Dance of the Earth by Anna M. Holmes

Dance of the Earth

By Anna M. Holmes

Publication Date: October 28th, 2025

Publisher: The Book Guild

Pages: 456

Genre: Historical Fiction / Ballet History

From world stages to theatres of war, Dance of the Earth is a sweeping family saga.

Set against the backdrops of London’s gilded Alhambra music hall, Diaghilev’s dazzling Ballets Russes, and the upheavals of the First World War, Rose and her children, Nina and Walter, pursue their ambitions, loves, and dreams. Dance and music shape their identities, helping each to find their place in the world.

Spanning the years 1875 to 1921—an era of profound artistic and social change—fact and fiction interweave in this tapestry of birth, sacrifice, and renewal. Art—both serious and comic—is at the story’s beating heart.

Praise

"Draws on her knowledge of British dance history to capture the changes from late 19th century to early 20th century."

Jane Pritchard, M.B.E, Curator of Dance, V&A

"A wonderful blend of fun and grit. I love the delivery and descriptions and I will be looking for more of Anna M Holmes's work."

 Abbe, 5* Amazon Review

Excerpt

DANCE OF THE EARTH.  ACT 2.  

A little about Nina, Rose’s daughter, as a young teenager.

‘Ma, take a look!’ Nina flourished the latest edition of Votes for Women, with news from the National Women’s Social and Political Union, under Ma’s nose. She flipped through the pages. ‘See! I want to join!’

‘What? You expect me to collect you from a police station for chucking a brick through a window?’ 

‘Not them. This.’ She pointed to an advert. ‘Mrs Holt’s classes aren’t difficult to get to. And she trained with Raymond Duncan, Isadora’s brother. She says, “Grace and supplement of movement are necessary for a woman’s well-being and charm.”’

‘Are they indeed,’ Ma said. ‘No harm trying.’

Wearing flowing draperies, her passion became bare-foot dancing learning to ebb and flow. Her plump teacher would stand hand to heart and begin her stories. ‘When Mr Duncan said…’ so that Nina felt a mere breath away from his famous sister. In the church hall that Mrs Holt hired, Nina would lift her chest and arms, leaping in unbounded skips – ‘Feel the breath in your lungs, filling your heart, girls” – gaining height with each inhalation. Then she’d exhale, sinking into poses only to breathe and gather herself again. Locating her solar plexus under a knobbly rib cage was tricky, and any level of grace an on-going endeavour. But Nina was nothing if not an enthusiastic pupil. For a time.

She longed to canter ahead, unseen roots holding her back.

On her fourteenth birthday, Ma and Mo sang ‘happy birthday dear Nina ’n Walter…’ and there were two cakes as always. This brother who’d been given away was a shadowy figure featuring every 29th May only to disappear for another year. Walter’s cake would be sent to him, Ma used to insist. Some years earlier it had been a surprise when a child from a big family down the street called out, ‘Mama says to tell your Ma, thanks for the cake!’ that Nina realised where Walter’s cake really went. Then she’d learnt the full story from Ma, how she’d been in love, how there’d been a handsome man, how she’d not managed to keep Walter… Once the story was told, Nina didn’t think of it again.

One day the front door banged shut and Ma yelled, ‘Molly? You here?’

‘Just me,’ she called out.

When Ma appeared, she didn’t look quite herself. ‘Oh. Oh!’ was all she could say. Whatever had happened had sent Ma into a spin. ‘Walter’s asked to meet.’ Her eyes were bright. ‘Mr Quince sent word—’

‘Who’s Mr Quince when he’s at home?’

‘A lawyer. Your father’s. I can’t believe it. I’m so excited! After all this time!’

‘Oh.’ While Ma jigged about, Nina felt heavy, as if there was a stone in her stomach. It was one thing to have a brother with a cake baked for him each year. It was another thing to have him claim a part of Ma.

Ma talked on about where to meet and what she might wear, whether she should have her hair done and what he might look like. ‘I’ll tell you all about it.’

