Guest Post & Giveaway - Why Greece IS the word by Isabelle Broom - Greek Week

I’ve travelled to many places around the world in my time. I’ve bathed elephants in Sri Lanka, clung fearfully to the wall at the top of the CN Tower in Toronto, eaten bagels for breakfast in New York, made wishes on The Charles Bridge in Prague and skipped along the Hollywood Walk of Fame – but none of these places has captured my heart or imagination in the same way that the small Ionian island of Zakynthos did. 

Nestled in a patch of blue sea in the shadow of its far bigger neighbour Kefalonia, for me Zakynthos has always been the crowning jewel of Greece. I visited for the first time in the year 2000, falling immediately and irrevocably in love almost as soon as I felt the warm stone through the soles of my sandals and breathed in the scent of lemon and pine trees in the air. Island life is relaxed and laid-back, the Greeks hospitable and hilarious fun, and it only takes about ten minutes after I arrive each time for all my woes, worries and stresses to ease away.

When I set about writing My Map Of You, it was important to me that the island itself was as much of a character as Holly and Aidan were. I’d always thought of the place as a huge guardian figure in my own life, a place that would welcome me with open arms and comfort me in times of sadness. I’ve lived in London now for almost half my life, but it’s never felt like a home – not in the way this little foreign island does. But what is a home? To me, the idea of home is the place where you are most alive – a place where it’s okay to be yourself, and not only that, but the very best version of yourself. Holly realises this is also true for her when she returns to London, but unlike me she had the freedom to go back permanently.

While Zakynthos has always been the most magical place in the world for me, I also believe that every little island in the world has it’s own inherent magic. Every city has hidden corners, the scent of secrets are always on the air, no matter where you end up – and it’s my job as a writer to capture them. I find that idea of belonging to a place so fascinating, and it’s the way I’ve always felt about Greece. A part of my heart will always be there, and even when I’m not actually in Zakynthos, I carry it with me. 

I never used to understand what people meant when they’d say, “Home is where the heart is,” but now, thanks to a very special Greek island thousands of miles away, I do.

About Isabelle Broom

Isabelle Broom was born in Cambridge nine days before the 1980s began and studied Media Arts at the University of West London before starting a career first in local newspapers and then as a junior sub editor at heat magazine. She travelled through Europe during her gap year and went to live on the Greek island of Zakynthos for an unforgettable and life-shaping six months after completing her degree. Since then, she has travelled to Canada, Sri Lanka, Sicily, New York, LA, the Canary Islands, Spain and lots more of Greece, but her wanderlust was reined in when she met Max, a fluffy little Bolognese puppy desperate for a home. When she’s not writing novels set in far-flung locations, Isabelle spends her time being the Book Reviews Editor at heatmag and walking her beloved dog round the parks of north London. Oh, and she does a lot of laughing. Just, you know, because…

If you like pictures of dogs, chatter about books and very bad jokes, you can follow her on Twitter @Isabelle_Broom or find her on Facebook under Isabelle Broom Author.


My Map Of You is available from Amazon and other book retailers, as well as Audiobook. Her second novel, A Year And A Day, will arrive in November.


Giveaway - Win a signed copy of My Map of You (Europe Only)

Isabelle Broom has donated a lovely signed copy of My Map of You for one lucky winner. Since it is Greek Week seems fitting that I allow the whole of Europe to enter. 

Giveaway open to Europe only, all options are voluntary, but please do what they ask, as I will be verifying the winner. Giveaway closes 23:59 4/6/2016. Winner will be announced on twitter and emailed, and they will need to reply within 7 days, or forfeit the prize, and I will re-draw for a new winner.  Good luck everyone.

Win a signed copy of My Map of You (Europe Only)

Friday Funday - Truth or Lie? - Mandy Baggot - Month 2 Week 2 - Greek Week

Welcome to the second ever edition of Truth of Lie. My name is Rachel and I will be your host, for this exciting new game show. Each Friday, I will have one contestant, and they will be answering at least 14 questions. There is of course one small twist, 

For three of the answers, they have to lie. It is your task as the viewer to guess which three answers are lies. You are allowed 3 guesses and I want them posted into the comments field. 

