Tag Archives: Greece

Escape to Greece with Ian Wilfred.

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This week, I am delighted to be taken on a sun kissed escape to Greece with author, Ian Wilfred. Over to you, Ian…

Thank you for inviting me on to your blog, Carol. I do love a sunny escape, and so I thought I would tell you about one of the great loves of my life (apart from my husband and dog, of course), the Greek town of Parga.

Parga is on the mainland of Greece, but you do feel you are on an island as it is not that well known. Located opposite Corfu, to reach it, you fly into Preveza. From there, it’s an hour’s journey around the coast to Parga. When we first visited, over twenty years ago, we had to get on a ferry for part of the journey; now, there is a tunnel that goes under the water. It saves a lot of time, but I do miss that little ferry trip.

Parga is a town of two halves divided by a steep (and I do mean steep) hill that leads to a castle affording fantastic views of the surrounding area. On one side of the hill, the harbour has its beautiful restaurants and fabulous little shops that look out to the sea. On the other side is the main beach of Valtos. It is simply stunning! Nestled behind the beach are olive groves with a scattering of holiday accommodation. Taking a sea taxi between the beach and the harbour takes less than ten minutes – and avoids the climb up the hill. Arriving by sea taxi into the harbour, lit up at night, is magical. It is a scene that appears in all three of my Greek books.

Parga first appeared in one of my books, SECRETS WE LEFT IN GREECE, in 2018. I changed Parga to Holkamos and decided it had to be an island; Valtos became Volmos, the castle and the sea taxi with the harbour all stayed the same.

(Always ready to seize an opportunity to escape into a beautiful setting, I found this video of Parga and can clearly see why you felt inspired by the town and surrounding area, Ian.)

The following year because I enjoyed writing it so much and readers seemed to love the island I had created, I revisited Holkamos with MY PERFECT SUMMER IN GREECE. This is one of my favourite books; I loved writing Cheryl’s story.

Last year I gave the Greek islands a miss. Instead, coming closer to home, I wrote a novel set in my fictional quayside town of Saltmarsh in Norfolk and also one set in Spain based on the lovely holiday resort of Mojacar (changing the name to Graingcia).

This year I’ve headed back to Holkamos with NEW BEGINNINGS IN GREECE and Graingcia with FINDING HAPPINESS IN SPAIN. These are my two summer reads. I’m always being asked what my books are about, and I keep coming back to the same sentence: they have quite a few secrets, a little bit of laughter, of course, romance, but above all, my books are about friendships and new beginnings not forgetting lots of gorgeous sunshine and fabulous food.

Ian’s books are available in ebook and paperback editions. Why not pick one up and head off to Greece, Spain or Norfolk. Purchase here: UK | US | Spain | Australia

Thank you for the great post, Ian. I love the sound and look of Parga and really enjoyed this hint at the wonderful settings within your books. I am also in awe of your prolific writing, so many wonderful novels, I can’t wait to dive in. xx

About the author:

Ian Wilfred lives on the Norfolk coast with his husband and west highland terrier. He is wonderfully supportive of fellow authors and is a member of the Romantic Novelist Association. His debut novel ‘Putting Right The Past’ is set on the island of Tenerife and was published in 2013. Since then he has gone on to publish other books set in his beloved Norfolk, the Greek islands, Spain and Martha’s Vineyard.

Discover more about Ian Wilfred and his novels here: Amazon | Facebook | Twitter 

All dogs deserve a happy Christmas!

Writing & Reading, , , , , , , , ,

Celebrating the release of Being a Friend at Christmas, my niece Kristy Carpenter – who the book is dedicated to – asked if I would be willing to offer a Christmas promotion that would also support a charity close to her heart. When you read about the charity, you’ll see why I couldn’t resist …  

Meet Siggy, Rolo and Patrick, Kristy’s three rescue dogs.  While all three are Greek rescues, Patrick (also pictured above as a puppy) came into Kristy’s life as a result of the wonderful work of Angel’s Garden.

Angel’s Garden is a dog shelter based in Xanthi, Greece, where the wonderful volunteers work tirelessly to ensure stray dogs, cats and other animals are kept safe, fed, watered and medicated, until they can find their forever homes.

The “friends of Angel’s Garden” from Greece, Holland, Germany, Austria and the UK, plan and co-ordinate several trips a year to ensure lucky pups, like Patrick, who have found love through the power of the shelter’s social media pages, reach their new forever homes. (All homes are carefully vetted, and continued support is offered as the dogs settle into their new homes and embark on their new lives).

Kristy says, “Run by volunteers, Angel’s Garden needs as much support as they can get because feeding, housing and treating the animals in their care is not a cheap. Every donation received helps them to continue the wonderful work they do, and continues to ensure that dogs like Patrick find their forever home.

“The good work they do is appreciated more than anyone could imagine. Without their help (and that of other organisations) dogs like Siggy, Rolo and Patrick would face a hungry and helpless life on the streets of Greece.”

Kristy’s adorable dogs are now very happily enjoying life here in the UK, and she has subsequently joined the “friends of Angel’s Garden”, recently completing a mission to deliver dogs to homes in the local area.

With books based on the life of a rescue puppy, of course I wanted to help. And so, I am more than happy to offer either of my Little Pup books for £6 and any two books for £10 with 20% of all sales made from this page going directly to Angel’s Garden. 

About the books:

For under 7s, my little pup series of books are written with young readers in mind. The words are rhyming and rhythmic, enabling young children to anticipate words and phrases, while the illustrations are bright and colourful. Each book can be read as a stand alone story and shared again and again. Being well received in schools, the books can inspire a conversation and encourage children to think about others.

Finding A Friend

When Little Pup finds himself at the shelter,
he doesn’t know quite what to do.
Big dogs all around, feeling lost and alone,
Little Pup needs a friend… but who?

ISBN 978-1916493704

Being a Friend at Christmas

Little Pup’s looking forward to Christmas,
and he knows just how lucky he’s been,
because some dogs are still in shelters,
a warm home and best friend still a dream.

Hoping a small gift of kindness,
will help them feel loved not alone.
Little Pup has a wish that might come true,
when Father Christmas visits his home!

ISBN: 978-1916493728

UK only: To purchase, please select from the options below and state at check out if you would like the book/s signed (p&p is £2.50).

For non UK purchases, or for other inquiries: Please get in touch for a quote via my contact form:

Multiple book deal:


Single book purchases (20% from each sale goes to Angel’s Garden):

Finding a Friend, single purchase £6.00 (+p&p):


Being a Friend, single purchase £6.00 (+p&p):


Angel’s Garden and their “friends” want to thank everyone who has supported them and who continue to support them in these difficult times. The love they give to the animals is priceless but they couldn’t do it without the generous donations and support from those who can help them. And Kristy’s dogs just have to agree!
xx Thank you xx