The White Hare's Lament by Bryn Colvin

Why you chose that particular setting?

Some of it because it’s the landscape that goes with the history (no spoilers! The setting is in some ways a surprise). Then my research introduced me to a hospital in Devon (I’d been aiming for a south west location). Seale Hayne has the most amazing history and really leant itself to my story.

What does the setting add to the story?

There are a number of settings – lots of wild landscape where the rules of normal civilization don’t apply. Battlefields also feature, and then in contrast to this, the security of life in a small English village.

Could you write the same story in a different setting?

No. Absolutely not. The story grew out of the setting to quite a significant degree.

Why or why couldn't you use a different setting?

Partly because of the very real history underpinning the story, partly because of the connection with folklore from the south west of England.

Did you use a real place as a basis for your setting?

Yes – quite a few places in Europe, Seale Hayne, assorted towns and villages in the UK, Caedr Idris in Wales, and a few imagined places as well.

Tell us some specific details about your setting. What would we see?

Rolling countryside, some of it green and fertile, some of it blackened and cratered from the ravages of war. A Georgian building, imposing and dramatic. Moorland, the gently rolling English countryside and the wilder places of the imagination. There are a lot of physical journeys undertaken in this novel, so there’s a lot of scenery.

What sort of people are there?

Most of the people are ordinary folk, living through a specific period. Some are soldiers, some formers, others work in the medical profession. Many of them are isolated by the events unfolding around them, and loneliness is a recurring theme. Some of the characters are historical figures.

If we were travelling to your setting, what should we bring with us?

It depends on which bit of the story you fall into, but good boots are essential, and there are times when a helmet may save your life. Cigarettes and alcohol are always welcome gifts, as are decent pairs of socks, cake, soap and other little luxuries.

For visitors, what do they need to know to visit your setting?

Again, as settings vary there’s no one answer to this. However, what you see at anytime might not be real. Landscape and memory blur into each other, and you cannot afford to assume that anything is quite as it seems.

Thank you for sharing details about your book setting. Now, what's the title of your book and where can we buy it?

The White Hare’s Lament

http://www.loveyoudivine.com/index.php?main_page=document_product_info&cPath=26&products_id=349&zenid=853cfe4236a8e41e78d726ad01b7c5f7

The Setting for Conor and the Crossworlds by Kevin Gerard

Questions About the Setting of Conor and the Crossworlds

Why did you pick the setting you used in your story? I'm not looking for -- "because I live there". I want you to dig deep and tell us...

Why you chose that particular setting?

I chose the Crossworlds because it is infinite. It is an endless series of worlds of light and darkness where anything can happen. What could be better than that for a fantasy writer?

What does the setting add to the story?

Surprises around every corner. There are four main venues that Conor and the other characters populate from time to time.

The realm of the creators is the home of the Council of Seven, a group of creators emeritus who oversee the Crossworlds. It is a place of unparalleled beauty and wellbeing. It is where Conor and the Champions go to rejuvenate themselves and prepare for battle.

The Glade of Champions is the world where the giant protectors of the Crossworlds live. Heavily forested and filled with lakes and small hills where the great cats can sun themselves, this is where Conor first meets Purugama’s brothers.

Earth – Conor lives there with his family in Northern California. His girlfriend Janine, introduced in Book Three, also lives there.

The Shadow World is the home of the Circle of Evil. The destroyers; Drazian, Gandron, Fumemos, Seefra, Pikiwik Loff, and the horrible assassin Nemelissi all stage their attacks in this place. Zelexa, the Lady of the Shadows, controls this world along with the three arcs of the ruling body.

Could you write the same story in a different setting?

Why would I ever want to do that?

Why or why couldn't you use a different setting?

It’s not that I wouldn’t, I simply couldn’t. To me, the Crossworlds is as real as the world we all know. Conor is alive, as is Purugama and the rest of the Champions. The Lady of the Light has come alive with all the others, the destroyers, shadow warriors, the ezuvex, and on and on. This is a real live dimension I’ve created, and I could never change a thing about it. To do so would be an injustice to all the characters in the Conor and the Crossworlds story.

Did you use a real place as a basis for your setting?

Only on earth. I went to Humboldt State University for a graduate degree. The redwood forest is a very mystical place, and I loved the tiny little towns along the Redwood Highway. For some reason the town of Willits really put the hook in me. I always imagined Conor growing up there. Also, Conor and Janine attend “Redwood State” when they get to college in Book Five.

Or, did you create the setting from scratch?

Everything besides earth came right out of my runaway imagination, including the Crossworlds, the corridors, the shadow world, the Champions, seekers, guardians, and the armies of the shadow world. I have to say, though, that I have been influenced by many wonderful writers. I’m certain the Lady of the Light emerged from my love of the science fiction / fantasy genre.

Is there anything else about your setting that we need to know? Feel free to share.

Anything can happen, and usually does. The great wonder about fantasy writing is the spontaneity of the experience. Imagine freeing your mind completely and allowing yourself to write absolutely anything. That’s where great stories come from.

One thing that I’ll tell you is that very little in the Crossworlds is synthetic. I love the idea that the corridors are living, organic creatures. In Book Two they began to unravel because the Circle of Evil attacked the spiritual and social health of the planets connected to them. In Book Three you really get the sense of how emotional the corridors can be.

Please provide your website link.

http://www.conorandthecrossworlds.com

What is the link to buy your book?

Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com, Borders.com – go to any of these sites and search for Conor and the Crossworlds.

Tell us some specific details about your setting. What would we see? What sort of people are there? If we were traveling to your setting, what should we bring with us? For visitors, what do they need to know to visit your setting?

If you went to the Glade of Champions, you might encounter a 5000 pound lion, a 2800 pound jaguar, a 2100 pound cheetah, a 3000 pound tiger, a 3000 pound flying cougar, and if you were lucky, you might see Maya, the Lord of the Champions, a 1900 pound alley cat. They are all cordial gentlemen, to a point.

If you went to the realm of the creators, your jaw would drop as you looked upon glorious gardens, waterfalls, pools, and perfect sunlight. The weather is always perfectly soothing to the spirit and soul. Young creators tend to the grounds constantly, and attend to the needs of the creators emeritus. Seekers (powerful visionaries with a gift finding lost souls) and guardians (healers from an ancient race of ezuvex warriors) might be roaming about. Bring relaxing clothing; you may pass by a healing water wall and want to stop for a moment’s rest.

Beware if you enter the Shadow World, for no one who perishes there can ever be rejuvenated by the creators. If you hear that the destroyer Nemelissi is on the loose, hide somewhere and stay absolutely quiet. Nemelissi the assassin is the most horrible of all destroyers, a disgusting creature who relishes new methods of slaughtering its victims.

Thank you for sharing details about your book setting. Now, what's the title of your book and where can we buy it?

Conor and the Crossworlds: Breaking the Barrier

Conor and the Crossworlds: Peril in the Corridors

Conor and the Crossworlds: Surviving an Altered World

Conor and the Crossworlds: Charge of the Champions – October 2009

Conor and the Crossworlds: The Author of All Worlds – October 2010

Each person who posts a comment on any or all of the blog tour spots will be entered in a random drawing for a copy of Kevin Gerard's Conor and the Crossworlds – Book 1, Breaking the Barrier or Book 2 Peril in the Corridors. In addition – the blog owner who hosts the winning commenter wins the book not chosen by the commenter.

Stop by any tour stop and share your thoughts and comments with author Kevin Gerard as he prepares for the December release of Book 3 Surviving an Altered World. He will check in throughout the day at each stop to answer questions. You’ll learn more and have a chance to win one of his books, and the more you learn about Conor and his exciting realm the more you'll want to know. Visit Kevin's website http://www.conorandthecrossworlds.com today to keep tabs on the upcoming release of Surviving an Altered World. While your there click on the contest video for exciting details regarding The Hunt for the Five Keys of the Creators which begins in January.

For more information about Kevin Gerard and his virtual tour, check the schedule at http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2008/10/virtual-book-tour-conor-and-crossworlds.html

Surviving an Altered World Blurb:

Conor and Janine watch in horror as a powerful warrior sent by the Circle of Evil destroys their world and imprisons everyone they know, including the Crossworlds Champions and the creators. The Lady of the Light appears, explaining that she and her kind deposited the five keys of the creators on different worlds just before the chaos began. If Conor and Janine can recover the keys, the Crossworlds will be restored

Amazon Link for Surviving an Altered World: http://tinyurl.com/55akjz

About Conor and the Crossworlds

Conor and the Crossworlds series: This series opens with book 1, Conor and the Crossworlds, when 10-year-old Conor Jameson unconsciously calls forth the power of the crossworlds creators who send the mystical beast, Purugama, to accompany the boy on a fantastic journey into the realm of the crosswords. This immense collection of mystical worlds connects by organic "corridors" that allow creators, champions, seekers, and at the other end of the spectrum, destroyers, shadow warriors, slayers and keepers to travel between worlds as easily as Conor walks between the rooms of his home. In book 2, Peril in the Corridors, the story continues when Conor and his huge mentor disturb the integrity of the crossworlds corridors, and must join the Lord of the Crossworlds Champions, Maya, on a mission to repair them, with all of creation hanging in the balance. In book 3, Surviving an Altered World (due to be released in December 2008), Conor and Janine Cochran, two everyday high school students find themselves caught in a race to save an altered world after Conor ignores his mentors' warnings and divulges secrets about his past.

About the Author:

After running three companies and working a variety of jobs during his life, Mr. Gerard returned to school and earned a master's degree in sociology from Humboldt State University. He returned to San Diego after completing the program and worked with two professional research organizations over the next seven years. In 2004, he resigned from the second position in order to pursue a writing career. While still teaching at the university, he spends the bulk of his time writing for publication. The Conor and the Crossworlds series provided the main impetus for his decision to permanently extricate himself from formal employment.

"Stepping away from full-time work was the best decision I ever made. Writing this story has given me tremendous personal satisfaction, and it has shown me an avenue for expression I will always treasure."

Kevin Gerard lives in San Diego, California, with his wife and four children. He teaches sociology and statistics for the California State University. When not writing or teaching, Mr. Gerard enjoys walking the grounds at the San Diego Zoo, golfing with his father, hitting the waves and his favorite pizza hangout with his brother, nieces and nephews, and loving his wife and kids. He also enjoys playing Halo on the internet; look for him in the rocket games as Drazian, the destroyer in the first Conor and the Crossworlds adventure, Breaking the Barrier.