Every 4 weeks, I will close the guessing, count up how many correct answers each of you has, and create a leaderboard. Anyone who is top of the leaderboard, will go into a draw for a paperback of the winners choice (open internationally). 

Please do include a way for me to contact you (email or twitter or similar), so that I can let you know if you have won. 

The weekend after a 4 week period closes, not only will I produce a leaderboard, and announce a winner, I will also let you know into the true answers, and which were the lies.  

Closing date for the first month is 11pm on 16th June 2016. 

So without further ado, let's meet today's contestant. 

Good morning contestant, please can you tell me your name and a little bit about yourself?

My name is Mandy Baggot and I am addicted to white wine, mashed potato and the Greek island of Corfu. I also love country music and my Kindle Paperwhite. I write romantic fiction, currently romantic comedies for Bookouture, and Those Summer Nights is my twelfth book. You can find me on Twitter (too much of the time) @mandybaggot, on Facebook and at my website www.mandybaggot.com

I live near Salisbury in Wiltshire, UK with my husband (Mr Big), two daughters, two cats (Kravitz and Springsteen) and two guinea pigs (Truffle and Stripe).

Pleased to meet you Mandy, I loved Truly Madly Greekly last year and have been a huge fan of your books since.  

Now onto the show, and remember everyone, Lynda hasn't been entirely truthful with three of these answers, so it is up to you to guess which ones they are (only 3 guesses per person though). 

1) What book do you wish you had written?

Afternoon Tea at the Sunflower Café by Milly Johnson. Milly beat me to the Romantic Novelists’ Association award for romantic comedies this year and I’m still sore! Only kidding! Milly and I are great friends and I love her books! 

2) Tell me about any really memorable dream or nightmare you have had.

Gosh, this is personal. OK *takes deep breath* I once woke up having spent a night dreaming about Pitbull covered in Ben and Jerry’s. 

3) What was your most memorable holiday ever?

Every holiday I have in Corfu seems to be memorable. I ADORE the island and just can’t spend enough time there! I think more Greek books are coming! 

4) If you could be an animal what would you be and why?

I’d be a cat. I have two cats and they get fed whenever they’re hungry, stretch out in the sun and then sleep. Pretty much purr-fection! 

5) If you could be a fruit, what would you be and why?

A kiwi fruit – fuzzy, juicy and exotic – that’s me!

6) What is the most annoying interview question you have ever been asked?

I like doing interviews! I don’t really find any questions annoying. 

7) Do you consider yourself to be an angel or a devil? Please give an example to validate your answer

I think I’m a little bit of both. On the whole I’m a good girl but if I think rules need bending a little… I’m pretty sure I’m one of the bad girls at RNA conference every year. I wanted to do unspeakable things with a fork last year… 

8) Please name a cocktail that would describe you perfectly, and what’s in it?

Racy Lady – White rum, Baileys, grenadine 

9) If you could choose anybody famous to star in the story of your life, who would it be?

It would have to be Rebel Wilson. I think we have a lot in common! 

10) Besides reading, which I am guessing is a given, what other hobbies do you have?

I love to sing! I entered The X-Factor a few moons ago now but didn’t quite make it to judges’ houses. It was an experience though and made me realise I didn’t want to have a singing career! I do it just for fun now with the occasional charity event. I also love to go to gigs – country, rock and pop mainly. Other than that it’s nights on the sofa with Netflix. 

11) What is your best childhood memory?

I loved going to the horse racing with my late Granddad. He used to take me in the school holidays to Newbury and I adored it. We would take a picnic and spend all day just watching the races, sitting in the sun, eating egg sandwiches, simple pleasures I miss. 

12) What is your guilty pleasure when it comes to music? 

Obviously, it’s the guy who wrote a song about me… Barry Manilow. When ‘Mandy’ comes on I have to stand up and sing at the top of my voice and let everyone know I own it. 

13) If you could only look at one view for the rest of eternity, what or where would you like to be to see this view

Corfu! I know it’s boring because I go there so much, but to me it really is the best place on Earth. It’s that combination of blue sky, azure sea and the backdrop of the mountains of Albanian off the north-east coast of the island. I could look at that view forever. 

