Amirosian Nights

The first time I went to Greece I was amazed to be in a country where I couldn't even read the street signs! But I loved the sound of the language and I loved spending evenings listening to bouzouki music.

Synopsis: Rachel, a mariachi player from Tucson, goes to Greece for vacation but stays on after she lands a job with a local music group. Not only does she need to switch from the violin to the guitar and sing in Greek instead of Spanish, but she also has to dodge the island's star musician!

True Confession: Eleni is based on a good friend of mine in Durango, Lulu Arellano. I lived with her and her family most of the time I was in Mexico. I've never played with Greek musicians, but I transferred some of my experiences in the mariachi to the Greek taverna; the environments are amazingly similar. The descriptions of the cafe in the Plaka and the Archaeological Museum in Rhodes are as real as I can remember them. Fantasy Bouzouki was inspired by Cafe Chantant, a swell music night club in the Old Town of Rhodes.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Where is Amiros? In my imagination, but I modeled it after Kalymnos, a remote island of the Dodecanese.

What's a bouzouki? It's a stringed instrument that looks somewhat like a mandolin. It's used to play chords as well as solo passages.

Why is Greece a perfect travel destination? In the morning, you can visit archaeological ruins. In the afternoon, you can cool off at the beach. And then, my favorite part, you can spend all night listening to bouzouki music!

Are you Greek? No, but I'm a full quarter Italian!

How can I get a copy of the book? The easiest way to get it is through Amazon.