February 8, 2016 by Effrosyni Moschoudi

Interview with Georgina Troy

Today I’m pleased to welcome Georgina Troy, or as is her real name, Deborah Carr. Georgina sets her romances on the enchanting island of Jersey, off the coast of France, where she lives.

JERSEYKISS

‘Enticing, enchanting and intriguing’ Christina Jones best-selling author of Tickled Pink. Book One in The Jersey Scene series by Georgina Troy.

People say that it’s hard not to fall in love living in the ‘Sunny Isle’ of Jersey, but for Bea Philips, still reeling from a divorce and the loss of her beloved godmother, she’s not sure she can find the time. Between her soon-to-be-ex husband trying to take away the home she grew up in, surly but attractive builder Luke renovating the house, and her old flame Tom re-appearing at work, she’s worn out!

Is life going to give Bea a break for once…and maybe let her fall in love?

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A Jersey Dreamboat

Enticing, enchanting and intriguing’ Christina Jones best-selling author of ‘Tickled Pink.
Book Three in The Jersey Scene series by Georgina Troy.

Event planners Izzy and Jess are badly let down when a Jersey socialite hires them for the busiest weeks of the season and then cancels at the last minute, leaving the girls with no bookings and no money. Feeling despondent, they try a night out to cheer themselves up, and meet the captivating and aristocratic Ed, who invites the two on a luxury yacht cruise to Nice, together with his two brothers. Romance builds through heady days of blue skies and warm seas, but when a last-minute wedding booking is offered, the girls must return to Jersey, and real life has to begin again … or has it?

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Broken Faces

‘One to Watch: In Deborah Carr’s Downton-esque tale, Broken Faces, a soldier suffers a life-changing injury in the Great War’. GOOD HOUSEKEEPING MAGAZINE

Broken Faces is the story of four friends who have to come to terms with the changes in their lives brought about when one of them, Freddie Chevalier, suffers a life-changing disfigurement in the Great War.

It doesn’t take Freddie, his best friend Charles Baldwyn, Charles’s fiancée Meredith, and his younger sister Lexi, long to discover that the idyllic life they relished before the war at the Baldwyn’s ancestral home in Shropshire has vanished forever. They are forced to take charge of their lives and find a way to live with the consequences of the choices that they and others have made.

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Hello Georgina and welcome to my blog!

Thank you Fros, it’s great to be here.

What has inspired you to write The Jersey Scene series ?

I was a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association New Writers’ Scheme and sent in my book, which was then named Bea Stings, to be critiqued by an anonymous published reader. In her report she asked why I didn’t make more of Jersey in my book and it occurred to me that I was missing an opportunity to show readers more of the beautiful island where I live. A writer friend then suggested changing the title to include Jersey in it and from there my Jersey Scene Series was born.

What other writing have you done? Anything else published?

Although I write contemporary romances as Georgina Troy, I also write historical romances as D M Carr, and in December 2015 my first historical romance, Broken Faces, was published. The sequel to the book will be out later in 2016. The idea of this book came from my interest in my great-grandfather, Charles Wood, who was in the 17^th 21^st Lancers. I’ve always been a romantic and when I came across photos of men who’d suffered horrendous disfigurements during that time I wondered what it must have felt like for a young man, known for his good looks, to have to cope with losing them in the worst possible way.

Sounds like a very interesting read. What are you working on at the moment? Tell us a little about your current project(s).

A Jersey Bombshell

I always have a few projects on the go at once; I’m an empty nester and have more time than I’ve ever had before to concentrate on my writing. I’ll soon be working on final edits for A Jersey Bombshell – book 4 in my Jersey Scene series that’s due out in April with Accent Press. I’m also working on the final edits for a psychological thriller, Run For The Shadows, being published by Green Shutter Books under (another) pseudonym, Ella Drummond.

My goodness, you’re keeping busy. Well done! Do you have any advice for other indie authors?

I love being able to control everything about a self-published book, but I think the most important things that an indie author has to ensure before publishing their book is that the editing is done well, the book has a professional-looking cover, and that they have a presence on social media – an author page on Facebook, Twitter account, Pinterest account, etc.

Are there any sites or writing tools that you find useful and wish to recommend?

I’ve been a reviewer/contributor to Novelicious.com for over six years now and it’s a brilliant site that includes authors giving their top five writing tips. I’ve learned a lot from reading these posts. I’m also a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, as I mentioned before they have a brilliant New Writers’ Scheme whereby unpublished writers can send in one manuscript a year to be critiqued. Many well-known authors have taken this route and I was lucky enough to be a member for a few years before being offered my contract with Accent Press.

Excellent recommendations – thank you, Georgina. Being an author involves a lot of sitting around. What do you do for exercise?

Rudi

I have three Spanish rescue dogs that I take for walks on one of the two beaches near my home. We were only intending adopting one of these dogs after our Miniature Schnauzer died in October 2014, but we’ve already adopted three within nine months. That’s our limit though… I think.

Jarvis & Claude

Oh, they’re so cute! What do you enjoy the most as an indie author that you imagine you wouldn’t if you were traditionally published? If you had a choice would you still go indie?

I’m both traditionally published and self-published and I love being both. My Jersey Scene books were initially self-published but were taken on by Accent Press, a brilliant indie publisher, who signed me for a four-book deal. I love being with them and having the support of a professional editor, marketing team and being in a group of other supportive authors. However, I also enjoy the control of self-publishing, where everything is up to the author, from choosing the cover of the book, to the price and how it’s promoted. You can also see how many books are being sold each day.

Describe your workstation. Are there any favorite objects you have there for inspiration?

Debs Shed 2014

I write in a shed in the garden. It’s been featured in Woman’s Own magazine a few years ago and was even a category winner in the Shed of the Year competition in 2009. My desk is a 1950s table and I sit on a pink Lloyd Loom chair. The shed is filled with pictures, posters, old birthday cards, discarded manuscripts and is a bit of a mess, but I love it in there and being in the shed always inspires me to write something.

That looks wonderful! It’s been a pleasure to have you here today, Georgina, thank you so much for your time.

Thank you too, Fros, I really enjoyed our chat.

GT headshot

Georgina Troy is the pseudonym of Deborah Carr. She lives in Jersey, an island fifteen miles off the coast of France. Jersey has a great scope for romances, with beautiful wind-swept beaches and intriguing inhabitants and when Georgina realized that no one else wrote romances set on her island home, she decided she had to provide some. Her contemporary romances are published by Accent Press.

Her debut historical novel, Broken Faces by D M Carr, was published in December 2015. Broken Faces was a runner-up in the Good Housekeeping Novel Writing Competition and received a special commendation from the Harry Bowling Prize. Broken Faces is published by Green Shutter Books. This year, a psychological thriller, Run For The Shadows, will be published under a second pseudonym (Ella Drummond).

Visit Georgina’s Amazon page US UK

Visit Georgina’s website

Visit Georgina’s blog

Other links for Georgina Troy & DM Carr

https://www.facebook.com/GeorginaTroyAuthor/

https://twitter.com/GeorginaTroy

https://www.pinterest.com/georginatroy/

https://www.facebook.com/D-M-Carr-568839916628666/

https://twitter.com/DebsCarr

https://deborahcarrblog.wordpress.com/

https://debcarrs-daydreams.blogspot.com/

https://www.pinterest.com/deborahcarr/

Meet @GeorginaTroy & her Jersey Scene romances #IARTG #ASMSG Share on X

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February 4, 2016 by Effrosyni Moschoudi

Book Review: Dark Shadows of the Past by Angel Sefer

darkshftpast

This book is my favorite by Angel Sefer so far. It takes the reader on an exhilarating ride and I couldn’t put it down. Through an intricate web of guilty secrets, lust, danger and heartache, Christina and Dan keep separating and reuniting again, their love and trust towards each other being tested throughout. Angel Sefer has grown immensely as a writer since publishing the first book in the series. The writing in this volume is superb and it took my breath away. I am amazed at this author’s capability to create such fast-faced, riveting reads. Also, her choices of setting remain as stunning as always. I loved that the story took me as a reader to so many different enchanting locations, the island of Kefalonia being the precious jewel that’s suitably introduced at the riveting climax. Although this is a series, each book can be read as a standalone. I am still going through them and can’t wait to start the next one now.

My rating:

5 stars

An exhilarating ride of stunning locations and constant twists and turns.

darkshftpast

Do you enjoy romantic mysteries and riveting adventures with sizzling sexual tension between the protagonists? Angel Sefer’s Greek Isles Series will delight you. Dark Shadows of the Past is a great choice!

Check it out on Amazon US UK

An exhilarating ride! Dark Shadows of the Past by @angelsefer #ASMSG #IARTG Share on X

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February 1, 2016 by Effrosyni Moschoudi

Interview with Katie Hayoz

Today I’m thrilled to welcome Katie Hayoz, author of Untethered, a B.R.A.G. Medallion winner. Untethered is a wonderfuly written tale about a girl who’s unpopular in school, has family troubles and, much to her horror, keeps having out of body experiences as well. I absolutely loved this book and will be reviewing it soon on this blog. For now, let’s browse through Katie’s stunning book covers and get to know a little about her, shall we?

Untethered

Sixteen-year-old Sylvie isn’t comfortable in her own skin. In fact, there are times she can’t even manage to stay inside it. Junior year is off to a less than stellar start for Sylvie: Her parents are splitting up, her little brother is sitting at her lunch table, and she’s the target of the school bully. Plus, she accidentally astral projects, slipping out of her body again and again at all the worst times. Sylvie is cast as the class freak and a medical misfit. She wishes she were somewhere else. Someone else. But it’s only when her best friend catches the attention of the boy Sylvie’s loved in secret since the fifth grade that Sylvie makes up her mind to do something drastic…

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immersedkh

WHAT IF LOVE TURNED YOU INTO A MONSTER?

Forget petticoats and demure female behavior. Melusine Doré prefers armored corsets and knives and slays evil creatures for a living. The grim and gruesome don’t frighten her; she’ll take on a cyclops or a dragon and not even break a sweat. But when her rival, the charismatic Levi Cannon, comes to town, all her buried fears begin to surface. Melusine realizes she is in danger of something much more horrifying than facing blood-thirsty beasts – she’s in danger of falling in love. Because love alone has the power to reveal a secret terrible enough to completely shatter her world.

Set in the muddy streets of 1850s steampunk Chicago, Immersed by Katie Hayoz is a dark yet romantic fantastical romp. It is a stand-alone novella, the first in a series of adventures that follow Melusine on her quest to rid the world of monsters…and her struggle to come to terms with every monstrous facet of herself.

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submergedkh

WHAT IF EVERYTHING YOU KNEW ABOUT YOURSELF WAS A LIE?

Melusine Doré is as practiced at guarding a secret as she is at wielding a weapon. Yet her past refuses to stay buried. Her worst fears are realized when Melusine and her companion, Levi, get called to hunt a beast in her birthplace of Malheur. The second she sets foot on her native soil, nothing proceeds as she planned: a beautiful tinker sets her sights on Levi, a gentle monster kills for sport, and an admission of love becomes a betrayal. Melusine comes face to face with the lies of her family’s past—and a truth that could destroy her.

Adventure number two in the Clockwork Siren series, Submerged takes us from the muddy trenches of steampunk Chicago to the sticky swamps of Louisiana to the slippery side of love.

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popscornkh

Hello Katie and welcome to my blog!

Hello Fros. It’s great to be here.

What has inspired you to write The Clockwork Siren Series?

I am lucky to be a part of the Blazing Indie Collective—a group of indie authors who got together to inspire and challenge each other. We decided to have a challenge with the goal being for each of us to write a romantic novella with a mermaid in it. Immersed, the first adventure in the series, was my contribution. It’s the story of Melusine, a female monster hunter who is afraid of nothing except falling in love. It is what I call a dark yet silly fantastical romantic romp set in steampunk Chicago. Lots of innuendo. Lots of weapons. And, I hope, lots of fun.

Sounds intriguing, I must say! Do you see yourself in any of your characters, or do any of them have traits you wish you had?

I can’t say I am like the characters in my books, but my values and doubts are the driving force of many threads in their personalities. The character in my YA novel, Untethered, is full of insecurities and self-hatred—that came from my own feelings as a teen. But I like to see determined, smart women in books. I don’t like romance that portrays men using force on a woman as something sexy. However, I do think women want and need love, and that we often have a difficult time coming to terms with different aspects of ourselves. Like just about everything I write, Immersed is centered around self-identity. Not sure what that says about me…

I share your views, and also enjoy writing and reading about strong women. What are you working on at the moment? Tell us a little about your current project(s).

I’m currently getting the third adventure in the Clockwork Siren Series ready for publication (February 16). Melusine and Levi discover someone is trapping and torturing monsters, and they will find themselves in a traveling variety and freak show to investigate.

Being an author involves a lot of sitting around. What do you do for exercise?

This is a constant struggle for me. Since writing more seriously, I’ve gained almost 30 pounds! My father-in-law rigged a desk to a stationary bike for me, but I realized I had a hard time concentrating on my writing while spinning away. So I bought a Fit-bit and am starting off by just being conscious of how little I move. My goal is to at least get up to my 10,000 steps a day.

Oh I feel you, Katie! I now use an egg timer to make myself take short breaks every now and then to stand and move around. Describe your workstation. Are there any favorite objects you have there for inspiration?

My workstation, like my writing process, is an absolute mess. There are papers everywhere, cards I meant to send but didn’t, spare change, reference books, pencils that need sharpening and my computer. This is how I write, too. Everything is just piled onto the page and it takes me a while to sift through and find order. I don’t have anything for inspiration per se, but I do have one of those lamps that imitate sunlight. My desk is in the darkest part of the apartment in the hallway, so the light helps me feel I am not writing in a cave.

Do you listen to music while you write and if so, what kind?

I have to write to dead silence. Or maybe white noise, like a fan or the hum of the refrigerator. Music makes me lose my concentration.

Finally I’ve found you, LOL! I thought I was the only one who needs total silence. If you could have one superpower what would it be?

I am the absolute laziest person in the universe. If I had a superpower it would be telekinesis, so I could clean the house, set the table and get the TV remote without lifting a finger. But then I guess I would be the size of an elephant. So next power would be teleportation so I could snap my fingers and be somewhere…oh, man. Same problem…

LOL! If you could choose another profession, what would that be?

Flamenco dancer. I took lessons for a while, but I would have needed to start at age 3, not 30, if I wanted to make a career of it. I love the control and power and intensity in this kind of dance. If done right, it’s impossible to watch and not be blown away. Plus, it’s not often you can wear a ruffled, polka-dotted skirt over the age of 8 and not look ridiculous.

What are the things in your life that you’re most grateful for?

SAM_4689

Besides popcorn? No, just kidding. My husband had a ruptured brain aneurysm in 2012 and survived. I’ve always been grateful for family, but that cemented it for me. I’m so, so lucky to have two happy children and a husband who made it through something so difficult. And I’ll even add the cats, Oreo and Noodles, to that. They’ve brought us joy in some seriously tough times.

Sounds like you’re truly blessed, Katie! Thank you so much for being here with us today – and for the chuckles; you’re one funny girl!

Thanks a lot for inviting me, Fros. I appreciate it!

Katie grew up in Racine, Wisconsin where she acquired an irreversible nasal twang and an addiction for books with a slightly dark edge. She now lives in Geneva, Switzerland with her husband, two daughters, and two cats. She has been an avid reader of speculative fiction for years. While she has a penchant for the paranormal, she devours a range of books — along with popcorn and black licorice. She consumes all three in large quantities. Luckily, the books don’t stay on her hips.