14) Who is the most important person in the world to you?

I have two of those. My girls. They are growing up so fast. 10 and 8 going on 15 in their heads. Being a mum is hard work sometimes but loving them is easy. They ground life for me and help me get my priorities straight. 

15) What are you most scared of?

There are two things. One is planes falling out of the sky and landing on me. I don’t seem to be as scared of being in one when it goes down just the thought of being out, walking somewhere or driving somewhere and having one crash on me. I know it’s weird. The other one is ultra silly but sends me into a panic… if I see a plaster in a swimming pool or on the floor of a swimming pool complex I have to get out or away from it until it’s gone. I’m shuddering just thinking about it! 

Thank you so much Mandy for appearing on Truth or Lie? I think since it is also Greek week, the hint of more Greek books coming up will please a lot of people and I think you are doing great things for the Corfu tourist board, no matter how unofficially it may be! 

I hope you have enjoyed this edition of Truth or Lie? I will be back next week with another episode, and in the mean time...

Don't forget to guess the lies, to be in with a chance of a prize! 

For more about Mandy Baggot....

 Visit Mandy’s website at http://www.mandybaggot.com/
Latest release: Those Summer Nights http://smarturl.it/thosesummernights
Amazon UK: http://ow.ly/sjq4v
Amazon US: http://ow.ly/sjqbM
Twitter: http://twitter.com/mandybaggot
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mandybaggotauthor

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2968625.Mandy_Baggot

Book Review & Giveaway - Those Summer Nights by Mandy Baggot - Greek Week

Amazon UK

Title: Those Summer Nights

Author: Mandy Baggot

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication Date: 27th May 2016

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Sunshine, soft white sand and a sizzling hot millionaire – you don’t get trouble in paradise, right? 

Imogen Charlton is sorted. Dead-beat husband? History. Dream job? Application sent. But then her impulsive brother, Harry, spends every last penny on a Greek restaurant in Corfu, and is determined to run it himself. It’s up to Imogen to bring him to his senses. 

When sexy millionaire Panos Dimitriou offers to buy back his family taverna, Imogen wonders if all her prayers have been answered (and all her fantasies about to come true). But Harry won’t budge, and his enthusiasm is infectious. 

Bright pink bougainvillea tumbling over whitewashed walls, endless blue skies, the sparkling Mediterranean; it’s hard not to fall for Corfu. And that’s not all Imogen is falling for… 

As the sparks of passion fly between Imogen and Panos, is Imogen having second thoughts on selling the restaurant? And will she have to choose between love and a new dream? 

Everything about this book screams Greece, from the title and its reference to the iconic song from Grease, to the opening of a Greek restaurant on the island of Corfu, and of course a sexy millionaire Greek property developer. 

Harry's whole family thought he was mad when he announces out of the blue that not only has he bought a restaurant, but that it is in Corfu. Not only that, but that he hopes it will somehow help repair his marriage, and prove to everyone that he is still capable of doing things. He asks sister Imogen to go over to Corfu with him to help set up the restaurant. 

It is Imogen's first visit to Corfu and seeing the island through a fresh pair of eyes is fabulous, and what stuck with me the most was the colour of the sea, the views, the markets and of course the sights and smells of the place, all described so well. It is so clear from the writing how much the author loves Corfu. 

As you may have suspected there is no way you can have a book about a restaurant, set in Greece, without wonderful descriptions of Greek food, as Harry and Imogen have to decide on a menu, and in Imogen's case needs to learn how to cook some of this food. I was spending a lot of time hungry while reading this story. 

It took ages for me to warm to Panos, mainly because at the start he is painted as a bad guy, but I did love that there was an obvious connection between him and Imogen, if it it takes them ages to acknowledge it. It was the day at the community market that started making me like him a lot more, and from there he to me became fabulous. 

There is so much to love about Those Summer Nights, and I really think Mandy Baggot has another hit book set in Greece here, with a fantastic mix of food, romance, comedy, Socks, and a brilliant team of brand new local Greek friends to add to the fun. 

