LOVELY FRIENDS DEPART FOR AUSTRALIA!

Thursday afternoon, Susan and Robert Horsnell left for their home in Australia. I feel as if I’ve lost a part of myself. Having Susan and Robert visit was wonderful!

The Horsnells are truly unique and interesting people. Susan is so generous to other authors. Her Easychair Bookshop at http://easychairbookshop.com is a major FREE promotion tool for authors and a great FREE resource for readers. Susan devotes her time to this project as a way of giving back to readers and helping fellow authors.

Robert and Susan Horsnell

She is such a generous and giving person that she promises she will never charge authors and readers for Easychair Bookshop. In addition, she does reviews, hosts authors on her blog, features authors and books on Easychair, and does many other gracious things for authors. Her blog is http://susanhorsnell.com  

Robert is a retired Commodore in the Australian Royal Navy with fascinating stories of his travels in and out of Australia. He and Susan had an attentive audience at our home—except none of us could keep from interrupting them with our own comments. Yes, we were loud.

If you remember an earlier post on March 2nd, Susan had wished for snow when she came to Texas. Wow, did she ever get her wish! Then there was rain. We did have to wait out the snow and ice, but rain did not slow Susan and Robert. They saw Fredericksburg, Lost Maples, Corpus Christi, Galveston, Houston, New Orleans, and Memphis in the rain. Susan was able to visit Graceland, which was one of her lifelong dreams. Needless to say, she is a major Elvis fan. 

Robert said the reason there are "help wanted" signs in so many places is because Susan's shopping singlehandedly stimulated the U.S. economy. 

Susan Horsnell at the Fort Worth Stockyards
March 17, 2015

On their return to Fort Worth, we had one day of sunshine for the Fort Worth Stockyards, but then rain derailed our trip to the Dallas Arboretum and other Dallas sites. We traveled to Grapevine and the Bessie Mitchell House and gardens and back through the C. R. Smith Aviation Museum.  Rain meant we were disappointed to be unable to provide stellar sites for their last couple of days, but they remained gracious.

During their stay, Hero and I hosted two dinners for Susan to meet a few local authors (and for friends to meet Susan and Robert). The first event had to be postponed from a snowy, icy Friday night until Sunday noon. We served chili, beans, corn salad, corn muffins, and peach cobbler with ice cream. Guests included Brenda Chitwood, Carra Copelin and her husband Jerry, Hebby Roman and her husband Luis, Kirsten Osbourne and her husband Keith, and Lyn Horner and her husband Ken. 

You might have heard us laughing from wherever you are. We did a lot of that.

The second event was Wednesday evening. In addition to Susan and Robert, guests were Brenda Chitwood, Geri Foster, Kathy Shaw, and Sylvia McDaniel and her husband Don. A few less guests than before, but still lots of laughter and chatter. Again, we were loud!

Sylvia McDaniel, Susan Horsnell, Kathy Shaw, Caroline Clemmons, and Geri Foster.
Brenda Chitwood left before we remembered to snap a photo.

Susan writes western historical romances as herself and erotica as Lacey Roberts. You can find her Susan Horsnell Amazon Author Page at http://www.amazon.com/Susan-Horsnell/e/B00BXR5FMM/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1426801043&sr=1-2-ent Her books include The Glenmore series: REVENGE, CAUGHT, SECRETS, and DEPUTY;  BLIND ACCEPTANCE; BLIND ACHIEVEMENT; SECRET MEMORIES (contemporary set in Australia); STUCK UP GOVERNESS; FORGOTTEN SPARKS; WESTERN ANGELS; CAPTURING CHARLIE; MAIL ORDER MARSHALL; and (with Margaret Tanner) COLONIALS AND COWBOYS. In addition, versatile Susan has written two children’s books illustrated by her daughter-in-law Coralee Horsnell: CHILDREN’S ABC OF LANGUAGE and MYSTERY UNDER THE HOUSE.

Her Lacey Roberts’ Amazon Author Page is http://www.amazon.com/Lacey-Roberts/e/B00JPVL9KU/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1426802751&sr=1-2-ent  Susan’s bestselling books as Lacey Roberts include DEADLY SECRETS; TAMING GEMMA; WHISPERED PLEASURES; LOVING HURTS; GUARDIAN COP; MASTERING JUSTICE; MASTER OF LAW; LOVING BETHANY; CAPTIVE; and (with K.C. Vixen) LUST and LOVES’ MASTERS. Her M/M books are MURDER HAWAIIAN STYLE and GREEK AFFAIR.

