Today I’m joined by lovely Jan Baynham. Jan is sharing with blog readers an extract from her new novel The Silent Sister which is published by Joffe Books/Choc Lit Publishing on 5 August 2025. I have seen how meticulous Jan is about the research for her books and am sure this novel will be very popular. Over to Jan …
Thank you for inviting me onto your lovely blog, Morton. I’d like to share an extract from my new novel, The Silent Sister, which will be published by Joffe Books/Choc Lit Publishing on 5 August 2025. It’s always a nervous as well as an exciting time, but I’m hoping that readers will enjoy the novel as much as I enjoyed writing it.
I first visited the Greek island of Kefalonia in 2019 and once I heard about the devastating 1953 earthquake that decimated the island, I knew I wanted to set my next novel there. Cassia and Eléni’s stories soon became very real to me, and I could understand why Cassia kept her secret for twenty years. I’ve also tried to take the reader on a virtual visit to the beautiful island, seen through Eléni’s eyes as she returns to the place of her birth for the first time.
Extract follows :-
***
Kefalonia, May 1973
It was mid-afternoon when Eléni arrived in Argostoli. The sun was still high in the sky, so the intense heat reflected from the paved streets and pale-rendered buildings. She was glad to walk along the shady side of the road as she searched for the small hotel where she was to stay for her first two weeks. Eléni placed her suitcase down on the pavement to take a rest. Her stomach churned with both excitement and nervousness as it dawned on her what she was doing. She was in a foreign country, her first trip abroad and, more than that, her first trip on her own…
The wide street emerged onto a large square surrounded by restaurants and bars. The smell of coffee wafted in Eléni’s direction as she passed tavérnas bustling with people sitting outside and chatting away. Vibrant clusters of magenta bougainvillea tumbled over wooden pergolas, and large earthenware pots full of white pelargoniums divided each bar area on the pavement.
Her hotel was tucked up a side street. The glass doors were set back from the pavement under an arched overhang that provided shade to the reception area inside. Hotel Athena. The square reception area was flooded with light under its glass-domed ceiling.
Eléni approached the desk where a smartly dressed man attended to some paperwork. He looked up.
‘May I help you?’
‘Nai. I have a room booked in the name of Eléni Davies.’ She was glad of her command of the Greek language. All thanks to her mother.
After being told of the housekeeping rules and breakfast times, Eléni was handed her door key and given directions to the lift. Her room was on the second floor.
Eléni’s hand shook as she put the key in the lock. The tiny room was dark and cool inside. She opened the blue wooden shutters and the door onto the balcony. For a moment, she stood resting against the metal railings and drank in the view. Over the tops of the terracotta tiled roofs stretching out before her, she had a view of Argostoli harbour in the distance. Even from that far away, Eléni could see the sea was a deep teal colour in the afternoon sun.
She walked back into the room. A hand-embroidered counterpane covered the bed that was pushed up against the wall opposite the double doors to the balcony. Clusters of silver-green olive leaves interspersed with blue-black olives had been meticulously stitched on the white linen coverlet edged with lace.
After unpacking, Eléni left the hotel behind to walk through the square. All the buildings had been rebuilt since 1953. They were modern in design and most were just two storeys high. She’d read how they’d been constructed with certain specifications to strengthen them in the event of further earthquakes. Again, her thoughts went to her mother and what she would think of the new town. Following the street map she’d picked up at the hotel reception, Eléni made her way down to the harbour. At every turn, she looked up at the street signs in the hope of finding the one now imprinted on her brain. Byron Street. None matched the name her mother had written down.
She crossed the road and continued walking along the quayside. Gleaming white vessels of every shape and size were moored along the harbour wall, from luxury yachts to more modest sailing dinghies and painted wooden fishing boats.
The water was so clear she saw shoals of small fish wriggling around the hulls of the boats.
‘Damsel fish,’ said a voice.
***
About Jan Baynham:
Originally from mid-Wales, I live in Cardiff with my husband. We have three grown up children and five grandchildren. I started writing when I retired after a career in education and enjoy meeting up with other writers, especially members of our local Cariad RNA Chapter as well as when attending talks and workshops. When not writing, I enjoy reading, family history, Pilates and looking after my grandchildren.
Social media links:
Blog – Jan’s Journey into Writing
About The Silent Sister
The novel, set in 1953 and 1973, in rural mid-Wales and the Greek island of Kefalonia, is a dual timeline dealing with a family secret, trauma, identity and reconciliation. I had a wonderful time researching this story by visiting Kefalonia and walking in my characters’ footsteps.
What it says on the back of the book:-
The Silent Sister: Escape to Greece in this utterly captivating sun-drenched historical saga
Two lost women. One Greek island. A secret that spans generations.
Kefalonia, Greece, 1953. On a sun-drenched island, Cassia defies her powerful father by falling in love with Nikos — a man her family will never accept. But their happiness is short-lived.
A catastrophic earthquake strikes, and the once-idyllic island is reduced to little more than dust and ruin.
Amid the chaos, Cassia loses almost everything. She is left with no choice but to flee the only home she has ever known, carrying a shattering secret she must never reveal.
Wales, 1973. Eleni uncovers a hidden journal among her mother’s belongings. Within its pages lies a woman’s story shaped by tragedy — a story Cassia never shared, and one that might finally explain why Eleni never spoke as a child.
Driven by a need to uncover the truth about her past, Eleni travels to the now-rebuilt island. There she seeks to reveal the secrets hidden among the pastel-hued houses.
In the place where it all began, Eleni must confront the legacy of silence. Here she must make a life-altering decision that will reshape her future and finally heal her family’s past.
This breathtaking and escapist historical tale about resilience, hope and the healing power of love will sweep you away to a sun-kissed Greek island. Perfect for fans of Fiona Valpy, Dinah Jefferies, Santa Montefiore or Karen Swan.
Praise for Jan Baynham:
‘A real family saga that deals with heartache, romance and mystery.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Powerful and very emotional.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘One of those books you don’t want to end!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘The author’s skilful storytelling effortlessly evokes a brilliant sense of time and place, bringing the contrasting settings alive with vivid detail.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘One of the best sagas I’ve read in a very long time.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I felt as if I’d gone on holiday.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘The wonderful cast of characters stole my heart from the outset.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Buying Links for The Silent Sister:
UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silent-Sister-captivating-sun-drenched-historical-ebook/dp/B0FCH2BY4H/
US – https://www.amazon.com/Silent-Sister-captivating-sun-drenched-historical-ebook/dp/B0FCH2BY4H/
Also by Jan Baynham
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Published by Choc Lit an imprint of Joffe Books
Morton S. Gray - Author 
Delectable descriptions that took me there.
I’ve never been but always wanted to since I watched an Italian television series set in the past when Italian soldiers were on the island. There was a dreadful massacre. We mustn’t forget historical events that affected ordinary people in time of war (and still continuing to this day).
Thanks to both of you for sharing.
Angela xx
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Thank you, Angela. I agree.
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Thank you for inviting me onto your lovely blog, Morton. I enjoyed sharing an excerpt of The Silent Sister with your readers.
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More than welcome! 🥰
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