BLOG TOUR: The Arctic Cruise - Caroline James

Pack your bags for the adventure of a lifetime…

From the #1 bestselling author of The Cruise, embark on an unforgettable journey and sail through Norway’s winter wonderlands to see the spectacular Northern Lights.

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Will the Arctic wonderland work its magic this winter?

Joy never imagined stepping aboard a cruise ship without her husband, Tom. Now widowed, Joy wonders what her voyage on the Emerald Dream will hold – and as it glides through breathtaking Norwegian fjords, she longs to believe in happiness again. However, she carries a secret that could unravel her fragile hopes if it ever came to light…

Elsewhere on deck, as the sun dips below the horizon and the polar night sets in, Henry, a lifelong bachelor, is living his dream of seeing the Northern Lights. Having long since given up on love, he now dedicates himself to his passion for photography. But when he meets Joy, is it more than the aurora borealis that catches his eye?

As they embark on a snow-dusted adventure which takes them from bustling ports to reindeer-drawn sleigh rides, will Joy and Henry find the courage to embrace love again? Or will hidden truths sink the possibility of a new beginning?

A heartwarming, feel-good voyage of self-discovery, romance and second chances, perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan and Judy Leigh.

 

What did I think?

I've only recently discovered Caroline James' books and I picked up The Arctic Cruise based purely on my love of her previous novel, Atticus Arnott's Great Adventure, and I'm so pleased that I did.  It was a lovely surprise to find the cruise setting sail from my neck of the woods and I think it's the first time that I have seen the Littlehaven weebles (as we locals call them) mentioned in a book.

It's the wonderfully drawn characters that kept me invested in the story from start to finish and they each have their own stories to tell.  I've never been on a cruise but I can totally imagine the variety of characters that Caroline James describes being very true to life.  I absolutely adored Joy, Henry, Leticia and Jim and the Montgomery Joneses provided a bundle of laughs through their snobbery and entitlement.

The scenery is breathtaking, especially the Northern Lights, as the beautiful writing painted such a vivid description in my mind and I really felt as if I was standing on the deck wrapped up in my big winter coat and being mesmerised by the wonder of the night sky.  

Incredibly heartwarming and filled with unforgettable characters, The Arctic Cruise is an uplifting, poignant and humorous novel.  So, pack your virtual bags and let Caroline James whisk you away to the beautiful Norwegian fjords.

I received a digital ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Purchase link: https://geni.us/TACK1

About the author:

Caroline James is the celebrated author of later-life fiction, including THE CRUISE, the #1 best-seller that has captivated cruise ship passengers worldwide, and her eagerly anticipated follow-up novel, THE CRUISE CLUB, and now: THE ARCTIC CRUISE. 

Her best-selling novel ATTICUS ARNOTT’S GREAT ADVENTURE is described as “A heartwarming and uplifting read where the characters shine from the page.” 

Caroline’s vibrant storytelling stems from her colourful career. Before becoming a full-time writer, she carved out a fascinating path in the hospitality industry, owning a charming country house hotel and a lively pub. As a media agent, she worked closely with celebrity chefs, giving her an insider’s perspective on the glitz, glamour, and grit of the culinary world. When she finally turned her focus to writing, she discovered her true calling, penning best-selling novels that have garnered her legions of fans.

When she’s not writing in her cosy writing retreat, Caroline enjoys tranquil walks with Fred, her Westie, and refreshing swims in a local lake. As a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, the SoA, ARRA, and the Society of Women’s Writers & Journalists, Caroline is a champion of lifelong creativity.

Social Media Links – 

Website: www.carolinejamesauthor.co.uk 

Twitter: @carolinejames12 

Facebook: Caroline James Author 

Instagram: carolinejamesauthor

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BLOG TOUR: Escape to the Northern Lights - Carrie Walker

Packed with humour, romance and a love affair with nature, Escape to the Northern Lights is a story of transformation, second chances and finding home in the most unexpected places.

High-powered lawyer Sara thought she had life figured out – until her whirlwind marriage ends in divorce, her dream promotion slips away and a burnout diagnosis forces her to take a break.

Desperate for a reset, she books a four-week spa retreat in Norway, imagining a luxurious escape. Instead, she finds herself in the rugged wilderness of Firefly Forest, knee-deep in reindeer droppings and stuck with an annoyingly bohemian – and ridiculously attractive – outdoorsman, Henrik.

What starts as a nightmare turns into a journey of self-discovery as Sara swaps designer heels for bare feet, legal briefs for tree-hugging, and fleeting flings for something far deeper...

 

What did I think?

Escape to the Northern Lights is Carrie Walker's third book but the first of hers that I have read and I loved it.  There's may be a lot of snow in the book but the wonderfully romantic storyline is sure to melt even the coldest heart.

In the midst of a relatively amicable divorce, Sara has her work/life balance firmly weighted towards the work end of the scale as she works every hour she can in an attempt to be made partner in a law firm.  It's like a carrot on a stick being dangled in front of her as the firm squeezes out every last drop of productivity before telling Sara that there's no promotion this year.  It's no surprise that Sara ends up in hospital and is finally forced to take leave from work.

It is so funny when Sara drunkenly books what she thinks is a luxurious spa retreat but it turns out to be a vegan, wellness cabin in the woods of Norway with no mobile phone signal.  When she realises her mistake she is determined to leave but Firefly Forest weaves its magic and changes Sara's life for the better.

I adored the description of Firefly Forest and Carrie Walker's beautiful writing effortlessly conjured a vivid picture in my head.  I also loved that the description of Sara's first aurora sighting was very realistic, but no less magical.  The attraction between Sara and Henrik is enough to make the snow melt and their blossoming romance seems to be going well until Mark, Sara's ex, turns up like a pantomime villain to throw a few spanners in the works.

Filled with humour, drama and romance, Escape to the Northern Lights is a beautiful book that warmed my heart and reminded me to stop now and again to look up at the sky; you never know when Lady Aurora will start dancing.

I received a gifted paperback to read and review for the blog tour ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Purchase link: https://amzn.eu/d/5U4BLAz

About the author:

Carrie Walker is a Brummie born rom-com lover with a lifelong passion for travel. She has lived in a ski resort, by a beach, in the country and the city, and travelled solo through Asia, South America and Europe. Her own love life was more com than rom until she met her husband a few years ago and settled down with him and her dog Ziggy in a small pub-filled village in Essex. 

Social Media Links – 

https://www.carriewalker.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/carriewalkerauthor

https://x.com/carriewauthor 

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