bodiam Castle. I'd love to see one in its glory days, too--provided I could have just a few amenities from the present LOL. Yep, we castle gals must stick together.
DeleteMy favorite Neruda quote is, "My somber heart seeks you always." I've often felt that way.
ReplyDeleteMy most romantic place was St. Catherine's Beach in Bermuda, when the water is warm and clear and the company is fun. I was there once. When I die and go to Heaven, I'll know I've already been there.
I'll take my soul mate with me, whoever he may be. We'll find each other some day.
Hi, Carla. Yaay, another Neruda fan. I love that quote, too. St. Catherin's Beach sounds divine. I just wish I like really hot weather enough to vacation in places like that. Perhaps in winter?
DeleteAnd, yes, you will find your 'other' one day. Probably when you least expect to. Positive thoughts coming your way on that.
I was going to be a dork and say I'd love to have a romantic getaway in Middle-earth as portrayed in the Lord of the Rings movies. But then I remembered I can actually do that. All I need to do is visit New Zealand. So yeah, New Zealand on some of those beautiful, wild locations, and if my hero looks like Aragorn, I won't complain for a moment.
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Ashlyn, and you're so right--an Aragorn would make any surroundings pretty darned all right. Those New Zealand locations were fantastic, weren't they? It would be great to just be able to sit quietly and take in the spectacular scenery.
DeleteWow! The sonnets of Pablo Neruda are terribly romantic. Tell me more about him.
ReplyDeleteI must add Scotland to my trip to England. It sounds beautiful and wild. The scenery, of course.
My romantic get away would have to be in an English castle in Victorian times [A few more amenities than Medieval, Barb}. My husband & I shall be in evening dress [no corset for me]. An intimate dinner before the fire in my boudoir. Did I forget to say we would be 30 years younger?
Hi, Kaye. Yes, I can see you as a very proper Victorian lady (well, except for in your boudoir-no corset? Scandalous indeed.LOL.) Neruda was from Chile originally, later lived in Argentina. He died in the mid 70s I think. He had sympathy for Communism (mildly put). But no matter his political leanings, his writing is phenomenal. He did win a Nobel Prize during his lifetime.
DeleteMy ideal romantic fantasy would be aboard one of the luxurious packet steamers headed from St. Louie to New Orleans. I would be gowned and wearing the fashionable coiffure of the day. My gentleman would have to be well-read, intelligent, and--most of all--very sensitive to my needs. I envision a Robert E. Lee type--(dast I say Kevin Costner?)!
ReplyDelete"Then he sat down, still and speechless, On the bed of Minnehaha...Then they buried Minnehaha;In the snow a grave they made her, In the forest deep and darksome, Underneath the moaning hemlocks; Clothed her in her riches garments, Wrapped her in her robes of ermine, Covered her with snow, like ermine; Thus they buried Minnehaha.
..."Farewell!" said he, "Minnehaha! Farewell, O my Laughing Water! All my heart is buried with you, All myy thoughts go onward with you! Come not back again to labor, Come not back again to suffer, Where the Famine and the Fever Wear the heart and waste the body. Soon my task will be completed, Soon your footsteps I shall follow To the Islands of the Blessed, To the Kingdom of Ponemah, To the Land of the Hereafter!"
....~ Hiawatha by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Whoops!--Clothed in her "richest" garments. Rather bittersweet poem -- reminds me of Nicholas Sparks' novels. I find the thought of enduring love to be the most romantic.
DeleteGinny, I agree--enduring love is the most romantic. But so sad, that the love is gone in the tragedy of Minnehaha and Hiawatha. To happier thoughts: I can see you on the paddle wheel with the hooped skirt and fitted blouse. And a hat-strolling with your courtly Southern gentleman. Certainly an elegant time.
DeleteOops, the hat isn't strolling with your Southern Gent. You're wearing the hat and strolling.....LOL
DeleteMy idea of romance is spending time walking along the beach with a man who understands me completely and accepts me as I am. Perhaps we extend that date to sitting out under the stars, holding hands, not needing words. And it could be anywhere in the world - as long as I'm with him.
ReplyDeleteHi Kellie. That's mega-romantic. It's the man and the moment. Someday you'll find that special, perfect guy who'll sweep you off to the beach and happiness.
DeleteIn a castle in Austria (any castle, they're all fabulous)with David Beckham...during the winter so we have to stay close to stay warm. Ooops, hope my husband doesn't read this.
ReplyDeleteWelcome Ally. I've only seen pictures of castles in Austria, but they look luscious. Some look absolutely "fairytale" and others,mysterious. Of course you'd need a strong, silent 'David' to wait upon your every need. Sounds pretty darned good. (Glad to see another castle fan.)
ReplyDeleteHmm. My romantic dreams are a little confusing. I seem to look a lot like Jennifer Lopez. But there's no doubt about the man. The guy on 'Castle', Nathan Fillion, will do just fine.
ReplyDeleteBeen on a sandy beach... that sand gets in some very unromantic places. No matter the amenities, castles are cold. Give me a lakeside cabin, secluded, cool night with a fire in the fireplace, a bear rug, and not a shirt to be found.
Diana Locke
Diana, hello. Trust you to be pragmatic about sand and castles :) I'll admit that bear rug in front of a roaring fire at some secluded cabin sounds--mighty fine. Thanks for being here.
ReplyDeleteOh, this is too easy.
ReplyDeleteMe and Ryan Reynolds, snowboarding somewhere in Switzerland. Fresh powder, Belgian beer, aching muscles, and a hot tub. Of course, being the gentleman he is, he does me the polite favor of offering a back massage. I thank him with an invite back to my place, where we lounge in front of a crackling fire, eating chocolate and "talking" until dawn.
Did I mention what a great conversationalist he is?
Love a man conversant in several languages, especially chocolate and hot tub. Big sigh.
DeleteWell, my fantasy would be me and Alex O'Loughlin on a private island in/off Belize....white sands, tropical breezes.....clothing optional;) LOL
ReplyDeleteBut honestly, I'd be just as happy if I was there with my Hubby. He's the bestest! ;)
Hubbys are always wonderful choices. But, wow, Alex makes the perfect stand in.
DeleteOkay...just me and Richard Simmons. I run my fingers through his hair...he's wearing his red and white striped shorts. But, of course, you've already heard that one. My second choice would be a farmer in his sixties...he's a little surprised to find me in his life...and absolutely delighted. This gentleman courts me gently, with old-school good manners. We've spent the day exploring the secret places on his farm...a stream with wild iris blooming on its banks, an ancient cemetery with leaning stones. Now the sun has set and we make our way home to cuddle together as we watch the latest Sweatin' to the Oldies tape. Sorry...all my fantasies seem to end with Richard.
ReplyDeleteLOL. Jean. So funny. Love Ira!
DeleteAnd now everyone can see why we miss our Jean in our critique. "Ira" sounds better than all of them. (sigh)
ReplyDeleteDiana
Absolutely, Diana! Can't you change your work hours, Jean? We miss you.
DeleteNow see - I want my husband - but a more romantic version of him... LOL
ReplyDeleteSo where? An island with our own beach, food delivered, a cute little bar down the road, and a stack of books to read when the sun gets too hot to swim and we've sated other desires. (giggle.)