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The Relax and Read book club by Spabreaks.com

Bringing new meaning to the term R&R

What is Relax and Read?

Whilst technology can be great, it’s also important to have time away from it and make time for ourselves. The two places we think provide the best opportunity for just that are between the pages of a book and in a spa. Fortunately, the two go perfectly together, making a spa break the perfect time to tune out and reignite the senses by picking up a good book.

This is why we have launched the Relax and Read Book Club, bringing new meaning to the term R&R. The Relax and Read Book Club will give you the chance to discover new books, learn about the authors, share your opinions and really escape into an inspiring world of literature.

This month, we’re celebrating Sunny Days and Sea Breezes. This fantastic read is the ultimate feel-food, fun-filled, life-affirming novel from Sunday Times bestselling author, Carole Matthews. As lockdown lifts and the mood of the nation lightens, this joyful novel will make the heart sing, bringing some much-needed joy back into our lives.

Sunny Days And Sea Breezes

Sunny Days and Sea Breezes

By Carole Matthews

When does time out become the time of your life?

Jodie Jackson is all at sea, in every sense. On a ferry bound for the Isle of Wight, she's leaving her London life, her career, and her husband behind. She'd like a chance to turn back the clocks, but she'll settle for some peace and quiet on her brother Bill's beautifully renovated houseboat, Sunny Days.

But from the moment Jodie steps aboard her new home, it's clear she'll struggle to keep herself to herself. If it isn't Marilyn, who cleans for Bill and is under strict instructions to look after Jodie, then it's Ned, the noisy sculptor on the next-door houseboat. Ned's wood carving is hard on the ears, but it's made up for by the fact that he's rather easy on the eyes.

Bustled out of the boat by Marilyn and encouraged to explore with Ned, Jodie soon delights in her newfound freedom. But out of mind isn't out of sight, and when her old life comes knocking Jodie is forced to face reality. Will she answer the call or choose a life filled with Sunny Days and Sea Breezes?

Buy the book today!

Read a sample chapter
Matthews Carole (1)

Meet the author

Q&A with Carole Matthews

Where is your favourite place to write?
I have a home office on the top floor of a three-storey house with a view over a park. It’s a lovely, dedicated space. I’ve tried writing in coffee shops but that doesn’t work for me as I’m too easily distracted by the conversations on the next table.

If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Buy a piece of jewellery to mark every book that is published. I’ve written thirty-four, so I’d have a great collection by now!

What did you do with your first advance?
It was a very modest amount of money so nothing very much, I’m afraid. I was just grateful to have had a publishing contract with my first attempt.

If you didn’t write, what would you do for work?
I’m hugely into crafts particularly crochet and papercrafts, so I’d like to think I could do something that would utilise those skills. It would have to be something creative and I’ve worked for myself for so long that I think I’d be unemployable in a regular job now.

Read the full interview
First Prize

Beautiful prizes from Sensory Retreats - worth £150

Win a Sensory Treat Box PLUS Aromatherapy scented room candles and a copy of the book

Enjoy this treasure trove of wellbeing treats designed to restore, rebalance and reignite the senses. This exclusive bundle contains self-heating eye masks, to soothe and relax tired eyes and minds plus an on the spot, aromatherapy scented rollerball featuring an uplifting Restore blend. Also included is a full range of beautifully scented aromatherapy twinkle lights to intoxicate the senses. Prepare to embark on a blissful journey as you tune into the frequency of true self-care and surrender to your senses.

We’re also giving away 5 runners up prizes of a Sensory Retreats 160g aromatherapy scented room candle and Divine Eyes Masks – worth £45. Vegan-friendly and crafted by artisans, Sensory Retreats 100% organic room candles contain natural coconut oil and pure blended aromatherapy essential oils Bring your home, your senses and your spirits alive with this uplifting prize.

Enter to win!

We have 6 fantastic prizes to win in this month's competition.

The first winner, picked at random, will receive: 1 x Sensory Retreat hamper worth £150, 1 x signed copy of the book, 1 x £50 Spabreaks.com voucher

Five lucky runners up will receive: 1 x Sensory Retreat Aromatherapy candles PLUS box of Divine Eyes masks, 1 x copy of the book

Competition T&Cs

  • The prize draw opens on 28/05/21 and closes at 11:59pm on 05/07/21. All entries after this point may not be included.
  • Winners will be drawn at random.
  • The prize consists of First prize; 1 x Sensory Retreat hamper worth £150, 1 x signed copy of the book, 1 x £50 Spabreaks.com voucher, 5 runners up will each receive 1 x Sensory Retreat Aromatherapy candles PLUS box of Divine Eyes masks, 1 x copy of the book.
  • When ticking the competition opt in box for Carole Matthews newsletter, you agree to receive their newsletters about Carole Matthews books. You give permission for Spabreaks.com to pass on your information for this purpose. To view their privacy policy click here. You can unsubscribe at any time.
  • When ticking the competition opt in box for Sensory Retreat, you agree to receive their newsletters. You give permission for Spabreaks.com to pass on your information for this purpose. To view their privacy policy click here. You can unsubscribe at any time.
  • The £50 Spabreaks.com voucher will be valid for twelve months.
  • Prize is non-transferable and non-exchangeable and there is no cash alternative.
  • The Prize Draw is open to residents of the UK aged 18 or over.
  • If the Prize(s) is not claimed within 14 days of the Winner(s) being notified, Spabreaks.com reserves the right to award the Prize(s) to an alternative winner(s).