Whew, can you say “prolific writer”? Susan only began writing when she retired from nursing about five years ago. At that time, she and Robert moved to their dream home nestled on a Queensland hillside. Situated among a lovely garden carved by Robert, Susan writes daily with windows and doors open to the temperate clime. Their two sons are grown so their only “kiddies” are Jack Russell terriers along with their finches and a cockatiel. In addition, the area where they live is home to dozens of species of colorful birds. The description of their land and climate had me ready to move there until they mentioned Australia has an overabundance of poisonous snakes. Yikes!  

If you haven’t already done so, I hope you’ll give Susan Horsnell/Lacey Roberts’ books a try. I always enjoy a book more if I know the author is a truly nice person. For your shopping convenience, please check out her Easychair Bookshop.

Thanks for stopping by!

CHARACTER INTERVIEW WITH KATIE WORTHINGTON, HEROINE OF GABE KINCAID

Prizes from each participating blog!

I'll be giving away three ebook copies of THE MOST UNSUITABLE COURTSHIP and three ebook copies of GABE KINCAID on August 1st. To enter, simply leave a comment between now and midnight July 31st telling me why you like western romance.

Even though I have a variety of posts scheduled for this time period, the contest will continue each day.

The complete list of participating blogs for this Blog Hop:

---

1. Books and Benches (Int)	2. My Devotional Thoughts (WW)	3. MYTHICAL BOOKS (INT)
4. LOVE. WITHOUT YOU	5. Romancing The West with Jacquie Rogers	6. Bookworm Lisa (Int)
7. Susan Heim on Writing (US)	8. Batch of Books (Int)	9. Deal Sharing Aunt (USA)
10. 3 Partners in Shopping (USA)	11. Rockin Book Reviews	12. Dare to Dream
13. Diane Estrella @ Thats What Im Here For. . . (US)	14. I Love to Read and Review Books : ) (INT)	15. Elisabeth Grace Foley - The Second Sentence
16. Shanna Hatfield	17. BookHounds	18. A Writer's Life

And now for today's post:

Dear Readers, today my guest is the heroine from my latest release, Kathryn Elizabeth Worthington, from GABE KINCAID, book four of the Kincaid series. I thought you might like to learn more about her, so I’m happy she’s agreed to an interview. She arrives dressed in a dress of gorgeous blue foulard trimmed with white lace. Down the front are ribbon revers forming bretelles that edge a vest made of rows of the lace laid outside the foulard. Sleeves are half-long with a little jabot of lace and a small bow of ribbon set inside the arm. A rosette of matching blue ribbon is in her auburn hair.

Caroline: Ms Worthington, please tell us something about growing up.

Kathryn sits and adjusts her skirts. When she smiles, her green eyes twinkle: Please, call me Katie. I grew up in Savannah, Georgia. My father and mother were both only children, and we lived with my Worthington grandparents. My grandmother died when I was ten, and then my parents died when I was twelve. After that, my grandfather and I were left with only one another. I’m afraid he spoiled me, but I’ve tried not to become self-centered. How I loved our life. We had many friends and traveled up and down the eastern seacoast.

Caroline: What changed that?

Katie smoothes a hand self-consciously down her skirt: When my grandfather died, I witnessed the men responsible. I had to escape them without endangering any of my friends. You see, one of the men was a trusted friend who knew everything about me.

Caroline: That must have been frightening. What did you do?

Katie: I’d never been so scared in my life. In spite of my sorrow over losing my grandfather, I escaped by joining the circus as Dorothy Duncan.

Caroline: That was clever. Do you think your friends believed you’d died?

Katie: Not my best friend, Mary Lou Chitwood. The men who killed my grandfather made it look as if I killed him and fled. I corresponded with Mary Lou. (Katie smiles) She told her parents I was a friend from school traveling the country with her parents. That way she could write to me when I let her know the circus’ scheduled stops.

Caroline:  What did you do with the circus?

