What Dan Brown’s book The Da Vinci Code did for the Holy Grail, could this book do the same for Aphrodite and Cyprus?

No one doubts the power of the media anymore and once the wheels start turning and the press and the promotional people kick-in the inevitable publicity ball starts to roll. The sensationalism that rocked the world in the Da Vinci Code proved to be the key to open a whole new industry for Dan Brown and his readers.

Spawned by the book, came the movie and subsequent novels as well as a whole plethora of merchandising.

So could the book The Mistress of the Rock by Myron Edwards catapult the legend of Aphrodite back into the public domain and create the same sort of hysteria that the Grail story did? Only with one possible exception to that of the Grail story: the evidence of the Aphrodite secret revealed in the book is tangible, rather than supposition, although it still remains a matter of faith, whether you see it, or you don’t.

Without disclosing the secret, (that would be like peeping at your Christmas present through the wrapping before Christmas Day). The story of The Mistress of the Rock centres on the main character of Richard Cole an ex-British soldier who whilst on vacation in Cyprus discovers the secret for himself and sets about making the legend
that is the Goddess a reality.

For this he uses the power of the media and succeeds in convincing the people on the island both tourists and residents that the place really has something special to offer, other than what can be seen; three rocks jutting out in the sea.

Underlying this main discovery is Richard’s search for something deeper, which is rooted inside him. A search which eventually leads him towards the path of self-destruction. For like most journeys, even those of self-discovery, there are consequences and Richard has to face them, risking all that he loves and values.

Aside from the narrative of the book, the secret of Aphrodite’s Rock gives Cyprus the opportunity to capitalise on something that has been taken for granted for centuries:
the legend of the Goddess herself and why the place is called Aphrodite’s Rock; without anyone ever challenging it?

There is one other legend to Petra Tou Romiou, (The Rock of the Greek) which is the literal translation of Petra Tou Romiou and this refers to the myth of the Byzantine hero Dighenis who threw the rock at the Saracen invaders to protect the island.
This story holds sway in the annals of Cypriot history and in many ways is akin to that of the legend of El Cid the Spanish hero who died in battle fighting the Moors: His legend tells that on his way to Heaven his horse a white Andalusian war-horse named Babieca clipped the tip of the mountain range that overlooks the Spanish Costa Blanca coast with its trailing hoof sending the tip of the mountain spiralling down to the sea to form Peacock Island allegedly. Some ten minutes by boat from the Spanish resort of Benidorm.
And this ‘allegedly’ is the key phrase to the whole legend industry. However, at Aphrodite’s Rock the legend that was borne out of the sea in ancient mythology now has the chance to be resurrected into the 21st century. And in doing so begin a story that has ramifications for the whole island, with the rejuvenation of the Goddess into popular culture as the definitive icon to the beauty of the island of Cyprus and all that she embodies as the Goddess of beauty and love.
One other aspect of this particular scenario is perhaps the most fascinating of all. Namely the legend and its secret can be seen today, which in itself makes it particular unique, as there can be few places in the world that owe their existence to the forces of nature rather than the hands of man. Indeed it could even be described as an Ancient Wonder of the modern age.
So the question is: Do you believe?
Well do you?