NOVELS
The Telling of the Beads: Book I – Saplings of Sherwood
“I dreamt of a wily wolf and a swift stag blessing a sapling among the trees. It’s a sign you’ll make our people proud.”
Robin Locksley is the heir to the last Saxon noble house in Nottinghamshire. Since the time of William the Conqueror, his family has been beleaguered by those who seek to extinguish their lineage and seize their estate. Roger Cavendish is the son of the ruthless and power-hungry Norman lord whose property borders Locksley lands. For over a century since the conquest, the Cavendish family has sought to secure predominance in the region through any means necessary. Each raised to uphold opposing ancestral legacies, Robin and Roger find themselves crossing paths through their common bond to the land. They meet eye to eye, sky blue and hawk gold, catching glimpses of each other’s souls as they struggle under their own personal burdens. But while one is yet a child and the other hardly a man, a twist of fate intensifies the generational feud and kindles the first sparks of a raging fire that will one day consume their world. Destiny will immortalize them in story and song. Unfolding in an era dominated by feudal conflict and imbued with religious faith, this introspective drama puts flesh upon the bones of legend and takes an intimate character-driven approach to retelling one of the most famous heroic journeys in the annals of literature.
Reviews:
“The young author of this novel, Avellina Balestri, has the mark of a great author, or at least a great author in the making…If Robin Hood ever walked the forest in flesh and blood and not merely in romanticized spirit, he would have walked in the sort of world which Miss Balestri paints for us. This is as near to the real or legendary Robin Hood as any of us is likely to get. For this alone, we owe a debt of gratitude to Miss Balestri.” – Joseph Pearce
“Saplings of Sherwood is a clear and imaginative journey into the heartache and joys of familial and romantic love, the rewards and costs of enduring friendship, the perennial conflict between forgiveness and vengeance, the strengths and weaknesses of solitude and loneliness in coming of age, the evolution of true leadership and follow-ship, and the omnipresent challenge to uplift the marginalized and oppressed within societies.” – Michael J. Hoover
“All societies need myths and legends. Legendary folk tales tell us something about a society and the values it holds dear…Balestri´s book is a welcome attempt to place Robin Hood back into his proper historical context and to give a special emphasis to the crucial role played by the Catholic faith in the lives of ordinary people in medieval England.” – Piers Shepherd
“Balestri has rescued a hero! In an era that either smirks at or condemns chivalry, paternalism and Christian faith, the first book of Telling of the Beads walks a tremendous line between the extremes of saccharine tweeness and gratuitous ‘darkness’ that such revivals often risk; in this reviewer’s opinion, Balestri comes close to neither, but simply executes superb, historically literate storytelling.” – Jason Plessas
“Avellina does a fantastic job diving deep into the characters and drawing them out so that you can see all of their strengths and flaws, failures and triumphs – their humanity. This book takes a folktale and fleshes it out into a raw, human story deeply embedded in the historical context.” – A_Gardner
“This book is obviously the product of deep thought, vivid imagination and descriptive skill. The legend of Robin Hood is perennially interesting, and this imagination of the childhood and youth of some of the characters breaks new ground whilst being faithful and respectful to the spirit of the old tales.” – Tintin1689
“Saplings of Sherwood is probably the most well-crafted take on the Robin Hood mythos that I have seen in any media…a very well written, character-driven first episode in an epic that spans the course of years and invests real attention in world-building and fleshing out its protagonists – and even some of the more minor characters – as real and plausible human beings with loves, ambitions, desires, and losses.” – Christian Owen
“I found this work to be engrossing, entertaining and charming! The author does a splendid job of weaving historical and cultural threads into the setting…The writing was clear, stirring and downright poetic. The work definitely kindled an interest in me for an era I wasn’t very familiar with.” – S. Williams
“Medieval England is shown in its gritty harsh realities, and yet there are moments of superlative beauty. This book explores the depths of human suffering as well as the glory of young love, as the hero who will become Robin Hood is shaped by Gospel values as well as by compassion for the poor and indignation at injustice.” – Robyn Mendelsohn
“The story is realistic in the absolute best sense of that word, as befits an author who does not hesitate to describe herself as a Catholic. For a tale having such a firm moral foundation, it is notably lacking in preachy moralizing. Instead there is drama, pathos, humor, tragedy, heroism, cowardice, error, and hope of redemption – all of which are components of life in a world that is fallen, yet stands under the loving mercy as well as the just judgment of God.” – Samuel L. Edwards
All Ye That Pass By: Book 1 – Gone for a Soldier
“If you don a scarlet coat at the price of your conscience, the color will only remind you of the wound in your own soul! If you sign away the faith of your fathers, all lesser goods will be forfeited too!”
