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I am Lover of romance, who indulges in the romantic adventures of literature

My name is Renee, and I am the host of this site. I am a 34 year old woman, on the prowl for her mate, searching out the best of books, exploring the wilds of the imagination and delving into the heart of a beautiful love story.

 

Tea and Biscuits Book Discussions: Settings In Books

by | Mar 6, 2017 | Tea and Biscuits Discussions | 17 comments

Settings are what give flavor and spice to a story, they add richness and I do love seeing the various surroundings that authors put their readers in. Now I have done a post last year about my favorite settings to read in but now I wanted to talk about the settings I want to see the more of that aren’t common at all. Some of these are countries, states and cities even. But there are some settings out there that are very rare to see but have so much to offer that I wish authors would use them more. I understand why authors focus on certain settings, they are more appealing to most readers. But it can be so fun to explore an unfamiliar setting that you haven’t read much of or at all even. And a setting is what adds so much to a story. In fact, that is what I am always drawn to when choosing a book to read, is the setting and if its more unique chances are I will grab up that book more often. I do have my personal favorite settings of course, and those are always fun to explore as well. However there is something to be said for new experiences and if the author writes it well enough, it can be exciting and I always like seeing how authors handle different settings. How detailed and vivid they portray the surroundings.

Settings I Want To See The More Of

Asian Territories

I will admit it is pretty hard to find romances that deal with a setting in Asia such as Japan, China, Thailand and Korea. And I feel like this has so much potential, there is so much history. I do love learning more about these settings, because many of these countries have such beautiful settings and make for a great romance or even a solid story. I first fell in love with this setting when I was a teenager, and found a Chinese themed romance and yeah I got hooked pretty quickly. They are very different and the majority of them are historical, so you get to learn quite a bit about history of these Asian countries and the culture .

Italy and Greece

What is not to love about Italy and Greece right? And quite honestly I am suprised that I don’t see very many books with this setting. It has such a rich country and I love seeing this setting because it is so very romantic. It makes for some of the best love stories, I have only read a couple books with this setting, and am always looking for more. What makes this so wonderful? Its has such history and the culture is fascinating and the people full of passion and life. So there is a lot in this setting that an author can work with.

New Orleans

This is one of the most unique cities in the world, and so intriguing, but I haven’t found many books that take place in this city. I have read a few and every time that I do I just crave more and more. This is probably one of the most fun and exciting settings you can experience I first fell in love with this city. My first experience was with a duo pair of books by Lisa Kleypas, the Vallerands. Where we are introduced to this setting in a historical time and we see how even then it was very colorful and unique and as I have explored this setting a bit, I just fall more in love with its culture.

South America

I have only read a few books with this setting, and is really rare for find. I find it mostly in romantic suspense themed books actually. So Clive Cussler (Now he doesn’t write romantic suspense, more like adventure-suspense books with a slight romantic feel to it), and also Suzanne Brockmann and Christine Feehan who has a family in her Carpathian series that lives in South America. And also Beverly Jenkins has one book that does take place here as well. So its always so fascinating seeing it from historical and modern points of view. First off, this continent is breathtaking. I have always been intrigued, and am not sure if I will ever have a chance to visit, but I love seeing this land in these books.

Sweden

I have always wanted to try reading a book set in this country, but have yet to find one. I have always been intrigued by this country and the culture and customs. Growing up, there was a Swedish family that lived in our neighborhood and they made me so intrigued by this country and I would love to see a good romance set in this country. I think it would be so fun to see and I do believe that Harlequin has published some books I think in Sweden, but haven’t researched enough to find them.

Pacific Islands

I have always loved these islands, so much fun culture and I have known so many people from these islands and I love how vibrant the culture and these settings are. I love a good romance on a island, but these pacific islands are breathtaking. Now I do know there are some books that take place in this setting, but haven’t had a chance to pick them up. I do know Cathryn Cade has a pacific islander series that I have been itching to try. One day soon and who can resist a sexy romance on a beautiful island?

India

I have read a couple books that take place in india. My first recollection was Tiger Prince by Iris Johansen. Johansen with her historicals are famous for writing books in unconventional settings, such as India, or the middle east even. I love having this setting, and even though its rare its definitely one you can enjoy quite a bit. I do have been wanting to try out Bollywood Affair, which is pretty popular and I am going to read this one pretty soon, since I have requested through my library. I am always looking for more stories set in this country.

