The Adonis Touch Launch Party!

A warm welcome to the fun launch of the second novella in my Aphrodite and Adonis series, The Adonis Touch. As with the first novella, The Aphrodite Touch, this one is again set on the beautiful Mediterranean island of Cyprus. The fun is also going on over on Facebook and one copy of The Adonis Touch will be given away to a commenter on Tirgearr Publishing's Heart of Fiction blog - have a look there later this morning! I will be giving away one Amazon voucher (£5 or $5) to someone on here and one on Facebook from the comments - which should be enough to buy a couple of e-books!

Here’s the Blurb to set the scene

When thirty-something Katie Murray agrees to go on holiday to the romantic island of Cyprus with the man in her life, Mike Sinclair, it’s on the understanding they have separate rooms. Much as she hopes their relationship might develop into something more, she is still not completely over the untimely death of her husband and only lover, childhood sweetheart, Paul. Can she put her sadness behind her, let go of her inhibitions and learn to love again?

On Cyprus in spring time, Aphrodite and Adonis are reunited after two seasons apart and in between renewing their love for each other they watch the influx of tourists to Paphos, choosing the next couple to benefit from their special help. Recognising the sadness in Katie’s eyes and the love Mike waits to share, the mythological couple are determined to do all in their power to ensure the two humans discover the joy that awaits them. Will Adonis work his own type of magic touch?

So please pull up a chair, help yourself to a drink and some nibbles and watch the short trailer.

The Adonis Touch

I’ve had a fascination for Greek mythology since school days and while I wanted to write contemporary romance, I prefer if it has a touch of mystery, adventure or fantasy along with the love story (this has fantasy). We visited Cyprus many years ago and I was immediately captivated by its romance, history and legend. There are so many references to Aphrodite that my imagination was fired and ready to wander among the ruins and beauty spots in the hope that the goddess still walked amongst the local and tourists. And so the series was born.

Although Aphrodite was the goddess of love and took many lovers of her own, I especially felt drawn to the references involving Adonis. Some say he was completely mortal but other ancient writers suggest he was a demi-god. The fun part of writing fiction of course is that you can make up your own rules! More importantly for my series - Aphrodite was wildly in love with him. Adonis is also mentioned a lot on Cyprus and I was delighted to discover – after I’d written a sexy scene there - that he and Aphrodite used to bathe in Aphrodite’s Baths.  Why shouldn't they still appear there at times? I did say this was partly a fantasy romance, didn't I!

Please help yourself to some cake and pretend you’re in this flower-filled café with the scent of Mediterranean herbs all around.

Do you have a favourite island, either near home or far away? You can post a picture of it on Facebook if you like.

Quiz - what Greek goddess are you? I'm Athena and happy with that! Try the quiz if you dare.

Certificate: Test results What Greek Goddess Are You?

You are Athena! Talented, brave, smart, wise and peaceful, there's nothing about you to not like. But sometimes you are in your own zone. Pull out of this and see all of the people around you! You like arts and crafts. You are resourceful and full of ideas, and you're sure to make a difference in the world!
 
Take this quiz: What Greek Goddess Are You?

So where is Cyprus?

An island country in the Mediterranean, Cyprus is roughly situated between Greece, Turkey, Syria and Israel. It is mainly divided into two: the Greek part in the south and Turkish in the north. That's Cyprus to the right on this old map, with Crete on the left.

My series is set in and around Paphos, in Greek Cyprus – an area very much identified with Aphrodite. According to Homer, Aphrodite was born at the rocks along the coast from Paphos, known as Petra Tou Romiou (Aphrodite’s birthplace). There's a scene set here in the first novella, The Aphrodite Touch. Here’s how Homer describes it in his Odysssey VIII.

‘Laughter-loving Aphrodite went to Cyprus, to Paphos. The moist breeze of zephyr brought her there on the waves of the sea, with a noise of thunder, among the soft foam, and the gold-dressed Horä (beautiful women priestesses) received her with joy.’ You might know the famous Botticelli painting that depicts this scene.

I think it must be time for some Champagne and cake. Please raise a glass to send The Adonis Touch on its way into cyberspace. 

And if anyone would like to read The Adonis Touch, you can download it on kindle from Amazon UK, Amazon US and in all e-formats from Tirgearr Publishing! 

As a special offer to celebrate publication of this second novella, the first in the series, The Aphrodite Touch, is now available at the bargain price of $.99 from Amazon US and Amazon UK at £.77!

Thank you all so much for joining in the fun today, here and on Facebook, to help me celebrate the launch of The Adonis Touch. If you've been kind enough to buy the novella, I do hope you enjoy reading it and might even like to leave a review on Amazon if you think it deserves it!

Rosemary (Romy)