Young Edmund Southworth could not have foreseen the path his life would take upon befriending Gentleman Johnny Burgoyne, British military veteran and parliamentarian. As Catholic recusants from the north of England, Edmund’s once noble family has struggled to survive for centuries in the shadow of the Anglican ascendancy. But General Burgoyne offers him the chance to put past humiliations behind him by joining the Church of England and donning a scarlet coat as an officer of King George III. Although his conscience is uneasy, Edmund embarks upon Burgoyne’s March to subdue the American revolutionaries by splitting the colonies in two. He finds unexpected love in the arms of Abby Vanderkamp, a supporter of American independence, who will do anything to free her father from a British prison hulk or, failing that, strike a blow for the hard-pressed rebel cause. As the British advance through the New York wilderness devolves into increasing brutality and instability, Edmund will have his already divided loyalties tested to the breaking point under the influence of this hostile land which presents him with new challenges and opportunities alike.
Reviews:
“Avellina Balestri has shone a light into a dark and neglected period. For all those fighting today’s many battles to promote freedom of religion or belief, it is instructive to reflect on the persecution and grievous ostracism experienced by British Catholics. The eighteenth century led to countless people becoming strangers within their own land. Remembering this story might prompt us to do better today in learning to respectfully live together, rejoicing in, and honouring, our many differences.” – Professor the Lord David Alton of Liverpool
“Balestri shines a light into a lesser-known corner of England’s political and religious history, the Recusants, and the terrible divide they felt between their love of England and their love for their Catholic faith. Enthusiasts of character-driven historical fiction will relish this book, and the religious, political and personal turmoil, the intersection of duty to God and duty to country, it brings to life.” – James L. Nelson
“Gone for a Soldier absolutely blew me away! If you’re a fan of historical fiction that pulls you right into the heart of the action while making you feel every twist of emotion, this book is a must-read. Avellina Balestri has crafted a story that’s not just about war but about impossible choices and the human heart caught in the crossfire…If you’re looking for a story that will make you think, feel, and stay up late flipping pages, this is it.” – David R. Leng
“Modern society should not judge history by modern standards; that way we deny our forefathers their rightful place, space and time in the past. Avellina avoids this pitfall. She is a master story-teller and is very knowledgeable on the subject of the Revolutionary era, so she writes with conviction. In reading this book, you too will become invested in the lives of the characters peopling these pages.” – Anne Ammundsen
“An incredibly well researched book which carries you from England to the Colonies during the American Revolution. Edmund is a wonderful character who you come to care deeply about as well as many of the other main characters in the book. You feel their pain, their conflicts, their wounds and you come away with a new appreciation for the struggles these men, and women, endured.” – Gail Oglesby
“Avellina Balestri has written a superb historical novel dealing with the trials and tribulations of a recusant, Edmund Southworth, who is torn between his Catholic beliefs and having to deal with elements of society and the military in 18th century England that are averse to them….(She) masterly weaves a narrative of conflict, not only militarily, but spiritually and morally, as Edmund continues his life’s journey bringing him across the sea to North America and the dangers and complexities of the American rebellion against his native country and King.” – George A. Bray III
“Balestri has a gift for writing multi-dimensional characters who are well-researched yet never boring. Historical figures come alive through her pen, especially the British military officers who have perhaps grown infamous in the eyes of Americans…The horrors of war are also explored, sometimes in raw, gut-wrenching ways. However, I never lost hope that the characters might one day be redeemed.” – Jessika Caruso
“As a colonial, I’ve never seen the Revolutionary War as a civil war – Ms. Balestri does an excellent job of showing how much of the brutality of that war was a result of brother fighting brother as our Civil War (the Confederates called it “The Second Revolutionary War) was.” – Michael Sweeney
“Throughout the book, Balestri’s talents shine, illuminating the inner struggles of the heart. She weaves the story from strands of colorful characters, creating a beautiful tapestry of words to induct the reader into the world of eighteenth-century life and the trials of warfare. The characters live and breathe as flesh upon these pages, and it is a worthy read for any true lover of history and its dramatic rendering.” – Leah Fisher
“This book is a work of a Catholic imagination, not only in that it is an eloquent testament to the faith that has been upheld by the blood of the martyrs and the prayers of the saints, but also in the sense that it seeks after universality, to unite people from every place and time under the divine light that lets their shared humanity show forth.” – Sean Earner
All Ye That Pass By: Book 2 – Kingdom of Wolves
“They say we are fighting to restore the rightful lands of our king to his possession. But the truth is, this is no man’s domain, so none of us, on either side, can truly win. It is a kingdom of wolves, and they will feast upon us all.”
