The Ruby Cross

About the Book

“A fast-paced romance about the Islamic invasion of Spain and the legendary Battle of Covadonga! A skilfully choreographed tale packed with epic events, bloody battles, diabolical and erotic intrigues, featuring a cast of larger-than-life characters, detailed historical reconstructions and fabulous costumes. The author explores faith, myth and ethnic identity among Christians, Muslims, Jews and Pagans through vivid dialogues, penetrating reflections and gripping narrative. Religious belief is of paramount importance in this thought-provoking struggle for survival and supremacy among the people who lived at the dawn of Christian Europe.”

About the Author

After the sensational success of B@bylon Apocalypse, written ten years before the attack to the Twin Towers, Giovanni Dalla -Valle's time travel machine pulls the level backwards! Born in Bassano del Grappa (Vicenza, Italy) in 1963, Giovanni Dalla-Valle has always loved history. A vivid dreamer since his early childhood, he would soon consume most of his time reading Giulio Verne, Emilio Salgari and H.G.Wells. When he finally read The Lord of the Rings, in his early teens, he could easily see the potential for fantasy gender to re-create the past. From his passion for the past, he moved into an excitement for the future during his University years, when he wrote The Little Voxx Revolution and then, whilst serving as medical officer during Gulf War I, B@bylon Apocalypse, published in 2001 and soon favourably reviewed by the most renowned online Italian literary magazines. From future back to past when, after some mesmerising travels to Spain searching for the origins of the Dalla Valle family, he lost himself among the Asturian mountains and, nearly by enchantment, ran into the legend of Covadonga, the first victory of Christian over Moors at the beginning of the VIIIth century. Combining the results of his genealogical searches with the dawn of many European nations, he could easily see through a saga spanning more than a millennium and daring to compete with J.R.Tolkien, his undeniable master, in writing a real epic for all the people that fought the Evil since the birth of Jesus. The Ruby Cross, first of twelve magic crosses, will then light the sparkle for the journey into the history of Christianity and Western World, as they are still understood today. Simon Knight, English translator, was born in Bishop's Stortford (UK) in 1948 where he still lives with his family. He studied French and Italian at Trinity Hill, Cambridge, where he also qualified as teacher. The early part of his career was spent teaching English as a foreign language, including time spent in Italy and several years in Madagascar. Proof reader Adelaide, is Malagasy (pictured with him in Milan, Italy). Simon is a member of the Community Church in Bishop's Stortford, which belongs to the New Frontiers international family of churches, where he and Adelaide help run a marriage course and assist migrants in integrating into life in the UK. Franco Spaliviero, (cover) illustrator, was born in S.Germano dei Berici (Vicenza,Italy) in 1957 and now lives and works in Verona. Specialized in Anatomical and surgical Drawing at the prestigious Faculty of Medicine and Surgery of the University of Bologna, he then developed an impressive career as graphic designer and illustrator ranging from medicine and science to general advertisement, magazines, newspapers, fiction and non-fiction literature. As a qualified professor of Artistic Anatomy and Special Graphical Techniques, he has been teaching at the Accademia delle Belle Arti (Academy of Fine Arts) G.B. Cignaroli of Verona for many years. Further information will be found at www.giovannidallavalle.com