‘I’m coming too, Ma!’

‘Not the first time, love. This will just be me and Walter.’ 

‘I want to come. Why can’t I come?’

‘Mr Quince says so. And I say so. That’ll be best.’

‘Well, don’t bring him here! I don’t want him here!’

‘Oh, no, love. It’ll be somewhere else.’

The corners of Nina’s mouth drew down. She wished this Walter Roberts had not piped up but had left them alone. Me, Ma ’n Mo. That was enough. Had always been. 

She was resolute. From now on, she hated Walter.

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Anna Holmes

Stories with big themes written as page-turners are Anna M Holmes’s speciality.

With an extensive background in dance and theatre, Dance of the Earth is a story she has longed to write.

Her novels—The Find, Wayward Voyage, and Blind Eye—are all typified by deep research.

Anna worked as a radio journalist before embarking on a career in arts management. Originally from New Zealand, she now lives in South-West London.

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Therein Lies the Pearl by Catherine Hughes

Therein Lies the Pearl

By Catherine Hughes

Publication Date: January 19th, 2026

Publisher: Historium Press

Pages: 474

Genre: Historical Fiction

History books record the experiences of the powerful, the rich, the famous. Their voices dominate the pages, commanding us to accept their perspective as truth. But what if we could hear the whispers of those who were never given a chance to speak? How would this affect our understanding of the past?

Normandy, 1064

Celia Campion, a girl of humble background, finds herself caught in a web of intrigue when Duke William commands her to work as his spy, holding her younger sister hostage. Her mission: to sail across the sea to Wilton Abbey and convince Margaret, daughter of Edward the Exile, to take final vows rather than form a marriage alliance with the newly crowned king to the North, Malcolm III of Scotland. Preventing a union between the Saxons and Scots is critical to the success of the Duke’s plan to take England, and more importantly for Celia, it is the only way to keep her sister alive.  

In this sweeping epic that spans the years before and after the Conquest, two women from opposite sides of the English Channel whisper across the chasm of time to tell their story of the tumultuous days that eventually changed the course of history.  As they struggle to survive in a world marked by danger, loss, and betrayal, their lives intersect, and they soon come to realize they are both searching for the same thing--someone they can trust amidst the treachery that surrounds them.  

Together, their voices form a narrative never before told.

Excerpt

Taking the cue from his wife, William laid out the terms. “It is settled. You will go to England—that is, if you ever want to see your sister again. She is under my power, and she will remain my hostage until I am satisfied that you have fulfilled your mission. If you choose to run away or if you perform the task half-heartedly, your sister will disappear. Hostages do have a way of disappearing, do they not, my dear?” He turned to his wife for affirmation.

Matilda picked up the thread. “And what a pity it would be to see so beautiful a child reduced to rags and enslaved to some filthy plowman somewhere.”

Celia despised them both. Her hands shook with rage.

“My love,” William patiently corrected his wife, “you know I am not fond of enslavement. Better it be to dispose of the urchin immediately. We have had a good deal of success in the past with tainted food or adulterated drink, have we not? Quick, tidy, and effective.”

Celia had heard enough. Dropping to her knees once more, she lowered her head to kiss the ground before the Duchess’ feet. “I will do as you wish. I will go to England. I will discover all I can about this girl and her brother and her suitor. I will not fail.”

Hearing Celia’s acceptance, Matilda reverted back to the sweet sovereign she was purported to be. “There, there, my girl. I knew you could come around to our way of thinking. I told you some time ago you were special. But sometimes even a viper needs to be reminded of where and when it needs to strike.”

Celia wanted to scream out loud to drown out the Duchess’ compliment. Matilda’s words made her feel dirty and ashamed. She hated how she was forced to perform for them like some marionette at the mercy of another’s pull. And she despised herself even more for being too powerless to free herself or her sister from their demands.

