Fossend Publishing

Fossend Publishing

Sunday 13 July 2014

Among the Olive Groves - Cover reveal


Among the Olive Groves  - Book cover

Book description
Elena Petrakis adores living on the Greek island of Zakynthos.  When World War Two looms her way of life is threatened.  Left with no choice she joins the island's resistance to fight for what she believes in; her family, her home, and her freedom. 

Decades later, thousands of miles away in the Cornish town of Newquay, Kate Fisher prepares to celebrate her twenty-first birthday, but her joy is fleeting when she learns she is adopted.  Abandoning life in England, Kate flees to Zakynthos, where she is forced to acknowledge a life she has struggled to come to terms with, one that will change her future.


From the beautiful crystal turquoise seas of the Ionian Islands to the rugged shores of the Cornish coast, 'Among the Olive Groves' is a story of love, bravery and sacrifice.


Excerpt from the book
Angelos Sarkis was checking the olive trees when he heard the sweet melodic voice; it carried on the light breeze and wrapped itself around him like a comforting blanket.  Intrigued, he stopped working and followed the sound.  With growing curiosity, he dipped under the branches of a tree, and took in a scruffy girl, sitting on the wall.  He was very tempted to stop, but knew he didn’t have the time, so he continued walking, a brief smile passing across his lips as they locked eyes.

     “Hey you!  Sing with me!” she shouted as he walked by.  Angelos tried his best not to stare, but her beauty shone brighter than the sun overhead.  He had to stop.  He was lost for words and just stood like a fool gaping at her, as though an angel had descended before him, trapping him in its heavenly spell.  Elena grinned, jumped down and ran over to him.  It was only then that he noticed her feet were bare.

Chrissie Parker

Chrissie Parker  - Biog
Chrissie lives in London with her husband and is a freelance Production Coordinator working in the TV, documentary and film industry.  Chrissie is also an Author.  Her suspense novella “Integrate” was released in October 2013.  Chrissie is currently working on two sequels to “Integrate” called “Temperance” and “Retribution”.  Both will be released in 2015.

Chrissie is passionate about Ancient History, Archaeology and Travel, and has completed two six-month Archaeology and Egyptology courses with Exeter University.   She also likes to read, collect books, make bracelets and listen to music.
To find out more about Chrissie visit her website www.chrissieparker.com


Social Media links:
Twitter - @Chrissie_author



Saturday 12 July 2014


Artefacts for sale to the highest bidder.

Top view of Sekhema (Photo courtesy of Christie's)

News this week that a 4000 year old Egyptian Statue has been sold at a specialist Auction at Christie’s has angered and shocked the archaeological world.

The statue of Sekhema, is a 2,700BC funerary artefact that has been in the collection at Northampton Museum since the 1800's, after being given to them by 4th Marquis of Northampton.  Local authority Northampton Council  need money to build a new £14million extension and decided that selling the statue of Sekhema would be the best way to help raise funds for the project.

There has been a huge public outcry and many have voiced their disaproval via petitions and protests, but the Council dug their heels in and ignored public opinion on the matter.  Egypt also reacted strongly and the Egyptian Antiquities Minister Mamdouh el-Damaty tried in vain to stop the sale, stating that it "breached museum ethics", but Northampton Council responded saying that Egypt had "no claim on the statue".  Sadly, the sale went ahead on Thursday and the statue was sold for just under £16million.  Recent press reports state that only half that amount will go to the Council, and the rest will go to Lord Northampton.  The buyer is undisclosed and no one yet knows if the statue will stay in the UK.

Many are extremely worried by this turn of events.  Others who have donated precious items to Northampton Museum are now concerned that these will also be sold off to the highest bidder for the sake of local authority upkeep.  Northampton Council have been quoted as saying that the Statue of Sekhema was put up for sale as it spent most of its time in storage and no one had ever asked for it to be put on display.

The situation is a difficult one.  Fundraising and upkeep of Museums however large or small is hard, but are Northampton Council right in selling rare and important artefacts at such an extortionate price?  And if they no longer want them, or no longer have room to display them, should they not just return them to the country of origin?  The other question is where are these items ending up?  Many believe that artefacts like the statue of Sekhema, sold at auction, will end up leaving the country to join personal collections of the elite, never to be seen again.  And if that is the case, then original purpose, a gift to the museum for the public, has been negated.  This is not what Museums were created for.  Museums are a place for protecting and conserving artefacts, a place where both the young and old alike can view them and learn from them.  

It is an issue that is now sparking a huge debate. One that I suspect will continue over time, and I do wonder how many other institutions will now try and do the same as Northampton Council just because they need a bit of extra cash.