Wouldn’t you love to travel? To see the bright colors of India, stare at the ancient architecture of Egypt, or eat Gretel cakes in a cozy little restaurant by the sea? Oh wait. That’s right—we’re all quarantined.
I for one haven’t left my house in twenty days—yes, you read that right, twenty—and I’m getting a little stir crazy. Am I the only one? I doubt it. In light of this, Bethany House brings you a Grand World Tour, compliments of our talented authors! (And if you’re interested enough to complete your journey, the covers are all linked to Baker Book House, running a 30% off and free shipping special for online orders!)
Our first stop is A Mosaic of Wings by Kimberly Duffy, which takes on a journey from Ithaca, New York to India and back again. The author draws on her own experience in that beautiful country to bring the setting alive. She makes it easy to wonder at the lush forests, colorful insects (don’t let that scare you), and strong Indian flavors right along with Nora, the main character.
Here is a sample of the exotic beauty found in A Mosaic of Wings:
“The oxen’s rumps swayed as they pulled the two-wheeled cart, which the driver had called a mattu vandi when he met them at the guest house in Madras. Above his head, Nora watched the dirt road wind into a copse of pine trees. All around them the hills dipped and lifted, disappearing into the hazy blue horizon toward the Nilgiri Mountains in the distance.
Nora raised off the floor a little. She could just spot the large lake thickly fringed by trees. Like jewels strung across a bangle, red-roofed houses crisscrossed the roads leading to and through the Kodaikanal hill station.”
A Mosaic of Wings by Kimberly Duffy
Setting: Kodaikanal, India, July 1885
Next we have the West Indies in 1776, brought to you by Lisa Bergren. In her novel, Selah, the Caribbean comes bursting into full color and warmth, which is especially refreshing on these cool spring days. Who wouldn’t want to journey to this paradise? Although, as you will see if you read it, Selah is in for her own bit of world-changing drama.
Take a short excursion to Selah’s Caribbean home:
“Vervet monkeys chattered at them from the sprawling branches of a purple-flowered jacaranda tree, seeming to complain about the horses’ sudden appearance in their midst. A bird swooped overhead, crying out with his particular singsong call as if to make sure they admired his green, red, and gold breast. The wind rushed in gusts through the ferns and palms on either side of them. Selah closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, taking comfort in the sounds and sights of the island that had become her home.”
Selah by Lisa Bergren
Setting: West Indies island of Nevis, 1776
Leaving the lush greenery behind, we travel to Egypt, where Leif Metcalfe is trying to unscramble the mystery of his past. Not only does Kings Falling take us to the sand of Egypt, it is a world tour in itself, stopping in Africa, China, Taiwan, Afghanistan, The Netherlands, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Maryland, and Virginia.
But for our tour, we will only stop in Egypt:
“Crouched atop the mountain peak, he stared out over the rugged terrain. And that was putting it mildly. The ridges in this section of the Sahara Desert were serrated and forbidding. If you fell, you fell to your death. To his three were the glittering waters of the Red Sea. He shook his head. If he and his team had headed east, they’d have found water. Civilization. But they’d chosen the mountains for protection from the sun, heading south, then west.”
Kings Falling by Ronie Kendi
Setting: Jabal Shaib al-Banat, Egypt, present day
Heading back to the United States and a cooler climate, we come to Alaska. In Under the Midnight Sun, we see the proud face of mount Denali and all the flora and fauna surrounding him through the eyes of one of the first women naturalists, Taylor Hale.
Here is our sample of Alaskan beauty:
“Denali stood tall and fierce in the distance. Covered year-round in snow, today was a rare day when the High One allowed people to see him in his glory. A thin halo of clouds wrapped around his crown. The contrast of the massive mountain against the brilliant blue of the sky was glorious.
The air was still as everyone took in the grandeur before them. Lush valleys lay below them, covered in grasses of varying shades of green, the deep, almost black color of the spruce, and a riot of colorful wild flowers. Rivers snaked their way through the landscape like pathways leading to the great mountain. Thomas spotted the area where the Kahiltna Glacier cut its way down the mountain. Was there anywhere on earth that could compare to this? Was this what heaven would be like?”
