On the 30 April 1941, a Cant-Z-506B seaplane was spotted in Kefalonia’s harbour by Greek residents. The plane was piloted by Italians and its arrival was the start of the Italian invasion of Kefalonia during World War Two. The plane was one of five seaplanes that had taken off from Brindisi, and they were followed by three transport aircraft that contained sixty Italian parachutists.
 
On the 01 May 1941, two Cant-Z-506B seaplanes landed at Zakynthos. More Italian troops swiftly followed, landing on the island by boat, formally occupying the island. It was a day that islanders had dreaded. Zakynthos and its residents had no choice but to “fall” to the Italian soldiers becoming part of the ever-growing list of occupied territories overseen by the Axis powers. The island of Zakynthos and her neighbouring Ionian islands remained prisoners of the Italians, until fascism fell in 1943. Hopes were high of the war ending in 1943 but things didn’t get better for Greece. They were quickly invaded by the Germans and much of the country, including Zakynthos, found itself under German occupation by September 1943. The war continued to rage on, and Zakynthos wasn’t liberated from its captors until 12 September 1944.
 
During World War Two Occupation Italian soldiers based themselves in Zakynthos Town. They brought in laws that included no cigarettes or tobacco to be brought to Zakynthos without permission, they forbid sale of wheat, no islander was allowed to keep weapons and it was illegal for Zakynthians to write cheques. Italian soldiers regularly searched homes and any weapons, food, oil, or wheat discovered by the soldiers were immediately confiscated. The Italian Army received daily supplies of food and other items, but they were for army use only and not for Zakynthians.
 
The German Headquarters were in Kipi, but they also had bases throughout the island, if the Germans chose to base themselves in a property already owned by a Zakynthian family, the family were forced to hand the house and its belongings over to the enemy. The only place on the island free from Germans and Italians was the mountains, which was a Resistance stronghold.

Egypt is a great country steeped in thousands of years of history and culture. I’ve loved reading and learning about it since I was young, and I’ve also completed two Egyptology courses with Exeter University. I try to impart to people what an amazing place it is, but words never seem to wholly do it justice, I always say, the only way to learn about a country is to go and see it for yourself.

Egypt is filled with culture and history. Modern day life sits neatly alongside ancient monuments that are thousands of years old. Contrary to some reports Egyptians are friendly accommodating people who will welcome you with open arms and make you feel at home. We all know about the famous sites such as the Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza, but there are many more magical places to see in Egypt. There’s the fantastic mortuary temple at Medinet Habu in Luxor that has some of the best coloured reliefs, and accounts of Egyptian life I’ve ever seen. Or there’s the temple of Isis at Philae, a beautiful temple that only stands today thanks to rescue work undertaken many years ago by UNESCO to save it from flooding and being lost forever. If you have the time you could journey to the edge of Egypt itself to gaze upon the awe-inspiring Abu Simbel, a sight that just takes your breath away and leaves you wanting more. The list is endless, with so many temples, tombs and other ancient sites spread throughout the Country, you’re spoilt for choice.

Look out for a blog post every day this week where we will continue to explore all three books and their locations! Don't forgot to share the posts and support other authors in the #IndieAuthorWeekUK hashtag across social media.

Wind Across the Nile spans four generations and immerses readers into an Egypt of days gone by, as well as showing them modern day Egypt. It's a book about family heritage and bonds, adversity, and self-preservation. There are many locations in the book. The main action takes place around the town, tombs, and temples of Luxor. Readers will also be introduced to the City of Cairo and Aswan further down the Nile. 
 
Book Description of Wind Across the Nile
Can she survive where her ancestors failed?
​Suffering with grief after the tragic death of her family, Cora Thomas flees to Egypt, desperate to escape the overwhelming loss.

In Luxor, she meets gruff Egyptologist Nick Foster who wants little to do with her, and his employee Sam, who instantly becomes a much sought-after friend.
 
As she settles into life along the Nile, discovering the country’s vast history and culture, Cora learns about the contents of an old diary discovered in her parents’ home. As the diary’s story unfolds, it reveals hardship, love, tragedy, and a potentially life-threatening family feud spanning generations.

