Romancing the Genres: Trinidad-Tobago

When some people think about the tropics or tropical settings, whether in the region of the Pacific Islands, the Caribbean, Central America, and other parts of the world around the equator, Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn (yeah, I had to Google that), their comments are generally framed around the sunny weather, the landscape, the foods, the people, and the festivals or carnivals.

When I wrote Carnival Temptress in a themed-series with Marcia King-Gamble, I chose Trinidad as the setting. One of the iconic symbols of the island is its Carnival. Each country that participates with a Carnival season brings to the celebration its own culture and brand. As an inclusive celebration, not only the nationals enjoy the annual event, but many tourists will descend to participate in the many parties, pageants, and the festival.

Since I have not attended a Trinidadian Carnival, I interviewed a friend who makes an annual pilgrimage with her husband. She is Trinidadian-born, but now resides in the U.S. It was interesting to get her perspective and love for this unique experience. Many parts of the Carnival in the story are actual events that my friend attended or participated in as part of her band.

My friend in one of her costumes

And in another year she wore this

(Back cover blurb)
Carnival Temptress, The Revelers series novella, takes you to the wonderful, sunny island of Trinidad to enjoy Carnival. Micha Lindsey and her friends are heading to the annual festivities that promise to make them forget their worries and heartbreaks. Out of a job, and out of a relationship, Micha is ready to have Carnival work its magic on her. What she didn’t expect was for sexy, brooding Amar Jaikaran, her youthful crush, to be the one with the magic touch.

Amar Jaikaran feels invaded by his sister and her friends who noisily barge into his life. From the first day, he’s appreciative of Micha’s transformation from the giggly teen who he remembered to this stunning, curvaceous beauty.

Separately, they have experienced their share of pain and loss. Would a few days of tossing aside inhibitions and celebrating life’s pleasures heal their wounds and steer them toward each other to fall in love?
___

Here's hoping that one day you can make it to a Carnival in any of the beautiful countries that host this annual gala.

Happy Reading!!

Michelle

Escape with me … to the beautiful Caribbean Islands

Book lovers everywhere, readers around the globe love to read fiction for several different reasons. One of those reasons is for escapism. Well, at least that’s my main reason for reading! I much prefer to be transported to some enchanting or exotic place just by thumbing through my Kindle or turning the pages of a good book more than anything else.

HEATHER RODNEY-DIAZ

Hello everyone, my name is Heather Rodney-Diaz and I write spicy, super-sexy and multi-cultural romantic island escapes. My debut release is entitled “Island Pursuits” and published with Crimson Romance. Indeed, it’s a great pleasure to guest blog and celebrate with Romancing the Genres on their second blog-o-versary!

So you’re probably wondering why I write romantic island escapes, right? Well, it’s because I was born, raised and still live on the beautiful twin-island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in the southern Caribbean. Obviously, my main motivation for writing in this genre. You see, here on these fascinating islands of sun, sand and sea, there's no better place for dreaming up scorching hot heroes or falling in love!

So it’s two islands, but one country. Two sisters but so very different. Trinidad is the bigger, faster-paced one that buzzes with commercial activity. Tobago is the laid back, serene one with the gorgeous beaches. We may be just a dot on the world map but we have definitely left a big imprint. We are called “Trinbagonians or Trinis” for short. There are about 1.3 million of us. Our islands are steeped in British, Spanish and French history. The economy is fuelled by oil and natural gas production of which we are the world’s 7^th largest exporter of natural gas with the U.S. being our main buyer. And oh, the melodious steel drum musical instrument synonymous with the Caribbean was also invented in Trinidad and Tobago as a result of our oil production.

The biggest female hip hop artist in the world right now, Nicki Minaj was born here. R&B songstress Heather Headley also. And for those of you who could remember Billy Ocean, well he’s a “Trini” too. Previous Project Runway winner, Anya Ayoung Chee is also from here. We hold the world cricket record for the most test runs scored by one of the most talented cricketers the world has ever seen, Brian Lara. Trinidad and Tobago was also the smallest nation to ever qualify for the Football World Cup in Germany, 2006. Our very own Keshorn Walcott won the 2012 Olympic Gold Medal in the sport of Javelin. We have also won the Miss Universe Pageant, not once but twice, and the Miss World Pageant once.

CARNIVAL

Besides beauty, sports, fashion and music, we have the greatest show on earth. Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is our biggest tourist attraction and one of the most amazing street parties filled with sexy costumed masqueraders, beautiful people, soca music and fun in the sun!

We are Trinis, we have a distinctive walk and talk. We love to fete or party, love to wine (a dance we do that involves an erotic gyration of the hips) and we love to lime or hang out. So when you download and read my debut romance novel Island Pursuits, you will not only discover an exotic romantic setting. But trust me, you’ll definitely escape. So escape to my beautiful islands in the sun, escape to love and adventure, the scorching heat, Carnival, soca music, feting and wining. Even U.S. President Barack Obama paid us a visit once. See you soon!

(Island Pursuits is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, iTunes and most ebook stores.)

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