Mighty Rome plunders everything of value and destroys anything left standing in the beautiful and rich land south of Burnt Rocks. We know it as Spain. The local people of 2000 years ago called the Pyrenees Mountains, Burnt Rocks.
Lavena, the last child of the strongest tribal leader in the area, must grow up fast, must choose between marriage to her favorite young man and children, or the life of a She-Warrior fighting side-by-side with the male warriors of her tribe–or even fighting alone. The crush of an invading Roman army forces her choices. Guided by the spirits of the dead, by her father’s favorite dog, and the courage of those with nothing left to lose, she takes a last stand against the Roman menace.
Roman scout, Marcus, is ordered to try to find answers to unseen but real threats pestering his Roman army. More than any of his masters, he begins to understand the havoc Lavena has wreaked, but deeper yearnings drive him to find her for other reasons, to be with her.
Based on actual characters of that time and place, “South of Burnt Rocks West of The Moon” tells that mostly true story lost to the fog of history.
Targeted Age Group:: High School to all adult ages.
What Inspired You to Write Your Book?
I’ve become intrigued by people and places never covered in modern novels. My main character, Lavena, he giant of a man father, her village and tribe are based on real people and places not yet written about. Their story, oppression by mighty Rome, struggles to survive, to live in peace are all true and compelling.
How Did You Come up With Your Characters?
The Celtic Iberians of 2000 years ago treated women far better than all the civilizations around them, better than the Greeks, the Romans, the Persians. They even let the best among them fight side-by-side with their men. My main character, daughter of a tribal leader, seemed a natural choice.
About the Author:
When G. J. Berger was an eight year-old lad living in the Australian outback and attending school by correspondence, his mother would tell him bedtime stories out of times past. One story was of Hannibal crossing the Alps with elephants and a massive army. He asked her what happened next. She did not know, and that unanswered question would not rest.
G. J.’s debut novel (the award-winning “South of Burnt Rocks West of The Moon”) is the culmination of a lifetime of traveling off beaten paths and a deep curiosity about the time of Hannibal, the not-so-glorious Romans, and the lesser known men, women and children around them.
Everyday ordinary people made to endure, to survive, to nurture their children, and love those close to them in times of great hardship are, to G. J., always the more interesting characters, the truer heroes.
G. J. is convinced human nature, in all its aspects, has not changed in the relatively short time from then until today. He believes that in learning about people of a different time we are transported away from our routines and may also learn much about ourselves.
G. J. lives in San Diego, California with his English teacher wife (and favorite grammarian). When not traveling on service projects, they dance the Argentine Tango.
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