SYNOPSIS: Selena Harper has her dream job – running Shore Excursions on a luxury cruiseship, roaming everywhere from Alaska to Zanzibar. But when her best friend announces her engagement, Selena starts to question her life on the ocean wave. 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 of her shore leave on the Greek 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?

THEMES: Trust in Relationships, Realising That Your Dreams Have Changed, Greek Gods, Nia Vardalos of My Big Fat Greek Wedding

LOCATIONS: Alaska and Athens & Crete in Greece

OPENING LINES: Oh no. Here he comes again. Striding purposefully towards me in precision-pressed naval whites complete with rigid black epaulettes, soft white loafers and a patent peaked cap with nifty gold insignia. Even his Mediterranean tan and onyx-glow eyes look like they’ve been officially issued in a bid to create the the ultimate cruiseship pin-up, all perfectly-set against an icy-blue ocean backdrop. I dart back along the corridor and into my cabin, leaning on the door like a fugitive. Ever since Alekos Diamantakis joined the ship in Alaska last month my life has been one long Benny Hill sketch.

BELINDA SAYS: I had great assistance with the creation of the leading man for this book – he’s half-based on a real-life Greek cruise officer named Giorgos. I say half because I had to tone down his naughty ways to make the character fly (or should I say sail?). But he did make the most excellent guide to Crete! The story also features Athens and I happened to be there the same day Nia Vardalos was filming My Life In Ruins at the Acropolis. She is so lovely and now has a cameo in the book!