Introducing “The Necklace of Goddess Athena” by Effrosyni Moschoudi Today, I am pleased to welcome Effrosyni Moschoudi, author of the urban fantasy The Necklace of Goddess Athena. Join us as I ask her a series of questions in order to find out more about her and her writing!
Welcome Effrosyni - pleasure to have you here today!
The pleasure is all mine - thank you Kaz!
When did you start writing and why? As a child, I used to scribble rhymes on a notebook all the time. I’ve always preferred the written word as opposed to speaking. Both as a child and as a teenager, I often sought a quiet spot to sit on my own and record my feelings on paper and especially my wonderment about the beauty of the world surrounding me.
What made you choose this genre? I’ve always been a great fan of Fantasy as well as Sci-Fi and the paranormal. It comes as no surprise to me that my first book has fantastic elements as opposed to being a down-to-earth, everyday story. I intend to keep writing fantasy or paranormal stories. These genres fascinate me and grant me the freedom to escape from the dullness that is realism.
Fantasy and paranormal are awesome - good choice.
Effrosyni's bio:
Effrosyni Moschoudi was born and brought up in Athens, Greece. She has a BSc in Computer Science and has worked for large companies for twenty years, mainly in the hotel and airline business. Her work background has been diverse and has mainly involved computer support, customer service and aircraft material purchasing. She has been writing since childhood. She lives in a quaint seaside town near Athens with her husband Andy and a naughty cat called Felix. She is passionate about books and movies and dedicates sufficient time on her weekends to enjoy a bit of both.
On Effrosyni’s Blog (aka The Public Diary of a Greek Dreamer), the reader will find posts on various subjects. There are tips for authors, travel articles, inspiring personal accounts, references to the Law of Attraction, book reviews, author interviews and cover reveals.
Effrosyni’s debut novel, The Necklace of Goddess Athena, is an urban fantasy. It is about two time travelers who arrive in modern-day Athens with a purpose that is secret even to themselves. As of February 2014, the book is available for download exclusively on Amazon in Kindle (.mobi) format.
The novel has received a perfect 5-star rating by the Fantasy & SciFi Network website. An excerpt of the book’s first 2 chapters is currently available for download FREE of charge at Goodreads.
Currently, Effrosyni is writing The Lady of the Pier, a paranormal summer romance that is set in Brighton (England) in the 1930's and in Corfu (Greece) in the 1980's. It is a haunting, tragic love story that highlights the immense popularity of the West Pier in Brighton back in its heyday, before its regrettable decline that began after WWII. The novel will be published in two parts. The first part, The Ebb, will be published in the summer of 2014. Effrosyni is currently penning the concluding part, The Flow, which she hopes to publish too by the end of the same year.
Wow, you have some great ideas - K.
Welcome Effrosyni - pleasure to have you here today!
The pleasure is all mine - thank you Kaz!
When did you start writing and why? As a child, I used to scribble rhymes on a notebook all the time. I’ve always preferred the written word as opposed to speaking. Both as a child and as a teenager, I often sought a quiet spot to sit on my own and record my feelings on paper and especially my wonderment about the beauty of the world surrounding me.
What made you choose this genre? I’ve always been a great fan of Fantasy as well as Sci-Fi and the paranormal. It comes as no surprise to me that my first book has fantastic elements as opposed to being a down-to-earth, everyday story. I intend to keep writing fantasy or paranormal stories. These genres fascinate me and grant me the freedom to escape from the dullness that is realism.
Fantasy and paranormal are awesome - good choice.
Effrosyni's bio:
Effrosyni Moschoudi was born and brought up in Athens, Greece. She has a BSc in Computer Science and has worked for large companies for twenty years, mainly in the hotel and airline business. Her work background has been diverse and has mainly involved computer support, customer service and aircraft material purchasing. She has been writing since childhood. She lives in a quaint seaside town near Athens with her husband Andy and a naughty cat called Felix. She is passionate about books and movies and dedicates sufficient time on her weekends to enjoy a bit of both.
On Effrosyni’s Blog (aka The Public Diary of a Greek Dreamer), the reader will find posts on various subjects. There are tips for authors, travel articles, inspiring personal accounts, references to the Law of Attraction, book reviews, author interviews and cover reveals.
Effrosyni’s debut novel, The Necklace of Goddess Athena, is an urban fantasy. It is about two time travelers who arrive in modern-day Athens with a purpose that is secret even to themselves. As of February 2014, the book is available for download exclusively on Amazon in Kindle (.mobi) format.
