Blog tour: The Kismet Pension

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Welcome to the blog tour for The Kismet Pension by Melanie Ann Gilbert!

More about the book…

Family, traditions and a taste of Turkey…

The Kismet Pension is the only guest house in the village and its owner, Fatma, wants to keep it that way. When Harun arrives from Istanbul with a plan to build a retreat where jaded city dwellers can get back to nature, Fatma sets out on a mission to stop him.

She recruits an unlikely group of supporters and together they wage war against the retreat. But as the summer heats up, Fatma’s followers drift away and even her family are giving her cause for worry.

When the retreat is threatened with destruction, will she stand back and watch, or will her conscience get the better of her?

The Kismet Pension will transport you to the village of Ortakoy, with its colourful inhabitants, quaint customs and long days of sunshine!

More about the author…

I grew up in England and studied Geography at university, then took a TEFL course, before teaching at a language school in London. Later, I moved into advertising and was chosen to run the marketing department for the national radio station Classic FM over the start-up period.

Having travelled at every opportunity, I moved to Fethiye, on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, in 1994. My husband and I opened a hotel which keeps me busy in summer and helps me to meet all sorts of people. In the winter I teach, initially English in high school and lately Turkish to expats. 

I spend much of my free time reading and writing.  I wrote a blog about life in Turkey for a few years and had several articles published in a national English language newspaper, on subjects ranging from the problems of tourism to Turkish idioms.  

My impressions…

This debut novel offers an escape to a picturesque Turkish village, where an interesting mix of locals and visitors create a fascinating world. Rather than relying on fast-paced drama, the story moves forward at a steady pace, allowing readers to settle into the rhythms of village life.

What makes the book truly special, however, is the rich sense of place, which – having recently been to Turkey – was very welcome. The details, from the aroma of coffee to the lively traditions of weddings, add authenticity and charm.

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