KINGTON-based author Karen Wallace has gone back to Tudor times for her latest novel, Emerald, but if the setting is historical, the emotions are very contemporary, and Karen is looking forward to visiting local schools to talk about her book, its background and the timelessness of her characters and their complex relationships.

“The emotions,” says Karen, “were exactly the same as they are in contemporary life. The book is all about lies, friendship and about women, good and bad, and men who are kind but hopeless.”

It is also, she explains, a lot about mothers. Emerald St John has grown up without a mother, sent away on the death of her father to live as the ward of her father’s friend. But, as this engrossing story opens, Emerald is told that her mother has decreed that she will marry and that the wedding will take place at her home in the presence of Queen Elizabeth 1 (who also grew up without a mother). Emerald is about to be reunited with her cold and uncaring mother, but when she arrives at Bleathwood, no mention is made of the wedding and it is clear that something more sinister is going on. In the midst of her desperate race to save herself and the queen, Emerald has also fallen in love, a combination of elements that ensures this story never loosens its grip on the reader.

Explaining why she chose this particular period, Karen says “I have always been fascinated by Tudor times.

If I could choose to be stuck in a lift with anyone, it would be Elizabeth I...”, adding the book took a long time to write because of that fascination: “The Elizabethan period is so rich in detail and texture and complicated social dynamics it is all too easy to get side tracked by research.”

Signed copies, £6.99, of Emerald are available at Waterstone’s in Hereford or directly from Karen by calling 01544 340030. Please add £1 p&p if ordering from Karen.