Those Summer Nights is a great poolside read, or sunny day in a garden, or even freezing cold day in the middle of winter when you want to be warmed up virtually, and if like me you like going to new places in the comfort of a book, then definitely give this one a read. 

Thanks so much to Netgalley and Bookouture for this review copy. This was my honest opinion. 

Happy Publication Day to Mandy Baggot. Those Summer Nights it out now! 

Giveaway - Win a signed copy of Truly Madly Greekly by Mandy Baggot (Open Internationally)

Since it is Greek Week here on Rachel's Random Reads, Mandy Baggot has very kindly donated a signed copy of her Greek book from last year, Truly Madly Greekly for one lucky winner. 

Giveaway open Internationally, all options are voluntary, but please do what they ask, as I will be verifying the winner. Giveaway closes 23:59 4/6/2016. Winner will be announced on twitter and emailed, and they will need to reply within 7 days, or forfeit the prize, and I will re-draw for a new winner.  Good luck everyone.

Win a signed copy of Truly Madly Greekly by Mandy Baggot (Open Internationally)

Q&A with Louise Candlish for Greek Week

Louise Candlish explains why she chose the Cyclades island of Santorini for the setting of her bestseller Since I Don’t Have You

What led you to Santorini?

I had developed an obsession with the island from seeing photographs of it, often in the context of romantic getaways. But actually I responded more to the summertime sadness feel of the place: the high cliffs, the lonely white paths, the blue sea and sky all around, it’s so cut off and otherly. So when I was thinking about places where the grieving Rachel might flee, I knew it would be perfect. I went there on my own for a week or two and lived as I thought she might, in one of the secret houses cut into the rock, emerging every so often into the dazzling light, hardly speaking to anyone.

What is it that makes the Greek islands so special?

For me, it’s the light, especially in the evening. I have not seen that light anywhere else. It’s almost heart-breakingly soft and pure.

What impact did Since I Don’t Have You have on your career?

The book was a big hit and so put my writing on the map. It did well in other territories too, though was never published in Greece, which seems a shame. It began a run of novels set on islands, including The Disappearance of Emily Marr, set on the Ile de Ré in France. In each case, I’ve put a despairing individual among carefree holidaymakers; but the carefree are never truly so (that’s my cheerful message…).

Have you returned to Greece?

I have, and in fact got involved in a medical drama that could easily be a plotline in one of my books. I’d gone with my husband and young daughter to Skopelos (known as the Mamma Mia island) for a two-week break, when, on day three, I lost my sight in one eye. We had to make an emergency dash to the mainland and then Athens and then, finally, Moorfields Hospital in London, for me to have surgery. It turned out to be a detached retina. Far scarier than the blindness or the surgery was the taxi journey into Athens. The driver was the most reckless motorist I’ve ever encountered – I genuinely thought we were going to die. At Athens Hospital, the surgeon told me I’d have to wait, because their policy was to prioritize victims of car accidents. I thought, well, I’ll never get to the top of that list, so we caught the next plane to London.

Will you set another book in Greece?

I have no plans to, though I do enjoy reading other novels set there. I have Isabelle Broom’s My Map of You on my TBR pile right now and just looking at the cover is stirring my Greece-loving blood. One of my all-time favourite novels is The Magus by John Fowles, set on a remote Greek island, and I’m due a re-read of that.

Where next?

My two most recent books have been set in the London suburbs, hotbeds of adultery and unease. I’ve sort of settled there for now.

Since I Don’t Have You is published by Little, Brown

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Since-I-Dont-Have-You/dp/0751538094?ie=UTF8&qid=1462286917&ref_=tmm_pap_swatch_0&sr=1-1

Louise’s new release The Swimming Pool is published by Penguin
http://hyperurl.co/TheSwimmingPool  

Bio

© Heather McCarry

Louise Candlish was born in Hexham, Northumberland, and grew up in the Midlands town of Northampton. She studied English at University College London and now lives in Herne Hill in South London with her husband and daughter. She is the bestselling author of eleven novels, including The Swimming Pool, and of the short story The Intruder at Number 40.

