"I use real events and weave my story in and out"
About Justin
Justin Newland is an author of historical fantasy and secret history thrillers - that's history with a supernatural twist. His stories feature known events and real people from history which are re-told and examined through the lens of the supernatural.
As a species, as Homo Sapiens Sapiens – that's man the twice-wise – how are we doing so far? Where is mankind's spiritual home? What does it look or feel like? Would we recognize it if we saw it? His novels speculate on the human condition and explore the fundamental questions of our existence.
Born three days before the end of 1953, Justin lives with his partner by the sea and in plain sight of the Mendip Hills in Somerset, England.
The Mark of the Salamander
A tale steeped in history with a supernatural twist; Justin Newland embarks on a new adventure aboard Sir Francis Drake's ship
1575: Nelan Michaels is a young Flemish man fleeing religious persecution in the Spanish Netherlands. Settling in Mortlake outside London, he studies under Queen Elizabeth's court astrologer, conjuring a bright future – until he's wrongly accused of murder. Forced into the life of a fugitive, Nelan is dramatically pressed into the crew of the Golden Hind.
Thrust into a strange new world on board Francis Drake's vessel, Nelan sails the seas on a voyage to discover discovery itself. Encountering mutiny, ancient tribes and hoards of treasure, Nelan must explore and master his own mystical powers – including the Mark of the Salamander, the mysterious spirit of fire.
The Mark of the Salamander is the first in The Island of Angels series: a two-book saga that tells the epic story and secret history of England's coming of age during the Elizabethan era.
Author, speaker and broadcaster Justin Newland writes novels that blend thrilling historical adventure with elements of crime, magical realism, speculative fiction and supernatural quality.
Justin holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics and lives with his partner in plain sight of the Mendip Hills in Somerset, England. The Mark of the Salamander is Justin's fifth novel. Justin says, "Everything in our world, we have inherited from history. My interest is not only what happened, I want to speculate on why and how it happened. The Mark of the Salamander is set at the beginnings of modern England - the Elizabethan Era. This period wasn't just about broadening physical horizons, because its people also developed into explorers in many fields of art and science, theatre and philosophy. Sir Francis Drake's circumnavigation of the world marked the start of this radical shift. The son of a pastor, he single-handedly hauled England and its people kicking and screaming into the modern world." - "I was inspired to write this novel because of England's spirit of adventure. In this land, this Island of Angels, we discovered discovery itself."
