July 20, 2015 by Effrosyni Moschoudi

An interview with author, Viv Drewa

Today I’m pleased to present Viv Drewa on my blog, a lovely, supportive author, who happens to love owls – an affinity we have in common. Check out her covers below and stick around to hear all about Viv and her work.

Before retiring, France Hunter decides to go to the place where she found her first new species of owl: The Amazon. Her group follows a well-known angler, John Sinclair, and his team, along with a reporter who wants to do a story on Hunter. Once arriving at the site, Sinclair leaves to go further up the river. He has a show to record and is hoping to catch an even larger fish this time. Hunter, and the group with her, run into a gruesome nightmare with the satellite phone destroyed and one man fighting for life. Sinclair is not due to pick them up for another week. Will they survive?

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This is the story of a young man’s escape from Russian-ruled Poland in 1913 (a biography).

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This is a story about a widow who, with the help of an owl and a blue-eyed spirit, solves her husband’s murder, and a 1300 year old mystery in Peru.

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Hello, Viv and welcome to my blog!

Hello, Fros! Thank you for inviting me.

What has inspired you to write The Angler and the Owl?

This book came about because of my love for owls and South America, specifically the Amazon River.

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

I was in the 7^th grade, I was 12, and it was an impromptu. My teacher wrote on it: “This is very good. Someday you’ll write books and they’ll be published.” I wish she were still with us to see that I finally did.

Any hobbies or interests that you enjoy in your spare time?

Spare time? Hmmm… (*laughs*) I love to sew, crochet and cross stitch.

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

My WIP is a paranormal murder mystery. I wasn’t able to find out enough about police procedures in South America so it takes place in my hometown.

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

I prefer reading anything paranormal, or scary. I will read other genres to help the authors with reviews. Currently, I’m reading Blood of a Boss: The Moreno Family by Askari.

Do you have any advice for other indie authors?

There’s so much information out there on self-publishing. Read it all and decide what will work for you. As for your genre – read! Get to know it and what’s selling.

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

Chris McMullen has a fantastic blog with many helpful hints and what’s new in the publishing business. Also, I love Rayne Hall’s How to books.

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?

It would be nice to have someone do the promotional part of writing. That would be the only thing that would convince me to go traditional. I do like having direct control of my books, though.

I totally agree on both points, Viv. Do you listen to music while you write and if so, what kind?

No. I like it quiet. I did read that if you’re having a writer’s block moment listening to Mozart helps. And it does.

Good tip, Viv, I’ll try it next time, thanks! Anything you like to do to get the creative juices flowing?

Drinking coffee is a must. Especially since I write early in the morning. If I get stuck I read over the previous chapter and that’ll get me going.

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

Ornithologist specializing in owls!

No surprise there, Viv! (*giggles*) I see, you’ve brought some lovely pictures to show us today. Would you like to tell us a bit about each one?

Sure, Fros! In these two, you can see my daughter Sofia and also me holding an owl. The story behind these is that Sofia rescued this little darling when it flew into her car. She brought it home and next day took it to an aviary. She called him Lucky!

Awww! what a cutie! I’m sure you loved cuddling it for a while!

You bet! Here, you can see me with my husband, Bob, during one of our camping trips. We just love to camp!

That’s a lovely photo, Viv! And this little, black beauty, what’s she called?

That’s Princess! She loves to help me write. I got a bigger desk because I needed the room. Well, she decided it was for her (*laughs*)

Typical cat! Well, Viv, it was a pleasure to have you today. Thank you so much!

Thank you, Fros, it’s been a pleasure for me, too.

Viv Drewa is a Michigan native and has enjoyed reading and writing since 1963. Though she studied medicinal chemistry at the University of Michigan her passion has always been writing.

Viv has been awarded third place for her nonfiction short story about her grandfather’s escape from Poland. Later, she rewrote the story and named it Pages of Grandfather’s Life. It was published in the Polish American Journal and is now available on Amazon as a short story.

Viv took creative and journalism courses to help in her transition to fulfill her dream of becoming a writer. She worked as an intern for Port Huron’s The Times Herald, and also wrote, edited and did the layout on the Blue Water Multiple Sclerosis newsletter, Thumb Prints.

In her blog, Viv promotes fellow authors.

Visit Viv’s Amazon page

Visit Viv’s blog

Other links:

Facebook: http://facebook.com/vivdrewa.author

Twitter: http://twitter.com/@vivdrewa

Tumblr: vivdrewa.tumblr.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7800701.Viv_Drewa

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/vivdrewa

Google+: https://plus.google.com/111517233233824739640/posts

Watch the book trailer for The Owl of the Sipan Lord:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TL67_7kG5BU&list=LLi_rfNTpmrcl54mRRPP1zrA&index=36

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 13, 2015 by Effrosyni Moschoudi

An interview with crime fiction author, Polly Iyer

Today, I am thrilled to present another member of my writers group, eNovel Authors at Work. Polly Iyer writes intriguing crime fiction novels with a touch of romance. Check out this array of awesome covers:

Adult language and situations.

During a New Orleans Mardi Gras Ball, psychic entertainer Diana Racine touches the hand of a masked Cyrano de Bergerac and is instantly transported into the icy-cold body of a dead woman submerged in water. As Diana crumples to the floor, water filling her lungs, she hears Cyrano whisper that the game has begun.

Diana has been called every epithet in the book: charlatan, cheat, publicity hound…and genius–all at least partially true. But convincing New Orleans police lieutenant Ernie Lucier that her vision of the dead woman is the real thing may be her hardest act yet. He becomes a believer when Diana leads him to the alligator-infested bayou and the woman’s remains. When another vision leads to another body, it’s clear that the two dead women are a prelude to the killer’s ultimate victim–Diana.

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Adult language and situations.

Wealthy architect Reece Daughtry spent fifteen years in a Massachusetts prison for a murder he didn’t commit. Released on a technicality, he now makes his home in the mountains of North Carolina, building rock fireplaces for a waiting list of clients. His self-imposed solitude is shattered when local author Dana Minette asks him to build a fireplace in her new house. Dana becomes more than a client, and for the first time in twenty years, Reece longs to be with someone other than himself.

Then a local woman is murdered in the same savage manner as the murder that sent Reece to prison. More than one person wants him to take the fall, including Dana’s ex-husband, the local prosecutor, who’s determined to convict Reece in the high-profile case. But Reece won’t be railroaded again. Four men were with him the night of the first murder. One of them is the killer. Reece goes underground to discover who’s setting him up and why. Dana insists on going along, and against his better judgment, he relents. With both the police and FBI on their trail, it’s a race against time and a crafty murderer who will kill again.