Conor and the Crossworlds Contest

Visit his website and click on the contest video for exciting details regarding The Hunt for the Five Keys of the Creators which begins in January http://www.conorandthecrossworlds.com

Website Address: http://www.conorandthecrossworlds.com

Primary Blog: http://www.amazon.com/gp/blog/A1Y85GB3KR02Y6/ref=cm_blog_dp_artist

Kindred Spirits by Marilyn Meredith

Why did you pick the setting you used in your story? I'm not looking for -- "because I live there". I want you to dig deep and tell us...

There are three important settings in this mystery. First, Bear Creek, where Tempe Crabtree is the resident deputy. Yes, it is loosely based on where I live--but I've changed it some--including moving it 1,000 feet higher into the mountains. It's a small community town, almost a village, which is fairly close to the Bear Creek Indian reservation.

The second setting is Crescent City where Tempe goes to learn more about a murder victim and possibly the murderer.

The third setting is Santa Barbara where Tempe finally confronts the murderer--and nearly loses her life.

Why did you choose that particular setting?

This is book eight in the series and Tempe has always been the resident deputy of Bear Creek. I like the small town nuances and uniqueness of the mountain setting and the problems that arise, such as forest fires.

Four years ago I went to Crescent City to teach a workshop at a writers conference. While there I met a most interesting Tolowa woman and learned a lot about the Tolowa people, their history and some of their legends and knew that one day I wanted to put all of this in a book. Crescent City is a beautiful place on the Pacific Ocean and bordering on Oregon.

It was logical for Tempe to go onto Santa Barbara in pursuit of the murderer.

What does the setting add to the story?

I think all three settings add a lot to the story itself. I'm a firm believer that settings are as important as character in the telling of a story. I've often given workshops about setting.

Could you write the same story in a different setting?

I could, but it wouldn't be the same story since the settings definitely influence what happens in all three cases.

Why or why couldn't you use a different setting?

The story begins with a forest fire so the place has to be where there are forest fires.

The Tolowa Indians are important to the story in the Crescent City setting and that's where the majority of the Tolowa people live.

As Tempe follows the trail left by the killer, she ends up in Santa Barbara. I know Santa Barbara and the place fit what I wanted to happen.

Did you use a real place as a basis for your setting?

I usually use a real setting or base it on a real setting. For me, this helps me see the places in my mind as the story unfolds.

Or, did you create the setting from scratch?

In all the 20 plus books I've written, I've never totally created a setting from scratch. I've never felt the need to do so, though I've certainly moved things around in Bear Creek to suit what I was writing.

Is there anything else about your setting that we need to know? Feel free to share.

I love Crescent City. It's right on a rather rugged and rocky coast that has been the scene of many a shipwreck. In places, giant redwoods grow right down to the sea. It is one of the places where Big Foot has been sighted. The first people who lived and thrived in this wonderful place were the Tolowa people--until they were nearly wiped out by the newcomers who settled in the area. Not many people realize that the California Indians were nearly eliminated either by illness or at the hands of their neighbors. Though this is not what Kindred Spirits is about, it is a part of the characters in the book.

Please provide your website link.

http://fictionforyou.com

What is the link to buy your book?
http://mundaniapress.com/books-kindredspirits.html

Tell us some specific details about your setting. What would we see? What sort of people are there? If we were traveling to your setting, what should we bring with us? For visitors, what do they need to know to visit your setting?

Before arriving in Bear Creek you could make a side-trip to the Indian casino, or head up higher to visit the old growth Sequoias.

In Crescent City, on your way up you could drive through the trail of giant redwoods and perhaps catch a glimpse of Big Foot. When you arrive, there are all sorts of wonderful sea food restaurants with ocean views. It can be chilly in Crescent City because of the fog so bring a sweater.

In both places, you'll likely see many retirees. In Bear Creek, you might run into a Native American as well and the same for Crescent City though there are other ethnic people represented.

In Santa Barbara you'll see lots of tourists along with the many who live there all the time. Besides the ocean vistas, be sure to visit the Santa Barbara Mission.

Thank you for sharing details about your book setting. Now, what's the title of your book and where can we buy it?

Kindred Spirits is the title. If you'd like to purchase it from the publisher, go here:
http://mundaniapress.com/books-kindredspirits.html but it is also available from all the online bookstores and can be ordered from any bookstore. It is also available as an e-book.

Thank you for hosting me and allowing me to tell you a bit about the settings for Kindred Spirits.

Marilyn Meredith

Hunting The Egret by Bryn Colvin

Why you chose that particular setting?

I like to write about places I know, and having grown up not for from the River Severn in Gloucestershire, it’s a landscape that has really imprinted itself on my soul. Knowing the places I wanted to write about meant not needing to do much research, which is nice sometimes. The Severn is an incredible river – muddy, tidal, with its huge estuary – it’s a totally unique habitat surrounded by beautiful hills. It has a lot of its own myths, and I managed to weave a few of these into ‘Hunting the Egret’.

What does the setting add to the story? Otter shapeshifters need water. My first otter shapeshifter novel was set in the fens – in the east of England, a very flat and damp part of the world. I wanted a different setting for this one, and needed water. I wanted egrets, and they are only in the south of the UK at present. Going back to the river I knew and loved as a child seemed a logical choice.

Could you write the same story in a different setting?

The plot itself doesn’t depend on the setting, I could have used a number of large southern rivers as my backdrop, but it made sense to use the one I know best.

Why or why couldn't you use a different setting?

Other rivers have myths and deities, but they all have their own character, so changing the setting would make some difference to the feel of the book.

Did you use a real place as a basis for your setting?