Visit Katie’s Amazon page US UK

Visit Katie’s website

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Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7032949.Katie_Hayoz

Twitter: www.twitter.com/katiehayoz

Facebook: www.facebook.com/katiehayoz.author

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/katiehayoz/

A humorous chat with award-winning author @katiehayoz #ASMSG #IARTG Share on X

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January 25, 2016 by Effrosyni Moschoudi

Interview with women’s fiction author Jenny Hale

Today I’m pleased to welcome women’s fiction author, Jenny Hale. Jenny’s book covers are simply stunning. Check out these three fine specimens:

“I absolutely loved this book! … A beautifully written story you won’t be able to put down and one of the best festive reads I’ve ever read.” 10/10 This Chick Reads

An uplifting, beautiful story about never letting go of your dreams, the special magic of a family Christmas… and the rush of falling in love under the mistletoe.

Single mother Abbey Fuller loves her family more than anything, and doesn’t regret for a moment having had to put her dreams of being an interior designer on hold. But with her son, Max, growing up, when a friend recommends her for a small design job she jumps at the chance. How hard can it be? Nick Sinclair needs his house decorated in time for his family’s festive visit – and money is no object. What he doesn’t need is to be distracted from his multi-million dollar business – even if it is Christmas. When Abbey pulls up to the huge Sinclair mansion, she has a feeling she might be out of her depth. And when she meets the gorgeous, brooding Nicholas Sinclair, she knows that she’s in real trouble… With the snow falling all around, can Abbey take the chance to make her dreams of being a designer come true? And can she help Nick to finally enjoy the magic of Christmas?

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LOVEMEFORME

“You’ll love Libby’s heartwarming journey as her life changes in ways she’d never have expected… A warm, light, brilliantly romantic story.” 5/5 GirlsLovetoRead.com

Love Me for Me is a beautiful, touching story about coming home, the importance of family, and the special place that first loves hold in our hearts. Fans of Carole Matthews, Trisha Ashley, Susan Mallery and Susan Wiggs – and anyone looking for a perfect, feel-good summer read will enjoy this.

Sometimes you find perfect where you least expect it…

Libby Potter has just lost the perfect job, the perfect apartment and the perfect boyfriend. Moving back to the home town that she couldn’t wait to escape when she was younger was definitely not on her to-do list. Especially as it means running into the man whose heart she broke when she left. Pete Bennett can still make Libby’s world stop with just the sound of his voice – even ten years on. Only now, she is the last person in the world that he wants to see. As everyone else welcomes Libby home with open arms, she realizes she’s missed that special closeness that comes from lifelong friendship. And, as Libby seeks to make amends with Pete, she begins to wonder whether she made the right choice in leaving all those years ago. When an amazing career opportunity gives her the chance to leave again, Libby will have to decide what her version of perfect is… and where she really belongs.

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SUMMERBYTHESEA

Summer by the Sea is a beautiful, heart-warming summer read about sisters, first love and not always getting what we want – but sometimes ending up with exactly what we need.

They say there’s always one summer that changes you.

For Faith the one summer she can’t forget is when she fell in love as a teenager – only for her sister, Casey, to steal her man. Now, at the request of her beloved ninety-year-old grandmother, Faith has agreed to a family holiday – at their childhood beach house, where it all began. Faith hasn’t seen her sister in years but is finally ready to forgive and forget, enjoy the sunshine and relive happy memories. What she’s not ready for is meeting Jake Buchanan – the owner of the beach house – or the long-forgotten feelings he ignites in her. Can Faith overcome the hurt of the past, rekindle the close bond she had with Casey and make this summer THE ONE to remember?

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Hello Jenny and welcome to my blog!

Hi Fros! Thank you for inviting me.

What was the first thing you ever wrote and how old were you then?

When I was eight years old, we wrote a book in school as part of a program called “Young Authors.” We bound our own books using cardboard and fabric, and we edited the drafts before binding them. I still remember doing it and loving every minute.

What other writing have you done? Anything else published?

I’ve published five books and I am in editing for number six.

Wow, that’s great. Good luck with the launch. Any hobbies or interests that you enjoy in your spare time?

I love learning languages. Currently, besides English, I only know Spanish and not perfectly. If I had all the time in the world, I’d try to learn them all!

Do you see yourself in any of your characters, or do any of them have traits you wish you had?

When I write main characters, they are extreme versions of me. I have all the traits of my main characters in some form and, if I were put in those situations, I would probably have similar reactions to my characters’.

What were your most and least favorite subjects in school?

In high school, I absolutely loved Geometry and Algebra—I often joke that it’s because they are the only forms of mathematics containing letters. Once I got to college and beyond, there were more classes than I could list. I love learning languages, linguistics, and culture the most.

If you could choose another profession, what would that be?

I spent 18 years as an elementary school teacher before becoming an author. I am still teaching right now. This is my final year and I will focus on writing full time. So, I suppose, I could say if I weren’t a writer, I’d go back to teaching.

Do you have any pets?

Yes. I have a Chihuahua called Taylor.

Oh, how cute! Thank you for bringing a photo. What are the things in your life that you’re most grateful for?

