Welcome to Tarpon Springs – Epiphany City, the Venice of the South, the Sponge Capital of the World, a glittering Greek jewel beset in Florida’s Gulf Coast crown, and the hometown of accidental celebrity-in-residence Jonathan Christakos. Thanks to a tragic life story, Jon has been a legendary part of the community fabric since his parents drowned the week after he was born. His mother’s aunt and uncle adopted him, and they drowned in Spring Bayou on the 20th anniversary that Jon lost his parents. Quite sad and terribly ironic, but he did inherit a house on the Golden Crescent, a store at the Sponge Docks, and a small fortune to help manage both. To those who know him best, Jon’s a charming, self-deprecating bad boy with a temper and a heart of gold. Always at charity events raising money for poor souls in need or out in the streets giving them the clothes off his back. He’s earned a reputation with the ladies. Terrified of commitment, yes, but then again, the same brain cancer that nearly killed him as a teenager has come back with a vengeance. It’s been said that he’s got less than six months to live. That there’s little hope he’ll come through it this time. That his chances of survival are slim now that he’s on the wrong side of 40.

How he’ll navigate his last months on earth is anyone’s guess, but Jon won’t go gentle into that good night. Just ask anyone in the Greek Village. He’s been a lightning rod for the good, bad, and ugly things that happen in Tarpon Springs his whole life. There’s no telling whose lives, fortunes, and fates will change should a storm hit and he’s still around. It would be a damn shame if he wasn’t. But don’t be surprised if Jon Christakos somehow gets an 11th-hour reprieve from Heaven. He’s long overdue a miracle or two.

EPIPHANY MAN, the second novel by D. B. Patterson, author of PERDIDO RIVER BASTARD, is rated PG-13 for adult language, situations, and themes; for mild drug and alcohol use; for mild violence and scenes of sensuality; and for myriad wonders of the heart and soul. Reader discretion is advised.