Box set: Three Bev and Carol Adventures

by Bev Spicer

This is a box set of all three of the Bev and Carol adventures. They are all stand-alone stories based on the author's various experiences and are meant to entertain and amuse.

'One Summer in France'
"What makes this such a good book is that as well as being so amusing it's beautifully written. Subtle inter-cutting of Bev's deeper thoughts and observations; scenes depicted with a poetic use of language demonstrate, once again, what a talented writer Bev Spicer is. Highly recommended." Amazon reviewer

The summer of 1979 was the best summer ever! Pretty, blonde and dangerously impetuous, Bev and Carol head for the sun, lucky beneficiaries of a generous university grant. They are full of enthusiasm and the dazzling spirit of adventure that only seems possible when we are young. Essential swimwear is selected and Lipton’s vegetable oil is perfumed with patchouli for the perfect tan. They end up in Argelès-sur-mer, on a campsite close to the coast and not far from the border with Spain. Every day brings new challenges: how to hold a meaningful conversation on a naturist beach, what to do about a precocious teenage stalker, how to transport a gallon of port on a moped… all of which they meet head-on, with dubious philosophy and irrepressible optimism.
'One Summer in France' is a humorous tale based on a three-month study break the author took as part of her languages degree course at Keele University in 1979.
‘Would you do it all again?’ asked Carol.
‘Like a shot!’ I said.
And I would.

'Bunny on a Bike'
"A great insight into 80s London, attitudes to women and life as a trainee bunny, this book captures that careless sense of youthful immortality perfectly. A fab light-but-intelligent read." Amazon reviewer

"A wonderfully uplifting book that brightens even the dullest of days. The author has a way with words that delights the reader, and leaves her feeling better about the world in general." Amazon reviewer

Carol and Bev have no idea about what they want to do for a living. They see a newspaper advertisement for Playboy croupiers and, with a typical lack of forethought, decide to apply.
After parading in bikinis and completing two gruelling maths tests (with a certain amount of cheating), they get the job. They do four weeks training at Victor Lownes' mansion in Tring, where there is free-flowing champagne and a well-stocked jukebox. They are commandeered to be photographed with Victor on his return from hospital, and are invited to attend one of his weekend parties, where they meet celebrities but are not terribly impressed.
Bev and Carol encounter unscrupulous landlords and exact a savage revenge. They deal blackjack to all kinds of punters, fend off lecherous pit bosses and almost fall in love. They get into all kinds of trouble and come out unscathed.
If you like frivolity and fun, if you like a dry kind of humour, if you like to laugh, you will love 'Bunny on a Bike'.

'Stranded in the Seychelles'
"STRANDED IN THE SEYCHELLES has all the irreverence and joie de vivre of ONE SUMMER IN FRANCE and BUNNY ON A BIKE, but there's a maturity in this one that adds poignancy and richness." Top Amazon reviewer

Bev and Carol are back and looking for a new adventure! This time, they fly off to the Seychelles to teach English. They are provided with a beautiful house on Mahé and commute to work on the tiny island of Ste. Anne in a World War II landing craft. Fuelled by fish, rice and South African rum, Bev and Carol tour the island on an ancient motorbike in their free time, discovering paradise and what lies beyond. There are giant spiders, heart-stopping bus rides and a tangled expat community, against a volatile political backdrop.

546 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 5, 2014

About the author

Bev Spicer has been writing full-time for a number of years, from her crumbly Charentaise house in France. In a past life she gained a degree in English and French Literature (Keele University) and a PGCE in English methods (Queens' College, Cambridge).

She has lived in Bridgnorth, Cambridge, Rethymnon (Crete), Mahe (Seychelles), and now lives in Charente Maritime with her husband and youngest son. The next place she wants to explore is probably Spain. Her husband is very tolerant, and secretly enjoys chaos.

Bev has been a teacher, blackjack dealer for Playboy, examiner for Cambridge ESOL, secretary (various sorts - most boringly 'legal'), lecturer at Anglia Ruskin University, and a Sunday checkout girl for Tesco (who allowed her to deliver surplus bakery products to the homeless – ‘every little helps’).

She loves people, reading, writing, speaking French, astronomy (quantum theory addict), gardening, travelling, and hates housework, cooking, drizzle and honey.

Bev publishes her lighter books under the name of Bev Spicer and her more literary works as B. A. Spicer.

Reviews

[E.J. Bauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was looking around for some humorous holiday reading and stumbled across the third book in this series. Read it, loved it and then had to back track and read the other two. I loved every minute of Bev and Carol's adventure together from university, France, London (where they were Playboy croupiers) and on to the Seychelles. It's so well written, I wanted to be a part of their advenutres and laughing out loud is only appropriate when you're on your own. Trying to explain to someone how hilarious a dead haddock hidden under the carpet behind the radiator is - well you really have to read the books for yourself.

[Don · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but could be better

Interesting stories that would be greatly improved if the grammar were correct, such as understanding the difference between objective and subjective voice.