Friday I-Wish-I-Were-There (Ahipara, NZ)

Welcome to my Friday I-Wish-I-Were-There Blog.

Today I’m going home—not to Wellington, but to the place I still call home in the Far North of New Zealand. Home is where the heart is, right? Well, the Far North with its beautiful beaches and wild acres of un-spoilt native bush is where my heart will always return to.

Highlights:
Ahipara. The quintessential little Kiwi beach village and a great place to grab some ‘Fish n’ Chips’ or an ice-cream cone before hitting the sand.

Ninety Mile Beach. Actually it’s 55 miles long (88km) but who’s counting. This gorgeous and sometimes barren beach stretches from Ahipara Bay to Reef Point, and some of the dunes lining it are perfect for bodyboarding. Also a very popular spot with fishing fanatics.

The Ahipara Gumfields. Rich in history and dating back into the last century when digging for Kauri gum brought thousands of people into the area, I enjoyed setting my second book, ‘Dangerous Exposure’ here.

Friends and Family. We have both in this area, and it’s always wonderful to spend time with them.

Peace and quiet. In our little house surrounded by native bush, there’s only the sound of the wind and the song of birds in the trees. A wonderful place for a writer. I’m even brave enough to include a photo of me seventeen years ago writing. The second photo is the view from our front deck.

As Dorothy in the ‘Wizard of Oz’ said, “There’s no place like home.”

Tracey

Something Old, Something New...

This week I’ve had a flurry of buying books from authors I’ve never read before—shhh, don’t tell my husband. I’ll always be loyal to Nora, Jennifer and Nalini, of course, (that’s Nora Roberts, Jennifer Crusie and Nalini Singh for those who may live on another planet and haven’t read any of their wonderful books), but some days, some moods, you need to break out and try someone different.


My first port of call when looking for a new author to try is always my friend and critique buddy. She’s pretty much read every romance book ever written—maybe a slight exaggeration, but I know she’s probably read every military romance book ever written—and she knows the type of books I like. Ones with hot guys. Oh yeah. Sort of goes with the territory of ‘Romance’ doesn’t it? Anyway, like her, I write contemporary romance. While I love reading other sub-genres of Romance, the books I have written, and are currently writing, have a definite contemporary style. So aside from familiar favorites, I asked my buddy for some recommendations to broaden my reading/writing horizons. Jill Shalvis was one of her picks.


When I bought one of Jill’s books, she transformed me into a loyal-fangirl-forever by the end of the first page. Finding a new author that really resonates with you is like having Christmas come early—especially when they have a big backlist of books you know you’re going to love.

I also hunted down some other authors I’ve yet to sample, like Catherine Mann, Jo Davis, Kristin Higgins, and Jill Gregory, and ordered their books on the internet. I can just see my husband throwing up his hands and saying, “And you’re going to find time to read these, and the two hundred other books on your shelves, when?!" I’ll keep you updated. On the new authors, that is. Not on how I’m going to explain the charges on my credit card…


Happy reading everyone!


Tracey


What I’m reading this week: Instant Attraction by Jill Shalvis. This is the book that started it all. Funny, heartwarming and oh so sexy – I’d recommend if you haven’t read Jill, go to your local bookstore RIGHT NOW!


What I’m watching this week: Cold Mountain. Gritty, raw and Jude Law looking as sexy as hell when he isn’t hidden by a damn beard.


This week’s favorite quote: If there's a book you really want to read but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.  ~Toni Morrison


Hot guy of the week: Jude Law.

Friday I-Wish-I-Were-There (Brunei)

Welcome to my Friday I-Wish-I-Were-There Blog.

Today I’m returning to one of the most exotic and fascinating places I’ve ever visited, Brunei on the island of Borneo. Brunei is an Islam country, surrounded by lush rainforests populated by the Proboscis monkey, a native species of Borneo.

Highlights:

River Taxi ride at dusk. Hopping onto a river taxi we discovered our very friendly driver was a man called Aslam (or that’s as close as I could pronounce his name). Aslam knew of New Zealand (“Ahhh..All Blacks! Jonah Lomu, yes?!) and enjoyed scaring the heck out of me by zooming through the rickety bridges of Kampong Ayer (the River village) built on poles over the Brunei river. As darkness fell we heard the mosques along the riverbanks calling the Muslim’s to prayer. Eerie and beautiful.

Mango Coloured monkeys & morning tea. Because we only had one full day in Brunei, we were too late to book a tour to travel upriver into the rainforest. But Aslam came to the rescue, picking us up in his boat and ferrying us upriver into the thick trees, entertaining us with stories of snakes and crocodiles, and pointing out the Probiscus monkeys (or mango coloured monkeys as he called them). Later he took us back to Kampong Ayer to meet his wife and eleven (yes that’s 11!) children. After navigating some truly terrifying ladders we reached his home and were welcomed in like esteemed guests. His wife and sister in law had prepared a lovely spread of local food for us and afterwards presented us with gifts. I was incredibly humbled by this family’s generosity and graciousness.

Mystery meat. Deciding to be bold we ate at a local restaurant and tried what we thought was mild beef curry. It was so not mild! Luckily I’d bought a can of lemonade for about 30 cents!

