Guest Post With Eva Glyn

This week I am delighted to welcome fellow Cariad and wonderfully supportive writing friend, Jane Cable, who also writes as EVA GLYN, onto the blog. I had the privilege of reading an early draft of her latest novel, The Santorini Writing Retreat, and loved it. It was published by One More Chapter on May 22nd.

Eva, welcome back to the blog. I think you're going to tell us about the writing retreats you yourself have been on so it's over to you.

THE SPANISH WRITING RETREAT

No, the heading isn’t a typo, it’s just that The Santorini Writing Retreat owes so much to the Spanish writing retreats I’ve been on that when Jan kindly invited me onto her blog, I wanted to tell you all about them.

I always liked the idea of going away for a week to write, and five years ago I finally had the opportunity to attend a retreat led by Rosanna Ley in the hills just outside Malaga. I was so excited because I love Rosanna’s books, but at that point never dreamt that I would one day be writing destination fiction too. I just wanted to learn everything I could from a mistress of her craft.

Finca feedback session

Rosanna’s retreats are held at the fabulous Finca el Cerrillo, a small hotel designed with retreats and courses in mind. The owners, Sue and Gordon Kind, bought the former olive mill as little more than a shell, and have spent years lovingly restoring it, extending it, creating a beautiful garden and an atmosphere conducive to creativity. When I first arrived I burst into tears when I saw my room; so beautiful, so light. So calm.

Finca tree house

Having stayed at Finca el Cerrillo I knew how important it was that Zina, who owns the retreat house on Santorini, created the same wonderful vibe for her guests. The same quality home cooked food, the same warm welcome. But I went further than that; the honesty bar, the juke box game the guests play, are borrowed directly from the finca – with the blessing of Sue and Gordon, of course.

Finca opening doors

I have also structured the retreat my would-be writers enjoy around the programme Rosanna uses. A free writing prompt first thing in the morning to get those creative cogs whirring, followed by a workshop session. Then free time to write for the rest of the day until the group comes back together to share their work in the early evening. And one-to-one sessions with the tutor, of course. Absolutely invaluable.

One thing I did not expect from attending Rosanna’s retreats was the friends I would make. The group has changed over the years, but there are still familiar faces from my very first visit in 2019. So I knew, just knew, that my protagonists would become the closest of friends. The sort of friends who will support each other whatever – much as the finca group has supported me, both with this book and in my wider writing life. So it’s entirely fitting that The Santorini Writing Retreat is dedicated to them. 

Find out more about Finca el Cerrillo and its retreats and courses here: https://hotelfinca.com/

Thank you, Eva. The Spanish retreats sound wonderful and having read your novel, it must have been invaluable for you to be able to draw on the experiences you've had on those when writing your fictional one set in Santorini. 

BIO

Eva Glyn writes destination fiction set in sunny Mediterranean climes. After four books (two dual timeline historical romances and two about new beginnings and friendship) set in Croatia, The Santorini Writing Retreat is her first fictional visit to Greece. She lives in Cornwall with her husband of almost thirty years, and also writes as Jane Cable.

BLURB for The Santorini Writing Retreat

Three women, one writing retreat, endless possibilities…

Bestselling author Jessica Rose needs to escape from a terrible secret that’s robbed her of her creativity. Could leading a retreat on a gorgeous Greek island be just what she needs?

Coming home to Santorini was never in Zina’s plans, but now she’s determined to make her new business a success.

And then there’s Karmela, who just wants to write her book and make her mother proud.

In the heat of their Greek island paradise, these new friends find the courage to shape their own stories, and write endings they can all be proud of…

https://mybook.to/SantoriniRetreat

Thank you for reading.  I hope you enjoyed learning about the retreats held at Finca el Cerrillo as much as I did. I highly recommend The Santorini Writing Retreat and you may read my review here:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7587559510?book_show_action=false

You may also follow me on:

X/Twitter - @JanBaynham.

FaceBook - Jan Baynham Writer

Instagram - janbaynham

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For more information about me and my books, please visit my AMAZON page.

Did you know that all my novels are available to read on KINDLE UNLIMITED for those of you who subscribe?

