Tag: Athina Paris

When Dani Smiled by Athina Paris Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author Athina Paris explores the complicated and haunting reality of modern dating in the novel When Dani Smiled, as one young woman explores a new relationship with one man while confronting a chilling stalker.

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The Synopsis

Stranded on the side of a highway, Dani, a young fashion designer and IT expert, calls to reschedule an important interview, only to discover that her future boss is in the hospital. Nicholas, playboy and heir to Galfrey’s, can’t help but be intrigued by the young woman’s voice on the phone and races to her rescue.

Attraction is immediate and mutual, but whereas Nicholas has never waited for anything in his life, Dani quickly dampens his enthusiasm by refusing to be rushed into a casual liaison.

Sams is handsome, ambitious, and rich, but also self-centred, with huge self-entitlement issues, manipulative, and believes Dani belongs to him. A master programmer, he is also no fool and realises that he is about to lose what he has never had; Dani, and so begins a dangerous stalking game. It is up to Dani not only to outsmart Sams, but also save Galfrey’s and herself, as Sams is the keeper of a secret, which he hopes will coerce her into submitting to his twisted desires.

The Review

This book was fast-paced and instantly engaging. The author easily introduces the core cast of characters, including protagonist Dani, in a natural way that allows the world around these characters to grow and thrive in its own right. The instant connection between Dani and Nicholas, as well as the complicated history in Dani’s life that becomes an ever present entity in their growing relationship, allowed the reader to connect with the protagonist immediately, connecting on both an emotional and psychological level that spoke to the experiences many people face in this modern world.

The heart of this story and the hook that allowed readers to invest in this character’s arc is the exploration of the theme of stalking and the inherent dangers that come with it. Sams’s haunting nature and attitude in the situation, from his sense of entitlement and mentality of what Dani owes him, showcase the scary nature of this particular crime. The exploration of the psychological impact this has on victims of stalking came to life so clearly on the page.

The Verdict

Emotional, engaging, and atmospheric, author Athina Paris’s “When Dani Smiled” is a must-read contemporary romance meets suspense novel. The twists and turns, the gripping character growth, and the powerful themes will stay with readers long after the final chapter. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Athina Paris spent her formative years in Mozambique, where she was born. Years in convents and boarding schools prompted a deep curiosity, which quickly developed into an avid interest in reading and storytelling that led to a lifelong obsession with the written word and books. By fifteen she had discovered ancient civilisations and became fascinated with various mythologies.

She became a spectator of human nature, but quiet and shy, she preferred recording conduct, and so built a treasure-trove of relationship observations from which she eventually drew backgrounds for the characters in her romantic novels.

She studied Interior Design then turned to Creative Writing, and followed that with Script-writing.

Set in faraway and exotic places, Athina’s epic romances take her characters on voyages of self-discovery while dealing with catastrophic love lives in an imperfect world.

A stint as a high school English teacher polished her skills but she now concentrates on her professional goals of writing, editing, and proofreading.

http://authorathinaparis.com/index.html

Knight Kisses by Athina Paris Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A young woman who lost too much and closed her heart off to love’s possibility finds herself taking refuge in a relationship of convenience to avoid a troubling situation and to get her little sister the security they need in author Athina Paris’s “Knight Kisses”. 

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The Synopsis

After losing her mother to cancer, Gabrielle swears off love. Because loving hurts too much when things go wrong. Then, she travels to Africa to meet her father – a man whose existence she was oblivious to. Before long, there is also a baby sister to look after, and intuitively she knows that she needs to protect her. Promptly, there is another tragedy, and more than ever, Gabrielle realises how wise she is to lock away her heart. But that was before she met Jonathan Knight, a man who amuses and confuses her, and Paul, his best friend, who is just as smart and funny. Through an unfortunate sequence of events, she finds herself in a troublesome situation, but being who she is, she tries to handle it alone, unwittingly sinking into a morass of danger. A solution comes in the form of Paul, who makes a harebrained suggestion, which Jonathan – for reasons of his own – grabs and presents her with the providential arrangement. Instinctively, she declines the proposal, but Jonathan is persuasive and paints a wonderful picture of security. She accepts out of need, but soon, Jonathan’s ulterior motives unravel, and nothing is as it should be. But she can’t disclose the truth, for her secret could undo the safe future she is trying to create for her little sister.

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The Review

This was an emotional and twisty romance thriller. The author does an incredible job in this book of crafting a narrative that felt cinematic and yet relatable all at once, bringing high-octane action and drama with the inclusion of international intrigue, shady mob deals, and family drama with the more intimate moments of emotion regarding loss and love. The heavy atmosphere the author crafts in this book and the thoughtful approach to the story will keep readers invested as Gabrielle’s story unfolds.

