Sweet Baklava
by Debby Mayne

List Price: $13.99
Pages: 288
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781426708701
Publisher: Abingdon Press

The product of a split home, Paula Andrews is conflicted about the only guy she's ever loved, Nick Papadopoulos, on leave from the military. When the two see each other after years of separation, the awkwardness is replaced by pounding hearts and memories sweeter than the baklava in Nick's aunt's bakery.

Nick's dad begs him to leave the military and join the family to keep their struggling sponge-diving business alive. Although Nick loves the military, he's willing to put it aside to be with Paula. However, she doesn't want to do anything that will make him resent her.

Paula experiences all sorts of emotional tugs --- from Nick going back to his base in Texas to her mother coming to her for emotional support. Nick's cousins are relentless in their scheming to keep the flame burning.

Years later, and after their lives have grown apart, is it possible for these two people to rekindle what they once had?

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1. Why is Paula so adamant about staying in Tarpon Springs?

2. Why is Nick so eager to leave a town where he has a family that clearly adores him?

3. Nick was the classic high school football hero, and Paula was more studious. What attracted Nick to Paula? What attracted Paula to Nick?

4. What is the signifi cance of baklava in the story? Have you ever tried baklava? How would you describe the flavor?

5. Paula obviously has a reversal of the parent-child role in her relationship with her mother. How could this have happened, and when do you think it began?

6. Why would Paula continue to give her mother money without more accountability?

7. Do you think Paula’s mother and stepfather can work through their issues?

8. After Amanda tries to steal from Paula, what drives Paula to help Amanda?

9. Kate was clearly the “bad girl” from high school. How does this affect her relationship with her daughter? How does this affect her relationship with Paula?

10. Have you ever experienced being labeled “class nerd,” “class clown,” “the pretty one,” “jock” or any other label typically placed on high school kids? Has this affected you for the rest of your life, and if so, how?

11. After Nick retires from the Air Force, do you think he can be happy living in Tarpon Springs?

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"Debby Mayne is one of those writers who never disappoints. She is a wonderful storyteller, and her characters are always people I wouldn't mind knowing. But this time, this fellow foodie blended her usual skills with the mouth-watering cuisine of the Greek culture, tossing in a dash of Southern charm, and she had me at hello!"

— Sandra D. Bricker, award-winning author of laugh-out-loud fiction, including Always the Baker Never the Bride

"Wow! Debby Mayne has done it again. I loved Sweet Baklava. Debby is such a talented writer and she has an amazing way of bringing her characters to life. Once I picked up this book, it was impossible to put it down. I was swept up in this wonderful and tender romance from the first few pages until the last. This is a book I would definitely recommend to all ages."

— Debra Collins, reader and reviewer