In no particular order: I’m thankful for my family, my home, the people I’ve met along life’s journey, and my writing career.

A lovely answer . . . And how would you like to be remembered?

Above all, kind.

Thank you so much for being here with us today, Jenny. It’s been a pleasure.

Thank you too, Fros, for this opportunity to talk about my work.

Jenny Hale is a women’s fiction author from Virginia. Her books have sold worldwide, reaching top ten Amazon lists in the US, the UK, and Canada, and have been translated into multiple languages to be sold at major retailers in Europe. Her novel, A Christmas to Remember was a number one best selling Kindle Women’s Romance Fiction title in the US, and Summer by the Sea, released in 2015, was mentioned nationally on the Happy Every After blog for USA Today. She is currently at work on her next novel.

Visit Jenny’s website

Visit Jenny’s Amazon page US UK

https://twitter.com/jhaleauthor

https://www.facebook.com/jennyhaleauthor

Check out these stunning book covers by @jhaleauthor #womensfiction #ASMSG Share on X

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!

January 21, 2016 by Effrosyni Moschoudi

Book review: Musiville by Nicholas Rossis

musiville

I was eagerly awaiting the second children’s story by Nicholas Rossis, having loved the moral behind Runaway Smile. Musiville was, as expected, just as entertaining. Rossis has created another terrific story for little readers out there, this time talking about the benefits of coming together. Only deafening, annoying music can come out of the mouths of those who do and live without taking others under consideration. But have them work together and beautiful, perfect harmony can only be the result. Well done to this remarkable author who keeps taking me by surprise with his fascinating imagination and diverse storytelling abilities.

My rating:

5-stars

Another great moral cleverly presented to the little readers!

Are you looking for a good book that’ll entertain children and teach them some wholesome truths? Check out Musiville and also, the award-winning Runaway Smile by Nicholas Rossis on Amazon before you decide. Both, ideal choices.

Runaway Smile on Amazon US UK

Musiville on Amazon US UK

Read my review of Runaway Smile here

A great moral story for kids behind Musiville by @Nicholas_Rossis #eNovAaW #ASMSG Share on X

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!

January 18, 2016 by Effrosyni Moschoudi

Interview with mystery author, Anne Zouroudi

Hello peeps! Today I’m thrilled to welcome award-winning mystery author, Anne Zouroudi. I picked The Messenger of Athens years ago, before I even became an indie author, and loved its powerful prose. I was delighted when in time I met Anne online, to discover the lovely person behind the popular books. I don’t know about you, but the covers of her Mysteries of the Greek Detective Series make me dream of sparkling Greek island waters and quaint tiny village scenes. If that’s where you wish to drift with your mind during your next read, Anne’s stories will take you straight there.

messengerofathens

When the battered body of a young woman is discovered on a remote Greek island, the local police are quick to dismiss her death as an accident. Then a stranger arrives, uninvited, from Athens, announcing his intention to investigate further. His methods are unorthodox, and he brings his own mystery into the web of dark secrets and lies. Who has sent him, on whose authority is he acting, and how does he know of dramas played out decades ago?

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feastofartemis

From the real life Shirley Valentine, Anne Zouroudi’s seventh Greek mystery with the popular detective, Hermes Diaktoros.

The olive harvest is drawing to a close in the town of Dendra, and when Hermes Diaktoros arrives for the celebratory festival he expects an indulgent day of food and wine. But as young men leap a blazing bonfire in feats of daring, one of them is badly burned. Did he fall, or was he pushed? Then, as Hermes learns of a deep-running feud between two families, one of their patriarchs dies. Determined to find out why, Hermes follows a bitter trail through the olive groves to reveal a motive for murder, and uncovers a dark deed brought to light by the sin of gluttony.

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doctorofthessaly

My first question must be, why do you want no investigation? If some malicious person has robbed you – as you believe – of your precious sight, why do you not want that person caught, tried and punished for their crime?

A jilted bride weeps on an empty beach, a local doctor is attacked in an isolated churchyard – trouble has come at a bad time to Morfi, just as the backwater village is making headlines with a visit from a government minister. Fortunately, where there’s trouble there’s Hermes Diaktoros, the mysterious fat man whose tennis shoes are always pristine and whose methods are always unorthodox. Hermes must solve a brutal crime, thwart the petty machinations of the town’s ex-mayor and pour oil on the troubled waters of a sisters’ relationship – but how can he solve a mystery that not even the victim wants to be solved?

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annezouroudidetcser

Hello Anne and welcome to my blog!

Hello, Fros! Thank you for the invitation.

What was the first thing you ever wrote and how old were you then?

I was bitten by the writing bug early in life. At age ten, I entered a national essay competition and won a runner-up prize, a very smart ballpoint pen, which was presented to me in school assembly. Unfortunately several decades passed before I won any other prizes. From my teenage years onwards I always wrote, mainly short stories though I attempted my first novel at eighteen. When my mother died, I discovered that manuscript hidden away in a cupboard. Though it wasn’t as bad as it might have been, it won’t ever be making it into print.

What inspired you to write The Mysteries of the Greek Detective?

