Shipwreck Dives and Romance

source:Fotofolia

About 2000 years ago, in the Roman-era, a grain ship, believed to have been carrying loot from the Roman occupation of Greece sank off the island of Antikythera.

example of a roman era grain ship-source:www.news/com/au

Why is the shipwreck news today? 

A second archaeological expedition will soon return to the Antikythera dive site to search for artifacts, and an important one in particular. The news jogged my memory of a Harlequin romance story that begins with a shipwreck dive scene involving the hero and heroine.

 The story is The Sicilian Duke’s Demand  which was written by Madeleine Ker and published in 2006.  More on the romance to follow, but first I wanted to write some more about the Antikythera shipwreck.

Down in the briny depths, and amongst the looted Roman war booty, the archaeologists found an ancient bronze and copper alloy gadget. They are claiming it is an ancient analog computer. Amazing! The relic is called “the Antikythera Mechanism”.

source:www.adelaidenow.com.au

The experts believe the relic was used to predict the motion of the planets and the dates of upcoming eclipses. When I saw the picture of the device, I immediately thought of a natal or birth chart used in modern astrology. 

The basic principle is, when a person is born, depending on the time and location of their birth, the positions of the stars and planets can be plotted onto a circular chart. The interpretation of the celestial positions and comments about the characteristics and destiny of a person can be gleaned from the birth chart by an experienced Astrologer.

The archaeologists are returning to the waters around Antikythera to search for maybe a second, ancient computing device. 

About the Romance…

The story starts with Archaeologist, Isobel, floating in Sicilian waters, and surveying a wrecked ancient Greek gallery lying on the seabed. She spots a powerfully built male body, naked but for his black shorts free-diving down below. She suspects the worst—that the good-looking diver is a pirate attempting to steal historical artifacts from the shipwreck to sell on the blackmarket.

She sees a glint of gold in his hand and her worst fears are confirmed. She takes action to stop the thief and grabs him by the hair. Only the pirate is Alessandro, and he’s the Sicilian Duke who is sponsoring the archaeological expedition. 

Isobel has made a big error in judgement. By the end of the opening scenes, she has the golden coin of Poseidon, god of the sea in her possession. And Alessandro has passionately kissed her and she’s a boneless wreck….....

Here's the link to the book on Amazon,   

http://www.amazon.com/The-Sicilian-Dukes-Demand-Madeleine-ebook/dp/B000MAHAYW 

In 2010, the same story was also packaged into  a three book collection titled- The Italian's Summer Seduction.

The blurb from the paperback edition of the book goes like this;

“The reputation of the Duke of Mandala is infamous—Alessandro is every inch the playboy. His self-made millions and suave Sicilian heritage make him dangerously attractive.

Isobel Roche knew all of this before she even met Alessandro, but nothing could have prepared her for his skillful seduction. Now he has the power to destroy her—unless she gives him what he wants…”

Here's the link to the book on Amazon,  http://www.amazon.com/The-Italians-Summer-Seduction-Collection/dp/026387396X

Have a good week,

Ashlyn