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Vanessa Kelly | Give Me The Small Town Life
May 19, 2010
Small towns are always a popular setting in fiction, especially in contemporary
romance. The Virgin River series by Robyn Carr is a reader
favorite, for example, as are the contemporary romances by Toni Blake set in the
charming town of Destiny, Ohio. Perhaps we’re drawn to these settings because
they promise something that can seem elusive in our fast-paced, over-burdened
lives. Although most of us have dozens, even hundreds of "friends" on various
social media sites, face-to-face contact with people who really know us in a
personal way can seem like a quaint relic of bygone days. My latest book, SEX AND THE
SINGLE EARL, takes place in smaller town, but in a historical rather than a
contemporary setting. Many if not most Regency-set historical romances take
place in London, especially the London of the haute ton. On occasion, the ton
probably felt like a small town to those who moved in its exclusive circles.
Everybody knew everybody else, and gossip reigned supreme. But London was still
a big city, and one could easily get lost in the crowds. Not so in Bath, the setting for SEX AND THE SINGLE EARL.
Bath was and still is one of the most beautiful resort towns in England. Fanny
Burney lived here, as did Jane Austen. Although
Bath was certainly bigger than some of the villages depicted in Jane Austen’s novels, it
still had an intimate feel to it, especially for the wealthier inhabitants who
lived there or for those who sought out the healing waters of the spa. Even
Fanny Burney, who loved Bath, would sometimes grow impatient with its small-town
ways. She decided that: "Bath is as tittle-tattle a town as King’s Lynn; and people make as many
reports, and spread as many idle nothings abroad, as in any little common town
in the kingdom." That, of course, is the flip-side of life in a small town - everybody
does know your business. As wonderful as it can be to live in a
place where everyone knows you, it can also drive you crazy. I deliberately chose Bath as the setting for SEX AND THE SINGLE EARL
because I wanted to put my heroine, the scandal-prone Sophie Stanton, in a place
where she couldn’t hide her reckless behavior from anyone - either her friends
or her enemies. Small town life can be just as challenging as life in the big
city, and I thought it would be fun to write about that. So, readers, what do you think about the small town setting in romance? Do small
town romances make you long for a return to simpler days, or do you find big
city settings more appealing and more realistic? Comment to enter my blog
contest to win a copy of SEX
AND THE SINGLE EARL and a copy of my debut novel, MASTERING THE MARQUESS.
Comments
59 comments posted.
Re: Vanessa Kelly | Give Me The Small Town Life
I think I prefer small town settings, probably because I would rather live in the country than the city.
(Rachael Haas 2:04am May 19, 2010)
There are some bonuses to having people know your business, it also brings out the people that care about you.
(Darci Paice 3:06am May 19, 2010)
Small town settings seem to pack more punch, people know more about each other and therefore, a little more steamy.
(Joanne Reynolds 6:15am May 19, 2010)
I prefer the small village. I grew up in a village and moved to a town, after my children arrived I wanted them to have the experience of a village life and they love it. Their friends do not always know where we live and have to have detailed directions to get to us bu my children aged 17-25 love living here.
(Barbara Hanson 8:29am May 19, 2010)
I am not sure a small town setting would be the right thing for me. I have always lived in lager towns and cities and like the vast number of activites that lagers city offers. Thanks for hosting this giveaway.
(Steve Capell 9:47am May 19, 2010)
Growing up in a small town was great. My sister and two brothers & I walked everywhere. Biked all over; fun times and happy memories!
(Susan Stenvog 9:54am May 19, 2010)
I love "mastering the marquess" - it is one of my favorites.
(Sherry Russell 10:25am May 19, 2010)
I am excited to read your books I have not read them before and they sound amazing! Thank you
(Amy Milne 12:31pm May 19, 2010)
I've always lived in big cities and absolutely adore small towns and villages. My dream would be to retire in a small cottage with a rose garden...sigh.
So, yes, small town settings are right up my alley.
Valerie
in Germany
(Valerie Bongards 12:31pm May 19, 2010)
Most of the historical romances I've read are set partially or entirely in London, as you mentioned. So now I'm extra interested in reading yours to experience the difference.
(G S Moch 12:33pm May 19, 2010)
You spend much less time in traffic in a small town so you can actually have relationships!
(Shannon Scott 12:36pm May 19, 2010)
Thanks for stopping by, everybody! I'm enjoying reading the comments. I grew up in a small town myself, but one that was only a 20 minute drive to a big city. The best of both worlds!
(Vanessa Kelly 1:04pm May 19, 2010)
Small towns are good for romance novels, but sometimes large cities are good for romantic suspense.
