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"Really? Bavaria?" – Guest post by Kate Noble + Giveaway
Filed in Giveaways , Guest Post , Kate Noble , The Geeky Lover Posted on May 14, 2011 @ 4:10 am
41 comments
We are very happy to welcome historical romance author Kate Noble here at Book Lovers Inc today. Her newest novel Follow My Lead
was just released and I was thrilled to hear where it is set: Bavaria. As a German I often wondered why not more historicals are set in Germany. There actually is enough history to be found in our textbooks. So let’s see what Kate thinks about it. Please give her a warm welcome.
was just released and I was thrilled to hear where it is set: Bavaria. As a German I often wondered why not more historicals are set in Germany. There actually is enough history to be found in our textbooks. So let’s see what Kate thinks about it. Please give her a warm welcome.One of the questions I get when I tell people about Follow My Lead is… “seriously? You set this book in Bavaria?”
Granted, southern Germany is not the standard locale for a Historical Romance. But my response to the strange looks and curious expressions is: Bavaria is awesome! And pretty! They have glockenspiels and lederhosen and beer! How can you not like Bavaria?!
In truth, I was introduced to this region of the world only recently, while my sister, an Army officer, was stationed there. I went to visit, and promptly fell in love. There is so much wonderful history in the area, having been conquered and them reformed after the Napoleonic Wars, and before that, during the Lutheran revolution and then reformation with the Catholic church. (Told you. Lots of history.)
I mean, come on – Germans invented the waltz!
If you ever find yourself in the area, here are some Do Not Miss adventures to have in Bavaria.
The Romantic Road
Stretching from Wurtzburg (wine country!) to Fossen, The Romantic Road is the trek to take to see all the pretty. The scenery, the hills, the castles – you’ll feel like spinning on a mountaintop, and we’re ok with that. You’ll get to run through Regansburg, a town on the Danube, where Jason and Winn from Follow My Lead spend an evening, in pursuit of, um, knowledge.
Nuremberg
Despite its history from WWII, Nuremberg is a pretty laid back town. Seriously. It’s known for its Christmas Market and handmade toys. A mix of medieval and modern, it’s a town topped by the ruins of a great castle keep, and surrounded by a medieval town wall. My favorite part is the home of Albrecht Durer – where Winn and Jason from Follow My Lead spend many a day… and night.
Oktoberfest in Munich
One word: Beer! Munich comes alive at Oktoberfest, being invaded by hops enthusiasts worldwide.
Neuschwanstein Castle
Not period to the regency, Neuschwanstein was built in the 1870s, under the reign of Mad King Ludwig. (How mad was he? He was deposed for his ‘eccentricities’, and still went around trying to build castles and calling himself King.) It is a romantic ode to medieval castles, with soaring towers and spires, and an interior dedicated entirely to the works of Richard Wagner. (I told you Ludwig was nutty.) Supposedly this is the castle that inspired Cinderella’s Castle in Disney World. Very possibly the prettiest place I’ve ever been.
But, if you ever find yourself yearning for a German holiday and can’t quite make it to one of these places, I recommend picking up Follow My Lead. It should slake your thirst… for now.
About the book:
Jason Cummings, Duke of Rayne is feeling the weight of his responsibilities – one of which is to get married. Being the most sought after bachelor in London can be trying, so who can blame him if he seeks refuge from the voracious hordes of young debutantes at the decidedly female-free Historical Society? Female-free, that is, until Winnifred Crane marches up to the door, demanding entrance.
Despite her prowess as a historian, Winn is denied membership to the Society. So she daringly offers an unusual bargain: if she can prove the authenticity of a certain painting, she’ll be granted recognition, fame, and respect. But to do that, she must go abroad. And to go abroad, she must have an escort, even a stubbornly unwilling one…
Jason has no desire to accompany Winn on her adventure across Europe, but even he is not immune to Winn’s passion for her profession. As the journey proves more difficult than planned, they must work together to stay one step ahead of their rivals… and the closer they get to the proof Winn seeks, the closer she and Jason become. But as their adventure turns dangerous, can Jason keep this headstrong bluestocking safe? And what will become of their growing bond when the adventure ends?