Under the Midnight Sun by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse
Setting: Curry, Alaska, 1929
Remember those Gretel cakes I mentioned in the beginning? Well, we have finally come to the cozy little town by the sea where you can eat them to your heart’s content! Or at least read about eating them. The little town, weathered by the ocean and filled with lobstermen and history, has captured many hearts.
Here is your first taste of this idyllic town:
“And there it is. Down the green hill, the harbor curves in a smile. White houses dot the coast, where all is quiet, save the steady lap of waves. Offshore, a scattering of islands trail into the sea, right up to where the two peninsulas come together in a near-embrace around the protected cove. This is what makes this place a haven. Sailors seek it out as a “hurricane hole,” a place to anchor until fierce storms pass, protected as it is.”
Whose Waves These Are by Amanda Dykes
Setting: Ansel-by-the-Sea, Maine, present day
That concludes our Grand World Tour. We hope you enjoyed it and will continue to discover the beauty of far-off places from the safety of your home!
We know that there are so many books we could have included on this list, but we’ll leave that to you! To win one of the books included on this list (your choice), comment with another book with a setting you’d love to visit. I’ll choose three winners on April 16th.
I would love to visit Ireland and Melody Carlson’s An Irish Christmas is a great story set there. Thanks for the giveaway!!
I would love to visit Nora Bradford’s own little historical town in Becky Wade’s book True To You.
I lived in Ireland for 3 years, and after I moved back to the States I read Christy Cambron’s series ‘Castle on the Rise.” One of the novels is set in Ireland, and I’d driven past the castle featured in that novel! It took me right back, in heart and imagination! I had never been so happy to read a story set in Ireland.
I would love to visit Bath, England like in Michelle Griep’s The House at the End of the Moor
Liz Johnson’s ‘The Red Door Inn’, set on Prince Edward Island!
I would love to visit the Carnton Plantation like in the book With this Pledge by Tamara Alexander
I just finished reading Mary Connealy’s Wild at Heart series set in post-Civil War Idaho territory. It just sounds beautiful. The Rocky Mountains 🏔 set up against land available for ranching. Nearest neighbor is miles away. Sounds like a good place to be right now if you’re supposed to be social distancing.
I’d love to visit Jerusalem! Bodie Thoene’s Zion Chronicles describes the setting beautifully.
I would love to visit Costa Rica, Where the Jurassic Park book is set. Without any Dinosaurs of course. Since finally the nice warm weather is making its return, I would love to go to an exotic destination. Thanks for the giveaway! I wish you all good luck.
Sunset Beach, North Carolina from Every Breath by Nicholas Sparks is an idyllic setting that I would love to visit!
I’d like to visit the quaint little town of Julie Klassen’s novel, The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill.
I would love to follow the path in The Walk series by Richard Paul Evans
I think it would be loads of fun to visit Julie Klassen’s Ivy Hill. It seems like such n idyllic little village, perfect for a peaceful getaway.
I am not a world traveler. I like to stay home but any book in Amish country or New York is good for me!
I would love to visit the North Carolina coast where The Killing Tide by Dani Pettrey is set. Could use a dose of ocean right about now!
Julie Klassen’s Ivy Hill, from her Tales of Ivy Hill series.
I’d love to visit Prince Edward Island from Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery and also Montana from Susan May Warren’s Montana Marshall’s series as they both offer serenity among stunning God created beauty.
Dani Pettrey wrote The Alaskan Courage series and I’ve always wanted to visit there.
Thanks for this giveaway.
Connie
cps1950ATgmailDOTcom
Dani Pettrey Alaskian Courage series
Under the Tuscan Sun!
I just finished Sweet Violet by Catherine Palmer. India is the setting and it’s a place I’ve least wanted to visit. Then they head to England and that’s one of my favorite places to visit, even though I’ve only been once. I love traveling through books!
Northanger Abbey! I love reading about Cstherine traveling around d the English countryside and Bathn to see Roman ruins and ruins of old abbey’s. Also Around the World in 80 Days, because that takes place in settings around the world, of course! I love reading how Phinead Fogg would have traveled in that bygone century.
I would love to visit Scotland after reading Grace in His Eyes by Liz Curtis Higgs
If I would ever make it out of Heathrow (having spent a couple lay-overs there), I’d want to see Cornwall, like in The Tutor’s Daughter by Julie Klassen!
