Part of Series
Sophia Giannakos will settle for nothing less than the rare love her parents share. At a tender and impressionable age, she has found her soul mate in Dean, the boy she has known her whole life—until secrets and deceptions pull them apart. No stranger to heartache, Anastacia, Sophia's mother, attempts to comfort her without revealing ugly family truths that could haunt her daughter's future. In the year 1956, Anastacia, a former NYU student, finds herself in the challenging role of a single parent. Left with emotional wounds from a bad marriage, she is reluctant to trust and resists her growing feelings for Alexandros, an old acquaintance. But his persistence and unconditional love for Ana and her child is eventually rewarded, and his love is returned. In a misguided but well-intentioned effort to protect the ones they love, both Ana and Alex keep secrets—ones that could threaten the delicate balance of their family. The story continues in the 1970s, as their daughter attempts to negotiate between two cultures. Greek-American teenagers, Sophia and Dean, have shared a special connection since childhood. Although their desire for one another is undeniable, Dean resists her, rebelling against the pressure his father places on him to uphold his Greek heritage. When he can no longer fight his feelings, Dean asks Sophia to conceal their love. She hesitantly complies until it becomes too much for her. Like her mother, Sophia loves with every fiber of her soul, leaving her shattered when Dean pulls away from his family, culture, and ultimately his love for her, leaving her no choice but to find a life different than the one she'd hoped for. Evanthia's Gift is a multigenerational love story spanning fifty years and across two continents, chronicling the lives that unify two families.
Author
Effie Kammenou believes that it is never too late to chase your dreams, follow your heart, or change your career. She is proof of that. At one time, long ago, she'd hoped that by her age, she would have had an Oscar in her hand after a successful career as an actor. But instead, she worked in the optical field for forty years while raising her two daughters. In 2015, three years after her mother died from pancreatic cancer, she published her debut novel, Evanthia's Gift, the first book in a women's fiction, multigenerational love story, and family saga, inspired by her mother and her Greek heritage. Kammenou continues to pick her father's brain for stories of his family's life in Lesvos, Greece, and their journey to America. Her interview with him was published in the nationally circulated magazine Reminisce. Evanthia's Gift: Book One in The Gift Saga was a 2016 finalist in the Readers Favorite Book Awards. Book two, Waiting for Aegina, was awarded finalist status in the 2019 International Book Awards. Chasing Petalouthes, the last book in the trilogy, also placed in the Readers Favorite Book Awards for the 2018 contest. Kammenou's latest project is The Meraki Series. Both Love is What You Bake of it and Love by Design are available now. Book three: Love is Worth Fighting for is set for its release on June 24, 2022, and is available for preorder. This series is a contemporary romance focused on three sisters and their quest for love and professional success despite their sometimes stifling and meddling family. But it wouldn't be a Kammenou novel without delving into the past or references to mouth-watering foods. A mystery shadowed by a historical event in Greek history is slowly uncovered over the course of the three books. As a bonus, each book contains traditional Greek recipes, many of which were passed down from her Athenian mother. Effie Kammenou is a first-generation Greek-American who lives on Long Island. When she's not writing or posting recipes on her food blog, aptly named Cheffie's Kitchen, you can find her entertaining family and friends, or traveling for 'research.' She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Theater Arts from Hofstra University. For updates on promotions, events, and new releases, follow Effie on Social media or log onto her website and sign up for her newsletter. Website - http://effiekammenou.com Newsletter signup - https://www.subscribepage.com/effieka... https://twitter.com/EffieKammenou www.facebook.com/EffieKammenou https://www.instagram.com/effiekammen... Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjMZ...