Katie: At first I washed dishes in the employee dining room behind the circus tent. That was dreary. Then I mended costumes and made new ones, which I enjoyed. My favorite job was as the fortuneteller, Maharani Shimza, Mystic of the East. That crazy name was the circus owner’s idea and so was the ridiculous turban he had me wear. To make myself look the part, I dyed my hair black. I made a cute costume based on a picture in a book I’d found at a library of a town we stayed in. The book was about India, and showed this lovely garment called a sari.

Caroline: Why was that fun? Can you really tell fortunes?

Katie: Why, yes, I can. You see, when we were at school, Mary Lou and I found a book about reading palms and what all the lines mean. I studied the book and amused my classmates by telling their fortunes. So, when I became the circus fortuneteller, I was able to use that knowledge on the people who bought tickets. Sometimes they were so happy they’d give me a tip, and I got to keep that for myself.

Caroline: Did you enjoy living with the circus?

Katie ponders the question: Not really, even though there were some things I did like. For instance, seeing different parts of the country was interesting. But I missed my home and friends. I liked my roommate, but I hated our cramped quarters. I was afraid the men after me might find me, so I was never really comfortable unless I wore my costume.

Caroline: What happened to end your time with the circus?

Katie smiles mysteriously: You’ll have to read the book to find out. I will tell you that the answer involves a wonderful man named Gabe Kincaid.

Caroline: Why, I do believe you’re blushing. Folks, here’s where you can buy GABE KINCAID, book four of the Kincaids:

Amazon      Nook       Kobo     GooglePlay  and also at Apple iBooks and iTunes.

And if you buy and read GABE KINCAID, please leave a review at Amazon or wherever you bought the book. I'll truly appreciate your effort. 

Thanks for stopping by! 

REVIEW AND POST: JENNIFER RICHARDSON AND AMERICASHIRE

FIVE THINGS YOU SHOULDN'T MISS 

IN THE COTSWOLD

By Jennifer Richardson

The Cotswolds, a picturesque network of hamlets, villages and market towns in southwest England, is known for its honey-colored stone cottages, stately homes and stunning scenery. Each year, tourists from around the world visit gardens and sip tea in just a handful of the more well-known spots. But there’s much more to the Cotswolds than gardens and tea shops. Here are my five can’t-miss activities for any visit.

Gustav Holst Way near Guiting Power

Walk: The single essential experience of the Cotswolds is to go for a walk. The idyllic scenery–rolling hills dotted with contented herds of cows and sheep–is best experienced through direct immersion. The Cotswold Wardens offer guided walks, but armed with an Ordnance Survey map you can go it alone. I’ve also documented four of my favorite Cotswold walks in Americashire: A Field Guide to a Marriage, and you can find interactive guides to them all online at www.americashire.com/bookextras.  Tip: pack a waterproof jacket and a pair of lightweight hiking boots; sneakers don’t stand a chance on this often-muddy terrain.

Favorite Sunday Roast, Naunton

Eat: The quintessential British meal is a Sunday roast, and there’s no better place to experience it than a country pub. Armed with the Sunday papers, lunch can turn into an all-day affair. Whether its lamb, beef, chicken, or pork, the meat is likely of local provenance, and will come with a slew of vegetables, roast potatoes and a Yorkshire pudding. My favorite spot is the Black Horse Inn at Naunton. Slightly more upscale offerings include the Village Pub in Barnsley and the Wheatsheaf Inn in Northleach. Vegetarians will fare best at the excellent Abbey Home Farm Shop and Café. Tip: book in advance. Despite the sleepy feel of the area, pubs and restaurants fill up.

Dog-friendly Dayleford Organic

Shop: My favorite shopping experience in the Cotswolds is rummaging through the reclamation yard at Little Rissington, chock full of everything from garden ornaments (stone orbs and mushrooms are particular favorites in the Cotswolds) to antique ledge and brace doors. Not much here will fit in the overhead compartment of a plane, but you may find a brass door knocker or an antique book that will make a suitably portable souvenir. Nearby, and at the opposite end of the shopping spectrum, is a pristine set of converted farm buildings that is Daylesford Organic. Known as the Harvey Nics of the Cotswolds, Daylesford has a tasteful selection of kitchenware, gardening tools, and clothing. If all the shopping has worn you out, a spa and an excellent café are onsite to revive you. Tip: If you’re a royal enthusiast, head further south to the market town of Tetbury. Here you will find a great selection of antique shops along the High Street, as well as the Highgrove shop, named after Prince Charles and Camilla’s nearby Highgrove estate and offering a selection of tasteful memorabilia.  

