I’d like to thank fellow blogger and friend Rachel from Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me to take part in celebrating the launch of the latest novel from Caroline James; The Best Boomerville Hotel. I’m delighted that Caroline is sharing her Fantasy Hotel ideas today.

Caroline is a regular visitor to Linda’s Book Bag.  She kindly provided her top ten writing tips here, when Coffee, Tea, the Caribbean and Me was published and allowed me to interview her here.  Caroline also told me about writer’s block and I reviewed her novel Jungle Rock here.

The Best Boomerville Hotel was published by Ruby Fiction, the brand new imprint from Choc Lit, on 13th March 2018 and is available for pre-order from Amazon, Kobo, Ibooks/Google and Itunes.

The Best 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?

My Fantasy Hotel

A Guest Post by Caroline James

Linda, I am delighted to be on your lovely blog today and it is no surprise to me that you came up with a brilliant topic to discuss. You ask the following questions:

What is Caroline’s fantasy hotel?

Where would you like to stay?

What facilities would your hotel have?

Why do you want to stay there?

(Ha! Thanks Caroline. I think I’m somewhat nosy…)

In this fantasy, I am going to jump in my car and head north and take a leisurely drive to beautiful Cumbria. I’ll turn off the M6 motorway and meander along the A66 following the River Bevan until I come to the fictitious village of Kirkton Sowerby. The location of my fantasy Hotel.

My fantasy hotel is of course, Boomerville. A hotel that I dreamt up a few years ago and after refurbishment, is now the place where mid-lifers wanting a fresh start, leap into action as they learn new skills, take a whole host of courses both whacky and conventional and mingle and meet others who want to embrace life in their later years.

Boomerville is luxurious. A comfortable Georgian pile that has gracious reception rooms to relax in, a comfortable cocktail bar and fabulous food on a menu designed by a Michelin starred chef. As I wander into the lovely walled garden and stroll past guests enjoying a game of croquet on a neatly manicured lawn, I’ll walk past a fountain and climb a set of stone steps that lead to a meadow where wild flowers bow their pretty heads and sway in the Cumbrian breeze.

A brightly coloured tepee stands tall and invites me in. Several hours later I drift out, smiling sublimely after a Session with the Shaman and wave at a group of guests who are returning from Clairvoyance in Midlife, a course run in an old gypsy caravan hosted by Queenie, the resident medium.

In the evening, whilst enjoying a glass of wine in the conservatory, I sit with fellow residents and discuss Clay Creations with Potter Paul and we dream of appearing on TV’s The Great British Pottery Throw Down. Many are confident that they can pen a novel following tuition in Creative Writing, while the resident artist, encourages us to join Lucinda’s Life Drawing later that week. Aphrodisiac Cooking was popular this afternoon and several guests have already called it a day and are heading off to bed, hand-in-hand.

I’ve heard that Boomerville is building a pool, with swimming both in and out of doors. A hot tub has been installed in the garden, complete with cocktail bar. Hattie, the vivacious and barking mad manager, is planning a season of themed dinner events to include Tripping Out on Thai and Go Global in Ghoa. She assures me that they will be a sell-out.

So, Linda, that’s my fantasy hotel that becomes reality in my writing and I truly wish such a place existed for I would book in immediately and recharge my life-batteries and run happily out of my comfort zone. Are you coming with me?

(You bet Caroline. I’m in dire need of my batteries being recharged! I wonder if we’ll encounter a particular chef there too…?)

As always, huge thanks for hosting me on your brilliant blog.

(My pleasure.)

Love and happy reading to all,

Caroline xx

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. 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.

You can find all of Caroline’s books on Amazon UK and Amazon US.

You can find out more about Caroline on her website and by following her on Twitter. You’ll also find her on Facebook.

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