GUEST BLOG: What a Ride! with Sabrina Jeffries
Thursday, January 14, 2010 10:00
Sabrina Jeffries is joining us today, a special blog about romance novels, handsome heroes, and theme parks.
Huh? Yep, you heard right. Who woulda thunk it?
Only a talented and imaginative author like Sabrina, of course. No doubt after you read her blog you’ll agree and join in on all the fun that’s to be had.
Wonder if Sabrina will take any of your ideas and run with them, some ending up in one of her books? Now, how much fun would that be to read?
When I first signed with Simon and Schuster, my contract included a clause about “theme park rights.” I kid you not. I suppose publishers have to cover that, since there is a Dr. Seuss area at the Universal Studios theme parks and another being developed for Harry Potter. But since I neither rhyme my stories nor write for children, worrying about the dispensation of my theme park rights was the least of my concerns.
Then the other day as I was joking about that clause with a friend, it dawned on me that there ought to be a Romanceland theme park. I mean, why not? Think of the possibilities. You could have a whole Jane Austen section (whirling teacups would be an obvious necessity), with Colin Firth water rides that plunge you beneath a lake where you would see animatronic Darcys in all their wet glory. I would personally love a sweeping flight over London at night in the Regency. Picture something like the Haunted House at Disney but with Regency costumes and flashes of couples doing the dirty deed.
Continuing on the historical theme, you could plunk Pirates of the Caribbean down in its entirety—it would fit right in. Add areas for Vikings, sheiks, and Native Americans, and you’d hit the historical trifecta.
And the paranormal ride choices are endless—3D images of shape shifters, a roller coaster that would take you to hell and back with your demon hero guide, vampiric balls at night … can’t you just see it?
We could give Harlequin its own section, too—imagine a rodeo where all the riders are millionaires! Or the Secret Baby ride where you guess the father and win prizes. A secret passage could connect it to the historical sheik area, so we could keep all those sheiks under one tent.
And instead of souvenir shops, we’d have bookstores everywhere. Ah, that would be fab!
But I digress. Given that Simon and Schuster allowed me to keep the theme park rights, I imagine they’re not anticipating a development anytime soon. Still, an author can dream, can’t I?
What ride would you want to see at Romanceland? The best suggestion will win a copy of my brand new release, The Truth about Lord Stoneville.
Emmanuelle says:
January 14th, 2010 at 10:30 am
I love all your ideas Sabrina… And what about the food ?? Restaurants where you’d be served Tea with scones, clotted cream, lemon curd, cucumber sandwiches… Waitresses would be dressed according to the time period of course (and we’d be able to dress up too).And what about all the old fine china…*sigh*.
. Congrats on your new relrease. I’m dying to read this book and start your new series !
Perhaps there could also be a training kitchen where people could learn how to cook the dishes of that time, what do you think ? I’m afaid but my ideas are exclusively food related
Sandy (Strlady) says:
January 14th, 2010 at 12:53 pm
how about a mystery castle with hidden passages. It could host a murder mystery tour, to discover who killed the cousin/father/brother of the host. There could be clues to lead you through the passages to avoid being seen by the other guests and jeopardizing your ‘reputation’.
Maureen says:
January 14th, 2010 at 1:07 pm
I would have a haunted house with all the villians of the different stories that I enjoy.
Sabrina Jeffries says:
January 14th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
Emmanuelle, food, yes! We must have genuine Regency teas. And in the Viking area, we could have Viking food (whatever that is) and the Medieval part could have mead and venison … think of the restaurants we could have! Serving wenches and knights everywhere! Sort of like Ren Fair on steroids.
Sandy, a mystery castle would be great! And Maureen, they could just adapt the current Disney haunted house, but put great book characters in it.
Tanya says:
January 14th, 2010 at 1:31 pm
What about a highspeed carriage ride where first you are abducted by a fortune hunter taking you off to Gretna Green but along the way you are taken hostage by a band of thieves planning on holding you hostage only to be rescued last minute by your hero whom you now must marry in order to save your reputation
Sonja Foust says:
January 14th, 2010 at 1:31 pm
I have to say, dancing was not the first thing that came to mind when I saw “Vampire Balls.” Ahem, moving along.