Find out more at www.louisecandlish.com or follow Louise on Twitter @louise_candlish

Thank you so much Louise for appearing on Rachel's Random Reads, I read Since I Don't Have you years ago when it came out and thoroughly enjoyed it. Good luck with your new book The Swimming Pool which is also fabulous! 

Guest Post & Giveaway - How Greek Mythology inspired my novel by Lily Graham - Greek Week

In all our lives, there comes a time when we face the equivalent of the minotaur – a mythical beast with the head of a bull and the body of a man – something so awful, and beyond comprehension that it tests us to our very limits. In the Greek legend, based on the island of Crete, Theseus, a young soldier, is tasked to face this monster that the evil, King Minos has hidden inside a complicated labyrinth that no one has ever been able to leave with their life. His daughter, Ariadne, takes pity on him, and decides that she will save him, as she alone knows the way out of the labyrinth. 

There are many versions of the tale. But what I think captured me most was the idea that when you are facing your darkest moment, it often does feel like you are trapped within a labyrinth facing a monster with no way out. 

When my mother battled breast cancer, it was like dealing with my own version of a complex maze with an unknown beast to contend with. For two years there was a new path and new beast to slay. Turn left: chemotherapy. Turn right: radiation. Left again: Hair loss. Right again: more chemotherapy. I’ve never felt so helpless. Or more in need of an escape, I wished that somehow she could escape all the pain. It was during that time that the idea for the novel, The Summer Escape began to simmer.

All I wanted was an escape from what we were facing, and while back them we had no way out except to battle forward, which we did, and our story thankfully did have a happy ending, I began to write a novel about what would drive a woman to run away from her life. I’d gotten the basics in place, and many years later I decided on the setting when realized that I wanted part of the story to involve a vineyard that burnt down. I also discovered that I could only write this story once I too, had come out the other side. Thankfully, with a mother who has survived stage four breast cancer.

In his memoir, On Writing, Stephen King said that the theme should never come first, it should always be story first, then the other stuff, and I agree, but every so often a theme jumps out and grabs you and helps to shape the story as well, which is what happened to me with The Summer Escape. As soon as I decided on Greece, and a vineyard, I knew the setting would have to be Crete, as that is where most Greek wine is made. I’d visited the beautiful island in the past, and I suppose some of the raw material had been bubbling in my subconscious for a while.

After investigating the island some more, I headed into the territory of mythology, and re-discovered the story of the minotaur, which I then decided to very loosely base my own tale upon. With the labyrinth in my story being an unsolved mystery surrounding a vineyard that burnt down, and the unknown beast being death itself – surely the biggest unknown monster we all face at one point or another. In my favourite version of the legend, the goddess Ariadne saves Theseus only to be betrayed by him. She’s left behind in a cave, and is later found by Dionysus – the god of wine and madness, who has faced his own suffering, and together they save each other.

The story starts with Ria’s grandmother telling her about how she got her name, Ariadne, and why real heroes are not the ones that come out of fairy tales, they’re the ones who have known real suffering, that’s what makes a real hero a hero. She tells Ria this, because, it’s what I believe. 

Part of the fun I had with the story was in planting subtle little clues along the way that pointed towards the original myth – the names for instance. Tom’s surname Bacchus – is the Roman name for Dionysus. Similarly, Ria’s surname Laburinthos, means labyrinth, and The Chief of Police is named Carlos Mino – a nod to King Minos. 

I’m not sure if I would have ever used mythology to shape my novel if I hadn’t of set it in Crete, but then, if I hadn’t, I don’t think I would have ended up with the novel that I did. 

The Summer Escape is out on 26 May 2016

Thank you so much Lily at that look of how Greek Mythology weaves it way into The Summer Escape, in a way that I never noticed at all.

About Lily Graham

Lily has being telling stories since she was a child, starting with her imaginary rabbit named Stephanus, and their adventures in the enchanted peach tree in her back yard, which she envisioned as a sort of magical portal to Enid Blyton’s Faraway Tree. She’s never really gotten out of the habit of making things up, and still thinks of Stephanus rather fondly. 
Her first two self-published novels were Amazon bestsellers, and will be republished with Bookouture this year.  The Summer Escape will be published in May. 
She lives with her husband and her English bulldog named Fudge, and brings her love of the sea and the country living to life in her fiction. 


