Set in the 1950s, the story begins in Cyprus. EOKA, British
rule, and the fight for Enosis (unity) disrupt the world of two Greek Cypriot
families, living in different villages on the island. They are desperately
trying to cope with the unpredictability of this fractious time. Circumstances
over a five-year period push both families to escape to London where, as
immigrants, they struggle to settle, face new challenges, trauma and cope with
missing their homeland's traditions and culture. Both families' lives cross
paths in London and it seems that happier beginnings could be theirs. But at
what cost? A story of passion for a country in turmoil, family love, loyalty
and treachery and how, sometimes, starting over isn't always as imagined.
My Thoughts:
I am delighted today to be taking part in the blog tour for The Summer Will Come, an enjoyable and entrancing read that takes place in Cyprus in London around the time of the troubles in Cyprus. Something I didn't know very much about before reading this book.
The story is centered around two families who are desperately trying to leave the problems behind and in doing so they move to London. The reader learns about life in Cyprus and what it is then like for an immigrant in London and also what it is like to leave your homeland behind.
I learnt a lot from this beautifully written novel that managed to portray the emotions of the characters so well. The feelings of being uprooted from all that is familiar and being put in the mix of a different way of life.
This is also something of a love story. A romance but also a love story to Cyprus. The sights and sounds are so wonderfully evocative. The author is writing from experiences or from incredible research. This book just felt so authentic.
A wonderful story that shines a light on events in history that some readers won't know much about. A story that had me turning the pages and wishing for the best outcomes for the characters concerned.
Accomplished writing and I very much enjoyed it.
I am delighted today to be taking part in the blog tour for The Summer Will Come, an enjoyable and entrancing read that takes place in Cyprus in London around the time of the troubles in Cyprus. Something I didn't know very much about before reading this book.
The story is centered around two families who are desperately trying to leave the problems behind and in doing so they move to London. The reader learns about life in Cyprus and what it is then like for an immigrant in London and also what it is like to leave your homeland behind.
I learnt a lot from this beautifully written novel that managed to portray the emotions of the characters so well. The feelings of being uprooted from all that is familiar and being put in the mix of a different way of life.
This is also something of a love story. A romance but also a love story to Cyprus. The sights and sounds are so wonderfully evocative. The author is writing from experiences or from incredible research. This book just felt so authentic.
A wonderful story that shines a light on events in history that some readers won't know much about. A story that had me turning the pages and wishing for the best outcomes for the characters concerned.
Accomplished writing and I very much enjoyed it.
About the Author:
Born in London to Greek Cypriot parents Soulla Christodoulou
spent much of her childhood living carefree days full of family, school and
friends. She was the first in her family to go to university and studied BA
Hotel & Catering Management at Portsmouth University. Years later, after
having a family of her own she studied again at Middlesex University and has a
PGCE in Business Studies and an MA in Education.
Soulla is a Fiction author and wrote her first novel Broken Pieces of Tomorrow over a few
months while working full time in secondary education. She is a mother of three
boys.
She is a compassionate and empathetic supporter of young
people. Her passion for teaching continues through private tuition of English
Language and Children’s Creative Writing Classes as well as proof reading and
other writing services.
Her writing has also connected her with a charity in California which
she is very much involved in as a contributor of handwritten letters every
month to support and give hope to women diagnosed with breast cancer. One of
her letters is featured in a book ‘Dear Friend’, released on Amazon in
September 2017.
When asked, she will tell you she has always, somewhere on a
subconscious level, wanted to write and her life’s experiences both personal
and professional have played a huge part in bringing her to where she was
always meant to be; writing books and drinking lots of cinnamon and clove tea!
She also has a poetry collection, Sunshine after Rain, published on Amazon and The Summer Will Come is her second novel. She is currently working
on a third novel Trust is a Big Word
about an on-line illicit relationship that develops between two people.
Social Media Links –
Please do have a look at the other stops on the blog tour.
Dear Leah, thank you so much for your wonderful review of The Summer Will Come - your comments have made me swell with happiness! Much of my research was face-to-face with real people who shared their experiences with me and of course, my connections with Cyprus helped tremendously with the culture, traditions and 'passion' of its people. I'm so glad you were invested in the characters. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart. Soulla x
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