Delicious Desserts - Annie West

I wanted to write about something special for this post as I was having a rather unsettling day. Lo and behold, inspiration struck with something I really enjoy - dessert!

In our house dessert is a huge treat. Possibly because we all seem to be so busy, but getting one course on the table is enough and it's rare that we take time to provide dessert as well. However, as you can see from these recent photos, dessert holds a special place for me. And before you wonder, no, I didn't eat all of these. And no, I didn't order the decadent chocolate cake in this picture. Mine was one of the much healthier lemon tarts in the background. Of course it was healthy - it had fruit in it!

Lately though we've been trying some quite wicked desserts for special occasions at home. These have included chocolate hazelnut self sauced puddings in individual ramekins. As well as being full of chocolate and hazelnuts, they have a dash of Frangelico liqueur and are so rich you really need to eat them with ice cream so they're not too much!

Then they're maple pecan cake - delicious when warm, with cream. Sigh. In summer I like to make (as a treat) lime souffle with strawberry coulis which looks fabbo and is really easy. Did I mention I'm a lazy cook?

Another favourite has to be Tart au Citron - lemon tart which is finished off with segments of lemon artfully (!) arranged on top, sprinkled with icing sugar and then caramelised under the grill.

Or perhaps a nice fruit salad? Great on a summer's day. Fruit kebabs are good too. At Christmas it's rich fruit pudding, hot and tasty. Or, if you don't want to finish with sweets, how about a nice cheese plate? I've got a weakness for lovely cheese (so many weaknesses and so many of them connected to food!).

How about you? Are you a fan of desserts? Do you have a favourite you want to share? Something you make or you've tasted or maybe one you've just heard about and want to try?

Speaking of sweet things, I'm savouring the pleasure of knowing Declan and Chloe's story - aka UNDONE BY HIS TOUCH is on sale this month in North America. I hope some of you see it on shelves and maybe even grab a copy. This is my first beauty and the beast story and was a real treat to write. Romantic Times have given it a 4 star review and said

‘…West’s twist on the Beauty and the Beast is an emotionally compelling read.’

 To read an excerpt of the book pop by my website and to buy it you can go to Amazon, Barnes and Noble or Harlequin. 

Australian Garden Visitors - Annie West



Rainbow Lorikeets

 I thought I'd share something a little different with you today. I looked out my window earlier and saw a group of colourful birds (Eastern Rosellas) gathered on our pergola and realised how unique they are. Australia is full of a great range of birdlife, and other unique wildlife for that matter, which makes life interesting.

As well as rosellas, we get colourful lorikeets and I have to say they're the stars of this piece. Here's a picture I took at my parents' house. As you can see, my parents put out food for them . These little birds are very cheeky and appealing, and raucous in large numbers. In wet weather they congregate near my parents' back door, on the eaves and outdoor windowsills, waiting for feed time. One even flew in one day, to be found hours later perched on the top of their curtains - obviously eager for seconds.


Free for all at feeding time



You'll get a little idea from the picture what a scene they make - always on the move and squabbling even as they make room for each other. I get these in my yard too, flying down from the tall gum trees and filling up on edible fruits and flowers. In addition we get kookaburras (not nearly so pretty but with great character and a terrific laugh), king parrots in vivid red and emerald green that I'm sure is even brighter than the lorikeets, and a whole stack of other winged visitors.

Here's a surprise we discovered one day. Mum and baby ducklings had decided to have their first swim on our pool. Sorry the photo isn't too clear - I didn't want to distress them by getting too close. You can see them gathered on the far side of the pool. I got such a shock when I sat down to work early one morning and discovered this little lot paddling about. Unfortunately I had to go out later and missed seeing how mum got the babies out of there and down to the nearest watercourse.

Their first swim!

In addition to birds we get snakes, including at least one venomous one, but as they're usually after frogs they don't bother us. We have the most marvellous slow-moving and very appealing blue tongue lizards (whose tongues really are blue). They creep through the undergrowth and give me the fright of my life when I'm weeding and think I've found a snake. We have at least two types of possum in our yard and have had a stand off with one who wanted to live in our roof. In addition there are the usual little critters including red back spiders (nasty little things related to black widow spiders) and funnel-web spiders which give me the creeps (yes, they're venomous). But, though it sounds like it could be scary, it's not. I'm glad to say we live pretty well in harmony with our wilder neigbours.

How about you? Do you get visitors to your garden or neighbourhood that remind you of the wider world of nature? Or do you have favourite creatures you haven't seen but would love to?

I'll give away a copy of my latest book to a person, chosen at random, from those who leave a comment.

I've got a new release out now: UNDONE BY HIS TOUCH, and for a change it's set in Australia. No, it doesn't feature flocks of birds or even venomous creepy crawlies. Instead it's got a brooding, scarred Aussie recluse of a hero who steals the limelight. This is my first Beauty and the Beast story and I'm very excited about it.

If you want to read more about it visit me at http://www.annie-west.com/ where you'll find an excerpt and  links to buy it. It's a May release in Australia and New Zealand, and a June Presents Extra in North America. And, to my delight, it recently scored a 4 star review from Romantic Times. 

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.