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Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Brazil: One country. Five regions. One Girly Books blog post.

 Ladies and gentlemen, we are ready for takeoff…

Even though we don’t actually read this line everytime we read a romance novel, it’s safe to say that a lot of times we hear it in our imaginations. Or perhaps I do, anyway. Hey, stranger things have happened in my life. But now, let’s talk about traveling—through books!

As a reader, I love to go places I haven’t been. As a writer, I love to feature some of my favorite destinations in books. In A Vengeful Affair, my hero and heroine share arguments, discoveries and a sizzling attraction in London, Paris and Switzerland. In the upcoming Heating Up Hawaii…well, do I really need to say it? J

But today, as part of the fabulous Girly Books BlogHop, I’ll be taking you to Brazil, where my untitled WIP is set. Of course, ithelps that Brazil is also where I’m from originally, even though I’ve lived in Austin, Texas for the last ten years. Brazil is such a resourceful, diverse country that I’ve been wanting to use it as the backdrop for a romance novel for a while.

In Brazil, there’s something for everyone. To givey ou one example, my WIP starts in glamorous and internationally known Rio,filled with breathtaking views and gorgeous beaches. (It’s also one of my favorite cities in the world.) But then we go to Northeast Brazil, which is a completely different area—especially because I take the readers to the land of a Brazilian Indian tribe. Yes. Other things come into play, such as environmental and cultural issues and howvulnerable these tribes are nowadays, with Brazil’s economy booming and modern life swallowing their traditions and customs. I wanted to bring up a subject that’s taboo even for Brazilians. There is so much more to my country than Carnaval and  women in G-stringbikinis. Really. 







A little bit of a geography lesson here, because I know that’s what you’re craving. (I promise it won’t be boring!) Brazil is divided into five main regions: North (think the Amazon and tons of river, lushforest and internationally debated environmental shenanigans), Northeast (a region rich in folklore, music and cuisine…think yummy seafood and beautiful beaches), Central West (sparsely populated with dry weather; it includes Brasilia, the country’s capital), South (very developed both rurally andeconomically; think gauchos—Brazilian cowboys—plus tons of German descendants and world-renowned steakhouses) and Southeast (highly industrialized cities like Rio and Sao Paulo; it’s the region where most of the country’s population resides). Each of the regions has a rich history complete with unique accents, delicious local dishes and more. My plan is to turn my WIP into a series, and each romance will have a different area of Brazil as its background.

How about you? What place captivates your interestas a reader, writer or traveler?  Please comment for a chance to win a copy of A Vengeful Affair.

Oh, and don't forget to continue hopping for some fabulous prizes!




32 comments:

  1. My goodness, how very interesting. There are so many regions of the world to discover, each one unique and irreplaceable. It's a wonderful world. Thanks for sharing Carmen. Will be reading your books for sure.

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    1. Thank you, Maria! :)

      Yes there are tons of places out there I'd love to visit.

      One day... :)

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  2. Oh, man, I need a vacation to a place like Brazil. I'm just a bit scared of having to get a Brazil wax, though!

    Thanks for the background on Brazil and its people and regions, Carmen!

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    1. Dear Gwen, stay away from Brazilian wax! Lol. Really! I have no idea how it became so popular, it is SO painful! ;)

      Thanks for your comment!

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  3. Love the little intro to Brazil, Carmen!!!

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  4. Love the little intro to Brazil, Carmen!!!

    parisfan_ca@yahoo.com

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  5. I've always been fascinated by Brazil...thanks for the post!

    vitajex(at)aol(Dot)com

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    1. My pleasure!

      It's really a fascinating country with lots to do and see :)

      Thanks for your comment :)

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  6. My sister-in-law adores Brazil; she lived there for a year, coming 'home' last summer, then spent a few months in India, came back here again for Christmas and then flew back to Brazil just yesterday.

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    1. Wow. Brazil, India and England. She's been busy, hasn't she? How lucky is she :)

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    2. And France, Thailand, Vietnam, etc. The life of a footloose and fancy-free freelance translator, eh?

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  7. Fabulous post, Carmen! Really enlightening. I must admit, before now I really didn't know much about Brazil apart from Carnaval and women in g-string bikinis (although I also associate it with rainforests and Giselle) :-) What a fabulous idea for a series too. I really look forward to that. And, of course, I'm very excited to read Heating Up Hawaii because A Vengeful Affair rocked so much. Thanks so much for participating in the hop!!

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    1. Thank you, Libby!
      It's been a pleasure. Tomorrow I'll be able to read a lot of the wonderful posts and comment. Thank you for including me :)

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  8. Ah, Brazil! I would so love to travel there someday, looks so beautiful! Is there a place I wouldn't like to travel? Of that I'm not so sure.

    dreammie_angel at yahoo dot com

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    1. Celina, I feel the same way.
      I used to travel a lot more, then you know, marriage, kid... a different kind of adventure! Lol. :)

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  9. Brazil is definitely on my must visit list! Thanks for such a great post, Carmen!

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    1. You should go, you won't regret it :)

      Thanks for your comment! :)

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  10. Brazil would be a wonderful locale for a fiction series--for sure. Who wouldn't want to escape between the pages of a book set in any of those regions you described. So enjoyed visiting your blog today. Happy hopping.

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  11. i like Iceland with all its hot springs and vikings
    kaholgate at ymail dot com

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    1. I'd also love to visit Iceland, Kimberly :)
      Thanks for your comment!

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  12. Great post! I have been to NorthEastern Brazil (Natal) and Southeastern (Sao Paulo) and loved both. Quite frankly I love to read and write about places I have been, but also read about places I haven't been, which then makes me want to go there. Iceland was always on my list, too, but I would love to go to New Zealand, which is meant to be like Scotland with sunshine, plus the amazing vineyards of Marlborough. South Africa, for the safari would be another firm favourite. Sooz (soozbuch@gmail.com)

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    1. Susan, how nice!
      My hometown, Joao Pessoa, is only a couple of hours from Natal.
      Never been to South Africa but would certainly love to :)

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  13. St Petersburg, Russia is the most fascinating to me. Such a beautiful city with a rich and fascinating history.

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    1. Shan, a friend of mine went to Russia and completely fell in love with it!

      Thanks for your comment :)

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  14. Thanks for sharing about Brazil. I want to visit there now more than ever!

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    1. Thank you.

      I'm so glad I sparked your interest! :)

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  15. Oh I hope to someday visit Brazil. My father had neighbors that were originally from there and the way they described the area, food, and culture captured me. I think I would like the North the best in the rainforests to watch the beautiful animals that are native there. See, your not so boring geographical lesson paid off!

    Thanks so much for sharing your home country with us today! I think I generally like reading about areas I am familiar with best which does seem strange. I have just read a few that go too much into the local areas and by not being familiar with the areas, takes away from the story for me.

    Best wishes,
    Marlena
    charmedpoms(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  16. Marlena,

    I totally get where you're coming from. I love stories set in different places, but I don't enjoy it if I feel like I'm reading a travel guide instead of a romance.
    Thanks so much for your comment!

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  17. AND WE HAVE A WINNER!

    I've used Random.org.

    The winner is: clippingsintheshed! Congrats!!!

    Please send me your email so I can send you a copy of A Vengeful Affair :) My email: carmenauthor@yahoo.com

    Thank you to all who left comments and participated :) xoxo

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