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Adult language and situations.

High-priced call girl Tawny Dell boasts a client list that’s part Fortune 500, part Five Families. With a PhD in art history and a tidy chunk of money stashed offshore, she hangs up her G-string with plans to retire to a Mediterranean island to open a gallery. Lincoln Walsh, NYPD sex-crimes investigator, has other ideas. He wants Tawny to work undercover at a high-class sex club to discover who murdered a prostitute with ties to the club. The club is owned by an ex-hedge fund manager who’d do anything to hook Tawny into his harem. In exchange for Tawny’s cooperation, Linc’s office, in collaboration with Treasury, will see she avoids prison for failing to pay Uncle Sam his share from years of illegal earnings. But Tawny gets more than she bargained for—another dead prostitute, a mob boss who’s an old client, and romantic stirrings for the hot New York cop sending her back into the world’s oldest profession.

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Separated from her controlling husband, romance author Zoe Swan meets a charismatic art history professor on the beach and begins a torrid affair. But who is he really? By the time Zoe finds out, she’s on the run with her husband, his jewel thief brother, and a priceless painting stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. With the FBI and the murderer in pursuit, the trio heads to Boston. The only way to prove their innocence is to make a deal with the very people who want them dead.

This book is a Kindle Scout Winner!

It will be published later this year by Amazon’s Kindle Press.

Hello Polly and welcome to my blog!

Thank you, I’m very pleased to be here.

First of all, congrats for your latest book, Indiscretion. I understand it is a Kindle Scout winner that’s been selected for publication by Kindle Press. Wow! What inspired you to write this book?

Thank you, Fros. Indiscretion revolves around the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum heist. For those of you unfamiliar with the crime, it’s the largest art theft in history and still unsolved after twenty-five years. The museum is in Boston and the collection is housed in a reproduction of a 15th-century Venetian palace. Since I went to art school in Boston, I was very familiar with the museum and rather fascinated with what happened to the 13 pieces of art. So I made up a story.

Sounds like a cracking good read, Polly. What was the first thing you ever wrote and how old were you then?

The first thing I wrote was my novel Threads, and it took thirteen years for me to publish it. I published five other books before that one. Unlike so many writers who say they’ve been writing since childhood, that is not my experience. I was fifty-eight when I wrote Threads. That’s a pretty late start, and it took some concentrated effort to catch up.

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

I think it’s difficult for writers not to insert themselves into their characters in some way, both male and female. We are writing about our experiences and our inner feelings even if we don’t recognize we’re doing that at the time. My female characters are pretty independent, and so am I. They also have a smart mouth, and though I’ve tempered it as I got older, I was a smartass when I was younger.

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

I’m working on the fourth book in the Diana Racine Psychic Suspense series. The difficult part of writing a series is to make each consecutive book better than the last—more exciting, keeping your characters true to the way they were portrayed in earlier books, bringing in more engaging characters so the story doesn’t get repetitive and stale. In this book, I’m adding a permanent character who will change the lives of my two protagonists.

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

I love a good mystery/thriller/suspense, and the best ones are all three. My favorite authors are Dennis Lehane, Daniel Silva, Michael Connelly, Karin Slaughter, early Robert Ludlum, and Mo Hayder, to name a few. All of them are excellent writers, and they tread into uncharted territory. Most write dark subject matter and delve into the psyche of their characters.

Do you have any advice for other indie authors?

Keep writing, no matter what. Make sure your books are as good as they can be. Learn the craft of writing. Understand POV—something I find separates the good books from lesser efforts—and find an editor you can work with. Hire a cover designer unless you know what you’re doing. That’s another thing that screams novice. Find beta readers, not family members who think everything you do is wonderful.

Choose a male and a female character from your book and tell us which actor/actress you’d wish to play them in a film adaptation.

I wrote a screenplay for Hooked, and I pictured Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie for the leads. Yeah, right! But they would be perfect. Though Brad doesn’t look like an old Roman coin, my description of Lincoln Walsh, he has the charisma to pull off the role of hard-nosed but caring cop. And Angelina is one of the most beautiful women in the world, and Tawny Dell, ex-call girl extraordinaire, is described just that way. Both also have the acting chops to make the characters come to life. I’d imagine there might be some definite on-screen chemistry too.

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?

Control. I do my own covers—and, yes, I consider myself a professional since I worked as an artist for 25 years—so I can portray my books visually the way I see them and can’t complain because I don’t like the cover. Also, being indie allows me to fix or add something if I need to. I just repositioned my table of contents to the end of the story on a few of my books. Timing. I can totally control my promotions. However, there are downsides to being indie published. I went to a conference and wasn’t allowed on a panel. Some groups still find us not quite ready for prime time. That is demeaning and frustrating. Because of that, I’ve let memberships lapse to some organizations that still discriminate.

How awful! Sorry to hear that. Being an author involves a lot of sitting around. What do you do for exercise?

I walk my dog, Bogie. He’s the dog love of my life and the best dog we’ve ever had. No dog before him has loved me as much as he does. He makes me smile every time I look at him.

Oh, he’s a sweetie, Polly. I am a dog lover and I’ve been there. So glad you two found each other. What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned so far in life the hard way?

That everything I do is up to me to make it successful, whether it’s my first career in art, my second as an importer of decorative accessories, my third as a store owner, or the fourth as a writer. No one else can make you successful or allow you to fail. I have no plans for another career. Writing is it.

And I wish you every success with it! Thank you for being here with us today, Polly.

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

Polly Iyer, a former commercial illustrator, importer, and home furnishing store owner, is the author of eight novels of crime fiction, all with a touch of romance: Hooked, Indiscretion, InSight, Murder Déjà Vu, and Threads, plus three books in the Diana Racine Psychic Suspense series, Mind Games, Goddess of the Moon, and Backlash. Her books contain adult language and situations with characters who sometimes tread ethical lines. Born in a coastal city north of Boston, she’s lived in Rome, Italy, Boston, and Atlanta, and now makes her home in the beautiful Piedmont region of South Carolina where she spends her time thinking of ways to make life difficult for her characters. Learn more at www.PollyIyer.com or connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

Visit Polly’s Amazon page

Visit Polly’s website

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 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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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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Read Effrosyni’s 5-star review for The Power of Six

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 6, 2015 by Effrosyni Moschoudi

Interview with Tamara Gill, author of time travel romances

Today, I am pleased to present to you Tamara Gill, a lovely author whom I invited to my blog to talk about her work that includes historical and time travel romances. Here is a small sample, and you’ll be pleased to know one of them is FREE right now!

