I need a vacation.
With the kids in school and up to their eyeballs in sports, I can’t necessarily run off to the Caribbean and take a few days R & R right now, but I still crave some fresh surroundings and the taste of exotic foods. I could wail about the stressful pace of modern life and the unrealistic expectations I’ve been trained to put on myself by society. But I think I’ll just pick up a book instead.
Ever take a vacation via novel? It’s not the same as the real deal, certainly. But when life conspires against your pleasure trip, a book can offer a very nice substitute.
Of course, you have to know where to look for your vacation. For myself, I seek out the actual change of scenery that a real life trip offers, so I want to read a book set somewhere foreign. I might try one of Blaze’s new “Lust in Translation” books that are set around the globe. Harlequin’s Special Releases program is running the “Mediterranean Nights” continuity this year and the books feature settings on board a cruise ship and around the Mediterranean. I wrote the second book, Scent Of A Woman, and while it’s not quite the same to write about an exotic locale as it is to read about it, I have to admit I discovered some fabulous new places I’d like to see while doing my research. I set a scene in Capri’s Blue Grotto in that book and thought it sounded gorgeous.
One of my all time favorite book vacations was Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ Breathing Room. I spent the next year of my life wishing I could pack up and move to the Tuscan countryside. Pirate books are another great option for feeling like you left your real life behind. Or maybe that’s a very personal preference… I like the scent of the sea and the chance to visit remote islands.
What about you? Have you ever taken a great vacation by book? Are there any physical locations that you really felt like you got to visit through a story? Whether it’s a whole book or just a few scenes from a story, I’d love to hear about it!
***Giveaway*** Join Joanne on the boards this week for a chance to win a signed copy of her new holiday anthology, A BLAZING LITTLE CHRISTMAS (Blaze 12/07), co-authored with Jacqueline D’Alessandro and Kathleen O’Reilly. Everyone who posts is eligible to win and a winner will be chosen at random on Sunday, October 14th.
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Every time I read an “Outlander” novel, I feel like I am being swept back in time to 16th century Scotland…Gabaldon is so descriptive you can almost smell the heather and grass.
by Sharmi
on October 11th, 2007 at 6:23 am
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No, I never have. There are been some locations that I would like to visit being inspired by a book, one Your Mouth Drives Me Crazy by HKDimon - Hawaii.
by Pat L
on October 11th, 2007 at 6:36 am
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“Ransom” by Judith McNaught & Elizabeth Lowell’s trilogy- “Untamed”, “Enchanted” and “Forbidden”took me back to medieval times with castles, knights and honor! Locales in England and the rugged mountains/highlands of Scotland. You forget about the primitiveness of the times and focus on the pageantry of the life at court and the beauty of the untamed land.
by Laurie
on October 11th, 2007 at 7:51 am
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I agree with Laurie… I love to time travel with a book and medieval times are always a favorite 
and the Elizabeth Lowell book Untamed must be my favorite!
by Lila
on October 11th, 2007 at 9:46 am
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My favorite location ever of books that I have read take place in England in the countryside with vivid descriptions of the surrounding bucolic environment.
by pearl
on October 11th, 2007 at 9:57 am
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I also wanted to visit Tuscany after I read The Breathing Room… and I still do 
by Nathalie
on October 11th, 2007 at 10:01 am
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It is sure that books make me visit some new places… I think in general the Blaze imprint has made me wish to go to more exotic places by the beach!!
by Lily
on October 11th, 2007 at 10:03 am
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Yes, I do get that mini vacation feel from reads. The Scottish romances do that for me.
by Little Lamb Lost
on October 11th, 2007 at 10:13 am
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When I read a book set in a tropical/beach location, I want to go there and bask in the sun.
by Crystal B.
on October 11th, 2007 at 11:12 am
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The first book that came to mind is a book that I read by Karen MacInerney called Dead and Berried: A Gray Whale Inn Mystery. The book takes place at a Bed and Breakfast on Cranberry Island in Maine. The way the author describes the beauty of the island is just so beautiful and it really takes you away. It makes you want to go away to this imaginery Bed and Breakfast and go on vacation there. The descriptions of freshly baked breakfast food was absolutely delectable too. It’s definetely a take me away kind of book.
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Oh geez, every time I read a Regency or something, it’s the way I get to England! LOL And so far in my life, it’s going to be the only way I can get there! (which, I guess it okay since Mr Darcy really isn’t around. . .) 
LOL
Lois
by Lois
on October 11th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
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When I get lost reading one of my historical, medieval times or even a time travel, it feels like I’m there. So you could say I’m taking a vacation every time I pick up the book and I get into it. There are times I am so lost my husband has just tapped me on the shoulder and I’ve come up flying out of my seat, I was so into the book, I didn’t even know he was trying to talk to me. And that brings me back to the here and now.
by Tammy G.
on October 11th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
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When I read Helen Kay Dimons’ Your Mouth Drives Me crazy I really wanted to go to Hawaii.
by Estella
on October 11th, 2007 at 2:46 pm
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I love to read books about the future and imagine what life would be like living then with all the wonderous new technology and being able to travel to new worlds and explore them and meet their people. I imagine traveling in a space vehicle with all these fantastic gadgets and looking out the windows to unbelievable sights. I really allow my imagination to go wild and take me to places I can only dream of or read about.
by Shari C
on October 11th, 2007 at 6:05 pm
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Hmm, I love learning about the characters’ “roots” whether it’s a unique vocabulary or the description of local places they visit during the story. When I travel, I’m one of those “tourist attractions checklist” person so I alway enjoy discovering from the story what I actually could do/see there were I to visit that particular location.
by allison
on October 11th, 2007 at 7:16 pm
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anything with paris in it, would love to visit
by kim h
on October 11th, 2007 at 10:53 pm
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Books are a great (inexpensive) way to travel..LOL!
