I’m not at my usual writing desk, or even one of my local cafes. Instead, I’m taking the grand European tour that I never did in my twenties. The beginning of my journey began in Rome, and I have meandered around the country in the couple of weeks since. I am currently far from the bustling cities, and staying for a couple of days in the village of Santa Maria della Versa. It is an hour’s train ride south of Milan. I’m staying in an old farmhouse and taking some time out of my travels to just chill. This is the view at my current writing desk.

I haven’t neglected writing activities while I’ve been travelling. WiFi is available in most areas, and even on the trains, so I have kept up with some of my program, albeit at a much slower pace. Two new books have just hit the market, both part of existing series.

The first is “It’s Your Funeral”, part of the Rites of Passage series. It gives the reader information on how to plan their funeral in advance, giving them a degree of control over their swan song, and relieving their loved ones of some of the stress and pressure at a difficult time.

The second book is “Safe Harbour in Sandy Bay” and is part of the Sandy Bay series. The book focusses strongly on the central characters, and how they handle the pressures foisted upon them by life events. The relationship between them is a slow burn, highlighting character development and they way in which they handle stress and influences beyond their control. Characters from earlier books in the series also have cameo appearances.

Perhaps future books will be set among the vineyards for which my current surroundings are famous.