One small mistake in the past will change everything about her future…

Archaeologist Sarah Baxter just broke one of the biggest rules of time travel: leaving a piece of 21st century equipment in 19th century Regency England. Unfortunately, when she goes back to retrieve it, she makes an even bigger mess of things—resulting in the death of an English Earl. Now his brother is not only out for revenge, but he also has Sarah’s device. Which means an entirely different approach is needed. It doesn’t occur to the new Earl of Earnston that his charming acquaintance is responsible for his brother’s death. He is merely swept away by a passion that threatens his very reputation. Yet he gets the distinct impression that Miss Baxter is hiding something from him. Now Sarah must find a way to steal back her device, hide the truth about the earl’s brother and—most importantly— not fall in love…

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Unlucky in love, Maddie St. Clair hides behind an antique store and her mudlarking hobby. That is until she finds a medieval ring that throws her back to 1102 Cumberland and into the life of Lady Madeline Vincent, heiress to Norman lands and about to be married to an autocratic Baron, William Dowell, nine hundred years her senior.

Lord William Dowell protects his own. Usually, from his closest neighbor and long standing foe the Baron of Aimecourt. Forced to marry his dead enemy’s daughter, Lady Madeline, by King’s decree, he hides his growing respect for his wife behind a wanton mistress. Yet when Madeline’s life is threatened, William’s loyalty to his kin is tested by the astonishing desire that flares between them. Not to mention the love that Madeline ignites that would last an eternity. If fate will allow…

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FREE! FREE! FREE! Grab your copy today!

Chloe, beautiful and privileged daughter of a powerful god, literally has the world at her feet. Until she falls in love with a Scottish druid. Her enraged father sentences her to an endless cycle of birth and death; each life spent yearning for a man she no longer knows or remembers. Scottish druid, Cian McKay searches the world for his long lost love, only to have her appear at the local pub in his highland hometown. Cian must win Chloe’s heart again but without the ability to tell her who she is. Back in the place where she first loved Cian and fell from grace, Chloe’s memory haunts her with images that could not possibly be true. She must find the truth and the only way is a confrontation with the Deity who banished her a thousand years before – her father, Zeus.

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Hello Tamara and welcome to my blog!

Hi Fros, it’s very exciting to be here!

My first question is about your medieval time travel romance, Defiant Surrender. What was the inspiration behind it?

I was inspired to write Defiant Surrender a few years after visiting England, London in particular, where I learned of mudlarks, which are people who used to search for items in the Thames at low tide to sell for food etc. People now do it to find historical items. Mudlarks just intrigued me, enough so that I wrote a book where my heroine is one.

Tamara, I must say, you just hooked me on the story! What was the first thing you ever wrote and how old were you then?

Thinking back, I used to write small plays and have my friends at school act them out in the drama room and show it off to other students and teachers. That’s my first account of writing. I didn’t pick it up again until after my second child was born and I was on maternity leave.

What other writing have you done? Anything else published?

I write time travel, regency and paranormal (mythological) romance and have an array of books / novellas published.

Any hobbies or interests that you enjoy in your spare time?

I like to garden mostly. I have three small children, so I read at night after I’ve had my word count down for the day. I can’t sleep without getting a little reading in. I used to like to travel, but I’m not a big fan of flying, and so, that’s gone by the way side.

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

I suppose it’s inevitable that I’m in my characters somewhere, but sometimes they do things that frustrate me, and I’m left shaking my head at them (*laughs*).

Oh, I know the feeling! What are you working on at the moment? Tell us a little about your current project(s).

I’m working on a Regency series for Entangled Published which will be out next year. I’m also working on a Scottish time travel series for my agent. It’s all go, very busy, and a lot of fun.

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

I have a few. Eloisa James, Anna Campbell, Stephanie Laurens, but there are so many more that I love. I read widely too, and I adore Karen Marie Moning. Oh, this is a hard question. They’re all fabulous.

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

I’m reading Iced by Karen Marie Moning. I read mostly historical romance, but I also read paranormal, erotic, shape shifters, contemporary, you name it, I have it on my kindle.

Do you have any advice for other indie authors?

Don’t be afraid to get out there and publish. I have stories that I couldn’t sell, Defiant Surrender is one of them, and it’s gone on to be very popular with readers. Have it professionally edited, formatted and covered correctly to suit your market and get it out there.

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

Archaeologist. Hands. Down.

Thank you for our interview, Tamara! It’s been wonderful to have you.

Thank you for the invitation, Fros.

Tamara is an Australian author who grew up in an old mining town in country South Australia, where her love of history was founded. So much so, she made her darling husband travel to the UK for their honeymoon, where she dragged him from one historical monument and castle to another.

A mother of three, her two little gentleman’s in the making, a future Lady (she hopes) and a part-time job keep her busy in the real world, but whenever she gets a moment’s peace she loves to write romance novels in an array of genres, including regency, medieval and paranormal.

Tamara loves hearing from readers and writers alike. You can contact her through her website, and sign up to follow her blog or newsletter.

Visit Tamara’s Amazon page

Visit Tamara’s Website

Subscribe to Tamara’s newsletter

Join Tamara’s Street Team on Facebook

Other links:

https://www.facebook.com/tamara.gill.author

https://twitter.com/Tamara_Gill

https://www.goodreads.com/TamaraGill

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Interested to read more from this author? Head over to Effrosyni’s Blog, where you’ll find awesome tips for authors, interviews, book reviews, travel articles and even Greek recipes!

June 29, 2015 by Effrosyni Moschoudi

An interview with Pat Zick, author of the Florida Fiction Series

Hello peeps! Today, I am thrilled to welcome author Pat Zick for a chat. I met Pat in our writer’s group, eNovel Authors at Work. Recently, she interviewed me on her blog, and so, today, I am pleased to repay her wonderful hospitality. Pat’s brought along some delightful snapshots to show us, but first, take a look at the array of her stunning book covers:

Behind the Bar is Book Two in the Behind the Love Trilogy. This contemporary romance goes back to Victory, Florida, as Dean and Leah from Behind the Altar say their vows.