I think I might like a Shifter Petting Zoo.
Angie says:
January 14th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
Oh I would adore a historical romace theme park!!!! I think what I would definately love to see some kind of play or “show” of the moment when the Hero/Heroine is talking,thinking,or realizing that they love the opposite character and just couldn’t live without them! To me this is usually the most heart warming part of a great book!!..happy writing
evlqn says:
January 14th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
We would need a Scottish castle with an outlaw laird to sweep all unsuspecting damsels off their dancing slippers and imprison the doltish Sassenach men.Nothing like a man in a kilt to get you going.
Heidi Boutwell says:
January 14th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
How bout a ride through the Carpathian mountains, like a roller coaster or something along that nature, where you can see where the evil wizard at work, the captured dragon sisters and the rescue team of Carpathian hunters..That might be very interesting.
Tanya says:
January 14th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
you could have a game where you get to bitch slap the hero or heroine for being either to hard headed or to self sacrificing to realize they’re in love and they belong together
Angela FIsher says:
January 14th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
I love the idea!! Would have to have a scottish castle and atleast 1 english manor. You can just imagine all of the possibilities!!!!! LOVE IT!!!
Jackie says:
January 14th, 2010 at 2:05 pm
I would go to YOUR Romanceland theme park! There could be a never-ending ball, an English pub, a gambling hell, carriage rides and the list goes on. This would be a truly fun place to visit – the male park attendants could be dressed as footmen or soldiers just returning from the Napoleonic wars. The female attendants could dress as governesses or bar maids (depending on their assignments).
Sabrina Jeffries says:
January 14th, 2010 at 2:22 pm
Tanya, hmm, I think I have a book with that in it somewhere.
Sonja, you are a very very bad girl. *EG* I love the idea of a shifter petting zoo! Especially if petting them makes them change into naked humans before my very eyes.
Angie, we could have romance movies. Would that suffice?
eviqn, Scottish castle–absolutely! And nothing under the kilts.
Ruth Wood says:
January 14th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
For the ride should be like the old caterpillar ride where a cover goes over the top so you can sneak a kiss maybe using a carriage as the ride . Winding its way along a river bed,
Yes should have shops to eat at that service tea and scones. And yes ices to cool you down after riding
Sabrina Jeffries says:
January 14th, 2010 at 2:30 pm
Heidi, I’d certainly go for a Carpathian mountain ride.
Ooh, Tanya, what if there were a line-up of h/h and you got to choose which ones to bitch slap?
Angela, an English manor would be SO cool.
Oh, yes, Jackie, a gambling hell! Why not?
melly katz says:
January 14th, 2010 at 2:39 pm
The best thing would be to include a handsome and kissable tour guide (in proper costume of coarse). Might not be legal in all states… but Nevada has great weather. There could be a Thames flume ride, Vauxhall gardens, oh the possibilities are endless
Ashli Daigle says:
January 14th, 2010 at 2:42 pm
A few years ago, prodded on by alcohol and a phallus shaped cake pan, a friend and I decided we would design a “sexy” theme park, complete with very suggestive water rides and a ride like the superman in Six Flags Over Texas with a very distinct shape. For a romance one, however, you would have to ride the “Race to Gretna Green” in a stage coach and the “Tumble Through the Sheets” Tilt-A-Whirl. You could also get chocolate covered bananas and jello molds at the snack stand.
evlqn says:
January 14th, 2010 at 2:43 pm
How about an ice rink made to look like the Thames frozen over? Between 1408 and 1814 there were 24 winters when it froze enough to skate upon.Frost Fairs were a big thing.
Phyl says:
January 14th, 2010 at 2:52 pm
Horse rides down Rotten Row!!!
Elizabeth F. says:
January 14th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
You or S&S could buy an English village with a manor house, inns, coach houses, tea shops, and a music hall with Regency costumes for rent. You could preside as the Duchess of Jeffries over balls at the manor house where actors playing your heros could prowl around and ask women to dance. Bliss!
Nina says:
January 14th, 2010 at 3:00 pm
How about a carriage ride were you go through different scenes of different stories example, you could start at a ball then go through to the “terrace” and watch the different books and story lines play out ?
