Dani Jace

This week’s Romance Weekly question is from from A.S. Fenichel. “It’s cold in most places. What’s you’re favorite vacation spot? This can be someplace you’ve been or someplace you dream of going. If you have a book with a terrific vacation spot, work it in, too.” Hope you’re already visited with J.J. Devine.

This is a perfect question for me as my favorite vacation spot is also part of my brand and is the setting in both of my completed books. The Outer Banks of North Carolina is my favorite vacation destination and has been my home away from home since I was a teen.

Located off the coast of North Carolina, these barrier islands were home to the first English colony, also known as “The Lost Colony.”

The shallow shoals off the coast are the Graveyard of the Atlantic with close to five-hundred shipwrecks from Cape Henry to Cape Lookout.

A century ago, these little inhabited chain of islands were a haven to fishermen and hunters of waterfowl. It still holds true, however, beach goers reign on OBX, as it is affectionately been named.

Wright Memorial - Ken Thomas - Wiki Commons — Wright Memorial – Ken Thomas – Wiki Commons

Beyond being a major beach resort, the area is steeped in history. It holds “First in Flight” claim to fame. Kill Devil Hills is where the Wright Brothers first took flight. Notorious pirate, Edward Teach, aka Blackbeard made his home on Orcacoke Island.

My paranormal novella, White Doe, is based in the town of Manteo, named after the Native American chieftain who befriended the English colonists. The contemporary story is loosely based on a tribal legend about a white deer thought to be the ghost of first born colonist, Virginia Dare.

Beaches on the Outer Banks are clean and the laid back atmosphere of the area is perfect for family or romantic getaways. Destination wedding have become the rage.

A little over an hour’s drive from home, we usually rent a house for a week in the summer. South Nags Head is our favorite area where I’ve based my soon to be released novel, Hot as Blazes. Readers familiar with OBX may catch references to a few landmarks. I also recreated a couple that are gone like the iconic nightclub, The Casino.

Now that my holiday tour is done, let’s cruise on to Raine Balkera’s favoriate getaway.

Dani Jace http://www.danijace.com

Raine Balkera http://rainebalkera.blogspot.com

Favorite vacation spot.

With the movie Fifty Shades of Grey releasing on Valentine’s Day, firefighters in London are wondering how many couples might become stuck in handcuffs or restraints.

NBC world news reports “The London Fire Brigade (LFB) said there had been a surge in incidents of people being stuck while trying to recreate steamy moments from the adult drama, in which a young businessman and his love interest explore bedroom discipline.

Firefighters in the British capital attended 472 incidents involving people being trapped or stuck inside items in 2013/14, the LFB said — a figure that has steadily increased since the “Fifty Shades of Grey” book was released in 2011.”

They even sponsored a “Fifty Shades of Red” awareness campaign back when the book hit the best sellers’ list. Their advice is to keep the keys handy.

On the sales end of the hype, UK home improvement stores have been advised to make sure they keep plenty of rope, fasteners, duct tape and the like in stock. Whether or not you’re a fan of the book or are interested in seeing the movie or not, the phenomena of Fifty Shades has no doubt reached you by some form of media.

I’d also suggest some wire cutters and industrial sheers. Oh yeah, and you need a safe word.

I’ve read books that were more erotic and intriguing than Fifty Shades yet this story hooked women. Women who had never read a romance or pick-up a book in ages were nose deep in the sub-culture of BDSM.

As a romance author, I hope the movie initiates more screenplay and TV offers to romance authors and increases sales of all genres of romance books. If nothing else this movie proves to the critiques of romance that it is here to stay.

So instead of traditional candy or flowers, this year your Valentine might like a silk tie or furry handcuffs. Cuff me – cuff me not.