Tuesday's Treasured & Tipsy Timeslip: This Weeks Traveller is S.C Alban
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Travel and make-believe go hand in hand. Whether we're in the present or the past, in a haunted castle, an enchanted forest or a broken down building, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and traveling the world can bring the imagination to life.
This week's guest is relentless dreamer S.C. Alban. On today's journey she will be taking us to the small town of Freestone in Northern California where her novel, A Life Without Living, is set. While the town does indeed exist, and is quite charming, she took some creative liberties to mold it into the dreamiest place on earth. First stop is Sonoma County which S.C says is one of the most exquisite places on the planet. Please follow S.C on Facebook or check out her other social media links www.facebook.com/scalban and drop her message below. There was never a lack of inspiration to be found when creating the perfect setting for my darlings, Kate and Gio. -S.C Alban
A Private Vineyard in West County
The
entire tone of the novel is steeped in grand romantic sentiment. The numerous
vineyards located in Sonoma County are no strangers to romance. On an early
morning when the fog has not quite lifted and the mist plays shadow games in
the dawning sun, you cannot help but be taken back to a different time, a
different place. If you can find a quiet spot and sit there long enough with
only a flannel blanket wrapped tightly around your body, you will may be lucky
enough to feel the magic that reveals itself to those who understand that life
is nothing without love.
Downtown Petaluma stands today as it has for many decades. Full
of beauty and historic architecture, when you step foot on its sidewalks you
instantly feel the pulse of the past lives that exude from every inch of its
core. When crafting Freestone, I was deeply inspired by the two storied structures
with their shops on the first floors and living spaces above. The old wooden
floors that exist in some of the buildings are creaky and worn, unleveled and
rich in character. They speak whispers of secrets that you can almost hear,
stories that may never be told. Among these buildings are Claire’s mother’s
store, above which Gio moved into, and the “hidden” tavern where the watchers
gather.
Copperfield’s Books, Sebastopol
This
bookstore defines everything that is good in the world. The moment you walk
into it you are hit with the smell of books. Real books. Books that you know
people have spent hours upon hours crafting and creating. The subtle scent of
incense and the warm, earthy tones are grounding. It is a place where you can
sit in one of the oversized chairs and read for an afternoon. It is one of the
loveliest places I know, and the inspiration to Kate and Gio’s first meeting
alone in the bookstore conference room to discuss Gio’s “novel.”
Hardcore Espresso, Sebastopol
You
may remember the very first time Kate snuck away to meet Gio for coffee, she
never did get to put on that lipstick. This was probably the easiest setting to
describe, as I knew immediately where it would be. Hardcore Espresso was the only
place it could be. Now nestled just
off the highway heading out towards West County, this coffee shop is one-of-a-kind
and is everything that the novel describes. Its overall vibe is friendly and
caring and kind, thanks to the wonderful people who work there. It’s quite the
place for meeting and chatting it up with old friends or strangers, and the
coffee is simply amazing. Considering Kate’s obsession for the stuff, where
else would she go?
Kate’s Grove, A Secret Location
I
will not reveal the location of Kate’s secret spot, the spot where she and Gio
reunite under the stars. But trust me when I say this: there is a place, where
the forest meets the ocean, along a two lane road, near an old white building,
there is a secret place. It’s a place of real magic. A place where everything
you dream can come true. There are no limits. There are only opportunities.
Trust me when I say that places like this do exist. I’ve been there many times
and I know that it is real. I have rested on the soft forest floor, listened to
the crashing of the waves, and have spoken with Kate, dreamt of Gio, and have
been hunted by Alessandro as he lurked along the dense tree line waiting for
his moment.
A Life Without
Living
Kate
Martins appears to have it all– a good career, a beautiful home, and an amazing
husband. What more could a woman ask for? But when Kate's recurring nightmares
begin to cross over into her waking hours, she discovers that her perfect life
is not at all what it seems. It isn't until she meets a mysterious stranger
that Kate begins to question who she truly is and where she comes from.
The Woman
Inside: Sara
Every woman has a secret. Every woman has a struggle. She may not know it yet, but she
does … she will. Sara knows her secret. She’s known it for a long time. Now,
one question remains. Will she make peace with it or will it consume her?
S.C.
Alban was born and raised in Northern California. She is the eldest of
three children and often spent much of her childhood playing make believe with
her two younger sisters. However, it wasn't until much later that she knew
she was destined to be a writer.
After
graduating from university, where she majored in English literature, S.C. Alban
travelled for a year. She ultimately moved back to Northern California
where she obtained two Education Specialist credentials and a M.A. in
Education. However, her passion for writing never died.
Her
first break came in 2013, when she had some of her poetry published in Coalesce
Literary Magazine, an online publication. In 2014, Solstice Shadows, an imprint
of Solstice Publishing, took on her first novel A Life Without Living,
the first book in the Life Without Living
series. It was released in December of 2014. Shortly after it’s debut, Solstice
also released the first story in S.C.’s short series, The Woman Inside.
These
days, S.C. spends every minute she can squeeze in imagining fantastic realities
for her characters, who are very real parts of her life. She is an avid hiker,
loves to garden and a relentless dreamer. Both of S.C.’s titles are available
through Amazon and the Solstice Publishing website. Additionally, A Life Without Living is also available
on Barnes and Noble online.
Follow S.C Alban on Social Media
To be featured on The Treasured & Tipsy Timeslip, please email raquelle.jackson@gmail.com
Thanks for sharing. :)
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