Tuesday, September 18, 2018

The Lady of Tarpon Springs

GIVEAWAY
MILLER, JUDITH
THE LADY OF TARPON SPRINGS

In 1905 Tarpon Springs, Florida, Zanna Krykos values the independence her career as a lawyer gives her from her very traditional Greek family and the pressure they put on her to find a husband. When a friend inherits a sponging business, Zanna finds herself agreeing to run it for her...even though she doubts her legal skills make her qualified.

When offered the chance to lead a team of sponge divers to the United States, experienced Greek diver Nico Kalos can't imagine a better opportunity. But his excitement quickly quells when their team arrives only to discover that a young woman with no experience will be their boss. For the sake of his men and the families they support, he can't let the business fail.

But when both the buisness and the lives of the employees are threatened, can Zanna and Nico set aside their pride and come together to save what matters most?

My Review:

Judith Miller always astounds me with the historical details in her novels. She finds the most interesting tidbits in history to create a fictional story around. Like sponge diving off the Florida coast. And the Greek divers who shared their expertise and helped establish a flourishing sponging trade. Who knew? Judith Miller, that's who! And it's worth taking a peek at the author's notes at the back of the book (after you finish the story, mind!) where she shares her research and separates fact from fiction. Fascinating stuff.

As is our Greek hero. Nico. Be still my heart. Seriously -- it's still all aflutter just thinking about him. Opinionated. Savvy. Bold. Quick to weaken knees with the flash of a smile. Let's all shivery swoon together. One. Two. Three. Siiiiggggghhhh! But to be honest, I have to mention that Nico is...well...can an early 20th century hero be labeled chauvinistic? Very old world values when it comes to women. Which makes his first encounter with Adria delightfully combustible. A lady lawyer? A female interpreter? Business manager? What self-respecting man would take orders from a woman?! Nico can't wrap his head around that at all! And neither can his crew!

But Adria is scrappy and tenacious and not about to let these stubborn men get the better of her! Especially Nico. I actually felt sorry for him more than once as he bears the brunt of Adria's strong willed independence. The dynamics between these two are so much fun to read! In the end, it's Nico's easy-going nature that's able to soothe Zanna's fire and fury...some of the time!.

Plus there's a great cast of secondary characters too. Zanna's opinionated Greek family (she comes by her stubbornness honestly!) As well as the three Rochester sisters (think Baldwin sisters from the Waltons) who provide delightful comedic relief. One scene in particular in which poor Nico's noble deeds are gravely misunderstood is hysterical! I read it twice just because the comedy of errors is so much fun!

And if all that isn't enough to tanatlize an avid reader's senses, there's even an element of mystery within these pages! It truly doesn't get much better than that!

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Ltd.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Lady of Tarpon Springs, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday September 23 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

38 comments:

  1. This sounds good. I am looking forward to reading it. Thanks, Kav!
    campbellamyd at gmail dot com

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  2. Sounds like a great book! mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  3. Yes. Sounds wonderful. teshawATsbcglobalDOTnet

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  4. Don't enter me as I have the book, but I just wanted to make a comment that the setting is very interesting and atypical of most books. I visited the town many years ago on a Florida road trip. The sponge diving presentation was interesting, and we had a great lunch at a local Greek restaurant. I was surprised and pleased to see the setting show up in a book by a favorite Christian author. Enjoyed your review!

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    1. Ooohh -- how cool that you've been there. I find that whole concept of sponge diving fascinating! And had no clue it was done in North America. It sounds so exotic! lol Good luck, CC.

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  5. Wasn’t this an interesting read, my book twin. Loved it.

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  6. Oooh! Definitely gonna need to read this one! I love when authors find unique occupations to base their stories on. (Elizabeth Camden is another author I feel is good at that!)
    pocoauthorATgmailDOTcom

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    1. I love history surprises too and yes, Elizabeth Camden does a good job using them as well. Good luck, Nicole.

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  7. Nice review. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom

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  8. KAV, this one sounds AMAZING! Thank you for the awesome review and chance to win a copy.

    psalm103and138atgmaildotcom

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  9. I enjoy Judith Miller's books so The Lady of Tarpon Springs is one I've been thinking of perhaps reading. When you mentioned the comedy, I knew this one was a "must read" for me. Thanks for your review and giveaway.
    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. Those Baldwinish sisters still make me smile. Good luck, Pam.

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  10. I know Judith Miller has been around for quite awhile, but I have yet to read any of her books. I was intrigued after your review of The Chapel Car Bride, but even more so with this one.
    tlhcoupon(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. She's had a long writing career and I still enjoy her stories. Good luck, Terrill.

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  11. I have enjoyed Judith Miller books in the past. This one combines my two favorite genres, history and mystery! Count me in! paulams49ATsbcglobalDOTnet Thanks.

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  12. It's been a long time since I've read a Judith Miller book! The last one was The Chapel Car Bride on your recommendation. I found her writing to be refreshing and fascinating! Sponge diving is something I've never heard of. Don't you just love the unexpected and unique subjects in books?

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. The sponge diving angle was really interesting! And Judith Miller is so meticulous with her research. Good luck, Trixi!

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  13. Judith Miller, its been a while since I've read one of her books. Time to start again. So we'll give this a try, count me in. becci43atgmaildotcom

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    1. Good place to start up with reading her books again. Good luck, Becky!

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  14. Sounds like an interesting read.

    sweetdarknectar at gmail dot com

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  15. Sounds like a fun group of characters!

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. You feel like you're there! Good luck, Patty!

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  16. This sounds like a great read! Thanks for the review. I'd love to win a copy of it.
    whthomas13 at yahoo dot com

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  17. I love that she includes a research/notes section.
    turtle6422(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. I love when authors do that! Make history fun. Good luck, Jana Leah!

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  18. We have Judith's books in the Church Library. I have been to Tarpon Springs and would very much like to read this book.
    Thanks for giving me the opportunity to win it.
    Janet E.
    von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. I love your church library! You do so much to share Christian Fiction with others. And Judith Miller is the perfect addition to your bookshelves. Good luck, Janet.

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  19. What a beautiful cover! I love reading books with historical facts in them and would love to give this one a try.

    rosebudsinjune at gmail dot com

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  20. I always enjoy these historical books!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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