Efimios was stunned and thought about it for a few moments before speaking. “Perhaps you’re right! I must say, I had never thought of that and we can only speculate. But, yes, indeed, why not?”
“Surely, it must be so! You said the sea never changes and that’s true! I bet the Athenians used to come up here in ancient times to enjoy the sea view under the full moon, just like we are now! I’m sure it looked just as enchanting then,” replied Manos, his eyes twinkling.
“Oh, yes it did!” replied Efimios with a wink. He knew it for a fact, after all.
“Hey! You two look engrossed in conversation. I wonder what this is about,” piped up Anna from behind them. Efimios put an arm around her, planting a kiss on her cheek. The rest of the family joined them, and they all marveled at the sea view.
Manos turned to Eleni. “Mother, I think I’d like to join the Merchant Navy one day, travel the world like Aris . . . Do you think I could manage to get a job like that?” The idea had been brewing in his mind on and off for the past two years. Efimios’s words had made him certain.
Eleni gave a bright smile. “My darling Manos, I think you can manage anything, as long as you put your mind to it!”
They all stood there for quite a while, staring out to sea under the crimson moon. Across the distance, the Acropolis museum cradled within its walls its legendary treasures, lulling them to a peaceful sleep under the eerie light from the heavens. Behind the museum’s large window panes, the five Caryatids stood alert on their platform. The ageless maidens with the long braided hair down their backs remained awake, even at this hour, gazing at the top of the Acropolis, full of nostalgia for their sacred home. Inside their marble chests, they nurtured as always, precious hope for the return of their long lost sister.
All at once, high in the sky, the full moon increased in size but, in the magic of the hour, no one noticed amongst the humans who stood around the Parthenon. The only creature that did was a lonely owl that perched on a branch of a nearby olive tree. Drawn irresistibly to the moon, the owl stretched out its wings and took to the skies in a leisurely flight until it disappeared from view inside the radiant, crimson circle.
And I, Efimios, who has responded to your call to tell you this strange story, can assure you that it’s absolutely true. Should you doubt me, spare a moment to reflect upon the magic of fairy tales. They are so fascinating to listen to because our souls take pleasure in hearing the timeless truths of life. Every child quickly learns what these are, from all the stories their loving guardians ever told them at bedtime. Sometimes, all you need to do is think back to the fairy tales of your childhood in order to be reminded what is most important in life and what is really true.
THE END
Thank you for reading The Necklace of Goddess Athena! Keep turning the pages to check out Effrosyni’s award-winning romance The Ebb, an important note from the author, and more!
Did you know? Every time one of my readers forgets to write a review, my naughty cat, Felix, gets so upset he destroys my flower pots. It just breaks my heart. Tell me what you thought of my book and help save my poor flowers!
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Acknowledgements
Heartfelt thanks to my husband Andy for his ongoing editing assistance and moral support. I also wish to thank the following people from the bottom of my heart: Deborah Mansfield, Nicholas Rossis, Maria Messini, Donna Manobianco, Kerry Hall, Jenny Twist, Jackie Weger, David Wind, Bronwyn Elsmore, Carmen De Sousa, and Amy Vansant. All of you, in your own unique way, you have been there during hard times or helped me when I needed assistance badly. I am most grateful to you all. Last, to my fans and readers, a big thank you, especially to the ones who take the time to spread the word. It means a lot, more than words can ever express.
About the author
Effrosyni Moschoudi was born and raised in Athens, Greece. As a child, she often sat alone in her garden scribbling rhymes about flowers, butterflies and ants. Today she writes books for people who love all things Greek. Her novels are Amazon bestsellers, having hit #1 several times. She lives in a quaint seaside town near Athens with her husband Andy and a naughty cat called Felix.
Her debut novel, The Necklace of Goddess Athena, is a Readers’ Favorite silver medalist. Her historical romance, The Ebb, is an ABNA Q-finalist and is inspired from the author’s blissful summers in 1980s Corfu as a youngster.
