Musings and Confessions of an Author

 

My dear friends, just like you, my life has been filled with ups and downs, and the moments of sorrow have surpassed the moments of bliss. Nevertheless, I’m thankful for my life and everyone and everything in it.

Daily, I’m absorbed in taking care of my family, dealing with minor—or sometimes major—crises, and, of course, writing. After all, I’m an author, and writing is as essential to me as the air I breathe.

But now and then, I find a serene place—usually somewhere by the water—and reflect on moments of my life. Lately, I had one of those moments, and my mind flew back to that dream vacation on the Greek island of Lefkada years ago. I must confess that I’ve always been fascinated by the concepts of soul mates and reincarnation—the eternal cycles of the soul between this world and the Other Side. And that summer, I met “Evelyn”—a young lady who became a dear friend ever since, even though we live oceans apart.

I was fascinated by her mother’s mysterious past, her scorching dreams of a breathtakingly handsome stranger, and the earth-shuddering events that took place during her first visit to Lefkada—her mother’s birthplace.

So, inspired by my Greek-American friend’s memories and…visions, I wrote Echoes of the Past, the second novel in my paranormal romance collection, Flames of Destiny.

Of course, “Evelyn” is not my friend’s real name. I’ve changed names, characters, and places. And I’ve blended fiction with reality.

If you’re interested in finding out how I was inspired for Eternal Soul Mates, the first book in this series, click here to read my relevant blog post and see amazing photos of my family’s visit to the beautiful Greek island of Zakynthos.

I’m now finishing the third book in this series, scheduled to be published at the beginning of the following year.

To find out more about Eternal Soul Mates, click here.

To start reading Eternal Soul Mates on Amazon for free, click here.

To find out more about Echoes of the Past, click here.

To start reading Echoes of the Past on Amazon for free, click here.

At this point, I would like to mention that I entertain some doubts about reincarnation. But whether true or not, it remains a captivating subject. After all, so many of us love stories about vampires, werewolves, and witches. That doesn’t mean that we necessarily believe in those things. But we still enjoy reading about them—I know I do.

Best wishes,

Angel Sefer

New Novel in the Flames of Destiny Collection

I’m so excited!

After months of work, almost 400 pages and 83,000 words, I just typed the words "The End" on my new novel in the “Flames of Destiny Collection”.

“Echoes of the Past” is the second book to be published in this collection of paranormal romance novels cloaked in mystery and suspense on enchanting Greek islands.

Of course, the book must go through editing, proofreading, and formatting, and a new cover must be created. But all these steps are part of the book’s journey, and they’re always so much fun!

I’m relying on my fantastic team to help me through those steps, and I can’t wait for the release of my novel sometime soon.

In the meantime, my friends, check out “Eternal Soul Mates”—the first book published in the “Flames of Destiny Collection”.

Blurb

In Eternal Soul Mates, the past merges with the present in a haunting and captivating story of love, loss, and betrayal on the Greek island of Zakynthos.

Joanna Williams is bewildered by her mother’s mysterious past and scorching dreams of an irresistible stranger. Trying to find some answers, she visits her mother’s birthplace—the Greek island of Zakynthos.

Alexandros Kortesis—the owner of a luxury resort on Zakynthos—is drawn to Joanna like no other. But a dark secret threatens his family’s legacy, and unfortunately, Joanna is the one trying to uncover it.

Danger and passion collide as the two soul mates—unaware that they were lovers in a past life—confront each other and make sparks while trying to resist the compelling force that draws them together. Will their eternal love prevail? Or will the battle against the evil guarding the secret lead them to the grave?

Eternal Soul Mates is a reincarnation romance cloaked in mystery and suspense. The action unfolds on Zakynthos—a paradise on earth, in the aquamarine waters of the Ionian Sea.

Buy Now

or click here to start reading the novel on Amazon for free

Best wishes to all of you, my friends,

Angel Sefer

Our visit to the Greek Island of Zakynthos (Part III)

 

Welcome back, my friends.

If you haven’t read Part I of our exciting visit to Zakynthos, click on this link. 

For Part II, click here.

 

Our visit to the Greek Island of Zakynthos (Part III)

 

I’ve been meaning to continue my post on our visit to Zakynthos for quite some time. What happened? Life!