Website/ blog: www.lilygraham.net 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Lilywritesbooks
Amazon UK: http://tinyurl.com/j34racz
Amazon US: http://tinyurl.com/zzsommp
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LilyRoseGrahamAuthor/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29451774-the-summer-escape

Giveaway - Win an e-copy of The Summer Escape (Open Internationally)


It's Lily Graham's publication day and what better way to celebrate than by giving away a copy of The Summer Escape in ebook. 

Giveaway open Internationally, all options are voluntary, but please do what they ask, as I will be verifying the winner. Giveaway closes 23:59 4/6/2016. Winner will be announced on twitter and emailed, and they will need to reply within 7 days, or forfeit the prize, and I will re-draw for a new winner.  Good luck everyone.

Win an e-copy of The Summer Escape (Open Internationally)

Book Review - The Summer Escape by Lily Graham - Greek Week

Amazon UK

Title: The Summer Escape

Author: Lily Graham

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley 

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication Date: 26th May 2016

Rating: 5 Stars

Amongst the beautiful olive groves and sea-front tavernas, summer has arrived on the sun-drenched island of Crete. 

After losing the love of her life, Ria’s life has been on hold. So when her boss becomes completely unbearable she makes the snap decision to run away to the Greek island of Crete, armed only with her passport. 

When Ria finds herself working for eccentric novelist Caroline, she meets handsome vineyard owner Tom. He’s charming, mysterious and Ria starts to wonder if it’s not just the beautiful Greek island that she’s falling for. 

But as Ria gets to know Tom better, she uncovers a tangled web of secrets. What is he hiding? Ria has some secrets of her own. Can she open up to Tom and learn to live again? 

This summer, escape to the sun with this charming and emotional story about starting over and grabbing happiness with both hands. 

What a charming book, with its excellent storyline, characters and above all sunny location of Crete. There is a mystery at the heart of the story, but yet I wouldn't define it as a mystery book, just as a romantic comedy, with a side helping of intrigue, and a very brave main character. 

It takes guts, or for you to be at the end of your tether, to one day instead of going into work, finding yourself at Heathrow airport with just your passport and handbag (and its a fluke that Ria even had the passport), and ending up slightly drunk but on a plane to Crete for you don't know how long. With my current frame of mind, I probably shouldn't have read the first section of the book, as the idea of jumping on a plane for some sun (and quitting the more troublesome of my jobs) is highly appealing! 

Ria had been an obituary writer for the past few years, despite suffering a couple of bereavements herself, so when her boss is particularly nasty yet again, and wants to turn Ria into a story, she quite rightly snaps and thankfully we end up with a fantastic story because of it. 

Ria finds a job working for Caroline Murray who is trying to put together her memoir, and desperately needs and assistant. Caroline's story is fascinating as her some of her tales about what she has been up to with various celebrities in the past.  She is a tonic of a person for Ria to be around and I always knew scenes involving her would be interesting. 

As I have said there is a mystery in the book, and that is to do with Tom's vineyard. Someone burnt it down 10  years ago and everyone thinks it was Tom, but Ria is not convinced. Tom is a handsome man, who seems to like spending time with Ria, and they do grow close. 

There are is lot of mention of Greek food, but apart from that I didn't get the strongest sense of being on a Greek Island. There was only one trip to a beach and most of the time Ria spent her days in the library, vineyard or working for Caroline. That being said the initial descriptions of Chania, when Ria lands in Crete were wonderful and do conjure the sights and smells of the old town.

The Summer Escape, is a story of hope and healing, of being able to turn your life around, the courage to make a massive change in your life before it grinds you down and above all of a slow to form romance. The writing is engaging and I found The Summer Escape to be a wonderfully quick and easy read, and one that I loved every second of. 

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for this review copy. This was my honest opinion. 

Welcome to Greek Week on Rachel's Random Reads

At the point I came up with the idea for Greek Week, I had just read a couple of books set on various Greek Islands and having remembered two fantastic books from last year Game of Scones by Samantha Tonge, and Truly Madly Greekly by Mandy Baggot (and there is a chance to win both of those this week), I realised that there are loads of books set in the stunning Greek Isles. 

