Zabel

With parallels to events in today’s Middle East, ZABEL is forced into exile for her religious beliefs. It is a warrior queen’s journey from the throne of Lesser Armenia to refuge in France in the 12th century. After the death of her father, Zabel is forced to marry Raymond, a French crusader. When it is discovered she follows the pagan ways of the Great Mother, she and Raymond are exiled. They arrive at Raymond’s family estate near Paris, and Raymond dies. Zabel finds herself alone in a culture with different values, mores, and laws. Although Zabel was trained to ride and shoot, she took a vow of peace, but now, how can she survive in a society bent on her destruction? Scenes of exotic palace life, filled with fine silks and hot, scented baths and adventures on the Spice Trail fill the pages. In Rum, Zabel meets a Sufi mystic who, like the poet Rumi, is also the spiritual advisor to the Sultan. Later, in Montpelier, Zabel becomes a confidant of Eleanor of Aquitaine. With clear, concise prose, this novel evokes the medieval culture of the Middle East and France through a masterfully plotted and intriguing story.

Pearl Gray was born in Edmonton, Alberta and currently resides on Salt Spring Island, BC. She has BA in art history from the University of British Columbia. An avid traveller, Pearl has visited most continents. She is also a painter and is currently working on a novel that takes place in Turkey and France in the 12th century.