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Thursday, March 04, 2010

I lost my heart – in Santorini! (with apologies to Tony Bennett!!) - Trish Morey


One of the things I have always loved about Presents stories is their ability to transport the reader to far flung places they might only ever dream about, and make you as the reader feel like you’re right there. I spent many a teenage summer with my head in books that took me to exotic locations all over the world; from sun-kissed tropical island beaches to lavish European palaces fit for the princess I dreamed to be; from the glamour and opulence of a Monaco casino to an the simple pleasures of a desert oasis, torches flickering in the soft night breeze while a dark and dangerous sheikh fed me dates and sweetmeats from a jewel encrusted platter...

Oh yes, along with to-die-for heroes, Presents have always offered the most fabulous settings and locations.

I hadn’t stepped off the ferry from Crete before knowing that Santorini was going to have to star in one of my stories. With a sea so blue it takes your breath away, a sky that goes forever, and sheer cliffs that thrust upwards from the waters, with its towns of blazing white scattered over the top it looks like icing spilling over the top of a cake, Santorini bewitched me from the moment I first saw it.

All this beauty, and at its heart, an ancient volcano. Sleeping for now and yet an ever-present threat. What setting could be more perfect? And it was in that instant that His Mistress for a Million was born.

My hero, Andreas Xenides, is from Santorini of course, and just as ruggedly beautiful – and threatening – as the island itself. He can pay for whatever he needs and right now he needs someone to pretend to be his mistress.

Cleo Taylor, a jaded Aussie girl left abandoned and penniless by her internet boyfriend in London, is desperate to get home to her family. One million dollars to pretend to be Andreas’ mistress for just one month on his Greek island paradise? How could she say no to that – especially when Andreas is so compelling and persuasive?

But Santorini is a place that changes you. And when the beauty and danger of Santorini combine to weave a spell over both Cleo and Andreas, pretence suddenly becomes overrated and the million dollars becomes meaningless. Soon they’re playing for higher stakes.

Do Andreas and Cleo lose their hearts in Santorini, like I did? Or do they find them?

I’ll let you be the judge :)
Trish
http://www.trishmorey.com/


Trish is absolutely thrilled to share the good news that His Mistress for a Million is her first USA Today Bestselling title! Already a #5 Borders Group Series Bestseller, His Mistress for a Million has now also debuted at #92 of the extended USA Today Bestseller List! Thank you to everyone who has helped make it happen and thanks Lee for hosting me on this red letter day :)

32 comments:

Kate Walker said...

Congratulations on those great resulks, Trish - Thoroughly deserved.

Santorini looks so beautiful - no wonder you were inspired.

Kate

Sue A. said...

Trish, congrats on making the USA Today Bestsellers list with His Mistress for a Million!

Santorini looks gorgeous and Greece in general is one of favorite settings for the Presents line.

Trish Morey said...

Kate, how great to see you here! Yes, Santorini is so gob-smackingly gorgeous, it is definitely one of the places on my must-visit-again-and-stay-longer-next-time list:-))

It's a long list, I have to admit, but I'm determined to get back.

And thank you for the congrats!

Trish Morey said...

Thank you Sue! I'm with you, I love Greece as a setting. My first book had a taste of Crete and I've dipped into Athens a time or two.

That's not to say I"m not partial to the other delights of the Mediterranean, but gosh, Greece is definitely a favourite of mine!

Thanks for the congrats!

Sarah Morgan said...

Huge congrats Trish - I really loveed His Mistress for a Million, glad everyone else did too :-)

And thank you for warming up my day with thes lovely pictures of Santorini
xx

Christina Hollis said...

Congratulations on your listings, Trish. Santorini looks a picture - and oh, so much warmer than home!

runner10 said...

Congrats on Best Seller list!! The pics are beautiful. Look forward to your book.

Estella said...

Congratulations!

Trish Morey said...

Thank you so much Sarah and congratulations to my fellow USA Today Bestseller!

Isn't it fabulous they're finally listing our books?

Trish Morey said...

Hi Christina and thanks for dropping by. Santorini was gorgeous - seriously I could look at those pics all day - that sea, that sky, that amazing landscape. Magic!

Trish Morey said...

Thank you, Denise! You know, we took a bazillion photos in Santorini and decided it was impossible not to take a good photo. The place was made for the camera.

Glad you liked the shots!

Trish Morey said...

