The Lady of Tarpon Springs

The Lady of Tarpon Springs by Judith Miller
Hannah's Rating: 4 out of 5 bookmarks

This book was my first story by Judith Miller. I'd avoided her work for a long time under a nebulous idea that her books might be underwhelming or saccharine. However, I grabbed a copy on impulse after my friend kept telling me how much she was loving the book.

I was wowed by a colorful story of Florida life and Greek culture that is sure to stick with me for a good long while. Zanna Krykos could easily be the stereotypical modern heroine: a historical woman discontented at home, hesitant to marry, following a mostly-male career, and very sure of her own opinion and perceptions. But Miller takes all that and goes beyond stereotype by plopping her right in over her head: her dear friend Lucy inherits a fledgling sponging business and needs some help. Zanna to the rescue! She is a lawyer and most importantly she speaks Greek. Lucy's new employees are arriving from Greece (which was apparently the sponging center of the universe) to try to start up a company to harvest the numerous sponges in the Bay. Lucy doesn't speak a word of Greek, the workers don't speak a word of English, and Zanna's her only hope.

Single master diver Nico Kalos is leading his men to a new land to ply their trade and send money back home to loved ones. He can hardly believe it when he finds the promises made to him about the job are false and the man who promised them newly dead. Two women who haven't the slightest clue about the job or the essential safety requirements are the leaders now, and Nico's stuck: there's no money for fare to return to Greece. The last thing he'll do is let these headstrong women endanger his men or refuse to live up to the promises that drew his group away from the families and homes they loved. He can't speak enough English to communicate with his new boss, Lucy, but he can sure speak to fiery and pretty Zanna. Sparks fly fast between these two.

Wow, I learned so much about sponging and diving! I was fascinated by all that went into it and amazed by the dangers that the divers faced. This part of the book was really well done and interesting.

What held it back from a five-bookmark rating for me was just a couple of things. Zanna is a lawyer, but we aren't told much about her job or what made her want to go into it. Not much about how she learned it or anything about her other clients. She has some kind of office but I kept waiting to really see her helping people there. Also, we get lots about Greek culture but very little about historical Tarpon Springs itself. I'd have like a more detailed city setting and a bit more about the job/calling that drove Zanna.

In terms of a content advisory, there isn't much to say. There are a few kisses, a death, and an attempted drowning. I'll definitely be seeking out more by Miller now!

I tried to read this book I really did but I really could not finish it. And I usually love this author which is why I grabbed this book.
I did learn a lot about sponging off the coast of Florida that I never knew existed!
While I appreciated the learning aspect of it it could do with some humor written in there too. To me, it's what gives a book personality. For the characters to have fun and enjoy themselves while they're doing a job.
And I can't even imagine a business like that even being thrust upon me all of a sudden with terms and conditions?
Poor Lucy!! No wonder she wanted out of so bad! She was in over her head
I'm like other readers I would have like to have known more about Zanna.
The other thing I really loved was the cover of the book! Simply gorgeous!!
As they say, not every book is for everyone but I will still recommend this book.
My thanks to Netgalley. NO compensations were received. All opinions are my own