Susie and Reggie return to the Behind the Love Trilogy as the main characters in this romance. Susie and Reggie have been together since high school. When they watch good friends Dean and Leah find happiness, they both know something in their relationship must change. Susie believes that means marriage; she didn’t expect it to be Reggie deciding they needed a break from one another. While on break, a handsome publisher comes back to Victory to sweep Susie off her feet, while the voluptuous Sally Jean works her charms on Reggie. Meanwhile, the Victory Tavern owned by Reggie grows into a star attraction for the town. Dean and Leah help, and Susie’s sister Lisa returns home and provides Susie some much needed answers to the questions about their father. Reggie nearly loses everything in a bet that jeopardizes the Tavern. Secrets revealed bring more questions. When Reggie realizes Susie is the woman he loves, Susie must decide if she can ever trust him again. Before either of them can move forward to a life together, they must realize their past does not define them.

Visit Amazon

Caroline Carlisle loved Simon from the moment she first laid eyes on him when she was nine years old. Unfortunately, he married her older sister, and thus set a southern family on a collision course with its past. After the death of her sister that makes Simon a widow, the two finally marry and attempt to make a family with Simon’s daughter Jodi. Jodi has other ideas, and they don’t include welcoming a new step-mother who also happens to be her aunt. As Caroline starts to report on the oil spill threatening the sea turtles on Florida’s Panhandle beaches, she begins to uncover the secret of her own mother’s past, which includes her brother’s suicide and a teenage pregnancy. With Caroline’s sharpened reporter skills, she digs until she brings all the secrets to light, including her own.

Visit Amazon

Forbidden loves, deceptions, and murder threaten to destroy nature and families in a saga stretching from the 1760s to the present day.

Join Locka and Mali as they lead their tribe of Timucuans away from the Spanish near St. Augustine in 1760 and settle into a new life in the Everglades alongside the Calusa Indians. Their progeny grow up in the Everglades, attempting to keep their bloodlines pure.

By 2010, Mangrove Mike, Joey Cosmos, and Rob Zodiac live among the white people and learn that the human connection transcends the fear of extinction of their people. Barbara Evans in the Everglades and Emily Booth in St. Augustine are the glue as the different cultures combine forces to fight a conglomerate of international interests.

It’s a dangerous journey as this oddly matched group attempts to halt the destruction of the natural world they treasure. Cultural boundaries established centuries ago are erased as love and nature seek the balance lost during the battle for power and control of the last of the Florida frontier.

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Drive Route 66 with four women seeking adventure on the road.

Live from the Road takes the reader on an often humorous, yet harrowing, journey as Meg Newton and Sally Sutton seek a change in the mundane routine of their lives. Joined by their daughters, they set off on a journey of salvation enhanced by the glories of the Mother Road. Along the way, they are joined by a Chicago bluesman, a Pakistani liquor storeowner from Illinois, a Marine from Missouri, a gun-toting momma from Oklahoma, and a motel clerk from New Mexico. Death, divorce, and deception help to reveal the inner journey taking place under the blazing desert sun as a Route 66 motel owner reads the Bhagavad-Gita and an eagle provides the sign they’ve all been seeking. Enlightenment comes tiptoeing in at dawn in a Tucumcari laundromat, while singing karaoke at a bar in Gallup, New Mexico, and during dinner at the Roadkill Cafe in Seligman, Arizona. The trip isn’t always easy as laughter turns to tears and back again. However, the four women’s lives will never be the same after the road leads them to their hearts – the true destination for these road warriors.

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Hello Pat and welcome to my blog!

Hi Frossie, thank you for inviting me!

Choose one of your books and tell us, what inspired you to write it.

I’ll chose Trails in the Sand because it was inspired by real life events. During BP’s Deepwater Horizon oil spill, I served as a public relations director for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. I handled the media for the sea turtle nest relocation project that took place during the summer of 2010 as oil threatened Florida’s Panhandle beaches. At the same time, I was beginning a new relationship with a lost love from thirty-five years ago and was in the process of moving to Pittsburgh. Two weeks prior to the oil spill, twenty-nine miners were killed in a coal mine explosion in West Virginia, just a few hours from where I was moving. It all fell into place to write about the oil spill, the coal mine disaster, and a family facing their own disaster. Trails in the Sand explores the themes of redemption and restoration.

Sounds like an intriguing read! What other writing have you done?

I’ve dabbled in different types of writing. My first professional gigs came as a journalist for newspapers and magazines in Florida. I wrote political, investigative, and human interest articles. I wrote a weekly column and feature articles. Then I expanded by starting my own newspaper with my ex-husband. When we sold the paper, I became editor-in-chief over two magazines and continued writing columns, investigative pieces, and feature articles. All the while, I wrote fiction, publishing three novels traditionally from 2000-2006. When I left my public relations job with the Fish and Wildlife folks, I decided the time had come to write my fiction full time. In 2012, I published my first novel, Live from the Road, as an indie author. Since then, I’ve published seven novels—either contemporary or romantic fiction–along with three nonfiction books.

Wow, your writing journey has been amazing. And I am astounded that you published seven novels so quickly. Well done! Any hobbies or interests that you enjoy in your spare time?

My husband and I enjoy outdoor activities. We have a small boat that we love to take out for weekend cruises. We also kayak and golf. My husband is an avid and prolific gardener, and I’m the chief preserver of the food he grows. I’ve also become a decent brewer of beer in the past few years. And when I’m not busy with any of those activities, I read. I wish had more time for all the great books I’ve loaded on my Kindle.

Goodness me, where do you find the time? I am so impressed. And what a lovely photo! You’re so lucky to be able to escape from it all like that. Pat, a little bird told me you’re a docent in a botanical garden. Is that true?

Oh yes, it’s the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh. Here is a photo of me there, giving a tour!

Oh wow, the gardens look fantastic. What are you working on at the moment? Tell us a little about your current project(s).

I started writing contemporary new adult romances last year as a new challenge to my skill sets. I’ve since published two romances, Behind the Altar and Behind the Bar. I’m currently working on Third Base, a novella about baseball and love. I’m going to start another online class of Romance in a Month soon and plan to write another novella. This one, Minty’s Kiss, is for Christmas with a sweet cat named Minty at the forefront of the love story. Both of these projects will be a part of box sets with other authors. Then I have two other novels in various stages, waiting for me to come and rescue them. Both of these will go back to my roots of what someone once called “eco-journalism” in fiction.

Big plans! Good luck to you, and you just hooked me on the Christmas kitty story. Do you have any advice for other indie authors?

My advice is fairly simple: Write. Be flexible. Write. Persevere. And lastly, write.

Emphasis on “persevere”, as every savvy entrepreneur knows. Good advice, Pat! 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 enjoy the independence of making my own decisions on when, how, and what I publish. I love the royalties I receive. I’ve gone both routes. My traditional publishing experience was with small publishers. I also had an agent for about a year. I’ll take the indie route any day and don’t even consider going with a traditional publisher these days. I know that every month I’ll have money deposited into my bank account from my book sales, and while I have to pay a percentage of sales to the online retailers I use, that percentage is much fairer than with traditional publishers. I also have a choice on what I charge for my books. When I was published traditionally, the prices were set so high for the paperbacks that I was embarrassed by it.

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

That’s so true! It’s a dilemma. I have to push myself up out of my chair. I belong to a gym and do some form of work out every day. I attend dance classes twice a week, and I practice Tai Chi three times a week. Right now I’m in a class where I’m learning a Tai Chi routine with a sword. Not only do I move through these classes, but it gets me out into the world so I can socialize. Being a full time writer is an isolated occupation, so I need the push myself out into the world sometimes.

Oh Pat, I am in awe of you! Only if I cloned myself I’d manage all these activities. Good for you! Last question: how would you like to be remembered?

I want to be remembered as a person who lived by her convictions. I want one of my friends to stand at my celebration of life after I’m gone and say, “I loved this woman. She made me laugh, and she made me think. And then she made me drink. Let’s raise a glass of red wine in remembrance of one fine broad who sure knew how to live, laugh, and love.”

That’s lovely, Pat. Thank you so much for your time. I must say, you’ve inspired me with all you just shared. Many thanks!

Aw, thank you, Frossie. I really enjoyed our chat, and I’m grateful for the opportunity.

P.C. Zick describes herself as “a storyteller no matter what I write.” And she writes in a variety of genres, including romance, contemporary fiction, and nonfiction. She’s won various awards for her essays, columns, editorials, articles, and fiction.

Many of her novels contain stories of Florida and its people and environment, which she credits as giving her a rich base for her storytelling. “Florida’s quirky and abundant wildlife – both human and animal – supply my fiction with tales almost too weird to be believable.”

Her fiction contains the elements most dear to her heart, ranging from love to the environment. All of her novels contain elements of romance with strong female characters and descriptive settings. She believes in living lightly upon this earth with love, laughter, and passion, and through her fiction she imparts this philosophy in an entertaining manner with an obvious love for her characters, plot, and themes.

Visit Pat’s Amazon page

Visit Pat’s website

Visit Pat’s blog

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June 22, 2015 by Effrosyni Moschoudi

An interview with Yvonne Payne, author of Kritsotopoula

Yvonne Payne is one of my most avid supporters on Twitter. Nowadays, I have a better chance at reciprocating for her lovely support, since she has recently launched her debut novel, Kritsotopoula. The book tells the story of a real, local legend in the village of Kritsa in Crete. Check out the synopsis below for more info and then stick around to hear all about the lovely Yvonne!

Throughout her childhood exploits, the feisty daughter, Rodanthe, of Kritsa’s pappas (priest), yearns for her father’s approval without appreciating his efforts to keep her safe under Ottoman oppression.

Years later, the ruling Pasha orders Rodanthe’s kidnap intent on making her his wife. Determined not to yield, Rodanthe tricks the Pasha, and then flees to the mountains dressed as a young man. After joining rebels as Spanomanolis (Beardless Manolis), she draws on her unusual experiences and rare education to maintain her disguise throughout daring raids.

Now, honored as Kritsotopoula (Girl of Kritsa), villagers celebrate Rodanthe’s exploits annually in front of a poignant stone carving. This monument portrays the moment in 1823 when brave Rodanthe’s secret was exposed – a point mirrored as this story culminates with a twist.

Infused with myths and local flavour this historical adventure gives insight to customs that still shape many lives in Kritsa today.

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Hello Yvonne, and welcome to my blog!

Hi Fros, great to be here!

What has inspired you to write Kritsotopoula?

My husband and I soon discovered that just around the corner from our small Cretan village house was the family home of Kritsa’s most famous daughter, Rodanthe, who lived under Ottoman oppression in the early 1800s. A Pasha (local ruler) lusted after Rodanthe and ordered her kidnap, intent on making her his wife. He’d not reckoned on Rodanthe’s anger or her resourcefulness, so after tricking the Pasha she escaped to the mountains to join rebel forces disguised as a young man. Now known by the honorific title of Kritsotopoula meaning Girl of Kritsa, villagers commemorate her exploits annually in front of an amazing stone relief carved by British sculptor and Kritsa resident, Nigel Ratcliffe.

While watching Nigel bring his carving to life, I realized there was no text in English to explain why this girl was so important to the village. I investigated the life and times of Rodanthe, intending to write a pamphlet for the many tourists who visit Kritsa each summer. I had fantastic support from my husband, Alan, during my research as it involved walking in mountains, visiting specific villages, plus spending time in museums and monasteries. As my writing grew into a draft novel I cast Rodanthe in the role of a temporary donkey drover, and to bring it to life we experienced donkey riding. I was delighted with how much Alan enjoyed it.

However, most intriguing was the lack of facts! The focus of my imagination was the puzzle of how this village lass maintained her male disguise to fight alongside rebels in such a manner that Kritsa folk revere her memory to this day. The result is my novel, Kritsotopoula, Girl of Kritsa.

So, is your book a work of fiction?

My book is fiction although the story behind my novel is undoubtedly true. When I researched the legend I found some conflicting information and lots of gaps that left plenty of room for my imagination. The story of Kritsotopoula, is so well known in Kritsa that I made sure to include all the key points, and worked in as much historically true information of those times as I could. However, I cheerfully admit to inventing situations too!

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

I have made halting progress on a sequel, Rodanthe’s Gift. It’s another adventure to follow the next string of bloody events of the Cretan rebellion. Even while I work on this, I can’t get out of my mind the fact that our local museum in Agios Nikolaos has some remarkable finds from Kritsa that cry out for a story! Recently I heard some amazing recollections of life in Kritsa during WWII, and a story called Spirit of Rodanthe is starting to form. Whatever I write about, one thing is for sure: the setting will always be Kritsa, and that is why the tag line for my blog is ‘Kritsa, at the heart of it all’.

Choose a male and a female character from your book and tell us which actor/actress you’d wish to play them in a film adaptation.

