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I love the South, cowboys, and romance. Until we started
traveling, I’d thought everyone was pretty much the same. I guess we are, but I
discovered each state had something really special to offer. There were some
states we learned not to order Mexican food because it was more often than not
closer to original Mexican dishes. I’m too used to TexMex, I guess.
But what’s up with Michigan Michigan
And I thought curds were something from a nursery rhyme. No,
curds actually exist! I ordered some in Wisconsin Texas
And the accents. I love someone with an accent. I have an
English friend and I could listen to her talk all day. But not on the phone. If
she talks too fast, I can’t understand a word she says.
But Texas Southern
Thang . Yes, I meant to spell thing like thang.
I love the townspeople, country life, and the falling in
love in the first book, Bless Your Heart.
I drew on my memories growing up, like my aunt’s sweet tea. How all the
cousins eyed the jugs and wondered which one she had made. It was the worse tea
I’ve ever tasted. Seriously! It would make your toes curl and your hair frizz.
We never had the heart to tell her how awful it was, though. We just talked
about her tea when she wasn’t around, but it wasn’t gossip because every bit of
it was true.
Since I titled this first book Bless Your Heart, I've
realized how often I actually say it. How funny. If you want to know the
meaning, this is how Riley, the hero, explains it:
Yeah, and I knew when a woman said, bless your heart, it could mean something entirely different. It
was all in the way they said it. It could be commiseration if someone in the
family died or something, or shock that you’d gone through a traumatic event,
like a car accident or were getting a divorce. It could also mean go screw
yourself. The words could drip with sarcasm, so you knew they didn’t really
give a damn about you. I had a feeling Whitney leaned toward the latter.
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Happy Reading
Karen Kelley
Oh, yes, cheese curds--a delicacy indeed! Bless Your Heart sounds wonderful, Karen!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Liz. Yes, Karl and I loved cheese curds!
DeleteMy husband and I discovered lots when we did our traveling for 6 months in the RV also. Food is definitely different in other parts of the country and you weren't always sure what you were getting. We learned fast though what to order and what to avoid. Good luck with your new series. I had inspiration for a new series also, from my travels. But it needs to get in line behind my other million projects.
ReplyDeleteI know where you're coming from re the million other projects LOL I don't think I'll ever get caught up! So many books to write and so little time.
DeleteI have (finally—had to wait for years) travelled more than I ever thought, but as much as I love visiting and touring places, I generally don’t set books outside North America. I think it’s because I won’t get the nuances of a different lifestyle. We’re so used to grabbing a coffee to go...that’s blasphemy in Europe. But still...maybe a second chance older heroine in the Algarve...
ReplyDeleteI would still much rather set a book in the south (Texas) because that's what I feel the most comfortable writing. New Orleans was a really fun setting, though. I might revisit that area.
DeleteI have never been away from home longer than 2 weeks at a time. I guess that makes me a vacationer, as opposed to a traveler. I love the places I've seen, but I still set my books in North America. Cute concept, Karen.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I realized the other day just how often I say, bless your heart, and tickled myself. And of course, y'all.
DeleteSpicy with humor. The perfect mixture. All those travels and memories must make great reading.
ReplyDeleteBut I didn't write nearly as much as I should have! I would get distracted by all the new sites and sounds. It was definitely a fun lifestyle! Just didn't pay many bills LOL
DeleteKaren, can't wait to read this. Hey, you didn't point out the the difference between "bless your heart" and "bless her (or his) heart." It's definitely a southern thing. Bless her heart--or his--always precedes an insult, i.e. "Bless his heart, but he's as dumb as a post." See? That's another title for you. BLESS HIS HEART *G*
ReplyDelete