Interview with Angel Sefer, author of the Greek Isles Series

Today, I’m pleased to host my lovely author friend, Angel Sefer. Angel is a fellow Greek and Athenian, which is the reason why she’s been one of the first authors I’ve connected with on line. Her thrilling, Greek Isles Series, is set in places of Greek iconic beauty; the islands of Corfu, Mykonos and Santorini. Her publisher, Booktrope, is an innovative hybrid publisher that is slowly shaping itself into the holy grail of savvy indie authors.

So, let me introduce you to Angel and her books first and then on, for a good chinwag!

#1 Barnes & Noble Bestseller, #2 Amazon Bestseller, Winner of the Crowned Heart Award for Excellence from InD’tale Magazine, and 2014 RONE Award Finalist.

A mansion full of secrets…
From the moment investigative reporter Jackie Alexander steps foot inside the mansion dominating the Demiris estate on the beautiful Greek island of Corfu, her suspicions are on high alert. This is no ordinary assignment… the life of her beloved cousin, Aphrodite, is in grave danger, as the heirs to the incredible fortune of Greek tycoon Andreas Demiris are dying one after the other, under mysterious circumstances.

A man with secrets of his own…
The only person who can help Jackie is Michael Apostolou, former Special Forces Officer and one of the finest detectives on the Athens police force. Jackie realizes soon enough that despite her simmering desire for him, she can’t really trust him, as the seductive detective seems to be investigating those mysterious deaths for reasons of his own.

Trusting the wrong person can be deadly…
Jackie and Michael are forced to work together, but the suspicions and unanswered questions are devouring them, just like their rising passion for each other. In games like this, the stakes are high and the players are ruthless. When Jackie is kidnapped by the most dangerous player of all, time is running out as Michael is forced to choose between jeopardizing his mission and personal quest for justice, or the life of the gorgeous intruder of his heart…

Amazon:   http://viewbook.at/SpellboundInHisArms

Barnes & Noble:   http://buff.ly/1f1Vmq9

iBook on iTunes:   http://bit.ly/1fMwwu0

Amazon UK:   http://amzn.to/1iaJofH

 

A quest for truth…
Helena was only eight when her father disappeared, and her life was shattered. Thirteen years later, she returns to her birthplace—the Greek island of Mykonos—on a quest to learn the truth about her father. Eerie warnings from her late mother and prophecies hidden in her grandmother’s diary compel Helena to delve into her family’s mysterious past. But well-buried secrets and a hidden mastermind plotting revenge create a deadly combination that could destroy Helena’s life.

A powerful and seductive man…
Upon discovering that the seductive Captain Dimitris Nikolaou has taken everything once belonging to her father, Helena is devastated; but in spite of his treachery, she is drawn to him like no other. As danger and passion collide, Helena realizes that nothing is what it seems.

Keeping a promise can be fatal…
Despite her desire for the irresistible captain, Helena is wary of his insistence to keep the promise he’d made to her father—the promise to marry her. Dimitris wants this feisty enchantress, and he’s used to getting what he wants. Making Helena his wife isn’t about the promise anymore—he wants her…and he’s willing to put his heart and his life at risk to keep her in his arms forever.

Amazon:   http://viewBook.at/DeadlySecrets

Barnes &Noble:   http://bit.ly/1gcPV8T

iBook on iTunes:   http://bit.ly/1p3IkjO

Amazon UK:   http://amzn.to/TXZjIS

An unexpected threat…
When insurance manager Alexandra Stewart is assigned to the Imperial Resorts Corporation account and has to travel to the island of Santorini, she’s worried about keeping the promise she made to her late father. Alexandra swore to keep her real identity a secret and to stay away from her maternal grandfather, a Greek billionaire who lives on the island. However, what Alexandra thought was fate is actually a plot to bring her home.

An undeniable attraction…
The new assignment embeds Alexandra in a deadly game of vengeance and greed that threatens to destroy her grandfather’s empire. The only one she can turn to for help is Mark Taylor, the seductively handsome Managing Director of the Corporation. Mark is torn between his intense attraction to Alexandra and his promise to her grandfather to guard the secret that could destroy the entire Vassiliou family. His puzzling behavior infuriates Alexandra, but it can’t quell her desire.

A startling revelation…
Will Alexandra be able to trust Mark when he has already lied to her once? Will Mark be able to convince Alexandra he’s not the enemy? And when the time comes, will he be able to confess the truth to her?

Amazon:  http://viewBook.at/TheHeiressOfSantorini

Barnes & Noble:  http://bit.ly/1DAxWV1

Amazon UK:  http://amzn.to/12AmrBF

 

Hello Angel and welcome to my blog!

Hi Fros! Thank you; I’m very excited to be here.

Tell us first of all, what has inspired you to write the first book in the series, Spellbound in His Arms?

During a summer vacation to the majestic island of Corfu in the dazzling aquamarine waters of the Ionian Sea, my family and I 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 stunning, 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.

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

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been intrigued by the fascinating world of fiction, and I would devour every romance, mystery, suspense, and adventure novel I came across. Reading those stories, I realized that other stories kept popping up in my mind, and at some point, I felt the need to share them with the world.

