Create A Life You Don't Need A Vacation From ~ Katherine Hastings

Katherine Hastings, author of the upcoming "In the Assassin's Arms", is sharing her experiences with us.

Create A Life You Don’t Need a Vacation From

There’s a quote I saw somewhere once. “Create a life you don’t need a vacation from.” I saw it when I was still living in downtown Milwaukee after crawling through an hour of morning rush hour. It hit me pretty hard… like, “Quit your great job, pack up your house, move to Door County, and never look back” hard. So I did. In less than a month I was barreling up to paradise with my dog, Bacchus, riding shotgun in the passenger seat of my U-Haul.

Before moving to Door County, I loved to travel. I loved the escape, the adventure and the excitement of unfamiliar places. I would count the days between vacations and drool over places to go. But now, since my move back to Door County, I have lost all drive to travel. I no longer count the days to vacation, but groan at the thought of crossing the bridge that takes me away from my happy little existence. I’ve created a world I don’t need a vacation from.

Once a year, when the cold hands of a Wisconsin winter have gripped me a little too tight, I like to wiggle free and pull my reluctant husband south to Islamorada. It’s our “Door County” in the tropics… quiet, peaceful, and beautiful everywhere you turn. We always stay at the same place. It’s got a pool, a little kitchen, and most importantly it’s just a few blocks walk from our favorite ocean-side bar. Our vacations are no longer filled with adventure and exploration… it’s all about relaxing, reconnecting, and soaking up the sun.

At night, my husband and I head down to the bridges. An avid fisherman, he relishes catching tarpon off the docks. I bring my laptop down and sit by his side, typing away at my novels while he reels in big jumping fish beside me. Occasionally, I take a break and grab the pole and fight a monster tarpon myself before settling back down under the starry sky to dive back into my book.

We always enjoy the first few days of our vacation, and then the pangs of homesickness start to set in. The absence of my dogs in my arms when I wake up stings each morning and I wonder how they are. There isn’t any crashing and banging of things that our naughty cat has broken, and it makes things sound quieter than they should be. By the end of the week, even though we thoroughly enjoyed our time away, we are both throwing our bags in the car and rushing to get home to our little world… the very one I don’t need a vacation from.

Perhaps I’ve become too complacent in my life here… I wonder that often. Should I push myself harder to go experience more and explore again like I did before my move? But every time I have those thoughts I look around at my perfect little bubble of joy and think, no. I should be grateful for the life I’ve made that keeps me so content. There’s nothing wrong with settling into your life and finding joy in every moment at home.

Someday the thrill of travel may beckon to me again, but right now the only place I want to go is from my bed to my back porch to watch my resident deer walk up for a visit. I want to travel out my door to the beautiful beach just a short jaunt from my house where I’ll float in my raft and soak up the summer sun. I want to travel down the road to Stabbur Beer Garden, sit outside and grab a Malmo Mule to cool down on a hot summer day. Then, I want to travel home to my husband, my animals, and this tranquil little place on Earth I get to call home.

IN THE ASSASSIN'S ARMS

by Katherine Hastings

Series: Dagger of Desire

Historical Romance

Fiery Seas Everlasting

July 10, 2018

John Douglas may be a well-trained political assassin, but he has met his match in the woman he once called a friend. When his childhood playmate reenters his life, she's not looking to rekindle their friendship... she's out for blood.

With a vendetta to settle, Charlotte Cornewalle isn't stopping until she finds the man who killed her father. All signs point to Robert Douglas, the leader of the opposing faction of assassins... and John's father. To get her revenge, no one will stand in her way... not even the boy she once adored.

Fate forces them together as they fight to prove their innocence and right the wrongs they have suffered. Sparks fly from more than just their swords, but will they be able to put the past behind them? Will they be able to find the truth before it destroys them both?

Katherine Hastings loves love. It’s why she writes romance novels. Getting lost writing a romantic adventure is one of her favorite pastimes.

When she’s not on an adventure in her mind with her characters, she can be found at her home in Wisconsin snuggling her husband, two Boston Terriers, and the world’s naughtiest cat.

Two things make Katherine want to leave her happy home these days... going for rides on her dressage pony or floating at the beach in her big inflatable raft.

Writing her novels while floating in the lake is one of her ultimate pleasures... that and Fried Wisconsin Cheese Curds, of course.