Christine Lindsay – Romantic Destination – Part 3 of 3

Shannon here: Christine Lindsay shares a tour of Northern Ireland, the romantic setting for her latest contemporary romance, Londonderry Dreams. Comment on any post dated Feb 24 – 28 to enter the drawing for an e-book copy. Deadline: March 8, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Christine:

Northern Ireland – the Perfect Setting for a Wedding or Honeymoon by Christine Lindsay

I was born in Belfast, N. Ireland. Now this confuses a lot of people, but there are six counties in the northeastern part of Ireland that still belong to Great Britain, the same way that Wales is still a part of Britain, and Scotland used to be until recently. N. Ireland is a small country rich in history—Irish, Scottish, and English.

The north of Ireland is as beautiful as the south of Ireland. In fact, the Antrim Coast is as rugged and awe-inspiring as the Dingle Peninsula.

Think…Winding roads lead on…roads that eventually bring you to the rugged and emerald coastline of County Antrim. Rolling hills now reach the treeless plateau that lays tabletop flat and dotted with flocks of sheep. And then, the North Sea dazzles straight ahead, where it lays startling blue under the sun. Not far from the road, the coast plunges down sheer cliffs to meet the pounding surf.

Because I have been to Ireland on a number of occasions, I do not need to rely on research but my own memories to tell you what a romantic place Ireland is for a honeymoon.

There are cozy Bed & Breakfasts, where you can sleep beneath the eves of an Irish farmhouse, or a thatched cottage in the emerald green glens. Wake up to a pleasant Irish breakfast—a big one called an Irish Fry of bacon, eggs, potato bread, scones, tomato, etc. Or if you prefer something lighter, how about a nice fresh-made scone with fruit and yogurt?

There are also gorgeous hotels, either in quaint castles or modern buildings in the larger cities. Don’t forget the English have lived in Ireland for centuries as well and have left their mark of stately homes.

             One of the nicest things about Ireland is the countryside, but even the cities have retained a look of the past. The reason is most of the industrialization that tarnishes our landscapes here in the States escaped most of Ireland. Both the northern and the southern Irish governments make a point of keeping that beautiful landscape untouched by factories and malls, keep it quaint and beautiful to attract tourists.

Come along on some of my memories—walking along a country lane flanked by hedgerows of meadowsweet and wild roses. The grassy, rolling meadows are dotted with flocks of sheep. In fact, everywhere you turn in Ireland, you’ll see a picturesque field of sheep. Or stroll beside silver lakes where you can look across to a small island, where resting in the mist is a medieval ruin from centuries ago.

The cottages especially in the country are painted pretty colors, and most Irish take great pride in their front door. You’ll see this especially in the row-houses of the cities.

But probably the most majestic scenery in Ireland is the cliffs overlooking the ragged, undulating coastline. Surrounded by the Atlantic on the west, the Irish Sea on the east, and the North Sea at the top, this island of gently rolling hills is encircled by pounding surf.

I’ve been there to see a gale blowing in on the North Sea with 60 mile-per-hour winds upon the mysterious Giant’s Causeway. But then you have pleasant days of sunlight, and softly lapping waves.

I wrote the romantic scene where my hero Keith, a music therapist, kisses the heroine, Naomi. Keith and Naomi communicate best through their art, and through the physical communication of a kiss. In my story Londonderry Dreaming, these two fictional characters must learn to speak the truth in love, to heal the wounds of the past.

The Spiritual message in this romance is:

Just as Jesus is the Word that became flesh to heal our relationship with God, words are needed to heal relationships with others. We must speak the truth in love. Ephesians 4:15, “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.”

ABOUT CHRISTINE LINDSAY: Christine Lindsay was born in Ireland, and is proud of the fact that she was once patted on the head by Prince Philip when she was a baby. Her great grandfather, and her grandfather—yes father and son—were both riveters on the building of the Titanic. Tongue in cheek, Christine states that as a family they accept no responsibility for the sinking of that great ship.

It was stories of her ancestors who served in the British Cavalry in Colonial India that inspired her Multi-award-winning, historical series Twilight of the British Raj. Book 1 Shadowed in Silk, Book 2 Captured by Moonlight, and Christine is currently writing the final installment of that series called Veiled at Midnight to be released August 2014.

Londonderry Dreaming, Christine’s romance novella set in N. Ireland releases Feb. 21, 2014.

Aside from being a busy writer and speaker, Christine is also VP of Christian Authors’ Network. She makes her home in British Columbia, on the west coast of Canada with her husband and their grown up family. Her cat Scottie is chief editor on all Christine’s books.

CONNECT WITH CHRISTINE: Please drop by Christine’s blog site www.christinelindsay.org or follow her on Twitter and be her friend on Pinterest , Facebook  and  Goodreads

About the book – LONDONDERRY DREAMING:

Acclaimed New York artist, Naomi Boyd, and music therapist, Keith Wilson, loved one another five years ago, until her grandfather with his influence over Naomi separated them.

That root of bitterness keeps them apart until a letter from Keith’s grandmother, Ruth, draws Naomi to Londonderry to find she’s too late. Ruth has passed on. After the death of his beloved grandmother, Keith has also come to Londonderry only to open the door to his past…Naomi…beautiful as ever, the girl who broke his heart.

A mysterious painting in Ruth’s attic brings up questions about their grandparents’ entwined past and their own broken romance. But more comfortable with the unspoken languages of art and music, Naomi and Keith find it difficult to share their old hurts and true feelings.

Will the majestic coastline of Northern Ireland inspire them to speak the words to bring peace to their grandparents’ memory and to rekindle love?

 Take a look at the Book Trailer for Londonderry Dreaming to see what I’m talking about.

Come back March 3 for Elizabeth Maddrey!