#Excerpt The Cruise by Caroline James

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The Cruise by Caroline James
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The Cruise by Caroline James

#THECRUISE 

Three friends set sail on a luxury cruise… will they be able to catch a husband on the open seas?

Leaving behind the heartache, guilt and disappointment of their real lives, three friends decide that now they’re in their sixties, it’s time they finally did something for themselves!

Swapping Christmas turkeys and BBC reruns for crystal waters, white sandy beaches and smooth golden rum, Anne, Jane and Kath throw caution (and tradition) to the wind as they set sail on a luxury two-week Christmas cruise around the Caribbean.

Will the three friends find the comfort and joy they seek aboard the Diamond Star?

 Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/CruiseK

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EXCERPT

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‘This must be a rum shop.’ Jane consulted her glossary. ‘Apparently, there are hundreds dotted around the island, and they provide everything from groceries and provisions to alcohol and a game of dominoes.’

They stepped into the shack, where a large woman in tight Bermuda shorts and a tiny vest sat on a stool by the bar. Cornrows of shiny black hair circled her head, and she nodded in greeting. The room was open to the elements in one corner and a group of men sat on wooden pallets, slapping dominoes onto a table.

Jane’s nostrils twitched. Something was cooking and it smelt delicious.

‘What’s the local drink?’ Anne asked Errol. Wearing denim shorts with pretty embroidery on the pockets, Anne had knotted a gingham blouse under her breasts, revealing her tanned tummy.

‘It says here, “suck-a-bubbi” is a drink you buy in a rum shop,’ Jane said, reading from her phone.

The men in the corner looked up.

‘I think you might get more than you bargained for if you ask for one of those.’ Anne glanced nervously at the men, then turned to Errol. ‘What would you recommend?’

‘Try coconut water and rum,’ he replied, taking note of Anne’s shapely legs as she perched on a stool.

‘Three of those.’ Anne reached into her purse. They’d pooled money together for spending, and Anne was in charge.

Outside they sat on a bench and stared at the view. The drink was refreshing, and Jane, who was hot and thirsty, supped up and asked for another round of the same.

Errol pointed out a plantation house in the distance and explained that it was one of the first historic sites in Barbados. Today, it was a wedding venue with a distillery producing the finest rum for global export.

‘If this is the same rum that we’re drinking, it certainly is fine,’ Jane said. ‘It’s one of the nicest tipples I’ve ever tasted.’ She licked her lips and took another swig.

‘Here, you can have mine,’ Kath said and handed her rum to Jane. She wasn’t used to alcohol, and the drink made her lightheaded.

‘I’ll fetch a soda,’ Errol said and disappeared into the shack. He returned and handed Kath the soft drink, then, holding out a bowl, offered her a snack.

‘What is it?’ Kath asked, taking a strip of deep-fried batter, and placing it in her mouth.

‘Chicken gizzards, a delicacy.’

Kath began to gag and hastily dug into her bag to find a tissue. Gizzards weren’t the five-star food experience she’d expected.

‘Ah, that’s what I could smell, how delicious,’ Jane said and, grabbing a handful, began to munch.

‘I think I’ll pass,’ Anne said and patted her flat stomach, ‘but I see your appetite has returned?’

‘Hmm, I felt quite off last night,’ Jane replied, taking a second helping. ‘I thought I had a heart palpitation at one point.’

‘You’ll have a heart attack if you keep eating those types of snacks,’ Anne reasoned as she thought of the calories in the batter Jane was crunching.

Jane licked her greasy fingers and rubbed them on her trousers. She took another swig and found the rum comforting. It gave her an inner glow, and, feeling very relaxed, she was pleased that, at that moment, she didn’t care about her size and uncomfortable clothing. She picked up her phone and swiped until the glossary reappeared on the screen, ‘Did you know that “pick-pick” is the penis?’ she asked and began to laugh, ‘I’m learning so much today.’

‘Time to get her out of here.’ Anne rolled her eyes. She hoped that the men playing dominoes hadn’t overheard Jane’s remark, and with Kath, they took an arm each and guided Jane back to the taxi.

‘Safe man, safe,’ Jane giggled as Errol cranked the engine and they set off again.

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Author Bio –

Best-selling author of women’s fiction, Caroline James, has owned and run businesses encompassing all aspects of the hospitality industry, a subject that often features in her novels. She is based in the UK but escapes whenever lockdown allows. A public speaker, which has included talks and lectures on cruise ships worldwide, Caroline is also a consultant and food writer. Caroline writes articles and runs writing workshops, is a member of the Romantic Novelist’s Association, the Society of Women’s Writer & Journalists and the Society of Authors. In her spare time, Caroline can be found walking with Fred, her Westie and in summer, wild water swimming. In winter, when not working, she relaxes with her head in a book and hand in a box of chocolates.

 

Social Media Links –

Website:www.carolinejamesauthor.co.uk

Twitter: @CarolineJames12

Facebook: Caroline James Author

Amazon Author Page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinejamesauthor/