January 8, 2016 by Effrosyni Moschoudi

Book Review: Evanthia’s Gift by Effie Kammenou

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Evanthia’s Gift is a heart-warming family saga that still stays with me even though I finished the book a couple of weeks ago. My mind often drifts to its vivid characters, their difficult life situations and heartache. Although it is a long book, it kept me interested and I couldn’t put it down, always starting yet another chapter to see what happens next. In terms of storyline and characters, this books scores top marks. However, I found the pace could have been better – there are many scenes that are not necessary to advance the story and therefore could have been omitted to make this a shorter, tighter read. Still, because it was so unputdownbable and its story/characters so palpable and haunting, I am giving it four stars. I am already looking forward to the next book in the series.

My rating:

4 stars

A heart-warming story and vivid characters that will stay with you.

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Do you enjoy drama and nostalgic stories about life back in the 60s – 70s? Give this family saga a try – especially if you have some Greek ancestry. The Greek recipes included in the book are also worth a try!

Check out my interview with Effie Kammenou on this blog!

Have you enjoyed this post? Follow the blog (see right sidebar) and miss no more posts! Sign up to Effrosyni’s newsletter to keep up to date with her news and special offers (very sparse emails). Interested to read more? Head over to Effrosyni’s Blog, where you’ll find her earlier interviews, book reviews, author tips, travel articles and even Greek recipes!

December 23, 2015 by Effrosyni Moschoudi

Book review: An Almost Perfect Christmas by Donna Fasano

Christy is a hospital nurse who volunteers to help Aaron give his little girl, Izzie, the perfect Christmas at home. Izzie suffers from leukemia so Christy feels compelled to work with Aaron–a widower for the past two years–as they try to tick off every item on Izzie’s Christmas list. This story tugs at the heartstrings, as one would expect, and Donna Fasano’s masterful pen does it with a mixture of drama and lightheartedness that allows you to keep reading without feeling heartbroken all the time. It is a dramatic theme, after all, and the two adults seem to be living their sweet romance almost guiltily considering the tragedy unfolding. Still, the romance is what gives Christy and Aaron the strength to carry on, little Izzie being the glue that binds them together. If you’re looking for a Christmas book that will stay in your memory, this one is the perfect, short read and won’t disappoint. Grab a hankie and lose yourself in this heart-stopping, spell-binding Christmas tale.

My rating:

5-stars

A spell-binding Christmas tale!

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Looking for a heart-warming, short Christmas read?

Trust USA Today bestselling author Donna Fasano to deliver the perfect choice!

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Have you enjoyed this post? Follow the blog (see right sidebar) and miss no more posts! Sign up to Effrosyni’s newsletter to keep up to date with her news and special offers (very sparse emails). Interested to read more? Head over to Effrosyni’s Blog, where you’ll find her earlier interviews, book reviews, author tips, travel articles and even Greek recipes!

December 9, 2015 by Effrosyni Moschoudi

5-stars for The Pineapple Mystery Series by Amy Vansant

Today, I have a double review to share! I could only do it this way as I wanted to make a point of recommending to you this delightful cozy mystery series by Amy Vansant, an author who is now one of my favorites.

Having enjoyed The Angeli Series by Amy Vansant I thought I might give this cozy mystery a try as well. It was the first book in this genre I’ve ever read and I loved it! Vansant’s remarkable humor provided a bundle of laughs along the way, and the storyline was surprisingly intriguing for such a humorous book – I couldn’t put it down. Vansant is now one of my favorite authors, and I’m looking forward to reading the rest of her books, whatever the genre!

My rating:

5-stars

Hilarious, intriguing and unputdownable!

Murder and mystery are back in Pineapple Port, and even though I thought I’d seen it all in book 1, it seems Mrs Vansant’s wicked humor is inexhaustible! The Mystery Box is another hilarious cozy mystery by this author that was well worth the wait. It is a compelling mix of dangerous villains, a ruthless ex, a character or two for whom appearances are deceiving, and the usual Golden Girls humor from the half-mad locals that had me howling continuously as I read. You don’t have to start at book 1 to enjoy this volume – it can be read as a standalone but I do recommend you read both books for maximum enjoyment. If you’re looking for laughs and mystery, then look no further!