Right from the start Captain Kazanis, a larger than life leader of the Cretan rebels, had a huge stature and booming voice based on British actor, Brian Blessed. Brian’s too old for the part now, so I think Ray Winstone as a hard man with a well-hidden soft centre would be excellent, although I nearly opted for Hagrid!

I can imagine the lovely Greek actress Ekaterina Botziou in the lead role of Rodanthe. However, if my dream director, Theodore Papadoulakis (director of the award winning Cretan TV series The Island), is in charge, he’ll cast whomever he thinks is ideal.

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

As I mentioned earlier, my website has Kritsa at its heart, so I intend to develop it as a resource for people interested in our village rather than focus solely on my book(s).

Talking of books, there are a huge number set in Crete and Greece, both reference books and novels. From my experience, these books have such a following it’s almost a genre in its own right. In light of this, I’m in the process of setting up a page on my website called My Greek Bookshelf where I’ll review books I’ve enjoyed. I’m experimenting with the idea of my Rodanthe interviewing characters from some of these books. Time to ask you a question Effrosyni – Can you think of a character from one of your Greek based stories who’d volunteer for an interview?

Sure, just take your pick, Yvonne, and I’ll make sure they make an appearance (*smiles*). Thanks! Now, tell us, 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 like being in control! Once I reached the stage where I admitted to myself that yes, I was writing a book, my thoughts turned to marketing. In a crowded marketplace, I could see that my story had a potential niche selling to two groups of people. The first are those who love Greece, and the second are those tourists who visit Kritsa, often as part of an organized tour, who’d like to buy a souvenir. I reach out to the first group via social media, and gaining shelf space in a central Kritsa shop has provided opportunity to reach souvenir hunters.

As a result, I decided not to spend time trying to get an agent to facilitate a traditional publishing deal but used SilverWood Books, a very experienced assisted publishing resource, to help me bring the book to life. I’m especially delighted with the cover design as it has many elements to appeal to local tourists.

Obviously if my book caught the attention of an agent, I’d be happy to explore the options. However, I’m not investing time on something that statistics and common sense tell me probably wouldn’t happen when I can make good use of that time.

Is there something you like to do to get the creative juices flowing?

I work out most of my story long before I sit ready to type. Scenes and whole chunks of dialogue come to me while I’m out walking in the mountains, sitting in a village kafenion or lounging on a beach. Where some people like to take photos, I capture moments of scenery, or events in words and then weave them into the story.

Here’s a photo of me getting to know a very chatty parrot who entices customers into a seaside café. Yes, it’s in the story!

Oh, that’s delightful! Thanks for showing us this photo, Yvonne! Last question: what are the things in your life that you’re most grateful for?

People often say ‘Oh you’re so lucky to live in Crete’. However, we made our own luck by taking a decision to live our life differently, mainly because we’ve seen how fleeting life can be. We make compromises to enjoy our dual life because we can’t ‘have it all,’ so we’ve reduced time and money spent on things that many other people deem important. However, Alan and I are most grateful for our good health so that we continue to enjoy everything that Crete has to offer. Eventually money or health will run out and in that event, we’ll look back and reminisce on an amazing phase of our lives.

That’s a wonderful answer, Yvonne. And I believe it’s your sense of gratitude that will prolong the blessings of money and health for you. I also think you’re very wise to say it’s not about luck but about choice. Not many people realize they have the power to change their lives, if only they decide. Thank you for this lovely chat, Yvonne, and best of luck with Kritsotopoula!

Thank you for inviting me, Fros! I appreciate it.

Yvonne Payne enjoys a dual life between Wiltshire, UK and Kritsa, a village on the Greek island of Crete. Since 2001, short-term Human Resources (HR) contracts funded long breaks in the sun that inspired her to write creatively instead of redundancy letters.

Not put off by the fact that secondary school streaming meant English literature classes did not feature on Yvonne’s timetable, despite her being an avid reader, she wrote her own eagerly awaited, hand written serialized stories for classmates. Leaving school at sixteen Yvonne worked in retailing, a move that eventually led to her writing company newsletters and training materials to launch her successful HR career.

As a regular contributor to Crete-related forums, which included sharing children’s stories based on observations of Cretan village life, Yvonne finally decided to write a novel, and after several false starts, realized that her adopted village had all the necessary ingredients, Ottoman oppression, kidnap, revenge, cunning escapades, and a legendary heroine. Yvonne combined research into the life and times of the early Cretan rebellion against ruling Turks, with her firsthand experience of local food, customs, and mountain hiking to publish her first novel, Kritsotopoula, Girl of Kritsa.

Visit Yvonne’s Amazon page

Visit Yvonne’s Website/blog

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Connect with Yvonne on Twitter

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June 17, 2015 by Effrosyni Moschoudi

Discover The Lady of the Pier trilogy

Today, I am pleased to announce that I am launching The Flow on June 26. This is book 2 in my trilogy, The Lady of the Pier. If you are pining for a beach holiday and looking for a read that’s the next best thing, then this trilogy is perfect for the job. What’s more, now, you can drift in your mind to a Greek paradise at a minimal cost!

The Ebb is currently only 99c and The Flow is on preorder for 99c too, but only for a limited time!

What is The Lady of the Pier trilogy about?

The Lady of the Pier trilogy tells the stories of Sofia and Laura – two girls from two different worlds who have a mysterious connection. In book 1, although similar in some ways, the two stories are seemingly unrelated. In book 2, they begin to merge and in the concluding volume, The Storm, they become one story. I recommend to start reading from book 1. The Storm is in the editing stage and will be published in December 2015.

For free excerpts, visit http://effrosyniwrites.com/books/

Book 1

LOVE WILL GO ON FOREVER, SEEKING A SECOND CHANCE.

BRIGHTON, 1937

Dreaming of wealth and happiness, Laura Mayfield arrives in Brighton to pursue a new life. She falls for Christian Searle, a happy-go-lucky stagehand at the West Pier theatre, but when she’s offered a chance to perform there, her love for him is put to the test. Charles Willard, a wealthy aristocrat, is fascinated by her and pursues her relentlessly. Will Laura choose love… or money?

CORFU, 1987

On a long holiday with her grandparents, Sofia Aspioti meets Danny Markson, a charming flirt who makes her laugh. Although she tries to keep him at arm’s length, worried that village gossip will get back to her strict family, she falls desperately in love. That’s when strange dreams about Brighton’s West Pier and a woman dressed in black begin to haunt her. Who is this grieving woman? And how is her lament related to Sofia’s feelings for Danny?

