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Greek Village/Greek Island #2
Black Butterflies
Librarian's Note: Alternate-cover edition for ISBN10: 1479399531 / ISBN13: 9781479399536
Black Butterflies is the second book in the Greek Village Collection from INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLING AUTHOR Sara Alexi.
Black Butterflies is a gripping summer story of love, loss and ultimately forgiveness, leaving you basking in sunshine and suspense as you find yourself transported amongst the sounds, tastes and smells of life on a Greek Island.
Marina is a gentle soul who makes a modest living in her corner shop. Her husband died years ago, and her children have grown up. Life is pleasantly predictable, if a little dull.
But all is not as it seems, and buried deeply in Marina's younger years is a secret that she has managed to keep hidden...until now.
Even her daughters don't know about the lonely months spent on a nearby island thirty five years ago, with the events from that summer haunting her ever since.
When Marina discovers one of her daughters wants to move to the same island, she realises that past and present threaten to collide with dreadful consequences.
Reluctantly, yet without doubt, Marina knows she must revisit the island. Armed with nothing but a vague plan and a determination to stop the looming tragedy, she will come face to face with the consequences of her long kept secret, but will she be in time?
Confronting a past steeped in the intolerance and prejudice of those around her, Marina's roller-coaster journey will make you laugh, cry and eagerly hold out for one woman's redemption.
Black Butterflies is the second book in the Greek Village Collection from INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLING AUTHOR Sara Alexi.
Black Butterflies is a gripping summer story of love, loss and ultimately forgiveness, leaving you basking in sunshine and suspense as you find yourself transported amongst the sounds, tastes and smells of life on a Greek Island.
Marina is a gentle soul who makes a modest living in her corner shop. Her husband died years ago, and her children have grown up. Life is pleasantly predictable, if a little dull.
But all is not as it seems, and buried deeply in Marina's younger years is a secret that she has managed to keep hidden...until now.
Even her daughters don't know about the lonely months spent on a nearby island thirty five years ago, with the events from that summer haunting her ever since.
When Marina discovers one of her daughters wants to move to the same island, she realises that past and present threaten to collide with dreadful consequences.
Reluctantly, yet without doubt, Marina knows she must revisit the island. Armed with nothing but a vague plan and a determination to stop the looming tragedy, she will come face to face with the consequences of her long kept secret, but will she be in time?
Confronting a past steeped in the intolerance and prejudice of those around her, Marina's roller-coaster journey will make you laugh, cry and eagerly hold out for one woman's redemption.
278 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2012
398 people are currently reading
1399 people want to read
About the author
Sara Alexi
37 books317 followersBest selling author Sara Alexi was born in Oxford, England. After travelling widely she now splits her time between England and a tiny rural village in the Peloponnese, in Greece, where she has renovated a stone farmhouse, whilst observing the Greek way of life and absorbing the culture.
As a qualified psychotherapist, Sara ran her own practice for years. Her artistic nature was, during that time, confined to painting and she exhibited widely. Her move to Greece was the catalyst that began her writing.
Her 'Greek Village Series' has been very well received and provides a keenly observed, compassionate insight into the Greek people and culture, and the human condition in general.
If you would like a complementary copy of the first in "The Greek Village" Series please follow the links on her web site.
www.Saraalexi.com
She would also love you to friend her on;
https://www.facebook.com/authorsaraalexi
You can also read a recent interview with Sara here: https://saraalexi.com/2016/03/19/unde...
As a qualified psychotherapist, Sara ran her own practice for years. Her artistic nature was, during that time, confined to painting and she exhibited widely. Her move to Greece was the catalyst that began her writing.
Her 'Greek Village Series' has been very well received and provides a keenly observed, compassionate insight into the Greek people and culture, and the human condition in general.
