I have enjoyed reading about, and
seeing pictures of, exotic places where some of my fellow Sweet Romance Reads
authors have visited. Although I’ve been fortunate to travel through quite a
bit of the United States, I’ve never been overseas. I have seen the gleam in my
cousin’s eyes when she talks about her trip to Paris, and always enjoy
travelogues when friends return from places I have yet to see. Books set in
other countries (especially the UK) are among my favorites. I hope I’ll be able
to visit some of those places in person eventually.
But romance can also be found on a
quiet trail through the woods of Southern Indiana, or lying on the hood of a
big old car, watching for shooting stars. Love can grow at the rehearsals of a non-famous
church choir, or around a smoky open fire pit at a small-town festival. It can
have its beginnings in the trips to visit your boyfriend at college, when the
pal who’s traveling with you becomes, after the boyfriend has moved on, more
than a pal.
What a lucky girl was I, to have found
love in the town where I grew up. So fortunate that I didn’t have to go looking
for it at all—it found me, literally where I lived, and it lasted (‘til death
do you part”) for 30 years. This is why I write romances set in small towns.
Each story, intentionally or not, has some of my own hometown in it. And, I
hope, some of the love that has been blessed my life.
***
Magdalena Scott lives in a small town
in Southern Indiana. A widow since 2012, she is rebuilding her life by
practicing gratitude and getting back into writing. She shares her jewel box
apartment with a cat named Attila, is the very proud mother of The Progeny, and
soon-to-be-mother-in-law of The Progenette.
Magdalena is the author of six novellas in the Ladies of Legend series. Her first story in that series is Midnight in Legend, TN. You can find all of her books at Amazon. Catch up with her on her [sometimes silly] blog, Welcome to Magdalenaville, as well as on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.
Small town romance is some of my favorite. Although I love exciting international settings as well, the sort of romance set in small towns, such as childhood sweethearts, always appeals to me. So sad to hear you lost your love after 30 years. It must be difficult to come to terms with that loss and move on.
ReplyDeleteHi, Helen! Thank you for commenting. I count yours as some of my favorite stories set in the UK. :) And yes, it's difficult, but I am fortunate to be surrounded by many people who care. (Again, small towns...)
ReplyDeleteI love small town romances. I grew up in a small town and over 20 years ago we moved to a small town (which has since grown and acquired a Target store!). I love being close to the wild outdoors, farm land and nature (well, I'm always spooked by possums in our neighborhood). But I have come to appreciate a grocery store 5 minutes away instead of 30 minutes away. I think small towns force the hero and heroine to bump into each other more than in a big city.
ReplyDeleteI loved your post about small time life, and I love small town romance novels, too. We live in the country on ten acres with horses in the backyard and gravel roads. I wouldn't trade being in the country for anything else!
ReplyDeleteI am heading off to Amazon to buy your latest book!
I'm not a city girl by any stretch of the imagination. So I can truly appreciate the "small town" love you describe. That's what happened to me!
ReplyDeleteLovely post, Magdalena. I've lived mostly in cities or industrialized suburbs close to cities, but I love small town romances. So wonderful that you use your own for your books.
ReplyDeleteI never lived in small towns but in quiet suburbs and I learned to appreciate their serenity. I write about both international settings and quaint neighborhoods where people are friendly and patient.
ReplyDeleteI love writing about small towns. Enjoyed the post, Magdalena
ReplyDeleteMel, Roxanne, Donna, Alicia and Mona - Thank you for stopping by, and for sharing a little about where you live and your own experience with small town romances. Aren't all fortunate to be able to share different settings with our readers? As a reader, I know I've learned a lot from reading about different locations and cultures in romance stories. Non-romance readers might be surprised how much info you can pick up. :)
ReplyDeleteHi, Margaret! Thank you for commenting. :)
ReplyDelete