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Luxury Travel
Spotlight on St. Martin Best Beach Reads
©westoftheequator.com
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here’s nothing better than relaxing on a beach soaking up the sun or swinging lazily in a shaded hammock while reading a non-work related tome while on holiday... except this: reading a book that actually enlightens you about your exotic surroundings while entertaining you with a riveting yarn! There are some excellent books by island-based writers including collections of poems, historical works, plays and even cookbooks with local legends. For local author offerings, visit the House of Nehesi website www.houseofnehesipublish.com . But for pure escapism with island leanings, try these three great beach reads. First, there’s West of the Equator—In Search of Paradise. Though also set on some other islands, the bulk of good stuff surrounding this romantic comedy and its tempestuous journey on the high seas takes place in St.Maarten/St.Martin. Gleaned from the many diverse experiences that author Cheryl Bartlam Dubois lived during her years spent as a seasoned Caribbean sailor and as a charter captain working out of the five star resort, La Samanna, (passengers included Robert de Niro, the Rolling Stones, and Michael Landon) this tale reverberates with both celestial navigation for life and laughs! Cheryl has since traded in her captain’s cap to become a full-time author, screenwriter and producer in Los Angeles; the book is due to soon set sail on the silver screen as a movie. Next, you should pick up Hurricanes Paradise and Fairy Tales. Originally from New York, Kim Norris Samuels moved to St. Maarten and fell in love with the island. During her ten-year stretch there, however, she had to wrangle with one of the worst tropical storms in the island’s history
(Hurricane Luis, 1995). But it didn’t break her. Instead, she turned the misadventure into a hilarious tale of survival and observation. Kim now works as a successful stand-up comic in Los Angeles. And finally, if “who dunnits” float your boat, check out The Captain’s Fund. In this thriller of a book you’ll follow author Raina Wissing Harris’ characters from New York to St. Maarten in a topsy-turvy trail of murder, black market diamonds and eventually… romance. All three titles are available through www.amazon.com, or check the local book and variety stores like Shipwreck Shops. SUSAN CAMPBELL
-- LuxuryReportMagazine.com