From the rolling hills of the Scottish Highlands to the ruinous sands of the Egyptian desert, Wind across the Nile is a story of unbreakable family bonds, adversity, and self-preservation.
 
Wind across the Nile is a perfect story for fans of historical fiction, historical mystery, and historical suspense, as well as those who love travelling to Egypt.

​Among the Olive Groves is a dual timeline set on the Greek island of Zakynthos during the Second World War, as well as modern eras. It’s a book about bravery, love, sacrifice and family bonds. There are lots of locations in the book. The main action takes place around the island of Zakynthos in well-known areas. Readers will also be introduced to Bristol and Cornwall in the UK.
 
Book Description of Among the Olive Groves
Will her bravery protect the ones she loves?
Elena Petrakis adores living on the Greek island of Zakynthos. When World War Two looms her way of life is threatened. Left with no choice she joins the island’s resistance to fight for what she believes in; her family, her home, and her freedom.
 
Decades later, thousands of miles away in the Cornish town of Newquay, Kate Fisher prepares to celebrate her twenty-first birthday, but her joy is fleeting when she learns she is adopted. Abandoning life in England, Kate flees to Zakynthos, where she is forced to acknowledge a life she has struggled to come to terms with, one that will change her future.

​From the beautiful crystal turquoise seas of the Ionian Islands to the rugged shores of the Cornish coast, ‘Among the Olive Groves’ is a story of love, bravery and sacrifice.
 
It's a perfect story fans of dual timeline, historical fiction, historical mystery, and historical suspense, as well as those who love travelling to Greece.

​I Left my Heart in Petra is a fast-paced short story originally written for the Sunlounger Short Story Competition in 2013. It introduces readers to the wonderful enigmatic ancient site of Petra. Readers will be introduced to the stunning sights of the ancient City of Petra.
 
Book Description of I Left My Heart in Petra
When Maisie learns she’s being sent on a new assignment, somewhere hot and sunny, she’s delighted to be leaving the cold UK behind her. What she hadn’t expected however, was to end up in the middle of the Jordanian desert. Out of her depth in an unfamiliar country, Maisie has no choice but to throw herself into the job, determined to do her best despite being hit by numerous problems.

I left my heart in Petra is a fast paced, fun short story set in the stunning historical site of Petra in Jordan.
 
It's a perfect short story for fans of contemporary fiction, romantic fiction, and historical fiction, as well as those who love travel and Petra in Jordan.

Keep and eye out for a blog post every day this week where we will continue to explore all three books and their locations! Don't forgot to share the posts and support other authors in the #IndieAuthorWeekUK hashtag across social media.

Under the streets of the Guildhall Yard in the City of London is a hidden ancient gem that many people don’t know exist.  In 2015 I visited this incredible site to explore it and learn more.
 
Buried deep beneath the London streets, accessed via the Guildhall Gallery building, are the remains of a vast Roman amphitheatre, discovered by Museum of London archaeologists in 1988. The paving stones outside the building give a tantalising glimpse of what lies beneath with a large oval of black slabs showing just how large it is.
 
At the time of discovery, an archaeological excavation was taking place on the site, with a view to building a new Art Gallery. What archaeologists found were the remains of a Roman Amphitheatre, the discovery meant that the site of the Guildhall yard became a protected historical site, so it was agreed to incorporate the remains into the new Art Gallery.

​Entering the building you follow signs, heading downwards into what feel like the depths of the earth, until you reach two wooden doors simply marked “Roman Amphitheatre”. Inside is a vast dark space, with walkways between ancient walls. On the floor are see through covers with ancient wood structures on view. At the far end is a luminous green matrix depiction, showing figures of people and how high the levels of the amphitheatre may have been. 

There are also boards around the site explaining the amphitheatre and what the finds are such as walls walls, the east gate and part of an original stone entrance tunnel. Exploring the site is so interesting, and it’s amazing to see how this site has remained buried and protected from modern building practices and disturbance. 
 
The discovery and continuing excavations of the site are a must-see glimpse of ancient Roman Britain for any visitor to London, so if you love the ancient, then add this to your list of things to see and do. It’s definitely worth it!
 
