The best-selling first memoir in the The Peloponnese Series of books, set in Greece

After an Arctic winter, a British recession, and a downturn in the newspaper industry, two journalists and their dog embark on an adventure in the wild and beautiful southern Peloponnese in 2010. A perfect plan, except for one thing - Greece is deep in economic crisis. And if fiscal failure can't overturn the couple's escapade in rural Greece, perhaps macabre local customs, a scorpion invasion, zero dog-tolerance, and eccentric expats will. This is a humorous and insightful journey through one of the last unspoilt regions of Greece. It is full of encounters with warm-hearted Greeks who show that this troubled country still has heroes, if not euros.

The story of Marjory, Jim, and their dog Wallace's adventures in southern Greece continue in the next two books: Homer's Where The Heart Is and A Scorpion In The Lemon Tree. And the novels, A Saint For The Summer and How Greek Is Your Love? are powerful contemporary tales set in the same wonderful region of Greece.


REVIEWS:

"Honestly, you won't be able to put this book down." Maria Karamitsos, The Greek Star newspaper, Chicago.

"An honest view of life in Greece today, as seen through the refreshingly unblinkered eyes of a very gifted author. An engaging, humour-spiced book that entertains and informs." Peter Kerr, bestselling author of Snowball Oranges.

"Marjory tells a good story with a journalist's eye for mood and detail... With luck she will write a second volume as entertaining, good-hearted and moving as this." Alex Martin, Anglo-Hellenic Review, London.

"A book to relax into, a wonderful record of Greece's uniqueness, written with wonderment, admiration and wit, all in equal measure." Anne Zouroudi, award-winning author of the Greek Detective series of novels.

"I fell in love with this book. With her good nature, insight and sense of pathos, the author perfectly portrays my country and compatriots, especially those in the villages." Margarita Nikolopoulou, Athenian poet

"The best book of its kind I've ever read. It has it all: humour, interesting facts and a good measure of sentiment... Marjory is a truly talented author." Effrosyni Moschoudi, author of The Lady of the Pier trilogy

"Marjory is a talented storyteller. Many descriptions and events made me laugh out loud, a feat until now only achieved by Douglas Adams and PG Wodehouse." Dawn, Amazon reviewer

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Marjory McGinn is a Scottish-born journalist who has worked as a feature writer for major newspapers in the UK, and in Australia, including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Times, The Daily Mail and The Scotsman. Based in the UK, she regularly spends time in Greece. She writes a blog with a Greek theme on her website.

"Expat book of the year, 2015." The Displaced Nation, expat site.

Homer's Where the Heart Is continues the story where the acclaimed first memoir left off. Two journalists and their crazy terrier Wallace are into the second year of an amazing adventure, living in the wild Mani, southern Greece. They share an olive grove with their new Greek landlords as the country veers towards bankruptcy and social upheaval.

They are soon pulled into the chaos of the economic crisis with some of the original village characters from Marjory's first memoir, Things Can Only Get Feta. This candid memoir is also the story of the author’s passion for Greece. Woven into the narrative is Marjory’s thrilling back story from another dark time while she was working in Athens, during the military dictatorship of the 1970s. It will reveal haunting parallels between this period of history and the current crisis and will highlight as much about Greece as it does about her own personal journey at a young age.

Homer also takes the reader on a memorable journey around the Mani, including an exclusive tour of the late Patrick Leigh Fermor's unique home in Kardamili, and a trip to the island of Kythera. This edition also features some of the author's own photographs of Greece.

REVIEWS

"Marjory is a skilled wordsmith who has combined her journalistic expertise and story-telling flair to create a highly laudable sequel to Things Can Only Get Feta. Informative and entertaining." - Peter Kerr, best-selling author of Snowball Oranges.

"Beautifully written, at times funny and always insightful, it entertains and at the same time gives us a unique perspective on an indomitable country coping with crisis. What more could you ask for?" - Richard Clark, author of the Greek Notebook series.

"Through her stories, sentiments and humor, we see and feel her love for Greece. Put this at the top of your summer reading list." - Maria A. Karamitsos, founder and editor of WindyCity Greek, in Chicago.

"Marjory takes us on an odyssey with mind, heart and great skill. I loved reading this book." - Pamela Jane Rogers, author of Greekscapes.

"Another wonderful book by Marjory McGinn. The ending tugged at my heart." - Linda Fagioli-Katsiotas, author of Greek memoir, The Nifi.

"Marjory writes at a level that sits with the best of the travelogue genre. Her depth of characterisation and turns of phrase are outstanding." - Amazon reviewer.

"Beautifully written. Her historic insight gives this book a gravitas far beyond its genre without taking anything away from a charming read." - Anthony Hooper, author of The Glass Lie.

"A fascinating and heartwarming memoir. I absolutely loved this book and had a huge lump in my throat at the end of it." - Valerie Poore, author of Watery Ways.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Marjory McGinn is a Scottish-born journalist who has worked as a feature writer for major newspapers in the UK, and in Australia, including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Times, The Daily Mail and The Scotsman. Based in the UK, she regularly spends time in Greece. In 2010 she moved to the Mani, southern Greece, with her partner Jim and famously mad terrier Wallace, during the economic crisis, which became the basis for her two travel memoirs.

