About the book "ATHENS": Athens is the second book in a trilogy that spans the lives of three generations of strong women: the author's grandmother Calliopi, the author's mother Thiana, and Silver, the author herself. Thiana, the first book, depicts Calliopi's and Thiana's struggles with life's adversities, Thiana's courage and determination in forging a better life for herself and her family, and Thiana's journey from her native village in northwestern Greece-AVDELA-to Romania. Athens, the second book, depicts Silver's life and adventures while in Greece. Silver, a young, inexperienced woman fresh out of college, escapes from Communist Romania and returns to her mother's native land, Greece, hoping to make a better life for herself and later on to bring over the entire family. Silver's dreams, fueled by her mother's stories, of finding acceptance, love, and security are crashed one after another as she faces the harsh reality. After only 14 months of staying in Greece, Silver is faced with a dilemma that will change her and her family's lives: to return to Communist Romania or to go forward to America. Athens is a love story, as Silver is fascinated by love, like a butterfly fascinated by the light, which goes too close to the source of heat, burning its delicate wings over and over again. Athens is a true recollection of stories and events that occurred during the author's stay in Athens.