Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
For as long as I can remember myself, I’ve been intrigued by the wonderful world of fiction. Being a romantic, I read a lot of romance books, and I love best the ones sprinkled with mystery and adventure, even a little danger. I also enjoy mysteries and detective stories.
I started writing my first novel at the age of eighteen. Since then, I kept on creating stories, and have written twelve romantic mystery novels so far. I love writing! It makes me feel so alive! Reaching out to the reader, and convey inner thoughts and emotions is a very liberating feeling for me…and scary at the same time.
In my books, besides creating an intriguing plot with a touch of mystery and suspense, coupled with well-developed characters, I also like to pay attention to the setting. While sharing with my readers the development of the romance between beautiful, smart, fiery temper heroines and larger than life heroes, as well as the unfolding of the mystery, I also take the opportunity to share the enchanting experience of visiting alluring destinations.
Among my favorite destinations are the Greek islands—places of impeccable loveliness where nature exists lavishly in all shades of green and blue, and in which cosmopolitan activity coexist harmoniously with centuries of Greek tradition. I have written a whole series of books—The Greek Isles Series—each taking place on a different island.
Additionally, in a lot of my books, besides describing one of the Greek islands or other irresistible locations, I also create some scenes in Athens, Greece and Atlanta, Georgia. They are my most favorite cities—I was born in Athens and have lived for years in Atlanta.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Spellbound in His Arms” is my debut novel and the first one published in “The Greek Isles Series”.
During a summer vacation to the beautiful island of Corfu in the sparkling sapphire waters of the Ionian Sea, we visited a lot of mesmerizing locations and—as always—my mind started working on a story…I love creating stories! The backbone of the story forms in my mind by sitting at a beautiful spot and looking out to the sea or the mountains. Sometimes, I even create stories in my dreams.
The mystery in “Spellbound in His Arms” unfolds around a beautiful, old mansion on Corfu. There are lots of beautiful estates on the island, but there is a particular mansion—the Achilleion—which triggered my imagination. It’s named after Achilles—Homer’s hero in the Iliad. This mansion—now acquired by the nation of Greece and converted to a museum—is where Empress Elisabeth (Sissy) of Austria stayed, during her visit on the island. It’s also the place where the casino scene of the James Bond movie “For Your Eyes Only” was filmed.
I loved the movie “Sissy” with Romy Schneider, and the visit to the actual location was a great inspiration. Having already created the story in my mind, seen the mansion was like pieces of the puzzle fitting in place. I want to make it clear though, that “Spellbound in His Arms” is a contemporary, romantic suspense novel, and has nothing to do with the above mentioned movie. The mansion described in the book is owned by the Demiris family. It is not related to the museum, and no reference is made to it.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
As I mention above, the backbone of my stories form in my mind just by sitting at a beautiful spot and looking out to the sea or the mountains, or sometimes even in my dreams.
The actual writing takes place in my office at home—a very special area of my own where I can have peace and quiet.
I consider an “unusual habit” the fact that I actually “act” the dialogues before I write them down in my book. I pretend to be the heroine and explore the best way to convey what I have to say, while at the same time, I experience her feelings and body reactions, so that I can describe them better in my book.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
My all time favorite author was Agatha Christie, and I’ve read every single one of her books, over and over again. I loved the twists, the turns, and the thrill of trying to solve the mystery.
What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m almost finished with “Love on the Greek Isles”—the second novel to be published in “The Greek Isles Series”.
“Love on the Greek Isles” is an intriguing, romantic mystery story, taking place on the island of Mykonos—one of the most picturesque islands in the Aegean Sea.
This novel is about Helena who was only eight when her father was killed, and her life shattered. Thirteen years later, she returns to her birthplace—the Greek Island of Mykonos; a priceless jewel in the amazing, deep blue waters of the Aegean Sea—on a quest for the truth…Based on her late mother’s eerie warnings and the prophecies hidden in her enigmatic grandmother’s diary, Helena is determined to unravel the mystery surrounding her father’s tragic death. Well-hidden family secrets entangled with an evil mastermind consumed with vengeance and greed create an explosive situation…
Devastated and furious, Helena finds Captain Dimitris Nikolaou—a very powerful and seductive man—has taken over everything once belonging to her father. But nothing is as it seems…
Everything about Dimitris is puzzling Helena…especially his insistence on keeping the promise he had given to her father—the promise to marry her. She’s furious with his behavior, but can’t help being swept off her feet by him…
As Helena is striving to shed some light on the mysterious circumstances surrounding her father’s death, Dimitris is trying to convince her of his true feelings for her and protect her from the danger hovering over her…
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My website and my blog, as well as all social media, like Facebook, Twitter, Google+ etc., are places where I can communicate with my readers, express my ideas and feelings, exchange views and opinions with them and of course, eventually promote my books.
However, the major promotion of my books comes from my amazing publicist Sarka-Jonae Miller at sjpublicity!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write from your heart, be honest, and respect your readers.
Don’t think about what is hot or what sales most right now. Write what feels good for you.
We can only excel in what we love.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Don’t give up…don’t ever give up on your dreams. It would be like giving up on yourself—the real you!” This is the most valuable advice I’ve ever heard, and I will always keep it close to my heart, along with other cherished memories of my late beloved mother.
What are you reading now?
“Swimming Upstream” by Ruth Mancini
What’s next for you as a writer?
After “Love on the Greek Isles” is published, I’ll work on “The Heiress of Santorini”—the next book in “The Greek Isles Series”.
There is a total of six books in this series, and I want to have them published first, before I move to the remaining six novels I’ve written.
What is your favorite book of all time?
I loved all Agatha Christie’s books, and especially “Murder on the Orient Express”.
However, I would say that my all time favorite is “Gone with the Wind” by Margaret Mitchell.
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