The novel has received a perfect 5-star rating by the Fantasy & SciFi Network website. An excerpt of the book’s first 2 chapters is currently available for download FREE of charge at Goodreads.
Currently, Effrosyni is writing The Lady of the Pier, a paranormal summer romance that is set in Brighton (England) in the 1930's and in Corfu (Greece) in the 1980's. It is a haunting, tragic love story that highlights the immense popularity of the West Pier in Brighton back in its heyday, before its regrettable decline that began after WWII. The novel will be published in two parts. The first part, The Ebb, will be published in the summer of 2014. Effrosyni is currently penning the concluding part, The Flow, which she hopes to publish too by the end of the same year.
Wow, you have some great ideas - K.
What’s the basic plot of your book? Two siblings from antiquity, Phevos and Daphne arrive in modern day Athens with a purpose that is secret to them. Their mysterious father has sent them on this quest by offering them only the advice to look out for the signs. It is evident from the beginning of the book that he knows what the outcome may be while his two children know nothing. It reels the reader in; especially after it turns out that the two siblings who take them under their wing - Ksenia and Manos - are not the common strangers that the newcomers initially took them for.
That sounds like a great idea - I'm intrigued!
Have you used any real people in your characters? I have modelled the adorable Mrs Sofia (the Corfiot old lady who runs the guesthouse) after my grandmother Antigone. Back in the 80s, she, my sister and I used to clean the rooms in a small guesthouse in Corfu that belongs to the family. Up to a certain extent, I drew on our experiences back then to form the camaraderie between Mrs Sofia and Daphne who run “Pallada” – the fictional guesthouse in Athens.
What song would you choose as the theme song of your book? Anything by Stavros Xarhakos. He is a legendary Greek composer of folk music. His bouzouki chords evoke a feeling of sweet nostalgia. This music would tie perfectly with the Plaka setting in my book. I invite your readers if they are curious, to go here and have a little listen!
What are you working on now? I am currently editing the first part of a duology, which I hope to publish this summer. It is called ‘The Lady of The Pier – The Ebb’ and it is a paranormal summer romance with a bit of poetry put into the mix. It tells the stories of two young girls who have never met and yet, they are connected in a mysterious way. Sofia is an overprotected Greek youth who falls in love with a British tourist in Corfu in 1987. Laura is English and she moves to Brighton from London in 1937. She becomes a performer in West Pier’s Pavilion and gets caught up in a love triangle with a young worker and an arrogant aristocrat. The concluding part will be subtitled ‘The Flow’ and it will reveal fully the obscure connection between these girls as the two stories merge into one. I am half way through writing the second part by the way and hope to publish this too by the end of the year.
I love this idea, having travelled to Brighton 3 times and fallen in love with it too. I can't wait to see how it all unfolds - K.
List some great books you have recently read and who are your favourite authors? ‘Inferno’ by Dan Brown, ‘The Unseen’ and ‘The Legacy’ by Katherine Webb and ‘The Distant Hours’ by Kate Morton. Other than these authors, I also enjoy reading Stephen King, Rachel Hore, Rosamunde Pilcher, Victoria Hislop and a few others. As you realize, I mostly read historical fiction and thrillers. Nowadays, I also read indie books in order to support and review fellow authors. Among the ones I have read so far, ‘Daughter of the Winds’ by Jo Bunt stands out for its realism, beautiful descriptions and captivating story.
Sounds like a great mixture - K.
What is your favourite quote? My favourite quote is strangely enough from ‘The Matrix’ which makes sense only to the people who’ve seen the movie: ‘There is no spoon’. It serves to remind me that nothing is like it seems; that there is magic in the world and that when you stop taking things for granted and start to question, then you can only be amazed.
What book would you take if your house was on fire and you could only carry one?
Sorry – I’d risk singing my hair a little and take two! *laugh*
Other than my tattered, yet beloved Oxford dictionary of English that’s been my most precious companion since the age of 10, I’d also take a thick volume of fairy tales that I used to read as a child. It is illustrated beautifully and its smell takes me back to my childhood even now. I haven’t got another book that smells like that and so, the effect is unique. Yes, I’m a book sniffer - I admit it! *giggle* A book sniffer? Well now I've heard it all. :-D
What has been the most important lesson you've learnt in life the hard way? If something doesn’t work, let it go!
