From a land of milk,
And a Road of Silk,
To a ring of roses,
And a dance of posies,
Comes the tale of the spirit of the
times!
In fourteenth-century Central Asia, Karia
is a young woman living under the yoke of Mongol occupation. But she’s
different. She’s a fighter with supernatural powers. She could use them to keep
the Black Plague at bay and solve the mystery of the purple skies at dawn – if
only she could overcome her self-doubt.
Travelling in caravans on the Silk Road,
she faces dangers seen and unseen – from sandstorms and slave traders to the
desert djinn and folk who believe she’s a witch. She fears losing Abi, her
little cousin, who’s fascinated by roses and the dance of the Whirling Dervishes
of Bukhara.
When Karia falls in love with an English
sailor fleeing the Knights Hospitaller, they sail to England with Abi to
unravel the meaning of the purple skies, a dance, a posy tree, and a ring of
roses.
The Spirit of the Times is part history, part fiction and part speculation: on the origin
of disease; the power of innocence; the unfortunate aspects of custom and
dogma; and humanity’s ability to respond to the governing influence or spirit
of the times.
Buy Links:
Universal Paperback Buy Link: https://mybook.to/thespiritofthetimes
Author’s Website: The Spirit of the Times - PREORDER, RELEASE JULY 2026
£9.99 - Justin Newland - Author of secret history thrillers
Publisher website: https://troubador.co.uk/bookshop/historical/the-spirit-of-the-times
Waterstones: The Spirit of the Times by Justin Newland | Waterstones
TG Jones: The Spirit of the Times: Justin Newland:
9781806344154: TGJones
Coles Books: The Spirit of the Times by Justin Newland
9781806344154 Coles Books
Shakespeare & Company: https://www.shakespeareandcompany.com/books/the-spirit-of-the-times
iMusic: https://imusic.co/books/9781806344154/justin-newland-2026-the-spirit-of-the-times-paperback-book
Justin Newland’s novels represent an
innovative blend of genres, from historical adventure to supernatural thriller
and magical realism.
Undeterred by the award of a doctorate in
mathematics from Imperial College, London, he conceived his debut novel, The
Genes of Isis (Matador, 2018), an epic fantasy set under Ancient Egyptian
skies. Next came The Old Dragon’s Head (Matador, 2018), set in Ming
Dynasty China in the shadows of the Great Wall.
The Coronation (Matador, 2019) features the Great Enlightenment and speculates on
the genesis of the most important event in the modern world – the Industrial
Revolution. The Abdication (Matador, 2021) is a mystery thriller in
which a young woman confronts her faith in a higher purpose and what it means
to abdicate that faith.
At this point in his writing career, after
four self-published books, Justin was offered a part-funded contract with the
Book Guild.
The Mark of the Salamander (Book Guild, 2023) is the first in a two-book ‘The Island of
Angels’ series. It tells the epic tale of England’s coming of age during the
Elizabethan era. The second in the series, The Midnight of Eights (Book
Guild, 2024), charts the uncanny coincidences of time and tide that culminated
in the repulse of the Spanish Armada.
His latest novel, The Spirit of the
Times (Matador, 2026), is to be published in July. It tells the story of a
young Kyrgyz woman’s journey westwards along the Silk Road. With purple skies
at dawn, and a supporting cast of Genghis Khan, the Black Plague, a perplexing
rhyme, a ring of roses, it explores the greatest mystery of all – the spirit of
the times.
Justin’s enduring passion is to explore the
origins of our current time. This prompted a broad research into what we’ve
inherited from history – encompassing Egypt, China, Prussia and Tudor England.
He also writes entertaining talks which he gives to the WI, U3A, Probus, Rotary
and local historical associations. Please visit his website for a current list
of the talks.
Alongside the talks, Justin promotes his
work with regular book signings at TG Jones (ex. WH Smith) high street stores,
selling over 3,500 books since 2019. He has sponsored over 40 UK and US blog
tours, given frequent radio interviews and penned many guest posts.
His current book-signing motto is: "Enjoy, Imagine, Discover."
As a member of the Society of Authors, he
has Public and Products Liability Insurance.
Born in Essex, England, three days before
the end of 1953, he lives with his lady in plain sight of the Mendip Hills in
Somerset, England.
Author Links:
Website: https://www.justinnewland.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justin.newland.author/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjustinnewland/
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/justinnewland
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/jnewland
If you enjoy discovering new stories,
you may also like The AnaRose Chronicles—a trilogy of award‑winning
adventure novellas. https://books2read.com/u/4jzKAY
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