I’m delighted to welcome Chrissie Parker back to my blog today, with the #openinglines to her latest novel, When the Earth Wakes.
Over to you Chrissie…
Thanks for hosting me!
When the Earth Wakes is a Historical Fiction, set on the Greek island of Zakynthos, in 1953. It was inspired whilst I was doing research for a history book about the Greek island of Zakynthos, that I’m co-writing, with author Louise Morfis. The story is based around the true event of the Great Ionian Earthquake that occurred in 1953; a subject I’ve wanted to write about for a long time.
Initially I was hesitant because it was a tragic event, that affected so many people. I didn’t know how to create a story that was also respectful to what happened, and to those who were injured or lost their lives.
In the end I went through all of my research and came up with the archaeological plot based on a true account of an archaeologist that was on Zakynthos at the time of the 1953 earthquake.
Blurb
Can they save themselves and the history that’s become so important to them?
It’s the summer of 1953. English archaeologist, Humphrey Lancaster, and Greek archaeological student, Phoebe Konstantinou, are travelling to Zakynthos to complete an archaeological survey of the island’s historical sites.
Phoebe is excited to join the survey to show her family that Greek women can have careers, despite traditional expectations. Humphrey is looking forward to discovering more about his ancestors, who lived on Zakynthos – a place he’s only ever read about in books.
Assisted by Zakynthian locals, the archaeologists start work on their project. With Humphrey’s ancestor’s diary to guide them, they explore historical sites, documenting them for future generations.
Until a natural disaster strikes.
With Zakynthos in ruins, and no one to rescue them, Humphrey and Phoebe are forced to save themselves along with the island’s history that’s become so important to them.
When the Earth Wakes is a fictional story based on the real events of the Great Ionian Earthquake that affected the Ionian island in 1953.
First 500 words of When the Earth Wakes:
Chapter One
Humphrey
London, England, Tuesday, 23rd July 1963
“What was your worst job, professor?”
“Yes, tell us prof, there must have been a bloody awful one.”
“Was it working in a muddy, cold field in Yorkshire sheltering from torrential rain and thunder?”
“No, I’ve got it. Prof was stuck on the other side of the world with stomach sickness and diarrhoea, unable to work.”
Laughter echoed around the lecture theatre as a sea of student faces swam before Professor Humphrey Lancaster. He gripped the lectern to steady himself.
Breathe deeply, take your time.
The reminder echoed in his head as calming breaths coursed through his system, slowly working their magic. He concentrated by shuffling his notes to further ground himself before placing his pen back into his shirt pocket.
Now you can speak. Now is the time. It’s been long enough.
“I don’t have a worst job, as such. Every job I’ve ever done has had its own challenges, and many haven’t always gone as planned, but that’s the nature of archaeology. There are always surprises, but each excavation has brought great satisfaction, and I’ve learned something from each of them. Even the ones in damp, muddy fields, or when I haven’t been feeling my best!” He paused. “I do have a story to tell you, though.”
He couldn’t keep a lid on his secrets any longer. It had been ten years. It needed to be shared.
“We all go into this job wanting to learn more about the past. To discover something great and unearth as much important and exciting history as we can. Some of us want to find something special that will put us among the greats. We all want to be that archaeologist who will be talked about alongside Carter or Belzoni. It’s rare though, and despite that wish, none of us ever expect to become part of an historical event itself, or at least not in the way you’re all thinking.” He stopped for a moment, lifted the glass with a still shaking hand and drank.
“Ten years ago, it happened to me. I became that archaeologist. What should have been an easy job, in a beautiful place, became the nightmares that keep me awake, the memories that make me panic about simple things. It’s the reason I’m stuck to this lectern, in these halls teaching students like yourselves instead of being out in the field where I truly belong. I hope none of you ever go through anything like it.”
He walked to the front of the stage and sat on the edge, placing the glass of water next to him. Looking at the silent, expectant faces, he began to tell his story.
Chapter Two
Phoebe
The Greek Mainland, Thursday, 23rd July, 1953
“Wait! Wait for me!” Phoebe Konstantinou yelled, waving madly as the boat engines fired up churning sea water into a white foamy mass. “I am supposed to be on there!”
“I think you are too late,” a man shouted from…
***
Book buy link: https://mybook.to/WTEW
Bio
Chrissie lives in Devon, UK, with her husband and has published ten books set in exciting locations including Greece, Egypt and Jordan, as well as contributing as a freelance article writer for various companies, academic journals and publications including The Greek Reporter, Bristolian, The Huffington Post, and the Zakynthos Informer.
In 2016 Among the Olive Groves won an historical fiction award in the Summer Indie Book Awards. Among the Olive Groves has been used as an ESOL exam text in Greece for several years. Chrissie’s books A Night of Thunder and When the Earth Wakes are now also available as exam texts for ESOL teachers in Greece as part of the ongoing exam process.
When she’s not writing, Chrissie also works as a VA for several clients in the film, publishing, media and music industries. She also loves exploring her local canal, castles and old houses.
Website: www.chrissieparker.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChrissieParkerAuthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrissieparkerauthor/
Many thanks for coming by today, Chrissie.
Happy reading everyone.
Jenny x