In a word, Greece. When I first set foot on Greek soil – almost thirty years ago now – I felt I had found my spiritual home. Everything about the place – the sea and landscape, the people, the way of life – seemed so idyllic. Over time, I discovered a few flaws and imperfections, but they serve to add spice to my writing. I feel my duty as a writer is to present the whole picture, the good and the bad. Before I wrote The Messenger of Athens I was reading a lot of crime fiction and couldn’t find any set in Greece, so I decided to try and fill the gap. I drew on the Greek myths too, because they’re full of the most amazing stories and characters, and that touch of the mystical brings an unexpected twist to my novels. In short, I wrote the kind of book I’d love to read.

And I’m sure many readers will agree with me when I say, thank goodness for that! Tell us Anne, do you see yourself in any of your characters?

As my creation, my investigator, Hermes Diaktoros, is naturally a man after my own heart. Like him, I abhor life’s unfairness and injustices. I’m very politically aware, and I’ve always been quick to support deserving causes and speak out where I see the need. Like Hermes, I’m also a stickler for good manners. There’s a scene in The Doctor of Thessaly where a woman pushes in front of Hermes in a queue, and he gives her cause to regret her presumption. I’m jealous of his ability to generate instant payback for those who behave badly towards others.

What are you working on at the moment?

I needed a break from Hermes after I finished The Feast of Artemis – writing seven novels in seven years was tough – but I’m very pleased to say I’m now working on a new Greek Detective novel, which will be available later this year. Having finished the Seven Deadly Sins, I’m moving on to the Ten Commandments, which will keep me busy for a while. In the meantime I’ve been penning short stories. My most recent is Swan’s Lament, a ghost story set in the Lincolnshire fens where I was born.

A ghost story? Yay – you got one reader hooked already! Which are your favorite authors, and what do you love about them?

I’m a huge fan of Neil Gaiman, whom I discovered only relatively recently when I read American Gods and found his (other) world view coincided pretty closely with mine. He’s a writer of huge imagination. His books remind me of Alan Garner’s magical tales, which I so adored as a child. And I love David Mitchell for the boldness in the scope of his writing, Niall Williams for the beauty of his prose and Michael Connelly for his ability to make me keep turning the page.

If you could choose another profession, what would that be?

I already have another profession, or at least an occupation. My partner and I have a little land where we grow most of our own vegetables and keep a few chickens. It’s hard work, but there’s nothing like the taste of food you’ve grown yourself. I’ve got quite green fingers – last year I managed to grow aubergines, peppers and even a couple of melons – not bad for dull, grey England! I’m also a keen cook, and I’ve always wanted to open a restaurant or a proper English tea-room. I may give that a try, one day.

Wow, these look fantastic! I bet you made Moussaka with these gorgeous eggplants!

Oh yes – more than once! (*grins*)

Being an author involves a lot of sitting around. What do you do for exercise?

There’s a cure to writer’s backside I’d recommend to every author: get a dog. A dog is the best possible companion when the words aren’t flowing as well as they might. They’ll trot along silently at your side for hours, until the knots unravel and the sentences begin to oblige, and all that walking eases the aching back and stiff muscles which are inevitable when you’re bent over a keyboard for hours at a time.

I was heartbroken to lose my much-loved canine companion of twelve years recently but there’s a new boy at my side now, a young rescue dog called Harry. Harry had a very poor start in life but now he’s being spoiled rotten and he’s thriving.

Harry Jan 2016

Oh, well done for saving Harry, and I understand he saved you too. Been there, Anne. You’re lucky to have found each other.

Thank you, Fros.

I see you’re holding one last photo there; can we take a look?

Of course; this is our splendid white leghorn cockerel.

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Oh, very beautiful. Thank you for sharing these photos! Last question: how would you like to be remembered?

Quite simply, as someone who told a good yarn. That would be the ultimate compliment.

Thank you so much for being here with us today, Anne!

Thank you, Fros. It’s been a pleasure!

annezouroudi

Anne Zouroudi was born in Lincolnshire and grew up in the north of England. In young adulthood, she pursued a high-powered career which included time on Wall Street and travel to Singapore, Canada and the capitals of Europe, but following a holiday to Greece, she abandoned the corporate world to marry a fisherman and begin a dramatically different life on a remote Greek island. Inspired by Greece’s beauty, people and mythology, she wrote The Messenger of Athens, a crime novel with mystical overtones featuring enigmatic investigator Hermes Diaktoros. Six other novels followed, each based on one of the Seven Deadly Sins. Anne’s work has received wide critical acclaim and has been shortlisted for a number of awards, including the ITV3 Crime Thriller Awards and the Desmond Elliott Prize. She currently lives in the UK but spends as much time as possible in Greece, which is still the main inspiration for her writing.

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Meet author @annezouroudi & her Mysteries of Greek Detective series #Greece #ASMSG Share on X

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January 15, 2016 by Effrosyni Moschoudi

How to get your Facebook timeline just right

This week I stumbled upon a Facebook screen that helped me change my timeline in a way that finally suits me. You know how it goes… your friend list gets longer and longer and before you know it your timeline is packed with uninteresting (if not annoying!) posts while the ones you’d love to see from your favorite pages, best friends or family members are nowhere to be found.

Do you experience this kind of frustration? Fear not, for today I have the solution!

This is easy to do and will take you a couple of minutes. On any Facebook screen, click on the down arrow on the top right.

Choose, “News Feed Preferences”, then “Prioritize who to see first.”

