The Great Big Spanish Adventure by Janette Davies.


           The Great Big Spanish Adventure by Janette Davies.

"She could feel the heat of his body. She felt his breath on the back of her head. "Your head smells like peaches."He pushed a lock of her blonde hair behind her ear and kissed her neck."

What a rollercoaster of a ride through the Paraiso Apartamentos in southern Spain and what a medley of misfits ambling along in a vice-laden den of money laundering and drug-busting. Is this Spain? Carole dominates this tale and sails through on cloud nine after a few bumpy rides with Lyle and Samantha, his squeeze. But that's water under the bridge. It's good to see a strong female role-model coming out on top, so well done Janette Davies.

Even the old crocks, in spite of being professional medical people deserve a second chance and it's exhilarating to welcome Sarah-Jane and Mark as newly- weds second time around. So what if their grown up children disapprove? They'll come round in the end and of course they do. Don't we expats love Spain? Nothing could keep us away!

Plenty of vino, cava and coffee not to mention Flamenco. Sounds Spanish? What about undercover agents, pimps, whores and The Pussy Club? Yes it's all in there. More satirical of society than to be taken seriously and in good taste too. Unfortunately they're not all-loved up and there are imminent divorces on the horizon.

Sarah-Jane assumes that this idyllic setting will be nice and quiet and how unimaginable to conceive that anything earth shattering could happen in Paraiso! Ironical. Isn't life strange? Of Mice and Men and Steinbeck would agree. There are plenty of rumbles, not quite so earth-shattering perhaps but still significant.

Carole's boyfriend, Lyle is a bit rough and certainly mis-matched with Carole. Where on earth did she find him? Benji's Bar and Restaurant is the place to be if you are a dodgy type laundering money or peddling drugs even. Unfortunately, Carole works there until she finds her boyfriend in a compromising position on the kitchen floor with the new waitress, Sam. Caught in the act. However, a thoroughly composed Carole gives almost a theatrical performance demonstrating how despicable and gross they are. Doing it on the floor, in a kitchen? That's it, she decides. The end. She goes back to her Paraiso apartment, collects his dirty washing and presents it to Sam issuing an unexpected and brave ultimatum and thus ending a bad relationship.

"If I was wearing the god awful knickers you are, I'd also want to get 'em off the first opportunity I got. Don't think Health and Safety would be too impressed with you two rolling round the kitchen floor though."

Sarah-Jane's advice for getting over a two-timing cheater of a boyfriend? "You've got to kiss a lot of frogs." It's not long before the police come sniffing round the joint uttering foul play.

Carole's first brothel visit presents her with a bit of a dilemma. What should she wear? Tart or smart? That's a new one for the books surely? Her first visit is profitable: a bottle of French brandy, 50e and a cheeky thong with emeralds and rubies. Wow! What did she have to do I hear you say? Read it!

Or what about Roberto's bar, acting as an informant and smooching with homosexual Alonso who was as gay as a spring morning. Sounds ominous? What were Peter Mason and Barney planning?

A very sick Katya marries Andreu who is in a homosexual relationship with the approval of Luis, his partner. What a topsy-turvy Spanish community! Or Russian for that matter.

The illusive man of the moment is Guillermo, initially described as a scary-looking Spaniard, a pimp, then intriguing when he is visited by the Ladies of the Night, attractive, even sex on legs, Death Vader and finally, a cross between Pierce Brosnan and Rafa Nadal. Count me in. Who is going to be the lucky lady? Obviously someone who deserves such a hunk and it might be you lucky person.

Publisher: Word Play. ISBN 13: 978-1493541201.
www. wordplay-publishing.com
Copyright 2014. Permission must be obtained from the author before any reproduction of this article review.

 

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