What are the things in your life that you're most grateful for? My parents who taught me to be caring and strong, my sister who keeps me sane, my grandparents for their love and last but not least, my husband who came during the worst period in my life and turned it into a breezy fairy tale. Also, I am very grateful for my little house that my husband and I helped build from scratch. It turned out as beautiful as we had imagined it. Seven years later it still feels too good to be true to live in it. We are still half-expecting someone to knock on the door and say: ‘Right, time to go now folks!’ You see, I’ve never been a homeowner before. For the first 40 years of my life I lived on rent and sooner or later, I always had to move. My current home is my 11th since birth and it feels great to know it’ll probably be the last!
How would you like to be remembered? As someone who gave love and support unconditionally, helping people also to find strength and to fulfil their life’s purpose.
I really respect you for that - K.
Which have been the 3 best live shows you’ve ever watched (theatre, opera, ballet, concert etc)?
The Phantom of the Opera in Her Majesty’s Theatre in London, Michael Flatley in The Lord of The Dance in Wembley Arena and A-HA performing live in Athens (my favourite group in my teens and 20s).
Have you seen any good movies lately? Name three.
Gravity, The Great Gatsby and Total Recall (the one with Colin Farrell). Spectacular, all three of them!
Thanks so much Effrosyni for being here with us today and share some interesting snippets about you and your writing. I'm sure the Fantasy Sci-Fi Network readers will enjoy checking out The Necklace of the Goddess Athena.
Thank you Kaz for inviting me to your beautiful blog!
That sounds like a great idea - I'm intrigued!
Have you used any real people in your characters? I have modelled the adorable Mrs Sofia (the Corfiot old lady who runs the guesthouse) after my grandmother Antigone. Back in the 80s, she, my sister and I used to clean the rooms in a small guesthouse in Corfu that belongs to the family. Up to a certain extent, I drew on our experiences back then to form the camaraderie between Mrs Sofia and Daphne who run “Pallada” – the fictional guesthouse in Athens.
What song would you choose as the theme song of your book? Anything by Stavros Xarhakos. He is a legendary Greek composer of folk music. His bouzouki chords evoke a feeling of sweet nostalgia. This music would tie perfectly with the Plaka setting in my book. I invite your readers if they are curious, to go here and have a little listen!
What are you working on now? I am currently editing the first part of a duology, which I hope to publish this summer. It is called ‘The Lady of The Pier – The Ebb’ and it is a paranormal summer romance with a bit of poetry put into the mix. It tells the stories of two young girls who have never met and yet, they are connected in a mysterious way. Sofia is an overprotected Greek youth who falls in love with a British tourist in Corfu in 1987. Laura is English and she moves to Brighton from London in 1937. She becomes a performer in West Pier’s Pavilion and gets caught up in a love triangle with a young worker and an arrogant aristocrat. The concluding part will be subtitled ‘The Flow’ and it will reveal fully the obscure connection between these girls as the two stories merge into one. I am half way through writing the second part by the way and hope to publish this too by the end of the year.
I love this idea, having travelled to Brighton 3 times and fallen in love with it too. I can't wait to see how it all unfolds - K.
List some great books you have recently read and who are your favourite authors? ‘Inferno’ by Dan Brown, ‘The Unseen’ and ‘The Legacy’ by Katherine Webb and ‘The Distant Hours’ by Kate Morton. Other than these authors, I also enjoy reading Stephen King, Rachel Hore, Rosamunde Pilcher, Victoria Hislop and a few others. As you realize, I mostly read historical fiction and thrillers. Nowadays, I also read indie books in order to support and review fellow authors. Among the ones I have read so far, ‘Daughter of the Winds’ by Jo Bunt stands out for its realism, beautiful descriptions and captivating story.
Sounds like a great mixture - K.
What is your favourite quote? My favourite quote is strangely enough from ‘The Matrix’ which makes sense only to the people who’ve seen the movie: ‘There is no spoon’. It serves to remind me that nothing is like it seems; that there is magic in the world and that when you stop taking things for granted and start to question, then you can only be amazed.
What book would you take if your house was on fire and you could only carry one?
Sorry – I’d risk singing my hair a little and take two! *laugh*
Other than my tattered, yet beloved Oxford dictionary of English that’s been my most precious companion since the age of 10, I’d also take a thick volume of fairy tales that I used to read as a child. It is illustrated beautifully and its smell takes me back to my childhood even now. I haven’t got another book that smells like that and so, the effect is unique. Yes, I’m a book sniffer - I admit it! *giggle* A book sniffer? Well now I've heard it all. :-D
What has been the most important lesson you've learnt in life the hard way? If something doesn’t work, let it go!
