A sweet Cinderella-type romance that takes place on a Greek island. Orphaned Ipatia Kouris plans to go to college, but finds love in the way of a rich shipowner's son. Will she achieve her dreams?
Lipsi’s Daughter
This Cinderella-type story begins on the Greek Isle of Lipsi, where Ipatia, an orphaned girl, lives with her grandfather. Intelligent, beautiful Ipatia is bent on pursuing a college education and makes plans to attend the university in Piraeus and live there with her aunt.
The day before her trip, she literally falls into the arms of Tony Plakis, a rich ship-owner’s son, who saves her from a snake in the tree. In her hasty departure from the young man’s arms, she drops behind an English novel she was reading. Tony discovers the book and this leads to a sequence of events that draw the couple even closer.
However, complications accost them every step of the way. Tony’s best friend, Doctor Michael, falls for Ipatia, and Tony’s own father wants him to marry an heiress. To make matters worse, an accident separates the couple. Through a misunderstanding, Ipatia leaves for America, wanting nothing to do with Tony. Tony battles with amnesia, a result from the accident, trying to recover his life. Will he remember his true love, Ipatia? Will Ipatia’s love be strong enough to overcome the test of time?
Excerpt
Excerpt from "Lipsi's Daughter" -
The wind and rain pelted Tony mercilessly as he made his way to the Captain’s steering room.
“Mr. Plakis, thank God you came!” shouted Captain Haris, trying to steer the yacht. “We can no longer fight the storm! One of our engines is down.”
“Where are we now?” shouted Tony Plakis. He battled with the door, trying to shut it. The yacht heaved itself headlong into the black night, while the howling winds and heavy rain pounded the ship with a vengeance.
“We are close to Lipsi Island. We will be safer if we dock there for the night!”
It was mid-day and the sky was a lucid blue with no clouds in sight. Ipatia stood in the courtyard, gazing at Lipsi’s sun-splashed rolling hills and deep valleys. The vibrant greens of the cypress trees dotted the landscape, and the whitewashed houses, so pure in color, appeared almost saintly. Further ahead, the Aegean Sea seemed calm, deceivingly calm. She had learned a long time ago that the waters beyond Liendou’s bay could easily turn treacherous.
Professional Reviews
RomanceFiction.com
"I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and recommend it to everyone who likes a romance that takes you away to other countries." 4 ½ stars - Melissa Alvarez, RomanceFiction.com
What a Beautiful Love Story
I started reading Lipsi's daughter early this morning and found myself not able to put this book down until I turned the last page. What a beautiful love story. It was one of those books that leaves such a wonderful feeling inside afterward, that it was a bit sad to let it go, but well worth the read. I was touched by Ipatia's endearing sweetness and Tony's charismatic charm and the way they both fell for each other, even when they sometimes didn't even realize it themselves. There were turns in the story I wasn't expecting, which made the story very interesting, and sometimes maddening in a good way, but never without hope. My heart ached for both Ipatia and Tony when they were finding their way back to each other and when they did, it was very sweet. Patty Apostolides painted a picture of the Greek scenery so vividly it made me feel as if I were right there on the hillsides looking over the picturesque cities and ports. She is an amazing writer, able to tell a story that feels very real. It is very rare to find such a gem. - 5 stars - Kara McKenzie, Author
A Wonderful Cinderella Story, Told Grecian Style
Young Ipatia Kouris has lived with her grandfather since her parents' death. He raised her in the traditional Greek style, intending that she marry and have children. But Ipatia wants to further her education and have a career before she makes the ultimate commitment and settles down. When a chance circumstance brings Tony Plakis into her life, his dark good looks and friendly charm sway her thoughts for the first time toward romance - that is, until she learns he is already engaged.
Tony Plakis earned a professor's degree, preferring to work in a field different from that of his wealthy shipping magnet father - a father ignored him most of his life. But the elderly Plakis has other plans for his only son: Tony is to marry a wealthy heiress and take over the family business. His father's desires weigh heavily on Tony's mind as his father's ship visits the Dodecanese island of Lipsi. During a stroll on the island, Tony rescues Ipatia, a beautiful young woman whose innocence and traditional ways he finds refreshing. She is a complete change from the usual females he meets; those who desire him only for his wealth. After they part, Ipatia's shy smile and easy laughter continue to invade his mind.
Tony learns that Ipatia is to travel to Piraeus -- the location of her future college and his father's business offices. When Tony's father becomes ill, out of family duty, Tony takes over the shipping business. Then Tony's engagement dissolves and he resolves to sway Ipatia's thoughts away from education and into his arms.
Tony convinces Ipatia to work in the office to translate documents into English until her classes start. She is thrilled to work in Tony's office. After all, it affords her the opportunity to see him daily. Her only other male acquaintance is Michael Hatzis, a doctor who treated her swollen ankle and who, learning of her interest in the field of medicine, lets her borrow his medical journals. Michael admires the young woman, but it's obvious to him that Ipatia is in love with his best friend, Tony. When Tony learns that Ipatia and become friends with Michael, he cautiously withdraws his attention, confusing Ipatia. More obstacles stand in their path until one day, Tony convinces her to go on a picnic. During a drive to the mountaintop, they have a car accident.
Ipatia recovers from her broken ribs and, wondering why she hasn't heard from Tony, visits his office, only to be told that Tony is on Crete. Discouraged and confused over his lack of attention, she departs, certain that Tony was only toying with her affections.
Unknown to her is that the accident left Tony comatose for months. When he finally awakens, Tony has no memory of his past - let alone of Ipatia.
Ipatia flies to Chicago to join her aunt, who has recently married and is expecting a baby. There, Ipatia starts a new life, one involving education at an American college. There she meets other men, and ignores them. Her thoughts remain on the love she lost.
Will Tony ever regain his memory of the beautiful young woman who touched his heart? Will the miles that separate Ipatia from her home - and her one true love - prevent a happy ending? You'll have to read the book to find out.
Patty Apostolides is a fresh new author whose first romance novel is enchanting and wonderful. Lipsi's Daughter is filled with a sprinkling of music, a dash of love poems, and a hearty scoop of tender moments that tug at your heart. Her vivid descriptions will have you feeling as though you're in Greece, savoring the scenery, the people and, most of all, a story of love that will leave you longing for more. -5 stars - Linda Morelli, Author
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