Watching the Wind Blow is the ninth in the series The Greek Village Collection by INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLING AUTHOR Sara Alexi.
Inspired by a true story, Watching the Wind Blow is a dramatic tale that takes place in a boat on the Aegean Sea, immersing us in the events that change one woman’s life forever as we sail under the Mediterranean Sun.
Married with a young baby and living with her mother in law, Irini has found herself a comfortable life after a traumatic childhood as an orphan. But Irini’s husband Petta is unable to bear hearing the stories from her past, and so Irini carries her burdens alone, often haunted by her troubled upbringing.
On a day like any other, Irini leaves home to tend to her cleaning job on board a yacht. But little does she know this day will turn out to be unlike any day she could ever have imagined, and alarm sets in as she feels the boat set sail, discovering she is not on board alone.
Surrounded by endless blue sky and calm clear waters, Irini realises the tranquillity is an illusion as it dawns on her that a stranger has taken desperate measures, and her life is now at risk.
Who is onboard with Irini? And what will it take to make it safely home to her husband and baby?
Finding she has more in common with the stranger than Irini could have anticipated, this thrilling novel reveals how the courage taken to confront a painful past has the potential to save her future.
If you enjoyed Watching the Wind Blow you'll love book ten in the series, The Reluctant Baker. Find it on Amazon now!
Best 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.
Having read all the books in the Greek Village series so far, I found this one especially moving. I don’t know if that is because it’s based on a true story but the book is rife with emotion. This is Sara Alexi at her best! Can’t wait for the next one!
Wow! I'm surprised at how frantic/tense I felt, in sympathy with Irini, near the end, as she tracks the box to the crate, with her eyes. And then, it doesn't matter, at all. Sara is skilled at drawing you inside the strong emotions of her characters!
On a side note, it was negative 9°F as I finished this book this morning, with a wind chill of -27°… Sara Alexi's talent with drawing the setting so well, made me feel like I was hot and thirsty, on the wide blue Mediterranean Sea, even while bundled in layers and huddled in blankets! So, thanks for that, Sara ^_^
Gonna be -12°F tomorrow morning, I think I'll start on #10, The Reluctant Baker, right away <3
Honestly, I think I would have liked the book more had I realized it was about an actual event. Instead, it was one of my least favorite of the Greek Village series. So much thinking. So much angst. Very little action. Very few characters. I feel almost ashamed that I didn't enjoy it more.
Since this is based on a true story, I would like to read about the that incident. This is book 9 in the Greek Village series by Sara Alexi. We come back to Marina of the corner store. Her long lost son and his wife are now living with her with their baby. Seeing that Marina is strapped for money, Irina goes out and finds a job, besides helping the the corner store. She cleans a tourist yacht or two for Captain Yorgas. One morning the boat is commandeered by a mercenary trying to get to Casablanca. At first, Irini is scared out of her wits by this man, his gun, and his wounds. Then, in an attempt to diffuse the situation for herself, she tries to personalize their experience together. Irini had been a street child, more or less abandoned by her grandmother at 15. So she had many devastating experiences in Athens as she lived by her wits. She related these stories to "Sam" and he shared his stories of a love less relationship with his father, no mother, and incredible demands from his father to win approval. On the shore, everyone was panicked. On the boat, Irini and "Sam" got on well, once she won his trust. In the end, they did not make it to Casablanca.
As always, Ms. Alexi transports you to the beauty of the world that is Greece. With this book, she takes you out to sea and lets you see and feel the people; even those you may think are not worthy. Another easy but lovely read by Ms. Alexi. She will easily transport you to the Greek Islands for a short imaginary vacation.
Another gem from Sara Alexi. In this the 9th of the Greek Village series the action takes place, not in the village, but at sea. Irini has a job cleaning Captain Yorgos boat but before she has completed her tasks she feels the boat moving. It has been hijacked by 'Sam' a mercenary who is on the run. What follows is so heartbreaking as the two disclose to each other painful issues from their past which they have kept bottled up. It reminded me of the words of a song 'the people were saying, no two were ere wed, but one had a sorrow that never was said’ Irini wanted to tell her husband Petta about her traumatic past but the right time never happened. Sam also had issues from his childhood that he carried with him as well. We can see how the situation affected those left behind. The situation is resolved and we can hope that 'Sam' is at peace. Certainly Irini's financial worries are at an end and we realise that strangely being on the boat with the pirate 'was a wonderful thing' Highly recommended..