What are the things in your life that you're most grateful for? My parents who taught me to be caring and strong, my sister who keeps me sane, my grandparents for their love and last but not least, my husband who came during the worst period in my life and turned it into a breezy fairy tale. Also, I am very grateful for my little house that my husband and I helped build from scratch. It turned out as beautiful as we had imagined it. Seven years later it still feels too good to be true to live in it. We are still half-expecting someone to knock on the door and say: ‘Right, time to go now folks!’ You see, I’ve never been a homeowner before. For the first 40 years of my life I lived on rent and sooner or later, I always had to move. My current home is my 11th since birth and it feels great to know it’ll probably be the last!
How would you like to be remembered? As someone who gave love and support unconditionally, helping people also to find strength and to fulfil their life’s purpose.
I really respect you for that - K.
Which have been the 3 best live shows you’ve ever watched (theatre, opera, ballet, concert etc)?
The Phantom of the Opera in Her Majesty’s Theatre in London, Michael Flatley in The Lord of The Dance in Wembley Arena and A-HA performing live in Athens (my favourite group in my teens and 20s).
Have you seen any good movies lately? Name three.
Gravity, The Great Gatsby and Total Recall (the one with Colin Farrell). Spectacular, all three of them!
Thanks so much Effrosyni for being here with us today and share some interesting snippets about you and your writing. I'm sure the Fantasy Sci-Fi Network readers will enjoy checking out The Necklace of the Goddess Athena.
Thank you Kaz for inviting me to your beautiful blog!
Introducing The Necklace of Goddess Athena by Effrosyni Moschoudi
Publisher: Amazon Publication
Date: February 1st, 2014
Genre: Urban Fantasy Suitable for: All ages
Blurb
IN ATHENS, THE GODS STILL DWELL AMONG THE MORTALS.
Efimios is an ancient Greek and an unsung hero of Athens. He has saved the city countless times by undertaking time-travelling missions as instructed by Goddess Athena herself. Now an elderly man, he sends his son Phevos and his adopted daughter Daphne on a time-travelling quest to modern-day Athens. Mysterious as always, he only advises his children to look out for the signs without offering any explanations. Mystified, yet eager to obey their father’s will, Phevos and Daphne settle down in this new world, having been offered assistance by two orphaned siblings: Ksenia and Manos. New friendships and romantic love change their lives while their father’s covert purpose is gradually revealed. As the youngsters continue to unravel the secrets of their family past, inevitably they get caught up in the ongoing conflict between two Gods, one of which becomes their protector and the other, their worst nemesis. Who will prevail when the rival Gods meet again and will the mortal bystanders survive to tell the tale?
Excerpt
First, there was this tremendous roar. Everything around them shook with force and then, a blinding light surrounded them as they were taken through a cyclone of ear-piercing sounds. Phevos held the hand of his sister Daphne inside the forceful vortex of Time. Neither of them knew where they were headed as they swirled frightened beyond description, their bodies surrendered to the powerful whirlwind. Their eyes were tightly shut to the blinding flashes of light and a sound that resembled a sweeping tornado tortured their ears. In the twenty years of his life, Phevos could never have imagined the intensity of the experience. Although still captured in this unprecedented storm of light and sound, he managed to recall random pieces from his father’s stories. Efimios, his father and teacher, had described to him hundreds of times his experience of the Passage through Time but Phevos never expected there would come a day that he would experience it himself and at that, in such a different way.
Suddenly, he realized in panic that his sister’s hand had slipped away from his. He started calling out her name but through the roar he couldn’t even hear himself speak. All at once, there was darkness and a soothing silence and next thing he knew, he was lying on the ground. A strong buzz still sounded in his ears. It took a few moments to fade as he opened his eyes and tried to gather his wits. His body felt numb at first but he managed to sit up somehow and look around him. The ground felt wet under him and the air smelt of grass. The moon shone high above on a starry sky with a velvet light that was ample, allowing him to inspect his surroundings quite easily. He was in an orchard. There were trees, plants and bushes all around him. Panicking, he realized that he was alone.
