Kate Hewitt: Reading to Escape

 

As a reader as well as a writer I have different moods. Sometimes I’m up for a weighty, thought-provoking read, and at other times I prefer something to simply sweep me away. Lately life’s stresses and sorrows—my father died five weeks ago—made me want to escape with a good book into a world where a happy ending is guaranteed. I ended up reading several of Lucy Diamond’s chick lit books, which are not froth-only as they deal with some weighty issues, but do so with a light hand and a happy ending, and they were definitely the balm I needed.

There sometimes is an attitude in our culture that reading to escape is wrong, a ‘guilty pleasure’ it is often called. I’ve met countless woman who dismiss their reading choices as light or unimpressive with a shrug of their shoulders and a downward gaze, as if they’re ashamed they’re not reading War and Peace or the latest nonfiction bestseller every other day. I’ve even found myself doing it—when asked what I’m reading, I’ll pick the weightiest book I’ve read recently rather than the bit of frothy fun I’ve just devoured. And even worse, I sometimes do it as a writer, especially with some of the academic-types I meet living close to Oxford and its prestigious university.

‘What kind of books do you write?’ someone will ask me, and I will shrug my shoulders and dismiss my career as ‘the kind of book you find in the supermarket’—as if that makes it a lesser thing.

One of my (many!) New Year’s resolutions is to stop this bad habit of semi-apologizing for my reading and writing choices. Reading to escape, and writing to offer that escape, is not only acceptable, it’s necessary. 2015 was one of the most difficult years of my life and if I hadn’t had the reprieve from reality offered through various novels—Harlequin Presents, chick lit, and other ‘light’ books—I  think I might have exploded with stress. I’m grateful to the writers who give me books that take me away from my current worries and leave me with a smile on my face.

And if you’re looking for a new escapist read, you can try one of my releases: The Emigrants Trilogy is the kind of historical saga that hopefully sweeps you away, and my March release, Falling Hard, kicks off a series set in small town Upstate New York.

Also if you a book you’ve read recently that you’d like to recommend, let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear about it!

Happy Reading,

Kate

Escape to an Island Romance - Annie West

Do you ever dream about getting away from it all somewhere secluded and romantic? Do you fantasise about a holiday somewhere warm and lush, where you can be pampered and carefree? Personally I couldn't resist the idea of an island getaway. There's something about the notion of being totally isolated from the world, linked only by phone or radio or boat, that appeals to the armchair adventurer in me. In real life I enjoy my comforts but as a kid I used to fantasise about a Swiss Family Robinson type existence and even now, the idea of an island getaway sounds so romantic to me.

So when I came to write my current book: CAPTIVE IN THE SPOTLIGHT I had enormous fun putting my two antagonists/soon-to-be lovers on an island. The story starts in Rome but shifts quickly to a private island of the south coast of Italy where the sunsets are glorious, the views fantastic and the temperature scorching - or maybe that's just Lucy and Domenico together.

It's not a tropical island but it does have lush gardens, plus a wilderness, some soft sand beaches and a pool to loll beside. There's a ruined castello and a luxury mansion. After all, if you want to hide away from the paparazzi, why not do it in style? After all, Domenico is from one of Italy's oldest and wealthiest families, so he'd have the best of everything at his fingertips. It takes a special woman to make him reassess the things he takes for granted to see another side to life.

Lucy, the woman who's just out of prison after a conviction for killing his brother, is that woman. Needless to say, falling for his brother's killer is not on Domenico's agenda. As for Lucy, the last person she wants to be with is this man who had no faith in her and abandoned her to the grinding legal system when she needed him most. You could say they have a lot to overcome - and you'd be right.

These photos of mine were both taken in sunny Queensland, Australia, but they give a feel for the lush luxury I imagine at the thought of an island escape. Lucy and Domenico's island looks a little different but has that some 'away from it all' air.