MY NOVEL NEWS

As promised, here is the beautiful cover of my fifth novel, set in rural mid-Wales and stunning Kefalonia. 

Two lost women. One Greek island. A secret that spans generations.

It will be published on August 5th and is available for Pre-order at 0.99p. and 0.99c. 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silent-Sister-captivating-sun-drenched-historical-ebook/dp/B0FCH2BY4H/

https://www.amazon.com/Silent-Sister-captivating-sun-drenched-historical-ebook/dp/B0FCH2BY4H/

It is also available on NetGalley. 

https://www.netgalley.co.uk/catalog/book/653204

A box set of my first three novels is now available at 0.99p. and 0.99c. 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/B0FC5TS4D4/

https://www.amazon.com/Island-Secrets-Books-1-3-historical-ebook/dp/B0FC5TS4D4/

If you have Amazon Prime, The Secret Sister is now one of the novels you may read for free.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 Guest Post With Luisa A. Jones?

This week I'm thrilled to welcome fellow Cariad and writing buddy, Luisa A. Jones, onto the blog. Her fifth novel, What We Left Behind, was published on May 30th and is already receiving fabulous, well-deserved reviews. 

Luisa, welcome! I think you're going to tell us what you found when researching evacuees for your latest novel. It's now over to you.

Thanks, Jan. In my historical novels, I explore aspects of Welsh history, especially the role of women in the past. During the Second World War thousands of women across Britain took in strangers, including children. It can’t have been easy given the differences in habits, lifestyles and expectations between city dwellers and country folk.

In What We Left Behind, I was keen to write about the experiences of evacuees and their
hosts. I read various history books and autobiographical accounts, and used online archives as well as publications from the time. I was also fortunate to be able to speak to someone who enjoyed his time as an evacuee, and to the daughter of an evacuee who described her mother’s experience of racism when she arrived in South Wales.

I was struck by the wide variety of experiences, and drew on various examples in the book, like the children who devised a code to let their parents know if they were unhappy, fearing their letters home would be censored, and the child who wasn’t allowed access to their billet during daylight hours, who had to stay out in the cold and rain. I read about another child who didn’t realise boiled eggs should have their shell removed before eating, and couldn’t resist using it in my story. And you told me a great story, Jan, about your great aunt hosting a boy from Liverpool who tried to eat his cornflakes with a knife and fork because he’d never seen them before!

Many evacuees recall lining up to be picked out by hosts, as if they were goods on display. The following extract from What We Left Behind was inspired by a child who tied himself to his siblings to prevent them from being separated.

The boy fumbled in his pocket, then the three children huddled together, whispering.

The woman paused, annoyed at being delayed. “Come along, now,” she snapped.

All three children shook their heads.

The boy spoke up, his chin tilted upwards and his nostrils flaring in defiance even though his eyes were wide with fear. “Only if you take us all,” he said.

“Don’t be impudent. I never heard of anything so silly."

It didn’t strike Dodie as silly at all. Of course they didn’t want to be severed from the people they loved. They’d already been forced to leave their parents and homes. What was silly about them clinging to each other?

“I’ve told you I can only take one. Do as you’re told and be grateful to be offered a billet. There are many who wouldn’t be so generous.” The woman grabbed the little girl’s forearm, only to exclaim impatiently and call out to the teacher. “Look here. He’s tied them together!”

Dodie saw that the boy had indeed tied his wrists together with those of his sisters. It would be easy enough for an adult to cut the string, but her heart went out to them at the thought of how desperate they must be even to think of trying such a thing.  

I hope you enjoyed this snippet from the book and that it’s whetted your appetite to find out what happens next. Thank you for allowing me to share it on your fabulous blog.

It's a pleasure, Luisa. I don't think we can imagine what it must have been like for both the children and the parents having to send their children off to strangers. You have captured this perfectly in your novel. It's a beautiful story and you can read my review here:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7607766002

Author bio

Luisa A Jones lives in South Wales. She studied Classical Studies at Royal Holloway, University of London.

Luisa writes captivating and emotional fiction with characters you’ll root for from the first page. Her first historical novel in The Fitznortons series, The Gilded Cage, quickly became a #1 Amazon bestseller in Victorian Historical Romance. The sequel, The Broken Vow, was a #1 Amazon bestseller in Gilded Age Historical Romance.

