My first introduction to the romance genre was through Harlequin Presents novels, so not only did I learn a whole lot about what boys and girls do when they like each other, but I also got to explore new countries for only a few dollars a month.
That’s how I realized Australia’s the sexiest country in the world.
Lots of the novels were set in London and Australia—places where they called their friends “mate” and lived in flats (which for years I pictured as apartments with lower ceilings).
Both places sounded amazing, but Australia kicked London’s ass on several levels. First, the London novels often took place in offices (*yawn* I’d seen 9 to 5 with Dolly Parton—offices looked like dreadfully boring places to fall in love). The heroes seemed uptight and the heroines wore stockings.
Not the grown-up life I wanted to have.
Australians, on the other time, chased each other through the Outback. They frolicked in the surf. They occasionally encountered animals so bizarre that only funny-sounding words could describe them: kookaburra, wombat, kangaroo.
Okay, maybe there weren’t wombats and kookaburras. I do recall some storylines with kangaroos, though.
And the clothes on the covers! I remember reading a novel in my uncle’s living room when I was about thirteen. He stared at the cover for a while before asking me, “Why is the man dressed from head to toe in khaki but the woman’s only wearing a bikini?”
Giving him my best grown-ups-are-sooo-dumb eye roll, I schooled him. “Because that’s what they wear in Australia, Uncle Rick.”
Duh.
Even though Australia has been at the top of my travel wish list for two decades, I’ve only been there through Harlequin. This month I’ll be taking another trip there, courtesy of one of my favorite Harlequin authors: Sarah Mayberry.
No, she’s not sending me a round-trip ticket. (You’re not, right, Sarah?)
Assuming she’s not, she’s done something nearly as good. She’s written another book for me to read. I’ve heard great things about All They Need, but there are only two things I really needed to know before putting it on my wish list: it’s by Sarah Mayberry and it’s set in Australia.
I may read it while wearing my bikini. Because that’s how an Australian would read it.
What place have you read about that seems magical? Have you been able to visit it in real life?
Love Sarah Mayberry! She is the BEST! I have that book in my Kindle, can’t wait to read it! Btw, have you read Can’t Get Enough? Her first book, also first one of hers I read. And my favorite. 🙂
I haven’t read Can’t Get Enough yet – is it available on Kindle? I’ll have to look into it! I love reading my favorite authors’ first books.
First I have to say that your post totally rocked my day…it really made me smile and laugh.
And yes – I too want to visit Australia and then London because of romance novels….and maybe the Caribbean too:)
Glad it made you laugh, Maria!
And how could I forget the Caribbean? That’s another place I “discovered” through my early Harlequin reading and still haven’t been to. You’ve reminded me of some great plots. Wish I could remember their titles – reading’s a much cheaper way of traveling!
My dream after seeing some television show as a child was to go to Australia. It took decades before the opportunity arose, but I jumped on it. And although I haven’t set a book there, given my very limited experiences and our whirlwind tour, I do have an Aussie character in my Blackthorne, Inc. series, and I love him. He finally demanded a book of his own, and writing him was a dream. (And he’s sexy, too.)
Terry
Terry’s Place
How great that you managed to live your dream, Terry! Where did you go?
Was your character inspired by your trip there, or did you have him in mind before you went?