Does an island escape appeal to you? Have you ever visited an island and felt its magic? Maybe a tiny island just big enough for a lighthouse or a vast one like Sicily, brim-full of fascinating places and people. Is there an island destination you'd love to visit? 

Stop by tomorrow when I'll announce the winner of a free signed copy of one of my previously published titles to one person who leaves a comment.

Annie's CAPTIVE IN THE SPOTLIGHT is available now in North America, the UK, Australia and New Zealand. Visit her website to read an excerpt or find out more about it. Here are a few links to buy: 

Amazon

Book Depository

Barns and Noble

Mills and Boon UK

Harlequin 

Joys of a Sunday Drive - Annie West

Recently I rediscovered one of my favourite pleasures. Not chocolates or fantastic romance novels or movies or chatting with friends. I'm talking about the simple Sunday drive. The chance to escape from the normal routine and get out somewhere different and picturesque.

I know it doesn't sound thrilling or exotic but I realised recently how hectic my life has become. Even weekends seem fully booked with a range of commitments, including writing, and taking a whole afternoon off just to enjoy myself is a real treat.

I grew up in a family who loved getting out in the bush to walk, camp, picnic or just drive and find out what was around the next curve on some quiet dirt road in the country. I always loved the sense of exploration, of being somewhere tantalisingly new, and still have memories stored of forgotten valleys and homesteads glimpsed on a weekend jaunt, which seemed romantic and alluring in the late afternoon sun.

Recently a dear friend, Anna Campbell, came to visit from interstate and we spent a Sunday afternoon driving up to the Hunter Valley of New South Wales (Eastern Australia for those not familiar with it). It was a perfect autumn afternoon and we were pleased with ourselves as we'd worked hard over the weekend and felt we deserved the treat of an afternoon escape.

The Hunter Valley is renowned for its vineyards, its coal and its horse breeding. We focused on the vineyards but no, we didn't stagger from vineyard to vineyard, tasting all afternoon. We were far too busy soaking up the gorgeous day and the terrific scenery. These top two pictures are the view from Tyrell's Vineyard towards the Brokenback Range and then from the Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard, not far away.

We managed to fit in a scrumptious late lunch at a local cafe, and it was wonderful not to cook or clean up afterwards (one of my fave things about a country drive). After all, if you're having the afternoon relaxing from the usual range of chores, time in the kitchen can't be a priority. Isn't this a lovely setting for a meal? Needless to say, we didn't want to move.

One of the things I enjoyed about our drive was the chance to see some of my fave places in the area. We only tried the wine at one vineyard and I chose Tyrrells. It's impossible to choose one 'best' as there are so many terrific producers in the area. But from here there are marvellous views and I've got a soft spot for the old vineyard, one of the oldest in the area. Instead of being all polished and new, the buildings are old and weathered. When you enter the area where the vats and barrels are stored you walk on old hard-packed dirt floor. It's unpretentious and down to earth and about the reality of wine-producing, not just the glamour.


To finish the afternoon we drove to the sleepy hamlet of Wollombi, one of the oldest in the area. We drove along a scenic river valley, past the cave where ages ago a bushranger (outlaw) had hidden from the police. There's not much of
Wollombi to see but the old buildings are worth a look and so is the gorgeous, peaceful old cemetery where some of the first European settlers to the area are buried.

Returning home very late in the day we were tired but satisfied and best of all, someone else did the cooking! Wonderful. We got fresh air, terrific scenery, some delicious wine, great conversation and a glimpse into the past in some wonderfully peaceful valleys. We felt refreshed and ready to tackle the work of another week.

How about you? Do you enjoy the pleasures of a Sunday drive? Are you a picnicker? Camper? Do you seek out markets or craft stores or antique shops? Or do you prefer to stay at home to relax? What is your favourite place to escape on a weekend?

This month my new release UNDONE BY HIS TOUCH is released in the UK (Australia in May and North America in June). To celebrate I'll give away a copy of UNDONE to one person who leaves a comment. You can read about it or read an excerpt on my website or here at Amazon.