It is a lot of fun to read about new places in a book and learn more about certain time periods!
by Kathleen
on October 12th, 2007 at 7:40 am
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I just remembered Betty Neels!! So many of her books are set in the Netherlands!! I had never even heard of Freisland before. Her books always made me feel as if I was traveling the country through the eyes of the characters….the people, their culture, customs, foods … even their language.
I’ve always loved the Harlequin Presents line so I’ve been lucky enough to have toured Greece, Italy, The Sahara Desert Kindoms, Australia and France.
I’ve always wanted to experiece Greece and her islands. It’s history, rugged coast line, beautiful water and sunsets, customs etc.
Susan Stephens, Helen Biachin, Lucy Monroe, Penny Jordan,Susan Mallery, Lynne Graham, Bronwyn Jameson and Margaret Way… all have assisted me on my travels around the world!
by Laurie
on October 12th, 2007 at 7:55 am
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It is always a nice break to travel somewhere in the world through the pages of a book. I do it on a daily basis. Lydia Joyce wrote one of her books with a Venice setting. Her descriptions just brought me there and I would love to visit Venice some day.
by Maureen
on October 12th, 2007 at 12:41 pm
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Interesting concept. I love reading and when there are books with settings in Italy I am totally enthralled. I can enjoy this voyage and can picture the area vividly. The Sense of Paper did that for me, within Italy and England.
by ruth
on October 12th, 2007 at 3:47 pm
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One book that I wanted to go to the setting was my first romance book.I don’t remember the title it was over 25 years ago,it was a harlequin and the place was Malta. Ever since that bok I have wanted to go there and it’s in a wonderful location where it would be easy to visit a lot of other beautiful countries and Islands.
by Dena
on October 12th, 2007 at 10:40 pm
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Whenever reading Debbie Macomber’s books I go on a vacation and would love to visit the places she writes about and meet the people.
by RobynL
on October 12th, 2007 at 11:59 pm
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Oh boy that is the ultimate way for me to get to go to my favorite destination since we don’t have the luxury to go or the time to get away. There are so many books that I have read that transported me to a different world. I try to buy as many romance novels about paris because that is my favorite place I would love to visit someday. Also, anyplace tropical is another dream location.
by Michele L.
on October 13th, 2007 at 8:56 pm
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I think that is one of the many wonderful things about reading, the opportunity to travel without ever leaving home. Reading is a big stress reliever for me. I have so many blessings in my life, but we have had a great deal of stressful health isssues in our family lately. Being able to relax with a book at night is such a gift.
I love tropical settings, but I also enjoy the settings with colder climates, especially around the holidays. I’ve truly enjoyed all types of settings as long as they are vividly portrayed. Thanks for the blog!
by Zara
on October 13th, 2007 at 9:55 pm
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I love books set in Louisiana, especially the bayous and New Orleans. I also love fantasy and paranormal so I have fun visiting other worlds through these type of books, all without travelling beyond the comfort of my own home. That kind of travel can’t be beat.
by Cherie J
on October 13th, 2007 at 10:43 pm
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I hate to travel in real life, so books have provided a splendid way for me to escape! Louisiana has been one of my favorite places to read about. It’s can be magical, haunting, scary, mystical, sensually seductive, or all of those things in one story! 
by Susan
on October 14th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
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Scotland! I love to read Scottish historicals. Hannah Howell hooked me. I always tell my husband one of these years we are going on vacation there!
by AmyC
on October 14th, 2007 at 3:15 pm
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Laurie, you reminded me how much I enjoyed Alexandra Sellers… she was the author of the Sons of the Desert, right? Great stories! Fiona Brand wrote a story with a desert setting I really liked, too.
And Susan, you must have read Jennifer Blake’s Louisiana set stories? As an LA native, she always seems to transport me there!
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Prize Winner!!! 
Congratulations to Amy C., winner of BLAZING LITTLE CHRISTMAS. Thanks to everyone who posted and thanks for the great ideas for armchair vacations!!
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I love Tara Taylor Quinn’s “Street Smart.” It’s based in Las Vegas and I felt like I was there with all the lights and the sounds of the casinos and the people.
by Jane
on October 14th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
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wtg amy c
by kim h
on October 14th, 2007 at 7:24 pm
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Congrats to you Amy!
by Michele L.
on October 14th, 2007 at 11:18 pm
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Congratulations, Amy!
Joanne, I love Jennifer Blake’s books!
by Susan
on October 15th, 2007 at 9:13 am