To me, this narrative was all riding on Gabrielle’s evolution as a character. The struggle for her to build any sort of relationship, let alone a romantic one, as she fights to take care of her sister and fend off the shady mobsters whom her father brought into her life was so endearing and heartbreaking to read, and the emotional connection she makes with Jonathan as time goes on and the buildup of both the romance and suspense surrounding her all bring readers into the narrative over and over again.

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The Verdict

Memorable, heartfelt, and entertaining, author Athina Paris’s “Knight Kisses” is a must-read romantic thriller novel that readers won’t want to put down. The twists and turns in the narrative, the imagery that brings the narrative to life on the page, and the emotional connection readers form to Gabrielle’s story, made this a truly compelling novel to get lost in. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Athina Paris spent her formative years in Mozambique, where she was born. Years in convents and boarding schools prompted a deep curiosity, which quickly developed into an avid interest in reading and storytelling that led to a lifelong obsession with the written word and books. By fifteen she had discovered ancient civilizations and became fascinated with various mythologies.

She became a spectator of human nature, but quiet and shy, she preferred recording conduct, and so built a treasure-trove of relationship observations from which she eventually drew backgrounds for the characters in her romantic novels.

She studied Interior Design then turned to Creative Writing, and followed that with Script-writing.

Set in faraway and exotic places, Athina’s epic romances take her characters on voyages of self-discovery while dealing with catastrophic love lives in an imperfect world.

A stint as a high school English teacher polished her skills but she now concentrates on her professional goals of writing, editing, and proofreading.

http://www.authorathinaparis.com/index.html

https://twitter.com/athina_paris

Love & Madness by Athina Paris Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews1 Comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

After a father and powerful businessman manipulates his three sons and his empire begins to crumble, three women find themselves falling in love with the brothers and find themselves fighting to find happiness and stability in the wake of these manipulations in author Athina Paris’s “Love & Madness”.

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The Synopsis

Benjamin Powell believes he has begun an empire. He has three sons and owns the most successful construction company. But it all begins to crumble when he chooses to manipulate their lives. Twenty-seven years later, the consequences of his decisions are still being felt.

Three women enter this world and fall in love with the Powell men – Sofia, Christie, and Gloria – they will suffer, fight, win, and lose. Can one or all find their way back to happiness; whether with the man she loves, or with someone else? 

The Review

This was a rich and captivating romance novel. The detailed and engaging story does an incredible job of showcasing the complexities and emotional entanglements that come with relationships. The way author explored not only the romantic side of this narrative but the familial relationships of the narrative as well, showcasing how family relationships and bonds can be tested by everything from who we date to differences in career choices and even the cultural background of those we choose to spend our lives with. 

The character development and rich setting of this narrative added to the depth of emotional development that this story dove into. Immediately readers can feel the tension between Benjamin and his children, especially his oldest Robert. The complex story of how each of the Powell children was affected by both their mother’s passing and their father’s manipulations kept me as a reader invested in the story. The way the author was able to dive into the backstory of each of these characters showcased the depth that the author’s storytelling capabilities were able to reach, including the women who came into these men’s lives.

The Verdict

Heartfelt, emotional, and thought-provoking, author Athina Paris’s “Love & Madness” is a beautiful and epic romance and drama saga that readers won’t be able to put down. The twists and turns in the narrative, as well as the wellspring of emotions the narrative takes readers into, will have the reader enthralled and mesmerized at the same time, and the way the author is able to perfectly showcase the depth of humanity itself was a great storytelling device that will resonate long after the final page is turned. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Athina Paris lives in South Africa but spent her formative years in Mozambique, where she was born. Years in convents and boarding schools prompted a deep curiosity, which quickly developed into an avid interest in reading and storytelling that led to a lifelong obsession with the written word and books. By fifteen she had discovered ancient civilizations and became fascinated with various mythologies; a love she has kept to this day.

She became a spectator of human nature, but quiet and shy, she preferred recording conduct, and so built a treasure-trove of relationship observations from which she eventually drew backgrounds for the characters in her romantic novels.

She studied Interior Design then turned to Creative Writing, and followed that with Script-writing.

Set in faraway and exotic places, Athina’s epic romances take her characters on voyages of self-discovery while dealing with catastrophic love lives in an imperfect world.

A stint as a high school English teacher polished her skills but she now concentrates on her professional goals of writing, editing, and proofreading. 

http://www.authorathinaparis.com/index.html

https://twitter.com/athina_paris