When in Rome: The Cotswold’s Roman lineage includes the Fosse Way (A429), also known as the Roman Road and one of the main north-south routes through the area. Of more interest are the National Trust’s Roman Villa near Chedworth and the Corinium Museum in the market town of Cirencester (pronounced siren-cess-ter). If your timing’s right at the Villa, you will be treated to a gladiatorial display by middle-aged men (and at least one woman on my visit) of questionable fitness, in addition to some fine mosaics and, of course, tea and cakes. Tip: If your visit to England includes a stop in London, head to the British Museum where several of the Roman mosaics on display are from the Cotswolds.

Horses in the Coln Valley

Horseplay: Drive or walk around the Cotswolds and it won’t take you long to realize this is horse country. Stud farms, racehorse training facilities, jumping equipment and, depending on your timing, the Hunt are all in bountiful evidence. Equestrian-themed outings include a match at the Beaufort or Cirencester polo clubs, point-to-points, and a day at the races at the Cheltenham Racecourse.  Cheltenham Week, which includes Ladies’ Day—the Cotswoldian equivalent of the Kentucky Derby—takes place each March. Tip: Check the dates of Cheltenham Week when planning your visit to the Cotswolds. Even if you’re not attending the races, restaurants and accommodation are extremely busy during this period.

The Details

EAT

The Black Horse Inn

Naunton

+44 (0)1451 850565

http://www.theblackhorsenaunton.co.uk/

The Wheatsheaf Inn

West End, Northleach

Gloucestershire, GL54 3EZ

+44 (0)1451 860244

reservations@cotswoldswheatsheaf.com

http://www.cotswoldswheatsheaf.com/

The Village Pub

Barnsley

Cirencester GL7 5EF

+44( 0)1285 740421 

info@thevillagepub.co.uk

http://www.thevillagepub.co.uk/

Abbey Home Farm Shop and Café

Abbey Home Farm

Burford Road

Cirencester GL7 5HF

+44 (0)1285 640441

http://www.theorganicfarmshop.co.uk/

SHOP

The Cotswold Reclamation Company

Unit 2, Sandy Lane Court

Little Rissington

Gloucestershire GL54 2NF

+44 (0)1451 820 292

info@cotswoldreclamation.com

http://cotswoldreclamation.com/

Daylesford Organic Farmshop & Café

Daylesford near Kingham

Gloucestershire GL56 0YG

Telephone +44 (0)1608 731 700

http://www.daylesfordorganic.com

Highgrove Shop

10 Long Street

Tetbury

Gloucestershire GL8 8AQ

+44 (0)845 521 4342

http://www.highgroveshop.com/

VISIT

Chedworth Roman Villa

Yanworth, near Cheltenham

Gloucestershire GL54 3LJ

+44 (0)1242 890256

OS Grid Ref: 163:SP053135

chedworth@nationaltrust.org.uk

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chedworth-roman-villa/

Corinium Museum

Park St, Cirencester

Gloucestershire GL7 2BX

+44 (0)1285 655611

http://www.coriniummuseum.cotswold.gov.uk/

Hunts in the Cotswolds

http://www.cotswoldhunt.co.uk/

http://www.northcotswoldhunt.co.uk/,

http://www.beauforthunt.com/

Cirencester Polo Club

The Bothy, Cirencester Park

Cirencester, GL7 1UR

+44 (0)1285 653225

www.cirencesterpolo.co.uk/

Beaufort Polo Club

Down Farm

Westonbirt, Tetbury

Gloucestershire,GL8 8QW

+44 (0)01666 880510

enquiries@beaufortpoloclub.co.uk

www.beaufortpoloclub.co.uk/

Cheltenham Racecourse

Cheltenham

Gloucestershire, GL50 4SH

http://www.cheltenham.co.uk/

Still want to visit gardens and drink tea? Try these for both:

Hidcote

Highgrove Gardens

Barnsley House

National Gardens Scheme

The Author

Jennifer Richardson is an American Anglophile who spent three years living in a Cotswold village populated straight out of English central casting by fumbling aristocrats, gentlemen farmers, and a village idiot. She is married to an Englishman who, although not the village idiot, provides her with ample writing material. She currently lives in Santa Monica, California along with her husband and her royal wedding tea towel collection, but her first book, Americashire: A Field Guide to a Marriage, is based on her experience in the Cotswolds. Americashire is out now from She Writes Press, and you can purchase it here. You can find Jennifer online at:

www.americashire.com

www.twitter.com/baronessbarren

www.facebook.com/americashire

www.pinterest.com/baronessbarren

 Caroline's Review of AMERICASHIRE: A FIELD GUIDE TO MARRIAGE

My husband and I wanted children right away, so I wasn't certain how I would like Jennifer Richardson's book in which she questions whether or not she's ready for motherhood. (I most assuredly agree that those who don't genuinely want children should not have them. There are far too many bad parents in the world without adding another set.) However, I need not have worried, because Ms Richardson sweeps the reader into a picturesque life my husband and I dreamed of living some day for a long vacation. Not the depressing parts, of course, just the fun parts. ☺

First of all, I loved her descriptions of life in an English village. We had a glimpse of this life while staying with a friend in Kent on several occasions, but living for an extended stay in the Cotswolds would be so much nicer than a visit. The author's descriptions painted vivid pictures that delighted me. She doesn't poke fun at England/the English, but at all of us. We are the same people everywhere, aren't we? There are tiers of society in every village, including mine in North Central Texas. Her clever wit merely brings the eccentricities into sharp focus. 

As the book progresses and I learned of her medical problems, I sympathized with the couple. Although her wit takes the sting from the reader's view of her diagnosis, it is sad nonetheless. Does she make the right choice? I'll leave other readers to determine that for themselves. In the meantime, I recommend this book for those who love memoirs, travel books, and introspection.

Thanks for stopping by.

ESCAPING TO RECHARGE

I love writing. I can spend hour after hour happily writing in my pink cave. Wait, I DO spend hour after hour writing. Occasionally, every muse needs a break to recharge. A couple of weeks ago in honor of the Annual Celebration of My 39th Birthday, Hero and I ran away together to East Texas. No, that’s not an exotic place like Paris or London or the Mediterranean. We enjoyed ourselves, though.

Road to our getaway

We went to Blue Gill Cabins between Canton and Athens, Texas. Hero loves to fish, and blue gill are his favorite target. For this stay, we were in the old feed store. Yep, a genuine historic building with corrugated tin outside.

Former feed store now cabin

When the owner found the feed store building, his uncle had sheetrocked over the inside. The owner, Devon Weatherford, removed the sheetrock to display the wide plank walls. You can’t buy wood like that now, so we think he did the right thing.

Bathroom with claw-foot tub

The floors are also wood, although not all the same size planking. Seeing them was a pleasure. Judy Weatherford, Devon’s wife, had decorated perfectly with old advertising signs and feed sacks. This is not the Ritz-Carlton, folks, but a charming rustic cabin with all the comforts like modern plumbing, heating, air-conditioning, and large TV with all the channels...but no Wi-Fi.

King-sized bed surrounded by
plank walls (and a window)

The complex includes five small lakes stocked with blue gill (hence the name) plus a few catfish, crappie, and bass. There are four cabins, each with a nice dock. Devon and Judy currently have the site for sale, but can’t decide whether or not they really want to sell. I hope they don’t, or that if they do, the new owners are as hospitable. Caring for the grounds and four cabins must be a huge undertaking, but the Weatherfords do a great job. In addition to the feed store in which we stayed, there is a bunkhouse, an extended A-frame, and Rose cottage. This is a family-friendly site, plus they let us bring our dog, Webster. We only stayed two nights, but next time we’re staying longer. And next visit, we’ll try the Rose cabin.

Whether it's to Paris, France or Paris, Texas, each of us needs a change of routine to recharge and relax. Where do you go to recharge?

Winners of copies of HIGH STAKES BRIDE are MK, Sue, Michelle, Jenn, Pat, and CLivingston. I'll contact you by email and arrange to get your copies to you.

Thanks for stopping by!

MONA RISK TAKES US TO GREECE

Hi Caroline, I’m so glad to be visiting your beautiful blog.

There is always a special story behind the official story of a book, or a special reason that leads an author to select a particular setting for her novel.