~
As the American Revolution draws near to its dramatic turning point at Saratoga, Edmund Southworth, a young British officer formerly on the staff of General John Burgoyne, survives heartbreak and disgrace to take up a new post on the staff of General Simon Fraser of Balnain. A Scottish Highlander who once was an exiled mercenary, Fraser deals with his own trauma from the failed rebellion that scattered his clan, and is oppressed by premonitions that Burgoyne’s March is heading for calamity. Due to Edmund’s Catholic upbringing, Fraser bonds with the boy as a fellow outsider, and under his mentorship, Edmund befriends his fellow young staff officers who hope this campaign will advance their careers and secure their reputations. But as the tide of fate turns against them, and death casts its shadow over the British train, Edmund must grapple with himself over his past choices and present allegiances, confronting not only the convictions of the enemy and the fury of the elements, but also the essence of his own inner demons.
Reviews:
“Luminous in beauty, moral complexity, and historical depth, Kingdom of Wolves stands as outstanding faith-infused historical fiction. It chills with war’s savagery while warming with mercy’s stubborn light. Highly recommended for readers seeking thoughtful Revolutionary War stories that honor both grit and the soul. The wolves feast, but grace endures.” – S.W. O’Connell
“Engrossingly written, highly researched storytelling blending fact and fiction and characters who stick with you long after you turn the last page.” – Laure Estep
POETRY COLLECTIONS
Pendragon’s Shield: A Poetry Collection
“Thou stood on Newgate Arch and graced Pendragon’s shield;
Cardigan bore thy taper and Walsingham thy seal.
Humbly we now beseech thee as at thy feet we kneel:
Our Lady of Britannia, ora pro nobis!“
This debut collection of poetry is a broad and deep tribute to the legacy of heroines and heroes whose values and life lessons represent forces of faith, hope and light and who stand as stalwart guides through our common fears and suffering to the eventual reward of peace by living lives of allegiance, gratitude, love and service. Balestri examines her own Catholic Christian roots via many insightful and accurate dramatic monologues, well-researched and creative personal elegies, and mystical experiments that eulogize inspirational personages. Ever the educator and writer, Balestri employs her artistic command of imagery, sound devices, and narrative skill to weave a magic that compels her audience to accompany her various personae through the poetic experiences at hand.
Torn by Grace: A Poetry Collection
“At last, you’ve lost the exile’s race,
Fraser of Balnain,
And found the ribbon torn by grace,
Fraser of Balnain.”
The title of this volume pertains to the idea that divine grace must do a certain amount of violence to the human soul in order to set it free from the snares of sin. In order to know union with God, our inner veil most be torn from top to bottom. Christ’s own ministry begins with the imagery of the skies tearing open when the Holy Spirit descends during His Baptism. On Good Friday, when He hangs upon the Cross, His heart is torn open by a soldier’s lance, from which blood and water flows. Meanwhile, the Curtain in the Temple likewise tears in two. On Easter Sunday, the seal placed upon the tomb is torn when the stone rolls back by itself. In all these Scriptural scenes, violence and disruption proves to be healing and salvific.