Here are the links to Connect with Effrosyni
Blog: http://www.effrosinimoss.wordpress.com
FB Book page: https://www.facebook.com/Necklaceathena
FB Author page https://www.facebook.com/authoreffrosyni
Twitter: https://twitter.com/frostiemoss
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7362780.Effrosyni_Moschoudi
Google + : https://plus.google.com/+EffrosyniMoschoudi
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/effrosyni-moschoudi/82/347/a01
Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHJcVuAkRV4
Amazon Links
US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I5GXHCO
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00I5GXHCO
Reviews
5 star review on the Fantasy/SciFi Network
4.5 star review on Alllthingsbookie
Effrosyni is a member of the Fantasy Sci-Fi Network.
Fantasy Sci-Fi Network:
The Fantasy & Sci-Fi Network is a collection of authors, bloggers, and reviewers who are passionate about finding and creating quality fantasy/sci-fi books which are also teen safe (G, PG, or PG-13 rated). The FSF Network believes it is possible to create fantastic works of fantasy and science fiction without resorting to graphic violence, explicitly harsh language, or sex.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FSFNet
FSFN website: http://fsfnet.com/
Publisher: Amazon Publication
Date: February 1st, 2014
Genre: Urban Fantasy Suitable for: All ages
Blurb
IN ATHENS, THE GODS STILL DWELL AMONG THE MORTALS.
Efimios is an ancient Greek and an unsung hero of Athens. He has saved the city countless times by undertaking time-travelling missions as instructed by Goddess Athena herself. Now an elderly man, he sends his son Phevos and his adopted daughter Daphne on a time-travelling quest to modern-day Athens. Mysterious as always, he only advises his children to look out for the signs without offering any explanations. Mystified, yet eager to obey their father’s will, Phevos and Daphne settle down in this new world, having been offered assistance by two orphaned siblings: Ksenia and Manos. New friendships and romantic love change their lives while their father’s covert purpose is gradually revealed. As the youngsters continue to unravel the secrets of their family past, inevitably they get caught up in the ongoing conflict between two Gods, one of which becomes their protector and the other, their worst nemesis. Who will prevail when the rival Gods meet again and will the mortal bystanders survive to tell the tale?
Excerpt
First, there was this tremendous roar. Everything around them shook with force and then, a blinding light surrounded them as they were taken through a cyclone of ear-piercing sounds. Phevos held the hand of his sister Daphne inside the forceful vortex of Time. Neither of them knew where they were headed as they swirled frightened beyond description, their bodies surrendered to the powerful whirlwind. Their eyes were tightly shut to the blinding flashes of light and a sound that resembled a sweeping tornado tortured their ears. In the twenty years of his life, Phevos could never have imagined the intensity of the experience. Although still captured in this unprecedented storm of light and sound, he managed to recall random pieces from his father’s stories. Efimios, his father and teacher, had described to him hundreds of times his experience of the Passage through Time but Phevos never expected there would come a day that he would experience it himself and at that, in such a different way.
Suddenly, he realized in panic that his sister’s hand had slipped away from his. He started calling out her name but through the roar he couldn’t even hear himself speak. All at once, there was darkness and a soothing silence and next thing he knew, he was lying on the ground. A strong buzz still sounded in his ears. It took a few moments to fade as he opened his eyes and tried to gather his wits. His body felt numb at first but he managed to sit up somehow and look around him. The ground felt wet under him and the air smelt of grass. The moon shone high above on a starry sky with a velvet light that was ample, allowing him to inspect his surroundings quite easily. He was in an orchard. There were trees, plants and bushes all around him. Panicking, he realized that he was alone.
Here are the links to Connect with Effrosyni
Blog: http://www.effrosinimoss.wordpress.com
FB Book page: https://www.facebook.com/Necklaceathena
FB Author page https://www.facebook.com/authoreffrosyni
Twitter: https://twitter.com/frostiemoss
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7362780.Effrosyni_Moschoudi
Google + : https://plus.google.com/+EffrosyniMoschoudi
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/effrosyni-moschoudi/82/347/a01
Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHJcVuAkRV4
Amazon Links
US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I5GXHCO
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00I5GXHCO
Reviews
5 star review on the Fantasy/SciFi Network
4.5 star review on Alllthingsbookie
Effrosyni is a member of the Fantasy Sci-Fi Network.
Fantasy Sci-Fi Network:
The Fantasy & Sci-Fi Network is a collection of authors, bloggers, and reviewers who are passionate about finding and creating quality fantasy/sci-fi books which are also teen safe (G, PG, or PG-13 rated). The FSF Network believes it is possible to create fantastic works of fantasy and science fiction without resorting to graphic violence, explicitly harsh language, or sex.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FSFNet
FSFN website: http://fsfnet.com/