My rating:

5-stars

A delightful mystery – highly recommended!

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Pineapple Mystery Box US UK

Are you into dark fantasy interwoven with humor? Make sure to check out Amy Vansant’s Angeli Series. Here are my reviews of Angeli and Cherubim on this website!

Have you enjoyed this post? Follow the blog (see right sidebar) and miss no more posts! Sign up to Effrosyni’s newsletter to keep up to date with her news and special offers (very sparse emails). Interested to read more? Head over to Effrosyni’s Blog, where you’ll find her earlier interviews, book reviews, author tips, travel articles and even Greek recipes!

November 27, 2015 by Effrosyni Moschoudi

Book Review: Sewing Can Be Dangerous by Sarah Mallery

Sewing Can Be Dangerous was an utter delight to read because it felt like an exhilarating time travel journey. Each short story takes us to a different place and time in history. The element of sewing is always present, sometimes it’s someone’s work, other times a hobby, or a matter of life and death – a means to save a life. Mallery’s storytelling is compelling and often haunting, the unexpected twists in the end delightful. I highly recommend this book to readers who love short stories, especially to those who enjoy delving into worlds long forgotten in the mists of time. The first short story was my favorite. It haunted me for a few days after reading it; it felt incredibly real.

My rating:

5 stars

A compelling journey around the world and through history!

Do you enjoy short stories? How about historical fiction? Check out this gem now!

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Would you like to meet the artist behind the book? Check out my interview with Sarah Mallery and marvel at her various artistic skills!

Have you enjoyed this post? Follow the blog (see right sidebar) and miss no more posts! Sign up to Effrosyni’s newsletter to keep up to date with her news and special offers (very sparse emails). Interested to read more? Head over to Effrosyni’s Blog, where you’ll find her earlier interviews, book reviews, author tips, travel articles and even Greek recipes!

November 20, 2015 by Effrosyni Moschoudi

Book review: Girl Gone Greek by Rebecca Hall

I loved this book! Rachel felt so real to me and I empathized as I read about all the quirky Greeks she encountered. Among all the locals mentioned, the young students seemed the most likable. Rachel’s girlfriend ranges from incredibly rude to just loopy and although I howled to read her antics I didn’t manage to warm up to her at all. The owner of the Greek school was one tough cookie but Rachel handled her wonderfully, I thought. By the end of the book, I found myself admiring Rachel, not only for managing to live alone in a tiny, basic flat while co-existing with a series of awkward foreigners and showing incredible stoicism, but also for the way she bloomed through the experience, finding strength in herself enough to stand up to her horrid, judgmental sister back home. Well done Rachel! I highly recommend this delightful book for its insights into the Greek way of life from a foreigner’s perspective, especially as it contains very interesting facts on modern Greek history. I look forward to the next book in the series.

My rating:

5 stars

A delightful story!

Are you interested to gain insights on the Greeks and their way of life? Do you enjoy stories of young expats living an adventure abroad? Try this book, I think you’re going to love it!

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Check out my interview with Rebecca Hall on this blog!

Have you enjoyed this post? Follow the blog (see right sidebar) and miss no more posts! Sign up to Effrosyni’s newsletter to keep up to date with her news and special offers (very sparse emails). Interested to read more? Head over to Effrosyni’s Blog, where you’ll find her earlier interviews, book reviews, author tips, travel articles and even Greek recipes!

October 9, 2015 by Effrosyni Moschoudi

Book review: Infinite Waters by Nicholas C. Rossis

Having enjoyed The Power of Six, Rossis’s first short story collection, I was looking forward to reading Infinite Waters and it was well worth the wait. The same resourcefulness, the same wicked imagination has delighted me in this collection too. Twists and turns kept coming and I just couldn’t put it down, so I wound up devouring this in just one sitting. If you’re looking for a short story writer to become your next favorite, then Nicholas Rossis is the one. I am already looking forward to the next collection from his unique, masterful pen!

