"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.
LATEST RELEASE: NOW AVAILABLE
The Spirit of the Times
In fourteenth-century Central Asia, Karia lives under the yoke of Mongol occupation. She sees strange purple skies at dawn and, soon after, the pestilence ravages her village. To escape, she saves Abi, her sister's newborn, and joins a caravan on the Silk Road.
Even as Karia struggles to accept her powers of premonition, she conjures a protection around each city the caravan visits - keep out the Black Death. But each time it breaches her supernatural ring and she's chased further west into Europe where fresh jeopardy awaits.
When Karia meets an English sailor fleeing the Knights Hospitaller, together with Abi they seek to unravel the meaning of the purple skies, a dance, a perplexing rhyme, a ring of roses, and the greatest mystery of all - the spirit of the times.
ISBN: 978-1806344154 - Price: £9.99
What readers said…
“It felt genuine and believable.”
— @bluefairybugsbooks
“I could imagine the silks and cashmeres, sandy conditions and rhythm of the caravans through the writing.”
— @readabookandlearnanewword
“As a whole, I was blown away by this read, it was captivating and full of action and beautifully written!”
— @Happilyeverhels
“Newland really knows how to tell a good story with characters that feel real and believable.”
— @whatyoutolkienabout
“The descriptive writing transports us to each of these settings perfectly.”
— @book_a_holic_17
“I loved the mystical elements, especially the djinn, ancient beliefs and mysterious happenings along the Silk Road!”
— @thebookishhermit
“I was in flood of tears at the end, I cannot believe Justin Newland did that to me!”
— @Bexbookreviews
“Karia’s adventures in the Spirit World especially spring alive under Newland’s pen.”
— @BonnieReads777
“I would like to believe there is actual magic in the pages that Justin wrote as I was spellbound by the story.”
— @nicolasmith1987
Press Reviews
“This is a fascinating novel, immersing its reader in a time and place not often seen in historical fiction, and covering an event that changed history.”
“I particularly admire the way the author introduces us to history seldom covered in fiction, and I hope to read more of his work.”
— India Edghill, author and reviewer
