The Boundary Stone: A novel

by Gail Avery Halverson

Overview

Bound since childhood to an arranged marriage, Lady Catherine Abbott now finds herself torn between duty to her family and her deeply-held ambitions. Possessed of a nimble, curious mind, a love of science and the natural world, and a singular talent for illustration, Catherine desperately longs to accomplish something of note before she resigns herself to a loveless marriage and the idle, aristocratic whirl of parties and social gatherings within the confines of the palatial Houghton Hall. Banished before his final year of medical training for pushing harder on the boundaries of scientific knowledge than any student at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, the mysterious and driven Simon McKensie has blurred the lines between research and criminality and must now choose between exile to the rural country village of Wells, or the hangman's noose. When the terrifying Great Plague of 1665 spreads from London to Wells, the town's very existence is threatened and Catherine must confront her fears, her place in the world - and the burning desires she has long held inside.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780996905749
Publisher:	Gail Avery Halverson
Publication date:	10/22/2015
Series:	Stockbridge Series , #1
Pages:	332
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.74(d)

About the Author

Award-winning writer, Gail Avery Halverson, is the author of The Boundary Stone, a historical romance set in 1665 England at the time of the Great Plague. The Boundary Stone is a Chaucer Award Finalist (historical fiction), a Cygnus Award Finalist (speculative fiction), and a Chatelaine Award Winner (historical romantic fiction). She is also the playwright and composer of musical plays that have been performed for nearly 300,000 children since 2004. Writing for both theater and television, she holds a B.A. in English Literature/Communications from the University of California, Davis; and is currently at work on a television pilot for Twin One Productions, Inc. She lives in Northern California with her husband and son. The Boundary Stone is her debut novel.

Editorial Reviews

"Captivating," National Public Radio | Capital Public Radio

"A powerful first novel," The Mountain Democrat

"The Boundary Stone is a great read. As a physician, I particularly enjoyed the medical references and it inspired me to read up on medicine in the latter half of the 17th century. Set aside a weekend. You won't want to put it down." ~ Jacqueline Caulkin, MD.

"Our book club absolutely loved this book!" ~ Heidi Taylor

"Ms. Halverson has done a remarkable job with her debut novel. The plot was well thought out and scenes were true to the period. The characters are beautifully drawn and her descriptive prose was spot on. I highly recommend The Boundary Stone to anyone who loves a well-drawn tale." ~ Lisa Thompson

"Ms. Halverson has a commanding talent." ~ Susan Wilson

"Beautifully written with vividly descriptive scenes, The Boundary Stone will transport you from where you are and hurl you slap bang into the bustling city of 1665 London and it's picturesque surrounding countryside village of Wells." ~ Robyn Taylor

"This is a richly textured, intricately detailed historical romance that introduces a heroine who struggles to express her intelligence and self-worth in an era that devalued women. The author deftly writes a fascinating depiction of medical practices ill equipped to deal with the [plague} and the insight of a young doctor able to persevere in the face of tragedy." ~ Amazon customer

From the Publisher