This Spring, I had a vacation planned to visit the NYC library, where Relic (by Preston and Child) took place. But alas…
Hmmm, truly I would travel most anywhere. But recently the idea of Hawaii has been something I really want to do. A book that comes to mind is Bamboo & Lace by Lori Wick.
I would love to visit New Zealand and The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit’s Settings, as in Close to You from Kara Isaac!! ❤️ I’m a Tolkien fan!
Karen Barnett’s Ever Faithful
I’d like to climb Denali like the characters in The Way of the Brave by Susan May Warren!
I’d want to visit every spot I read about lol. I just finished Julie Klassen’s The Bridge to Belle Island. I would love to see it and the and the little town across the bridge.
It is nice to visit other places when stuck inside 🙂 I’ve found that I most enjoy books where the setting is somewhat familiar, as then I can really picture the places the characters interact. But I still like to read books about places I’ve never been. Right now I’m reading some set in ancient Jerusalem and Rome by Roseanna White.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society gave me a longing to visit Guernsey Island in the English Channel. Likewise, Five Days in Skye for the Isle of Skye.
I just finished reading Freedom’s Ring by Heidi Chiavaroli and would love to visit Boston sometime, as well as other places back east that are so rich in our nation’s earliest history. (I live in KS and have never been to any of those places.)
I would enjoy a visit to old Italy, as portrayed in Lisa T. Bergren’s River of Time series. Those books captured my heart and imagination when they first came out and I’d still love to visit.
Then There Was You by Kara Isaac takes you from Chicago to Australia. That sounds like a fun trip!
I’d love to visit Yosemite like Karen Barnett’s characters did in Where The Fire Falls.
I just finished The Emerald Isle by Angela Elwell Hunt set in Ballyshannon, Ireland. Beautiful settings. I also read Amanda Dyke’s novella Up from the Sea. Her descriptions drew me right into the story.
The setting of The Bridge to Belle Island by Julie Klassen comes to mind!! Thanks for a chance to win!
I’d like to visit Australia as in Juliette Duncan’s Slow Journey to Joy.
I’d like to visit France, and Paris in particular, to view the many memorials to those who so valiantly fought against tyranny in WW2. Like in Kate Breslin’s Far Side of the Sea.
I’d love to visit the Thames islands that inspired Julie Klassen’s Bridge to Belle Island.
I am looking forward to going to Washington, DC, during the Gilded Age in Elizabeth Camden’s A Gilded Lady. As well as, Chicago in Jen Turano’s, Storing Up Trouble!!!
I would love to visit Julie Klassen’s Ivy Hill!
I love any book set in Alaska and have it on my bucket list. I would love to read Under the Midnight Sun.
Please take me back in time to Pride and Prejudice. I would love to visit Pemberley!
I loved Forever Hidden by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse – makes me want to visit the wilds of Nome, Alaska!
I would love to visit Prince Edward Island from Anne of Green Gables!
I would love to visit the locations in Provence that Patricia Sands writes about in her Love in Provence series.
I would love to visit London like in The Number of Love by Roseanna White. Or Chautona Havig’s Rockland, specifically from her Medellin Madeline series.
I love Rockland! ❤ I also need to read that series since I haven't yet.
I recently finished Jan Karon’s book, In The Company of Others which is set in Ireland. It felt so cozy & made me want to visit!
I am currently reading Waterfall by Lisa Bergren. Italy in the 1300s!
I’d love to visit Skye, Scotland — I’ve wanted to since I read Carla Laureano’s Five Days in Skye!
I would love to revisit Normandy in Sarah Sundin’s series!
How to choose! I’d love to visit the Cartibean, so Selah sounds amazing. However, I love the adventure through Ronie Kendig’s novels, too! So many amazing places to visit, but Kara Isaac stole my heart with England, Australia and New Zealand! Ireland is next on my list with how much I love Jenny B Jones’ picture perfect portrayal of it. I am so thankful for traveling through books and the amazing messages so many great CF authors have to share!
The Heart Between Us by Lindsay Harrel traveled to some of the most beautiful places. One of them is France. it is on my Bucket List.
I would love to visit Scotland, Ireland and England. Three different countries, three differnt people but some of them are probably my family. I would love to find out!
