Blog Tour: The Arctic Cruise by Caroline James

 

Do you have a bucket list of places you would like to visit one day? We absolutely do, and visiting somewhere like Norway to visit the Northern Lights is right up near the top! In fact, we are talking about doing it at the end of this year or early next year, and having read this book, I most definitely want to go!

Joy isn't sure that she wants to really take this Christmas cruise through Norway chasing the Northern Lights. She and her husband Tom had booked the cruise some time ago to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary, but he had subsequently passed away leaving her to take the cruise on her own.

Henry is on the cruise because of the guest speakers who are experts on his favourite hobby of photography. He is looking forward to sharing his Arctic adventures with his best friend, Audrey, who can't travel herself and is therefore living vicariously through Henry.

Letitia and Jim are making the most of every moment they can, knowing that Jim's health isn't going to get any better than it is right now. And Barb and Ken are there to see and be seen and are aiming to rub shoulders with the most important people on the ship, ranging from the captain to the guests who are staying in the ultra exclusive suites. 

For all that the other people play an important part in the story, this is really Joy and Henry's story. Henry is a life long bachelor and has no interest in forming any romantic relationships. Joy is still recovering from her loss. She does her best to hide in plain sight, with a wardrobe of frumpy clothes and little interest in taking part in any group activities. But some people have a knack of drawing out even the shyest of people. We watch as Joy begins to come out of her shell, and it is only then that we find out how much impact she has had in her field of work and we see her undergo a transformation of her own.

Ultimately, for Joy and Henry the attraction they feel for each other is initially hampered by their life experience and circumstances. Will they take a risk and try to build on what starts on a boat underneath the amazing aurora borealis, or will they take only their memories with them as they return to their normal life?

We love a cruise from the food to the entertainment, the sea days and the excursions, although we have never done one to cold climes. We also haven't done a cruise at Christmas time, which is when this book is set. We have talked about it, and it is very tempting, so it might happen at some point. And whilst it is more fun to be the one actually cruising from one interesting destination to another, Caroline James does a great job of taking us on a cruise through the pages of her books! I particularly enjoyed her descriptions of some of the excursions!

One of the challenges of travelling with other people is that there are all sorts of people out there, some of whom you can quickly come to like and other's who you know you would never pass the time of day to in other circumstances. We have met the people who know what is best for the whole group, the people who have been everywhere and done everything, and the people who just stick to themselves and barely acknowledge your existence. Just like in real life, the book is peppered with different types of people who are thrown together by fate. Fortunately, none of the people I have met in real life are as bad as a couple of the passengers in this story!

I have read several of Caroline James' books now, and I have enjoyed them all, but I particularly enjoyed this one with it's interesting mix of locations and characters. I look forward to reading her next cruise adventure!

I don't want to finish without giving a shout to the cover designers as this cover is amazing! Great job!

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted at The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews. Thanks to the publisher, Rachel's Random Resources and Netgalley for the review copy. Check out the other stops on the blog tour as well!

Rating 4/5

About the book

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.

________

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

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 –

www.carolinejamesauthor.co.uk

Twitter: @carolinejames12

Facebook: Caroline James Author

Instagram: carolinejamesauthor

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