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Michelle Marcos / Ava Stone / Claudia Dain / Deb Marlowe | Muse in the Museum
March 1, 2013
Inspiration--and love--can strike in the most unusual places. The authors of
the newly released AN
ENCOUNTER AT THE MUSEUM--Claudia Dain, Deb Marlowe, Michelle Marcos, and
Ava Stone--share what inspired them to write unforgettable tales of romance
blossoming amid the treasures of the British Museum. Deb Marlowe
How easy is it to be inspired by the British Museum? There is a story in every
book, piece of art, and artifact. Actually there is a story for every
person who gazes upon every book, art and artifact, isn't there, because
we all have such personal reactions to such pieces. In writing "An
Unexpected Encounter," I chose the Grand Staircase as the location for my
Encounter. I'd done some research and found some lovely period pictures of the
museum, but I was struck not only by the grandeur of the wide main Staircase,
with its painted ceiling and changing exhibits along the walls and on the
landing (hello, have you seen the pictures of the stuffed giraffes?!) but by the
thought of the anticipation and pleasure that so many people must have felt in
climbing those stairs. And then my writer brain went "What If?" What
if the anticipation faded and the pleasure never materialized? And just like
that, Lisbeth Moreton was born, a girl disappointed when she is stood up for the
most important encounter of her life. Instead of meeting her would-be swain,
though, she runs into a girl...and her guardian...and the path to an entirely
new sort of pleasure is opened up. And yes, the giraffes play a part, too. :-) Claudia Dain
I have actually been to the British Museum! How amazing is that? I wandered the
portrait gallery and drank in every ancient face, every brush stroke, soaking it
all in. It was heaven. And then I set "A Chance Encounter" in the
Reading Room. I've never seen the Reading Room. Ah, well. Not every plan is
perfect. I set my story in the Reading Room because I know that if I had lived
in 1804, that's where I would have gone every chance I had. Libraries are still
my favorite rooms on earth and the British Museum Reading Room is the king of
all library experiences. Books, books, and more books, good light, a solid and
wide table to spread my treasures about me, the hum of humanity dulled to a
murmur, yet still to be among humanity! That adds to the pleasure. A new face,
brief eye contact with a stranger, perhaps a whispered conversation of a
sentence or two that blossoms into a seductively romantic and highly dangerous
connection that blows everything safe and expected into dust. That is exactly
what happens to Elizabeth when she happens to share a table in the Reading Room
with Jamie. Who says reading is a solitary activity? Michelle Marcos
My inspiration for "Bad Luck Encounter" came from a Spanish TV
commercial. Thaaat's right. Between my mother's favorite telenovelas
there's a commercial for Allstate featuring a sophisticated, well-dressed
gentleman who introduces himself this way: "Soy la Mala Suerte" (I
am Bad Luck). He's devastatingly charming, sports a wicked smirk, and he
makes "accidents" happen upon unsuspecting people. On one level, I
thought there's a guy I wouldn't want to be entangled by--and yet, on
another level, the thought of tangling with him was kind of intriguing. So I
decided to give plain-faced spinster Isha Elmwood the dubious fortune of
colliding with Mr. Bad Luck. Even though she can't see a thing without her
spectacles, Isha is the only one who can see him. And she has to try to stop
him before he ruins her sister's chances of finding a husband too. But how does
one stop Bad Luck? The British Museum has a wealth of knowledge on many
subjects, but this is one quest that will take more digging. No fair telling
the surprise ending! Ava Stone
Though I haven't been to the British Museum, I have spent many hours researching
some of the items lining those hallowed walls. And on my next trip to London,
you can rest assured that I'll be there first one morning as soon as they open
their doors, ready to spend an entire day browsing one exhibit after another.
Museums are such special places to visit. Depending on the room you're in, you
can get up close and personal with ancient relics, breathtaking artwork, or
walls upon walls of research. In short, an excursion to a museum is the fastest
way to transport yourself to another time and another place. It's an escape from
everyday life. And in "An Encounter with an Adventurer," an
escape from her less than harmonious life is exactly what Miss Lucinda Potts is
wishing for when she stumbles upon a well-traveled rogue while gazing up at one
of the museum's famed marbles. Before Lucy knows what happens, a suggestion from
the dangerous gentleman tempts her to throw caution to the wind and do more than
simply dream about an escape. What is the most unusual place you ever went on a date or fell in love?
Where in the world are you most inspired? One lucky commenter will receive a
free e-copy of AN ENCOUNTER
AT THE MUSEUM for their favorite device or computer.
Comments
46 comments posted.
Re: Michelle Marcos / Ava Stone / Claudia Dain / Deb Marlowe | Muse in the Museum
Next to museums, my favorite place to visit would be art galleries. What
sort of romantic encounters could happen at an art gallery - say The
Lourve?
(Chris Coulson 12:42pm March 1, 2013)
I love going to the museums to see all the beautiful pieces and to dream
about what it was like to live in that era all the love
(Ava Curtis 2:52am March 1, 2013)
I love walking the beach. So peaceful! I also love the mountains as I grew up surrounded by them.