As you read through the Greek Village stories, you come to feel as if you know these characters. Reading Watching the Wind Blow not only gives you more information about and draws you closer to Rini, but also challenges you to look beyond the surface and risk reaching out to others.
As usual, the characters are so well developed that they seem like old friends, and the story-telling draws you in, making it difficult to step away, even for a moment. Take a break from every day life and curl up with Watching the Wind Blow, and then think about who in your life could benefit from a gift of your time and willingness to listen to their story...to their heart.
Sometime after getting into the book I read it is based on a true life event. Can't imagine that.
There were difficult parts to read, tragedy and lifestyles I know nothing about. Or knew nothing about before reading this book.
Each book of this series has been great. I loved getting to see Irini's life up close, but what a day - no, two days she had! What a story.
Very moving. Graphic at times. Tender. Tense. I totally enjoyed this book. Love the character development of those whom you can like, dislike and learn to like.
Watching the wind blow was another fabulous story in the Greek Village series. It had a different flavor than the previous stories, but was a definite page turner. Absolutely loved the ending. And though to begin with, it was not my favorite in this series, I had to read it again, and really liked it better the second time around. The first time I read it, it didnt live up to my Greek Village expectation because it was about the character and not really about the village. Then I reread it and enjoyed it for the story and character.
I'm not sure how she does it but Sara Alexi continues to engage and entertain with her deeply moving characters and powerful yet gentle stories. This may be my favourite in Sara's Greel Village series because of its simplicity and its depth of emotion. when a book stirs me like this one did I celebrate the author's hard work and for my luck at finding her. Bravo Sara. Tonight I celebrate you along with Irini, Sam and especially Petta. More please.
I have read all of Sara's books. This one was the only one I did not get pulled into right from the get go. Took me till chapter 3 to get involved but from there on I did not put it down till the end. I related to parts of it and cried at the humanity of it. The letter touched my soul. If this is your first Greek series books by Sara give it a chance. It is different yet still has the heart and soul that Sara always brings to the pages.
Sara Alexi keeps getting better and better. This novel is gritty, raw and sad at times. Like all the Greek village collection I have read so far, there is a moral to the stories. Live, breathe, try everything you can to be happy. If you're still not happy, do something about it. I am so glad that my trips to the Greek islands are so inexpensive. At this price I can come back many time to visit my friends.
I've read close to a dozen of Ms. Alexi's books. Watching the Wind Blow is a bit different from her others. It doesn't occur in the typical Greek village setting or in the past of the main character - but rather brings both onto the deck of the boat which is the scene of most of the story. Different - but extremely effective! Another worthwhile read from Sara Alexi!
Wonderfully readable series. All the books give a feel for a small village or island in Greece. The people, the food, the way the society functions. All this interwoven with stories that relate to other tales in the series. Start with the first, settle in, and enjoy. These alone make kindle unlimited worth the price.
Oh, I hated for it to end but longed for the story to end with Irini's family surrounding her. Sara Alexi is so good at crafting a tale builiding fascinating, complex characters we can care about. I have avidly and happily read almost all her Greek Village series. (book is in need of some editing, especially near the end.)
A normal day at work as a boat "cleaner" turns scary and then ends up being Irini's family's salvation! While not a light-hearted book, Alexi's characters and their interaction along with the outcome will give you pause, make you think and maybe even rethink a long held belief.
Sara Alexi's Greek Village books are a window into a beautiful part of the world. Her characters are very real and you will feel you know them as your friends as they intertwine into each other's lives throughout the series. The books are a holiday to a place and people that not every one can travel to on an airplane...but anyone can travel there through the pages of her books. Enjoy the trip!
This is the 3rd book I've read by Sara Alex I. All have been her Greek series and I have enjoyed everyone of them. Watching The Wind Blow has added twists to it and has been a very enjoyable read.
Book 9 is one of the best in the series. There are no tricks here, just good story telling. Irini is a well developed character and Sam's story while sad is also inspiring.
Compassionate! Wonderful read, finally a unique story! I enjoyed each character as she brought them to life. Thought provoking about the human spirit and its ability to change and endure.
When I first started reading this book, I didn't think I was going to like it but how wrong I was! I found it to be very thought provoking in that what happens in early life often shapes our future as the telling of Irini's + Sam's earlier life stories show.
Best in the series in my opinion. This is a strong emotional story and quite different from previous and so enjoyable. So glad I " found " this author but she is distracting me from other things I should be doing.