But what else could she do? And did it really matter anyway, if she continued to be a sinner while she pretended to be a saint? If she must send the Saxon girl to the convent or her grave, then so be it. She felt nothing and owed nothing to this stranger. In fact, she hated this “Margaret” already because it was she who would determine whether Vivienne lived or died.

William kissed his wife’s cheek with heartfelt admiration. Wrapping his arm about her waist, he guided her toward the door.  Before leaving, they stopped long enough for him to add, “The boat departs at dawn. Do not fail to be there.” The Duchess tucked her arm in his as they moved together as one.

In the empty room, Celia sat alone with her shame. She did not move for quite some time, reviewing her predicament over and over again. There was no decision to be made. She had no freedom to make one. Their will would be done. Was it shameful to commit wrong in order to preserve a greater good? She did not believe it to be so. There was no disgrace in that. What did it matter anyway? She had no choice.

Swiftly and stealthily she would work, embodying the spirit of the perfect novice—obedient, contemplative, kind, patient—qualities normally foreign to her. Indeed, she would be so convincing that a figurative halo would glow about her head. Benevolent confidante. She would make the Saxon girl forgo marital vows for solemn ones, binding her to the church and not a king.

Tomorrow it begins. She would ride across the sea to keep Vivienne alive here. Her success depended on her ability to fit in, her capacity to blend in seamlessly with her new environment. But is that not what vipers do best? Teardrops borne of helplessness melted away as her lips turned upward in a knowing smile. The white veil would disguise her true intent. She rose to her feet as Sister Celia, leaving behind any trace of the woman she once was.

Doesn't this book sounds amazing? You can grab your copy on your favourite bookshop.

Catherine Hughes

Award winning writer, Catherine Hughes is a first-time author who, from her earliest years, immersed herself in reading. Historical fiction is her genre of choice, and her bookshelves are stocked with selections from ancient, Medieval, and Renaissance Europe as well as those involving New England settlements and pioneer life in America. After double-majoring in English and business management on the undergraduate level, Catherine completed her Master's degree in British literature at Drew University and then entered the classroom where she has been teaching American, British, and World Literature at the high school level for the last thirty years.

Aside from teaching and reading, Catherine can often be found outdoors, drawing beauty and inspiration from the world of nature. Taking the words of Thoreau to heart, "It is the marriage of the soul with nature that makes the intellect fruitful," Catherine sets aside time every day to lace up her sneakers and run with her dog in pre-dawn or late afternoon hours on the beaches of Long Island. When her furry companion isn't busy chasing seagulls or digging up remnants of dead fish, she soaks in the tranquility of the ocean setting, freeing her mind to tap into its deepest recesses where creativity and imagination preside.

In Silence Cries the Heart, Hughes’s first book, received the Gold Medal in Romance for the Feathered Quill 2024 Book of the Year contest, the Gold Medal for Fiction in the 2024 Literary Titan competition, and the 2024 International Impact Book Award for Historical Fiction. In addition, the Historical Fiction Company gave it a five star rating and a Silver Medal in the category of Historical Fiction Romance. The book was also featured in the February 2024 Issue 31 of the Historical Times magazine and was listed as one of the Best Historical Fiction Books of 2024 by the History Bards Podcast. Therein Lies the Pearl is her second venture into the world of historical fiction.

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Book Review of Rough Diamond - Rough Justice by Avien Gray

Rough Diamond - Rough Justice 

By Avien Gray

After a first kill, MI5 Agent and erstwhile photographer Cain becomes an undercover, extra-judicial killer for a secret Bureau.

Recovering from injuries sustained protecting the Royal Family, Cain embracesa new life and romance in sun-drenched Australia, leaving his past life behind.

But when tragedy strikes, he is on the move again. This time to a new career in the world of diamond dealings in Florida.

Curiosity takes Cain to the diamond world in South Africa, where his past finally catches up with him, the criminal world allies against him and he becomes a killer again.