The fact I hadn't booked a summer holiday for myself at the time may have also been a factor, as this then gave me the perfect excuse to go off to Greece a few times in a short space of time, and escape in the warmth of a good book. I have now booked a Med Cruise so will be Athens and Mykonos amongst other places at the start of July. 

In 2012, I was working as a kids rep for the summer on the island of Zakynthos, and as part of the destination training, we got to do a few excursions, so I got to see the island quite a bit, and I loved seeing all parts of this lovely island, from the scenery to the food, to the friendliness of the locals that really do rely on tourism during the summer months.

That was my first time to Greece, and had included a nightmare of a journey, as instead of flying us direct to Zakynthos for the start of the summer, we were flown to Crete, had a short overnight stay in a hotel and then had an all day journey including 2 boats and 3 coaches to get us to the correct island..but got to see a bit of Greece that way too.

The next time I went to this wonderful country was last year with a stop on my cruise in Athens. I thoroughly enjoyed walking around the Plaka area, catching glimpses of the Akropolis and generally mooching about the shops.

What I have discovered from each visit to Greece is that there is so much of it to explore, and with its rich history, mythology, food, and each island having its own customs and traditions, its a country that I feel you can never be bored with.

So I really hope you enjoy my celebration of Greece and books set in Greece, for the next 5 days. I have a fabulous assortment of guest posts, reviews and giveaways for you all to enjoy. 

Book Review - Something Old, Something New by Darcie Boleyn - Blog Tour

Amazon UK

Title: Something Old, Something New

Author: Darcie Boleyn

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Carina

Publication Date: 16th May 2016

Rating: 4 Stars

Will you marry me…again?

When Annie Thomas agrees to give her ex away at his wedding to his boyfriend, she thinks she’ll be fine. With her three children at her side, she can handle anything. Then she finds out her gorgeous first ex-husband Evan Llewellyn is flying in from his glamorous life in New York to attend as well!

An unexpected pregnancy ended their relationship and as she stumbles through the ups and downs of life as a working single mum – helping everyone else find a happy ending along the way – Annie refuses to believe their old and incredibly hot spark can still exist.

It’s only when she and Evan are forced to face up to the past together that they’ll discover if they can have their own happily-ever-after too!

Although I thought the start of the book was nice, and perfectly pleasant, it took ages for the characters and story to really get a grip. I was still wondering if the book would ever works its magic and then I find myself welling up with tears at various places, and the emotion of various situations started to get to me. 

I think if anything this book my be a good example of "second book syndrome", it really didn't feel as good as the author's first, and I just wonder if it had been rushed a bit, as although it was enjoyable, it felt quite like a lot of other books on the market. 

However by the end I loved every person in Annie Thomas's family, from her ex husband number 1 Evan, and dad to their 17 year old Janis. I loved Dex who is Annie's second ex husband, and that his wedding to his new husband is key to the story. Dex is also father to the youngest children in the family 6 year old Henry and 4 year old Annabelle who is adorable. Add in next door neighbour Cassie, two dogs with rather unfortunate names and you have a brilliant modern family unit. 

There are many moments to raise a laugh, and some that you will just go ahhhh at. The children are all well described and you can definitely tell they seem realistic for their ages, and Janis strikes me a sensible young woman for the most part. 

The question of  course on everyone's lips is whether Annie and Evan still have anything between them, as they both seem oddly unsettled at the thought of each other dating other people. I did though find it hard at times to connect to Evan, and I am disappointed that he was the main man in this book. 

Something Old, Something New has great chapter headings, a generally light hearted feel to the story and is a fun read. 

Thank you to Netgalley and Carina for this review copy. This was my honest opinion.

Author Bio: 

Darcie Boleyn has a huge heart and is a real softy. She never fails to cry at books and movies, whether the ending is happy or not. Darcie is in possession of an overactive imagination that often keeps her awake at night. Her childhood dream was to become a Jedi but she hasn’t yet found suitable transport to take her to a galaxy far, far away. She also has reservations about how she’d look in a gold bikini, as she rather enjoys red wine, cheese and loves anything with ginger or cherries in it – especially chocolate. Darcie fell in love in New York, got married in the snow, rescues uncoordinated greyhounds and can usually be found reading or typing away on her laptop.

