travel fiction
-
Samba, sex and self-loathing by Syd Kelly
Amy, the proud owner of a geriatric womb but a sensational libido is absolutely terrified of turning forty and appears to be on a collision course of self-destruction via her addiction of cocaine, booze, masturbating, and having sex with utter arseholes (sometimes literally).
On the verge of losing her reputable job, shrouded in her mother’s disapproval and constantly being rescued by her unimpressed brother, after drinking enough in cubic meters to fill a lake, Amy decides to run away to her beloved Rio de Janeiro, in search of her happily ever after.
Reuniting with her gorgeous, ex-pat, lady friends who are as equally promiscuous and tragic as she and needing to get knee-deep in Latino lovers before settling down, she accidently falls in love with a twenty-three-year-old. Not entirely what she’d planned. Amy starts to realise that perhaps happily ever after isn’t quite what she is searching for after all.
Samba, sex and self-loathing delves into contemporary social pressures for women in their late thirties, with wit and realism. Set in the exotic but dangerous city of Rio de Janeiro, this book touches on the highs and lows of Brazilian culture, from colourful carnival to life-threatening shoot-outs. It’s a tale of friendship between four independent women and one philandering closeted bi-sexual man. Enjoying the perks of living in Brazil- that being hot, passionate lovers everywhere. All searching for love and happiness in their own misguided way.
Amy’s multinational besties include:
Anka- the straight-talking Russian, a successful business tycoon, opposed to monogamy and partial to a swingers’ club.
Scottish Hannah- disillusioned by men but deafened by her Big Ben biological clock.
Irish Roisin- a serial dater, desperate for love and then finding it with an ex-sex worker.
Finally, rampant local Leandro- who is trapped in his metaphorical closet, forced shut by his evangelical parents. Rum Country by J William
Staring out of the rain-lashed window of an ancient British pub, Jake dreamed of adventure and a hot sandy beach. His best friend Billy was coming to visit from America, and he regretted planning two weeks in Bristol instead of somewhere… warmer.
At least Billy would lap up the history, particularly all the stories about the pirates who’d lived in the area. Jake pictured them walking outside on the cobbles, shrugging their long coats close to their ears to keep the cold and rain out, drinking rum next to him near the fireplace, and even scurrying half-crouched along secret-tunnels rumoured to be beneath the city.
Jake had no idea the next two weeks would not be spent in Bristol, in the rain, or the cold.
He had no idea what the drinks that were about to follow with his best friend would encourage them to do, and the secrets they would discover.
And he had no idea of the danger it was going to put them in.
If he had, he’d have run head first in to the storm and never looked back.
But he didn’t know any of that.
Instead, he ordered two beers and two dark rums as soon as Billy arrived, starting a journey that would either deliver them to paradise… or bury them forever.
RUM COUNTRY is J William’s debut novel and the first of the Undisturbed Islands trilogy. Book 2, The Antigua Trail, has just been published and is now available on Amazon, and work is already underway on Book 3, Caribbean Ghosts.
“Rum Country is a gripping Caribbean thriller packed full of turquoise seas, white sands, thunderous storms, mystery, adventure, danger, and plenty of rum.”
Juliet’s Journey by Kathy Gates
Juliet is out of her comfort zone. She’s fetched up in the tiny northern Italian of Baiardo to do a volunteer stint in an art school. What was she thinking when she signed up? What if she’s too old? What if she doesn’t fit in? Truth is she is trying to get over the death of her mother and find some perspective to get her life back on track. The warm welcome and beautiful surroundings put her at ease. Friendship beckons and there’s a chance of love. That is until someone from her past arrives with plans for her and Baiardo. She finds herself in the centre of a conflict that threatens to tear the place apart.
