Finding My Olympia

Greek-American Yianna embarks on a desperate quest in 1955 Woodland, California to find her missing sister and discovers her own sense of purpose and the profound significance of family, love, and forgiveness.

Woodland, California, 1955. A career and independence feel worlds away for 18-year-old Greek-American Yianna Diamantopoulos. Her sheltered life in her uncle’s bakery is shattered when her older sister Olympia vanishes without a trace. Local authorities are quick to dismiss the concerns of immigrant families, leaving Yianna with a painful realization: she’s on her own.

Driven by fierce love for her sister and burning frustration with a system that ignores women like them, Yianna turns to her Uncle Stavros and his three bachelor friends who helped raise the sisters. While Stavros’ bakery is a neighborhood staple, the back room hides a risky secret – small-time illegal gambling and winemaking operations that could destroy his life if exposed.

Bound by blood and a shared desperation, Yianna and Stavros navigate the hidden corners and suspicious characters of rural northern California in the 1950s. They confront the shadows of Olympia’s disappearance and uncover deeper truths about themselves. Yianna’s unwavering tenacity and Stavros’ street-smart instincts race against time, proving that even in the face of hostile indifference, unbreakable family bonds can be the most powerful force of all.

Author Biography

Finding My Olympia is Nancy Econome’s second novel of historical fiction. She continues to honor her heritage by creating Greek-immigrant characters and stories that reveal their struggles and successes while making their life in America.Her first novel, The Classic Grill – A Tale of Greek Gods and Immigrant Heroes was awarded Honorable Mention in 2020 from the Maurice Prize in fiction sponsored by the University of California at Davis. Nancy worked as Creative Services Director for a group of premium northern California wineries. She holds a Master’s Degree in Cinema from San Francisco State and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of California at Davis. Nancy worked as a reporter, has written several screenplays and has also found time to ride her bike across the continental United States. Living in northern California wine country, Nancy can be found at a local Panera Bread restaurant, sipping iced tea, writing her next novel.