I’m sure you all—especially those who have kids—can understand how hectic life can get, and whatever you “plan” to do is a lot different from what you “actually do”.  LOL

Having said that, let me admit that I wouldn’t change a moment of my life with my family for anything in the world.

Anyway, here are some more photos of us on Navagio Beach—compliments of this wonderful man who, along with his family, was on the same boat with us. You see, the day that we visited Navagio, the weather was great at first, but soon turned rough. So, by the time we made it to the beach, the wind and the waves won’t allow us to dock. The few of us who were determined to get to the beach had to leave all our belonging on the ship and swim to shore—so, no cameras or phones. This man managed to bring his cell phone along and took pictures of us. I would hate for my son to have visited Navagio for the first time in his life and don’t even have one photo to remember that breathtaking experience.

Now, let me share some information on Navagio Beach (Shipwreck Beach in Greek), sometimes referred to as "Smugglers Cove".

 

Navagio Beach—Enchanting and Intriguing

 

This piece of heaven is only accessible by boat, and only if Poseidon—the god of the sea—decides that the visitors are worthy of such beauty. It is no secret that dangerous currents and gusty winds that start without warning make visiting the beach a challenging experience.

I happen to be among the few that can say that they have visited Navagio Beach while the winds were deadly calm, and the sparkling waters of the small cove resembled a stunning swimming pool. Gigantic precipitous gray rocks surround the beach that seems as if it belongs on a painter’s canvas.

Navagio Beach was originally known as Agios Georgios. In October 1980, during stormy weather and bad visibility, the coaster MV Panagiotis—allegedly making its way from Turkey with a freight of contraband cigarettes headed for Italy—ran aground on the beach. The wrecked ship was abandoned and still rests buried in the limestone gravel of the beach that now bears the nickname Navagio (Shipwreck).

The first time I visited Navagio Beach, the beauty of this cove and the ship’s remains—harboring dark secrets of smugglers—ignited my imagination. The story of Joanna and Alexandros was already forming in my mind, and this stunning cove provided the backdrop for the first chapter of my novel Eternal Soul Mates.

A year after my book was released, I wanted to come back and pay tribute to the beautiful cove that triggered my imagination and inspired the opening scene for my novel.

Here is the first chapter of Eternal Soul Mates:

Book excerpt:

 

Zakynthos, Greece, seventy-five years earlier

 

A voice in her mind screamed out, Jump! JUMP NOW!

Anna stood transfixed at the edge of the sheer cliff, staring into the abyss. Hot, bitter tears were streaming down her face as a violent storm was raging around her, turning day into night. Frothy white waves were crashing on the steep rocks surrounding the secluded beach down below. Succumbing to nature’s unleashed rage, the narrow strip of sandy shore had vanished from sight.

A surge of fear gripped her. The pounding of her heart echoed in her head louder than the blasts of thunder. A moan of despair escaped her lips as the solitary figure stood against the menacing wind as if fused to the rock.

All of a sudden, another burst of lightning lit up the sky. Anna recoiled back from the dizzying, jagged edge of the rock and lifted her eyes to the vast horizon. The emerald waters of the Ionian Sea surrounding the Greek Island of Zakynthos were now a threatening, charcoal gray color, blending in the distance with the ominous sky.

Andreas’ adorable face flashed before her eyes.

I have no choice… I can’t live without him.

Shaken to the core, she drew a deep breath and inched closer to the edge. She was scared to death, and even though it was in the middle of summer, Anna was freezing. Her soaking wet, white dress clung to her delicate body like a second skin, and her tangled chocolate brown hair wrapped around her shoulders like snakes.

But what choice did she have? Her father would never allow her to marry the younger brother of his sworn enemy, not even for the sake of their unborn child. And an unmarried mother at a closed community like Zakynthos wasn’t something her family or the society will accept. At the sweet age of seventeen, she would be an outcast. And so would be her eighteen-years-old lover and father of her child.

But even more than her father, Anna was terrified of Nicholas—Andreas’ older brother. Every time he laid eyes on her, her blood turned to ice; that unnerving expression on his face and the fire burning in his intense gaze foreshadowed something evil.