My rating:

5 stars

Masterful – couldn’t put it down!

Graphic design by 187Designz

Are you looking for a book that will stay in your memory long after you’ve closed it? Nicholas C. Rossis will astound you with his highly imaginative, haunting stories!

Find this gem now on Amazon US UK

September 11, 2015 by Effrosyni Moschoudi

Book review: Red Clover by Florence Osmund

I really enjoyed this story and sympathized with Lee, a man who’s been unsure of himself, having had the misfortune to be raised in a dysfunctional, upper-class family where he felt misunderstood, if not ignored. His father was critical and aloof and I cringed with compassion every time Lee interacted with him. As the story progressed, and as Lee slowly unraveled his awkward parents’ secrets, he slowly began to create a circle of friends around him that, for the first time, helped him to feel at ease in his interactions with others. Predominantly, this story is about Lee’s journey from childhood to adulthood, as we watch him stand on his own two feet and acquire self-assurance. Florence Osmund has done a wonderful job, creating characters that feel 100% real. The only downside is I felt the flow could be better at times, as some scenes/passages weren’t necessary and could have been removed, especially in the second half of the book. Summing up, a great story and I shall look forward to reading more from this author.

My rating:

4-stars

A wonderful, touching coming-of-age story

Do you enjoy stories about family secrets or awkward family relationships?

If so, then this one, is a must!

Find it now on Amazon

Read my interview with Florence Osmund on this blog!

Have you enjoyed this post? Follow the blog (see right sidebar) and miss no more posts! Sign up to Effrosyni’s newsletter to keep up to date with her news and special offers (very sparse emails). Interested to read more? Head over to Effrosyni’s Blog, where you’ll find her earlier interviews, book reviews, author tips, travel articles and even Greek recipes!

September 10, 2015 by Effrosyni Moschoudi

Book review: Angeli (book 1 in the Angeli Series) by Amy Vansant

Somehow, I managed to read Cherubim (book 2 in the series) before reading this volume but, I assure you, this didn’t spoil my reading pleasure in the least on both counts. Just like Cherubim, Angeli is a killer combination of romance, comedy and adventure that had me turning the pages thirstily to the last. Mrs Vansant’s storytelling is seamless and highly imaginative. There is no predictability here, nothing that you can guess or expect to spoil your fun, and the humor, especially the antics of Anne’s naughty companion, Con, had me laughing out loud all the time again. I have now read four books by this author and find it hard to pick a favorite. If you’re looking to discover a new author, choose Amy Vansant and you won’t be disappointed. The Angeli series is unique and I recommend it highly. I never thought dark fantasy and hilarity could work so closely together!

My rating:

5-stars

Dark fantasy, romance and great humor!

If you enjoy cat-and-mouse stories between forces of good and evil in any form, pick this winged variety and you’ll be jolly glad you did!

Find Angeli now on Amazon!

Check out my review of book 2, Cherubim!

Have you enjoyed this post? Follow the blog (see right sidebar) and miss no more posts! Sign up to Effrosyni’s newsletter to keep up to date with her news and special offers (very sparse emails). Interested to read more? Head over to Effrosyni’s Blog, where you’ll find her earlier interviews, book reviews, author tips, travel articles and even Greek recipes!

July 9, 2015 by Effrosyni Moschoudi

Book review: How to Live a Happy Life in an Unhappy World by Christina Karra

Having devoured self-help, motivational and esoteric philosophy books for the last 30 years, and as it takes one to know one, reading this book made it evident first of all that the author is very widely read. Her advice is solid, wise, and her tips will indeed prove very helpful to anyone trying to find peace in today’s chaotic world.

Karra uses direct speech and jargon-free language to address her reader. She takes a little step at a time to introduce them to the power of thought, the incredible powers of the mind itself, and the tools available for relaxation, self-awareness and self-empowerment.

