Michael A. Ponzio
Ancestry Novels: History and Historical Fiction of Ponzio, Pontius, Pons and Ponce
Children of the Middle Sea - now available on Amazon!
In the year 1282, after their daring heroics liberating Sicily, Esmeray and Bastone find a haven on the island of Favignana.
But the War of the Sicilian Vespers reignites, dragging them into their prior roles as spies. Finding strength in each other, they once more join the patriots to rid the Angevins from Sicily. They return to their sanctuary in Favignana, sharing the welcome challenge of raising their adventurous daughter, Aspasia.
Esmeray and Bastone, however, long for the open sea, and she accepts command of a trading vessel, but questions if the sea is the best home for their daughter. Their family bonds grow stronger with each crisis as they overcome storms, pirates, and deadly threats from rival traders.
Then once again, the never-ending War of the Sicilian Vespers shatters their life, compelling them to return to Sicily. Do they fight or pursue new horizons?
Lantern Across the Sea: The Genoese Arbalester
1277 AD: Bastone, a Genoese spy, falls in love with Esmeray, a Greek fisherman’s daughter. In a world of pirates, assassins, slave traders, and family prejudice, they must prevent a history changing catastrophe. The first book in the Lover of the Sea Series.
Warriors and Monks Series
The Count struggles to maintain loyalty to the king, honor his father's dying wish, and defend his realm.
The sons of Lord Pons of Aquitaine join William the Conqueror to invade England and seek their fortune.
Pons, Abbot of Cluny Monastery, is torn amidst his sense of duty, his love for Primavera, and the call to the crusade.
Ancient Rome Series
Aquila refused to show respect during Caesar's Triumph. Would he become one of the dictator's assassins?
Can Pilatus live with the guilt of condemning Jesus, as his wife secretly attends Christian meetings?
Amid the persecution by the Roman authorities, the Pope fights in street battles against the supporters of the anti-Pope.
Brigadier General Daniel Davis and the War of 1812:
The Destiny of the Two Swords
Ponzio’s first non-fiction novel follows the remarkable story of frontiersman Daniel Davis as he settles in western New York, rises in the military ranks, and leads an American brigade against the British during the War of 1812.
About the Author
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”.
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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.
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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.
