Book 2

In this effervescent sequel to Jani's highly acclaimed memoir, 'The Butterflies Fly Backwards', readers are once again transported to Corfu, where her family's remarkable adventures continue.

'This is a warm and funny demonstration of the triumph of the human spirit. Battered by almost every possible disaster, Jani and her husband come through them all, and keep you laughing until the end.' 

Jullian Fellowes - Writer and creator of Downton Abbey

This lighthearted memoir describes the next few years of the author's life in Corfu as she and her husband strive to build their dream home on the island. Set against the backdrop of the looming global financial crisis, equal measures of serendipity, calamity and chaos knock the family's best laid plans off course; a vanishing architect and teams of incompetent Albanian builders stack the odds ever more firmly against them. But having determinedly burnt their bridges in England they have little choice but to keep calm and carry on.

After eight years living afloat in the Ionian, life ashore throws fresh challenges and delights into the family's path. Big fat Greek weddings, superstition and corruption, extraordinary encounters and intrigues, floods, a femme fatale, a new puppy, stray kittens and another lucky escape ... these are only a small part of this rich and colourful Corfiot tapestry.

Triumphs and tribulations are described with the same humour and eternal optimism that made The Butterflies Fly Backwards such a popular book. Jani's deep affection for Corfu and all things Greek shines through in every closely observed detail of life through endless summers and harsher winters, transporting the reader to the sunshine of the island, to the variety of its breathtaking scenery and to the unfailing kindness and warmth of its indomitable, generous people.

Book 3

Pack your bags and travel through another colourfully chaotic and humorous patchwork of serendipities and misadventures with this exuberant final book in Jani's Corfiot trilogy.

'Jani writes about Corfu with such candour and affection, even if you have never visited the island, as you read, you will begin to feel the warmth of the sun on your skin, the chill of an iced ouzo in your hands, and the very essence of this magical island.' 

Angela Rippon CBE

A different life awaits Jani and her family after they reluctantly flee Corfu and endeavour to start their lives from scratch having lost everything. Fortunately Jani can revisit her former career as an artist and all too soon the home shared with her family is turned into a temporary factory, studio and madhouse. An ambition conceived when her children were very young is finally brought to fruition.

Another project, born out of an overheard Greek conversation, quickly follows after Jani and her husband move to a tiny granite cottage in Cornwall; a summerhouse is pressed into service as a studio in which to paint a highly esteemed Royal commission and to write a series of new books, of which this is one...

Some amongst many readers comments:

"Jani does for Corfu what others have done for France and Tuscany."

"I journeyed with you all the way! It made me laugh, it made me envious, it made me cry. I read it slowly, not wanting it to end."

"I've read a few books about life in Greece, but what put this at the top was Jani's beautiful way of writing, the humour that wasn't forced and the honesty as she lets you into her life."

"It made me laugh out loud! I'm dragging out the last few pages as I'll be sad to finish."

"You've done it again! Bravo! .. readers feel the spell that the island has cast over you."

"Beautifully written. The sort of book you can't put down."

"Your books have massively entertained and charmed me."

"The best present I've ever been given."

Written and illustrated by Jani Tully Chaplin, this is a lavish journal of watercolours and pencil drawings of the flora, fauna and fascinating natural objects observed during Jani's years living in Corfu and sailing the Ionian on her family's oceangoing catamaran.

This diary is based on sketches made in remote coves, in the thickets of the littoral and in the mountains of the interior. Amongst her personal observations, the text includes many fascinating and informative descriptions of the medicinal, olfactory and culinary uses of the wild plants found in this natural paradise, often revealing surprising links between Ancient Greek civilization, mythology, folklore and modern medicine.

In this delightful book, Jani recreates the atmosphere of Gerry’s childhood, no mean feat, as it is based on her sojourn on the island many decades later. Corfu was then experiencing the boom years of international tourism, which took their toll on the island’s natural beauty, tranquillity and profusion of wildlife. And yet Jani sees through the disagreeable trappings of modern times with her enchanting illustrations and charming texts, which tell good stories as well as providing much fascinating information. She also, I am glad to say, pays close attention to the plants of Corfu, which are just as special as the animals! Come and share the magic by reading Jani's book – it will bring you straight here!

Taken from the introduction to this book by Dr Lee Durrell MBE

A Greek Island Nature Diary is a most unusual book that evokes the skills of an earlier, nineteenth-century writer, and will bring gentle enjoyment to every reader. I defy anyone leafing through this colourful book not to want to flee to the warmth and history of Corfu that shines through on every page.

                                                                                              Taken from the foreword to this book by

                                                                                                John Seymour, Duke of Somerset

                         Cover size: 240 x 190 approx, 112 pages, 70 colour illustrations Please click on Store at top of page to order

The Manor House Stories are a series of 12 children's books with over 400 exquisite illustrations. 

The first story was released in 2013, written and illustrated by Jani Tully Chaplin

Foreword by Julian Fellowes:

"The Manor House Stories create a wonderful and detailed world in miniature full of truth and consequence, like all good stories should, giving us lessons about life but in the most charming way imaginable. No one can accuse the books of soft-soaping the realities of work in a great house, there is plenty of elbow grease required from all the animals and birds employed there, as I should know, but you will find kindness in these pages too, and I suppose I believe that while fate may be challenging for everyone, there is often some kindness in the mix. In my experience anyway.

These lovely little tales contain comments and observations that will be very useful to young readers in the years to come, 

and they will be useful to older readers, too, if I am anything to go by."