This week’s feature is from Caroline James, an author I’ve known for a number of years now and she’s in the Apricot Plots group of writers too. Caroline has just published The Spa Break with One More Chapter and its the next book on my to be read pile. Caroline is going to tell us what she gets up to when she’s not writing her fabulous books …
Huge thanks to Morton for inviting me onto her lovely blog to discuss what I do when I’m not writing. During the day-to-day practicalities, which involve helping my husband run his business and writing my novels, I also have many hobbies and interests.
Keeping fit is essential to me, and I swim regularly in a nearby lake or pool and walk with Fred, our Westie. One of my greatest passions is rural cycling for pleasure. My bike and I are the best of friends and go out and about as often as possible. For me, there is nothing like the wind to wake you up and sunshine on your face. In my early twenties I lived in Kensington in London and worked in Knightsbridge. I used to cycle to and from work, and riding through a city gave me instant awareness of the highway code and how to cycle in heavy traffic. I’ve always enjoyed cycling and take the opportunity whenever I can.
These days, I live in a rural town in Lancashire, and there are some fabulous places to potter about on a bike. It’s a vacation environment, too, with many holiday parks within easy reach. I love to amble about and wind my way through rows of chalets and caravan pitches where the atmosphere is relaxed and happy. At a nearby marina, close to the canal, there is a café which is a perfect pit stop as it sells the best ice cream in Lancashire. Wallings coconut flavour is my favourite, and every mouthful is a holiday sensation.
In recent months, I’ve had health issues, and the bike lay dormant in the garage. I’d entered into a 50 km ride in the coming weeks, but unfortunately, that won’t happen now. However, my strength is building and I shall soon be winding my way along the west coast, where there is a wonderful cycling path. I enjoy the stretch from Morecombe to Lytham for some seaside cycling. With the coast to my right and lots of lovely cafes along the route, it is one of my ‘happy places’ at whatever time of year.
There are perils to be faced when cycling. I try to steer clear of main roads, but even on quieter country roads, I have ended up in a ditch when vehicles hurtle by, seemingly unaware of the heavily padded lump cursing from the roadside. I ended up on a car bonnet when a driver wouldn’t stop at a roundabout, and on narrow roads have had many a car door opened as I tried to cycle past.
Blackpool hosts a Ride the Lights event in August, and the esplanade is closed to traffic. I shall don my disco helmet and ride along with hundreds of happy cyclists enjoying a vehicle-free fun ride.
Lancashire has lots of hills, too, and there are times when I ask the question, ‘Shall I go electric or stay manual on my bike?’ I envy the fabulously fit cyclists who all whizz past me and seem to fly up and down dales. But I get there eventually, even if I partly walk the ride at times. For now, I’ll rely on my own peddle power.
Happy cycling everyone!
With love,
Caroline xx
Thank you for your post, Caroline and I do hope you are back to full health soon. Mx
About The Spa Break
Caroline’s new novel The Spa Break is out now!
The laugh-out-loud romantic comedy of the year for fans of The Book Club with Jane Fonda
A weekend at the spa will leave four old friends with a whole lot more than they’d bargained for…
The glossy brochure promised a serene experience of total tranquillity and rejuvenation, but what best friends Bridgette, Emily, Serena and Marjory get is a weekend that upends their lives! There for a girls’ weekend to celebrate Bridgette’s impending seventieth birthday, the spa soon has these spicy sexagenarians realising that there are unexpected benefits to age and experience, and that over the hill certainly doesn’t mean out of the game…in any respect…
To buy The Spa Break you can use the link here
About Caroline James
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 has a great fondness for travel and escapes whenever she can.
A public speaker, which includes talks and lectures on cruise ships world-wide, Caroline is a member of the Romantic Novelist’s Association, the Society of Women’s Writer’s & Journalists and the Society of Authors.
In her spare time, Caroline can be found swimming in a local lake, cycling or walking with Fred, her Westie, in the beautiful Lancashire countryside.
To keep in touch with Caroline you can use the following links:
Website: www.carolinejamesauthor.co.uk
Twitter: @CarolineJames12
Facebook: Caroline James Author
Books by Caroline James:
Thank you for visiting my blog – Morton S. Gray – Author. I hope you enjoyed this post. You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Summer at Lucerne Lodge published as an eBook, paperback and audio download too – Amazon Check on my Choc Lit author page for other purchasing options here
Christmas at the Little Beach Cafe published as an eBook, audio and paperback – Amazon Kindle, Apple iBooks, Kobo, Nook Books, Google Play and Choc Lit for other options.
Sunny Days at the Beach is now available as an eBook, audio and paperback – Amazon Kindle, Apple iBooks, Kobo, Nook Books, Google Play and at Choc Lit for other options.
Christmas at Borteen Bay is available as both an eBook and audio download – Amazon Kindle, Audio, Apple iBooks, Kobo and Choc Lit for other buying options.
The Truth Lies Buried is available from all eBook platforms – Choc Lit, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, Apple iBooks and also as a paperback and audiobook.
The Girl on the Beach published by Choc Lit is available as a paperback and from all eBook platforms –Amazon Kindle, Apple iBooks, Kobo, Barnes and Noble and Google Play.
Morton S. Gray - Author 
Morton, very many thanks for hosting me on your lovely blog. It was fun to talk about one of my passions. Wishing you and your followers many happy reading hours. Warmest wishes, Caroline xx
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Very welcome and good luck with the book 💝
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