The perfect job? I’ve got it.
I’m a traveling air conditioner salesman.
What’s so special about that? My sales territory spans the Caribbean. Ah, I thought that might catch your attention. That’s right. I get paid to travel from island to island, using my sizeable expense account to woo clients.
Along the way, I stay in beachfront hotels and resorts, eat tons of fresh seafood, and drink my fill of my favorite beer. Have you ever tried an ice cold Jamaican Red Stripe? I assure you, there’s nothing like it.
Financially speaking, the Caribbean is an excellent sales assignment. The region is always in need of the latest and greatest developments in artificial cooling. The people are culturally diverse – West Indians, East Indians, Puerto Ricans, Arabs, Ex-pat Americans – but I have a way of getting along with just about everyone. I’m quite skilled in the art of persuasion.
I recently made a trip to St. Croix, the southernmost island in the Virgins. Christiansted is the main town. Lots of little brewpubs and restaurants are set up along the boardwalk that skirts the harbor. I had a fantastic meal while I was there.
I also met a lot of interesting people on that visit to St. Croix. Let’s see, there was a construction contractor trying to reunite with his ex-wife and kids, an Italian opera singer who practiced his singing each day in the park by the old Danish fort, and the stylish wife of a Saudi grocery store owner. That last one, she had an obsession with women’s shoes. Green high heels, I believe.
Speaking of feet, they have a legend on St. Croix. They say a creature called the Goat Foot Woman roams the streets after dark. She’s half human, half goat, and she’s got a reputation for eating little kids. I think it’s just a fairy tale they tell children to try to get them to behave. “Don’t stay out late, or the Goat Foot Woman will get you.” Silly right?
The tourists like that sort of thing, though. That’s another aspect I enjoy about the Caribbean – all the tourists it attracts, especially the ones that travel alone or drift off by themselves, tempting me with their tiny delectable toes…
Sorry, I drifted off there for a moment. Well, we all have our secrets, don’t we? You never know what skeletons people might be concealing under the outer shell they present to the world.
Or what goat-like appendages might be hidden beneath an air conditioner salesman’s left shoe.
You can read more about the happenings on St. Croix in Afoot on St. Croix, the second book in the “Mystery in the Islands” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime. The first book in the series is Adrift on St. John.
Thanks to Penguin, I have one (1) copy of “AFOOT ON ST. CROIX” to give away. Leave a comment to be included in the giveaway. Contest ends October 31; US entries only per publisher’s request.
Meet the author
Rebecca M. Hale is a graduate of Colorado State University (Biochemistry 1994) and Vanderbilt School of Law (JD 1997). After almost ten years working as a patent attorney in the San Francisco Bay Area, she took time off to write her first novel, HOW TO WASH A CAT – and never looked back. She primarily writes fiction in the form of quirky mysteries that reflect her travel experiences and many of the people and animals she meets along the way.
Rebecca now lives in Western Colorado with her feline writing associates, that is, when she’s not off researching future books set in San Francisco, the Caribbean, or wherever else her wandering spirit takes her.
Rebecca is on Twitter and on Facebook. Her main author website is www.TravelingwithBooks.com.
Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
I love the islands and St Croix is one of my favorites . Loved the write up
Would love to win 🙂
My favorite is St. John, but ….Dee
This seems like it would be a good series to start reading.
Sounds like an interesting book. Thanks for the chance to win.
This just looks like too much fun.
I’ve never been to the Caribbean but would someday like to go there. And while I may not be able to visit someplace, I do like to read adventures of others who do visit. And if there’s some mystery, maybe some romance, and done with some humor — ah, paradise.
Clever. He’s going along perfectly normally, and then the toe bit comes in. We’re left scratching our heads and thinking, “Say what?”
Since today is rainy, dull and grey where I am, I would love to be on a beautiful sunny island, even with a murder.
I rather like Adam Rock (as long as he keeps focusing on the present and does not let his mind wander). It is a that point that I begin to have misgivings about him. But he can be a rather pleasant chap when he wants to sell something.
Whisk me away to the islands, please.
Never been to the Caribbean so this might be my chance 🙂 SIgn me up, please. judydee22002@yahoo dot com
This sounds like a good one, thanks for the chance to win.
Sounds like a great read.
Dear Mr. Rock: Are you interested in hiring an administrative assistant? My previous experience includes several years as an HVAC repair dispatcher. I married one of the technicians, but be assured that I keep personal matters separate from business. P.S.: I’m divorced now (wink, wink) and have a valid passport so would be available for a face-to-face interview provided that you *foot* the airfare and lodging.
Sounds perfect for me
Can’ wait to read this book!
Love the cover. The book sounds great!
With winter starting here in Minnesota, I’d like to travel to the Caribbean via book and dream of some warmth.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I really liked “Adrift on St. John, I’m sure I’d love this book too.
kaye.killgore@comcast.net
What a great sounding book. This book should make all of us New Englanders and those who live in cold climates just wishing for a winter to the South. Can’t wait to read it.
Cynthia
Sounds like a good book! Thanks for offering the chance to win.
I am in.
Awesome premise.
I could live with a job like that.
contest is closed.
I just finished “St Croix afoot”. As a long time stx resident I want to commend Ms Hale for her excellent and accurate descriptions of my island home. However the weird plot line was distracting.