Yes, for the greater part – The Severn River, Bristol, Gloucester, Lydney, the Sharpness canal and the surrounding hills are entirely real. The village of Arlode is fictional, but owes a lot to the villages on the Severn.

Or, did you create the setting from scratch?

Only the village of Arlode, which is a typical small Gloucestershire village, with an aging population and its key facilities falling by the wayside.

Tell us some specific details about your setting. What would we see?

The Severn is a moody river, muddy, and tidal. On either side are hills. The combination of hills and river seems to make the place a rain magnate and its damper than average, with grey skies being very much normal. Although many of the villages are picturesque, there’s a smattering of industry, and communities suffering from rising house prices and dwindling populations. At the moment, there is no Severn barrage, but it remains a threat to this beautiful landscape.

What sort of people are there?

Villages are increasingly being taken over by weekenders and commuters – there being so little work in rural places. The younger people can’t afford the buy houses in the places where they grew up, and most leave for towns and cities. It’s hard to live in rural England if you have no car and no money.

If we were travelling to your setting, what should we bring with us?

Walking boots, a waterproof coat, binoculars for bird watching.

For visitors, what do they need to know to visit your setting?

It’s a fairly quiet and lovely corner of the world, with plenty of good pubs, and wonderful walks.

Thank you for sharing details about your book setting. Now, what's the title of your book and where can we buy it?

Hunting the Egret

http://www.loveyoudivine.com/index.php?main_page=document_product_info&cPath=28&products_id=337&zenid=e8fb5f33a911b999e381b72512589bd7

Estraguil - Setting for The Girl Who Fell

Why you chose that particular setting?

This is my fourth book in the Estraguil setting. Having put a lot of work into creating a fantasy place, I just love playing with it and keep going back there. It has so much history to explore, and lends itself to all kinds of different stories.

What does the setting add to the story?

It’s a mysterious place, full of magic and possibility. Myths are very important in Estraguil, story and landscape, heritage and culture are all interwoven. The setting has a distinct personality of its own, with intentions of its own and lends itself to drama and adventure.

Could you write the same story in a different setting?

No.

Why or why couldn't you use a different setting?

I don’t like rabbit out of hat solutions. ‘The Girl Who Fell’ is rooted in the nature and logic of estraguil, with some of the quirks of the setting being essential to the plot.

Did you use a real place as a basis for your setting?

There’s a considerable influence of the Forest of Dean in Estraguil – narrow river valleys, woods, caves, hills etc. The name itself – Estraguil – was an old name for Chepstow Castle, which is in the Forest of Dean. Said castle provided the inspiration for a tower in the story, and for the whole concept of Estraguil.

Tell us some specific details about your setting. What would we see?

It’s a wild and beautiful place, with massive ancient trees, boulders, caves, rivers and waterfalls. There is a lot of unique indigenous wildlife – much of it dangerous. You get small pockets of civilisation around the trefs, but once you get away from those, the forest is untamed, full of wonders, hazards and adventures.

What sort of people are there?

There are a number of kith groups who inhabit the forests – some nomadic, some stationary. Most of these groups have their own areas, some do not. While basically humanoid, the inhabitants of Estraguil tend to be strange – furred, feathered, shape shifting, with tails, or hooves, claws, forked tongues, or other striking quirks.

If we were travelling to your setting, what should we bring with us?

Stout boots, a sturdy pack, something for warmth, water skins, something to hunt with. Bring no more than you can carry on your shoulders because there are no beasts of burden here, and technology is minimal. Make sure you have stories or songs, because these can be traded almost anywhere.

For visitors, what do they need to know to visit your setting?

Estraguil is dangerous, with a lot of rules of its own. Travel cautiously, treat those you find with respect – if you offer no violence you might not receive any.

Thank you for sharing details about your book setting. Now, what's the title of your book and where can we buy it?

The Girl Who Fell

http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/chapters/TheGirlWhoFell_BrynnethColvin.shtml

Learn More About the Setting for Vietnam Air Rescues

Why did you pick the setting you used in your story? I'm not looking for -- "because I live there". I want you to dig deep and tell us...

1. Why you chose that particular setting?

This book is somewhat unique in that it is not so much a story, per se, as a reminiscence of incidents from my past. It was originally written for the benefit of my children, rather than the public in general. Another complication is that it is a collection of stories regarding my experiences during the Vietnam War, thus the ‘setting’ has to be the war as it existed in 1967-1968. Or, at least, the war as it appeared to me.

2. What does the setting add to the story?

The setting is the story. It would be very hard to write a story about combat experiences during the Vietnam War and place the action in say, Abilene, KS.

3. Could you write the same story in a different setting?

No.

4. Did you use a real place as a basis for your setting?

Absolutely

5. Or, did you create the setting from scratch?

My book is a true story and the setting is very real. There are many pictures on my website and in the book from my time and experiences in Vietnam.

6. Please provide your website link.

www.vietnam-air-rescues.com

7. What is the link to buy your book?

http://www.amazon.com/Vietnam-Air-Rescues-Dave-Richardson/dp/1434891348/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1210355110&sr=1-1

8. Tell us some specific details about your setting.

What would we see?

At first glance, the setting for the book seems huge as it encompasses 3 separate countries: Thailand, Laos and North Vietnam.

Thailand is roughly the size of California, (twice the size of the entire United Kingdom, or 1.4 times the size of Germany).

Laos is barely the size of the state of Utah.