(Michelle Schafer 3:10am March 1, 2013)
I enjoyed the drive in movies. You don't see those anymore. They can be very romantic.
(Kathleen Yohanna 3:39am March 1, 2013)
I enjoy reading, and love to have the time to do it more often when I can.
(C Culp 5:28am March 1, 2013)
we walk on the beach any chance we get. I am most inspired in my home with my family around.
(Lisa Fitzgibbons 6:08am March 1, 2013)
My most unusual date was not a real date. A friend, one I
happened to have a crush on, took me to dinner after a
football game our band had traveled to. He paid and we sat
alone and everything...but we weren't actually going out.
(Karin Anderson 6:39am March 1, 2013)
Along with my husband, who was then my boyfriend, we met a bunch of friends, some of whom had kids, in the Phoenix Park, Dublin. The rule was that we were having a Teddy Bear's Picnic so everyone including adults had to bring a teddy of some sort! We had a great time, took photos of all the kids and teddies together. Then we picked up our litter and went into Dublin Zoo for the afternoon, enjoying the breeding programmes for the Amur Tigers and so on. A wonderful day and great locations.
(Clare O'Beara 7:04am March 1, 2013)
My most unusual date was my first one. The guy asked me to go up to the Dairy Queen with him for some ice cream. Before I could say yes, my dad (who just happened to be listening) said, "why don't we all go together?" Smile.
(Brenda Rumsey 7:32am March 1, 2013)
my unusual date...first date, 17, and my dad told the boy, if you want to take her out again, you come with your hair shorter and please have shoes on... hee hee we were going to the beach with another couple..
(Rosemary Foley 8:26am March 1, 2013)
To show you how old I am, we went to the Laserium and saw a far-out Laser show set to rock and roll!
(Lisa Elwood 9:41am March 1, 2013)
Most unusual place for a date? Hubby and I toured a dam...that's right, a dam. This book sounds great; I'm looking forward to reading it.
(G S Moch 9:54am March 1, 2013)
These are fabulous stories, ladies!
I actually met my Valiant Husband at a Halloween party. You can see why it's
now one of my favorite holidays! :-)
(Deb Marlowe 10:24am March 1, 2013)
Fishing in a pond with my boyfriend (then 19) and his younger brothers (15, 5 & 3!). I spent all my time chasing the 3-year-old. We had a lot more fishing dates (because he loved to fish, and I loved being with him), but we never took the brothers with us, again. BTW, I married him, and we're still together 41 years later!
(Janie McGaugh 10:32am March 1, 2013)
The most special place I have ever been is The Hilltop Hotel. It sat high up on a cliff with a view you couldn't buy, right below was where two rivers converged. They had a path that lead to the point and walking out there, a train down below, the rivers - it was the most amazing place. Unfortunately due to winter storms 3 years back, the roof collapsed and it has sat abandoned in her glory since..slowly fighting the fading that is occurring to her. I discovered the place in high school and it became my "zen" place, I knew the staff, had my special table in the corner where I had an amazing 360 view - it is where I would spend a day writing in my journal, where "mental" health days were spent lingering away from work, where I discovered myself, spent my birthdays, and wanted to get married.
(Carla Carlson 10:35am March 1, 2013)
I met my boyfriemd when he was building a shed.
(Sandy Giden 11:11am March 1, 2013)
Well I met my husband on a blind date going canoeing so I guess on a river!
(Sue Galuska 11:16am March 1, 2013)
I remember once when my husband was my boyfriend and he had been gone for a few weeks on a family trip, we had to do his night job together. He was a janitor. We had a heated encounter in the janitor's closet. That was the strangest place ever to have a "date". As far as being inspired. Nothing inspires me more than seeing the ocean through an upper window of a lighthouse. I have done this just a few times, but it was so awesome and beautiful. I envy the lighthouse keepers!
(Sandy Fielder 11:25am March 1, 2013)
My husband proposed to me at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens - how's that for romantic?! But we love art galleries - and musueums, too. The book sounds fantastic. Thanks for the chance to win - but win or lose, I'll be getting this one to read. Great luck with it.
(Nancy Reynolds 12:04pm March 1, 2013)
I love museums and your book sounds great; I would love to win it.
(Nancy Wolfe 12:33pm March 1, 2013)
Inspiration for me... the beauty of Nature! Thanks for sharing ladies!
(Colleen Conklin 12:53pm March 1, 2013)
I love museums and look forward to reading this book
(Bonnie Capuano 1:14pm March 1, 2013)
Actually, it was at a museum in Boston, then we went to an
Italian restaurant for lunch afterwards.
(Margay Roberge 1:34pm March 1, 2013)
One of my favorite date stories was actually told to me by my mother. When she was 15, she asked her father if this young man (my dad) could go with them to the beach. My grandfather said, "Absolutely not. Because if he tries something with you, he's a cad. And if he doesn't, he's an idiot. And I will not have a cad or an idiot for a son-in-law."
(Michelle Marcos 1:39pm March 1, 2013)
LOL - cannot remember the last time I was even on a date, it's been that long...but I, too, love Museums - if I am going to go somewhere, it's great to learn something while having fun!
