SYNOPSIS: Carmen has been feeling the need to break free for Too Darn Long. So when her equally frustrated friend Beth suggests the ultimate escape – dancing their way through a series of scorchingly-hot countries – she can’t resist! There’s just one catch… they can only go on this adventure if they participate in a reality TV show, one intent on teaching them the mournful tango in Argentina, the feisty flamenco in Spain and the sassy, celebratory salsa in Cuba! As they travel from Buenos Aires to Seville and ultimately steamy Havana, each dance has a profound effect on the girls – and indeed the sexy gauchos, matadors and dirty dancers who partner them…

THEMES: Getting Happy after Getting Out of an Abusive Relationship + The Healing Power of Dance + Spanish Flair

LOCATIONS: Buenos Aires, Argentina + Seville, Spain + Havana, Cuba

OPENING LINES: ‘YOUCH!’ shrieks Aurelia. ‘This is supposed to be a costume fitting not an acupuncture session! You do this practically every week Carmen!’ I want to tell the West End’s leading lady that we wouldn’t have to make such frequent adjustments to black taffeta waistline if her weight wasn’t always yo-yo-ing to such extremes but she’s right, it is my fault. Ever since my split from Lee I’ve been overwhelmed with tears at the most inconvenient times, and when I well up the line between flesh and fabric blurs.

BELINDA SAYS: I flew all the way to to Buenos Aires to learn to Argentine tango but got thrown off a gaucho’s horse in Patagonia and could barely walk after, let alone dance! Seville was a polkadot dream and I returned there four times but Flamenco was the hardest for me to grasp. Really nothing compares to salsa-ing in Havana. The Cubans have such infectious joie de vivre! I highly recommend taking a dance holiday. (Pictured are two of my teachers – Russo & Roynet.) PS Do you know that the real-life Vivian from DIRTY DANCING (Miranda Garrison) was salsa and soul consultant for this book and inspired the character of Miriam?