For more information, visit the City of London Website 

All photos taken by Chrissie Parker

It’s finally here! The launch of book 3 of the Life is Yours Trilogy by Abigail Yardimci. Book 3, Everything is Yours, follows on from Life is Yours (book 1) and Destiny is Yours, (book 2)
 
Like all good book series, I was hooked from book 1, Life is Yours. I initially downloaded the first book Life is Yours, because the cover intrigued me. The story however intrigued me more! By the time I’d finished reading Life is Yours I knew I was hooked and the rest of the series just had to be read. Now with the release of Everything is Yours, the series is complete. It was an incredible series and one I know I will repeat read. I just wish it wasn’t over!

​Everything Is Yours (Book 3 of Life is Yours series) 
New Year’s Eve is in full swing. Jess and Lindy have met by chance and already they’re sharing a bottle of wine in a cosy Turkish restaurant. Lindy is hooked on a story Jess is telling, but midnight is coming, and happy endings aren’t always guaranteed . . .

After Jess returns from the trip of a lifetime high on hope, ambition and new love, she’s ready to take on the world. She shuts down her business, cuts ties with her ex and announces to everyone the old her is gone.

But a violent encounter rocks her world, and her past comes crashing back to haunt her. With a childhood demon to forgive, a long-distance relationship to navigate and that final layer of self-love to uncover, can Jess dig deep and put the final pieces in place before midnight comes knocking?

Everything is Yours Review
I loved this book, and it was great to find out what happened in Jess's story. It's heart-warming and at times completely relatable. I've absolutely loved reading this series. It stands out from many others in its genre. It's intriguing and interesting. It’s not formulaic, takes on a journey all of its own, that's full of substance, great characters, and a story that just draws you in and won't let go. 
 
It's a book about love, but more than that, it’s a book about life, self-discovery, and what we can do if we step outside of our comfort zone and embrace who we truly are and meant to be. 
 
Abigail Yardimci has such a great way with words. She’s a born storyteller. Whatever she writes, from books to blogs, hits you full on. Her writing tumbles around your brain and leaves you wanting more. There is a frank honesty veiled with comfort and love, and it’s uniquely refreshing.
 
Thank you for such a great third book and wonderful series. There is a loss now that the trilogy is over, but I know this won’t be the last we’ll see of Abigail. In the meantime, enjoy Everything is Yours and the Life is Yours series, I highly recommend it! series or Abigail Yardimci as an author head over to her website:

To learn more about Everything is Yours,  the Life is Yours series or Abigail Yardimci as an author head over to her website: www.abigailyardimci.com 

​You can also follow Abigail on social Media:
www.facebook.com/AbigailYardimci
www.twitter.com/AbigailYardimci
www.instagram.com/abigailyardimciauthor

More reviews can be found on the Everything is Yours blog tour!

In 2018, I wrote this short post for my Facebook, but I feel it's important to share it today, as it's still as valid. It's simply entitled 1918 -2018.

1918-2018
The world rushes by, we forget to remember.
The young sit on a brick wall scrolling their phones, and don’t remember.
The man drives his car late for his meeting, he doesn’t remember.
The woman sits at her desk typing, she has no time to remember.
The freedom of them all belongs to actions from the past.
We all need to stop.
We all need to remember.

Without remembering we wouldn’t be what we are today.
Without remembering those who fought for us, enduring the mud, stench and filth of a trench, the pounding, booming horror of a battlefield, the frightened adrenaline of not knowing what was coming next, when it would end or if that day would have all been in vain.
They were the heroes, the defenders of our future, the people who shaped the life we are now free to live, and we own them our gratitude.
History matters.

The Young should be taught, the parents should remind and we should all be grateful for what our ancestors did for us today. Many of those brave heroes never got to live for long, love or have families of their own.
Their short lives ended on a battlefield.
If we remember just one thing it should be to learn from the past and never makes the same mistakes again.

Life is precious. Life isn’t about conflict, division or hatred.
Life is about beginnings, working together and peace, and this is why we remember 100 years on.
~ Chrissie Parker, 1918-2018, one hundred years.

Throughout our lives, we go through numerous changes. Some changes are of our own making, others are forced upon us.