ANTHOLOGIES
The Good Shepherd: Jesus Christ in Islam
“The Good Shepherd” is a collection of sayings and stories of Jesus Christ from ancient Arabic sources, with Biblical cross-references. Rediscover the lost gospel in this retelling of the Greatest Story Ever Told. “The Good Shepherd” also includes an anthology of the Muslim Jesus from a diversity of Muslim, Christian, and Jewish authors. Jesus Christ offers otherworldly insight on wisdom, noble character, faith and spirituality, materialism, and the misuse of organized religion. The book includes over 200 citations from the most ancient and authoritative Muslim and Christian sources.
The Design of Providence: An Anthology Celebrating America’s 250 Years
Before there was a United States, there was a dream forged in the crucible of revolution—and a steadfast belief that a divine hand was shaping the nation’s destiny. From the bloody snow of the Boston Massacre to the treacherous battlefields of the South, the path to liberty was fraught with peril, heartbreak, and impossible choices. Intertwining fact and fiction, each story masterfully explores the personal cost of allegiance, the agony of families divided by war, and the quiet, persistent thread of faith that wove through it all.
Fellowship & Fairydust: Tales of Chivalry – A Medieval Anthology
Tales of Chivalry is the first print of F&F, a literary magazine inspiring faith and creativity and exploring the arts through a spiritual lens. We follow in the footsteps of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, G.K. Chesterton, George MacDonald and others who combined their Christian sacramental imagination with a love of storytelling. We also branch out into other storytelling traditions from around the world to cultivate intercultural and interreligious understanding. In this collection an international array of authors explores the imaginative legacy of the Middle Ages, in particular the theme of knighthood and the codes off honor that inspired heroism then and now.
Fellowship & Fairydust: Happy & Glorious – A Royal Celebration
Here at Fellowship & Fairydust, we have put together an anthology to explore that mythopoetic hinterland that makes monarchy continue to resonate in the minds of those alive today. In addition to pieces on royals from history, legend, and literature, there are various articles commenting on the passing of the mantle from the late Queen Elizabeth II to her son King Charles III, and the religious and historical significance of the ceremonies surrounding this transfer of symbolic‒and therefore quite real‒power. We hope that, as the world watches the coronation unfold, this anthology will prove an educational and enjoyable survey of the illustrious event and the many facets of monarchy, past and present.
Fellowship & Fairydust: Lives, Fortunes, & Honor – An Early American Anthology
We at Fellowship & Fairydust are pleased to bring you this collection of essays, stories, and poems that span Early American history and reflect on how it continues to influence and inspire so many today, both in the United States of America and around the world. Within this issue, we strive to bring to the fore a sense of unity among diverse experiences and histories, evaluating the impact of many critical events and persons that influenced the building of this nation. We touch upon the life stories of many storied figures of the age, including George Washington, Major John André, Nathan Hale, Joseph Warren, Queen Henrietta Maria, and the Marquis de Lafayette, to name but a few. This issue also contains submissions exploring the religious developments and upheavals that shaped Early America and the experiences of soldiers serving under all banners during key conflicts such as the French & Indian War, the American Revolution, and the War of 1812.
Fellowship & Fairydust: Saints & Sages
In every time and place, there have been those whose holiness and insight have marked them out as an example to be followed. Their reach has been universal, like rain falling upon the seeds of spiritual growth, both for their con-temporaries and the generations that came after them. They provide timeless guidance for living a life of wholeness that encompasses body, mind, and spirit in the service of God and in solidarity with our fellow man, springing up through the ages to confront the conditions that faced them, and continue to face us…We can find areas of common ground in the wealth of wisdom literature either composed by or involving these figures. In this issue, we explore the lives and legacies of various saints and sages who have inspired our contributors. We explore the rich body of work they have bequeathed us, both through their lives and writings, from which we may under-stand who they were and who we may become. The articles featured here aim to offer new perspectives on figures you may know, while introducing new ones, in the spirit of interfaith dialogue and fellowship.