This is a wonderful guide that would serve as an excellent way to start for anyone who does not have much knowledge on the aforementioned subjects. However, this is not a detailed account of any subject in particular, and I presume this was the author’s purpose, to speak a little about everything in this volume, rather than get into details about universal laws, the powers of the subconscious mind etc. The only downside to this approach is that to me, the read felt rather exhilarating because the subject kept changing, and so, at the end of the book, it felt like a lot had been said but nothing in depth.

For that reason, I’d love to see future books from this author where perhaps she could elaborate on specific subjects. Also, I’d advise to add book titles for further reading in the back matter of the book or at the end of each chapter. This way, the reader could have a handy recommendation on any aspect of self-improvement that they wish to explore further.

All in all, a great introduction to cosmic laws, the powers of positive thinking, mind control, and the like. I would recommend it to anyone interested to explore these areas.

Note: I was offered a free copy by the author in return for an honest review.

My rating

4-stars

A book of great tips and insights!

Tired of the chatterbox in your head that fills your mind with negativity? Looking for ways to relax, empower yourself? Does it interest you to hear that happiness is just a state of mind? If you have answered yes in any of these questions, make sure to give this book a try! It’ll open your eyes to a world of new possibilities.

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Have you enjoyed this post? Follow the blog (see right sidebar) and miss no more posts! You can also sign up to Effrosyni’s newsletter to keep up to date with her news (very sparse emails). Interested to read more? Head over to Effrosyni’s Blog, where you’ll find her earlier interviews, book reviews, author tips, travel articles and even Greek recipes!

July 7, 2015 by Effrosyni Moschoudi

New Launch: Infinite Waters by Nicholas C. Rossis

Woo-hoo! Boy, do I have a recommendation for you today! My good friend and compatriot, sci-fi fantasy author Nicholas Rossis, launches today his second short story anthology, Infinite Waters. If you have read the first one, The Power of Six, you know what I’m talking about! Nicholas’s writing in short stories is particularly flawless and masterful; I personally believe this is his strong point. Below, you will find the details of his new launch, but because he has recently changed his cover for The Power of Six, I am adding this too to the post, as well as my review of it on Effrosyni’s Blog.

Sci-fi fans, feast your eyes at Rossis’s latest gem!

Launch date July 7! – Ten speculative fiction short stories and flash fiction, written by the award-winning author of Pearseus and Runaway Smile.

Although they seem to be concerned with various themes, there are certain passions that run through them. What is the nature of reality; digital and corporeal? Is there more to the world than we can see? How far can we trust our senses? What are the consequences of our actions, and is it possible to change them? And if so, would we simply repeat same mistakes, or make new ones?

The anthology includes the following stories:

“Infinite Waters”: A woman seeks her future at a carnival. She discovers more than she expected.
“The Twist in the Tale”: A confused woman meanders through a sleepy town. But not all is as it seems.
“James’ Life”: A man with nothing to look forward to but oblivion, discovers it’s not that easy to escape his life.
“What’s in a Name?”: A trip to the tropics has an unexpected ending.
“The Lucky Bastard”: How far will the luckiest man alive go to escape his luck?
“Two’s a Crowd”: Blood runs thicker than water. Especially when you spill it.
“Is There a Doctor in the House?”: A high school student just loves to experiment.
“Sex and Dinner”: A timeless combination. Or is it?
“Would You Like Files With That?”: Nothing’s scarier than a supermarket.
“The Hand of God”: Nothing has prepared a grizzly veteran for this meeting *.
(* first published in The Power of Six)

Humorous and poignant, these short stories are exciting, intriguing and imaginative.

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A new, fantastic cover for The Power of Six (launched in 2014)

Six science fiction short stories written by the author of Pearseus, the epic fantasy series that has reached #1 on Amazon. This edition includes one extra story, written by Amos M. Carpenter. The Power of Six reached #1 on Amazon in October 2014.

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