The Golden Moon: Maria's Adventures on the High Seas

by Dee Russ Smith

This mystery/adventure, also a wholesome love-story for teens, unfolds in both Present-Day and Flashback modes. Teenager, Maria, emerging from a coma, struggles to remember her transatlantic cruise before the tragedy. In Flashback mode, the reader finds Maria cruising the Golden Moon with her aunt, the Chief Purser. Uncomfortable on the ocean, insecure amidst gifted musicians, Maria meets a handsome teen, Jeff (her first crush), and as they attempt to solve a shipboard mystery, her confidence grows.
The reader is treated to an Italian cruise, beautiful ports-of-call and art works by the Masters. Romance is everywhere, but sly and dangerous characters abound. Maria anticipates her mother joining her and then visiting her grandfather's Villa. Then tragedy strikes. In the Present-Day segments, recovering from her injuries on one of Rome's seven hills, Maria gradually learns the fate of her friends.

Dee Smith was born in the city, but her years in the family's large house in a rural setting with gardens and vineyards, made a lasting impression on her. As an adult, Dee taught art in the public school system near Niagara Falls and on Long Island, where the ocean had her attention. Dee married her college sweetheart in Manhattan, and eventually, with their four children, they traveled the country and then the world. They experienced beach life in Ft. Lauderdale and St Croix before settling on a barrier beach on Florida's Space Coast. While Dee's family was involved in swimming, surfing and sailing, she preferred drawing, painting, pottery and writing fanciful limericks. The family helped nurture an organic community garden and was involved in the planning stages of a thriving organic health food store.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1457566389
• ISBN13: 9781457566387
• Release Date: March 2019
• Publisher: Dog Ear Publishing
• Length: 342 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.0"