It is great to stop off at The Best Boomerville Hotel to celebrate the launch of Choc Lit's new imprint, Ruby Fiction. Caroline James' romantic comedy is published today on the 13th March 2018. I have an extract for you today but first, what is it all about?
Let the shenanigans begin at the Boomerville hotel …
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?
Here is what Nikki Ashton, Amazon best-selling author has to say:
‘Britain’s answer to the Best Marigold Hotel! Book me in for
Sharing with the Shaman and Clairvoyance in mid-life – this book is fabulous!’
Extract
‘Are you going on
the dinner outing tonight?’ Bob asked as he skipped up the steps, taking them
two at a time.
‘I was going to
leave Hattie to sort it out.’
‘Is that wise?’ Bob
remembered the art class.
‘She can’t come to
much harm at the Bengal Balti.’
‘I wouldn’t be too
sure.’
‘Then perhaps I will
join you all.’
Hattie had laid on a
courtesy coach to transport residents and the cookery students were hoping to
pick up ideas for their Taste of the Raj evening, which Jo had confirmed would
take place soon.
‘I went to see the
Shaman last night,’ Jo said.
‘How exciting,
darling, did you learn anything?’
‘To be honest, I
didn’t linger, he wanted me to vape with him and offered something that smelt
very strange.’
‘Electronically?’
‘God no, he threw a
brownish weed on some red-hot stones and as he started to inhale his eyes lit
up and he began to chant. I thought it was time to leave.’
‘Sounds like fun to
me; we really ought to go along to one of his sessions.’
‘Yes, you’re right.
I shouldn’t endorse the class if I haven’t experienced it. Guests who go to his
sessions say they feel like they’ve gained a new lease of life. Hattie did one
before we opened Boomerville and I asked her to research the Shaman’s course.’
‘Did she enjoy it?’
‘Hard to say. She
went missing for three days and came back with an eagle tattooed on her bottom.
She couldn’t sit down for a week.’
‘The eagle has
landed.’ Bob giggled.
‘He may not take
flight again.’ Jo thought about the weary old eagle who would end his days in
the soft folds of Hattie’s slowly drooping posterior.
‘Well, I’m up for
it,’ Bob said. ‘I’m having a marvellous time at Boomerville and I think your
business is pure gold. You’re putting a new spring in everyone’s step.’
‘Oh, I do hope so. I
just want everyone to be as happy as I am. I love what we do here.’ Jo turned
to call out to Bunty. ‘But we should be getting back, classes are about to
start.’
My Thoughts
This is an out and out life affirming and amusing read from start to finish. It is crammed with an array of characters, most of whom have their own individual quirks and eccentricities. Set in a hotel in the Lake District, with the focus on the Baby Boomer generation, there is plenty of scope for amusing interludes and British humour. Caroline James tells a good tale which carries you along at a pace. I could absolutely picture the hotel and all its inhabitants.
The friendship between Jo, the hotel owner and Hattie, her faithful friend is quite touching at times. You believe their heartfelt vision for the hotel. The guests are all looking for something or someone to fill a void in their life. Kate, who is a central guest, is at a stage in her life where she is ready for something to change, although she is afraid that it may be too late for her. As she meets her fellow guests, she steps out of her comfort zone and discovers a talent she did not know she had. The story fizzes with life but it is the humour which stands out for me. Ruby Fiction, sister to the romance centred Choc Lit Fiction, aims to bring stories that inspire emotions. As the first, it certainly does that.
In short: Quirky characters and life affirming moments- great fun!
About the Author
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.
Thanks to Caroline James, Choc Lit and Rachel of RachelsRandomResources for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.
Catch up with the rest of the tour!
Huge thanks for your lovely review of The Best Boomerville Hotel and for sharing the extract on your fabulous blog. Happy reading everyone, Caroline xx
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