Why does he hate me so much? She’d never done anything to him; she hardly even spoke to him every time they met. And when he found out that Andreas and Anna were in love, he went out of his mind. He kidnapped Anna and took her to a remote mountain cabin on the other side of the island.

Nicholas was ruthless. Yannis—Anna’s father—had warned her to stay away from the Kortesis family and especially Nicholas. Her father called him a cold-hearted snake who would stop at nothing to get what he wanted. And he was set on getting his claws on Yannis’ land; he had made one offer after the other to buy him out. And when her father kept refusing, he declared war on Yannis, sabotaging his crop and threatening the workers not to work on his land.

During the terrifying hours he’d kept Anna captive in that deserted cabin hidden in a veil of murky fog, she’d realized that he would never leave Andreas and her alone. And why on earth had he insisted on Anna marrying him instead of Andreas? If he hated her so much, why would he want to marry her?

Anna had spent a chilling night in the dimly lit, falling apart cabin, crying and begging Nicholas to let her go. But he’d remained stone-cold, warning her that the only way out for her was to forget his brother and marry him instead. Otherwise, he would kill her and then kill his brother as well. And she could feel it deep inside that his threat was real; Nicholas was capable of murder.

When he’d left the cabin that morning, Anna had frantically gathered all the strength she could muster and had loosened the ropes holding her captive. After the long hours she’d spent confined on the uncomfortable, worn-out chair, rising to her feet was almost impossible. But there was no time to waste; she needed to get out of there before Nicholas got back.

With staggering steps, she’d made it to the door and stumbled outside, only to find out that the cabin was fused to a sheer cliff far away from any living soul. The night before, she hadn’t been able to see her surroundings in the dark. But now, she was devastated. How far could she make it on foot? Besides, even if she did get back to the village, Nicholas would find her and Andreas. And he would kill them both. After what she had witnessed in that cabin, she was now sure that there was no escaping Nicholas’ menace.

Grasping the cruel reality, Anna had decided that the only way to save her beloved Andreas was to kill herself. Reluctantly, she had raised her eyes to the cliff top and had collapsed in sobs of anguish.

A few minutes later—or maybe it was hours, she had lost track of time—Anna had gathered all her strength, had crawled up the cliff, and had made it to the edge. Unnerved by the height, she had averted her eyes from the chasm, and fear had paralyzed her.

And now, down on her knees, she was still sobbing uncontrollably. I can’t do that; I can’t kill my baby girl, she thought, caressing her belly with a shaky hand. Even though she was only three months pregnant, Anna was sure that the baby was a girl. She had dreamed about her baby girl; she had seen her face and had already given her a name…Tatiana. But that was only in her dreams because her baby was destined to die, and so was she.

Anna’s thoughts drifted to Andreas again. What would happen to him? How would he be able to go on after losing her and the baby? I know he’ll be devastated. But I hope he’ll find the strength to move to that far away land he always dreamed about and go on with his life.

During the last two years they’d been together, Andreas frequently talked about both of them relocating to America. He wanted to get away from the hate and thirst for revenge that poisoned their lives here on the island. Her lover talked about having two kids, a dog, and a small white house with a garden.

I wish, Anna thought and took a deep breath, closing her eyes. But she knew better. Her family would never allow her to board the ship to freedom. And even if they managed to escape, she had to think about those left behind. A betrayal like this would bring more pain and blood-shedding to both their families.

Jump! She rose to her feet and took a small step, her knees shaking badly. Her foot at the edge of the cliff caused some pebbles to fall. Mesmerized, Anna watched them crash on the rocks and disappear in the foamed waves. The awful taste of bile poisoned her mouth, and her ears were ringing.

A surge of fear gripped her, and a voice in her head screamed out, Don’t! You’re too young! You have your whole life ahead of you! And what about your baby? Doesn’t she have the right to live?

Immobilized by fear, Anna stood motionless for what seemed like an eternity…

“Anna!” Andreas’ desperate scream shook her to the core.

Oh! No! He found me! The realization hit her like a bolt of lightning.

“Andreas!” she yelled and turned abruptly, losing her balance…

 

End of the excerpt

 

About Eternal Soul Mates:

Fascinated by the concepts of soul mates and reincarnation—the eternal cycles of the soul between this world and the Other Side—I have started a new paranormal romance collection cloaked in mystery and suspense. Eternal Soul Mates is the first novel released in the Flames of Destiny Collection.