Vietnam today is larger than Italy and nearly the size of Germany. During the time period covered by the book, however, the country was split nearly equally in half.

Upon a closer look, however, the scale shrinks somewhat. The author flew out of a base in Thailand and flew over Laos to land primarily in only 2 spots, one just NE of the Plain of Jars; the other further NE near the North Vietnamese border. Obviously, he never landed in North Vietnam and his only exposure there was in the central and NW areas.

Since rescue missions depended for their success on remote areas, all of the 3 settings in the book involved dense jungle and rough, mostly unoccupied mountainous terrain.

Flying over jungle terrain can be quite boring, as it is impossible to see the ground and the packed density of the trees below tend to blur. What broke up the monotony was the jagged rocks and ridges, called ‘Karsts’, which had to be avoided and navigated through.

Since helicopters were basically incapable of flying at extremely high altitudes, the level at which one flew was critical; fly too high and you are exposed to Surface to Air missile radar and risk being shot down. Fly too low and you are exposed to a variety of ground fire types—from pistols to rifles to machine guns. For these reasons, it was prudent to vary your altitude constantly, always below the level of the mountain peaks to mask the radar and always erring on the low side. A missile radar lock-on was fatal.

What kept one on the alert was the fact that it was impossible to see the enemy, who constantly moved around. What was a safe route yesterday, could become a death trap today.

Once on the ground and assuming the alert posture, the situation changed. The daytime site was a short dirt strip roughly bulldozed near the top of a jungle-covered ridge. The alert pilot’s job was to sit inside a small plywood hut with 7 other men from dawn to dusk waiting for the call to enter North Vietnam and attempt to rescue a pilot who had just been shot down.

The irony of the situation was that the pilot who had just been downed had been traveling at 500+ mph. Now, it was expected that a helicopter, traveling at barely 100 mph, could enter the same area, conduct a search of the dense jungle, locate the downed pilot and hover long enough to bring him up through the jungle growth without being shot down itself.

Back at the daytime site, just a hundred yards or so away the jungle began; rising steeply up the hillside. The cleared area, with the short landing strip, parking area, fuel dump, plywood hut and ‘fortress’ on a small rise belonged to the Americans. The jungle belonged to the enemy, who did not hesitate to shoot at any Americans who were foolish enough to show themselves.

The site was guarded by mercenary troops, who did not speak English and had little interaction with the Americans. If gunfire was encountered from the jungle, the mercenary troops would attempt to discourage it.

The area around the hut was covered with waist-high grass. Buried in the grass were the disintegrating remains of ‘dud’ rocket and artillery shells which had failed to explode upon impact, but would now explode if stepped on or jostled. This created a protective barrier which discouraged the enemy from crawling though the grass to the hut.

There were no bathroom facilities. In addition, the only food and water available was what was carried in. Sitting in a cramped, windowless hut in high humidity all day long, caused a certain, shall we say, ripeness in the air.

Since the enemy would regularly attempt to seize the strip during the cover of darkness, the helicopters would depart just before night fell, retreating some distance SW to a larger site which, although still in enemy territory, had a larger enough troop presence to repel attacks.

This site contained a paved runway and a small city. The difficulty of landing at a controlled ‘airport’ was that there were neither radios nor English-speaking ‘controllers’ is detailed in the book.

The Jolly Green pilot’s would arrive just at dusk and depart the next morning at first light. Therefore, they had little interaction with the nighttime site, other than sleeping in plywood huts.

The normal course of alert duty was as follows:

DAY ONE

1 Takeoff from home base in Thailand and fly to the daytime site

2 After refueling the helicopters, and assuming no one was shot down; sit in a windowless, plywood hut until dusk, monitoring a battery-powered radio.

3 Fly to the overnight site

4 Spend the night

DAY TWO

1 Take off the next morning at first light and fly to the daytime site

2 After refueling the helicopters, and assuming no one was shot down; sit in a windowless, plywood hut until dusk, monitoring a battery-powered radio.

3 Fly to the overnight site

4 Spend the night

DAY THREE

1 Take off the next morning at first light and fly to the daytime site

2 After refueling the helicopters, and assuming no one was shot down; sit in a windowless, plywood hut until dusk, monitoring a battery-powered radio.

3 Fly back to Thailand.

For these actions, covering 3 days and 6 sorties, the Jolly Green pilot would be credited with 1 flight!

What sort of people are there?

The only people I had any interaction with were the mercenary troops who guarded our sites and this interaction was minimal. They were a proud people, possessed of a culture and mannerisms that were quite different from ours. I go into some detail in the book regarding the cultural differences involved.

If we were traveling to your setting, what should we bring with us?

When I was there, a flak vest, helmet and weapon would be handy. Not sure about today. Perhaps the biggest noticeable difference is the weather. Hot and sticky constantly. One must change socks and underwear quite frequently to prevent it from rotting and, more importantly, causing sores upon your body.

Cool, well ventilated clothing would be a must. We would hang our flight suits in a locker, with our combat boots sitting underneath. A low wattage bulb was kept burning constantly. This provided enough heat to dry out our boots and clothing to prevent rot.

11. Thank you for sharing details about your book setting. Now, what's the title of your book and where can we buy it?

Order link: http://www.amazon.com/Vietnam-Air-Rescues-Dave-Richardson/dp/1434891348/

www.vietnam-air-rescues.com

We've posted an excerpt from the book to share Dave's first rescue - visit http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2008/08/sample-for-you-rescue-1-vietnam-air.html

Feel free to ask questions or leave a comment at every stop on the tour to increase your chances to win a copy of this exciting book.

