by Tamara Carlisle
I thought that it would be fun to show ten of the real locations I used as a basis for some of my fictional ones in Away from the Spotlight.
1. The Royalist = Ye Olde King’s Head Pub, Santa Monica, California
One of my favorite places in the world is the Ye Old King’s Head Pub. I met my Scottish husband there. A frequent destination for foreign travelers and ex-patriots, I thought it was the perfect place for Will and Shannon to meet.
2. Callaghan’s = O’Brien’s Pub, Main Street, Santa Monica, California
Another great pub is O’Brien’s on Main Street in Santa Monica. In light of the dim lighting and the bands that play there, I thought it would be a good place for Will to go where he could feel relatively safe from being recognized.
3. Sweeney’s = O’Brien’s, Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, California
When my husband played for the Santa Monica Rugby Club, O’Brien’s on Wilshire was the club hangout. Since Will and Colin both played rugby (like my husband), I used this pub in Away from the Spotlight.
http://www.obrienssantamonica.com/
4. Mexican Restaurant = El Cholo, Los Angeles, California
This place has the best margaritas in the world and was close to where I lived when I was in law school. The seasonal green corn tamales are one of my favorite meals. It is a popular place to go for drinks or a meal after USC football games. I travel to Los Angeles for two USC football games per year and my friends and I always go to El Cholo afterward whenever possible.
5. Chinese Restaurant = Chin Chin, Brentwood, California
I love Chin Chin and used to frequent the Beverly Hills location. The peanut noodles are one of my favorite foods in the world. Since Will MacKenzie lived in Pacific Palisades, I decided to use the closer Brentwood location rather than the Beverly Hills location.
6. English Manor House Hotel = Cliveden, Taplow, England
The hotel where Will and Shannon got engaged is based on Cliveden which, as you can see, is absolutely breathtaking. I attended the wedding of one of my best friends from USC there (that friend is the basis of Annie in Away from the Spotlight).
7. London Wedding Reception Location = Claridge’s, London, England
The London wedding reception takes place at an unnamed art deco hotel. I based the hotel on the gorgeous Claridge’s. I have never stayed there, but would love to someday.
8. California Wedding Reception Location = City Club, Los Angeles, California
I used the venue for my own wedding as the venue for Will and Shannon’s wedding reception in Los Angeles. As you can see from the photo below, the view from the top of the Bunker Hill high rise that houses the club is spectacular.
9. Shannon’s Apartment = West Los Angeles, California
I lived in an apartment building that looked like this after I graduated from law school so I thought it would be a good one for Shannon when she moved out of Will’s housel.
With the exception of the brown trim and garage door, and the apparent lack of close neighbors on either side, this is how I imagined Will’s house:
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Genre – Contemporary Romance (PG13)
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Website - https://tamaracarlisle.com/
2 comments:
Good morning and thank you for hosting me today! I hope everyone enjoys reading about the real locations in "Away from the Spotlight."
Thank you for hosting me - I enjoyed creating the post for you and hope everyone liked it.
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