If you would like a complementary copy of the first in "The Greek Village" Series please follow the links on her web site.
www.Saraalexi.com
She would also love you to friend her on;
https://www.facebook.com/authorsaraalexi
You can also read a recent interview with Sara here: https://saraalexi.com/2016/03/19/unde...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
August 30, 2016
I have to say I am really enjoying Sarah Alexi’s books, and having finished Black Butterflies, I have already purchased and dived into the next book of the series.
I found the first half of this book a slow start compared to the previous two books by Alexi, but the second half more than made up for that. It has become apparent that the author takes a minor character from one book and gives them a staring role in the next – at least that seems to be the case so far. I find something rather comforting in this, as there is a feeling that the character is already known, and one is flitting around the village in Greece getting to know the people who inhabit it in depth, one individual at a time, as other new characters are introduced. I already have in mind characters that I would like to know more about, with the hope that they play a starring role in future books. A great concept for a series, and one that, combined with a lovely writing style, is keeping me reading on.
If the books continue to pan out in the same way, I can easily see myself devouring the entire series.
Four stars for this one, but still with plenty of the delights that pushed me towards five stars for The Illegal Gardener and Saving Septic Cyril.
I found the first half of this book a slow start compared to the previous two books by Alexi, but the second half more than made up for that. It has become apparent that the author takes a minor character from one book and gives them a staring role in the next – at least that seems to be the case so far. I find something rather comforting in this, as there is a feeling that the character is already known, and one is flitting around the village in Greece getting to know the people who inhabit it in depth, one individual at a time, as other new characters are introduced. I already have in mind characters that I would like to know more about, with the hope that they play a starring role in future books. A great concept for a series, and one that, combined with a lovely writing style, is keeping me reading on.
If the books continue to pan out in the same way, I can easily see myself devouring the entire series.
Four stars for this one, but still with plenty of the delights that pushed me towards five stars for The Illegal Gardener and Saving Septic Cyril.
July 24, 2016
Marina is a middle-aged widow who, by accident, took over her late husband's shady business after his passing. She turned it into a successful shop which ensured her a modest living on mainland Greece. Her life was normal, predictable for more than twenty years, until her youngest daughter, Eleni, decided to join an island police team and settle there with her lover.
Her oldest daughter, Artemis, was already married, living in Athens.
Marina lived on the same island, thirty five years ago, and suddenly had to face her own dark secrets in an effort to prevent disaster for her daughter. She was forced to secretly return there and seek answers to the question that prevented her from maintaining normal relationships with the people around her. The road to healing and bonding was difficult and long, the challenges immense.
Comments: It is a quiet, laid-back book, which reads easily and ends on a positive note. Well-written and plotted. It is a beautiful love story between mother and child. It is not a chic lit book, but definitely a gentle, endearing insight into the psyche of loves lost and found, with two unexpected surprises waiting upon the reader. The Greek islands is so well defined, both physically and culturally. I really enjoyed this relaxing, light-read with its deeper under-layers. The writing style is very much similar to Maeve Binchy.
I enjoyed the experience.
Her oldest daughter, Artemis, was already married, living in Athens.
Marina lived on the same island, thirty five years ago, and suddenly had to face her own dark secrets in an effort to prevent disaster for her daughter. She was forced to secretly return there and seek answers to the question that prevented her from maintaining normal relationships with the people around her. The road to healing and bonding was difficult and long, the challenges immense.
Comments: It is a quiet, laid-back book, which reads easily and ends on a positive note. Well-written and plotted. It is a beautiful love story between mother and child. It is not a chic lit book, but definitely a gentle, endearing insight into the psyche of loves lost and found, with two unexpected surprises waiting upon the reader. The Greek islands is so well defined, both physically and culturally. I really enjoyed this relaxing, light-read with its deeper under-layers. The writing style is very much similar to Maeve Binchy.
I enjoyed the experience.
June 3, 2013
Again, I am really enjoying this author's trip through the lives of the villagers....Do not expect "High Literature" but great reading....sensitive, honorable, and again, I can almost reach out and taste the smells....
Almost finished..... and it is only Friday night....
Almost finished..... and it is only Friday night....