She is currently writing a new series for Storm Publishing, set in Wales during the Second World War. The first book, What We Left Behind, was published on 30th May 2025.

Book blurb

1939. Bombs threaten London and five small children step onto a rickety train, clutching their gas masks, heading to an uncertain future…

When the war with Nazi Germany sends five displaced children to her door, Dodie Fitznorton knows life in her quiet village will never be the same. The baggage these little ones bring is far more than just their tattered suitcases. Eight-year-old Olive trembles when spoken to and won’t say how she got a bruised lip, and her brother Peter seems angry at the entire world. Then Dodie meets the children’s teacher, Patrick Winter, who makes her feel she’s not alone in this fight.

As darkness falls over Europe, Dodie's fragile sanctuary begins to feel like a fortress under siege. With whispers of spies in the village and the children’s precious futures at stake, Dodie must decide who to trust before everything she's built crumbles to ashes around her…

A deeply poignant tale of love forged in wartime – heartwarming, captivating and impossible to forget.

Buying link

https://geni.us/726-al-aut-am

Links

www.luisaajones.com – Sign up for my newsletter and a free short story

https://www.facebook.com/LuisaAJonesauthor/

https://www.instagram.com/luisa_a_jones_author/

https://bsky.app/profile/luisaajones.bsky.social

https://www.bookbub.com/profile/luisa-a-jones?list=about

Thank you for reading. I'm sure you enjoyed the short excerpt from Luisa's book pulled at your heartstrings as it did mine. Do you have any stories about evacuees? We'd love it if you shared them. Thank you. 

You may also follow me on:

X/Twitter - @JanBaynham.

FaceBook - Jan Baynham Writer

Instagram -janbaynham

Bluesky - Jan Baynham

For more information about me and my books, please visit my AMAZON page.

Did you know that all my novels are available to read on KINDLE UNLIMITED for those of you who subscribe?

Shortlisted for Romantic Saga of the Year 2024

'I was transported to stunning Sicily and enjoyed the senses evoked through the setting and food. The mystery woven into the novel is compelling, and I love the art theme.'

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

STOP PRESS - My fifth novel, The Silent Sister, is coming out on August 7th. Watch this space for the stunning cover reveal and how you can read it on NetGalley very soon.

 Research Trip to Crete - Part Two

Sunset from Chania harbour

On the third morning of our stay in Chania, we awoke with a bang, literally! The whole apartment shook and immediate thoughts were of a possible earthquake. I have never experienced a thunderstorm like it. Fork lightning zig-zagged through the dawn sky followed almost immediately by deafening claps of thunder. The rain was torrential and it seemed like our plans for the day were dashed. We both received a severe weather warning on our phones. 

Critical weather warning

Flooded carpark after the storm

When the rain and thunder eventually eased somewhat, my daughter went to check on our hire car. Just in time, as it happened. Although we had a wet start to the day, the storm passed and we were able to continue with our research after all. 

Typical house in Chalepa, Chania

Our first stop was in the wealthier area of Chalepa where I wanted to find inspiration for houses for Dimitrios's parents and grandparents. We visited the house of Eleftherios Venizelos, a prominent leader of the Greek national liberation movement. He served as Prime Minister for over twelve years. His residence is now a beautifully preserved museum and although it will not appear in the novel, it was interesting to learn more about Greek political history at the turn of the 20th century. The whole area where his house is situated gave me ideas for the homes of a wealthy shipowner and his son. 

Secluded cove

From there, we explored the coast to find a secluded beach that could only be approached by boat. The roads became narrower and narrower with no passing places and we were able to look down on the small beach from above. 

The bay Dimitrios had chosen was a few kilometres out of Fáros Limáni. They turned off the main road and below them was a breathtaking view of a small secluded cove edging the aquamarine sea. The colours of the water changed through shades of turquoise and teal to a deep sapphire at the horizon. The last part of the lane came to a dead end and had been flattened out for a limited amount of parking where Dimitrios parked the scooter under some juniper trees. From there on, the beach could only be reached on foot. Taking their swimming things and bags from the two panniers on the scooter, they walked single file down the narrow stony path to the beach with Dimitrios leading the way. The smell was strong as their legs brushed the wild herbs in the coarse grass. 