Effrosyni loves Corfu with passion! Her FREE online guide to the island is unmissable if you plan to visit Greece! Check it out here: http://effrosyniwrites.com/your-guide-to-moraitika-corfu
Effrosyni’s books are available on Amazon in kindle and paperback. The paperbacks can also be ordered at any bookstore or library.
A note from Effrosyni
To breathe life into Pallada, I’ve drawn on my experiences as a young girl helping my grandmother to run a small family guesthouse on the island of Corfu. I’ve modelled my character Mrs. Sofia after her, and she resembles her in many ways; particularly in her melodic vocal expression, tenderness and fiery temperament.
To find out more about my real-life experiences at the guesthouse in Moraitika, Corfu, visit this post: https://effrosinimoss.wordpress.com/2015/02/09/my-corfiot-granny-and-a-bunch-of-strange-tourists/
The book includes tiny tributes to two special people:
My husband Andy is an avid aero-modeler and often wishes there were more references to his hobby in literature. In order to put a smile on his face, I’ve included in this book a scene where Manos gets to fly a model plane in Anavyssos. This is a real place, where hobbyists come together to enjoy their passion.
In another chapter, Ksenia quotes a schoolteacher who preached that if life were easy it would be a cookie with sugar on top. I’ve included this to honor my English teacher, Mr. Fraggoulis, from Athens. He’d often say something similar, using the Greek word ‘Zaharokoulouro’ (sugar cookie) that sounded amusing to us children and made us laugh.
Mr. Fraggoulis taught me English from the tender age of ten. He’d often push me to engage in conversation with British tourists in Corfu during my summer holidays. Back then, I was too shy and self-conscious of my mistakes to dare it, but thanks to his persistence I plucked up the courage to strike up conversations with the tourists by the time I was thirteen. After that, you couldn’t shut me up! Mr. Fraggoulis, this is to say thank you, for being an eager and loving teacher, both of English and of life in general.
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More from this author
Get “FACETS of LOVE” for FREE!
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LOVE WILL GO ON FOREVER, SEEKING A SECOND CHANCE.
BRIGHTON, 1937
Dreaming of wealth and happiness, Laura Mayfield arrives in Brighton to pursue a new life. She
falls for Christian Searle, a happy-go-lucky stagehand at the West Pier theatre, but when she’s offered a chance to perform there, her love for him is put to the test. Charles Willard, a wealthy aristocrat, is fascinated by her and pursues her relentlessly. Will Laura choose love… or money?
CORFU, 1987
On a long holiday with her grandparents, Sofia Aspioti meets Danny Markson, a charming flirt who makes her laugh. Although she tries to keep him at arm’s length, worried that village gossip will get back to her strict family, she falls desperately in love. That’s when strange dreams about Brighton’s West Pier and a woman dressed in black begin to haunt her. Who is this grieving woman? And how is her lament related to Sofia’s feelings for Danny?
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Order Effrosyni’s paperbacks on Amazon, at your nearest bookstore, or ask at the library.
Katie has a guardian angel… she just doesn’t know it
The Amulet is a romantic comedy of angel magic and tantalizing descriptions of Greek food. Download it at your own peril; it’ll make you feel ravenous (not to mention all loved-up!)
When Katie loses her Athens office job, a gypsy woman hands her an amulet for good luck. Next, she gets hired as hotel receptionist on the Greek island of Sifnos and everything seems perfect, except for the overbearing hotel owner, Mrs. Matina. One of the guests, heart-stoppingly handsome Aggelos, keeps saving the day whenever Katie needs help. As she falls in love, she grows all the more intrigued by him and his quirky friends, including a little girl who keeps turning up on her own. Add a psychic, half-mad elderly woman into the mix and you’re in for a few laughs. Things are not what they seem in this small, family hotel and get even more complicated when the gypsy woman shows up again. Will Katie ever work out that Aggelos is a guardian angel that came with the amulet? And if she does, will she be able to keep him? It may take a miracle. But on an island as magical as Sifnos, anything is possible!
Visit Amazon
US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MCZ2UOU
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Order Effrosyni’s paperbacks on Amazon, at your nearest bookstore, or ask at the library.
The Necklace of Goddess Athena Page 34