Why did I set my latest romance novel, SAILING WITH YOU, in the Island of Mykonos, Greece?
Granted it’s a romantic place, an attractive island and a fabulous resort where tourists flock in summer. But then there are so many equally beautiful sites that I’ve visited during my numerous travels. Yet, they didn’t stir a similar yearning in my heart or even talked to my muse. It’s probably the Greek blood running in my veins that makes me love to go to Greece and share its beauty with my readers.

From a book written by my uncle who lived in Canada, I learned that my ancestors dwelt in the Island of Salonika. The father, Yorgho Zanis, was a merchant selling fabrics in the old market area. After his death, his three sons decided to immigrate to America, build their fortune, and come back to their roots as rich men. But after they sailed for two days, one of the brothers became violently ill and had to disembark in the first port where the ship docked. He settled in Alexandria while his brothers continue to New York.

I visited Greece six times over the years and discovered its islands and beaches with renewed pleasure. I knew from the first time that I wanted to set a story there.

Blurb:  Can the pain of the past bring about the happiness of the future?

When Greek billionaire Stefano decides to demolish the dilapidated villa inherited from his grandmother, the American co-owner refuses to sell his shares and sends his attorney—and pretty granddaughter—to contest the demolition. To check out the opposition before he faces her at the hearing, Stefano meets Ashley incognito and convinces her to take a sunset ride on his yacht. Sparks fly and passion sizzles during a memorable night.

In court, Ashley is in for a nasty surprise about her handsome Greek god and Stefano is about to lose the only woman who’s ever touched his heart. Will Stefano be able to convince Ashley he’s not the enemy anymore?

Excerpt:
Determined to keep a vigil on the potential threat created by the presence of a stranger in his grandmother’s house—and what a stranger—Stefano raised the binoculars again watching the scenario unfolding on the shore.

The young woman untied her beach wrap and threw it on the back of the lounge chair.

“Lovely.” The word escaped him with a groan as she revealed perfect curves molded by the bikini like a second skin. Stefano blinked, assessing and admiring.

Aphrodite’s hands slid behind her back and remained hidden for a good moment. What was she up to? She turned around. This time he could see her profile and her fingers clasped on the hook of her bikini top.

With impatient twists, he fiddled with his binoculars. Damn it. It was already in perfect focus. Eyes narrowed, Stefano stiffened and zeroed in his attention on the beach.

Her head swiveled right then left. Was she scanning the stretch of sand carpeted with topless sunbathers? Guessing the woman’s intention, he swallowed hard.

Take it off or not take it off? What a dilemma.

She must be a foreigner. Probably a bashful American on her first visit to Greece. No doubt about it. A European beauty wouldn’t have hesitated to remove her bra on a beach where topless was the norm and full bathing suits the exception.

His senses on alert, Stefano stilled, focusing and waiting. Would she shy away from revealing herself or follow the locals’ example?

Her breasts swelled and rose while she seemed to struggle with her thoughts. Her fingers clenched behind her back on the thin strip of material. With a swift gesture, she unhooked the clasp, snatched the bikini top off, and crumpled it in her palm.

Stefano sucked in his breath. Simply gorgeous.


SAILING WITH YOU  http://tinyurl.com/7xwp8eo

:

Mona Risk, Author

Mona Risk never thought that hazardous waste analysis would lead her to writing novels! When her Ph.D. and work in chemistry landed her international contracts to refurbish laboratories, she traveled to more than sixty countries on business or vacation. To relax from her hectic schedule, she avidly read romance novels and mentally plotted her own books. Eventually she left a scientific career to share with her readers the many stories brewing in her head. M. Risk likes to set her stories in the fascinating places she visited from exotic Belarus, and historical France, to the beaches of Greece, the monuments of Egypt and the mysterious Islands of Seychelles.


http://monarisk.com
www.monarisk.blogspot.com


Caroline, thank you for hosting me today.

REVIEW OF WEST OF WAWA

WEST OF WAWA
By Lisa De Nikolits
Publisher: Inanna Publications (September 30, 2011)


First readers, let me tell you that Wawa is a town in Ontario, Canada. As nonsensical as the title sounds, this is a book of serious self-discovery.


Twenty-nine-year-old Benny Chau has run away from her home in Sydney, Australia. Run really, really far away. After a disastrous review to her gallery show she had thought would bring her fame and a way to escape a job she hated, followed by the humiliating failure of her marriage, she fled to Toronto via some impressive stops. When she steps off the plane in Toronto, the tulips are in bloom and she thinks the city beautiful and friendly.


