I do wish I could read and review every single book that catches my eye and intrigues me – sadly, it’s just impossible. But it is a pleasure today to be helping launch the blog tour for The Magic of Miramare by Soulla Christodoulou, published on 8th November, and now available for kindle (free via Kindle Unlimited) and in paperback via Amazon in the UK and US. My thanks to Rachel of Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation and support.
Let’s take a closer look…
Three women meet on holiday in Kefalonia. Each is secretly filled with turmoil.
Stella must decide on whether her twenty-year affair with Anton has reached the end.
Melody must find a way to go back to the love she knows she has with Luke.
Eliana must overcome her own complicated relationship with love to find harmony with Dean.
Against the backdrop of the beautiful Miramare resort, the women quickly build a friendship and share their stories and deepest secrets, subconsciously guided by the magic of the Ionian Island.
With azure seas and clear blue skies, the women, and their partners, must find a way to nurture themselves before they can salvage their own relationships while navigating their attitudes to love. But can they find their way to a kinder, better place within themselves.
The Greeks have so many words for love, that they are guided and find a way through their own turmoil, to find the real happiness, love, and magic that exists within us all.
Follow strong, authentic female characters who have drive, sass, and attitude in this poetic narrative with a stunningly slow simmer. It’s a story that will capture your heart. Disappear into a world of love. Into The Magic of Miramare.
So no review today, but I’m delighted to welcome Soulla as my guest, with a post on the magic of relationships…
Relationships are a fascinating tapestry woven from the threads of chemistry, personality, and life experiences. As I embarked on the journey of writing my book, The Magic of Miramare, I remember how I found myself reflecting deeply on what makes some relationships flourish while others fizzle out.
It’s a complex web of emotions, dynamics, and sometimes sheer luck that defines our connections with others.
My inspiration for the book came in 2017 (yes, it’s been a long time coming!) during heartfelt conversations with a dear friend who was navigating tumultuous waters in her own relationship. In those moments – from whispered secrets shared late into the night, to raw discussions that peeled back layers of vulnerability – I discovered a treasure trove of insights; and not always glittering which also took me back to my own marriage breakdown almost twenty years ago.
The struggles, dreams, fears, and joys she expressed unveiled the myriad ways people connect and disconnect. These dialogues sparked the desire to explore the intricacies of love, compatibility, and personal growth in the narrative I would soon create.
One of the most compelling aspects of relationships is their unpredictable nature. It’s an age-old truth: the couples we think are destined for forever often unravel, while those that seem mismatched can grow to be enduring partnerships. This dichotomy became a focal point in my book—the idea that love does not adhere to a tidy set of rules or common expectations. In The Magic of Miramare, I wanted to illustrate how different personalities can clash or harmonise in surprising ways. By featuring characters who embody various traits – some fiery and spontaneous, others calm and introspective – I aimed to portray the raw authenticity of relationships, and this can be seen between the characters Eliana and Dean. Readers will see that it’s not always opposites that attract; sometimes, two similar souls can learn from each other, evolving in ways they never imagined.
Chemistry is often described as that magical spark between two individuals, but it can be so much more intricate, as readers will read in relation to Stella and her relationships. In writing my book, I delved into the science and art of attraction – how physical chemistry intertwines with emotional connection and shared values. I gleaned insightful information and researched different relationship advice from podcasts, books and social media posts, focusing on the work of Brené Brown, Esther Perel, Julia Cole, Gretchen Rubin and Susanna Abse.
It became clear that the strongest bonds often emerge through mutual respect and understanding, reinforced by shared experiences and a commitment to growth. The conversations I had with my friend highlighted the importance of fostering chemistry intentionally. It’s not merely a matter of “feeling good” together; it’s about nurturing a relationship through thoughtful communication and shared dreams.
At the heart of meaningful connections lies vulnerability. My friend’s struggles revealed how fear – of rejection, of being misunderstood – can hinder true intimacy. It often takes immense courage to open oneself up to another person, to share not just our joys but our fears and insecurities and this can be seen with Melody and Luke. In The Magic of Miramare, vulnerability plays a pivotal role. Characters are challenged to confront their pasts, unveil their innermost fears, and take risks in their relationships. I hope to inspire readers to embrace vulnerability in their own lives—not as a weakness, but as a profound strength that can deepen connections and foster lasting love.
As I reflect on the inspiration behind The Magic of Miramare, I am reminded that relationships are a journey – ever-evolving and filled with lessons. Every conversation, whether light hearted or profound, contributes to a greater understanding of love. The beauty of relationships lies in their complexity and the diverse stories they tell.
I invite you, dear readers, to join me on this journey of exploration. Let’s celebrate the unique, unpredictable nature of love and the magic that can spring from even the most challenging of circumstances. After all, every relationship is a story waiting to be told, and I hope to share mine in a way that resonates with you. Thank you for being a part of this exploration of love, vulnerability, and the magic that weaves us all together. I can’t wait for you to experience the world of The Magic of Miramare.
Many thanks Soulla – and wishing you every success with this book…
About the author
Born in London to Greek Cypriot parents, Soulla Christodoulou was the first in her family to go to university and later retrained to become a teacher. She has been writing since 2015 and has many more books in her.
Her novels, Broken Pieces of Tomorrow, The Summer Will Come, The Village House and A Palette of Magpies are available on Amazon alongside Alexander and Maria which was nominated for the RSL Ondaatje Prize 2021.
The Summer Will Come, a book club read in the Year of Learning Festival 2019, London Borough of Barnet Libraries, has been translated into Greek and is currently being queried with Greek and Greek Cypriot publishers.
Soulla is working on her next novel, The Pastry Girl of Malta and writing her first non-fiction book on the craft and magic of writing. She is consulting on a movie project inspired by one of her books and is learning a lot about the world of filmmaking. She is happiest writing and reading in her pretty garden Writing Room while drinking tea infused with cinnamon sticks and cloves.
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