‘Let the shenanigans begin at the Boomerville hotel …’
Today I am delighted to be one of three bloggers kicking off the blog tour with Caroline James and her new release The Best Boomerville Hotel.
Described as ‘Britain’s answer to the Best Marigold Hotel!’, the Boomerville Hotel is in the beautiful setting of the Lake District and filled with a vibrant collection of characters to brighten up your day.
I have an extract for you all so please do grab a cuppa and enjoy!!
Book Blurb:
Jo Docherty and Hattie Contaldo have a vision – a holiday retreat in the heart of the Lake District exclusively for guests of ‘a certain age’ wishing to stimulate both mind and body with new creative experiences. One hotel refurbishment later and the Best Boomerville Hotel is open for business!
Perhaps not surprisingly Boomerville attracts more than it’s fair share of eccentric clientele: there’s fun loving Sir Henry Mulberry and his brother Hugo; Lucinda Brown, an impoverished artist with more ego than talent; Andy Mack, a charming Porsche-driving James Bond lookalike, as well as Kate Simmons, a woman who made her fortune from an internet dating agency but still hasn’t found ‘the One’ herself.
With such an array of colourful individuals there’s bound to be laughs aplenty, but could there be tears and heartbreak too and will the residents get more than they bargained for at Boomerville?
Purchase Link ~ The Best Boomerville Hotel
EXTRACT
Kate was having a panic attack. It had been a mistake to sit next to Andy and her brain had refused to concentrate and participate in the morning’s tutorial, where students had been asked to write about a favourite childhood toy. Her thoughts strayed persistently to the previous night and with her lover within touching distance, Kate could only think of one thing. It had nothing to do with childhood toys.
But now James was asking everyone to read out their work and Andy had risen to his feet to give a glowing account as he recalled memories of a neat little pedal car. His words tripped poetically off the page and when he’d finished the class applauded enthusiastically.
‘And finally, we’ve one more piece to share.’ Kate heard James say. ‘Kate, would you like to read your work?’ He indicated that Kate stand up and as she forced herself to her feet, Andy, ever the gentleman, reached for her chair to assist and several female students nodded in approval as he blinded them with a smile.
Kate gripped her notepad and stared at the line she’d scrawled across the top of the page. She’d wracked her brains to think of a toy and remembered a moth-eaten rag doll that her mother had made when Kate was young.
‘Er, it’s called “Rag doll”.’ Kate squirmed as she looked at the expectant faces. She lowered her head and began to mumble. ‘I had a little rag doll, its name was Peggy Sue, I didn’t really love it ’til I was forty-two.’ She felt a flush spread across her face. ‘It’s a work in progress.’
Kate sat down. She was mortified and wanted the ground to swallow her up. Where the hell had that nonsense come from?
There was silence and everyone stared at Kate.
Suddenly the door burst open and Hattie bounced over the threshold with Hugo hot on her heels. Thankful for the diversion, Kate grabbed her bag and raced to the ladies’ room.
‘Let’s take a break,’ James said as he stood to welcome the newcomers. He’d noticed Kate’s distress.
‘Another literary genius joins us,’ Hattie announced and introduced Hugo. She stood back as the two men shook hands. ‘Hugo has just arrived at Boomerville and would like to start his time here with one of your classes.’
‘Penned a few ditties in my time.’ Hugo stared at Hattie’s chest.
‘I’d be happy to welcome you to the group,’ James replied. ‘Would you like to join us for coffee?’
‘Got anything stronger, old boy?’
‘We won’t be stopping, thank you.’ Hattie grabbed Hugo’s arm and led him towards the door. ‘I’d like Hugo to catch an hour or two with the Shaman before lunch.’ The old codger was persistent and driving Hattie mad. She’d had enough of his wandering hands and leering eyes as she’d shown him around Boomerville and intended to shove him in the tepee to let the Shaman work his magic.
‘Happy writing everyone,’ Hattie said and guided Hugo to the door. ‘Remember, pencil power!’
‘Nice to meet you, Hugo,’ the class chorused as Kate returned and looked around for Andy.
About Caroline James:
Caroline James has owned and run businesses encompassing all aspects of the hospitality industry, a subject that features in her novels. She is based in the UK but has a great fondness for travel and escapes whenever she can. A public speaker, consultant and food writer, Caroline is a member of the Romantic Novelist’s Association and writes articles and short stories and contributes to many publications.
Her debut novel, Coffee, Tea, The Gypsy & Me is set in North West England, at the time of a famous gypsy horse fair. The book went straight to number three on Amazon and was E-book of the Week in The Sun.
So, You Think You’re A Celebrity…Chef? was runner up the Winchester Writers festival for best TV Drama and takes a light-hearted look at the world of celebrity chefs as they battle it out for fame and fortune. Coffee, Tea, The Caribbean & Me was runner up at The Write Stuff, LBF, 2015 and is an Amazon best-seller and top recommended read by Thomson Holidays. Jungle Rock, a romcom novella set in Australia, revolves around a TV game show.
In her spare time, Caroline can be found trekking up a mountain or relaxing with her head in a book and hand in a box of chocolates.
Caroline James Links:
http://www.carolinejamesauthor.co.uk
Twitter ~ @CarolineJames12
FaceBook ~ Caroline James Author
Huge thanks for hosting on your lovely blog today Mairead. I hope your visitors enjoy the extract from my new book, The Best Boomerville Hotel. Happy reading everyone xx
Caroline it was a pleasure having you * drop by* Wishing you all the very best with it. X