When they're of our own making we feel euphoria and excitement. We look forward to the new chapter in our life, wondering where it'll lead us, and what fulfilling experiences we'll gain from it. When change is forced upon us by an unknown or unexpected entity however it can bring on a host of emotions; panic fear and stress.

Writing Among the Olive Groves was a huge challenge for me, as the entire book is about change, facing fears and characters searching for their identities. Elena Petrakis, one of the book's main characters, lives a quiet and peaceful existence on a beautiful Greek island called Zakynthos. It's the only home she's ever known. It's a laid-back idyll in the middle of the sea relatively untouched by the outside world. The real world seems a lifetime away and her life is normal and uncomplicated, full of tradition. Elena sees wonder in everything, be it the dawning of a new day, the blossoming of flowers, or the ripening of olives. 

Suddenly World War Two hits and life changes for Elena and her family. They are forced into situations they never dreamed possible. Bravely Elena decides to fight against their invaders to protect the things that are most important to her; her family, her home and her freedom.

In the process of writing this book, I did lots of research to try and understand what Elena would have gone through. I read books about World War Two, the Greek Resistance, and what women, in particular, went through during the war. Nothing could have prepared me for what I learned. I was amazed at how many Greek women joined the resistance, to fight against their oppressors. It was one of the few ways they could help. Many of them put their lives and those of their families on the line, and not all of them survived. Even if they did survive they were never the same.

Nowadays we tend, as a society, to take life for granted. Most of us can do what we want when we want. We have endless amounts of technology at our fingertips to help us out with everything from instant communication, to buying food, to getting around. Life is easy, food, on the whole, is plentiful, and most of the time we control change. In comparison to those who lived during World War Two, we have it incredibly easy.

So how would it feel for the world you know to suddenly crumble around you? For your way of life to completely change. To lose your identity, be made a prisoner of your own town/village/island. To be put under curfew, to have your food and consumables rationed to the point of almost being non-existent. To feel desperately hungry all the time.  To fear for your life and those you love.

I've no idea how I'd react. I don't think many people do. In some small way, though, I'd like to think I'd be like my character Elena. I'd hope that I'd find the strength she did, to fight for myself, to fight for my family and my beliefs, despite the consequences.

So when we go through life day by day, getting up, going to work, visiting our family popping to the pub with friends, we should remember those people who had their lives overturned by the changes of war. We should think of those people who sacrificed their lives and showed incredible bravery so we can live our lives the way we do nowadays. We should also remember that change can happen at any time. We all have to hope if it does, we'll have the freedom to manage it and live through it. We'll all have to be brave like those who came before us and remember the important things in life, our families, homes, and freedom. ​

I grew up in Bristol, in the UK. It was where I spent my childhood and first started work. Lots of our family holidays were spent in Cornwall. We stayed in many seaside towns and I remember those times fondly and have some incredible memories. Cornwall is beautiful and filled with large sweeping beaches, turquoise waters, and thriving attractions. There are so many exciting places for visitors to explore, such as the Eden Project, Jamaica Inn, or the fantastic Minack theatre.
 
Travelling became a big part of my life once I had left school and started working. I backpacked through Europe to Germany. I spent time in the USA and Canada and I visited the Middle East and Egypt. One of my favourite trips was in 2005 to a small Greek Island called Zakynthos, a part of the string of Ionian Islands to the west of the Greek mainland, for a friend’s wedding and to visit family. Zakynthos was my first visit to Greece, and it exposed me to a country that I instantly fell in love with and still love very much. 
 
Like Cornwall, Zakynthos also has beautiful sweeping beaches and is blessed with turquoise sea, sometimes so bright that it looks unnatural. There are lots of things to see and do so visitors are never bored, such as the famous shipwreck, a Venetian castle, and a multitude of churches and monasteries.

When I wrote Among the Olive Groves, I knew the book would be set in Zakynthos, as the inspiration for the story came to me during my visit there. When I finally worked out the story would be set across two time periods, I needed to find another location that complemented Zakynthos. After a lot of thought, I just knew that place had to be Cornwall, and I chose Newquay on the north Cornwall coast as the final setting. Zakynthos is full of Greek charm and hospitality. It’s hot and sunny. The scenery is stunning. There’s so much to see and do. 
 