March 9, 2014
Having been born in Greece, I bought this book hoping to have found a series I could relate to and love. Unfortunately, this wasn't the case and I couldn't even finish the book.
Although I have no doubt that Sara Alexi has a lot of talent - her descriptions of the island and Greek things in general are quite lovely - this book came off as a Greek/British Cozy. The pace of the book was eventual, and usually I'd say there's nothing wrong with that, but what kept the pace slow wasn't all that interesting.
And what really turned me off was that every Greek character's dialog sounded as if they were all born and raised in England.
i.e. "My body may be knackered but I am not crackers!" or "Yes, I think I could use a bit of a lie-down."
Every time I came across one of those very British expressions they took me right out of the story, and some made me groan they were so very out-of-place.
I think if Sara Alexi wants to write books about Greece she needs to forget she's English and write dialog that fits the setting of her books.
Although I have no doubt that Sara Alexi has a lot of talent - her descriptions of the island and Greek things in general are quite lovely - this book came off as a Greek/British Cozy. The pace of the book was eventual, and usually I'd say there's nothing wrong with that, but what kept the pace slow wasn't all that interesting.
And what really turned me off was that every Greek character's dialog sounded as if they were all born and raised in England.
i.e. "My body may be knackered but I am not crackers!" or "Yes, I think I could use a bit of a lie-down."
Every time I came across one of those very British expressions they took me right out of the story, and some made me groan they were so very out-of-place.
I think if Sara Alexi wants to write books about Greece she needs to forget she's English and write dialog that fits the setting of her books.
January 7, 2017
Beautiful
Sara is such an amazing author.
I enjoyed the book so much that as soon as I was done reading it I wanted to start all over again.
Sara is such an amazing author.
I enjoyed the book so much that as soon as I was done reading it I wanted to start all over again.
July 12, 2013
Probably the strangest reading experience in my life so far, thanks to other reviewers.
Having thoroughly enjoyed “The Illegal Immigrant” I jumped at “Black Butterflies” and started reading immediately. I slogged through the first half not understanding what was going on (I am a bloke, a woman may have guessed) and not seeing any connection with the first in what I was told was a series. Eventually I gave up and my Kindle tells me I was 60% of the way through.
I looked to see if other reviewers were as disappointed as me and found a number where the last half of the book was extolled as being descriptive, revealing, etc etc. including other things which could give the ending up.
Picking up where I had left off was easy on the Kindle and I finished the book on the same day. Cried at the end which is difficult for a bloke to admit to and the tears took my review from a three star to a four.
Immediate download of book four in the series “The Explosive Nature Of Freedom” to see where that will take me. I will probably read it in Spain, wishing I was in Greece.
Having thoroughly enjoyed “The Illegal Immigrant” I jumped at “Black Butterflies” and started reading immediately. I slogged through the first half not understanding what was going on (I am a bloke, a woman may have guessed) and not seeing any connection with the first in what I was told was a series. Eventually I gave up and my Kindle tells me I was 60% of the way through.
I looked to see if other reviewers were as disappointed as me and found a number where the last half of the book was extolled as being descriptive, revealing, etc etc. including other things which could give the ending up.
Picking up where I had left off was easy on the Kindle and I finished the book on the same day. Cried at the end which is difficult for a bloke to admit to and the tears took my review from a three star to a four.
Immediate download of book four in the series “The Explosive Nature Of Freedom” to see where that will take me. I will probably read it in Spain, wishing I was in Greece.
