Okay, so with the coming Indiana Jones installment on the horizon, a book like this has DOUBLE the appeal! I know, I know...what he does isn't realistic, but it's a movie...not a biography; I leave room for artistic license the same way I do in Fiction novels. Anywho, this one definitely struck me as a sure dig...I mean, find, and while my reading schedule was too tight to partake, it doesn't mean yours is, and THAT'S why we're here today! Shining the book spotlight on our featured title, touring with Rachel's Random Resources, and sharing a special GUEST POST from the author herself about The Joy of Archaeology (it's not what you think!)...
Troy Story
by
Carla Luna
About the book...
The friendship that launched a thousand adventures is about to embark on the greatest one of all…
Ever since Stuart Carlson and Dusty Danforth met as kids on a dig in Egypt, they’ve been best friends, supporting each other through heartaches, triumphs, and countless archaeological expeditions. So when Stuart gets hired to help run the American excavations at Troy, he asks Dusty to join him as the site illustrator.
For Dusty, the Troy project isn’t just another adventure. It’s the chance to tell Stuart how she really feels. After years of pining for him, she’s ready for more than friendship.
But soon after they arrive at the site in Turkey, they’re caught up in a feud with a group of German archaeologists. While both teams are eager to make a major find, Stuart’s boss is so determined to beat his rivals that he’s willing to break a few rules. Or laws.
As Stuart and Dusty work together to keep the dig on track, they give in to the passion that’s been simmering under the surface. But will their romance survive when their boss’s scheme puts the entire project in jeopardy?
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~~~ GUEST POST ~~~
The Joy of Archaeology (it’s not what you think!)
...with Author Carla Luna
Since Troy Story takes place at a dig in Turkey, I wanted to share my insights into real-life archaeology,
based on my own experiences in the field. When I tell people I used to be an archaeologist, they usually respond with enthusiasm. Inevitably, they’ll ask stuff like, “Did you find anything?” or “Was it an exciting job?” The answer to both questions is yes, but not for the reasons you might think.
In the media, films like the Indiana Jones movies, The Mummy, and The Lost City portray archaeology as an action-packed treasure hunt—a search for lost idols, pharaohs’ tombs, golden chalices, and valuable artifacts. Usually, the characters are racing to retrieve their prize before it gets snatched up by the bad guys (smugglers, looters, Nazis—take your pick!).
Real archaeology isn’t like that—at least not from my experience. To be fair, there have been some spectacular finds made in the jungles of the Yucatán Peninsula and the Amazon that would make for great cinema. But, sad to say, none of my digs involved lost cities or treasure maps!
This doesn’t mean real archaeology is boring or unsatisfying. It’s still a rewarding practice, even if those rewards aren’t made of gold. Here are some examples of how real-life archaeology differs from the pop culture version:
⦁ When archaeologists dig up a site, they almost always find things. Why? Because before grabbing that shovel, they do a lot of preliminary work. They conduct ground surveys on foot or use remote sensing to detect buildings underground. They read old excavation reports and talk to locals about artifacts they’ve found in the area. By nature, excavations are destructive, so archaeologists want to make sure they’re digging in the right place!
⦁ Archaeology is all about camaraderie. While Indiana Jones usually works alone or with a few allies, actual fieldwork involves a whole team—students, professors, specialists, illustrators, and local laborers. Everyone works together and shares in the excitement whenever there’s a breakthrough. Archaeologists are also known to party a lot when they’re off-duty, especially if they’re working in a country where the beer is cheap!
⦁ Finds that might seem boring to the average person can be exciting to an archaeologist. While surveying in the mountains of Cyprus, I discovered a large cluster of potsherds dating to the Cypro-Geometric Period (8th Century B.C.). These were just small fragments—basically ancient garbage—but they were evidence of a settlement. Since sites from this era are rare in this part of Cyprus, this was a significant find.
⦁ Digging up a site is only one aspect of an archaeologist’s job. When not in the field, they analyze their finds, write up reports, and figure out where to excavate next. While site reports can be dull (a lot of pottery descriptions!), they’re also used to piece together the “big picture.” Based on the evidence they’ve uncovered, archaeologists can better understand what daily life was like during ancient times—what people ate, how they buried their dead, and what types of communities they lived in.
⦁ Most archaeologists are specialists. Not to disparage Indiana Jones again, but he’s a globe-trotting guy who knows a lot about numerous ancient civilizations. It’s true that as a trained archaeologist, you can work anywhere, but you won’t be an expert. For example, in Troy Story, Dr. Stuart Carlson is a classical archaeologist, which means he knows Greek and Latin, and has a lot of experience digging in places like Greece, Italy, Cyprus, and Turkey. But if you plunked him down in a Maya site in the jungles of Belize, he’d be out of his depth, because he doesn’t speak Spanish or know how to read Maya hieroglyphics!
In my Romancing the Ruins series (Field Rules and Troy Story), I’ve tried to portray archaeology realistically. That doesn’t mean my stories read like dry excavation reports! To spice things up, I make sure there’s lots of swoony romance, humor, and steam. When you read my books, my hope is that you’ll not only get caught up in the romantic elements but also enjoy learning a bit more about archaeology!
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About the author...
Carla Luna writes contemporary romance with a dollop of humor and a pinch of spice. A former archaeologist, she still dreams of traveling to far-off places and channels that wanderlust into the settings of her stories. When she’s not writing, she works in a spice emporium where she gets paid to discuss food and share her favorite recipes. Her passions include Broadway musicals, baking, whimsical office supplies, and pop culture podcasts. Though she has roots in Los Angeles and Vancouver Island, she currently resides in Wisconsin with her family and her feisty Siberian cat.
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Special thanks to Rachel at Rachel's Random Resources for the chance to bring this tour to you, and to the author for the guest post to share! (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, this promotion, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. Be sure to check out the rest of the tour for more bookish fun!
Until next time, remember...is it looks good, READ IT!