This screen opens:

This is as easy as A-B-C. Facebook lists all your friends and liked pages here. If you click on an image, Facebook puts a star on it. This is how you tell Facebook to list first on your timeline the posts of these people (or pages).

You are allowed to mark a maximum of 30 people or pages. If you try to star the 31st, it’ll prompt you to un-star someone else so you can star this one.

This little tweak has worked like a charm and I’m sure will maximize your browsing pleasure as well.

Oh – in case you don’t know: You can also tell Facebook who your closest friends are (so you get to see their posts more often). Just go to your friend’s page, hover the mouse over “Friends” and click on “Close Friends.”

While on the subject of Facebook friends, I’d like to give you a piece of advice, if I may, and if paying it forward is your thing:

If an author’s posts are too many, or not of interest, please don’t ‘unfriend’ them or ‘unlike’ their pages. You can continue to support them AND not have to see their posts. How?

Whether it’s their private page or their author page posts that you’d rather not see on your timeline, go to the top right of the post where the down arrow is. Click on the down arrow, then choose to unfollow them. Don’t worry; they’ll never be notified you did this.

This way, their posts won’t come up again, BUT you’re still friends AND your like still counts on their page. It’s a WIN-WIN.

To read some really cool tips and facts on Facebook, head over to this awesome post on HubSpot Blogs.

You may want to subscribe to their Marketing or Sales posts – lots of fresh information there!

Are you an author? Go here to see how we can help you spread the word about your books!

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!

January 11, 2016 by Effrosyni Moschoudi

Interview with Laney Smith

Today I’m pleased to welcome Laney Smith, author of the Time Capsule Series. Laney sets her romance in Lock Creek, a small town where people love to gossip and are anything but what they seem!

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When Anne Howard moves to the sleepy town of Lock Creek, she thinks she’s found a quiet place to hide from her guilty past; that’s until the gossiping locals prove her wrong. One of the favorite topics of conversation here is the devilishly handsome Sheriff Derrick Decker. With a long line of hopefuls, and despite his resistance to commitment, Derick soon finds himself irresistibly drawn to Anne, but so does a charming firefighter, Trevor Thomas. Shy but sassy Anne finds herself torn between the two men. Is Derrick corrupted as the rumors say? Is Trevor Thomas really the saint he appears to be?

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Despite the many bumps along the road, the love between Anne and Derrick continues to flow strong. But the beautiful town of Lock Creek still harbors danger for their dreams to a blissful future in marriage in the face of Trevor, who hasn’t said his last word yet. As new, dark secrets are revealed, Lock Creek is veiled in mystery and intrigue once again. Things aren’t always what they seem, and the people in this sleepy town know that too well…

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Derrick still enjoys the admiration of the people in the small town of Lock Creek. But, despite his best intentions to hide his many mistakes of the past, now he is in danger of having it all out in the open. Before he knows it, he’s at a risk of losing Anne, the woman he loves, the only one he ever had to chase… Will his past stay where he left it, or will this reformed wild child have some explaining to do?

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When Anne and Derrick return from their exotic vacation, they find Lock Creek in a big mess. The locals are being a handful and now a serial killer is on the loose…

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Hello Laney, and welcome to my blog!

Thank you for the invitation, Fros. It’s great to be here!

Tell us, Laney, do you see yourself in any of the characters of Lock Creek? And do any of them have traits you wish you had?

I think it is a little of both. I tried to create a world filled with people I would want to know. You have to have the people you don’t want to know, also. Otherwise, it is too unbelievably perfect and disturbing. Therefore, I wrote the antagonists to be everything that puts me off. I like to think I’m nothing like them, and I don’t value their traits. Having said that, I think you have to put some of yourself in them, too, since they represent everything you don’t want to be.

Are there any hobbies or interests that you enjoy in your spare time?

There are so many things. I’ll narrow it down to three: spending time with family and friends, just about anything outside (just being out of the house), and going to sporting events.

What are you working on at the moment? Tell us a little about your current project(s).

There is a fifth book in the works for the Time Capsule Series. I have a murder mystery that will be coming out. I have quite a few love stories that I’m working on. It is somewhat non-stop. I just roll with whatever pops up and I work with that until something else happens. It is fun and I’m really excited to see what the New Year brings.

Which are your favorite authors, and what do you love about them?

I like Nicholas Sparks because his stories are just beautiful. I like other stories, but The Notebook is probably my favorite. I also like Stephen King because his stories freak me out and mess with my head. He has his own style, and somehow, he has managed to hold on to that. I also respect the fact that he is kind enough to pass along encouraging and motivating words of wisdom for other authors.

What genres do you read mostly, and what are you reading now?

I like reading non-fiction, criminal psychology books. I wanted to be a criminal psychologist, so I read the true crime type books and that feeds that interest a little. I like mystery and suspense. I also have an appreciation for books that make you question the reality you know, as with Stephen King’s books. I enjoy anything that engages your mind. For me, if it is believable and realistic, I probably want to read it. As far as what I’m currently reading, I read on Sundays. I start a book when I wake up and usually finish them before I go to bed. I have a few on my TBR list. So, we’ll see what comes up. I recently downloaded “The Necklace of Goddess Athena.” Maybe I need to read that one next.

