Sea of Shadows
(Sea and Stone Chronicles, Book 2)
By Amy Maroney
Publication Date: 12th April 2022
Publisher: Artelan Press
Page Length: 396 Pages
Genre: Historical suspense/romance
1459. A gifted woman artist. A ruthless Scottish privateer. And an audacious plan that throws them together—with dangerous consequences.
No one on the Greek island of Rhodes suspects Anica is responsible for her Venetian father’s exquisite portraits, least of all her wealthy fiancé. But her father’s vision is failing, and with every passing day it’s more difficult to conceal the truth.
When their secret is discovered by a powerful knight of the Order of St. John, Anica must act quickly to salvage her father’s honor and her own future. Desperate, she enlists the help of a fierce Scottish privateer named Drummond. Together, they craft a daring plan to restore her father’s sight.
There’s only one problem—she never imagined falling in love with her accomplice.
Before their plan can unfold, a shocking scandal involving the knights puts Anica’s entire family at risk. Her only hope is to turn to Drummond once again, defying her parents, her betrothed, even the Grand Master of the Knights himself. But can she survive the consequences?
With this captivating tale of passion, courage, and loyalty, Amy Maroney brings a lost, dazzling world to vivid life.
Sea of Shadows is Book 2 in a series of stand-alone historical novels packed with adventure and romance.
Summer, 1459
Rhodes Town
Anica Foscolo hurried through a crowd gathering in the marketplace under the blazing sun, trailed by her slave, Maria. All around them, traders unloaded their goods from donkey carts. The sugar sellers up the hill had already attracted a swarm of customers.
“Let’s stop at the sugar stalls on the way back,” she told Maria over her shoulder. “I want to make a lemon tonic for Mamá.”
Maria nodded, stone-faced. She had not wanted to come on this errand, and she was never one to put on a false smile.
Two spice merchants leading heavily-laden donkeys ambled into their path, sending whiffs of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves into the air. Slowing her pace, Anica caught sight of a ceramics trader setting out bowls on a nearby table.
“Good day,” she greeted him, moving closer.
Placing a hand over his heart, the man smiled in recognition. “When will your family return to Archangelos, signorina? It’s been too long.”
“Perhaps this autumn we’ll be back.” Anica traced the outline of a dolphin on a bowl with her fingertip, unwilling to explain the reason for their absence. “You’re using blue paint for your designs now, like the Italians?”
His smile fading, he bent to rummage in a pannier filled with crockery. “Latins don’t care for the Greek style. They want what they can get in Genoa or Florence, and they pay well for it.”
At the mention of Florence, she tightened her grip on the canvas-wrapped parcel tucked under one arm and turned away.
There was no avoiding the Kastellania, where onlookers congregated at the whipping post as two guards hauled a chained inmate from the building’s interior. Anica swallowed hard and sped her step, the prisoner’s cries echoing in her ears. For the first time all morning, Maria matched her pace. The girl had always been terrified by the sight of a public flogging.
When they reached the Florentine banker’s home, Maria hung back again, scowling.
“A slave is safer in the streets than in that man’s house,” she said in a voice dripping with venom.
“He’s not your master,” Anica retorted. “Come inside with me. All will be well.”
Maria shook her head and stood her ground, refusing to meet Anica’s eyes.
“If you prefer to broil in the sun, so be it.” Anica regarded the polished cypress wood doors, wishing for her father’s comforting presence. Then she drew in a breath, steeled herself, and lifted the heavy iron door knocker.
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Amy Maroney studied English Literature at Boston University and worked for many years as a writer and editor of nonfiction. She lives in Oregon, U.S.A. with her family. When she’s not diving down research rabbit holes, she enjoys hiking, dancing, traveling, and reading. Amy is the author of The Miramonde Series, an award-winning historical fiction trilogy about a Renaissance-era female artist and the modern-day scholar on her trail. Her new historical suspense/romance series, Sea and Stone Chronicles, is set in medieval Rhodes and Cyprus.
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That excerpt really makes you want to read on. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI love Amy's books, well worth putting on your to-read list!
DeleteThanks so much for organizing this fabulous blog tour for Sea of Shadows, Mary Anne!
ReplyDeleteEverything about this book says buy it!!! I am off to Amazon!
ReplyDelete