August 1, 2013
I was lucky enough to stumble upon Sarah Alexi's The Illegal Gardener (The Greek Village Series), the first volume of her Greek Village Series, whilst browsing on Amazon - and I am pleased I did. When the second book, Black Butterflies, was released, I pounced on it and was not disappointed. I read it in one sitting, being unable to put it down. It bounces along at a fair pace, taking the reader on an emotional ride through an idyllic landscape inhabited by a cast of sympathetic and believable characters. And this is where the beauty of Alexi's writing lies, she manages to steer a course through the human reality of life in a Mediterranean paradise, without sentimentality. The characters are real, and their lives are dictated by the claustrophobia of living in a small conservative community. When the characters' lives were endangered, I cared and, as such, was willing for a positive resolution. If you can't read this book on holiday in Greece buy it anyway, just reading it is almost the next best thing. Richard Clark
March 21, 2016
Black Butterflies is closer to my kind of beach read than The Illegal Gardener, which I loved. They are different animals. The former, a sensitive look into the heart of a large problem: leaving your country to survive, and the latter, a suspenseful summer read full of Greek sunshine. It passes the time, treats you to a now familiar setting and gives you some page-turning suspense. I especially liked the opening with the rug salesman. I did miss the warm, deep sensitivity of the relationship between the main character and the houseboy in The Illegal Gardener, but really liked this book. Take it on holiday to the sun this winter.
October 29, 2016
A pleasant enough read - but disappointing after reading The Illegal Gardener. No surprises as to what the "secret" was.
January 3, 2017
The second book in the Greek Village series. On par with Sara's first book. You immerse yourself in village life and begin to build a picture of all it's residents.
Look forward to munger three.
Look forward to munger three.
August 14, 2017
Another amazing book by Sara Alexi. She takes you into so many places...and I want to go there again and again. This was my second read by this author, "The Illegal Gardener" being the first....such a fantastic book that I thought Ms. Alexi couldn't repeat her success in any other piece of fiction so I was afraid to read another. After all, the next one would certainly be so much less and she would disappoint me. Well, I was wrong! She is such a talented author. I will most assuredly be reading every book that she pens!
May 11, 2014
Very disappointed with this book. I had really enjoyed the first in the series (The Illegal Gardener) so was looking forward to revisiting the Greek village. However I found this second book incredibly slow. Alright, I understand that it is character driven, but there was little to hook my interest. I skimmed the last third or so just to see what happened. I will try the next in the series to see if the stories pick up again.
March 12, 2013
This delightful companion to Alexi's wonderful "The Illegal Gardner" takes a lighthearted and then serious look at the harm keeping secrets can do. Highly visual and beautifully described, the book sweeps the reader into Marina's life as she tries to prevent what could be a family disaster. Black Butterflies would be a perfect vacation or beach book. Recommended.
June 16, 2013
This is book two in Sara's Greek Islands series. She has a way with words that bring her characters to life, making you feel their pain and enjoy their happiness. She's also quite clever in exposing secrets. This is a great beach read but for me, it was such a page-turner, I read it in 2 days! Now on to book 3 in the series!
July 9, 2013
I loved this book from start to finish and must admit to having to wipe a ter from my eye at the ending. Beautifully written and so evocative that you can almost feel yourself in Greece. Looking forward to the next in the series - great summer read!
November 18, 2014
Sara Alexi's books immerse the reader in a behind-the-scenes Greece full of authentic details, and Grecophiles will find this a delightful read. I came to it after The Illegal Gardener, which I found more gripping, but this is nonetheless a clever and beautifully written gem of a book.
September 25, 2014
I must be missing something-why are there so many good reviews? Read this on holiday as wanted something with a Greek connection and relatively lightweight. However, not this light.
Both "secrets" are obvious from early on in the book (eg the title).
Both "secrets" are obvious from early on in the book (eg the title).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2015
I read the Illegal Gardener and really enjoyed it but this one not so much. It seemed to plod along and for much of the book, I really didn't know what any of it was leading to and eventually didn't care.
September 2, 2013
I didn't like this as much as the Illegal Gardener.
March 7, 2014
A bit predictable, and somewhat of a slog in the beginning. Definitely picks up towards the end, but not enough to compare to the first book in the series (the Illegal Gardener).
October 10, 2013
Another fantastic story by Sara Alexi with a real twist at the end!