Among the Olive Groves inspired the short story, An Ionian Dream Wedding, where the fans of the original books can discover more about the two characters Kate and Fletch and what happens to them after the book ends. Among the Olive Groves is also responsible for another two books that are currently being written. Readers of the original book messaged me all wanting to know the same things “What happened to Athena?” 
 
I finally decided to write a follow-up book about Athena and her life. The story I planned has grown so much, that I’m now splitting it into two books. So, this will become a three-book series called the Zakynthian Family Series, with Among the Olive Groves being book one, A Night of Thunder being book two, and Hope under blue Skies being book three.
​
It's been great fun revisiting old characters as well as creating new ones, and seeing where they take me this time. It's also been great exploring locations new and old, I love the research involved. I'm really enjoying the journey so far and I’m looking forward to this challenge and it's something I never expected to do, ut so pleased that I did!

​This is the final blog in this series. Thanks for reading!

​Chrissie Parker is an English author of 8 published works, including novels, shorts stories and poetry. 
To learn more, explore her website and learn more about her love of writing, the inspiration for her books and the country's she's visited on her travels! ​https://www.chrissieparker.com

What would you do if your whole world fell apart?
If you were thrown into witness protection, a person you loved dearly died suddenly or you became involved in a life-changing criminal case through no fault of your own?
​In our everyday lives of getting up, going to work, going for drinks with friends, spending time with family, it’s very easy to get stuck in the rut of what some people would term a boring everyday existence.

But the unexpected does happen, and more often than people think. Learning to live with the unexpected is a huge part of life whether we like it or not. Every day things do happen to us that we didn’t plan, and certainly didn’t expect, and for a few minutes, an hour, or maybe longer, our lives are thrown onto a new course, forcing us to experience something different, testing our stress levels and emotions. Most of the time we deal with it, brush ourselves down breathe a big sigh of relief and step back into the footsteps of our continuing life.

So, what happens when the unexpected is so life-altering it changes your way of life completely?
That’s what we learn in Temperance. Every character is dealing with something big. A situation that’s changed the way they think, and the way they live their lives. The interesting thing is how they deal with it and what the end result is.

Temperance is book 2 of the Moon Series

​Chrissie Parker is an English author of 8 published works, including novels, shorts stories and poetry. 
To learn more, explore her website and learn more about her love of writing, the inspiration for her books and the country's she's visited on her travels! ​https://www.chrissieparker.com

​Egypt is a great country steeped in thousands of years of history and culture. It’s a place that not only fascinates me but also inspires me. So much so, I chose to set my book Wind Across the Nile there. I’ve been lucky to visit the country on many occasions, and those trips are in my top five favourite places to visit. Leaving Egypt has always been hard for me, there’s something about the country that gets under my skin, stays with me, and makes me leave a small piece of my heart behind.
 
I’m often asked what my favourite thing about Egypt is, and it’s a tough choice. There’s so much to see. In Cairo, there’s the vast Egyptian Museum, the Giza Plateau with its awe-inspiring pyramids, and The Citadel. In Luxor, there’s the Valley of the Kings, the incredible Luxor and Karnak Temples, and the Luxor and Mummification Museums. In Aswan, there’s the Temple of Philae, on Philae Island, the Monastery of St Simeon, and Elephantine Island. Further afield for those who enjoy travelling, there’s Abu Simbel, Alexandria, Sharm El Sheik, and Abydos. 
 
It’s a country that has history dotted along the entire length of the Nile, from the Delta to Sudan. From the most famous sites, through the less visited, there is so much to see and do and one trip just isn’t enough. If I had to choose a favourite thing to do in Egypt, it would be a trip along the Nile on a felucca. As much as I love exploring the tombs and temples, it’s wonderful being out on the water watching the many sights of Egyptian life pass by. Sunset is the most magical time to be out on a felucca. As day turns to night and the colours of the day bleed across the sky giving way to inky skies filled with stars, you feel like you’re the only person on earth.

Wind Across the Nile is a historical suspense set in Egypt.

Chrissie Parker is an English author of 8 published works, including novels, shorts stories and poetry. 
To learn more, explore her website and learn more about her love of writing, the inspiration for her books and the country's she's visited on her travels! ​https://www.chrissieparker.com