Imperial Russia

I have only read quite aΒ  few books that take place in Russia, but I just love it every time I do. The romance that I have been able to read in this setting have been some of my all time favorites. Both historical and contemporary ones. Its such a richΒ  and sensual setting and just works so well for a romance. But I am always on the lookout for more books set in Russia, because I fall in love with this setting every time the more I get the chance to read it.

Questions For My Readers

What Settings Are Your Favorites?

What Settings Do You Wish To See The More of?

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17 Comments

  1. Quinn's Book Nook

    I admit to being a huge fan of the U.K. setting. Which is good for me since that is mainly where historical romances are set. I would love settings in Russia, too! And definitely Sweden!

    Reply
    • Lover Of Romance

      I love the UK as well, but it can be fun exploring other settings too πŸ™‚

      Reply
  2. Joyousreads

    I do like to travel without leaving my home and since I can do that with books, I’m pretty much game to anything. So long as the authors do a good job at describing the place, that is.

    Reply
    • Lover Of Romance

      it is fun being able to travel without leaving your house right? Its why I love good detail in a story, so I can picture easily the surroundings.

      Reply
  3. Blodeuedd

    I have read a million harlequins set in Greece πŸ˜‰

    Reply
    • Lover Of Romance

      haha well it looks like I need to check out the Harlequins

      Reply
  4. Lily B

    I agree, I would love more settings. I think a lot of mainstream romance have a hole when it comes to that, but It might be because it’s intimidating for some authors to write about a place they never went to. Wouldn’t it be a nice research project for a book to visit the place? πŸ˜€

    Reply
    • Lover Of Romance

      Oh I so agree and its so sad too because there are so many fun settings out there for authors to use. I know it used to be years ago, that romance authors would get pretty diverse in their settings. Its just not that way anymore. I think the main problem is publishers push authors to write in a certain setting because that is what most readers expect. I think it would be fun to travel to do research for a book. I know Bertrice Small would do that when she would research a book. Many authors could learn from her for sure.

      Reply
  5. LilyElement

    I’d love to get some different scenery in books πŸ™‚

    Reply
  6. Grace @ Rebel Mommy Book Blog

    I love a great setting. I just read a book set in Tokyo and it was so good. I would love more from there. Sweden would be interesting too. I also would like Mexico as a setting. Fun post!!

    Reply
    • Lover Of Romance

      oh yes….I would love a story set in Tokyo, I bet that was fun to read. Mexico is beautiful right? So it would make a great setting.

      Reply
  7. Rowena

    Oh man, I would love to read books set in all of these places. I definitely second the Pacific Islands though being Polynesian myself, it shouldn’t be surprising. πŸ™‚ Great post!

    Reply
  8. Carole's Random Life

    Yes to all of these. I really like it when I can spend a little bit of time in a location that I will probably never see in real life. I have been to New Orleans but it was a quick trip 30 years ago so it barely counts.

    Reply
  9. AngieElle @ Ba_BAMB

    I would love to see more books with Italy and Greece as the settings. I feel like most of those books are Women’s Fiction. But romance would be even better.

    If you really want to read more about New Orleans, there are a ton of Urban Fantasy or Paranormal Romance series that take place there.

    Great post!

    Reply
  10. Zeee @ I Heart Romance & YA

    I second the Asian settings! I may be biased because I grew up in Asia but still! I think the old Harlequin’s had a lot of diverse settings. I read a romance set during the Boxer Rebellion in China which was very interesting!

    Also, New Orleans! The Night Huntress series has scenes in New Orleans with a little bit of voodoo magic. And I also remember Lisa Kleypas’ Vallerand’s series! πŸ™‚

    I actually want to see more of the US during the Gilded Age. So maybe something set in New York? I feel like there are already a ton of Westerns, but there aren’t a lot of romances set in New York.

    Reply
  11. Lola

    I love discovering new settings and visit new places throughout books and while I don’t mind reading about more common settings, it’s also fun to visit new ones. One of my favorite authors SJ Pajonas always sets her books in Asia and it’s so interesting to learn more about those countries. I can’t remember reading many books in the other settings you listed here. I would like to see more books set in European countries, I love visiting other countries, but it’s also fun to read about countries a bit closer to home. And India is also one I would love to read more of. I have read a few fantasy often urban fantasies books et in New Orleans. Great post!

    Reply

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