On our way back, we encountered the second crisis of the day! A large bin lorry had broken down on the single-track road and had phoned for help. The only problem was that the break-down truck was in Chania, almost an hour away. 'Electrics gone,' said one of the men. It was the only way back so we resigned ourselves to sitting and waiting. Luckily, whatever the bin men did after a time, they got the vehicle going and after following them to a wider stretch of the road, we were able to go on our way. We stopped in a pretty seaside village where I decided would be the home of Greta's artist friend, Margot, and then visited Chania cemetery. 

Chania Cemetery

Through black metal gates set in a white-rendered wall, Zoë saw a sea of white marble. She entered, struck by the silence, hearing her breaths as she walked. Most of the tombstones and graves had a simple white marble cross mounted on a marble sarcophagus on which was an oval enamelled portrait of the loved one buried beneath. Some had candles and flowers while others had upright slabs of marble displayed at an angle on which inscriptions were written. The graves were placed very close together and were interspersed with narrow concrete paths. Zoë ambled along each row looking for John Carter’s name. She was about to give up when she found his grave tucked away in a far corner in the shade of an orange tree. His name in capital letters and underneath the date of his death in numerals, 15-05- 62, was written on a block of white marble, now grimy and green. Uncared for, there was no other inscription on the tombstone. Scorched weeds and grasses had grown through the white chippings bringing with them the sandy soil underneath and had died in the hot sun. She bent over and pulled some up, promising that when she moved to Fáros Limáni she would maintain John’s grave regularly like the ones that surrounded it. Poor John. Alone in a foreign graveyard, with no one to remember you.

Matala beach

The next day we left Chania and headed to Matala on Crete's south coast. Up in the mountains, we travelled through some torrential rain but by the time we got to the village famous for its hippie caves, the sun was shining again. Greta first visited the beautiful beach before the flower people arrived and it was the place where Zoë had chosen to scatter her mother's ashes.

Where Greta's ashes were scattered

Walking barefoot over the sand, Zoë made her way to the rock she’d picked out. The water was crystal clear and gentle waves broke around her ankles as she sat putting off what she’d gone there to do. Mam, I can see why you wanted to return. Crete is beautiful and I hope I’ve chosen the right place. Zoë took the urn out of her bag and unscrewed the lid. After checking no one was near, she took a deep breath, she slowly tipped the ashes into the water. Tears trickled down her cheeks. ‘Good-bye, Sleep well. I love you.’ The ashes mingled with the water and settled onto the flat rock underneath the surface of the water. Soon a wave came and washed them out to sea. ‘Return to nature, Mam.’ 

Our last night was spent in a hotel in Heraklion near to the airport for our return flight to Manchester the next day. It had been a whirlwind five days where I'd managed to tick off the things I wanted to see and find out. Since my return, I've been busy editing and tweaking the first draft of The Stolen Sister in the light of my research.

You may also follow me on:

X/Twitter - @JanBaynham

FaceBook - Jan Baynham Writer

Instagram -janbaynham

Bluesky - Jan Baynham

For more information about me and my books, please visit my AMAZON page.

Did you know that all my novels are available to read on KINDLE UNLIMITED for those of you who subscribe?

Shortlisted for Romantic Saga of the Year 2024

'I was transported to stunning Sicily and enjoyed the senses evoked through the setting and food. The mystery woven into the novel is compelling, and I love the art theme.'

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Research Trip To Crete - Part One

Chania Venetian Lighthouse

Last week, I travelled to Crete with my daughter, Jo, to find out more about the area where novel six, with its working title of The Stolen Sister, is partially set. I've named the fictional town where much of the story takes place Fáros Limáni (Lighthouse Port in Greek). It's based on the town of Chania, famous for its Venetian lighthouse, on the north-west coast of Crete and was where we stayed in its old town for three nights.The dual timeline novel is set in the 1950s and the 1970s so by staying there gave us more of an idea of what Chania was like in both those eras. 