(Kelli Jo Calvert 1:11pm May 19, 2010)
I love a small town setting for stories but living in a small town is not always great due to the fact that it is hard to keep your life to your self. The other side of that is that small towns are a close as a family and are there to support you when you need.
(Vickie Hightower 1:20pm May 19, 2010)
I live in a small town so I like the small town settings. The big city settings are ok but I can relate more to the small town settings
(Julie Swaney 1:50pm May 19, 2010)
I have not thought much of a small town untill I movied into one. I live in a small town and I learn that people are truly caring and very much a family. I am very much a marry woman but reading a romantic novel would have me woundering what could be happening in a small town. A true writer could go wild with this.
(Cynthia Plaza-Harney 1:53pm May 19, 2010)
I like the small town settings. It seems they get lost in the bigger cites and they don't last. In the small town cities its more comfortable, you seem closer, you talk to each other more.
(Heidi Shafer-Wilson 1:55pm May 19, 2010)
Small towns are great if you are accepted, but if you're not in step with others it's hard to take. Much easier to be odd in the big city, no one really cares.
(Lena Lee 2:09pm May 19, 2010)
I love stepping into small town settings with books... it always makes me wonder what things would have been like if I grew up in one... :)
(Colleen Conklin 2:10pm May 19, 2010)
I live in what used to be a small town back in the 50's and 60's. Now it's called a big city. There are many advantages to living in a big city, but I much prefer the small town living. Thanks so much for your giveaway!
(Cathy Phillips 2:18pm May 19, 2010)
I grew up in a small town. Many people think they know you because they knew other members of your family. It is called 'painted with the same brush'!
(Karin Tillotson 2:42pm May 19, 2010)
I live near a small town now, but I grew up in a large city. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.
Blessings,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 2:43pm May 19, 2010)
Congrats on the new release. I do enjoy reading romances set in a small town. One of my current favorites is Barbara Freethy's Angel's Bay series.
(Jane Cheung 2:55pm May 19, 2010)
hello and hope you have more to coem i would love to read the book and blog about it on mutly sites
(Desiree Reilly 3:03pm May 19, 2010)
I would love a chance to try out one of your books. This one sounds really good. I love historicals and small towns!
(Patty Stewart 3:11pm May 19, 2010)
As one born and bred in a mid-sized city (about 220,000 currently), but with relatives in smaller cities and towns, I find that my city holds the best of all sizes. My neighbourhood knows (and likes) me, and there's a lot to do in terms of events. Personally, I can't see myself ever living anywhere else, although I love to visit small towns when traveling.
I like books set just about anywhere, so in this case, for once, size doesn't matter!
Later,
Lynn
(Lynn Rettig 3:22pm May 19, 2010)
Small town romances are much more intimate. I feel like I get to know the characters so much better.
(Mary Preston 4:14pm May 19, 2010)
I love the small town settings. I live in a small town myself and I prefer to live in a small town. People are just more friendly this way.
(Gail Hurt 4:35pm May 19, 2010)
I think small towns are great
settings for romances because
they provide possibilities
that big cities can't. I'm
used to living in more
populated areas so small town
settings are intriguing to me.
(Jacqueline Cook 5:11pm May 19, 2010)
I love small town romance stories and the characters that are usually in them. They tell of the surroundings and people so well.
(Leni Kaye 5:11pm May 19, 2010)
Give me the small town life any day!! Their way of life is simpler. It's more easy-going, and their feelings come straight from the heart!! Those feelings, to me, seem to be more intimate, and more intense, in a good way, than what you would find in the city. I now live in the country, and wouldn't change a thing!!
(Peggy Roberson 5:24pm May 19, 2010)
I love the small town romances - there's a built in support system, usually, and everyone knows everyone else, and there are fun "remember when" stories as well. I've been hearing great things about Sex and the Single Earl, and am definitely looking forward to Mastering the Marquess as well!
(Elle C 5:35pm May 19, 2010)
So far, it looks like small-town romance is tipping the scales! It may be a bit of a fantasy, but it sure makes for great reading, doesn't it?
(Vanessa Kelly 6:04pm May 19, 2010)
I would say small towns. yes everyone knows your business but at least you know that everyone cares. big city you lose the closeness that a small town gives you. reading small town romance you feel like you want to be a part of that town. city romances are less personal.
(Leanne Jacobson 6:16pm May 19, 2010)
I love both these books already. I live in a med size town but people still know your business. lol Can't wait to read your books. Hope I win..lol Thanks
(Brenda Hill 6:41pm May 19, 2010)
I love the idea of small town romances. I grew up in a very small town and life was great there.