Sultan Omar Ali Suifaddien Mosque. Very pretty, especially all lit up at night.

Such a fascinating place, with genuinely friendly and open locals. I wish we could’ve spent more time there.

Tracey

Hey baby, I think I wanna marry you...

For a while now on shows like ‘Mobbed’ and websites like You-tube, brave men of all ages have organized (or been part of) flamboyant marriage proposals. I would say men and women, but I’ve yet to see a clip where a woman proposes (why not, girls?).
So should every woman have a flash mob, marching band or a specially made mini-movie made for that (hopefully) once in a lifetime experience? I can’t speak for every woman, but for me, I would hate it. I won’t embarrass my poor husband by describing his 'suggestion' we get married—I can’t honestly say it was a proposal, as such—nearly 17 years ago, but he did know and love me enough to realize that a public spectacle was not something I’d appreciate.
As a writer I try to imagine the kind of marriage proposal that suits the hero’s style, but which demonstrates that the hero knows the sort of woman the heroine is. Is she a candlelit dinner and roses type? A hold-out-a-ring-box-while-sky-diving type? Or a lazy Sunday morning, breakfast in bed, with the ring hidden in a croissant type?
Whatever type of proposal the hero makes in my favorite romances (and in real life) it should be because he’s found the love of his life and he’s willing to look like the world’s biggest fool if that’s what it takes to get the girl of his dreams to say, “Yes!”
I hope you enjoy the below clips.
Tracey

What I’m reading this week: ‘City of Bones’ and ‘City of Glass’ by Cassandra Clare. I’m really enjoying this YA series. Cassandra’s done a great job of hooking me into her storyworld.

What I’m watching this week: Sense and Sensibility, with Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Kate Winslet and Alan Rickman. Alan Rickman is quite dashing as the Col. Christopher Brandon, I have to admit. And oh, the subtle but brilliant romance…someone pass me the tissues!

This week’s favorite quote: “My most brilliant achievement was my ability to be able to persuade my wife to marry me” Winston S. Churchill

Hot guy of the week: Alan Rickman – yeah, I know it’s an old photo, but he’s pretty damn fine. 

Friday I-Wish-I-Were-There (Florida Keys)

Welcome to my Friday I-Wish-I-Were-There Blog.

From one extreme to the other—last week I was shivering in the Canadian Rockies, this week I’m headed south, waaaay south, to the beautiful and relaxing Florida Keys.

Highlights:
Key Largo and the John Pennekamp Coral Reef. On a glass-bottomed boat tour to the reef we saw moon jellyfish, gorgeous colored coral and the elusive barracuda. Well, some of us saw them. One of our party of four (and that would be me), struggled not to let the New Zealand name down by being violently sea-sick on her sandals.

Bahia Honda State park. On one of the many ‘Keys’ (Islands) is the stunning Bahia Honda State park. The park has two swimming beaches, Sandspur beach, populated by mama turtles laying eggs in the right season, which faces the Atlantic ocean, and the other, more sheltered bay, Calusa beach, where we spent hours snorkeling, faces the Gulf of Mexico. Both were incredibly warm – something we’re not used to after swimming in New Zealand’s cool (okay, it's icy in my opinion) seawater.

Key West. Funky, touristy, and kitschy, but still great fun. We had a blast in Key West. Had the obligatory photo taken at the Southernmost point of the Continental U.S.A monument, plus a walk around the famous Mallory Square and along the popular Duvel St. The highlight here for me was my son’s excitement when he got to pat a little shark at the Key West Aquarium.

Key Lime Pie. Real Key Lime pie is a pale yellow colour (only packaged stuff is green) and oh my, one slice is not enough.

Sun, sea, sand and family. Nothing could be better. Now I’m going to take a few moments to imagine I’m still there floating in all that lovely warm water, instead of huddled at my desk with the heater on full.

Tracey

Someone tell me a story

What are your favorite ‘types’ of stories? What kind back cover blurb or front cover tagline will have you reaching for your wallet before you’ve even opened the book to the first page?


Here are a few of my gotta-have story lines:


Apocalyptic/Post-Apocalyptic:
If the end of the world’s coming with a giant tsunami or a plague or a moaning herd of zombies, I’m in. Especially if there’s a kick-ass heroine and a sexy as hell hero…last two people on earth type of thing. Love it.


Heroine/Hero trapped together:
Whether they’re shipwrecked on a desert island or trapped in a cabin during the worst blizzard in modern history, I wanna be right there with them watching them duke it out.


All in the family:
Someone once said, “Families are like fudge - mostly sweet with a few nuts.” I love books and especially series with quirky characters, so many skeletons in the closet that it’s like a crazy-ass boneyard and you just know that the hero’s brother and the heroine’s BFF are going to spark off each other in the next book of the series.


On the run:
Hero and heroine must flee something/someone (preferably a diabolical villain) and travel on cross country adventures where they are forced into close proximity and there’s always an undertone of rampant paranoia of the villain closing in.
Right. Must get my nose out of a book and get some writing done! 


