A Martina Cole fan has made a holiday “pilgrimage” to his favourite author’s second home in North Cyprus.
Chelsea-born lorry driver Paul Barton, 50, who posed outside Ms Cole’s Alsancak Best Seller bookshop, said: “I have been reading her books for 15 years and have a collection of around 20 which have been all round the world on holiday with me.
“I just had to come to North Cyprus to visit the shop because her books mean so much to me.
“Once I left my book on a hotel table and someone took it. I just had to get another copy immediately to finish the story.
“I love the East End gangland themes and the way she has updated them. I’m a lorry driver so I pass by lots of the story locations. Her books really grip you. I can relate to them as I had quite a hard life, like Martina.”
Mr Barton added: “They were mocking me a little at my hotel about the Cyprus Today photographer taking my picture at the shop, but it means the world to me.
“I would like to thank Monica from Best Seller and Vicky Karaca who were really helpful and made me very welcome.
“Martina has already liked’ my picture and has sent me messages via her assistant and promised to post me a signed copy of her latest book.”
Mr Barton’s wife Carol admitted: “I’m not really a book person I prefer the films.”
By Anne Canalp for Cyprus Today
