Thursday 17th. April,
Muir's bookshop from 5.30 pm.
Live music, refreshments etc.
Before beginning work on The Moon Spun Round, Elenor Gill had long been aware of the history of the religious persecution of those who chose to follow the Goddess religions.
Elenor says, "Despite the progress made over the past thirty years, abuse of women continues within our society and, whilst addressing physical, mental and social abuse, we must also recognise that there have been centuries of deeply-rooted spiritual abuse."
Many years ago Elenor had the privilege of holding the grimoire of Ann Turner. Ann is believed to be the last woman in England to be accused of witchcraft and killed as a consequence. Her handwritten book of "spells" contained simple herbal remedies that are now found in any modern health shop.
Elenor says, "Initially I felt a personal need to speak out for Ann Turner and all of the women who have suffered because they live according to their inner wisdom and knowledge. However, in the process of working with the characters in The Moon Spun Round, I began to move from an intellectual understanding to a personal awakening."
The Moon Spun Round is a story of ordinary women living ordinary lives, yet being able to call on the most extraordinary personal power. As one of Elenor’s characters says, “We need our Goddess. She’s been denied to us for so long that we’ve forgotten who we are.”
"The Moon Spun Round is intended to be, first and foremost, an entertainment. However, I hope that, for some readers, it may also speak at another level." - Elenor Gill
About The Moon Spun Round:
After suffering from a deep betrayal, Sally Lavender is drawn to Hallowfield, a sleepy little village on the borders of Suffolk which has a dark history of persecution and murder.
Seeking solace and a place to heal, Sally finds her surroundings eerily familiar and she feels a strong connection to five women she befriends.
As the moon turns, Sally discovers how strong the ties are that bind her to Hallowfield and her five protective friends, and, when one of the five is brutally murdered, those ties demand retribution.
Power can take shapes in many different forms, and in the moonlight a small grey cat casts a long shadow in this gripping tale of love, hate and envy.
Elenor Gill was born in England, and now lives and writes in Gisborne. She worked as an occupational therapist for 25 years and is an accomplished Celtic musician with a lifetime interest in folk music and the paranormal. This is her third novel, her earlier books, In the Shadow of Trees and Miriam’s Talisman, have been published to critical acclaim.
Miriam’s Talisman:
"Gill has not only produced a clever and lively tale, but also has isolated for herself a rich literary niche that should see her writing successful books for some time to come."
- The Dominion Post
In the Shadows of Trees:
"Gill deftly weaves a credible plot with robustly drawn characters, strong dialogue and some startlingly beautiful descriptive passages." - Herald on Sunday
Recommended Retail Price: $34.99
Release Date: 1 April 08
To schedule an interview with Elenor Gill and/or more information, please call Lise Taylor, Senior Publicist, HarperCollins Publishers, Tel. (09) 443-9246, Mob. 0275 855 543 or email: lise.taylor@harpercollins.co.nz