 

Blurb of Eternal Soul Mates

In Eternal Soul Mates, the past merges with the present in a haunting and captivating story of love, loss, and betrayal.

Joanna Williams is bewildered by her mother’s mysterious past and scorching dreams of an irresistible stranger. Trying to find some answers, she visits her mother’s birthplace—the Greek Island of Zakynthos.

Alexandros Kortesis—the owner of a luxury resort on Zakynthos—is drawn to Joanna like no other. But a dark secret threatens his family’s legacy, and unfortunately, Joanna is the one trying to uncover it.

Danger and passion collide as the two soul mates—unaware that they were lovers in a past life—confront each other while at the same time try to resist the compelling force that draws them together. Will their eternal love prevail? Or will the battle against the evil guarding the secret lead them to their graves?

Eternal Soul Mates is a reincarnation romance story cloaked in mystery and suspense. The action unfolds on the Greek Island of Zakynthos—a paradise on earth, in the aquamarine waters of the Ionian Sea.

The novel is available as an eBook and paperback on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple, Kobo, and other fine booksellers everywhere.

 

Buy Now

or click on this link to start reading the book on Amazon for free

Best wishes to all of you, my friends. Stay safe and cherish your loved ones and the moments you spend with them.

Angel Sefer

Our visit to the Greek Island of Zakynthos (Part II)

Welcome back, my friends.

If you haven’t read Part I of our exciting visit to Zakynthos, click on this link.

Our visit to the Greek Island of Zakynthos (Part II)

 

When we go on vacation, my family and I enjoy the journey just as much as the destination. And going to Zakynthos this summer was no exception. We took our time and enjoyed the ride along the northern coastline of Peloponnese, the ferry to Zakynthos, and driving to the scenic town of Tsilivi.

My little boy has traveled with us to Europe and the USA. But this was his first time to visit a Greek Island in the Ionian Sea, and he was thrilled. My family and I have spent numerous summers in Kastro, Kyllini. During those unforgettable times, we used to lie down on the soft sand of the Golden Beach and gaze at the mysterious Ionian Islands on the horizon. And this summer, my son finally got his wish to visit Zakynthos.

Driving over the Rio–Antirrio Bridge, on our way to Zakynthos

At the port of Kyllini, waiting for the ship to take us to Zakynthos

 

We traveled to Zakynthos on Levante Ferries

Let me share an excerpt from my novel Eternal Soul Mates that describes my heroine’s trip to Zakynthos:

Book excerpt:

A few hours later, Joanna was leaning on the wooden gunwale of the ship, on her way to Zakynthos. She had taken a bus from Athens to the harbor of Kyllini, following a scenic route along the northern coastline of Peloponnese, and then had boarded the ferry.

Drawing a deep breath, she savored the salty scent of the breeze blowing on her face while her eyes wandered over the emerald waters of the Ionian Sea, sparkling like jewels in the brilliant sunshine. Overwhelmed by the sights, sounds, and smells of the vessel and the sea, Joanna felt like Alice in Wonderland.

All of a sudden, cheerful sounds made her glance at some passengers pointing towards the sea. She turned and was stunned to see a group of dolphins playfully leaping from the waves as they swam alongside the ship. The sight of these beautiful creatures and the cheers of the other passengers, especially the children, lifted Joanna’s spirits.

No matter what happens, I’m not sorry I came on this trip.

Closing her eyes, Joanna raised her face to enjoy the soft caress of the sun. I’m in heaven.

Her first time on a ship was a thrilling experience, stimulating her senses beyond description. Joanna felt content, enjoying the rhythmic swaying of the vessel—rising and falling with each secession of waves—as it sailed towards her destiny.

She glanced at Zakynthos from far away. Despite the bright sunshine, the island was smothered in a white haze as if trying to hide from unwanted visitors.

Wondering what this mysterious place had in store for her, a cold sweat washed over Joanna, and she went weak at the knees. Don’t panic, she urged herself. Breathe deeply! She closed her eyes and squeezed the wooden ship railing until her knuckles whitened. But the trembling inside her didn’t seem to subside.

