The Novel: Sanctuary of the Gods
More than six centuries ago a stranger stumbled on a village in a remote valley in Northern Italy, seeking refuge from vengeance in the world outside. But there was something different about the valley, something strange about its people. Nothing was as it seemed. Did chance take him there, or were greater forces at work, calling him to play a role? Guided by fate, he would find himself at the center of an ancient mystery—and for a time the heritage of civilizations would rest in his hands. Before he was done, he would devise a gift like none before and vanish into history, leaving behind the seeds of rebirth and hope for future generations…
Sanctuary of the Gods
is vividly told, bringing
history to life for its readers. The main story takes place at the dawn of the Renaissance, when
European civilization was beginning its painful rise back towards the heights it had achieved in
the days of Greece and Rome. There
are also three detailed flashbacks to earlier periods:
A similar time more than 2,000 years before, when Greek civilization first began
The high point of Greek civilization in the age of Alexander The Great
Rome's decline, in the years following the Empire's conversion to Christianity
In each of these historic periods, Sanctuary's heroes are ordinary men and women who found themselves at pivotal points in history, and whose personal destinies became bound, however briefly, with the history of a civilization. They are exceptional only in that their sacrifices and sorrows, their longing and hopes, served to shape events far greater and more lasting than themselves. Although such people are often forgotten, they are history's true guiding lights.
For readers who are intrigued by the story and want to get to the heart of it, to discover the truth behind the things they've read, an appendix is provided. There, in 120 pages complemented by numerous illustrations, what at first seems too incredible to be anything but fiction is transformed by the evidence into compelling fact.
Sanctuary is beautifully written with a clarity that brings the past to life and holds the reader's interest from beginning to end. For a Pagan or Tarot enthusiast, or for lovers of historical fiction, it's appeal is apparent. But the story is powerful, and even readers who have never been interested in these subjects will find the book hard to put down. It gains the reader's attention because the characters and scenes described are lively and interesting, and because its vision is fresh and new, entirely unexpected. Be prepared for some surprises: the view from the Sanctuary is not like anything you have ever seen before...
It is common knowledge that Christianity overwhelmed and defeated the ancient pagan religion. But did it? Sanctuary is a controversial book because it views history from the side of one of history's "losers", the ancient Pagans. Sometimes the losers of a fight refuse to lay down and admit defeat: they may even declare that they are, contrary to appearances, the winners. And in some cases, as with the Sanctuary's guardians, they might just be right...
Click on the link below to view the chapter headings and a sample of the story's writing style...