The most recommended books on escapism

As a writer, I enjoy thinking about and learning about writing. I learned a lot from this book and found it a really enjoyable read.

If you wish to travel far afield, have a taste for erotic in your romance (done tastefully), and unconventional heroes and heroines, this is a great story. Sinjin is wounded and wary, and Chelsea is an unconventional young woman with a great deal of determination and resilience. Their reckless passion for each other is ill-advised and they both know it, yet neither one can resist. The exotic settings and careful attention to historical detail make this a very memorable read. Don’t forget also some really hot sex scenes.

On a whim, Mark Shand bought an elephant called Tara and rode 600 miles across India. He describes parts of the country in the east that tourists do not frequently visit, and the small team are around him are colourful characters. He is a witty storyteller.

Shand falls in love with Tara and is effusive in her praise throughout the book—occasionally, it feels a little over the top. It did not surprise me to learn that he spent the rest of his life campaigning to provide vital migratory corridors for elephants. In 2004 he established a charity called The Elephant Family, which still exists today.

What did surprise me was discovering that this wild and free author is the brother of Queen Camilla – he certainly does not have the typical tastes of an aristocrat. Mark Shand died in a tragic accident at a party in 2014. 

What would you do if you were just an average, boring man? Living an average boring life. But then you found you had incredible powers. Not little by little... but full-on fire hose-level powers. Then you found out that all you knew about yourself, and your life were lies. And everyone wants you. This is another novel where the protagonist finds himself running for his life or freedom through the universe. Just one this time.

This book appealed to the escapist in me. Just as every teenager wants to be special or miraculous, this was the epitome of a normal man finding he was definitely not normal and trying to live with the consequences. It’s a pretty common theme, but this story took it and ramped it up to a level 10 on the excitement meter.

I have adored everything Helen Harper has ever written (and I mean EVERYTHING), but this series, beginning with Bloodfire, holds a special place in my heart. This series was my gateway into urban fantasy—a genre that has magic in our contemporary world. It was the book that sneakily drew me away from my first love, epic fantasy, with humor, magic, and the promise of lighthearted escapism.

Let me introduce you to my girl, Mac. Mackenzie Smith is an ordinary human raised among werewolves. Although she seems woefully underpowered, Mackenzie relies on her wits and self-reliance to navigate treacherous paths with aplomb. I love Mac’s tenacity; she never laments her lack of power; instead, she dives headfirst into challenges, determined to save the day. Her unwavering spirit makes her an inspiring and totally relatable heroine, and I cheered her on loudly as she came into her own (much to the vexation… show more.

This is a gentle family story of loss, love and recovery for an 8-12-year-old readership.

When a grandfather suddenly dies from an illness which is sweeping the world, 5 family members drop out of society to live in a secret forest for seven years. This story impacted me personally, having lost my first husband suddenly 7 years ago, and our 40-year-old daughter just as suddenly this year. My granddaughter and her brothers lost their paternal grandmother a few years ago.

I really identified with the family’s grief, and their determination to go on with their lives, albeit in a self-sufficient manner. There was also a magical side to this story, with some lovely escapism through the involvement of horses who help the family in beautiful, and dramatic, ways.

Set in a time when New Orleans was still very French, Rene is a unique hero because he serves a foreign régime and has a different mindset when it comes to the governing of a territory that is now a quintessential part of America. Blake does such a good job of putting you in the setting, and the heroine is absolutely resolute, independent, and courageous. Their love affair is so unlikely, yet made believable and there is a tantalizing mystery and plenty of action due to the unsettled and volatile time of this story.

I discovered Xima by Rich Blecher after running into the author at a convention.

The mix of genres held my attention and was a delight to see. There’s something for most people—fantasy, dystopia, sci-fi, escapism, etc. Check Xima out if you’re interested in any of them, and you won’t be disappointed.

This was a fun romantic comedy read by the fantastic author Elizabeth Hunter. Emmie and Ox are wonderful characters, and it would be fun to hang out in their new business. There is also a strong supporting cast. Bookstores and tattoos are the perfect combination for an afternoon of escapism.

Have you ever dreamed about escaping all your problems by picking up and moving to Scotland to become a sword-maker?

That’s exactly what the heroine does in this book. Contemporary romance isn’t my favorite, but everything Alyssa Cole writes is full of emotional depth, diverse characters, and chemistry for days.

The hero of this book is a sexy, lovable grouch, and the heroine battles her own insecurities and struggles with ADHD in a way that makes you want to cheer by the end of the book.

I loved the themes of finding your own path despite family expectations, and how the hero never tried to rein in the heroine but stepped up his own self-growth to meet her.