TRAVEL INSPIRED BOOKS
Book #1 of the Reluctant Pilgrim Series
“Stephen R. Marriott takes us on a journey through the eyes of Diego, a young guitarist, as he struggles to find his path in life. It’s a touching tale which will not only have you reaching for the next in the series, but maybe your backpack as well.” – Richard Paul Evans, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author
Diego is drifting. He has been content with living his life in a sun-scorched village that lies on the route of the pilgrim path: The Camino de Santiago. But one stormy night, change is forced upon Diego when his father, Eduardo, the local candyfloss maker, unexpectedly catches him entertaining a captivated crowd with flamenco guitar rhythms. At that moment, Eduardo lets go of the ghosts from his past and realises it’s time for Diego to find his path in life.
Eduardo arranges for Diego to live and work on a farm and sends him on his way with the gift of his old Spanish guitar. Will Diego commit to working on the farm, or will he confront his destiny on the road where a million pilgrims have passed before him? Candyfloss Guitar is Book One of the Reluctant Pilgrim series.
Book #2 of the Reluctant Pilgrim Series
Despite living in a village on the fabled Camino de Santiago, Diego never expected to walk the long-distance pilgrimage. Now weeks later after stopping en-route and recovering from a fever he’s determined to complete his journey to Santiago in northwest Spain and follow his true path to becoming a flamenco guitarist. Although his musical craft is mesmerising to all who hear him play, the life of a flamenco guitarist is a tough one, especially for one who hasn’t had any formal training. Can he even summon the courage to audition or will he end up bitter, drinking too much in the murky shadows of flamenco bars?
Follow Diego as he battles with his demons, meet the people he encounters at their own crossroads and feel the flamenco beating in his heart. This is the sequel to Candyfloss Guitar.
“…should interest anyone with a sense of adventure and curiosity about the wider world.” – Kirkus Reviews
Book #3 of the Reluctant Pilgrim Series
Discover whether Diego is prepared to go all the way on his final road of trials…
Diego thought he had it all: money, fame, a life of luxury and a beautiful wife. Then, at the pinnacle of international stardom, his world comes crashing down when his wife suddenly leaves him. Desperate for answers, Diego meets Nessie, a high-spirited backpacker, and is presented with an opportunity to walk along the only road he has ever been happy on.
This moving stand-alone story builds on Diego’s Camino de Santiago journeys of the first two books in this trilogy, taking us on a deeply personal adventure that begins on the stage of a rock concert and ends with the discovery of a treasured flamenco guitar. Along the way, Diego manages to lose everything he ever thought he loved… but discover his true self and purpose in the process. With the Camino Portugués as the vivid backdrop we may recognise ourselves in the pilgrims Diego encounters on his journey, and the inner conflicts he must face and overcome.
This is the dramatic conclusion of the bestselling Reluctant Pilgrim trilogy.