"A captivating book - grabs the reader's attention and holds it right to the end." Peter Kerr, Times best-selling author.

This sequel to the novel A Saint For The Summer (Book 2 in the Bronte in Greece series), is a page-turning mystery drama full of romance and humour. Expat Bronte McKnight is in the early days of her love affair with charismatic doctor Leonidas Papachristou. But as Bronte tries to live and love like a Greek, the economic crisis spawns an unlikely predator in the village. While she begins to question her sunny existence in Greece, an old love from Leonidas’s past also makes a troubling appearance.

Now working as a freelance journalist, when Bronte is offered an interview with a famous novelist, and part-time expat, it seems serendipitous. But the encounter becomes a puzzle that takes her deep into the wild Mani region of the southern Peloponnese, for which she enlists the help of her maverick father Angus, and the newest love of her life, Zeffy, the heroic rescue dog.

The challenges Bronte faces bring dramatic as well as humorous outcomes as she tries to find a foothold in her Greek paradise. But can she succeed?

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THIS BOOK:

"I loved this book. It's a delightful trip to the Mani region and the author's love for Greece shines through. How wonderful to reunite with these characters from A Saint For The Summer. And I'm sad to say goodbye to them again." Maria Karamitsos, Founder and Editor of WindyCity Greek, Chicago

"An entertaining, skilfully crafted book that confirms Marjory McGinn as an author of popular fiction to be reckoned with." Peter Kerr, award-winning author of the Mallorcan series of memoirs

"Super characters. Some books fade and lose their way - not with this author. Marjory sure can write a wonderful story that holds you until the last page. What a gift!" Amazon reviewer

"This book was a page turner for me. There is suspense, lots of laughs, sadness, and a few tears shed." Sandy McKenna, reviewer and blogger.

"I romped through How Greek Is your Love? and now I want to know what happens next. I've loved all this author's books and I sincerely hope there will be more." Valerie Poore, author of the Watery Ways series of books

"My favourite Greek book of 2020." Amazon reviewer

Following on from the first two acclaimed travel memoirs (Things Can Only Get Feta and Homer’s Where The Heart Is), Marjory, Jim and their crazy dog Wallace are on a second hilarious odyssey in southern Greece but this time they end up in a peninsula they didn’t choose, and a house they never wanted to live in. How did this happen? Easy, this is Greece and nothing ever goes to plan.

The couple’s latest adventure in Koroni, on the Messinian peninsula, takes them on another perilous and funny journey, with house rental dramas, scorpion threats, a publishing upheaval, and much more. But when they are finally seduced by the charm of unspoilt Koroni, make new friends, grapple with Greek lessons, and reconnect with some of the memorable characters of their Mani days, they discover once more why they are in love with this resilient country, despite its ongoing economic crisis. And there’s not even a sting in this tale. Well … not one you could imagine!

What readers love about A Scorpion In The Lemon Tree:

"This book is rare within the travel writing genre. It cleverly combines a travel narrative with enlightened observations about Greece, while retaining a light and entertaining touch.” – Peter Kerr, best-selling author of Snowball Oranges

"A wonderful writer and storyteller. And her depth of research is spot on."

"An excellent ambassador for Greece."

"I have read a lot of travel books but this author is one of the very best writers."

"A gem of a book. Much more than a travel memoir, you get a feel for what Greeks are thinking."

"This book deserves to be on every traveller's bucket list."

"All three memoirs are often funny, sometimes sad and always interesting."

"This book is on my madly-in-love-with bookshelf!" - Linda Katsiotas, author

A powerful contemporary tale from the author of the memoir, Things Can Only Get Feta.

In this romantic suspense novel, Bronte McKnight is summoned to a hillside village in the wild and beautiful Mani region of Greece by her expat father Angus. She must help him solve a family mystery from the Second World War when his father disappeared in Greece during the disastrous Battle of Kalamata, known as ‘the Greek Dunkirk’.

With the country gripped by economic crisis, and the clock ticking against them, their near-impossible quest takes them from Kalamata to a remote mountain village where its inhabitants are bound by old traditions and secrecy. As tensions rise, the pair are helped in their search by unforgettable characters, especially charismatic doctor Leonidas Papachristou. He has a pivotal role, not least in challenging Bronte’s assumption that she hasn’t the time or the courage to fall in love in Greece.

The secrets unearthed by Angus and Bronte will be painful and astonishing and the heart-warming conclusion is one you'll never forget.

“Marjory McGinn is a very gifted author.” (Peter Kerr, best-selling writer, Mallorcan Series)

Why readers love A SAINT FOR THE SUMMER

"This author can write! Engaging story that is a literary feast."

"An excellent book. I was hooked from the first page."

"When I read this author's books, I walk the journeys and with this book, I am Bronte."

"I loved the characters and found it all so moving."

"A brilliant read … there is closure, reconciliation and the hope of new life."

"Marjory is a wonderful author, very funny and entertaining."

"Superb narrative, engaging characters, witty and fast paced."