The 48th State

-
I just returned from a trip to Arizona, the 48th US state and I'm still dreaming of the warm terracotta tones of the red rock landscape. I had two reasons for going. First I'm trying to finish THE PARASITES, the sequel to THE FOREVER ONES and since much of it takes place in Las Vegas and the  Grand Canyon area, I thought that revisiting the place would give me a much needed boost after the lousy, grey winter we've had. Second, I wanted to see the place that so many Canadians flee to in droves when the winter weather comes blowing in. I know so many people who have invested in condos and houses in Phoenix and surrounding areas, and I wasn't disappointed when I got there.

Elton John's Million Dollar Piano set at Caesar's Palace

FIRST STOP: The Mirage, Las Vegas. Flew in for one night and after watching the amazing Sir Elton John and his Million Dollar Piano, we wandered along The Strip. I took in the blaze of neon lights, the flashing digital signs and non-stop action, a far cry from the bleak futuristic vision I've tried to portray in THE PARASITES. Oh - and I also dropped a few bucks in those lousy machines!!!
NEXT STOP: Flagstaff, Arizona. Stayed overnight and visited the famous Lowell Observatory. the place where Pluto was first discovered. Really interesting tour and got to look through the Pluto telescope and at the sun through a special telescope to see solar flares and sunspots!
NEXT STOP: Sedona, Arizona. Drove through the most breathtaking red rock scenery. Just like the backdrop for a million Hollywood Westerns. I kept expecting John Wayne to ride out from behind the  rows of incredible giant cacti that lined the way and stretched up into the mountains.

A beer and a breathtaking view




Tried out some gorgeous restaurants in Sedona. One in particular I'd recommend is Rene's Restaurant and Wine Bar at Tlapequaque Village. Gorgeous food and great service. The waiter turned out to be a professional photographer. Check out his gorgeous work here.
NEXT STOP: Scottsdale, Arizona. After a beautiful drive and a shaky start with directions, we really did grow to like the quiet, clean comfort of Scottsdale, probably one of the most desirable suburbs of Phoenix. We wandered round Old Town Scottsdale, avoided too many trinket stores, marvelled at the lush golf courses, the ultra luxurious resorts, the pristine shopping centres at Kierland Commons and Camelback Road, visited the incredible Musical Instrument Museum, where we witnessed an impromptu performance from a visiting Austrian Boys' Choir, and walked through the exotic scenery of the Desert Botanical Gardens. We also ate at the marvellous Tanzy's Restaurant, where the waiter puts on an incredible display working with baked mozzarella,  cooking and seasoning it at your table.
Old Town Scottsdale
The gorgeous colours of Arizona

Glass displays in the Desert Botanical gardens.


FINAL STOP: Back to Vegas and the fun surroundings of Planet Hollywood Resort. Stayed in the Charlie Chaplin Hip Hollywood Room. Took in the Pawn Stars Store, a comedy and burlesque Show and even went to see Britney Spears. Surrounded by hordes of screaming loyal fans, I can't say I loved her singing, but she's a great performer/dancer and the sets were incredibly elaborate. Didn't learn my lesson and dropped more money in those darned machines!! Then it was goodbye to the warm desert sunsets and back to the still grey skies of home.





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

THE ANGEL AT THE HEARTH

-
Image
While doing research for my last two books ( The Savage Instinct and A Proper Lady ) I kept coming across a term that was used to define the role of women during the Victorian era. The term Angel at the Hearth or Angel in the House defined the ideal image and essence of womanhood. It was widely portrayed in the art and literature of the time and was used as a standard to define the perfect woman, mother and wife. This idea actually gave rise to a whole genre of painting known as domestic pictures in which the ideal wife was portrayed as an earthly though angelic Madonna, soothing, comforting and submitting to her husband. Selflessly encouraging, watching over and nurturing her children while presiding over a well ordered, highly moral household. A poet named Coventry Patmore actually coined the term in his narrative poem The Angel in the House, first published in 1854 and   dedicated his first wife, Emily, whom he considered the ideal woman. Emily Patmore, painted by J...
Read more

DOGS and DATING

-
Image
I've recently changed writing gears to work on a more lighthearted project, inspired by a chance moment in my life when I went out with a friend to walk her dog, a cute, woolly little mutt. As we strode down the leafy path, I was amazed at the number of people who stopped to chat and generally fawn over my friend's dog. In that short walk we met more new people in half an hour than I had in several years, and some of them were hunks! My friend and I are both married, but it didn't take much of to stretch our imagination and ponder the question: C ould walking a dog help you meet the man or woman of your dreams? And that's how THE DOG WALKERS' DATING CLUB was born. The main character, LILY, is a self-professed dog hater after some traumatic dog-bite incidents in her childhood, which lends the book a more interesting dynamic when she decides to take on a puppy in the hopes of improving her chances of meeting someone to love. She wrestles with her n...
Read more

Publishing News

-
Image
Canelo set to publish two dark and twisty suspense novels by M. M. DeLuca. Commissioning Editor Leodora Darlington has acquired WEL rights to new standalone suspense novels by M. M. DeLuca in a two-book deal.  The Secret Sister  is a gripping suspense novel with a twist that will leave readers reeling. We follow our protagonist, Anna, on her whirlwind romance that ends in her marrying almost-too-perfect Guy. But how much does Anna know about the man she has married? And how much does Guy know about his new wife? She’s certainly keeping her share of secrets, and the biggest one of all is the identity of the sister she lost many years ago, the sister she is still searching for now.  M. M. DeLuca studied psychology at the University of London and now resides in Canada. She studied Advanced Creative writing with Pulitzer prizewinning author, Carol Shields. Her first novel,  The Pitman's Daughter  was shortlisted for the Chapters Robertson Davies first novel in Canad...
Read more