(Felicia Ciaudelli 1:45pm March 1, 2013)
Museums are so fun. I love to visit many times, I usually
miss something the first couple of times.
(Mary Hay 2:48pm March 1, 2013)
I once went on a picnic in the snow on a date--it really surprised me.
(Sue Farrell 2:57pm March 1, 2013)
I love the beach and Scotland.....
(Sheila Mulholland 3:16pm March 1, 2013)
I met my husband of 39 years at a wedding. He was Best Man and I was Maid-of-Honor. We were married about a year later.
(Cathy Phillips 3:24pm March 1, 2013)
i only love nude female beaches.
(Kent Cook 3:25pm March 1, 2013)
To his best friend's father's 50th birthday party. The dad got drunk, starting singing, and wanted to kiss all the girls. We left early.
(Kathy Sullivan 3:38pm March 1, 2013)
I met my husband of 46 years (and still counting) at church. I needed a ride home because it was raining and I had walked. Since he was the 'minister'son' I knew I would be safe---and I was!!
(Shirley Younger 3:55pm March 1, 2013)
I wouldn't say unusual but not normal for adults. Hubby and
I used to go on dates down the shore in the off season to
the arcades. We would go in our pockets jingling with
quarters and come out an hour or two later laughing and
carrying our cheesy prizes and our empty pockets. We would
then go get ice cream and sit on the benches and just watch
the waves crash.
(Melissa Robinson 3:56pm March 1, 2013)
LOVE YOUR BOOKS AND I WOULD LOVE TO WIN
(Shelly Caggiano 3:57pm March 1, 2013)
We drove our motorcycle to San Luis Obispo and took a blanket and slept on the beach. Was amazing.
(Vicki Hancock 4:10pm March 1, 2013)
It was on the sailboat coasting along Marina del Rey to Point Fermin Lighthouse before turning back. I realize that I fall hard for my fiance.
(Kai Wong 4:12pm March 1, 2013)
My now husband both enjoy the out of doors and our second date was spent walking in the woods at a state park. We now have our own little woods, and that is still an inspiration.
Blessings,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 4:21pm March 1, 2013)
Art Galaries are wonderful places next to musiums. My husband and I love to go when we are in different cities. Thank you...
(Diane Castiglione 4:35pm March 1, 2013)
THANKS FOR THE GIVEAWAY! I WOULD LIKE TO WIN!
(Shelley Summers 6:57pm March 1, 2013)
There was a period in my life when I regularly flew both in the U.S. and abroad. During that time, a number of very attractive men did their very best, while seated beside me, to lure me to change my travel plans to include them--offering to cover all my expenses. I must confess that I was sorely tempted, grievously tempted, and was startled when married couples and others close by encouraged them in their endeavors. I also have been inspired...almost...to accompany men just met in bakeries, art galleries, museums, and libraries.....simply the sexiest places for encounters in my myopic vision of such things! So, of course, having lived in London twice and married there, I would adore stories pivoted in the incomparable British Museum. Nonetheless, dear authors,.....please consider siting future tales in the National Portrait Gallery! Now the denouement: I met my spouse in a parking lot!
(Carla Schuller 9:13pm March 1, 2013)
I love reading, and spend at least 2 hours or more a day doing so :)
(Aimee Robison 10:27pm March 1, 2013)
I do remember a date where we wandered over a long span bridge
& back again. It was rather beautiful with the water &
moonlight.
(Mary Preston 7:04am March 2, 2013)
I hate to admit this but it has been so long since I've been
on a date or dating, well, it's just a blank! I'm so looking
forward to this anthology...it sounds so good.
(Karen Haas 8:06am March 2, 2013)
So exciting! My to-read list just got a looooot longer! Can't wait to read these upcoming books
(Heather Cathrall 9:28am March 2, 2013)
I can't think of any odd places I've gone on dates, but my ex and I used to
go to every museum we came across. Too many times, we stayed too late
or got there too late - we were "ran out" of several museums. ;)
(Kelli Jo Calvert 9:10pm March 2, 2013)
An Enconter at the Museum sounds like it's going to be so
much fun to read!
The most unusual place I ever fell in love was when I was
driving some friends from work to a Tupperware party and a
car kept passing us and then letting us pass and ended up
following us all the way to the party!
When we finally arrived and they got out of the car and
introduced themselves we found out that they were stationed
at the local Navy station and asked if we'd meet them when
we were done with the party. My friends agreed and since I
was the one driving I felt I had no choice but to go along.
When we met them later they "paired" off when two of the
sailors and the other sailor and I ended up talking while
they danced and I was so impressed with his personality and
kindness. This was during the war in Vietnam and they were
getting ready to be deployed once again and he asked me to
right to him.
Before the night was over I felt a kinship with him I'd
never experienced before and agreed to write to him. It was
through the letters that we shared that I fell madly in love
with him and three months after his deployment ended he
asked me to marry him! This year we celebrated our 43rd
anniversary.
You never know where you'll find love but it can happen in
the least expected times and places so follow your heart!
(Jeanne Miro 3:24pm March 3, 2013)
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