July 19, 2017
I liked this book. It was good. I think I enjoyed the illegal gardener more. The story was a little predictable. the setting of the Greek island is a character in itself. I enjoyed these characters, she did a good job describing them and developing them.
I ordered the next book in the series which I wasn't going to but I was trapped in a doctors office most of the day and finished the book and also read the first 3 chapters of the next one that was included at the end which I never do bc I need time to digest the finished book. But I had nothing else to read with me so read the beginning of the next book and enjoyed the character and the structure she used to share the life of the main character, so on it goes.
My one complaint was all the descriptions of the island. I get , it's beautiful but I don't want to hear about every step of every walk she takes around the island, every rock, flower, cat, donkey, goat, chicken, child, path, hill, etc. a little over the top there.
I ordered the next book in the series which I wasn't going to but I was trapped in a doctors office most of the day and finished the book and also read the first 3 chapters of the next one that was included at the end which I never do bc I need time to digest the finished book. But I had nothing else to read with me so read the beginning of the next book and enjoyed the character and the structure she used to share the life of the main character, so on it goes.
My one complaint was all the descriptions of the island. I get , it's beautiful but I don't want to hear about every step of every walk she takes around the island, every rock, flower, cat, donkey, goat, chicken, child, path, hill, etc. a little over the top there.
February 17, 2017
Very easy reading, sweet book about a mother/daughter relationship, loss, reconciliation, and family love that takes place on a small island in Greece.
Marina has a strained relationship with daughter Ellen. When she finds Eleni has fallen n love with someone from the island, Marina must travel to the island to find the person Eleni loves and be sure it is not the baby boy she was forced to give up for adoption when she was 14 years old.
Marina forms relationship with a varied group office people on the island, and reconciles with Eleni when each of them finally share their secrets with one another and recognize that they deeply love each other.
Not great literature, but enjoyable and easy.
Marina has a strained relationship with daughter Ellen. When she finds Eleni has fallen n love with someone from the island, Marina must travel to the island to find the person Eleni loves and be sure it is not the baby boy she was forced to give up for adoption when she was 14 years old.
Marina forms relationship with a varied group office people on the island, and reconciles with Eleni when each of them finally share their secrets with one another and recognize that they deeply love each other.
Not great literature, but enjoyable and easy.
June 14, 2018
While I am sure that many readers have enjoyed this book, it put me to sleep. It was a slow moving story, that for me, never ever captured my attention or interest.
I found several grammatical errors, or perhaps careless editing, that made me so annoyed that I wondered if I was reading an advanced reader copy - although not. The back cover even reads, "Marina is a gentle soul who makes a modest living in her corner shop in a"
Seriously, I kid you not.
I found several grammatical errors, or perhaps careless editing, that made me so annoyed that I wondered if I was reading an advanced reader copy - although not. The back cover even reads, "Marina is a gentle soul who makes a modest living in her corner shop in a"
Seriously, I kid you not.
May 20, 2017
An enjoyable book, but not as good as The Illegal Gardener. I became slightly bored about halfway through, but then the story picked up again. I will have a village break for a while, then will move onto book 3. I am loving the sounds, smell, life and characters of the village. I just need to be staying in one of my favourite Greek villages to read them!
December 19, 2018
Now I must finish the entire series.
I loved this one as much or more than The Illegal Gardener and Saving Septic Cyril. What wonderful characters and what fun movies these books would make.
I loved this one as much or more than The Illegal Gardener and Saving Septic Cyril. What wonderful characters and what fun movies these books would make.
May 4, 2019
Sara Alexi writes wonderful books. This one was a bit slow in the first half, but ended with a bang. Some of the "surprises" were evident from the beginning, but the handling of these human problems was sensitive and credible. Not my favorite of her books. but well worth a read!
May 30, 2017
Good book
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so.Shelley MA
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so.Shelley MA
September 2, 2017
I have recently started reading Sara Alexei I am really enjoying her books. I feel she brings characters to life and you become immersed in their stories.
September 6, 2017
Book from the Greek village series. Good read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews