The Arctic Cruise

1 week ago 12

The Arctic Cruise

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.

Purchase Link – https://geni.us/TACK1

Author Bio –

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 –

www.carolinejamesauthor.co.uk

Twitter: @carolinejames12

Facebook: Caroline James Author

Instagram: carolinejamesauthor

Bluesky:
@carolinejames1.bsky.social

EXTRACT

The Arctic Cruise is a story about two people drawn together aboard a ship, while the lives of other passengers subtly and unexpectedly intertwine with theirs, shaping a journey none of them will ever forget. Set in Norway, beyond the Arctic Circle where snow-capped mountains rise above icy waters and the atmosphere in winter is simply magical.

In this short extract, guests from the cruise visit a reindeer camp…

In the reindeer camp at the top of the hill, excitement buzzed amongst the guests, as many had just witnessed their first glimpse of the Northern Lights. But, as Bill Zhang had predicted, the cloud cover thickened, and the ribbons of green and gold, which had been momentarily brilliant, faded, much to everyone’s dismay. However, any disappointment soon vanished when Matti stepped forward and clapped his hands.

‘Are you ready to meet the true stars of the Arctic?’ he asked.

Heads turned to the clanging sound of gates swinging open, and to everyone’s delight, a herd of reindeer trotted into the clearing.

‘Take a bucket and fill it with pellets, but be sure to hold it in outstretched arms,’ he warned as the soft-eyed creatures surrounded the guests and, knowing that food was imminent, began to nuzzle and bump into bodies.

‘I say!’ Kenneth shouted as his bucket was upended by a boisterous young reindeer. He was suddenly surrounded by the hungry creatures who piled in to scoop up the pellets scattered on the ground. ‘Babs! Help!’ Kenneth called out as he was butted in his bottom while another sniffed his pockets with a snort of warm breath.

Losing his footing, Kenneth stumbled to the ground, where a reindeer bit into Kenneth’s trapper hat and shook it like a terrier with a chew. Unfortunately for Kenneth, the reindeer’s grip snatched his toupee with the hat, and Kenneth yelped as it landed unceremoniously on the snow.

‘Babs, please help!’ he cried out, with one hand covering his bald head while he frantically searched for his wife as the reindeer, losing interest, pranced off to find another food-filled bucket.

‘Man up, Kenny!’ Barbara retorted as she reached down to retrieve the offending objects and return them to her husband. Then, stroking a Bambi-like reindeer, Barbara was thoughtful as she said, ‘They’re rather cute,’ and ran her gloved fingers over the soft fur, wondering if a coat made of reindeer might be stylish. But soon bored with fondling smelly reindeer, and regretting drinking too much before they’d set off, Barbara wandered away in search of a bathroom before her bladder burst.

Observing the incident and seated on the snowmobile, Jim laughed as he held out his bucket. Leticia stood alongside, stroking the bulky frame of the bull that was gobbling up Jim’s pellets. ‘His coat is almost white,’ Leticia said as she admired the magnificent male.

Jim nodded. ‘It’s a brown-grey colour in summer and lighter in winter,’ he said.

‘But he’s not got any antlers?’ Leticia was curious as she ran her fingers over the knobbly lumps on the reindeer’s head.

‘Matti says that males lose their antlers in winter, when the mating season is over. Females shed their antlers after calving in Spring.’

‘So, are you telling me that Santa’s Rudolph and his reindeers, who all have magnificent antlers, are possibly female?’ Leticia laughed.

‘I suppose they might be, which means that Santa’s sleigh is probably pulled by a team of strong, determined women.’

‘Well, that figures,’ Leticia said, ‘it takes a woman to navigate the globe overnight and deliver billions of Christmas gifts to children.’

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Books by Caroline James:

The Arctic Cruise

Atticus Arnott’s Great Adventure

The Cruise Club

The French Cookery School