Nina says:
January 14th, 2010 at 3:04 pm
Erm actually I think I like Elizabeth f idea better that does sound like bliss, Id deff come to see that
Melissa Dawn Harte says:
January 14th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
How about a cowboy ride, only no horses allowed lol! Love the blog, so funny.
Ashli Daigle says:
January 14th, 2010 at 3:20 pm
Elizabeth, I think you’ve found the star attraction — or at least dancing lessons to go along with Emanuelle’s kitchen and cooking lessons — and of course new partners for whist and gambling!
Sabrina Jeffries says:
January 14th, 2010 at 3:39 pm
Okay, I have GOT to buy myself an English village. Anyone know of one for sale, cheap?
Ruth, the covered ride could be like the Tunnel of Love rides they used to have at carnivals!
Melly, I love the idea of a Thames flume ride and Vauxhall gardens, if only so we could get a sense of what Vauxhall was like back then.
Ashli, I’m all for the Phallus-shaped treats, except that then this would have to be an adult theme park!
Although maybe it should be anyway.
Ooh, yeah, eviqn, a kind of frozen-over Thames ice rink. That would be cool (pun intended).
Elizabeth F., I want to be the Duchess of Jeffries! How fun would that be? Of course, then I’d need a duke … but hubby’s always wanted an English title so that would work.
Nina, carriage rides would have to be required. Absolutely! With handsome lords escorting you on your … er … trip.
Or we could just go with Melissa’s horseless cowboy rides!
evlqn says:
January 14th, 2010 at 3:39 pm
Elizabeth f for the win!
melly katz says:
January 14th, 2010 at 3:51 pm
oops, I misspelled course!!! duh
Margay says:
January 14th, 2010 at 3:59 pm
How about a time travel ride where you are sent back in time without any foreknowledge and must adapt to your surroundings and save the day before you can exit the ride? Each choice you make could send you to a different part of the ride. And the themes could be endless. Outlander, perhaps? Or, does anyone remember that Jane Seymour-Christopher Reeve movie Somewhere in Time? Half the fun could be in trying to master the customs of a different era.
Margay
Sarah says:
January 14th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
My favorite ride at Romanceland would be the Heyer Tea Party. It looks like a fairly sedate teacup ride, but some unexpected twists and turns make it a lot more exciting. Plus, they give you nifty little paper ‘lace’ bonnets to wear at the gate. How nifty is that?
evlqn says:
January 14th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
Sabrina, you could always get the Society For Creative Anachronism to help you build your village, etc for the rights to put on events there. The members come from all walks of life including construction.And you have a very active group in your area, the Kingdom of Atlantia.
Quilt Lady says:
January 14th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
Great post! I think I would have a tunnel of love! Where you got to ride through a beautiful tunnel on a boat with your favorite heros. I think this would just be awesome. I could think of a few heros I would ride through the tunnel of love with. Mmmmm!
Sabrina Jeffries says:
January 14th, 2010 at 6:02 pm
Phyl, definitely the horse rides down Rotten Row!
Margay, why not a time travel ride? As long as we’re making up stuff here, might as well venture into that realm, too. *G*
Sarah, ooh, paper lace bonnets. What a great idea!
eviqn, it’s something to consider, huh? I didn’t know we had an active SCA group here, but I should have realized it. I know a lot of people here who like that sort of thing.
Quilt lady, yes, the theme park should definitely provide escorts through the tunnel of love. Otherwise, what would be the point?
Betsy Lewis says:
January 14th, 2010 at 6:33 pm
Oh , yes!! I would love that so much! Are the handsome men in tight breeches included?! I’ll go happily! How about an actual mansion with beautiful gardens you can walk through, so you feel like you’re the heroine in the novel. I’d love a ride that allows you to be a part of the “Season” as a debutante. A grand ball where you get to dress up and attend and dance all those wonderful dances and eat a lavish meal with footmen to serve your every need and dashingly handsome men all around to drool at! What about a ride featuring the Bow Street Runners and all their wonderful escapades! I really want that book, can’t you tell? I’m racking my brains to get ideas! Love the pirate idea by the way! OH! I think it would be great to have an area where we can meet all the Heroes of our favorite novels and take pictures with them! Oh pick me, pick me pleeeeeeeaasssssseeee!!!!!!
