By Jennifer Mueller
Ha! I'll make my list today fit the Unusual historical theme.
Thirteen unusual places I have set a story.
1. Kenya: SAMBURU HILLS
When Celeste Reed steps off the boat in the fledgling colony of Kenya, East Africa she finds out the man that she was to marry doesn't even care to get to know her let alone listen to a word she says. Life is miserable and then he has the nerve to die leaving her to run an estate without any money. It seems he spent all he had to impress the colony and she was just part of the package. Africa is unforgiving to the weak, but it can be the people that you least expect that make it. And then there's Edward.
2. Cuba: HAVANA HOLIDAY
Five stories, four days, three nights, two times the fun, and one heck of a good time. Dahlia, Eve, Nora, Alice, and Marianne; when five women who work together
in depression era Boston save up for a trip of a lifetime to decadent Havana, anything can happen. With seductive Latin men and rich vacationers at every turn who wouldn't enjoy dancing till dawn, the parties, the nightclubs, the beach, the gambling, and there’s always more than one side to a story.
3. Argentina: A short story in WOMEN OF THEIR TIME anthology
4. Byzantium/Turkey: FAR FROM HOME
She's a highly placed lady in waiting and he's a lowly soldier guarding her as she sneaks out of the palace during the Byzantine empire. Each thinks the other wouldn't be interested but things change as the months drag on including the danger she's in.
THE DANCER'S SECRET
When a dancer in World War I Constantinople holds the key to a British spy's assignment, he can only trust his instincts. She's not telling how getting her out alive will save the lives of thousands of men and with a traitor to catch, instinct is all he has as his network falls apart around him.
5. Ancient Rome: A LITTLE ROMAN SCANDAL
She was a puzzle to Claudius, a challenge and the ultimate mystery. She came to his party, then abruptly left without chaperon, escort, or imparting much knowledge about herself. The one fact sticking out is that Livia is running. Still, he is attracted, and needs to find out why the beauty is running and from whom. Livia wants to leave the city, but because of her father's position, she cannot. He allows her little or no freedom, and is determined to sell her into marriage to a man twice her age or more. Livia would like to marry for love, but she knows that is improbable until she meets Claudius. Not knowing who he is, she accepts his help. Battered and bleeding, she goes to Claudius, and hides in his home from her abusive father and his manipulative schemes. In ancient Rome it was the fathers and then the husbands job to protect the women in his care. Can Livia Pollia be kept safe by Claudius, and away from the father who traps her? Can the scandal they promote help her while bringing her abuser to pay for the crimes against her mother?
6. China: Two short stories in WOMEN OF THEIR TIME anthology
7. Malta: I IMAGINE WALKING, part of ODYSSEY AND OTHER STORIES
A decade after World War II ended and her husband returned with plans that didn't include her, Danielle Maxwell hopes a several month business trip to Malta will be just what her marriage needs to get back on track. When her husband has more interest in drinking and fishing with an old friend that has settled on the island can Danielle find a way to rebuild her life with or without her husband?
8. Ancient Egypt: EGYPTIAN NIGHTS
A horrible death, an even bigger mistake by the gods of Ancient Egypt. A modern woman is trapped in a life not her own. But even in death beginnings can happen.
9. India: A short story in WOMEN OF THEIR TIME anthology
10. Majorca: ALL MY DREAMS (okay this one isn't historical but it is unusual)
When all of Loryn's family was taken from her she just ran. Fixing up a house in Majorca sounds like a dream to most but it was only hiding from life. When a movie producer decides her house is perfect for a location, life comes charging in and he drags her into the world once more. But does he bring too much of life to make it work?
11. Portugal: ANCIENT WALLS (another non historical, but unusual)
Maya Montgomery just wants a vacation with her son, that's it, but with her ex giving her trouble to the point of needing a restraining order, even relaxing involves a fight. At least until everyone in the hotel is kept inside with days of rain. After the way her ex has been all it will take is someone being nice to her and Carson is nothing but nice. Nice to look at, nice to talk to, nice to go to bed with. For once in her life, things are looking up, until her son is kidnapped and the note orders her to find a hidden treasure. Treasure not everyone is even convinced exists and her son's life depends on it. So much for a peaceful vacation.
12. Ancient Greece: THE MOUNTAINTOP
In ancient Greece men marry for money and land while finding their pleasure elsewhere. When Orestes saves a captured woman from slave traders just what is she supposed to do when she doesn't feel like sharing? Especially when she's literally ready to fight him over the matter.
13. Japan: AN UNUSUAL DANNA
When a Geisha in turn of the century Japan starts receiving gifts from an anonymous benefactor she can only guess at who it is that is helping her. Its not making the woman who owns her her house happy either she stands to loose a lot of money if her geisha leaves. Is love the answer to all her problems?
For more details on any of these titles, please visit my website.
Jennifer Mueller
Out Now!!!!
Writer's Block, a recommended read at Romance at Heart Publications
Far from Home at Aphrodite's Apples
Ha! I'll make my list today fit the Unusual historical theme.
