A different kind of Caribbean story
In Island Christmas, a World War II Caribbean Christmas romance by Barbadian author, Callie Browning, a spy and an explosives expert must fight their feelings for each other in the midst of one of history’s biggest wars.
Not only do we get a glimpse of Barbados in this time period, but we get to experience Christmas in this Caribbean isle. And now we get to learn about the short story and the author…
About Island Christmas
What inspired the story?
Island Christmas is a beautiful Christmas romance set during World War II in Barbados. One thing that I found so intriguing when doing research for this story is how there still seemed to be camaraderie and a sense of tradition in the average Bajan home despite hardships.
Did you include any island traditions in the story and what are they?
Definitely! I speak of the beautiful change in flora and fauna around the island and a special surprise which is a bit of a spoiler so I can’t say here.
What are the tropes in the romance?
Workplace romance and forbidden romance.
If you could boil the story down to one sentence, what would that be?
World War II spies fall in love in Barbados even though it’s forbidden.
If you could tell a reader anything about the story, what would that be?
It’s a completely fresh take on Caribbean romance that you didn’t know you needed.
Which came first? The characters or the plot?
Definitely the plot. That started to crystallise in my mind fairly early and I knew I’d need two very strong characters to make it work.
What was the toughest and the easiest part of writing this romance?
Toughest: accessing the research to help with this.
Easiest: the motivation.
What are you working on next?
The full-length version of this book.
Christmas in the Caribbean
What are some of your island’s Christmas traditions?
Traditional Bajan Christmas food. Wearing amazing fashion to Queen’s Park on Christmas Day. Visiting friends and family.
What are your favourite Christmas traditions?
It’s nice to see family on Christmas Day.
Do you have a personal Christmas tradition and what is it?
It changes every year! I’m a creative so it’s allowed. Lol.
What is one of your favourite Christmas memories?
I always like seeing the fashion at Queen’s Park.
What is your favourite/go to Christmas song?
God, Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. And Ludacristmas by Ludacris.
If you could have anything, what would you want this Christmas?
Lots of writing inspiration, great food and good health for me and everyone I love.
How will you be spending Christmas day?
Turning up the way only a Bajan can.
Bonus: Is there a question you wished an interviewer would ask you? What is that question and your answer?
I wish they’d ask me why I don’t pander to some international questions about why all of my books aren’t set on a beach.
I wish we’d talk about the international thinking that all Caribbean books must involve sexual trauma on beaches.