From the first draft of the novel, I'd made a list of places to visit, a list of things to check and, the best bit, typical Cretan foods to sample! My main character, Greta, was an artist who joined an art commune in the town. I decided on using one of the now derelict ship sheds situated close to the harbour as the building where the artists lived and painted.

Typical street in the old town

On the first full day in Chania, we first visited the Tourist Information Centre where a very helpful staff member was able to tell us what maternity services were like in Crete in the '50s, even ringing her cousin to check that she was born in a clinic rather than be delivered as a home birth which was common in Britain at the time. There were no ambulances, she told us, but a mother experiencing complications would be taken to hospital by taxi or car. She was also able to confirm some instances of stolen babies that I'd read about.

We spent the rest of the day visiting places mentioned in the novel. In the 1970 story, Zoë remembers playing in rock pools with a young boy and these on Nea Chora beach seemed ideal. 

It wasn’t far until she came to a row of small cottages on the street above a sandy beach. As she got nearer, the strong feeling of déjà vu returned. She stopped. Images of playing on the rocks and finding crabs in the rock pools came back to her. There was a boy she used to play with. Nikos... Zoë got out the photos from her bag and found one of two children playing on the beach. In the left of the photograph were the flat rocks she saw in front of her.

Tavernas and kafenía are mentioned a lot in the story and it only seemed right that we visited them!

Cretan beer, Charma

Dakos, a typical Cretan dish 

Traditional Greek salad

A rather large bougatsa 

Complimentary raki and 
portokalopita (Greek orange phyllo cake)

Greek yoghurt and honey

Eléni explained what each of the dishes were. 'Kali orexi. Bon appetit.' 

    'Dimitrios will tell you I'm not very adventurous when it comes to trying out Greek food but I am getting better, aren't I?' said Zoë.

    He squeezed her hand. 'You are. You're eating olives like a true Greek now.' They both laughed. 'But I don't think you're ready for the octopus.' He picked up a piece of pink grilled tentacle and began eating. 'There's a lot here you have already tried, Zoë mou.' He pointed to the dolmas, mini chicken souvlaki, the pitta bread and the hummus, as well as all the salads she loved. 'Echfaristo, Yiayia.Nothing too adventurous.'

    'The octopus was especially for you, agápi mou.' Dimitrios blew a kiss at his grandmother.

    'It looks wonderful, Eléni.' Zoë pointed to one platter. 'With the colours of all the fresh vegetables arranged around the bowl of tzaziki, it looks just like an artist's palette.'

Next time, Part Two will tell you about the critical weather warning we had on the Tuesday morning, a visit to Chalepa, a wealthy area of Chania, for inspiration for Dimitrios's parents' and grandparents' homes, finding a secluded cove and, on the last day, a trip to the hippie caves in Matala at the south of the island where Zoë scattered Greta's ashes. I hope you've enjoyed reading the first part and will return to read part two. Thank you. 

I'm excited to get back to the story of The Stolen Sister to tweak the first draft ready for submission in June. A huge thank you to Jo who again acted as my amazing tour guide and chauffeur for the five days. 

You may also follow me on:

X/Twitter - @JanBaynham

FaceBook - Jan Baynham Writer

Instagram -janbaynham

Bluesky - Jan Baynham

For more information about me and my books, please visit my AMAZON page.

Did you know that all my novels are available to read on KINDLE UNLIMITED for those of you who subscribe?

Shortlisted for Romantic Saga of the Year 2024

'I was transported to stunning Sicily and enjoyed the senses evoked through the setting and food. The mystery woven into the novel is compelling, and I love the art theme.'

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 Guest Post With Amanda Giles

Beside the Seaside

This week, I'm delighted to welcome another fellow Cariad author, Amanda Giles, to the blog. Her novel,The Beat of Our Hearts, will be published by Ulverscroft in July when you will be able to find it in your local libraries.

Welcome, Amanda. Please tell us about your lovely new novel.

Over to you!  

Thanks for inviting me on to your blog, Jan.