The breathtaking scenery along her trip had occupied her mind so far and made her feel optimistic. But now that she was approaching her final destination, burning questions and doubts tormented her all over again. Who is that man in my dreams? And why does he call me, Anna? she wondered for yet another time. Am I going to find some answers on the island? Or is this trip just a waste of time and money? Her heart was telling her that she was right where she needed to be, but her mind told her otherwise. If she wanted to be realistic, it didn’t make any sense to fly almost six thousand miles away from home on a hunch. Not to mention that she had charged the expenses for the trip on her credit card, and it would probably take her at least a couple of years to pay it off.

And what was she going to do once she reached Zakynthos? She had no idea what she was supposed to search for or where to start looking. One step at a time, she reasoned with herself. After all, this is my mom’s birthplace. If nothing else, I should be able to visit it, at least once in my life.

Ever since she was a little girl, Joanna longed to visit Zakynthos. And now, she was almost there. So she might as well enjoy the trip and not allow second thoughts to ruin the experience.

My mom’s birthplace… Joanna’s heart fluttered like a little bird. She was going to visit Tsilivi—her mother’s hometown—walk on the roads Maria used to play on as a little girl. I might even be able to find the house she grew up in if it’s still standing. But then again, Mom probably had a good reason to alienate herself from Zakynthos, and whatever secrets were buried there, she thought and shot an uneasy glance toward the island in the mist.

End of the excerpt

On the ship to Zakynthos

A violent storm hit the island the day we were due to Zakynthos. By late afternoon that we made it there, we were “greeted” by dark clouds. What a sight! By the way, I love storms.

Arriving at the port of Zakynthos

But, by the time we disembarked and drove to the town of Tsilivi, the sun was shining brightly.

Let me share some exciting information on this fantastic island:

Zakynthos is one of the most exotic Greek Islands—a gem in the turquoise waters of the mesmerizing Ionian Sea. Boasting an incredible natural landscape and magical beaches, Zakynthos is also known as Fioro di Levante (Flower of the East) because there are over seven thousand species of flowers on the island.

The island is a wonderland of amazing sandy beaches, beautiful mountains, picturesque villages, and ports. What can I say about Tsilivi, Kalamaki, Gerakas, Porto Zoro, Agios Sostis, Limnionas, and so many other beautiful beaches? Not to mention, the famous and unique Navagio Beach. They are breathtaking—endless sandy beaches with crystal-clear waters. And among other things, they offer the fascinating experience of seeing the nests of the loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta.

Tsilivi Beach

Kalamaki Beach

Nest of the loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta.

I feel fortunate and deeply grateful for having the chance to visit this piece of paradise not only once but several times. Taking trips on the mountains, you can hear the birds singing and feel the fresh air caressing your face. Riding boats around the endless coves and swimming in the spectacular caves takes your breath away and helps rejuvenate your body, mind, and soul.

And of course…there is Navagio Beach. What an intriguing and enchanting place. A beautiful, secluded beach on the North-West side of the island, guarded by towering rocks like faithful knights keeping the beauty and secrets of this unique beach away from prying eyes.

Next week, I’m going to share more photos of our visit to Zakynthos and the famous Navagio Beach.

Come back and enjoy!

About Eternal Soul Mates:

Fascinated by the concepts of soul mates and reincarnation—the eternal cycles of the soul between this world and the Other Side—I have started a new paranormal romance collection cloaked in mystery and suspense. Eternal Soul Mates is the first novel released in the Flames of Destiny Collection.

 

Blurb of Eternal Soul Mates

In Eternal Soul Mates, the past merges with the present in a haunting and captivating story of love, loss, and betrayal.

Joanna Williams is bewildered by her mother’s mysterious past and scorching dreams of an irresistible stranger. Trying to find some answers, she visits her mother’s birthplace—the Greek Island of Zakynthos.

Alexandros Kortesis—the owner of a luxury resort on Zakynthos—is drawn to Joanna like no other. But a dark secret threatens his family’s legacy, and unfortunately, Joanna is the one trying to uncover it.

Danger and passion collide as the two soul mates—unaware that they were lovers in a past life—confront each other while at the same time try to resist the compelling force that draws them together. Will their eternal love prevail? Or will the battle against the evil guarding the secret lead them to their graves?

