Product Description

Selena Harper always thought she had the perfect job: working on a luxury cruiseship, she's whisked around the world from Alaska to Zanzibar with excitement and adventure awaiting her in every port. But as she prepares for her latest shore-leave - and finds herself unexpectedly deserted by her newly-engaged best friend - she begins to wonder if life on the ocean wave really is her dream come true. Why is she the only one who isn't settling down? And how can she be feeling homesick when she has no home? On a whim, she agrees to spend a week on the idyllic island of Crete, in the company of Alekos, a man she's convinced is an incorrigible womaniser. Steeped in mythology, the island soon starts to work its magic on Selena - and, more worryingly, so does Alekos. Is he really the cad she's always thought him to be? Or could it turn out that his home is where her heart is?

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #22420 in Books
• Published on: 2008-08-14
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 416 pages

From the Back Cover
Selena Harper always thought she had the perfect job: working on a luxury cruiseship, she’s whisked around the world from Alaska to Zanzibar with excitement and adventure awaiting her in every port. But as she prepares for her latest shore-leave – and finds herself unexpectedly deserted by her newly-engaged best friend – she begins to wonder if life on the ocean wave really is her dream come true. Why is she the only one who isn’t settling down? And how can she be feeling homesick when she has no home?

On a whim, she agrees to spend a week on the idyllic island of Crete, in the company of Alekos, a man she’s convinced is an incorrigible womaniser. Steeped in mythology, the island soon starts to work its magic on Selena – and, more worryingly, so does Alekos. Is he really the cad she’s always thought him to be? Or could it turn out that his home is where her heart is?

Praise for Belinda Jones

'Deliciously entertaining' heat

'A wise and witty read about the secret desires within us' Marie Claire

'As essential as your SPF 15' New Woman

About the Author
Belinda Jones's first paid job was on cult kiddy comic Postman Pat. Since then she has written for a multitude of magazines and newspapers including Sunday, Daily Express, Empire, FHM, heat, New Woman, and more! magazine where she was a staff writer for four years. Belinda's widely acclaimed first novel, Divas Las Vegas, was voted No. 2 in the New Woman Bloody Good Reads Awards in 2001 and On the Road to Mr Right - a non-fiction travelogue love quest - was a Sunday Times top ten bestseller. Out of the Blue is her seventh novel.

Customer Reviews

Good holiday read but the first half is very slow
I have championed Belinda Jones's books for years, I have always loved her style of writing, the humour, the descriptions of the fantastic places she bases her books in but have to say that I have found her last book, The Love Accademy disappointing and this one Out of the Blue even more so. I fear Belinda has lost the plot a bit with her writing lately and maybe deserves a little rest so that she can get back to the glory days of I love Capri and The Paradise Room to name but two of her other fab books.

Anyway, this book centres around Selena Harper who normally works on a cruise ship but is taking a break and after meeting up with her colleague Alekko at the airport is offered the chance to help him with his brother's business in Greece. Selena is reluctant to go at first as she is very mistrustful of men and as Alekko has a reputation of being a womaniser she is not sure that she wants to spend a week with him even if the location sounds idyllic.

Anyway, she does go and of course is swept away by beautiful Greece.

I have to say that I wasn't very keen on the character of Selena to start with, but liked her more as the book went on.

The book was terribly slow to begin with in fact I nearly gave up with it altogether at one stage and I know a friend of mine reading it at the same time found the same even though she is a big fan of Belinda's too. However, I stuck with it and enjoyed it more from the middle onwards. Belinda is very good with her descriptions of Greece and it was interesting that she added in some Greek mythology.

I would say to Belinda fans that they should read this book as it is a good read but just don't expect to be blown away by it.

couldnt put it down.
this book was a excellent read.couldnt put it down.the story was to true love story.make me want to go and find my self a greek god.another great book from a great writer.she never fails to impress.

Go on, dip your toe.
Firstly, I have to tell you by way of a disclaimer I suppose that I am a Belinda Jones fan. Since picking up her Divas Las Vegas book years ago and then having to source out all her others I eagerly awaited Out of the blue. However, just as I am a fan of Belinda Jones' previous books, I am also a fan of literature in general and love a good read so this book had a lot to live up to and it didn't disappoint.

The writing style of Ms Jones is so evocative. In each book you find yourself feeling like your in the country the characters are in (and she loves to travel if the settings are anything to go by), feeling the sun on your shoulders, eating Dolmades and drinking the retsina. Is it a hard thought provoking book? no, it isn't but it isn't meant to be. This is pure escapism and does it's job perfectly. The characters are warm, friendly and interesting too. You find yourself reading more than you anticipated because of this.

I would encourage anyone to have a holiday from your mind and read this book. Slip your toes into the warm Aegean (or perhaps a bath if the Aegean is just a stretch too far) and enjoy Selina and Alekos' journey. I guarantee you'll be wanting to book your own Shirley Valentine trip to Greece as soon as you've finished it.