The Beat Of Our Hearts is my debut novel. Originally titled Drummer Boy, it’s been living in my writer’s mind for quite a while. As an 80s girl at heart, I remain a fan of the music. I’ve a romance story about a ‘New Romantic’ band tucked away in a box, which focused on the singer. However, drummer Jonny was always a favourite character. I was wondering about a romance for him when into my mind came Sian, fully formed. (It’s fab when that happens!) She was a Welsh army training sergeant, not given to the nonsense of the pop music world. I knew that one day they would have their own story.

We used to live in Hastings. It’s a vibrant town with a lively creative hub. Of course, it has a glorious history, 1066 and all that, but it relishes any excuse for a procession, preferably with fancy dress, fire, drums, and alcohol. May Day’s Jack in the Green is a favourite event, with a giant marched through the town and thrown off a cliff to release the summer. (As you do!) If you don’t wear green, then you will be ‘greened’ with face paint. On Hastings Day, 14th October, Kent and Sussex Bonfire Societies parade in bizarre fancy dress, blazing torches held aloft, banging drums, and quaffing beer. (Did I mention alcohol?) It culminates in enormous bonfires on the beach. Being an anarchic bunch, the grotesque effigies are usually political figures.

I honed my writing skills at Hastings Writers’ Group, one of whose founding members was author Catherine Cookson. I actually won the Catherine Cookson Cup in 2017.

We moved to mid-Wales in 2021. Sure enough, Sian and Jonny popped up to remind me of their existence. Bo the border collie brought their story to life, which begins with a journey from London to Llandovery. We explored their Welsh route, visiting Tintern Abbey and Raglan Castle, and sampled the Welsh cakes. I even marched into the Castle Inn on a whim, where they showed me the bedroom with the fourposter bed. However, I must confess I only ventured part way down Devil’s Bridge Waterfalls (gulp!). It was fascinating and became Sian’s family’s proposal point. Research can be a challenge but great fun.

Devil's Bridge

Proposal point at Rheidol Gorge

Breezy day at Tintern Abbey

Set in 1988, rock star drummer Jonny comes to the rescue of army training sergeant Sian, not with a white charger, but with a red… Well, you’ll find out when you read it. From rainy London to lush Welsh hills, they share, laugh, and squabble. But can they solve the mystery of the farm saboteur? Will Bo the border collie recover? And can Sian release past heartbreak to take a chance with a drummer boy?

The Beat Of Our Hearts was originally published by The People’s Friend, DC Thomson, in January 2025. It’s being republished by Linford Romance, Ulverscroft, in July 2025, and will be available in libraries.

Social Media

Facebook: Amanda Giles Author https://www.facebook.com/catinabasketauthor/

What do the readers say?

‘Read this yesterday, from start to finish. Really enjoyed the journey through Wales - like going home - and the devil's cauldron – my, that took me back. I remember being terrified on those steps as a child. It even made it into my 13th Century Welsh romance! Brava!!’ Sue Cook, author.

‘I really enjoyed this. "The Beat Of Our Hearts" is a fresh and engaging story with two very different but stunning main characters. Congratulations!’ Sandra Mackness, author.

‘I really enjoyed it.’ Enid Reece, author.

Thank you, Amanda. Your novel sounds great and I look forward to it appearing in my local library in the summer. I can't wait to find out if Sian and Jonny do get together. Good luck!

Thank you for reading. I'm sure you agree that Amanda's story sounds intriguing with two very different characters. Writers, have you ever had a fully formed character arrive in your mind as Amanda did? If so, we'd love it if you left it as a comment. Thanks. 

*** STOP PRESS - Not only have I finished the first draft of book six, The Stolen Sister, but the structural edits have arrived for book five, The Silent Sister. Watch this space for details about a publication date. 

There will be a break from guest posts now until May. The next blog post will be about my research trip to Crete where The Stolen Sister is partially set. Two weeks and I'll be there! 

You may also follow me on:

X/Twitter - @JanBaynham

FaceBook - Jan Baynham Writer

Instagram -janbaynham

Bluesky - Jan Baynham

For more information about me and my books, please visit my AMAZON page.

Did you know that all my novels are available to read on KINDLE UNLIMITED for those of you who subscribe?

Shortlisted for Romantic Saga of the Year 2024

'I was transported to stunning Sicily and enjoyed the senses evoked through the setting and food. The mystery woven into the novel is compelling, and I love the art theme.'

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