Amelia Judd's Top 5 Travel Destinations Perfect for Novels
May 2, 2017
My love of travel borders on obsession. Seriously … I never get tired
of talking about, researching, or planning a trip. I’m that annoying friend who
wants to know everything about your adventures in Europe or your trek to Machu
Picchu. Yes, I even enjoy looking through the endless supply of pictures you
took while away. Even though I’d never turn down a nice beach vacation, my personal preference is
to move on a trip. I crave activity. I get bored sitting around a pool and antsy
by my second umbrella-decked cocktail. Exploring an area—whether a rainforest,
chic urban local, or historic ruins—is my idea of travel bliss. When I travel to a new location or research a possible future destination, I
always consider each as a potential setting for one of my novels. Would it add
beauty, depth, and interest to my story? Even better, would it provide my
characters with challenges and rewards able to push them together, tear them
apart, or both? (Why not let the setting do some of the heavy lifting in
creating conflict, right?) With these requirements in mind, here is a countdown of my top five
international travel destinations that would make great settings for a romance
novel.
- Cinque Terre, Italy
These charming, isolated seaside villages are located on the Italian Rivera and
best traveled to by train or hiking trail since cars aren’t allowed in most
areas of the towns. They’re Italian to the core and so astoundingly beautiful
they make me ache to visit again. At the very least, I hope to return to these
Italian gems through the eyes of my characters someday.
- Iceland
Iceland has been on my “must see” list for years. Its unique landscape and
unpronounceable-to-me city names intrigue me. I find it fascinating that Iceland
boasts geothermal hotspots and hot springs as well as glaciers and glacier
caves. There are even glaciers that sit atop volcanoes. How cool is that?! If you get lucky, you can catch the Northern Lights—another “must see” item for
me—during certain times of the year in Iceland. From skinny-dipping in a remote
hot spring to cuddling by a fire, Iceland would provide countless romantic
scenarios for my hero and heroine. I suddenly feel the need to plan a trip there
ASAP … solely for research purposes, of course!
- South Africa
From Cape Town in the southwest to a photo safari in the northeast, South Africa
is near the top of my dream destinations list. This place has a lot to offer a
curious traveler: a hip modern city on the coast, world-class vineyards with
stunning views, a gorgeous coastline, and world-renowned wildlife to name only a
few. What’s not to love?
- Costa Rica
After visiting Costa Rica, I knew I had to set my first book, A Venture of
the Heart, in this amazing country. Its tropical rainforests, cloud
forests, active volcanoes, pristine waterfalls, and jungle-rimmed beaches are
full of romantic possibilities. As a bonus, the country’s colorful wildlife and
countless adventure activities provide exciting challenges for my characters
throughout the story.
- Queensland, Australia
With cosmopolitan cities, fascinating wildlife, rugged beauty, and, of course,
friendly people with super cool accents and fun slang, the Land Down Under truly
lives up to its stellar reputation. While I loved everywhere I traveled in Australia, Queensland topped my list of
loves. The capital city of Brisbane is located in southern Queensland and is a
laid-back urban oasis offering its lucky residents a year-round active lifestyle
and subtropical climate. Travel farther north and you can explore the world’s
oldest rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. With all this romantic potential,
Queensland is first on my list of travel destinations that would make amazing
settings for a love story. Please shoot me an email or contact me on Facebook if you have any great travel
destinations for me to consider for a future trip or my next book!
Award-winning author Amelia Judd writes fun and flirty contemporary romance.
She loves to entertain her readers with memorable characters and fast-paced
plots that blend humor, heart, and heat. After receiving a degree in
international affairs, Amelia lived and studied in Belgium for over three years.
During her time in Europe, she traveled extensively, earned a master’s degree,
and fell in love with writing contemporary romance. Amelia now lives in
the Midwest with her sports-loving husband, two active kids, and a lovable dog
that stays by her side day and night. When she isn’t writing, she’s spending
time with family, hanging out with friends, chauffeuring her kiddos around town,
sneaking off to the movies, or planning her family’s next getaway.
Silver Bay
#2
Amelia Judd Returns to Silver Bay with a Novel about Finding Love in
Unexpected Places
Next step: seduce Logan. Which would likely be as difficult as convincing
him to take his next breath of air. After all, how hard could it be to strike up
a game with the world's biggest player?
Determined to hide a fear too embarrassing to admit, recently-evicted Kat
Bennett accepts an impromptu offer to crash with her brother's best friend and
player extraordinaire, Logan McCabe. When things heat up between them, spitfire
Kat decides to embrace temptation rather than fight it. A steamy fling might be
just the distraction she needs from her own problems. And who better to fling
with than a gorgeous Australian who's only in the country for a few months?
Logan loves his no-strings-attached lifestyle. Or at least he did until Kat,
a woman he has always been attracted to but vowed not to touch, moves in with
him for the summer. Even though getting to know beautiful, fiery Kat heats his
blood and shoots his relaxed vibe to hell, Logan is determined to keep his word
and his hands to himself.
But Kat plans to prove some promises are meant to be broken. Will living with
Kat for the summer convince Logan it's time to start playing for keeps or will
their unexpected love crash and burn?
Romance Contemporary
[Author Self-Published, On Sale: April 11, 2017,
e-Book, ISBN: 2940154300565 / eISBN: 9781946517029]
On Sale for only 99¢ at Amazon
Silver Bay
#1
LOVE IS A RISKY VENTURE IN AMELIA JUDD'S AWARD-WINNING NEW ROMANCE
"Hello, Pax. It's good to see you again."
And with those frigid words, karma kicked his ass and blew his dreams into a
million tiny fragments.
Paxton Bennett walked away from a privileged upbringing to devote his life to
La Vida de Ensueño, the socially responsible luxury resort he manages in Costa
Rica. No way will Pax let a hotel chain swallow up La Vida and turn it into
another lifeless clone. All he needs is a loan so he can match a buy-out offer.
Unfortunately, every damn bank keeps saying no. He has one last hope--an on-site
visit from a loan officer that he's sure he can impress...
Banker Sage Somerset doesn't want to see Pax Bennett across a busy coffee
shop, let alone spend a week at a tropical resort with him. After their
cringe-worthy last encounter, just hearing his name makes her blush or curse.
Plus, there are snakes in Costa Rica. A lot of snakes! Determined to remain
professional on her unwelcome assignment, Sage hopes she can survive a week in
Pax's world...
But a quirky staff, meddlesome family, and the night-time visit of a tiny
green gecko soon threaten to turn business into pleasure. Will Pax and Sage
fight their troublesome chemistry? Or will they take a chance on the biggest
venture of all--each other?
Romance Contemporary
[Author Self-Published, On Sale: January 24, 2017,
e-Book, ISBN: 9781946517012 / eISBN: 9781946517005]
Comments
1 comment posted.
Re: Amelia Judd's Top 5 Travel Destinations Perfect for Novels
Very interesting selection of places. I like it. Thanks. (Kathleen Bylsma 5:40pm May 2, 2017)
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