Benny decides to give Toronto a try and begins a journey to lose herself as far from Australia as she can. She misses her parents and her sister, Shandra, but bemoans the state of her life near them. She is jealous of her sister, although clearly Benny had more advantages. Benny has allowed her bitterness to shape her, define her, sinking further and further into drugs, alcohol, and bad boys.


In spite of all this, WEST OF WAWA is a fascinating book. I don’t approve of self-medicating, but don’t worry. Not to give a spoiler, but Benny’s story ends happily. After enduring bad buses, slow trains, and seedy traveling companions for 72 days, she finally reaches the end of her journey in Vancouver. Not all of it was bad, though. In addition to breathtaking scenery, Benny makes two friends, real friends, the kind who stick with you.


At then end of her journey, Benny has discovers her true self. Watching another woman reduced to begging, “Benny thought how easy it was to take a wrong turn in life – a turn where one thing led to another, and another, until one day you woke up and the face in the mirror belonged to no one you knew, no one you ever thought you’d know.”


WEST OF WAWA is about Benny’s internal journey while she engages in her external journey. Authors are told to avoid stories set in moving vehicles, that they are boring. Not so! Ms De Nikolits creates an exotic ride across Canada, each step exciting and eventful. And whether she stops over in a motel, hotel, hostel, or private home, Benny finds adventure.


I love Ms De Nikolit’s turn of phrase, such as describing Manitoba’s mosquitoes as “So big they could chew through leather trousers.”


Benny started out a selfish, bitter woman. Although I always liked her in this book, she ended up a person I can admire and respect. A talented, energetic person I might want for a friend.  She realized, with a small measure of pride, that the trip had taught her a couple of things, not the least of which was that she was a survivor.”


Don’t let that tidbit from near the end prevent your reading WEST OF WAWA. Benny’s is a fast-paced, intriguing journey.


Amazon buy link: http://www.amazon.com/West-Wawa-Inanna-Poetry-Fiction/dp/1926708245/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331100945&sr=1-1


I was furnished a free copy of this book for an honest review.

WEST OF WAWA AUTHOR,
LISA DE NIKOLITS

Originally from South Africa, Lisa de Nikolits has been a Canadian citizen for eight years and has lived in Canada for eleven. She has also lived and worked in the United States, Australia, and Britain. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Philosophy from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. As an art director, her magazine credits include marie claire, Vogue, Vogue Living, Cosmopolitan, SHE and Longevity. Her first novel, The Hungry Mirror, was published by Inanna Publications in 2010 and was awarded the ippy Gold Medal for literature on women’s issues in 2011. She currently lives and works in Toronto.


Thanks for stopping by!

CATHERINE LAROSE TALKS ABOUT TRAVEL

Catherine "Cat" Larose is the oldest of seven children raised in a large Irish/Italian family – Catholic. Her parents were considered a “mixed marriage” back in the 50s, with family roots originating in Co. Mayo on her dad’s side and Naples on her mom’s side. She calls herself one part hot blooded Latin and one part wild eyed Celt.

She grew up in a close knit Italian neighborhood — think "Moonstruck" but in Cleveland, Ohio. When she was a little girl, her Italian grandmother said to her, “All you need is a place to hang your hat.” Cat has been a gypsy ever since — studying, living, working all over the place. Currently, she lives in Montreal, Canada.

She sells color for a living. What does that mean? The best way to describe it is when you go to a home improvement store and you choose a paint color – those little color chips, Cat's company produces those. It's a color sample, but with a very high degree of color accuracy. Her company produces them for the automotive industry, cosmetics and architectural coatings. It’s a very specialized business. She has the Bermuda Triangle of sales territories with customers in Scandinavia, Western and Southern Europe, and South Africa. Cat says, "It’s the perfect job for a gypsy like me." Her blog is http://www.cafegirlchronicles.wordpress.com/
Now, here's Cat's post:

              FIVE THINGS TO SEE OR
                  DO IN A NEW PLACE
By Catherine Larose
I often find myself in new places for business and because I’m in and out of a city quite quickly, I don’t always have much time to spare. However, when I do get some downtime, whether I’m traveling for work or pleasure, I always do a bit of research before I set out to explore. I like to arrive in a place that I know a little something about, and I’m not talking about its tourist attractions. I’m talking about its soul, its character(s) and its culture.