As a teenager, I wrote some children’s and young adults’ stories. A few years later, I wrote my first mystery romance, Spellbound in His Arms, a suspenseful tale of murder, deceit, and political cover-up, where sexy investigative reporter Jackie ignites the fury and stirs the passion of mysterious police detective Michael.

What other writing have you done? Anything else published?

Since Spellbound in His Arms, I have written a whole series of standalone mystery romance novels, The Greek Isles Series, each taking place on a different island—alluring destinations that cast a spell on the visitor from the very first moment.

In this series, dark mysteries mingle with sizzling romances, while the reader enjoys the virtual experience of visiting some of the most enchanting Greek islands. The impeccable beauty of those islands—where nature exists lavishly in hundred shades of green and blue, and centuries of Greek tradition coexist harmoniously with cosmopolitan activity—will steal the reader’s heart away.

Deadly Secrets is the second novel published in The Greek Isles Series. In this suspenseful tale of murder, deceit, embezzlement, and treachery, stunning Helena and seductive Captain Dimitris confront each other and make sparks. The action unfolds on picturesque Mykonos—one of the most beautiful islands in the sparkling sapphire waters of the Aegean Sea—and is supported by a steamy story of forbidden love.

The Heiress of Santorini is the third novel published in The Greek Isles Series. The startling truth about her billionaire client drives breathtaking insurance manager Alexandra over the edge but cannot quell her desire for sinfully handsome and off-limits Mark. This tale of non-stop action, suspense, deceit, and murder unfolds in Atlanta, New York, and on the awe-inspiring island of Santorini—a precious gem in the Aegean Sea that is still an active volcano with spectacular rock formations, impressive lunar landscapes, and breathtaking red and black sand beaches.

Dark Shadows of The Past is the fourth novel in The Greek Isles Series. Dazzling Christina is caught in a deadly game of conspiracy, murder, treachery, and vengeance while desperately trying to conceal her real identity. Seductively handsome police detective Dan puts his job and life on the line to protect this feisty enchantress from the threat hovering over her. The non-stop action and steamy romance unfolds in Atlanta, the Blue Ridge Mountains of Northern Georgia, and the island of Cephalonia—the fascinating setting of “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin” in the amazing aquamarine waters of the Ionian Sea. Dark Shadows of The Past will be available Winter 2015.

They all sound amazing, Angel! Any hobbies or interests that you enjoy in your spare time?

Spare time? What’s that? LOL Now, seriously, as my Greek ancestors used to say, healthy mind in a healthy body, I enjoy yoga, aerobics, dancing, basketball, and I practice Wado Ryu Karate. Of course, not as much as I used to since I’m a mother now and my free time is limited.

Wow, that’s impressive! Do you see yourself in any of your characters, or do any of them have traits you wish you had?

All my female protagonists share some traits with me. And yes, there are a lot of their traits that I wish I had, like being brave and adventurous.

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

I enjoy mystery romance and suspense novels. Besides that, I also like paranormal romance, and right now I’m reading Arielle Immortal Fury, the sixth book in the amazing Immortal Rapture Series by Lilian Roberts.

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

I love Ian Somerhalder, and I think he is perfect for the mysterious police detective Michael in Spellbound in His Arms. As for sexy, investigative reporter Jackie, I think that Nina Dobrev would be great.

I do admit, I just had to look them both up. I’m a film buff but don’t know many TV actors, you totally threw me, lol! Good one! Tell us about your website/blog. What will readers find there?

At my website, http://www.angelsefer.com , my readers can find information about me and my books, and enjoy free reads.

At my blog, http://www.angelsefer.blogspot.com , I post author spotlights and interviews, book reviews, excerpts of my novels, posts about writing, inspiring quotes, and other interesting articles and photos.

I also love communicating with my readers, expressing my feelings, and exchanging views and ideas with them.

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

With every book I write, I feel that I’m becoming a better writer, and I find more interesting ways to convey what I have to say. I always keep in mind what I enjoyed in reading other authors’ books—intriguing mysteries, breathtaking romances, well-developed characters—and I make sure I fulfill those expectations in my novels. I respect my readers, and I want them to enjoy reading my novels as much as I enjoyed writing them.

I write about real life situations sprinkled, of course, with fantasy. I create my characters, especially my protagonists, to spark interest and have my readers become emotionally attached to them. I also carefully select my settings, since I always enjoyed reading fascinating stories that took place at amazing locations.

Thank you for your time, Angel! Wish you success with the launch of  The Heiress of Santorini.

Thank you very much, Fros! All the best with your writing, too.

Bio

Award-winning, bestselling author Angel Sefer was born in Athens, Greece, and has studied and worked on both sides of the Atlantic. She holds a degree in Economics and divides her time between the corporate world and her true passion: reading and writing mystery romance novels, full of heart-racing action, suspense, twists and turns, and breathtaking romance.

Angel lives in Athens, Greece, with the two loves of her life—her son and her husband—and is a member of several writers groups.

Connect with Angel

Website: http://www.angelsefer.com

Blog: http://www.angelsefer.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://on.fb.me/Vq75eu

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AngelSefer

Google+: http://bit.ly/13Fa6aU

LinkedIn: http://linkd.in/19uc4Sk

Amazon Author’s page: http://author.to/AngelSefer

Goodreads Profile: http://bit.ly/15ePyoE

E-mail: angelsefer@ymail.com