The Girl Who Fell by Brynneth Colvin

Why you chose that particular setting?

This is my fourth book in the Estraguil setting. Having put a lot of work into creating a fantasy place, I just love playing with it and keep going back there. It has so much history to explore, and lends itself to all kinds of different stories.

What does the setting add to the story?

It’s a mysterious place, full of magic and possibility. Myths are very important in Estraguil, story and landscape, heritage and culture are all interwoven. The setting has a distinct personality of its own, with intentions of its own and lends itself to drama and adventure.

Could you write the same story in a different setting?

No.

Why or why couldn't you use a different setting?

I don’t like rabbit out of hat solutions. ‘The Girl Who Fell’ is rooted in the nature and logic of estraguil, with some of the quirks of the setting being essential to the plot.

Did you use a real place as a basis for your setting?

There’s a considerable influence of the Forest of Dean in Estraguil – narrow river valleys, woods, caves, hills etc. The name itself – Estraguil – was an old name for Chepstow Castle, which is in the Forest of Dean. Said castle provided the inspiration for a tower in the story, and for the whole concept of Estraguil.

Tell us some specific details about your setting. What would we see?

It’s a wild and beautiful place, with massive ancient trees, boulders, caves, rivers and waterfalls. There is a lot of unique indigenous wildlife – much of it dangerous. You get small pockets of civilisation around the trefs, but once you get away from those, the forest is untamed, full of wonders, hazards and adventures.

What sort of people are there?

There are a number of kith groups who inhabit the forests – some nomadic, some stationary. Most of these groups have their own areas, some do not. While basically humanoid, the inhabitants of Estraguil tend to be strange – furred, feathered, shape shifting, with tails, or hooves, claws, forked tongues, or other striking quirks.

If we were travelling to your setting, what should we bring with us?

Stout boots, a sturdy pack, something for warmth, water skins, something to hunt with. Bring no more than you can carry on your shoulders because there are no beasts of burden here, and technology is minimal. Make sure you have stories or songs, because these can be traded almost anywhere.

For visitors, what do they need to know to visit your setting?

Estraguil is dangerous, with a lot of rules of its own. Travel cautiously, treat those you find with respect – if you offer no violence you might not receive any.

Thank you for sharing details about your book setting. Now, what's the title of your book and where can we buy it?

The Girl Who Fell

http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/chapters/TheGirlWhoFell_BrynnethColvin.shtml

Saving Tampa by Jo Webnar

Why did you pick the setting you used in your story? I'm not looking for -- "because I live there". I want you to dig deep and tell us...
I picked the Tampa Bay Area because my husband worked for the County and knew what was vulnerable to attack. It was important for the book to be believable.

Why you chose that particular setting?
I picked the marina setting because I was familiar with the area. It is also very beautiful but vulnerable. Everything had to work together like pieces in a puzzle.

What does the setting add to the story? It makes the story more interesting because you want to know more about the area, and everyone loves boats.

Could you write the same story in a different setting? Yes. I could have used any other major city, but I wouldn’t have had the inside knowledge that makes “Saving Tampa ” so believable.

Why or why couldn't you use a different setting? If I used a different setting it would have required a lot more research, and I’m not sure I could have gotten the inside knowledge that I had of Tampa.

Did you use a real place as a basis for your setting? Yes and No. The setting of the marina is similar to one in the area. The site of the attack is very close to the water system for Tampa .

Or, did you create the setting from scratch? No. I based everything on places I knew. In my opinion, when you write about things you know, the book is much more interesting. It’s all in the little details.

Is there anything else about your setting that we need to know? Feel free to share. I feel that the condo communities are ruining the ecology of Florida . My heroine never realized it until she was educated by my hero.

Please provide your website link. www.jowebnar.com

What is the link to buy your book? http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Jo+Webnar

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/results.asp?WRD=Jo+Webnar

Tell us some specific details about your setting. What would we see? What sort of people are there? If we were traveling to your setting, what should we bring with us? For visitors, what do they need to know to visit your setting? You would see beautiful condos and houses surrounding a man made lake that flows into the Manatee River . Everything is high priced and luxurious. The landscaping is beautiful, but not with native plants. There are blue herons, egrets and other birds hiding in the grass on a strip of land that juts into the lake. As soon as more condos are built, they will leave for a quieter place. The people who live here bought their homes for the view and have no idea what the real Florida is like. There is an expensive five star restaurant and two swimming pools. People from the restaurant and bar walk down to the marina, and like peeping toms, look in the windows of the boats. It’s a form of entertainment and many of them are drunk. The people aboard pull their curtains and try to ignore them.

Thank you for sharing details about your book setting. Now, what's the title of your book and where can we buy it?
Saving Tampa - Local book stores, www.amazon.com, www.barnesandnobel.com , or any place books are sold.

Setting For Outlaw in Petticoats

Why did you pick the setting you used in your story? I'm not looking for -- "because I live there". I want you to dig deep and tell us...