Tracey


What I’m reading this week: City of Bones – Cassandra Clare. Great urban fantasy and addictively easy to read. And at the same time (on my Kindle) I’m halfway through Gracie O’Neil’s debut novel, “Touching Shadows.” It’s a rollercoaster of a ride and I can’t put it down – I just about leapt a foot in the air when someone tapped me on the shoulder the other day while reading it – I was so engrossed!


What I’m watching this week: Enchanted. Still one of my favorite movies, ever. Patrick Dempsey and Amy Adams are so cute together.


This week’s favorite quote: From a tee-shirt: You're a great friend but if the zombies chase us, I'm tripping you.

Hot guy of the week: Tom Brady from the Stetson adverts. Who wouldn’t want to go on a cross-country adventure with this guy?!

Friday I-Wish-I-Were-There (Golden, Canadian Rockies)

Welcome to my Friday I-Wish-I-Were-There Blog.

With the cold winter blast hitting the South Island of New Zealand bringing lots of snow, I thought today I’d travel back to a quaint little town in the Canadian Rockies, Golden. With a population under 5000 and situated close to some of Canada’s most beautiful National Parks, Golden has a small town, welcoming feel about it.

Highlights:
Northern Lights Wildlife Wolf Centre. Run by passionate people who genuinely love these incredibly noble animals. I was absolutely spellbound – and when the wolves flung their heads back and howled, each joining in the pack harmony, I swear, I’ve never heard a sound more beautiful.

Kicking Horse Ski resort put on an amazing New Year’s eve snowboard/skiing display and an impressive family evening of fireworks. But brrr, you’d think 17 degrees below zero was a little too cold for one of the snowboarders to strip down to his boxers for the last run! You know, the temperature must’ve addled my brain as all I could think was, “That poor dude’s gonna catch his death dressed like that.”

Pinewood Inn. We were so impressed by this immaculately clean little inn, and the staff there went out of their way to help us. One of the lovely owners, Deb, even went to the effort of sourcing two pairs of ice-skates for my kids in case the opportunity arose at the Kicking Horse Ski resort New Year’s eve bash.

Snow, snow and more snow. Oh Lord, our family loves snow! My kids had so much fun on their bought snow discs, and even I had a go. Lesson learned: Plastic discs are meant for lightweight kids, not mothers who’ve had one to many meals at Denny’s.

I’m off to make a nice, hot chocolate and to curl up with a blanket and book – what could be better to ward off winter’s chill?

Tracey

What do you find sexy in a man?

What do you find sexy in a man? How about a romance novel Hero?

Armani suits? A six-pack of abs? How about a bad boy straddling a Harley Davidson?

My Top-Ten:

10. A man that actually listens when a woman talks (and isn’t thinking either, ‘hmm, how can I fix her problem,’ or alternatively, ‘what the hell is her problem?’).

9. Hair that’s ready for a trim (but not Fabio long).

8. The way he walks.

7. Stubble (but not a beard, sorry guys).

6. Dimples.

5. Tall, athletic build – pumped up body builders need not apply.

4. Confidence, but not arrogance.

3. Good teeth – and okay, I’m fussy, but some personal hygiene would be nice too.

2. Sense of humor.

1. Tight ass in faded, low slung blue jeans (hey, I’m not gonna lie!).

What hits the list on your Top Ten?

Tracey

What I’m reading this week: Vengeance Born – Kylie Griffin. The first book in a series and what a debut! Loved it and can’t wait for the next one.

What I’m watching this week: Notting Hill. Though it’s been out for yonks, this is the first time I’ve watched it. Hugh Grant does nothing for me, but Julia Roberts is fabulous daahling!

This week’s favorite quote: No man stands so straight as when he stoops to help a boy.  ~Knights of Pythagoras

Hot guy of the week: Bear Grylls…Oh, yeah, he does fill quite a few of my Top 10 list, doesn’t he...

Friday I-Wish-I-Were-There (Melbourne, Australia)

Welcome to my Friday I-Wish-I-Were-There Blog.

Today I’m jumping across the ditch to the beautiful city of Melbourne, in the state of Victoria, Australia. Melbourne is a charming city with beautiful tree lined streets and lots of parks. The old buildings are just gorgeous and you can see so much of the city by hopping on one of the famous trams.

Highlights:
* The markets. Something for everyone and a shopper’s dream.
* The Melbourne Museum. While we were in town there was an amazing exhibition of the Ancient Greeks.
* Riding the trams. Lots of fun, plenty to see and a cheap way to sightsee in the city.

* The Yarra river. Perfect to stroll alongside of on a sunny day.
* Old Melbourne gaol. Definitely my favourite, but then I do have a dark place residing in my imagination. Some of Australia’s most notorious criminals were housed here—including the infamous Ned Kelly. It’s been around since the 1840’s and is a very atmospheric place—not somewhere I’d care to visit after dark, I must admit!

Melbourne reminds me a little of my home city of Wellington – they’ve got trams, we’ve got trolley buses and the famous Cable-car. They've got lots of trees and a pretty river, we've trees galore and a beautiful harbour. I’d love to spend more time there.

Tracey