Greetings, everyone! In case you don't recognize my name (grin), I'm an author of erotica and erotic romance. I've been publishing for over a decade, in a wide variety of sub-genres: contemporary, science fiction, suspense, historical, GLBT, BDSM, ménage, you name it. What can I say? I like variety!
One consistent feature of my books, however, is a strong sense of place. When I create a story, I almost always set it in some specific locale as opposed to in some unnamed, generic city or town. Since I love to travel, and I've been fortunate in having had lots of opportunities to do so, my stories often unfold in foreign climes – but not always. I thought I'd list thirteen of the settings I've used over the years, with illustrations!
1. Thailand. I lived in Thailand for several years in the eighties and have visited it many times since. My first novel Raw Silk and my recent thriller Bangkok Noir, as well as a number of my shorter works, unfold in the former Siam.
2. Beacon Hill. Beacon Hill is a historic district of Boston, full of narrow cobblestone streets and brick townhouses dating from the mid-nineteenth century. My novel Incognito includes two parallel plots, one contemporary, the other Victorian, both of which play themselves out in Beacon Hill.
3. Cambodia. Once you've seen the temples of the Angkor civilization in Cambodia, you'll never forget them. My multicultural tale Citadel of Women takes place among the Angkor ruins.
4. Prague. A magical, atmospheric city heavy with history, Prague is the setting for the first short story I ever published (“Glass House”) as well as my vampire tale “Prey”. I'm sure I'll be returning there at some point in a longer work.
5. England. I've set a number of my works in various parts of England, including Getaway Girl, which takes place in a quaint Yorkshire village, my Elizabethan era romp Shortest Night, and my taboo Gothic, A Breed Apart.
6. Jamaica. Jamaica's lush forests, ruined plantations and bloody history form the backdrop for my vampire ménage novella, Fire in the Blood.
7. Amsterdam . I've visited the fascinating libertine city of Amsterdam many times. It forms the backdrop for my short story “Shades of Red”, which appears in my recent collection Spank Me Again, Stranger.
8. Guatemala. The Central American country of Guatemala is still on my travel bucket list, but it provides the setting for my shape-shifter novel Serpent's Kiss which includes scenes set in the Mayan ruins of Tikal and on the slopes of the active volcano Volcan de Fuego. I used my experience in other developing countries, as well as research and a healthy dose of imagination, to conjure this country I've never visited.
9. New York City. There's no place on earth like the Big Apple, and I've set a number of tales there, most recently my blues-themed ménage Wild About That Thing.
10. India. India, of course, is a vast, sprawling country, practically a continent. There are a million possible stories waiting there. I used the hilly Assam region as the backdrop for my GLBT historical ménage Monsoon Fever. Meanwhile, one of my works in progress, a multi-genre romp that includes steampunk and paranormal elements, is set in Rajasthan.
11. San Francisco. I've always been drawn to the City by the Bay, with its hills and vistas, not to mention its reputation as BDSM capitol of the world. My recently released M/M science fiction title, Quarantine, is set in a future San Francisco ravaged by anti-gay riots and patrolled by robot guards.
12. Worcester, Massachusetts. If you're not from the northeast United States, you may have never heard of Worcester, a gritty old industrial city that's the second largest urban center in Massachusetts. Necessary Madness, my M/M paranormal erotic romance, takes place there. It seemed the perfect setting for my tale of a closeted cop and a homeless young man afflicted by apocalyptic visions of the future.
13. Nebraska. Nebraska? What could be romantic about this flat Midwestern state, you might ask. Nevertheless, I've had some erotic adventures there, and it provides the setting for a number of my stories, most notably my M/M contemporary novella Crossed Hearts.
You might think I've exhausted my list of settings. Hardly. What amazed me in making up this list was how many fabulous places I've traveled that haven't yet made it into one of my books. Turkey. Bali. Croatia. Vietnam. Portugal. Provence…
What special place would you like to read about? Leave me a comment on this post (include your email address, please!) and let me know. I'll give a copy of Serpent's Kiss, Monsoon Fever or Crossed Hearts (your choice) to one lucky reader.
Thanks for checking out my Thursday Thirteen!
