Paula Vince – Romantic Destination – Part 1 of 3

Shannon here: Romantic suspense author, Paula Vince shares the inspiration for the setting of her latest release, Imogen’s Choice. Comment on any post dated May 26 – 30 to enter the drawing for a print or e-book copy – winner’s choice. Deadline: June 7th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Paula:


Why I chose Port Elliot by Paula Vince
I’m the sort of author who enjoys setting my novels in places very familiar to me. Not only does this cut down research, but shows readers a glimpse of my corner of the world. For part of my new novel, “Imogen’s Chance”, I chose a seaside town named Port Elliot.
It’s a place I’m fond of visiting. I live in South Australia’s Adelaide Hills, which is not near the sea, so this is one of my family’s favorite holiday destinations in the summer. It is about one hour south of Adelaide, our capital city, and narrowly missed being chosen as a major trade seaport last century.
Port Elliot was rejected on the basis of being a ‘ship trap’, as seven ships were wrecked there from between 1853 and 1864. The hull of one of them from 1856, a masted schooner named “The Flying Fish”, can still be felt underfoot by swimmers when the tide is just right.
These days Port Elliot is a thriving tourist town full of quaint old stone buildings and boutique shops. A few years ago, I stayed with my husband for a few nights at a charming little bed and breakfast. We did lots of walking, some fine dining, and listened to the sound of the pounding surf at night, the same as many other people.
It was there that I figured Port Elliot’s combination of romantic ambiance and treacherous history would make it a great setting for a novel. At the time, I was working on another project, but ‘Imogen’s Chance’ turned out to be the perfect novel in which to introduce Port Elliot.
In the story, readers will be quick to figure out that something happened to Imogen in South Australia which drew her back across the world to the Dorazio family, and that it had to do with Port Elliot’s vicious ocean squalls.
One of the crucial parts of the plot, involving an emergency Imogen and Asher must face together, happens in the center of one of those storms which would have been responsible for those seven shipwrecks. I thought it only fitting that the most romantic moment should happen there too. Without giving much away, it involves a rustic cabin within a stone’s throw of the rugged surf of Port Elliot, a blazing fire and several home-made candles.
If you get to read this book, I hope you enjoy the virtual visit to one of my favorite rustic spots.
About Paula: Award-winning author, Paula Vince loves to evoke tears and laughter through her novels. A wife and homeschooling mother of three, she resides in the beautiful Adelaide Hills of South Australia. Her youth was brightened by great fiction and she’s on a mission to pay it forward.
Her novel, Picking up the Pieces, won the religious fiction section of the 2011 International Book Awards.
Her novel, Best Forgotten, was winner of the 2011 CALEB Award in the fiction category and also recognized as the best overall entry for the year, chosen over memoirs, devotionals and general non-fiction.
Paula’s books are a skillful blend of drama and romance tied together with elements of mystery and suspense. Paula is the author of Picking up the Pieces, The Risky Way Home, A Design of Gold and Best Forgotten. Her new novel, Imogen’s Chance, will be published in April, 2014. Paula is also one of the four authors of The Greenfield Legacy. Find out more at www.justoccurred.blogspot.com
About the book – Imogen’s Choice:
She’s given herself a chance to fix her personal history. But will old mistakes bring up new emotions?
Imogen Browne longs to make up for past mistakes before she can move on. She quietly resolves to help the Dorazio family, whose lives she accidentally upset. Her biggest challenge is Asher, the one person who may never forgive her. And he is facing a crisis of his own. Imogen must tread very carefully, as trying to fix things may well make them shatter.
A sensitive story about misplaced loyalty, celebrating life and falling in love. Can family secrets concealed with the best intentions bear the light of day?

Come back May 28th for Paula’s Cheesecake recipe!