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tanya says:
January 14th, 2010 at 7:32 pm
to add to my other idea when you bitch slap the hero or heroine there can be levels of how hard you slap them like if it’s not hard enough it will say “I am slightly annoyed at you and I will not change my mind” all the way to “your right I am in love here is your prize”
Judy says:
January 14th, 2010 at 7:45 pm
Wow, Romanceland, would be a one of kind joy for romance readers everywhere (and not to mention scandals galore for all the nay-sayers!!! Though I must admit this must be my inner five year old sticking thumbs in my ears and going nerny nerny nerny!!)
You know, there could be an interactive show (a la Disney’s Princess Show), where there will either be a highway-man, or a pirate, or heck, why not a sheik?, and he picks a lady from the audience to act out their romance story, she’ll get to wear the gown and be sufficiently “saved” by the “hero”, seduced and married, by the end of the show. Within reason of course, and at the permission of spouse, partner, or other. Legalities be damned!
Hope this made sense.
Sabrina, I absolutely CAN’T WAIT for Stoneville. Ever since he first came out in LSRL, *sigh, been awaiting the day his story comes out!!!
–Judy
Sabrina Jeffries says:
January 14th, 2010 at 8:32 pm
Tanya, you made me LOL!
Judy, I love the interactive show idea …. as long as I get to be in the first one! *G* And I’m thrilled that you’re eagerly awaiting Stoneville–I hope the book doesn’t disappoint!
Ayse says:
January 15th, 2010 at 12:43 am
Don’t forget gypsies
Pam P says:
January 15th, 2010 at 1:59 am
Hi Sabrina, been waiting to read more about Stoneville. Romanceland could be fun, lots of good ideas here. A masquerade ball would be fun, where you could choose a date for a night after being wooed by several mysterious strangers, choosing which one intrigued you the most by unmasking him at the end of the night.
Nina says:
January 15th, 2010 at 3:41 am
Sabrina I think you may need to get the poor guys who are going to be playing the Herod some sort of contract were they can’t sue you lol I think there gonna get jumped on all over the place lol how about a runaway carriage ride were the carriage bolts and the handsome lord saves you
love this idea would deff go to romanceland with these balls and rides and handsome lords wow that’s heaven 
Nina says:
January 15th, 2010 at 3:57 am
Sorry just reread what I wrote, I am deff not complaining about all the handsome heroes that will be escorting us around
Sabrina Jeffries says:
January 15th, 2010 at 8:24 am
Ayse, good point. We need some sexy Rom guys.
Pam, a masquerade ball would be perfect! I wish people did masquerade balls more even today. I’ve never been to one, and I’d love to try that out.
Nina, LOL at the comment about the heroes getting jumped on. That would be a problem, wouldn’t it?
Soraya says:
January 15th, 2010 at 9:09 am
How about a nice gondola ride! Perhaps with a serenading boat captain…
Or maybe a jungle helicopter rescue ride with a sexy pilot?
I always loved the tunnel of love ride that came to the fair, it only went in a wavy circle, but it was fun!
Tanya says:
January 15th, 2010 at 3:27 pm
Just curious will Fabio be there and if so maybe there should be some bird netting put up around the roller coasters
Jennie Westmoreland says:
January 16th, 2010 at 12:52 am
What was that enormous area on the Starship Enterprise…I think it was called the Holodeck or something like that. You can program in your favorite novel and star as the heroine. We could make BANK on an interactive ride like that don’t you think? Oh I just wikipediaed it and I even spelled it correctly. Wow, is that geeky or what?
It’s “a room capable of holographic simulations” Oh yeah I need one of those at home. Sign me up.
Sabrina Jeffries says:
January 16th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
Okay, Jennie, I definitely want the Holographic thing. Romance simulations–yes!!!
Soraya, gondola rides would be fab!
Tanya, I think we need someone younger than Fabio–Nathan Kamp, maybe?
The Good, The Bad and The Unread » Sabrina Jeffries Winner! says:
April 4th, 2010 at 6:00 am
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