It’s a little unconventional, but I’d love to visit Rosie, Willa, and Barclay’s home in Roseanna White’s series Shadows Over England. (They’re not always together, but you get the idea.) The personalities of those three and then their younger kids made me smile throughout, along with the rambunctiousness of them all! Plus, they’re all skilled in very…interesting ways. (I could probably learn some things from them.) I would love to visit England to spend a day or two with their family! Oh, double points if Peter and Lucas are there too. 😍
Thank you for the giveaway!
I always love books set in Lancaster PA! I have wonderful memories of visiting with my family. I grew up in PA and it has always been a favorite place of mine .
Great list. 🙂 I would love to travel to Siena, Italy (Bergren’s River of Time) as well as Cornwall where the Poldark series takes place.
I would visit England with Roseanna M. White’s Codebreaker series!
Oh, how to choose! Two places I would like to visit are Ireland, the setting of Melody Carlson’s ‘An Irish Christmas’, and the Caribbean, as in ‘Selah’ by Lisa T. Bergren. Thank you for this fun giveaway!
Would love to visit Susa in Esther’s time and live in the setting of Star Of Persia by Jill Eileen Smith.
I would love to visit the Scottish highlands described in Liz Curtis Higgs’s series that begins with Whence Came a Prince. Love all those books and gorgeous scenery. Thank you for the chance at the giveaway!
I’d love to visit England after reading On Wings of Devotion by Roseanna M. White.
New Zealand after reading The Joy of Falling by Lindsay Harrell.
Would really enjoy reading a print copy of all of these books! They all sound wonderful! Thanks for the opportunity to enter a giveaway! Lual Krautter Email: krautter12ATbresnanDOTnet
“Mine is the Night” by Liz Curtis Higgs,setting Scotland .
I’d love to vicariously visit Australia and New Zealand, like maybe the upcoming Start With Me by Kara Isaac. My best friend lives in Australia and I’d love to see her beautiful country!
I’d love to visit British Columbia like in Jody Hedlund’s The Runaway Bride.
I’d love to visit Carnton Plantation and Belle Meade Plantation from Tamera Alexander’s novels!
I’d love to visit Narnia. Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis is one of my favorites.
I have never visited Denver, and I just read A Sensible Arrangement by Tracie Peterson, which made me want to visit! I often wish I could take a peek into a city in its past.
I don’t know of any books, but I’ve always wanted to visit Ireland. To see the ancient castles by the sea!
I would love to visit England!
I would love to visit The Belmont mansion ! Tamera Alexander’s A Lasting Impression is a story centered on this stunning manor.
The Sun Also Rises as Hemingway invisioned it.
I have always wanted to visit Savannah, GA and Charleston, SC. Any book by Tracie Peterson is a good read!
Thanks to Five Days in Skye by Carla Laureano, I’ve thought visiting Scotland would be a really neat place to visit.
I’d love to visit Russia one day! I reread “Everything’s Coming Up Josey” by Susan May Warren recently, and that is set in Russia.^.^
One day I would love to visit the Holy Lands. Mesu Andrews writes so many biblical fiction describing it. ❤️
I would love to visit the North Carolina coast, which was the setting of Dani Pettrey’s The Killing Tide. Thanks for the chance!
Sisterchicks do the Hula by Robin Jones Gunn. Set in Hawaii
Currently reading An Elegant Facade by Kristi Ann Hunter based in London. Would love to finish the British Isles.
@bookstagrambyalissamorgan here! I would love to visit the setting of Julie Klassen’s book The Tutor’s Daughter. The English coastline always seems so romantic in period dramas and in her book!
I think it would be fascinating to be on Hope Mountain with the Nordegren sisters and see Ilsa run in the treetops. Woman of Sunlight by Mary Connealy.
But the plantations from Tamera Alexander would be awesome.
I just finished A Girl’s Guide to the Outback and would love to visit Australia!
I would love to see Franklin, TN
With This Pledge by Tamera Alexander is set there
So much history
Definitely Prince Edward Island from L.M. Montgomery’s books, particularly the descriptions in Anne of Green Gables!
Julie Klassen’s Ivy Hill 🙂
Love to visit the setting for Roseanna White’s England books.
I’d love to visit Nora Bradford’s fictional town in Becky Wade’s “True to You”. 😊