Comments on: Canasta on the Beach

By: Emily McKay

Emily McKay — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:17:40 +0000

Ick. Hay? Last time I sat on hay for a hay ride, I got flea bits. And let’s face it. there are places you don’t want flea bits.

By: Kristan Higgins

Kristan Higgins — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:52:53 +0000

I’m gonna have to go with distracting here…once read a canasta scene that took place on a bale of hay. All I could think was “rash.”

By: Emily McKay

Emily McKay — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 22:09:34 +0000

Yeah, playing canasta early in the morning is never appealing to me in books, just ’cause personally, I’d much rather be sleeping. I’m so not a morning person.

But carriages in historicals? Yeah, that totally works. I think an entire generation of women have loved the idea ever since that scene in the Age of Innocence with the glove.

But, Shirley, you’re dead on about the natural hot springs. Back when Elizabeth Lowell wrote historicals I thought the American west must have been littered with natural hot springs.

By: Shirley Karr

Shirley Karr — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:18:04 +0000

Yup, it’s all in the execution and sometimes a little explanation, either overt or less obvious. Like in a historical, especially westerns, when they’ve been riding cross country for days, dirty and sweaty — as soon as they wade across a river or come across a natural hot springs, you know they’re gonna play canasta pretty soon because the idea of playing canasta covered with days of sweat and dirt just makes most modern readers go eww.

By: Kathryn

Kathryn — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:16:04 +0000

I always think about situation/setting/timing for playing canasta (love it!!!). For me, a biggie is first thing in the morning, waking her up with a deep kiss… what about morning breath??? In the shower first thing in the morning… YES! I tend to put myself in the situation and if it’s believable and romantic, of course it will work… but we have to look at how it works (or doesn’t) in real life.

By: RobynDeHart

RobynDeHart — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:23:32 +0000

I agree, totally about execution and I have no doubt you pulled it off. Think of how many historical characters get busy in carriages, that couldn’t have possibly been comfortable considering the tight quarters or narrow seats, but my readers never complain. I think it’s romantic.

By: Shana Galen

Shana Galen — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:10:36 +0000

Oh, I think the beach is reasonable. That wouldn’t distract me at all. yes, there’s the sand issue, but hopefully they’d have a towel.

By: Margo Maguire

Margo Maguire — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:26:04 +0000

It’s all in the execution, Emily! I bet you can make your readers get into it – even if it’s on horseback!

By: Mary M

Mary M — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 04:56:32 +0000

I don’t think it’s distracting because sex on the beach is so classic. But if it’s set in Dubai, I’ll be thinking about whether they’ll be arrested.