Aficionado: A Dark Romance

Pavlos Kasparatos is a brilliant young engineer, yet his sexual preferences sow dangers to his endeavors to enter the club of the powerful. His father, a stern and cruel personality, whose terrible secret will turn nightmarishly against him, undermining his love affair with Jenny Sideri the gorgeous daughter of the assassinated President of the Greek Industrialists. The legendary terrorist organization of 'Horizons of Solidarity' makes things complex, driving rich and poor to despair. A Dark Romance, A Novel Noir that will keep your candle burning to the very end.

About the Author :
There are moments that can change our lives without us realizing it until a long time after. In my case, for example, my father's decision to buy an encyclopedia of 'Reader's Digest' back in the 70's, while I was in high school, charged a powerful string. My father was serving in the merchant marine as a captain at that time, and it so happened to be his off-duty evening that winter when the encyclopedia sales agent knocked on our apartment door. The proceedings were quick, and along with the wonderfully plastic-bound volumes of the encyclopedia, there was also a collection of 20th century classic literature books, all in the English language. The hefty volumes, as well as the books that came with the encyclopedia, took their place in our library being referenced occasionally as time went by.A decade later, my mother's sister Mary, who kept a hairdresser's shop, came to visit us one night bringing with her a bag full of secondhand paperbacks. These books, all in different foreign languages, were given to my aunt by a good woman who made her hair at her shop. I still remember my aunt asking me and my brother: 'Hey you boys, these books I have here! Take a look and if you are interested you may keep them, otherwise you can throw them away!'Of course, I kept the books, and have them still proudly in my library, as, back in the 80's, I sought ways to better my English. The good woman who presented us the bundle loved mystery novels and there were amongst them many of Agatha Christie's, some other of G.K. Chesterton and Dorothy L. Sayers, and many more. My first read was 'Franchise Affair' by Josephine Tey, a novel that has a special place in my heart.As the years went by, I read them all, but it was the collection that came with the encyclopedia that opened the horizons to authorship. The splendidly bound books introduced me to Joseph Conrad and his 'Lord Jim'. I did not realize it at first, but that book left its mark on me, it took me by the hand and made me see the world as I had never seen it before. The power of those moments is still driving my steps and will guide me to the very end.

Review :
"Aficionado" is a captivating blend of dark romance, political intrigue, and social commentary set against the backdrop of 20th century Athens. The story revolves around Pavlos Kasparatos, a brilliant engineer whose ambition and forbidden desires collide with powerful forces. Author's unique approach to terrorism is refreshing. Instead of presenting it as a distant threat, he weaves it into the fabric of everyday life, showcasing its impact on both the rich and poor. This grounded perspective adds depth and realism to the narrative. The author's engineering background shines through in his detailed descriptions of industrial settings and technical processes. This authenticity lends credibility to the world-building and immerses the reader in Pavlos' professional struggles. While the writing style is clear and engaging, the occasional technical jargon might pose a minor hurdle for readers unfamiliar with engineering terms. Also, a minor comment - could not find chapter names in the kindle edition. Found it hard to relate to chapters without names. A young engineer's pursuit of power is complicated by hidden truths and forbidden love. As a notorious organization stirs unrest, personal secrets threaten to unravel everything. While suspenseful, the synopsis might leave readers wanting more details to truly dive in. Pavlos Kasparatos' life is a rollercoaster, mixing love, danger, and family drama against a backdrop of political intrigue in Athens. It's got this dark romance vibe that's super captivating. Plus, the whole thing with the 'Horizons of Solidarity'? Absolutely intense. Makes you look at the city and its stories in a whole new light. And the bits about Pavlos working his way up? Super inspiring