Making the Past Live in Words and Images
Audio Samples
This is 10 minute sample of an upcoming audio book read by the author
"This is a world whose history is written in blood. Blood drenches the black, dried scabs of the rocks, the rusty desert sands and the distant crimson mountains bathed in the dying light of the setting sun. It is the blood that drained from conquistadores, Apaches, Mexicans, Americans, leaving their empty bodies to dry out in the unforgiving sun. Not for the first time, I wonder what the hell I'm doing here on this fool's errand."
"The heavy black cannonball bounced twice over the spongy mat of heather before decapitating the man to Rory McGregor's left."
favourite first words
"Villerouge-Termenés, August 24, 1321
'You will be the last to die,' the black-clad priest said almost gleefully. 'There are no more. Once you are dust, this land will be free from your foul heresy.'"
"Dear reader—whoever you are, wherever you are, whenever you are—it is my intention to take you on a voyage of discovery. To tell you two tales so curious and singular that they will encourage you to believe in ancient magic and mythical monsters, lost cities and vanished worlds, and dark realities  so fantastical that they can only be glimpsed in your wildest dreams…Join me on this voyage—if you dare."
"Robert Bylot sat in a high-backed wooden chair, a threadbare blanket wrapped around his shoulders, waiting for death…He never expected that it would be heralded by a simple knock on his door."
"Lieutenant John Franklin is sitting like a pathetic Buddha on the bare wooden boards of an almost empty room in a makeshift fort thousands of miles from home. Around him the wind howls unimpeded over  a frozen eternity of ice and snow, a barren emptiness that uncaringly kills those who challenge it unprepared…Franklin is too weak to flee and if he sinks into hibernation he will never awaken."
"Morag Margaret MacBeth had red hair, purple boots, a dislike of wearing frilly dresses and a happy disposition. She also believed in wizards, which is a good thing, but on the day when this story begins it was making her glum."