February 2011 Book of the Month.

This skilfully crafted and beautifully structured book deals with a series of complex issues - religion, witchcraft, atheism, feminism and individual human complexities – within a narrative thread that is easy to follow and hard to put down.   It is a book by a woman and, primarily, about a woman, but it is by no means ‘a woman’s book’. The themes are historic, universal and perhaps fundamental. A brilliant read.

Comparison: Marion Zimmer Bradley, Kate Mosse, Jane Johnson
For more see our Author 'Like for Like' recommendation system
 

Win a luxury craft weekend break on Dartmoor

Dartmoor.co.uk has teamed up with Lovereading to offer one lucky winner the chance to win a prize package of accommodation for 2 at Lurcombe luxury apartments during the Contemporary Craft Festival in Bovey Tracey on June 7–9th, including day tickets to attend the festival itself plus Dinner for two (including a bottle of wine) in one of our leading gastro pubs the Rock Inn and a delicious lunch for two at Home Farm Café set in the scenic grounds of the National Trust Estate at Parke in Bovey Tracey.

Please note that this draw is open only for UK residents and is free to enter. Draw closes on 27 May 2013. The winner will be chosen randomly from all entrants.The winners will be notified by 1 June 2013. The decision of the judges is final. By providing us with your contact details when you enter the competition you are agreeing to future contact from Dartmoor.co.uk and it's selected partners.

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Synopsis

Ancient secrets buried deep in Glastonbury's past. And one woman's quest to finally set them free. Cambridge present day: Following the death of her mother, Abi Rutherford receives a mysterious bequest -- a misshapen sphere of crystal known as the Serpent's Stone which seems to hold echoes of concealed mysteries, long covered up by the church. Western England 25AD: A stranger has come to the chilly Somerset wetlands, with a story of hope and reconciliation. But he is being followed by powerful forces, determined that he will not undermine Roman rule in Britain. What connects these ancient events and Abi's gift? And why do so many people seem desperate to hide the truth? A strange shadow has fallen across the centuries, and a woman is in fear of her life. But is it danger that awaits her, or the final truth so long whispered across the echoes of time?

Reviews

Praise for Time's Legacy:

'Marvellous escapist stuff
Woman and Home

Praise for Warrior's Princess:

'A riveting timeslip novel'
Fanny Blake

'Her forte is mood, atmosphere and the toe-curling frisson'
Elizabeth Buchan, Sunday Times

'Stephen King meets Ruth Rendell'
Frank Delaney

'Barbara Erskine's storytelling talent is undeniable'
The Times

About the Author

Barbara Erskine was our Guest Editor in July 2012 - click here - to see the books that inspired her writing.   Barbara Erskine is the author of the internationally bestselling novel Lady of Hay, which was translated into a dozen languages and has sold over a million copies world wide. This was followed by another bestseller, Kingdom of Shadows  and by a collection of short stories, Encounter, which has met with wide popular acclaim. Child of the Phoenix  is based on the story of one of Barbara Erskine ‘s own ancestors, and provides a link between some of the characters from Lady of Hay and Kingdom of Shadows, again encapsulating the authors dual themes of the supernatural and of history. In the absorbing world of the historical novel, readers of Barbara Erskine are held in thrall. Child of the Phoenix  is set in the turbulent 13th century and tells of Eleyne, a Welsh princess whose life becomes inextricably linked with the destinies of the English, Welsh and Scottish crowns. The story is partly based on lore passed down through the author’s family – for Eleyne is one of her distant ancestors. But as Barbara Erskine points out: ‘Eleyne is a composite, based on family legend of the type which converts dingy oil paintings into Rembrandts and Victorian paste beads into aquamarines’. A history graduate, and with one of her two earlier bestsellers set in much the same period, Barbara Erskine is well versed in the brutality of the Middle Ages. It was a time when noblewomen underwent arranged marriages, were traded both for their dowries and to cement the precarious political alliances of their male relatives. Despite their precarious social standing, women did hold power with their husbands away in Parliament or at war. More sinister was the manipulation of those who became involved in illicit romances – the dangerous truth would be concealed until it could be used to advantage.   Author photo © Karolina Webb More books by this author Author 'Like for Like' recommendation