Follow the Music

Turns out, when you’re between books, the writing break is scarily addictive.

Sometimes that’s exactly what you need. To get out into the fresh air and sunshine and, you know, live. Because how else are you going to recharge those writing batteries?

Besides, I’ve decided I need to get out more. Or to just get out at all. I miss the arts, and culture, and history. The real stuff out there, not the ideas I transfer from my imagination to my screen via a flashing cursor.

And the biggest realization? That I can give myself permission to experience arts, culture, and history on my own — I don’t need to wait for someone to go with me, (though having company has its own perks).

With this in mind, I made my first foray into solo travel (gotta ease into the idea) by making my way to downtown Victoria for the Mexican Festival on July 13.

I couldn’t have asked for better weather, a better experience, a better … anything, really. Following the music (and the tantalizing smells wafting from the vendors of authentic Mexican street food) to Ship’s Point was the best idea I’d had in a long time. Picture an open air venue on the harbour, filled with tents and people and a chihuahua or two. Add folklore dancing and mariachi harmonies and a 16-piece band. Now make all the people dance. And smile.

Pure. Magic. So much so that it inspired a poem I’m in love with. I’m going to be submitting it for publication, so I hope to be able to share it in the coming months.

Made in Canada

On the eve of Canada Day, I was walking through Indigo Mayfair with a friend, telling her how one day I wanted to see my books on a feature table, and about 30 seconds later I found this. 🤯

What a great way to celebrate the holiday!

Heading Out

Now that Rutledge Park in Saanich (a municipality within Greater Victoria) has had a big upgrade and is teeming with people again, I thought it was a good time to top its little free library up with Provenance Unknown postcards. (It is, after all, a key setting in the book.) Find the park and pink elephant in the pages!

You can watch a short, fun video of my little excursion here.

A Room of My Own: Update

With the last accent piece — William Morris print curtains — in place, I can finally, officially unveil my new writing study. I may never leave this room again…

You can also watch the short video tour.

Let the Games Begin

In honour of the Summer Olympic Games 2024 in Paris beginning on July 26, here are a couple of pics from my past adventures in the city of my heart. (And my book’s adventures there without me.)

(See more here)

Les Bouquinistes

Thanks to social media, I recently connected with best-selling local author MaryAnn Clarke Scott and we met up for coffee! She was so generous in sharing her publishing experience and her time with me, and I very much appreciate it.

Sometimes social media’s a great place.

One of her books is a fun romance set in the south of France:

A Forged Affair: A Romantic Adventure Holiday in the South of France (Life is a Journey), by Mary Ann Clarke

A giant with a heart of gold, a formidable talent, and crippling insecurity. A charming teacher who’s comfortable in two cultures, yet yearning for home. And the firebrand of a high-risk adventurer who crashes into their world, upsetting their expectations. How complicated could it get?

She welcomes any risk, as long as it doesn’t involve her own carefully guarded heart. Adrenaline junkie, Niki Ballantyne is a risk-taker at work and at play. Haunted by guilt over her brother’s tragic death, she’s devoted to saving others in trouble.While on an adventure holiday in the south of France, she meets handsome and charming traveller Luc and his shy friend, the gentle giant Didier. Helping the bullied blacksmith win the love of another woman is not a typical rescue project for Niki, but she’s driven by compassion for her lonely new friend. Bittersweet memories of her brother’s life compel Niki to stay and support the star-crossed giant.

Their forged affair is perfectly safe. There’s no risk of getting emotionally involved, but teaching him about intimacy comes with consequences, and lessons to be learned.Particularly when it comes to Luc. On the cusp of a life-altering decision, Luc is drawn to daredevil Niki, though she upends his carefully laid plans for a perfect future. Despite instant chemistry and a powerful connection, Niki pushes him away. But when a sudden emergency brings Luc to her rescue, the way he sees her vulnerability scares her more than anything. Now she has to decide if the last thing she ever wanted might be exactly what she needs.

With that, I’m off for a bit of a holiday — I found a copy of Jules Verne’s Around the World in 80 Days in my neighbourhood little free library and I think it will make a great addition to my vacation.

As always, thanks for reading. Merci!

Sonia