Why you chose that particular setting? So far the four books I've had published have all be set in and around my home state. I have always been fascinated by the history. And digging up facts that help the premise of my story is the best part of writing a book. My first book of the Halsey brother series was set in the gold mining area of the Blue Mountains. Having established the Halsey brothers roots there with Marshal in Petticoats, which has an accident prone heroine become marshal of a town who had their post office (building and all) stolen by miners. But my soon to be released second book in the Halsey brother series, Outlaw in Petticoats goes from Sumpter, OR to The Dalles OR. I chose this setting because the heroine is looking for a father that she presumed had left her and her mother and now has information that shows he had planned to return.

What does the setting add to the story? The setting is the open, rugged land between the two towns mentioned above. The setting in this particular story helps the heroine grow not only by traveling, and living under the starts, but by getting closer to the hero who is helping her discover what really happened to her father.

Could you write the same story in a different setting? I could but I wouldn't have been able to use the historic facts that I learned and put to use in the story to make it work the way it does.

Why or why couldn't you use a different setting? see answer above.

Did you use a real place as a basis for your setting? Yes. All the towns mentioned in the story were at the time of the story actual towns. Some are still there today and thriving others are skeletons of what they once were.

Or, did you create the setting from scratch? Nope.

Is there anything else about your setting that we need to know? Feel free to share. The landscape plays a role in several of the scenes in the book. As well as the town of the The Dalles. The history I uncovered about the town helped bring the town to life and make it almost a character.

Please provide your website link. http://www.patyjager.com

What is the link to buy your book? http://www.thewildrosepress.com

Tell us some specific details about your setting. What would we see? What sort of people are there? If we were traveling to your setting, what should we bring with us? For visitors, what do they need to know to visit your setting? The setting sprawls from the Sumpter, Or to The Dalles Oregon through wooded mountains and over sandy soil dotted with sagebrush. Few streams meander through the barren land. You might pass a freight wagon or come across a group of rough looking men if you stay on the wagon trail. If you go overland, you could encounter antelope, deer, and coyotes. Not to mention the blur of a jackrabbit or see a sagerat pop up out of a hole and run to dive down another. The people on the route are dusty, tired and wary of you. The people in the small towns are nosy and friendly, while the larger town has so many people, horses, wagons and goings on it makes your head spin. As I said the setting is route from one place to another. You would need either a wagon, buggy or horse with provision for a three -four day trip depending on how fast you travel. You can go faster by horse than the wagon.

Thank you for sharing details about your book setting. Now, what's the title of your book and where can we buy it? Outlaw in Petticoats will be available in ebook May 9th at www.thewildrosepress.com and in Print on November 7th and you can order it from any book store.

Crimson Promise by Sapphrie Phelan

Why you chose that particular setting?

When I first wrote this back in 2006 for Lady Aibell Press I had this thing about romance between a vampire and human as not something I could go there with. So I set it between two vampires. Then I thought, "How can I make this diferent from other vampire romance stories out there?" Why, set it in the future and on another planet. And make the female vampire a living alien one, one who had been changed by a virus eons ago created by the scientists of her world (which is where this story takes place). I had to imagine a whole new world, not Earth at all. Of course, LAP closed its doors and Phaze published it--this time, I added more to the story.

What does the setting add to the story?

Adds that alien flavor and I hope will take the reader to a world they wouldn't feel easy in.

Could you write the same story in a different setting?

Possibly. A war of the world type, with the alien vamp coming here? No, I liked the spot the setting ended up in.

Why or why couldn't you use a different setting?

Because the undead vampire from Earth is the last of his kind--thanks to the pollution in the future killing them all off.

Did you use a real place as a basis for your setting?

Or, did you create the setting from scratch?

All of it came from inside my head.

Is there anything else about your setting that we need to know? Feel free to share.

Nothing else. I just hope the readers see the place with me, and fear the night of this world.


Tell us some specific details about your setting. What would we see? What sort of people are there? If we were traveling to your setting, what should we bring with us? For visitors, what do they need to know to visit your setting?

There are mountains and desolate landscape and humans come thwre to mine it. Plus what is left of the alien's civilization has been found beneath the surface. there is air there, so humans can survive in its atmosphere.

Thank you for sharing details about your book setting. Now, what's the title of your book and where can we buy it?

Crimson Promise.
http://www.king-cart.com/Phaze/product=Crimson+Promise+by+Sapphire+Phelan

Please provide your website link.

http://FantasticDreams.50megs.com (Sapphire Phelan's/Pamela K. Kinney's Website)

See No Evil, My Pretty Lady by Miss Mae

1) Why did you pick the setting?

Since I dealt with an historical figure, the setting was already picked for me.

2) Why you chose that particular setting? I did choose an island away from London so the characters could be more contained.

3) What does the setting add to the story?

Hmm, atmosphere, I hope. The image of darkness, mystery, intrigue, foreboding...

4) Could you write in a diifferent setting? Not for this story.

5) Why couldn't you use a different one? Because history has placed Jack the Ripper in Victorian London. Unless I did a time travel and transported him to a different age, then, of course, I could also add a different setting...

6) Did you use a real place? Yes

7) Did you create the setting from scratch? The manor on the island, yes.

8) Anything else we need to know? No

9) website link...

http://www.missmaesite.com

10) link to buy...

http://www.thewildrosepress.com

11) Details about the setting. What will we see? What sort of people? If we were traveling, what should we bring? For visitors, what should they know to visit your setting?

At my setting, they'll see cold, moist, billowing fog. The people are an assorted lot from menial servants, a high society woman, wealthy gentlemen, and an officer from Scotland Yard. If traveling, bring an umbrella. For visitors, bring long underwear to stay warm!

