An explosive, controversial, unforgettable epic novel that is timely and very much alive. Written with a you-are-there immediacy. Revolving around a dynamic American heroine, The Horseman is a gripping tale of passion, Mid-Eastern politics, esoterica (reincarnation, Tarot, mythology), as well as the roots ofthe ongoing bloody upheavals between the Turks and the Kurds. Complete with magnificent settings from Turkey and Mecca to Ireland and the United States, The Horseman presents an intense, multi-cultural love triangle with indomitable characters united in their quest for social justice. As Ariadne, the American, Burhan, the Turk, and Mehmet Ali, the Kurd, emerge from the mists of 8,000 BC and reunite in 20th Century Turkey, they play out their star-crossed destinies upon an explosive socio-political stage.
" ... a hard-hitting story... a substantial novel..." Piers Anthony, Author, FL USA
" ... O'Donnelly's work is rich with very vivid, original characters who exhibit a type of Old World charm rarely seen these days. While all three (novels from the Lands of the Morning series) ) offered a unique reading experience, I have to say that I favor The Horseman." Lewis Perdue, author of The Da Vinci Legacy
" ... a gem among the myriad of pebbles, THE HORSEMAN is as literate as it is engrossing!" Prof. Martin Abend, news commentator, New York, USA
" ...O'Donnelly writes like Wilbur Smith in a skirt... just so very colourful and descriptive...the characters sprang to life in about three lines. Brilliant!" Mike Subritzky-Kusza, New Zealand War Poet and Author of The Vietnam Scrapbook "The Second ANZAC Adventure" New Zealand
Anika Alkibiades is the most powerful, brilliant and ruthless woman straddling Europe and Asia. Hers is the Megali Idea of taking over the Government of Turkey, remold it in the glorious spirit of Byzantium, and then reappropriate Byzantium's former territories. Her dark beauty is timeless, exotic, and beguiling, men who are the movers and shakers of the land, are mere dominoes in her hand, and she is close to realizing her golden dream. She is like Catherine the Great of Russia who wanted to conquer Istanbul and replace the crescent atop the Hagia Sophia with a cross. But like all great women, Anika has one weakness: her undying passion for Shaheen, the Turk who had been her first lover.... Character Profiles: Anika Alkibiades - A Greek born in Turkey, she has risen from grinding poverty to untold riches. Powerful, brilliant and lethally ambitious, Anika is the widow and heir of Yorghos Alkibiades, the shipping billionaire whose illustrious family is traced to Byzantium (see the historical novel, Constantinople, My Love) Anika has a deep hatred of the Turks, and her dream is to restore Byzantium to its former glory. Masterminding a far-reaching, bloody plot to overthrow the Turkish Government, she is paving the road to her grandson’s succession as its absolute ruler. Leyla Kayhan - raised in Turkey as the child of an American mother and Turkish father, Leyla is fiercely loyal to her father’s beliefs and country. However, her sense of loyalty and identity will be tested when she falls in love with Mark, an American Jew. Mark Cohen - A New Yorker born of Ashkenazi parents, Mark perceives himself as an American first, a Jew second; the faith of his ancestors will begin awakening in him as he travels through Israel in quest of the stolen gold of Chatalhoyuk. The stolen gold of Chatalhoyuk is the catalyst that brings Leyla, Mark and Anika together. In the background, is Burhan’s (now the Turkish Minister of Interior and steering a dangerous course between extremist factions) personal struggle as his dark secret (his illegitimate son) is on the verge of being revealed to his wife, Ariadne.
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Rip-roaring contemporary romantic suspense/travelogue in an exotic land--Orient-Express on steroids. Cornucopia of the sights, scents, sounds and flavors of Lands of the Morning. Olivia Hayden, 24, mild-mannered librarian from Indianapolis, USA, is a chrysalis eager to be a butterfly. Until now, just about the only aspect of hers fit to be called free spirited, was her riotous, titian hair. On a tour of Turkey to fulfill her late grandfather's dream of visiting ancient Troy, she falls in love with Dr. Somer Berk, 35, a professor of archaeology. Tall, blond, handsome and suave, Berk claims descent from the original Trojans, and is hot on the trail of smugglers dealing in artifacts that harkens to the famous Treasure of King Priam, of the Iliad. Hayden and Berk take to each other almost immediately, and with events unfolding at the speed of the Orient Express on steroids, it seems impossible to deny the destiny that demands fulfillment. It's the hot, tense, mid-summer of 2005, with terrorists of different agendas, bombing England and Turkey. Olivia Hayden, American, and Somer Berk, Turk, although bound by relentless physical desire, and the love of Troy and its legacy, find themselves battling separation by culture and outlook on life.... "The end of Troy will never end ... The flame that consumed it, will itself never be consumed." [G. K. Chesterton]
KRISTINA O'DONNELY
ANDROMAKHE - An Epic Novel of Troy and a Woman's Triumphant Valor
"Kristina O'Donnelly takes the immortal tale of Troy – gods, heroes, and battles, but gives us the woman's take. The strong women that are victimized by the violence, yet survive and ultimately rise above it. O'Donnelly has done a great job taking the violent male-centered story of The Iliad and bringing it a female perspective. Men get the glory, women do the suffering (men suffer too, of course, but it's often their choice--women have fewer choices, and had fewer yet in those ancient days). Andromakhe is a powerful novel and the must-read story for 2006."
"Kristina O'Donnelly does it again! Get ready to be swept away in this magnificently written classic novel of history, love, war, suspense, action, bravery and mystery. Kristina's research of history combined with this fascinating tale takes the reader on an exciting journey. Andromakhe is a hauntingly beautiful story. A must-read epic for all. (It would make a stupendous movie too!) Readers of Mary Renault and Marion Zimmer Bradley are certain to enjoy Andromakhe!" Caryn Day-Suarez, President - POW! Toastmasters - Jacksonville, Host of "The POW Show" - Weekly on WJGR 1320 AM