About the author:
They say if you scratch the surface of a cynic, you find a romantic. As a typical middle child, Kate Noble spent a good portion of her early life developing a crusty exterior, while quietly nursing a whimsical, nougat-y core. This led her, quite naturally, to romance novels at a young age.Nurturing the affect of the artistic emo kid, long before emo existed, Kate was also drawn into the world of cinematic storytelling, eventually going to college to study Television and Film Production. While she discovered she had no skill at camera placement or sound editing, she did have a talent for writing the scripts. But certain types of stories she wanted to tell – the ones with empire-waist dresses and Dukes and carriages, the kind she had been reading in secret since she was thirteen – were best suited to novel form. And so, she gave novel writing a try.Fourteen months after this momentous decision, low and behold, she had a finished draft, Compromised. She revised and submitted, revised and submitted, and shockingly, got an agent, and thereafter a contract with Berkley Sensation.Compromised became a national bestseller, earning a starred review in Booklist. She has since written Revealed (which was a 2010 RITA Finalist), the critically acclaimed The Summer of You (named a Kirkus Reviews Best Romance of 2010), and her upcoming release, Follow My Lead.Kate lived in New York City for a number of years before moving to Los Angeles, and would be unable to declare which city is her favorite – weather vs. culture remains the eternal debate.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~*~*Giveaway*~*~
Kate has generously offered one copy of Follow My Lead to be won by one lucky commenter!
All you have to do is ask Kate a questions or leave a meaningful comment about her guest post.
(You can read our full giveaway policy here)
Please leave us a way to contact you.
(Email in blogger profile or twitter name – no way to contact you – no entry).
This giveaway is open worldwide!
Giveaway ends on Saturday, May 28th and we will announce the winner on Sunday.
Good luck!
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Hi, Kate! Congrats for the release date of "Follow My Lead"! 😀
I never know about background at your book that set place at Bavaria or Germany, but it's.. interesting!!
Historical Romance must be not my favorite, but I enjoy read it, and I search unusual setting, not take place always in England, but on other country 🙂
I love all pic above, and I hope I can go to Germany someday (I love their football team *lol).
By the way, I want to ask, how you came with the title of your book? What is the best and the worst part that you get when writing? Any inspiration when write Follow My Lead?
Thanks 🙂
sawamura_foxman AT yahoo DOT com
Hi Kate,
Congratulations on the release of 'Follow My Lead'. It sounds like a terrific story and I can't wait to get my copy.
I like the idea of the book being set in Germany, since I am a little more than half German myself! LOL I read historical romances for several reasons including a little history lesson about the setting of the book. IMO, those details add to the story and my overall enjoyment of it.
Now, if travelling to Germany is not in the cards, why not take a trip to Frankenmuth, Michigan? It's a little closer to most American's homes and you don't need a passport. They have gockenspiels, lederhosen and beer…lots of beer! Great chicken dinners at Zehnder's and excellent German cuisine at The Bavarian Inn. Bavarian Festival in June and the traditional Oktoberfest! All are great fun!
Don't let my siggy fool you…I was born & raised in MI. OK, that's the end of my 'Pure Michigan' travel ad! I wonder if I can get paid for this? LOL
OOPS! Forgot to include my contact info….
kkhaas at bellsouth dot net
Ich liebe Bayern! I studied abroad in Bavaria for a semester when I was in college, and I fell in love, too. How can you not? I also love that a historical romance novel is set in Bavaria – the history is so rich, and the scenery is amazing.
My question for Kate is: what is your best German public transportation story?
Mine: some friends and I were visiting Walhalla via ferry from Regensburg. Thought we'd take the bus back, turns out there wasn't a bus, raced back to the ferry only to find it had already left the dock. But even as a German youngster yelled at us: "You are too late!" the ferry turned around and picked us up. The ride back was awkward, to say the least.