Visit Lisabet's Fantasy Factory: http://www.lisabetsarai.com
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Thanks for having me here!
I think England would be a great place to write about.
lauratroxel@yahoo.com
I like to read your stories that a based on the areas that you've either visited or lived. I had the opportunity to visit some of the countries and cities that you've visited although the circumstances were different back in the 60's and 70's. Keep writing the stories they are enjoyable.
Unfortunately, I've only been to NYC, SF, and Prague. However, I've gotten a nice flavor of Thailand from your writings, and nice hints of English life here and there. I'd love the read anything about any of the other places you've lived in!
Hello Lisabet!
There are so many great locales that I get to visit with characters on their journey throughout their story… One that I love is Ireland! Thanks for sharing & Happy November! 😀
I have to agree that places you've visited and that you've enjoyed make it easier to connect to the story. So I'd say England, Scotland or San Francisco for me.
penumbrareads(at)gmail(dot)com
I always enjoy reading about Italy. Best wishes and more happy travels.
SO many wonderful places. Hard to decide which one I would like best.
Would love to see a story set in Venezuela.
Yvette
yratpatrol@aol.com
Hi lisabet, I love this post. Prague and different areas of the Russian federation sound like fascinating places to me. Also my upcoming release has roots in guatemala, and like you I researched and used my imagination to describe a land I've never been:). Thanks for sharing,
Sara
Jamiaca would be a great place for a story becasue it is hot and steamy and lots of places to get a way and hide to have wild flings……………. and the sheer beauty of it all
Lisabet, these places all sound very lovely. I have been to several, incl. England, Amsterdam, and NYC. Would love to visit the other places.
Wow, Lisabet you have mentioned some great places. I have been to Thailand and England, some good settings there. You didn't mention visiting Australia in your travels. My nhistorical novels are nearly always set there. I am probably biased, but it is a great place to visit ad write about. Maybe your next novel?
Cheers
Margaret
I would love to visit Phuket Island in Vietnam so I would love for a story to be set there! jepebATverizonDOTnet
I'd like Ireland…nothing like a place that's got some magic!
Hi Lisabet
love the photos 🙂
Hi, everyone! Sorry not to have been around more. The evil day job, you know… and then spent the whole weekend editing. I really appreciate your taking time to comment.
@Laura – I'd really like to go back to England. I haven't been there in a long time. And one thing I noticed – it's a small country, but incredibly rich in atmosphere, with a huge diversity between one place and the next.
@Dave – some of the places I mention I haven't visited since the early 80's. Jamaica, for instance. I need to refresh my knowledge!
@Julianna – Here's hoping my books inspire you to travel further! But Prague is magical – I'm so glad you've been there.
@Colleen – I haven't been to Ireland (yet!) but it's definitely on my list!
@Penumbra – I spent four days in Scotland, not nearly enough. There are so many erotic romances with Scottish settings, though – I'm sure other authors do a better job than I would.
@Anne – Ah, Italy! Only one trip there – no, two – both pretty brief. Still, it's surprising I haven't set anything there, especially in Venice or Trieste. Thanks for the reminder!
Hi again!
@Yvette – Venuzuela! Wow! Have you been there? My ramblings in South America have been limited to Peru, plus Costa Rica in Central America. What an interesting idea! Have you been there?
@Sara – Oh, I'd love to read your Guatemala story! Can you contact me off list with the title?
@Tom – Yes, Jamaica is an intense place. My story Fire in the Blood captures that, I think.
@Shirley – Thank you for dropping by! I actually don't know where you're from. I recommend Asia if you have any chance to visit.
@Margaret – Alas, I've never been to Australia. And I know I'm missing a lot. One of these days…!
@Jen – Actually, the Phuket I know is in Thailand. But Vietnam is also fascinating.
@PC – Have you been to Ireland? I'd actually like to take three weeks to explore all of the British Isles. I love history, and Britain has almost as much as Turkey.
@Marie – Thank you for dropping by!
Hello, everyone! I have picked a winner for the giveaway. Congratulations to Colleen!
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http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lisabets_list
Thanks again to you all for joining in the fun!