(Lisa Garrett 6:49pm May 19, 2010)
Absolutely love the small town. Yes, everyone knows what everyone else is doing but they are friendly, will do anything to help and give you the shirt off their back if you need it. Big City traffic is a nightmare of epic proportions that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. Yep, give me small town living.
(Maude Allen 7:00pm May 19, 2010)
I enjoy the small town setting. It usually gives more opportunity to learn about the other inhabitants, so secondary characters are often more fleshed out in such a story.
(G. Bisbjerg 7:01pm May 19, 2010)
I like the small town at times in romances. Sometime I think it is fun to see how the characters deal with small town life and like you said that everyone knows everything about everyone. :-)
On the other hand sometimes it is nice to read about big cities. Just kind of depends on my mood as to what I will read at any given time. :-)
(Larena Hubble 7:21pm May 19, 2010)
I was born in the mountains, lived and went to school in a lot of small towns and now, unfortunately, live in the Dallas metroplex. Too much pollution, noise and population.
Granted, small towns can't offer everything but they are more relaxing. Of course for a story setting they can be great because there are so many quirky characters and everyone knows everyone's business.
(Ethan Nahte' 7:38pm May 19, 2010)
Another fan of small-town romance. Small towns force the hero and heroine to interact with others whether they want to or not, creating more conflict and more opportunity for growth and forgiveness.
(Keri Stevens 7:46pm May 19, 2010)
I like small towns but sometimes large cities are better, just depends on the book!!!
(Brandy Blake 7:54pm May 19, 2010)
My favorite romances take place in
small towns. I think it's a universal
setting.
(Amber Leigh Williams 8:07pm May 19, 2010)
I love small town stories! My grandmother has always lived in a very small town and her husband owned the newspaper and they lived over the top of it. I just love visiting there even though the newspaper is no longer and my grandfather has passed away. I love small towns!
(Brenda Rupp 8:38pm May 19, 2010)
Small towns look nice, but everyone knows your
business.
(Deb Pelletier 9:31pm May 19, 2010)
great
(Sagrario Vigil 9:32pm May 19, 2010)
Small town romance give us a simplier life. It makes us slow down and smells the rose. However most of us lives in the big city. Big City romance is more realistic with the hustle and bustle of life.
(Kai Wong 11:08pm May 19, 2010)
I like the small town setting. I have always lived in a large city, where outside of my block, I know very few people. A small town seems friendlier.
(Patsy Hagen 11:29pm May 19, 2010)
Hi Vanessa,
I am looking forward to Sex and the
Single Earl, I read the excerpt and just loved it, I also love small towns because they are so cozy, best wishes,
Irene
(Irene Nash 11:56pm May 19, 2010)
I love small town settings that's where I live
(Theresa Ruddick 12:00pm May 20, 2010)
I like setting which throw the couple
together. Small towns work in doing this
fine.
(Sue Ahn 12:01pm May 20, 2010)
I love books set in small towns because I always see the potential for a series to develop. In books set in a big city there doesn't seem to be as much likelihood of a series developing, which means I won't get a chance to follow those secondary characters who have also captured my interest.
(Donna Holmberg 12:28pm May 20, 2010)
I live in a small town and enjoy reading about small towns and the interesting people who live there.
(Rebecca Booth 7:21am May 20, 2010)
Being from a small town ..I can relate to books about small towns and those who are city dwellers should enjoy the small town idea just to get away from all the hassle. ha ha I hope I am in time for the contest but with so many comments already I fear my chances are slim. I still wanted to add my comment and please keep the small town books coming as I look forward to them very much. Have a good day. susan L.
(Susan Leech 9:08am May 20, 2010)
Small towns is where it's at, because the people know each other and their business. Developing characters, the connections are easier to make, since somehere along the way they cross paths.
(Alyson Widen 6:14pm May 20, 2010)
congrats on the books
(Desiree Reilly 8:50pm May 20, 2010)
Small towns are great. Yes everyone
knows your business, but that can be
a good thing. People are less likely to
misbehave if they think people they
know will find out about it. Of
course, there is not a whole lot of
privacy and gossips can make more of
something than it is.
I'd still rather have that than the
impersonal treatment in a really large
city.
(Patricia Barraclough 5:50pm May 21, 2010)
I like to visit small towns. The place seems more intimate, more friendly, people are interconnected. I feel like I'm part of the community. For example, I love Debbie Macomber's Ceder Cove series.
I grew up in a city of 12,000. I currently live in a city of about 50,000.
I prefer the smaller city where everybody knows your name. Larege cities like New York and Chicago I find intimidating.
(Laurie Gommermann 10:46am May 23, 2010)
Being a small town gal, a small town romance is very appealing.
(Sally Baldwin 9:12pm August 11, 2010)
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