Eternal Soul Mates is a reincarnation romance story cloaked in mystery and suspense. The action unfolds on the Greek Island of Zakynthos—a paradise on earth, in the aquamarine waters of the Ionian Sea.

The novel is available as an eBook and paperback on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple, Kobo, and other fine booksellers everywhere.

 

Buy Now 

or click on this link to start reading the book on Amazon for free

 

Best wishes to all of you, my friends. Stay safe and cherish your loved ones and the moments you spend with them.

 

Angel Sefer

To read Part III click here: Our visit to the Greek Island of Zakynthos (Part III)

Our visit to the Greek Island of Zakynthos (Part I)

 

The first time my husband and I visited Zakynthos, Joanna Williams came to me in my sleep. She wanted me—needed me—to write her story. Since that first night, my husband—always understanding and supportive—followed me around the island, watching me type away on my laptop, or write in my notebook, or even on paper napkins as the story unfolded in my mind.

Eternal Soul Mates—the heartwarming and, at the same time, heartbreaking story of Alexandros and Joanna—was published last year. This past summer, I went back to Zakynthos with my husband and my son. I wanted to return to this magnificent island—and, of course, to the famous Navagio Beach—that is a vital part of Joanna's story. This time, my little boy was with us, and he had a chance to see this enchanting place in real life and not just in our vacation photos or photos over the Internet.

It was exciting. It was breathtaking. It was touching.

At the port of Kyllini waiting for the ship to Zakynthos

On the ship to Zakynthos

 

At the port of Zakynthos

St. Dionysios Church, the biggest in the city, is dedicated to the protector

of the island and is located along the seashore of Zakynthos.

Lesante Classic Luxury Hotel & Spa at Tsilivi

Heading from our hotel to the beach of Tsilivi

The beach of Tsilivi

The hotel at night

Visiting the famous Navagio Beach

Unfortunately, due to Covid19 restrictions and the raging fires that devastated Greece—our visit this past summer was cut short. We were among the lucky ones, I guess, not to suffer any severe damages from the fires or get sick, but we had a lot of friends and extended family members who had to face difficult situations. So, we had to get back and lend a helping hand.

But it doesn’t matter that we had to get back earlier than planned; I feel blessed and grateful that we got to spend some time on Zakynthos and pay tribute to Joanna, whose turbulent past and present lives inspired my latest novel.

Next week, I’m going to share more photos of our visit to Zakynthos and the famous Navagio Beach.

Come back and enjoy!

About Eternal Soul Mates:

Fascinated by the concepts of soul mates and reincarnation—the eternal cycles of the soul between this world and the Other Side—I have started a new paranormal romance collection cloaked in mystery and suspense. Eternal Soul Mates is the first novel released in the Flames of Destiny Collection. 

Blurb of Eternal Soul Mates

In Eternal Soul Mates, the past merges with the present in a haunting and captivating story of love, loss, and betrayal.

Joanna Williams is bewildered by her mother’s mysterious past and scorching dreams of an irresistible stranger. Trying to find some answers, she visits her mother’s birthplace—the Greek Island of Zakynthos.

Alexandros Kortesis—the owner of a luxury resort on Zakynthos—is drawn to Joanna like no other. But a dark secret threatens his family’s legacy, and unfortunately, Joanna is the one trying to uncover it.

Danger and passion collide as the two soul mates—unaware that they were lovers in a past life—confront each other while at the same time try to resist the compelling force that draws them together. Will their eternal love prevail? Or will the battle against the evil guarding the secret lead them to their graves?

Eternal Soul Mates is a reincarnation romance story cloaked in mystery and suspense. The action unfolds on the Greek Island of Zakynthos—a paradise on earth, in the aquamarine waters of the Ionian Sea.

The novel is available as an eBook and paperback on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple, Kobo, and other fine booksellers everywhere.

Buy Now

or click on this link to start reading the book on Amazon for free

Best wishes to all of you, my friends. Stay safe and cherish your loved ones and the moments you spend with them.

Angel Sefer

Click on this link to read Part II: Our visit to the Greek Island of Zakynthos (Part II)

For Part III click here: Our visit to the Greek Island of Zakynthos (Part III)