Only 99c on Amazon!

Book 2

She won’t find peace until she finds redemption.

But it’ll take more than love; it’ll take two worlds, to merge into one.

BRIGHTON 1938

Laura and Christian enjoy a blissful summer, while Charles watches from a distance, waiting for the right time to intervene. This time, he’s prepared to do something truly vile as to leave nothing to chance. WWII breaks out, and Laura does her best to settle in a new life, having paid a terrible price. Will she find happiness at last, or will the past continue to haunt her?

CORFU 1988

Sofia arrives in Vassilaki brokenhearted over Danny. Just as a new boy comes into her life, the strange dreams start anew. Now in Brighton, she meets Danny again, but he blows hot and cold. When she sees a female apparition on the West Pier, she finds out the locals call her ‘The Lady of the Pier’. Is this the woman in her dreams and why is Sofia the only one who can see her?

Official launch date: June 26, 2015

Available on preorder – only 99c for a limited time on Amazon!

Book3

The concluding part of the trilogy, The Storm, is currently in the editing stage.

It will be released in December 2015.

Have you enjoyed this post on EffrosyniWrites? Follow us by email or RSS feed (see right sidebar) and miss no more posts! You can also sign up to Effrosyni’s newsletter as to keep up to date with her new releases & book promotions (FREE & $0.99)

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June 15, 2015 by Effrosyni Moschoudi

Hot new book: Pandora’s Prophecy by Julie Ryan

Are you dreaming of a summer holiday? How about a combination of mystery and romance? Today, I have a great recommendation for you: Pandora’s Prophecy by Julie Ryan. Check this out:

‘Pandora’s Prophecy’ is the third in the Greek Island Mystery series but can be read as a standalone, although some characters from the previous books do make an appearance.

Lisa and Mark are going through a rough patch. Vicky is seventeen and has just discovered that the man she thought was her father really isn’t. Ruth is getting over her husband’s betrayal after nearly twenty-five years of marriage. On the surface they have nothing in common except that they are all staying in the same hotel on a Greek island. As they each come into contact with the mysterious Pandora, their lives will change forever. Bodies begin to pile up as a serial killer is on the loose, who might just be targeting the hotel. The island’s Police Chief, Christos Pavlides, tries to solve the puzzle but he has problems of his own to resolve. It seems that the local celebrity author is the one who holds the key.

Find Pandora’s Prophecy on Amazon.com

About the author

Julie Ryan was born and brought up in a mining village near Barnsley in South Yorkshire. She graduated with a BA (hons) in French Language and Literature from Hull University. Since then she has lived and worked as a Teacher of English as a Foreign Language in France, Greece, Poland and Thailand. She now lives in rural Gloucestershire with her husband, son and two cats, a rescue cat and a dippy cat with half a tail. She is so passionate about books that her collection is now threatening to outgrow her house, much to her husband’s annoyance, as she can’t bear to get rid of any! They have been attempting to renovate their home for the last ten years.

She is the author of three novels set in Greece: Jenna’s Journey, Sophia’s Secret and Pandora’s Prophecy. She considers Greece to be her spiritual home and visits as often as she can. This series was inspired by her desire to return to Crete although there is a strong pull to revisit the Cyclades too.

Visit Julie’s Amazon page

Visit Julie’s Blog, All Things Bookie

Visit Julie’s Blog, Julie’s World of Books

Connect with Julie on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/julieryan18

Connect with Julie on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Julieryanauthor

Discover all the books in the Greek Island Mystery Series…

When Jenna decides on a whim to go to Greece, she’s trying to escape her failing marriage. Will Greg let her go so easily though? Can she make a new future for herself and how did she get involved in an antiques smuggling ring? Is fellow holidaymaker Tom all he seems and will it be happy ever after with Nikos? It’s not until twenty-five years later that some of the questions are finally answered.

Find Jenna’s Journey on Amazon.com

or copy and paste this link in your browser for your local Amazon store: MyBook.to/Jennasjourney

This is the second book in the Greek Island Mystery series. Although each book is intended to be read as a standalone, some of the characters from the first book, ‘Jennas’s Journey’, do make an appearance. Kat has never understood why she was sent at the age of seven from Greece to live in England with her Aunt Tigi. When she receives an email from her grandmother, the first contact in over twenty years, informing her of her mother’s death, she knows this could be her last chance to find out the truth. Little by little she finds out the shocking facts as her grandmother opens her heart. It seems everyone has a secret to tell, not only her grandmother, as Manoli, her school friend, also harbours a guilty secret. Then there’s a twenty year old mystery to solve as well as a murder and what happened to the missing Church treasure?

Find Sophia’s Secret on Amazon.com

or copy and paste this link in your browser for your local Amazon store: MyBook.to/Sophiassecret

Have you enjoyed this post on EffrosyniWrites? Follow us by email or RSS feed (see right sidebar) and miss no more posts! You can also sign up to Effrosyni’s newsletter as to keep up to date with her new releases & book promotions (FREE & $0.99)

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June 15, 2015 by Effrosyni Moschoudi

An interview with Myron Stenzel

Today, I am pleased to welcome Myron Stenzel, an engineer from Kansas who enjoys writing as a hobby; he sees it as a way to inspire others. I thought this was a noble way to approach writing and so, I invited him to my blog to talk about this more extensively. He is a diverse writer too, as you will see below!

She smiled the whole time knowing that she had saved the next dance…

Visit Amazon now

When he finished, the waves washed away a message that he offered to the heavens and the ocean. “I believe in God and the sea, believe in me.” As the two walked up the beach towards the house, you could almost hear the waves say the words Jim gave the ocean to keep forever.

Chances. We all have taken them in our lives. For Jim Harris, he has taken the biggest chance of all. Giving up everything to chase a career. The one thing that he didn’t count on was that the chance he was taking would lead him to what he needed most in life, the true love of a woman. Keep the Light is a story of family, friendship, true love, and taking that chance. Author Myron Stenzel invites you to take a chance by reading this story of true love. In the end, you will look inside your own self and envision your dreams and passions, and you will forever keep the true meaning of life in your heart-love.

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Hello Myron and welcome to my blog!

Thank you for inviting me, Fros!

What has inspired you to write Keep the Light?

