We’re so pleased to welcome author Rebecca Cohen to TNA today on the tour for her new release in Dreamspinner Press’s World of Love collection, Not All Chocolate and Cuckoo Clocks. She has some fun facts to share with us today, and there’s also a giveaway, so be sure to check the Rafflecopter widget for entry details.
Welcome, Rebecca!
A Few Fun Facts About Basel, Switzerland
When Dreamspinner Press introduced the ‘World of Love’ line where an author could bag a country, I couldn’t wait to claim Switzerland and take the opportunity to present the bit of the country I’ve been calling home for the last few years. People have specific ideas when they think about a country, and I guess most people when they think about Switzerland it’s all about mountains, skiing, chocolate and cuckoo clocks – and maybe a side dish of fondue. But the bit of Switzerland I’ve been living in since 2011, Basel, isn’t up an Alp and while there are lots of opportunities to feast on cheese and chocolate, it isn’t what most people think of Switzerland.
Basel is in the northwest, squished up against France (Alsace) and Germany (Black Forest), and has a long history, dating back to the Romans. Here’s a few fun facts about Basel to show it’s definitely not all chocolate and cuckoo clocks!
1) Basel is the warmest bit of Switzerland – while I’ve lived here there’s been more snow in my native UK than in the city I live in now.
2) Basel Fasnacht, the Spring carnival featured in the novella, is recognised by UNESCO for cultural heritage… but you might have trouble believing it if after 3 days of constant drums and piccolos!
3) Basel city is the only one of the cantons (regions) to have been invited to join the Helvetic Federation (i.e. Switzerland) – they are extremely proud of it… “remember you asked us to join!”
4) The apartments have strict house rules – believe it or not I am not allowed to do housework on a Sunday…. It’s meant to be a day of rest. The shops are closed on Sundays, only open 2 Sundays a year in December.
5) Some famous faces have trodden the streets. Hans Holbein lived down my street, and it is where the original Totentanz (dance of the dead was painted). Erasmus and Jung were both here. And don’t forget Roger Federer!
About the Book
Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Dreamspinner
Length: 132 Pages
Cover Design: Brooke Albrecht
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Blurb: Neither of them wants to fall in love, but getting exactly what they don’t want might be the best thing to ever happen to them.
Mark hopes his boredom with his current job will be alleviated by a short stint in Basel, Switzerland. When he meets Steffen, who struck out on his own from an old-money family to establish an IT firm, Mark expects some fun, great sex, and a clean break when his job is done. The arrangement is perfect for Steffen, who has been content with casual after a betrayal—and has a taste for British men after attending university in the UK. But as they explore the city’s rich history and traditions, Mark begins to see Steffen as much more than a tour guide with benefits. If he isn’t careful, the trip meant to break the lull in his career might end up breaking his heart instead….
Excerpt
A number six tram pulled up. Steffen alighted, holding up his hands in apology as he approached. “Sorry, sorry. The tram was delayed at Messeplatz. I really think they need to do something about the service. It is getting worse.”
“You were all of three minutes late, hardly a national emergency.”
“You cannot let standards slide, Mark. Next thing you know they will be changing the tram routes. Then what? Anarchy!”
Mark couldn’t make up his mind if Steffen was joking or not. “How did you survive living in the UK? I don’t think I’ve ever caught a bus running to time.”
“I was in Cambridge—I biked everywhere, and whenever I had to venture onto public transport, I had to protect my Swiss sensibilities with a personal mantra that it was only temporary and I would be safe back in the shadow of the Alps before I knew it.”
“Shadow of the Alps?” Mark laughed. “Basel’s a bit too north for that.”
“I studied computer science, not geography. Now come with me. I am going to put right a travesty by introducing you to fondue, and get us both out of the cold.”
Mark fell into step with Steffen as they headed down a side street away from the main square. “I don’t really like cheese.”
“Be careful what you admit to, Mark. I may have to turn you in to the Swiss Milk Federation, and you will be escorted to the nearest border, never to be allowed to return.”
“After the day I’ve had, I’d go willingly.”
“Then let us hope our evening makes up for it. I will let you in on a highly prized and guarded secret: there are more types of fondue apart from cheese.”
Mark didn’t know why, but he hadn’t expected Steffen to be so playful. Whether this was normal or he was being especially upbeat, Mark wasn’t about to complain. “Now I know, will you have to kill me?”
“I have revealed one of my country’s darkest secrets. We are in this together. But if the Polizei come… you are on your own.”
About the Author
Rebecca Cohen is a Brit abroad. Having swapped the Thames for the Rhine, she has left London behind and now lives with her husband and young son in Basel, Switzerland. She can often be found with a pen in one hand and a cup of Darjeeling in the other.
Connect with Rebecca: Blog || Facebook || Twitter
The Giveaway
Enter the Rafflecopter draw or leave a comment below telling me what comes to mind when you think of Switzerland, and be entered into the blog tour giveaway of your choice of an ebook of one of my backlist titles (excluding Crofton Chronicle bundle).
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Follow the Tour
January 12 – The Novel Approach – Blog Post
January 15 – Cupcakes & Bookshelves
January 18 – Love Bytes – Blog Post
January 19 – Diverse Reader (Blog Post), BFD Book Blog, Sarandipity Reviews, Making It Happen
January 20 – Gay Book Reviews – Blog Post
January 22 – Drops of Ink, Valerie Ullmer, Mirrigold: Mutterings & Musings, Book Lovers 4Ever
January 23 – MM Good Book Reviews – Blog Post