Thank you Estella! It was hard to get the smile off my face all day. Talk about chuffed:-))

Pat Cochran said...

Heartiest "Congratulations" on
making the USA Today list. I
look forward to reading this
book!

Pat Cochran

Serena said...

Hi Trish,
Mega congrats on making the USA Today Best Seller List! (But who's surprised?! Soooooooooooooooo deserved) I have His Mistress For A Million in my TBR pile. Can't wait to read it :)

I'd love to go to Santorini - ah one day maybe :)

Hugs
Serena

Trish Morey said...

Thank you Pat, for your much appreciated congrats!

I really hope you enjoy Mistress for a Million when you get to it.

Trish Morey said...

Serena, you must go! Santorini is one of those places that you simply must go. It's now for me one of those places I must go back to:-))

The views, the archaeological sites, the food, the views, the volcanic sand beaches, the sunsets, the views, the beer, oh, and the views! Have I convinced you?

Annie West said...

Trish, its FANTASTIC news about the USA Today Bestseller placing and so well deserved.

I love Santorini too. It's amazing, isn't it? So unlike any other island I've visited and nothing beats those sunsets. You've just reminded me how much I want to write another Greek based story. Maybe Santorini?

Margaret M said...

Congratulations on making the Bestsellers list but not surprised. I always find myself falling in love with your wonderful alpha heroes and the ahhhhhh moment at the end is worth losing sleep over.

Santorini what a beautiful setting.

Cheers,
Margaret Midwood

Laurie G said...

BEAUTIFUL!! My daughter honeymooned there. I fell in love via her videos!
I have a picture of Santorini here on my wall.

I loved Mama Mia and the Greek Island views too!!

Bronwyn said...

Hi Trish,

Sorry coming in late here... Congratulations!!!!!! I've said it a few times but I get about as sick of saying as you do of hearing =D Well done and I'm sure it won't be the first! And jealous much? I would just about give my right arm to go to Santorini. Lovin the pics though. Guess that has to do for me...

Bronwyn.

Trish Morey said...

Annie, thank you! Look forward to seeing your name on that list soon too!

And as setting a book in Santorini, you write it and I'll read it - wouldn't miss one! Double the reason to enjoy.

Trish Morey said...

Margaret, thank you so much! You know, I'm having an uphill struggle with this current wip, and your comments make me feel it might be worthwhile persisting with the wretched thing. Thank you!!

Trish Morey said...

過分, thanks for dropping by!

Laurie, Santorini is the perfect spot for a honeymoon - how lucky were they! I bet they have some fabulous footage. A lot of people go there to get married too apparently, the pictures look so romantic!

Trish Morey said...

Bron, put Santorini on your to do list right now! And meanwhile, enjoy the pics:-))

Thanks for the congrats too - no, they never get tired:-))

Unknown said...

Great post, loved Santorini, and I love your books. I'm looking forward to reading His Mistress For a Million!

Michele L. said...

Oh my gosh, what beautiful pictures Trish! I would love to vacation there someday!

Congratulations on your book! That is so amazing! I bet you are on cloud nine!

Thanks for sharing the gorgeous pictures! I wish I was there right now! Have a fun weekend!

Trish Morey said...

Marilyn, I so hope His Mistress for a Million lives up to expectations!

Michele, Santorini is just the most amazing place, definitely one to put on the must-see list. We're so lucky though, that we get to read about all these fabulous locations between the covers of Presents novels. Almost like being there!

Kandy Shepherd said...

Trish, Santorini looks divine, fabulous setting for a romance! Congratulations again on your bestseller listings.

cheryl c said...

Trish, I loved seeing these pictures! I am headed to Santorini myself in a couple of months!

Trish Morey said...

Thanks Kandy, so great to see you here! Yes, Santorini is every bit as romantic as it looks. Love that place.

Which is why I'm absolutely green to hear Cheryl C is off there in a couple of months. You will have the most fabulous time! Need someone to carry your bags?

cheryl c said...

Trish, I can't wait! It is my dream trip. We are touring Athens and several Greek Isles.

Trish Morey said...

Cheryl, how fabulous! You will have the time of your lives.

Will you get to Crete? I adored Chania too and touring the palace at Knossos was amazing. So much to see and do!

I'm going to have to wait until next year to go back (fingers crossed!) but I've started Greek lessons this year in preparation.

Yassou!