A Secret Place
Looking for the best place to vacation next
year? Slovakia! It’s a great little country in Central Europe, and I go there
whenever I can. A few years back, we lived and worked there and had a wonderful
time. It is a hilly sort of place, with pretty villages hidden amongst hills
and forests. When you get to know them, the people are friendly and generous.
The younger ones often speak good English, although Russian is the second
language of older people.
Apart from the physical beauty and nice people, the thing that fascinated
me was the history that lay around every corner. Centuries ago, this was the
front line between Islam and Christianity, so there are castles everywhere.
Sprawling and towering over their villages, they can look grim, but some were
wealthy family homes until quite recently. We visited a lot of them and always
got a thrill.
I was sad to leave, and just had to put
something of the beauty, history and humanity of the place down on paper. That
was fun. I’d much write about castles and forests than city streets and
shopping malls. And I did not have to write about today, or even the grey
communist times. I chose an earlier Europe, modern but still with its old ways.
Believe me, there was nothing, absolutely
nothing, Old Europe did not know about eroticism. In all its varieties. So
Sister Therese and her Prince, well, let’s just say it’s all happened before...
Honestly, I added nothing. Why should I?
It’s a place rich in culture and romance. Foresters, nuns, Princes, soldiers, I
wrote about them all and they came alive for me. It’s impossible not to get
drawn in. (You can find out more about Slovakia and read an excerpt here).
Jacqueline lives in Far North Queensland,
on the shore of the Coral Sea. She keeps herself busy with her cats and garden,
and by writing books - some of which are far too naughty for her own good. You
can find out more about Jacqueline and her books at www.jacquelinegeorgewriter.com
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