Contact info: my email is in my blogger profile, Twitter is @BookBender
Follow My lead looks like a great read. I wish that I could see all those marvelous places in Germany. Question: If the book were made into a movie, who would you pick to play the main characters?
marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com
Congrats on the new release, and how fascinating that it is set in Germany! I am actually visiting Germany for the first time this summer. One of the places I am most looking forward to is the Neuschwanstein Castle.
castings at mindspring dot com
I was surprised too about the unusual location, then again why not? Next thing (pretty please) might even be Austria, where I live, yay! And wait a minute, wasn't it Strauss who invented the waltz?? And Strauss was Austrian! But alright, Bavaria is close enough 😉 !
danaan at gmx dot at
Hi Kate,
It sounds like a fascinating book and I am very curious to read it. I love romance books of all kind, particularly when they are in a different country. I haven't read many books based in Germany to be honest though I have read about Bavaria and find it to be a very romantic and beautiful city. I am of some German heritage myself which I think makes sense why I am drawn to Germany. Anyways, I am curious how you decided on Germany and how you came up with the idea of what time period to set your novel in. Congratulations on your debut and I'll keep my eye out for the book
Slainte
~Meg
girldreamer2004@yahoo.com
Hi everyone! Thank you so much Susi, for having me!
Ren: I came up with the title about halfway through the book, when I realized it was a phrase that both Winn and Jason had said to each other. They are always leading each other into mischief.
Karen H: I've been to Frankenmuth Michigan! It's fabulous there, I love all the gingerbread on the buildings.
Amanda: I don't really have a good public transportation story, but the first time I drove on the Autobahn, at night (they don't have a tons of highway street lamps, like we do in the US) I thought I was going to die. My sister had to pry my fingers off the steering wheel.
mbreafield: If I was going to cast the movie, I would definitely have Damian Lewis as Jason. Red Haired, handsome, and just the right amount of devil in him.
Brigit: coincidentally, Follow My Lead does make it to Austria for a little bit! Maybe I'll set an entire book there next time. It'll be a great excuse to take a 'research' trip!
I love that you have set your book in Bavaria. We visited a couple of times when my husband was stationed in northern Germany. One of my best memories is driving down the autobahn towards the Austrian border belting out songs from The Sound of Music.
irgl7(at)bonzo15(dot)plus(dot)com
I am sure enteting 😀
blodeuedd1 at gmail dot com
Awww Neuschwanstein Castle! I would love to visit. I was so jealous when friend came back from a semester in Germany and she had visited and had pics
What happens if the old post comes back then? Must try to be meaningful again.
Ok the castle, I love that castle, I wanna live in that castle. I should go back in time and marry the crazy king that built it, lol
blodeuedd1 at gmail dot com
I would love to visit Germany one day and I like the idea of a different setting for an historical romance.
mce1011 AT aol DOT com
Hi Kate, already wanted to read Jason's story, and even more reading your post about Bavaria for the setting. Always wished I could someday get to visit Germany. Great setting for a road romance,
I cannot wait to travel to Germany. Seeing a castle would melt me for sure. I would probably smile and dance like the cover model 🙂
robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com
I've always enjoyed road trip romances. There's always so many ways things can go wrong while traveling, it's always a treat to read. I'd love to visit Germany, or anywhere that has fabulous, old castles.
I love the cover for Follow My Lead, especially the laughing heroine.
Barbed1951 at aol dot com
Historical Romance – my 2 favorite words as regards reading. IF I had a castle I would need the staff to clean it & stop it from being cold & drafty.
marypres@gmail.com
What a great trip!! I love Octoberfest.. although it's nothing like it is in larger regions. My and my friends/fiancée has started our own small one last year.. it was great! hehe
Whats your favorite beer?!
I follow!
natashajennex(at)gmail.com
I enjoyed your post, Kate, and I look forward to reading your new book! 🙂
justforswag(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
I also wonder why so few historicals are set in Germany. I would love to read Follow My Lead for the Germany setting alone.
angeldream3[AT]gmail[DOT]com
Whoaaa, since I'm the 1st commenter, and some issued with blogger, my post was deleted :(..
First I ask Kate how she come with this title for her book and she already answer it :)…
I say again, congrats for the release date of Follow My Lead, and I can't wait to read your book, Kate ^_^
sawamura_foxman AT yahoo DOT com
I would love to visit German one day. I bet its beautiful. I am a follower and email subscriber. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. It sounds very good. Tore923@aol.com
Bavaria looks lovely – I'd like to go there sometime – there are so many places in the UK and Europe (the whole world really!) I'd like to see. The places I've been to are just a drop in the bucket to what's out there.
