Today I am on the blog tour for The Summer Will Come by Soulla Christodoulou. This is available in either eBook or paperback format and can be purchased HERE.  My thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for my spot on the tour and also Soulla for my copy of this book.

Synopsis:

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:

Set in 1950’s Cyprus we meet two Cypriot families, from different villages.  These families eventually make the decision, along with many others, that it is better to leave the trouble in Cyprus and start a new life in England.

We meet both the families and discover a little of their histories and also the run up to the hard decision they have to make to leave the homeland and start again in a new country.  This part of the story is a great way to get to know our main characters as they go about their everyday lives, also a great way to show much of a difference and a contrast it is when they continue their lives in London.

Once in London the families have to find lodgings and jobs, even though it is a new start, their traditions and customs have an even bigger part to play.  It is an essential part of who they are and gives them a strength, something they know and can rely on as they come to terms with the changes.  London is cold, noisy and has a polluted atmosphere compared the tranquillity that was their home before the troubles.  With a close-knit community and a commitment to traditions paths are invariably going to cross and new connections and friendships made.  This leads to the romantic side of the story.  This part of the story is where new and old meet and mix, traditions governing the meeting of potential husband/wife are paramount to the way things are done and also seen to be done.  Just because they are in a new culture does not mean they should abandon their own.

This is a really interesting book to read on many levels.  The author explains how the trouble on the island in the 50’s was experienced by those in the midst of it and incorporating it into a story line that is a great read.  I did feel the second half of the story was stronger and had a more personal feel to it.  The contrasts between the two lifestyle between the two countries were well explained and gave a great insight into conditions and also feelings.  The actions and reactions of people was also touched upon, by that I mean the racists attitudes and comments made.  I really loved the mentions of the mouth-watering sounding dishes and foods from a culture I know only the basics about.

If you are after a fictionalised historical novel that explores the Cypriots and the move some of them made to London to escape the fighting and turmoil at home then I would definitely recommend this book. It takes the reader in a journey of life, death, despair, hope and new beginnings.   It is insightful and also educational, and has a wonderful romantic side to it.  I book I would definitely recommend to readers.

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 – Website ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ Facebook ~ Pinterest ~ Scriggler

See what the other Bloggers on the tour think.

Many thanks for reading my post, a share would be wonderful.  Get you own copy of the book HERE  🙂 xx