Tag: france

Following French Footsteps
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Following French Footsteps

Caroline James AuthorLeave a comment

Hello, lovely subscribers!

I do hope that your summer is going well.

The winner of last month’s giveaway is Diane McLean, and her goodies are on the way.

Check my Facebook page for news of the next giveaway. 

Summer seems to be passing so quickly this year. After a gloriously hot June where the halcyon days seemed endless, July came in with day after day of heavy rain followed by an equally mixed August. 

Leaving the weather behind, I travelled to France in July to research my new novel. Just a working title so far, but it involves friendships and food, two of my favourite topics to write about. I’ll introduce new characters, and an old favourite may also pop up on the pages. I can say that the story is based in a lovely old house surrounded by fields of sunflowers, and at this time of year, it was such a pleasure to drive through miles and miles of yellow gold. Grown for the oil, which is supposed to be healthier for the French than their rich, creamy butter.

Excellent markets are found in most towns in France, and I found my favourite in Chauvigny. The medieval town also has five castles, so I had a fascinating day mooching around. In Le Mans, visiting the cathedral was a breathtaking and spiritual experience. What a magnificent building it is. More of France in future posts.

I attended The Book Party in Blackpool and met with other others and many wonderful readers and book bloggers. It’s a great event and such fun. The next is in Birmingham in December, so if you are in the area and love anything bookish, look out for that.

In early August, we took Venus (my office on wheels) to Anglesey and almost got blown off the island. More rain for most of the week, and winds made nighttime feel like we were at sea. But it is a lovely island, and Fred had a blast, meeting new furry friends and enjoying lots of walks. 

The Cruise continues to do extremely well and has received thousands of ratings on Amazon in such a short space of time. Thank you sincerely, each and every reader who takes the time to do this. It means a great deal and helps so much. Thanks, too, to all the lovely readers who contact me to say how much they’ve enjoyed the book. I am delighted to say that an audio version is currently being recorded. I can’t wait to listen to that and let you have details. I love audiobooks!

The Cruise

Thanks too to all the readers who send me photos of The Cruise actually on a cruise, or whilst they read on holiday. It makes me smile when I see where my novel is travelling to.

The Cruise

I cut the last of the sweetpeas in the garden today.

This little flower has a beautiful scent and is my favourite summer bloom.

Wherever you are and whatever your summer has brought to you, I wish you good health and happiness and look forward to catching up again soon.

With love

Caroline 

xx

BOOKS BY CAROLINE JAMES

(Don’t forget that many of these books are on Kindle Unlimited and Amazon Prime – bargains too!)

A sunny hello – Hola!
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A sunny hello – Hola!

Caroline James Author2 Comments

I apologise for wishing you a late but very happy, healthy and enjoyable 2023.
 
I am late because I am currently in Spain on a working holiday. We set off in December and travelled slowly through France to enjoy Christmas in the sunshine on the southern Costa Branca. It has been a lovely trip, and I am enjoying doing lots of research for a future novel. 

 
France was extremely cold and sightseeing involved layers of warm clothing as we headed south. But the sun shone, and the trip was terrific despite lots of frost and ice.

 
This part of Spain where we are right now is very Spanish, and at this time of year, there aren’t any tourists to speak of, just folk like us enjoying travelling and winter sunshine. I am astonished to see some of the motorhomes that come and go. Mobile mansions! Especially those with German number plates. One day I noticed a set-up that involved an outdoor gym, BBQ and lounging area, and I almost expected to see a disco ball appear with a pop-up dance floor!

 
Fred is with us and getting used to being away from the comforts of his home. He is a great little dog and good company. Not one to get wet, Fred has discovered that he loves the long stretches of beach here. But when the waves come in, he has perfected his ‘dressage pony’ trot to ensure he keeps clear of the surf.
 

We were fortunate to be in Alicante for the start of The Ocean Race. This yacht race goes around the world, covering thirty-seven thousand nautical miles over six months. Alicante gave the teams a tremendous send-off, and I am enjoying watching the race online as it progresses.

 
A trip to the mud baths at San Pedro was fun too. The mud there is from the salt lakes, and said to be one of the healthiest places in the world. Spread it on your body, bake it in the sun, then rinse it off and feel like a million dollars! Any aches and joint pains have disappeared.
 
My new book, The Cruise, will be published in April. Cover reveal and more news to follow. I so enjoyed writing this book as I took the characters to the Caribbean on a cruise of a lifetime, and the trip was a journey along memory lane for me.

 
The Spa Break is going well. Thanks to you all for reading, and I hope it provides a little escapism in these colder or not-so-cheery months.



THE SPA BREAK

If you’d like a trip to a Boomerville Hotel and see what shenanigans the guests are getting up to with managers Jo and that rascal Hattie, Boomerville at Ballymegille is currently on promo at only 99p/99c on Amazon. Hattie is about to appear again in a future book, so watch this space.



BOOMERVILLE AT BALLYMEGILLE


Sending love to you all from sunny Espana.
Happy reading,

Caroline xx

Caroline James Author