There’s nothing more thrilling than the flash of recognition you get when you see or visit a place that has some significance for you because you’ve read about it in a novel or seen it in a movie. There is a familiarity that arises from knowing a place’s “back story”. If you have that, you’re no longer visiting a stranger; you’re visiting a friend.



Let me give you a few examples of books and movies that can help you learn the back-story of specific places as well things you can do when you get there to enhance your experience.


Books

Barcelona – THE SHADOW OF THE WIND, by Carlo Ruiz Zafón. The novel includes hand drawn maps that trace the characters’ steps through plot twists and turns so you can follow in their footsteps.

India – A SUITABLE BOY, by Vikram Seth. This sweeping epic does a great job of breaking down the early formative politics of the country. Reading it will give you a better appreciation and understanding of today’s India.

Montreal – Forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs sets many of her thrillers in Montreal. I sometimes half expect to bump into her character, Temperance Brennan in one of the many settings she describes.

Movies

Rome – "Roman Holiday." Follow Audrey Hepburn as she hops on the back of a Vespa with Gregory Peck to see the sights in Rome. Fall in love with both the city and the guy.

Paris / France – "French Kiss." Follow Megan Ryan and Kevin Kline from Paris and Province to the Cote d’Azur in this delightful little comedy.

New York – "When Harry Met Sally." For me this is the best way to live vicariously in New York.


Having read a book or seen a movie about a place gives significance to the sights in the places you visit. It makes the experience that much richer. But you can also enhance your experience once you are there. Here are five fun things you can do.


1) Take a class in a “native” subject. Take tango lessons in Buenos Aires, cooking classes in Bologna and an Ikebana class in Tokyo.


2) Attend a cultural event. Attend the local symphony, a dance performance or a concert given by local talent in a club or a restaurant.


3) Take a tour. It’s a quick way to get an overview of a place, after which you can pick and choose your favorite spots to go back to and savor on your own.


4) Treat yourself. Travel can be stressful process at the best of times: standing in long check-in lines, losing your luggage or just getting oriented. Book a massage, facial, or a wash and blow dry at a local hair salon. It lends an air of “normalcy” to a place, and it makes you feel better no matter what situation you’re facing.


5) Sample the local cuisine. Always make it a point to try one local dish, whether it’s pizza in Naples, poutine in Montreal or antelope in Africa.

Finally as a way to relive the experience once you return home, bring back a music CD of an artist or group that you heard while visiting a place. If the music isn’t live, but piped in through a sound system in restaurant or played on the radio in a taxi, go ahead and ask the waiter or taxi driver about the singer or group. They are happy to tell you about the music to promote their country’s talent.

Once home, you can become an armchair traveler and let the music transport you back in time and place to experience those magical moments again and again.

Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Suitable_Boy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shadow_of_the_Wind
http://kathyreichs.com/about-kathy/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046250/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113117/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098635/

And now, my review of Cat's book,
ANY COLOR BUT BEIGE: LIVING LIFE IN COLOR

One evening in Paris, Cat
sees her life in beige

Cat has written a memoir in short, effervescent chapters. She begins married to the perfect man with a perfect life...almost. He's too perfect, and expects everything and everyone to be...in his control. One day in Paris, Cat sees her life in the sepia (or beige) tones it has become and decides to add splashes of color to her existence. She does, and she shows others how to do the same. No, she's not recommending we divorce our spouses, but merely that we add vibrancy and color to our lives. Whether we're painting our bedroom, traveling to the other side of the world, or just rethinking and improving our situation, Cat shows us how to create joy, live with gusto, and make the most of life's every minute. ANY COLOR BUT BEIGE is a mostly joyful (sometimes sad) book that will bring pleasure to readers. The buy link at Amazon is:
http://www.amazon.com/Any-Color-but-Beige-Living/dp/1770674896/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322013044&sr=1-1
And if go to her blog "Cafe Girl Chronicles" with your proof of purchase, she will mail you six color palette bookmarks. (Her blog url is given above.)

To view Cat's video trailer for ANY COLOR BUT BEIGE, go here
http://youtu.be/y9vh0IkE3YU

Thanks for reading! Have a Happy Thanksgiving!