I've really enjoyed your earlier books, I think you've just got better and better as a writer and I'm very much looking forward to reading Follow My Lead and seeing what happens to Jason.
My question is: what's next for you? A new series or another in this one?
hanktsATinternodeDOTonDOTnet
I have a deja-vu … I commented on this one before! Ah, damn you blogger!!
Anyway, what I want to say is that yes, it's a bit unusual to have a setting in Germany, but then again, why not? But hey, it wasn't the Germans who invented the waltz, it was the Austrian (!) composer Strauss who did … teehee, I must know, seeing how I live in Austria!
I also adore the cover, it's so sweet and lighthearted … *sigh*
danaan at gmx dot at
Loved the photos! I'm dying to meet Germany someday. Where I live, we've a Oktoberfest and it's awesome! I bet that the one in Munich is x1000 ways better XD And… BEER! LOTS OF BEER! (Homer Simpson feelings, maybe?) \o/
sweet.sayumi@yahoo.com.br
This post really made me want to travel to Germany. I really want to tour the castle. The book sounds awesome.
marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com
I would absolutely love to visit Germany someday. What a great setting for your book!
throuthehaze at gmail dot com
I love Kate's books and I'm looking forward to reading about this road trip. I'd like to take a road trip through Germany! (Who wouldn't, right?) And the castle…Oooohhh…don't even get me started on how great that castle looks!
Well I do road trips in Germany all the time because I'm living here. 🙂 But like Kate said Bavaria is really beautiful, plenty of history and a great landscape. But don't forget the rest of Germany like Saxony, very beautiful, too, with as many castles as in Bavaria and beautiful old cities like Dresden.
@ClaudiaGC84
claudigc at msn dot com
Greetings from Italy!
Great post from a great author, thank you! Who were some of your favorite authors when you were first inspired to write?
My email:
natalija (dot) shkomare (at) gmail (dot) com
Good luck to everyone!
Rock on. Bavaria is beautiful! Would make for an excellent HR setting. Hell, it's where the Cinderella castle is located!
Hello Kate!
I've been wanting to read Follow My Lead ever since I read the first excerpt. I think it sounds lovely. I especially like the independence of the heroine.
I haven't read a romance set in Bavaria before. All of your examples make the place sound truly lovely.
Congratulations on your new release!
Stacie
GeishasMom73 on twitter
This sounds great 🙂 I'd really like to read it.
quixoticdreamer(at)hotmail(dot)com
I would love to visit Germany
I love the cover 😉
Congratulations on your new release.
welzen@hotmail.com
My sister got to visit Germany with my parents. She said that the Disney Castle (I won't even try to spell the proper name) is the prettiest place she has ever visited. Thanks for the giveaway.
jepebATverizonDOTnet
I am looking forward to reading this book. THE SUMMER OF YOU by Kate was a lovely story.
I am headed to Germany for the first time this summer, and I can't wait to see the Neuschwanstein castle!
castings at mindspring dot com
I want to go to Germany! I want to see if the Beer with my name on it is any good. 😉
books (dot) things (at) yahoo (dot) com
I'd love to go to Germany. Those pics are awesome, I especially love the Neuschwanstein Castle one.
Follow My Lead sounds great, thanks for the giveaway.
jessicamariesutton(at)msn(dot)com
I lived in Bavaria more specifically Bad Aibling (near Munich and a military base which is now no longer open) when I was a little girl. I loved it and still remember visiting N. castle, going to the Christmas market in Munich, and walking around the country side with my school for day field trips! I remember hiking up into the mountains and seeing the spectacular view for miles around. I would really like to go back and see it again as an adult.
tinadudley @ sbcglobal dot net
Hi Kate:) Bavaria is indeed an unusual setting but it is a welcome change from the more common settings of romance novels. I'm intrigued by your author description "If you scratch the exterior…" because I've often wondered about that myself. Poeople are often amazed to find that I'm a romantic at heart because I always appear to be a serious, bookish, know-it-all and when I let down my guard and myy inner romantic shines through, I'm often made to feel guilty for it. Weird, huh?
sarah.setar@gmail.com
I think Germany is beautiful and love the pictures you shared!
meredithfl at gmail dot com