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Lantern Across the Sea: The Genoese Arbalester (Lover of the Sea Book 1) Kindle Edition

4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 36 ratings

In 1279, thirteen years before Marco Polo returns from China, Ponzio Bastone, a Genoese crossbowman, wrote his will, giving a basketful of macaroni to his heirs. A copy of the will was filed in the city archives of Genoa.
Lantern Across the Sea is the story of Bastone who sets out on a trading expedition across the Mediterranean during the thirteenth century. He departs Genoa, arranged to be married to a woman of the most powerful family in the city, but on the voyage becomes enthralled with Esmeray, the daughter of a Greek fisherman.
As he travels across the expansive Genoese trading empire, Bastone conceals his prime aim midst the commercial venture. Charles of Anjou, King of Sicily, is massing his fleets, proclaiming he will lead a crusade to free Jerusalem from the Muslims, hiding his real goal of attacking Christian Constantinople. At each port of call, Bastone secretly meets with powerful state leaders from Constantinople to Sicily to Spain, as a part of the conspiracy to thwart the king’s attack.
Bastone and Esmeray, amid a chaotic and dangerous world of pirates, assassins, slave traders, and hostile family prejudice, must together prevent a history-changing catastrophe.

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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Since childhood, Mike Ponzio has read about history, trading books with his father, Joseph E. Ponzio. Mike traveled across the Mediterranean, the locations inspiring him to write Ancestry Novels. The stories chronicle the lives of historical characters which the author imagines may have been his family's ancient ancestors. Mike met his wife, Anne Davis, in 1975 at a University of Florida karate class. Since that time both continue to practice and teach Cuong Nhu Martial Arts. With John Burns, they wrote and published six instructional books on martial arts weapons. Mike retired in 2015, after working as an environmental engineer for thirty-seven years. Anne and Mike have raised four sons, who are also engineering graduates, following in the footsteps of their Davis and Ponzio grandfathers.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BNNW4NQQ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Trinacria Publishing Company; 1st edition (November 29, 2022)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 29, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4959 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 297 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 36 ratings

About the author

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Michael A. Ponzio
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Have you ever wanted to live in another time and place in history? Have you imagined what it would be like to take the place of an ancestor? Michael A. Ponzio’s lifelong experience reading books on history combined with his love for family has inspired him to bring these visions alive, by writing a series of “Ancestry Novels”.

Since childhood, Mike Ponzio has read books about ancient history. He traded books and stories with his father, Joseph E. Ponzio, and they discussed the origins of the family surname. Mike traveled around the Mediterranean to Europe, Asia, and Africa, visiting many of the locations he would later write about. He continues to travel and write Ancestry Novels which he imagines may have taken place during the lives of ancient ancestors.

Mike met his wife, Anne Davis, in 1975 at a University of Florida karate class. Since that time both have taught Cuong Nhu Martial Arts. With John Burns, they wrote and published six instructional books on martial arts weapons. Mike retired in 2015, after working as an environmental engineer for thirty-seven years. Anne and Mike have raised four sons. They are all engineer graduates, following in the footsteps of their Davis and Ponzio grandfathers.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
36 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2023
    Lantern Across the Sea includes the same vivid details we've come to expect from M. Ponzio. When Ponzio writes about sailing, it makes me want to get on a sailboat. When he writes about the arbalester protagonist, it makes me really want to try archery. This book is hard to put down and don't be surprised if the pages bring a smile, a chill, a tear!!
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2022
    Quick read, easy to digest, the author did a swell job sweeping the reader up in the adventure and excitement. The author's use of maps, vivid descriptions of the cities and seas, and expertly written battle scenes made me feel like I was sailing right along with Bastone and Esme!

    I would have given this 5 stars if there were more battle scenes. In addition, this story would be fantastic as an audiobook!

    This is a human story with colorful cultures painted with hues of independence, desire for fair taxation, value of diversity, celebration of heritage which forms the strong bonds necessary to ward off a foreign power from further oppression.

    Reading this novel makes me want to plan a trip to the Mediterranean Sea to travel to these places. I never would of guessed the magnitude of diversity across the Sicilian population - I definitely want to visit.

    And the sailing and merchant life is alluring! I would like to learn how to sail!!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2023
    I enjoyed this story for the most part although I did get tired of so much dialogue. The plot was good and I enjoyed the historical aspect.
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2024
    “Lantern Across the Sea is an outstanding historical novel. The details of each scene become vivid to your imagination, making you excited to turn to the next page. The characters are believable as well as lovable. The cadence of the storyline and plot blend the history and romance for a most enjoyable read.
    To Michael A Ponzio….When will the movie premiere?”
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2023
    I enjoyed this book. The plot is interesting! I could not predict what was going to happen next and I can’t put myself in that time period to know what the realm of possibilities are. The author presents lots of information about the language, the era, the history and culture of that time and place, which I really enjoyed. The writing is excellent too. But for me, the story is flat. I want suspense, I want to feel what the characters must be feeling, I want to feel the fear, elation, relief and shock. Aside from that, the author did a great job of writing a good story and presenting interesting information.
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2023
    As a lover of historical fiction, I found this journey through 13th Century history fascinating. It's a time period not well known to me that unveils routes of secret communications from Sicily to Spain to stop the King of Sicily's campaign. The emergence of a strong and competent woman character helps to drive the story in unexpected ways. Friendships and relationships developed along the way enrich the story. Michael Ponzio's writing and dialogue becomes more skillful with each new book!
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2023
    Another great book from author Mike Ponzio! I always learn a lot about history and life in times past while reading his stories. He has a way of making you feel like you are there. Each book has been set in a different time period, and they just keep getting better. I enjoyed Lantern Across the Sea, and I bet you will, too!
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2023
    This is Ponzio's best novel so far! The story catches you right away and never lets go. I love the way Ponzio weaves history into the fictional story. While enjoying a thrilling story, you learn about the history of that time and what it was like living back then. I highly recommend this novel.

Top reviews from other countries

  • Robert
    4.0 out of 5 stars A well written tale of the sea
    Reviewed in Australia on April 15, 2023
    A lot of effort went into putting this book together Well done.

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