by Katrina Latham
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? Comment and enter to win a digital copy of Sarah Mayberry’s ALL THEY NEED.
Kat Latham has been reading romance for a couple of decades. With degrees in English lit and human rights, she loves stories that reflect the depth, humor and emotion of real life. When she’s not writing contemporary romance novels, she can usually be found blogging or tweeting overly personal information. She loves meeting other readers and writers online, so follow her on Twitter or check out her blog and say hello!
I think either Australia or New Zealand would be magical locations to visit and I’m seeing them more and more in the romance books I’m visiting. Thanks for the giveaway!
New York City always seemed magical in both books and movies. When I got a chance to spend a semester there for college, I was so excited! And yes, it was everything I had hoped it would be.
I think for me it would be Scotland, its sounds like such a beautiful place in books.
I find Ireland a magical place and would love to visit there one day. I’m fascinated with Irish lore and magic. I’ve heard a lot of great things about “All They Need” and wouldn’t mind reading it on my PC.
I’d start right here in the U.S. The island of Hawaii sounds magical and I’ve never travelled there.
A place that has always sounded magical to me is New Orleans and I probably will be able to visit there some day.
I would choose Ireland. My family emigrated from Ireland in the late 1800’s and I would love to see where they lived. And, 16 years ago when I was pregnant with my first child, I read many Nora Roberts’ books set in Ireland. I hope to visit one day soon with my two daughters.
I would pick Scotland as a magical type of place that I do enjoy visiting in a story.
Last spring I read Anna and The French Kiss which was set in Paris and it totally inspired me to go there, which I did this summer. The descriptions were magical, and reality did not let me down.
any pre-1900s time seems like magical to me. I wish I could go back in time…LOL
I have to say that New Zealand is right there with Australia.
Australia and New Zealand are high on the list to visit. It is at the top of my husband’s list. First in my heart, however, are Scotland and Ireland. They call to me and I must answer.
London has always captured my imagination — and I was lucky enough to experience the “Old World” charm of the city about 11 years ago.
As an Australian I thank you. I have to say though that I have never read a book while in a bikini. Australia is a very beautiful country though. We have it all: amazing beaches, a rugged interior, & yes, some of the men do actually run around wearing khaki. All my tradesmen do. Come visit. We will welcome you.
The place that seems magical to me would be Great Britain. All the history, legends, castles: love it all.
Magical places for me would be Australia, New Zealand, and Scotland. I love to visit those places through books and would love to travel and see them one of these days. Until I get some money, I’ll just have to buy the books, read them, and dream.