Thirteen unusual places I have set a story.
1. Kenya: SAMBURU HILLS
When Celeste Reed steps off the boat in the fledgling colony of Kenya, East Africa she finds out the man that she was to marry doesn't even care to get to know her let alone listen to a word she says. Life is miserable and then he has the nerve to die leaving her to run an estate without any money. It seems he spent all he had to impress the colony and she was just part of the package. Africa is unforgiving to the weak, but it can be the people that you least expect that make it. And then there's Edward.
2. Cuba: HAVANA HOLIDAY
Five stories, four days, three nights, two times the fun, and one heck of a good time. Dahlia, Eve, Nora, Alice, and Marianne; when five women who work together
in depression era Boston save up for a trip of a lifetime to decadent Havana, anything can happen. With seductive Latin men and rich vacationers at every turn who wouldn't enjoy dancing till dawn, the parties, the nightclubs, the beach, the gambling, and there’s always more than one side to a story.
3. Argentina: A short story in WOMEN OF THEIR TIME anthology
4. Byzantium/Turkey: FAR FROM HOME
She's a highly placed lady in waiting and he's a lowly soldier guarding her as she sneaks out of the palace during the Byzantine empire. Each thinks the other wouldn't be interested but things change as the months drag on including the danger she's in.
THE DANCER'S SECRET
When a dancer in World War I Constantinople holds the key to a British spy's assignment, he can only trust his instincts. She's not telling how getting her out alive will save the lives of thousands of men and with a traitor to catch, instinct is all he has as his network falls apart around him.
5. Ancient Rome: A LITTLE ROMAN SCANDAL
She was a puzzle to Claudius, a challenge and the ultimate mystery. She came to his party, then abruptly left without chaperon, escort, or imparting much knowledge about herself. The one fact sticking out is that Livia is running. Still, he is attracted, and needs to find out why the beauty is running and from whom. Livia wants to leave the city, but because of her father's position, she cannot. He allows her little or no freedom, and is determined to sell her into marriage to a man twice her age or more. Livia would like to marry for love, but she knows that is improbable until she meets Claudius. Not knowing who he is, she accepts his help. Battered and bleeding, she goes to Claudius, and hides in his home from her abusive father and his manipulative schemes. In ancient Rome it was the fathers and then the husbands job to protect the women in his care. Can Livia Pollia be kept safe by Claudius, and away from the father who traps her? Can the scandal they promote help her while bringing her abuser to pay for the crimes against her mother?
6. China: Two short stories in WOMEN OF THEIR TIME anthology
7. Malta: I IMAGINE WALKING, part of ODYSSEY AND OTHER STORIES
A decade after World War II ended and her husband returned with plans that didn't include her, Danielle Maxwell hopes a several month business trip to Malta will be just what her marriage needs to get back on track. When her husband has more interest in drinking and fishing with an old friend that has settled on the island can Danielle find a way to rebuild her life with or without her husband?
8. Ancient Egypt: EGYPTIAN NIGHTS
A horrible death, an even bigger mistake by the gods of Ancient Egypt. A modern woman is trapped in a life not her own. But even in death beginnings can happen.
9. India: A short story in WOMEN OF THEIR TIME anthology
10. Majorca: ALL MY DREAMS (okay this one isn't historical but it is unusual)
When all of Loryn's family was taken from her she just ran. Fixing up a house in Majorca sounds like a dream to most but it was only hiding from life. When a movie producer decides her house is perfect for a location, life comes charging in and he drags her into the world once more. But does he bring too much of life to make it work?
11. Portugal: ANCIENT WALLS (another non historical, but unusual)
Maya Montgomery just wants a vacation with her son, that's it, but with her ex giving her trouble to the point of needing a restraining order, even relaxing involves a fight. At least until everyone in the hotel is kept inside with days of rain. After the way her ex has been all it will take is someone being nice to her and Carson is nothing but nice. Nice to look at, nice to talk to, nice to go to bed with. For once in her life, things are looking up, until her son is kidnapped and the note orders her to find a hidden treasure. Treasure not everyone is even convinced exists and her son's life depends on it. So much for a peaceful vacation.
12. Ancient Greece: THE MOUNTAINTOP
In ancient Greece men marry for money and land while finding their pleasure elsewhere. When Orestes saves a captured woman from slave traders just what is she supposed to do when she doesn't feel like sharing? Especially when she's literally ready to fight him over the matter.
13. Japan: AN UNUSUAL DANNA
When a Geisha in turn of the century Japan starts receiving gifts from an anonymous benefactor she can only guess at who it is that is helping her. Its not making the woman who owns her her house happy either she stands to loose a lot of money if her geisha leaves. Is love the answer to all her problems?
For more details on any of these titles, please visit my website.
Jennifer Mueller
Out Now!!!!
Writer's Block, a recommended read at Romance at Heart Publications
Far from Home at Aphrodite's Apples