In Cain's action-packed escapades, a spectacular betrayal takes him into the rigours of a Chinese prison where the truth about his past begins to unravel.

Aided by a loyal band of friends from the shadowy world of intelligence, he delivers his own particular brand of rough justice.

However, with enemies closing in on all sides, will Cain prevail?

Trigger warnings: violence, murder

Rough Diamond – Rough Justice by Avien Gray does not gently introduce itself. It does not clear its throat. It does not ask if now is a good time. It simply turns up, sits down, and starts talking about a lot of bad decisions!

Cain, the protagonist,  is very much from the “damaged but still functioning” school of crime fiction. Capable, stubborn, and carrying enough emotional baggage to qualify for excess luggage charges. He’s not here to charm you. He’s here to survive, solve problems, and make choices that are… let’s say morally flexible. And honestly, that makes him far more interesting.

This book skips pleasantries entirely. You’re dropped straight into a world where everyone has secrets, motives, and a general air of being one inconvenience away from snapping. The tone is dry, the dialogue is sharp, and the atmosphere is pure noir — there is absolutely no comforting assurances that things will turn out fine.

 The supporting cast orbit Cain in various shades of suspicious, complicated, and probably-not-good-for-you, which made every interaction feel slightly dangerous in the best way.

Plot-wise, this book knows what it’s doing. It doesn’t wander off. It doesn’t get distracted. It just keeps moving forward, calmly dropping twists, violence, and consequences like it’s all perfectly normal behaviour. 

What I loved most is that Rough Diamond – Rough Justice has no interest in making you comfortable. There are no speeches about justice saving the day. No neat moral bows. This is a story about what justice looks like when it’s dented, compromised, and still being chased because someone—namely Cain—is too stubborn to let it go.

By the time I reached the end, I felt like I’d been dragged through something sharp, messy, and very intentional. This is a confident, unsentimental crime novel that respects your intelligence and keeps its edge intact.

Not cosy. Not cheerful. But very, very effective. And a really great read.

I highly recommend you grab a copy of this book which you can find on all the usual places - here!

 

What is everyone else saying about Rough Diamond - Rough Justice?

“Rough Diamond, Rough Justice” by Avien Gray is a riveting spy thriller that seamlessly blends electrifying elements of espionage, adrenaline-charged action, and daring escapades.

Yarde Book Reviews & Book Promotion

“A gripping high-stakes thriller, “Rough Diamond - Rough Justice” by Avien Gray is driven by the urgent question of whether one can ever truly escape a dark and violent past.”

The Coffee Pot Book Club

“Avien Gray’s Rough Diamond, Rough Justice is a gritty and cinematic thriller that follows Cain, a former professional photographer turned MI5 surveillance agent, as he navigates a world of espionage, betrayal, and violence.”

Literary Titan

Avien Gray

Avien Gray, the English author behind Rough Diamond – Rough Justice, brings a wealth of experience to his gripping debut novel. Born in the UK, Gray has led a dynamic, bachelor’s life marked by an impressive array of skills and global adventures. He has a driver’s license, motorbike license, and pilot’s license. His physical discipline extends to martial arts, where he earned a karate black belt, complemented by a lifelong passion for photography that captures the world through his discerning lens.

Gray’s rumoured travels paint the picture of a man unbound by borders. He is said to have spent many months in Saudi Arabia, Australia, the USA, South Africa, Europe and China. This rich tapestry of experiences infuses his writing with authenticity, lending a vivid, worldly edge to the thrilling narrative of his complex protagonist: a man called Cain.

Avien and his best friend shared a flat and went out with various female friends together. They had a great time. As it says in the book when Cain is talking with his best friend: a Royal Protection Officer.

 ‘We will have to write that book when we retire,’ Cain said.

 They looked at each other with knowing smiles – for a long few seconds.

 ‘All those secrets,’ said Jerry. ‘Perhaps we will.’

 And time moved on.

But in real life, his best friend tragically died – leaving Avien to write their book alone.

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