Keep the Light was based off of some old notes I found late in 2012. I had written these notes back in 2000. It was neat finding these going through some of my old documents while cleaning out the basement. Seeing these inspired me to finally sit down and try my hand at writing. It has always been a dream of mine to have a book published. I was amazed that I could produce a 160 page book from 4 sheets of paper. Yes, Keep the Light may not be a 300 page book; however, one will take away so many of life’s meanings from the two poems and my simple words of belief, faith and determination.

What other writing have you done? Anything else published?

My children’s story, Save the Next Dance, was recently published nationwide in February this year. I wrote this for my nine year old daughter. She takes dance lessons throughout the year, and I wanted to write a book about the love of dance and the commitment to family.

I am currently in the editing process of my 3^rd book, “Legend of the Wild Stallion”, which will be published late in 2015. This is a paranormal western mystery novel geared to intrigue a reader’s imagination.

Wow, you’re a diverse writer, Myron!

Yes, I want to be a diverse writer as to cater to as many readers as possible and to inspire them.

Any hobbies or interests that you enjoy in your spare time?

I am a huge baseball fan. I love the game and enjoy it at every level. I’m a big time KC Royals fan. I do not fish as much as I’d like to due to having a full time job, family and, of course, writing to do when I get the chance. I went fishing one time last year, and that was on the beach in Clearwater, Florida. That was amazing. Lack of rain in the area has hurt our farm ponds and rivers. I also like to get on the bike and exercise when time allows.

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

I am currently in the editing stage for my 3^rd book, “Legend of the Wild Stallion”. I also like to write poetry. When I’m inspired, I like to “pen a poem” and share it with people on my social sites in the hopes of inspiring someone (*smiles*)

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

I am a fan of Jules Verne due to the amazing imagination he possessed for the time period in which he lived and wrote. “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea” is my favorite novel.

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

Unfortunately, I do not have a lot of time for reading due to my full time job and family obligations. I am a history and geography fan. I like reading about history, and stories about the ocean and sea life.

Do you have any advice for other indie authors?

Only you can make it happen. You possess the “power of the pen”. Write and fight for what you believe in. Being published almost didn’t happen, but it did due to my perseverance and prayers. Most (and I included) may never make it big as a writer, and that is fine. Treat it as a hobby and when your book is published, do not look at how many books are sold or signed. Look at your book in your hands and treat it as a trophy of your own personal success. Never give up!

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

They will find inspiration in my poems and “writing ramblings” I post on my Goodreads blog and on my Facebook page. I’d love for your readers to join me. I’d be honored to inspire them in some way.

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

My dream job would be to own a fishing boat on the ocean, taking people out on fishing trips and catching big fish. Being out on the water and fishing every day. Yes, I may be land locked in the Midwest; however, the ocean has always intrigued me.

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

My nine year old daughter. Being a father is the greatest gift any man could ever dream of.

How would you like to be remembered?

One who worked hard for what he has received in life. Always the fun loving humorous guy who would put a smile on his face, trying to inspire others to be the best they can be.

Thank you for this interview, Myron, and best of luck with your launch later this year.

Thank you for this opportunity, Fros.

Myron Stenzel was born and raised in the small Western Kansas town of Ness City. His career path has been in the engineering design field which he studied and graduated in 1998 from NWKTC in Goodland, KS. He also received his Associates Degree in Engineering Technology from Colby Community College in Colby Community College in Colby, KS in 1998. Although his studies and professional career have been in drafting and design, Myron has always possessed the power of writing. He found his niche for writing while in college and over the years he has favored the art of writing poetry and short stories.

Myron believes inspiration comes in many forms and in many ways throughout one’s life. He believes that the “power of the pen” allows him to express life’s true meanings. His belief is there is no topic he cannot write about if he is truly inspired. Myron believes God has allowed him to pursue a passion for writing and he feels blessed every day to be published and to be able to share his vision with all who wants to be inspired.

Visit Myron’s Amazon page

Visit Myron’s Website

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Connect with Myron on Twitter

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Welcome to Effrosyni Writes

This is the website of Greek author, Effrosyni Moschoudi. Go to the 'FREE STUFF' page on the menu to get her FREE books! Also, her travel guide to Moraitika and Messonghi in Corfu and the Greek recipes are unmissable if you love all things Greek!

Effrosyni Moschoudi

An interview with author, Viv Drewa

Today I’m pleased to present Viv Drewa on my blog, a lovely, supportive author, who happens to love owls – an affinity we have in common. Check out her covers below and stick around to hear all about Viv and her work.

An interview with crime fiction author, Polly Iyer

Today, I am thrilled to present another member of my writers group, eNovel Authors at Work. Polly Iyer writes intriguing crime fiction novels with a touch of romance. Check out this array of awesome covers:

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

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.

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.

New Launch: Infinite Waters by Nicholas C. Rossis

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

Read Effrosyni’s 5-star review for The Power of Six

Interview with Tamara Gill, author of time travel romances

Today, I am pleased to present to you Tamara Gill, a lovely author whom I invited to my blog to talk about her work that includes historical and time travel romances. Here is a small sample, and you’ll be pleased to know one of them is FREE right now!

Have you enjoyed this post on EffrosyniWrites? Follow us by email or RSS feed (see right sidebar) and miss no more posts! You can also sign up to Effrosyni’s newsletter as to keep up to date with her new releases & book promotions (FREE & $0.99)

Interested to read more from this author? Head over to Effrosyni’s Blog, where you’ll find awesome tips for authors, interviews, book reviews, travel articles and even Greek recipes!

An interview with Pat Zick, author of the Florida Fiction Series

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An interview with Yvonne Payne, author of Kritsotopoula

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Discover The Lady of the Pier trilogy

The Ebb is currently only 99c and The Flow is on preorder for 99c too, but only for a limited time!

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Interested to read more from this author? Head over to Effrosyni’s Blog, where you’ll find awesome tips for authors, interviews, book reviews, travel articles and even Greek recipes!

Hot new book: Pandora’s Prophecy by Julie Ryan

Are you dreaming of a summer holiday? How about a combination of mystery and romance? Today, I have a great recommendation for you: Pandora’s Prophecy by Julie Ryan. Check this out:

‘Pandora’s Prophecy’ is the third in the Greek Island Mystery series but can be read as a standalone, although some characters from the previous books do make an appearance.

About the author

Discover all the books in the Greek Island Mystery Series…

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An interview with Myron Stenzel

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Interested to read more from this author? Head over to Effrosyni’s Blog, where you’ll find awesome tips for authors, interviews, book reviews, travel articles and even Greek recipes!