Friday, September 1, 2017

What Kind of a Tourist Are You? by Rolynn Anderson

I’m deep into the second release week of Cézanne’s Ghost, so forgive my many digressions.  My first announcement: I have a giveaway going on Linda Carroll-Bradd’s blog today, where all you have to do to get into the drawing is comment on novels that take you to exotic settings.  Like it…or would you prefer your novels were set in the USA?  If you’d take a moment to tweet about that preference discussion, I’d be grateful.  Here’s the tweet:

#Giveaway of an new #romanticsuspense e-book.Do you like novels with exotic settings? Leave response on http://blog.lindacarroll-bradd.com/interview/guest-interview-of-rolynn-anderson/ 1 winner!

Now, jump on over to http://blog.lindacarroll-bradd.com/interview/guest-interview-of-rolynn-anderson/ Comment, and you’ve got a chance to win an e-book of Cézanne’s Ghost. I’m calling my book Une turner de page; Une Grand Evasion, Danger et Amour à Aix.  (A page turner, a great escape; danger and love in Aix).  J Everything sounds better in French!

I have digressed.  Here's my topic for the day.  Aix-en-Provence is the setting of my novel, where an American tour guide, once Trip Advisor five-star rated, is suddenly losing tourists on his watch.  Where did they go?  And why does the FBI consider him a suspect?



What I want to know from you, more specifically, those of you who travel in the U.S. or abroad: Do you buy the services of tour guides when you travel to a foreign site?  My husband and I favor organized outings more and more these days; in fact, it was a trip to Normandy, France, that inspired my hero in Cézanne’s Ghost.  Our guide was a pro, highly rated online.  He also gave us lots of time to ourselves, to explore the sites, acutely aware the group had done their homework, and each individual/couple had certain goals in mind for the adventure.  Point is, he knew how to individualize tours.



Recently, in Quebec City, Canada (Quebec Province), one of my favorite tours was led by a culinary expert, who squired my sister and me and six other tourists, to the best, most interesting café’s and restaurants in the town.  We sampled specialties in each venue.  Yum!

The question is:  Are you the type to go it alone when you travel?  If you favor tours, do you remember a tour guide who did a good job for you?    

Cézanne’s Ghost-e-book and print… http://a.co/bQdl7jp

Three young American women vanish in 
Aix-en-Provence, France.
The FBI suspects their American tour guide.
Leon Beaudet, formerly a U.S. Olympic wrestler, is proud of his five-star guide business, but when tourists disappear on his watch, the FBI dredges up a violent episode in Leon’s past and tap him for the crime. Worse, his new tour group includes Aline Kerig, who is as beautiful and carefree as the three missing women. Leon is fascinated and puzzled by Aline even while he fears for her safety. She refuses to go back to the States, forcing the FBI and local police to involve her in the hunt.
           With the French tourist industry about to collapse and Leon as a prime suspect, how does he protect Aline and find his lost tourists?

Eight Suspense Novels Spiked with Romance and Exotic Settings
Cézanne’s Ghost-e-book and print… http://a.co/bQdl7jp
Web and Blog:
Facebook page:
Twitter:
Goodreads:

12 comments:

Leah St. James said...

I am not much of a traveler (unfortunately) and the last time I was on a guided tour was probably my 8th grade trip to D.C. :-) But I do love books set in exotic places! Wishing you much success with this book. Sounds fabulous.

Diane Burton said...

I love a tour guide. Hubs doesn't like organized tours. We miss so much when doing it alone. Can't say any of the guides we've had (when I win the argument) was outstanding. I love reading about unusual places--oh, hey, I love reading about any locale. I love reading. LOL

Jannine Gallant said...

No tour guides. Most of our previous vacations have involved camping/sports (hiking, biking, surfing). My husband is the active type! Lately, we haven't gone much of anywhere. But I'm definitely not the group tour sort. I do want to go to France one of these days. Maybe I'll ditch him on a mountain to ski and go hang out in museums when I do!

Rolynn Anderson said...

My book will be an inexpensive trip for you! The Army brat in me has travel in the blood. In Sequoia right now...no internet. Sigh.

Rolynn Anderson said...

Diane, we go by reviews of guides... and we get what we pay for...worth it in the end. The curator I talked to yesterday saved this writer from a ton of embarrassment in plotting my next book...experts help!

Rolynn Anderson said...

You guys have probably been to and love Sequoia! OMG the Crystal Cave was astounding! As for you & hubs & different interests, it's true for us, as well. It takes some organization & negotiation, but we find things to do together & separately.

Vonnie Davis, Author said...

We prefer to go off on our own at our own pace which is getting slower and slower. We also enjoy renting an apartment and shopping in nearby markets for fresh food so we get the native experience. And you're right, Rolynn, everything sounds better in French. Calvin, who is fluent, purrs to me quite often in French. Sigh...

Rolynn Anderson said...

Renting an apartment close to the action is our favorite kind of thing! When we have ground to cover (driving) and things to see outside the town/village/center, we do like to be 'taken' and 'told' about history. OMG, if my husband purred to me in French I'd think I was in heaven! Hug the Monsieur for me!

Brenda whiteside said...

We've never used a tour guide for a whole trip. We've done a few side excursions to an historical sight. Then I like a guided tour. The best time was a day in Naples. A friend of a friend, a local, took us to all the places tourists didn't know about.

Jeanne Estridge said...

My sister and I went to Paris three years ago. The first day we were too jet-lagged to figure out where anything was and too excited to sit in the hotel. We wound up walking miles in the rain without umbrellas (they were back at the hotel). One of our most hilarious memories is arriving back at the swanky hotel looking like a pair of sewer rats. The next day we took a boat tour of the Seine. After that, it was much easier to find our way around.

My takeaway from that experience was to start any visit to a new place with an organized overview tour.

Rolynn Anderson said...

Jeanne, you hit this nail on the head. We ALWAYS take a reconnaissance tour of the area we're probably staying in for a week, or two, or three. Then we can hit the ground running. Hey, since we're on foot and my husband isn't much of a walker, those Hop on Hop off buses fit us for several days of exploring...seriously, they allow you to see so much...at a cheap rate...and save on your energy. Great takeaway, Jeanne!

Alicia Dean said...

I enjoy organized tours. I think you learn so much you'd otherwise miss, but I also really love going it on my own too. Can't wait to read your book...sounds awesome!