LOL – thank you, Laney, it’s an honor you chose one of mine. Do you have any advice for other indie authors?

Many authors are indie for reasons of their own. Not every author is indie because they weren’t “good enough.” So, to think that you don’t have to be as good as traditionally published authors is a tragic gamble. Actually, you should try to be better. Many readers have no clue what the difference is between traditional and indie. They couldn’t care less. You are an author with a published book, and they have expectations built around that fact. If you are the first indie author they ever read, be the standard that the others are held to. Being indie isn’t a crutch. It’s a challenge to do it better. If we don’t see it that way, why would anyone else?

Well said! What do you enjoy the most as an indie author that you imagine you wouldn’t if you were traditionally published? If you had a choice would you still go indie?

I love being an indie author. There are benefits to both routes. I write under a different name and I’ve signed with a publisher under that name. I have experience in both realms. There are benefits to both sides of the coin. However, with indie, you don’t have to have approval to do anything. You do what works for you. When you’re indie, you pick the cover art. The publisher told me they would show me the final cover once it is completed. With indie, you can be who you truly are. When I’m representing the publisher, I’m like their character and I have a part to play. Don’t get me wrong. That is kind of fun. It is just two different sets of rules. Both have benefits. I have now seen both sides. I have released a book, as an indie author, since signing with a publisher. I have no regrets for either decision. I have learned a lot with both options.

Good luck with that, Laney. Sounds exciting and very promising. Describe your workstation. Are there any favorite objects you have there for inspiration?

I have a desk that I usually work at. If that isn’t working for me, I will take the computer and go sit outside on the patio. As far as inspiration – my boys are watching. I have to do this so they can see that I bust it to do this. But, when the hard work pays off, it is a lesson for them, I hope. I also have different things that inspire specific characters, settings and scenes. Sometimes, it is a photo, a person, or a song. Sometimes it comes from the most unexpected things and in the most unexpected ways. However it happens, I am always thankful for that inspiration.

You have two beautiful children there, Laney. I bet they inspire you endlessly to keep on trying. Do you listen to music while you write and if so, what kind?

I do! I listen to just about everything, so my playlists look like I’m in the middle of some kind of crisis. I have had scenes that were inspired by a song. A song inspired the most heart-breaking scene I’ve ever written. That scene is in Lock Creek: Time of Death. The scene unfolded as though I were watching a movie screen as the song played. I’m pretty sure I will never be the same, ever! I like it when that happens. That scene broke my heart. I can laugh at myself for that. It is silly, maybe. However, I feel for those characters in the same way I do for other people that I care about. I know that music helps me write a lot. Even if it is just to set a certain mood or whatever, I think it is necessary.

Tell us about your website/blog. What will readers find there?

My website is http://www.authorlaneysmith.com. I have a lot of fun photos from various events. There is a listing for almost every interview or article. There is a web store where you can order signed or personalized copies of the books I have written or am currently involved with. There is a blog with a few postings. I think there’s an event calendar there somewhere. Of course, there is a contact form and causes I support. It has just about anything anyone would ever need. So, stop by, say hi.

Thank you for your time, Laney. It’s been wonderful to have you.

Thank you so much, Fros, it’s been a pleasure.

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Laney Smith has enjoyed writing her entire life. She had her first poem published in 1995. Since then, she has written multiple stories for local newspapers. She is the proud mother of two wonderful, brilliant and talented young men and has two younger brothers. Though she currently resides in California, she has lived in places such as Arkansas, Texas, Mississippi and Colorado. This has given Laney an exciting opportunity to experience aspects of life that she uses to create settings, characters, and even ideals. Through the encouragement of friends and family, Laney has now decided to pursue her hobby on a more serious level. Thus, “One Year’s Time” was born (the first book in the Time Capsule Series) and it is with great pride that she brings this fun story to you.

Visit Laney’s Amazon page US UK

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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!

January 10, 2016 by Effrosyni Moschoudi

Author, enter the competition and get your short story narrated by a pro!

Hello peeps! As you know, I am always on the lookout for new things . . . Today, after speaking to my British author friend, Matt Kruze, I got blogging and sharing like a mad thing; the tip he gave me is just too good to keep to myself!

Matt Kruze has created Bibliophone: a platform for writers to upload audio files of their books, short stories, even poems. Think of the site as a kind of Youtube for audio reads.

For example, go now and have a listen to Matt Kruze’s The Villager on Bibliophone.

Please note:

Nothing’s for sale on the site. Its sole purpose is to give exposure to authors and their work (authors are encouraged to include their Amazon page with their bio).

What type of work is accepted: novels, novellas, short stories, poetry, non-fiction (no problem if you have published the work elsewhere.)

What is not accepted: excerpts (only complete works are allowed), KDP Select books (as they need to remain exclusive to Amazon.)

To spread the word about his site, Matt is running a competition that’s free to enter: upload a piece of work of max 1,000 words and win the chance to have it recorded by a professional narrator and published on the site. Other than the competition, authors can upload their works at any time. I asked Matt what free software he’d recommend for someone who wouldn’t know where to start as to record their own narration – he said he uses Audacity (free to download and plenty of Youtube video tutorials available).

To check out Matt’s site & the competition, go here: http://www.bibliophone.com/the-bibliophone-1000-words-heard-competition/

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!