Links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/darcieboleyn
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/public/Darcie-Boleyn
Blog: https://darcieboleyn.wordpress.com/

Blog: https://pinkinkladies.wordpress.com/darcie-boleyn/

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Guest Post - Elle & Etta's Top Five Songs by Elle Field - Blog Tour

I'm thrilled to be on Rachel's Random Reads today sharing not only my top favourite music tracks, but Etta's. Etta is the antiheroine of B-Side, which is out now; as an aspiring jazz singer, music is what she lives and breathes.

Elle's top five songs:

OK, this is hard. I have a "Favourites" playlist on Spotify which has 682 songs on it, and it increases every week... Asking me to pick a mere five favourite songs is ridiculously difficult. I mean, I'm missing so many artists off my list: No Doubt. Pet Shop Boys. My Chemical Romance. Pulp. Gah, this is too tough, but here I go: 

1. The Killers – For Reasons Unknown
2. Queen and David Bowie – Under Pressure  
3. Lady Gaga – Poker Face
4. KISS – God Gave Rock 'N' Roll To You II
5. Weezer – Pork and Beans

OK, it’s possibly these five songs. I'm allowed to change my mind, right?

Etta's top five songs:

Tough? Elle doesn't know what she's talking about. OK, I'll give her “Under Pressure” as an awesome choice, but it doesn't change my mind about her. Anyone who can't rattle off their favourite five music tracks in thirty seconds is not a music lover. She probably picked KISS to try and look cool as well. Anyway, enough about someone who clearly doesn't appreciate true music, here are my top five tracks: 

1. Etta James – Something's Got A Hold On Me 
2. Lena Horne – Willow Weep For Me
3. Radiohead – Creep
4. Duran Duran – Hungry Like the Wolf
5. Beyoncé – If

There. Simple. No dithering about it, and I don't need to explain them. Y'know, Elle reminds me of someone... We wouldn't get on.

B-Side (Arielle Lockley Series Book 2.5) blurb:

"What do I honestly know about the music industry? I'm just another idiot with a dream who is naive enough to hope that I might be the next big star."

Etta Millhouse has always had big musical ambitions to match her big voice, but she's also got three very big problems - the addiction she won't admit to, her godmother's illness that she can no longer ignore, and her godmother's useless business partner (who she wishes she could ignore).

Keeping an eye on Arielle's poor business decisions is the last thing Etta wants to do when she's offered the chance to record a demo with a top producer. But, a promise is a promise, even if it has her reaching for another pick-me-up... And then another. And then one more.

When the secret she must keep for her godmother, Felicity, sends her drug habit spiralling out of control, can Etta battle her demons in time and make her dream happen? Or, will her music career be over before it's even begun?

B-Side sits between Lost (out now) and Found (out summer 2016) in the Arielle Lockley series - read Etta's version of events in this gritty Lost spin-off.

Amazon.co.uk link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01E8YYFFY 
Amazon.com link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01E8YYFFY 
Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29542411-b-side 

Author profile:

Elle Field writes romantic comedies, and is the author of the Arielle Lockley series and Geli Voyante's Hot or Not. She grew up in Yorkshire, then moved to Scotland to study International Relations and Social Anthropology at the University of St Andrews. Elle now lives in London with her boyfriend and their cat. She's a massive fan of sunshine, giraffes, The Killers, Audrey Hepburn movies, playing Scrabble and tea. Oh, and reading, of course! 

You can buy Elle's books here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B00CHIC1GE
Visit her website: http://www.ellefield.co.uk
Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ellefie
Like her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ellefieldauthor

Giveaway:
To celebrate the publication of B-Side, I’m running a giveaway. Prizes are Amazon vouchers, a paperback set of the full Arielle Lockley series (Kept, Lost and B-Side), and a set of vinyl coasters. 

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Thank you so much Elle for this post, not sure all those songs would be in my top 5, but those are some great choices.