Eureka Point by Betty Ann Harris

Why you chose that particular setting? My book, Eureka Point, is a romantic suspense, in which the main character, a beautiful and successful Park Avenue interior designer, must assume a new identity and relocate to a somewhat desolate area far away. Eureka Point is an old Victorian seaport town on the rocky shores of the coast of Northern California. The setting is the opposite of New York, where the main character is from, and represents a new start for her. But the severe rocky coastline, with its cliffs and rough seas relates to the danger that still surrounds her.

What does the setting add to the story? The setting adds a sense of mystery, suspense, and danger to my story.

Could you write the same story in a different setting? The setting is so essential to my story that I don't think I could write the same story in a different setting. One thing I do as a writer is spend a good deal of time describing the scene and scenery in order to draw the reader into the story.

Why or why couldn't you use a different setting? If I used a different setting the story would not be as interesting or exciting.

Did you use a real place as a basis for your setting? A rather strange thing happened to me while I was writing this story. I decided on Northern California and just picked a name out of my head. I picked Eureka as the name of the town but I also wanted to use a lighthouse on a point, so I decided on Eureka Point. When I was researching Northern California on a map, low and behold, there was a town on the coast named Eureka. Friends tell me they think I lived there in former life, or they think I'm psychic.

Or, did you create the setting from scratch? I created the setting from scratch but it does exist.

Is there anything else about your setting that we need to know? Feel free to share. The area of Northern California portrayed in my book has many cliffs and rocky shores, where shipwrecks happened in the past. It is rumored in my story that the ghosts of old sea captains roam around, adding more to the sense of mystery and danger.

Please provide your website link. I have a blog titled, Writing By Moonlight. The link is: http://www.writingmoonlight.blogspot.com
My website is currently being re-done.

What is the link to buy your book? http://redrosepublishing.com/bookstore/product_info.php?products_id=89

Tell us some specific details about your setting. What would we see? What sort of people are there? If we were traveling to your setting, what should we bring with us? For visitors, what do they need to know to visit your setting? If you were to go to Eureka Point, you would see charming inns, historic and old lighthouses, rocky shores and dramatic cliffs. The people that live in the area are laid back and enjoy visiting wineries and great restaurants. This area of Northern California has a very termperate climate with temperatures in the fifties and sixties a good part of the year. If you were to visit Eureka Point you should bring along comfortable shoes and have a jacket handy.

Thank you for sharing details about your book setting. Now, what's the title of your book and where can we buy it? The title of my book is Eureka Point and it's available at Red Rose Publishing under Mainstream Romance, Suspense.

Thanks for allowing me to share beautiful Eureka Point, California with you.
Betty Ann Harris

Eureka Point, A romantic suspense

e-book now available at Red Rose Publishing:

http://www.redrosepublishing.com

Murder at Work by Yvonne Eve Walus

Why did you pick the setting you used in your story? I'm not looking for -- "because I live there". I want you to dig deep and tell us...

Why you chose that particular setting?

Hi, my name is Yvonne Eve Walus and I lived in South Africa for 16 years. "Murder @ Work" (Echelon Press, 2004) and "Murder @ Play" (Echelon Press, 2009) are set in South Africa of the 1990s. The nineties were a fascinating time in South African history: new thinking challenging old beliefs, the media slowly hinting at the possibility of equality for all people, hope and goodwill rising despite the escalating violence. The whites still had a cushy lifestyle: secure jobs for the men, large mansions with swimming pools for the women (many women chose to stay at home and look after the family with the help of their domestic servants). The non-whites still vacuumed the thick carpets and polished the silver BMWs at work, then went home to mud shacks. But the changes - the changes were already afoot....

What does the setting add to the story?

I see South Africa as a character in my books: the reader gets to know it and to watch it change during the course of the story. The South African setting shapes the characters too: because they were born and brought up there, in that particular cocktail of white wealth and Calvinist code of right and wrong, they can't help acting in a certain way. Most South Africans of the 1990s would sex outside of marriage as something undesirable. Most men (and a lot more women that I'd care to admit) would see a thinking independent woman as a threat to their way of life. All that makes for quite unique murder motives, motives that are uniquely South African. And then you have the means: in the 1990s, everybody was familiar with guns and knew how to use them - most people owned at least one.

Tell us some specific details about your setting. What would we see? What sort of people are there? If we were traveling to your setting, what should we bring with us? For visitors, what do they need to know to visit your setting?

The year is 1990.

• When you go to a doctor or dentist, don't take your wallet. The bill will be sent to your home address... but if you're a woman, the bill will be addressed to your father or your husband. Women don't trouble their pretty little heads with bills.
• If you're a woman, expect to be stopped at the door to an alcohol bar: that place is for men only, and your husband is welcome to go in while you wait for him in the street.
• Even if you are a career woman earning more than your husband does, you will need his signature when opening a credit account in a supermarket or a department store.
• If you're a man, the size of your manhood is directly proportional to the size of your gun.
• Gambling is illegal.
• Sex with a person of another race has only just been made legal. The Group Areas Act, however, is still in force, preventing people of different races from living in the same suburb.
• Your car costs half as much as your mansion.
• This year, you will pay more for a security fence than you pay for your daily house cleaning.
  

Please provide your website link.

http://yewalus.kiwiwebhost.net.nz/

What is the link to buy your book?

"Murder @ Work": http://www.amazon.com/Murder-work-Yvonne-Eve-Walus/dp/1590803256