Beyond The Moon

<p><strong>Outlander meets Birdsong is this haunting literary timeslip novel where a strange twist of fate connects a British soldier fighting in the First World War in 1916 with a young woman living in modern-day England a century later.</strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong>*Shortlisted for the Eharmony/Orion Write Your Own Love Story Prize</strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong>*Longlisted for the Exeter Novel Prize</strong></p><p><br></p><p>The characterization is spot-on as is the historical time-line. Beyond the Moon is not only a page-turner but an intelligent appraisal of medicine psychology and mental illness over the years. Historical fantasy at its very best. - <strong><em>Historical Novel Society</em></strong></p><p><br></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>Beyond the Moon is a stunning debut! This impeccably researched and beautifully crafted timeslip novel is historical romantic fantasy at its best. I simply can't wait to see what Catherine Taylor does next! - </span><strong style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)><em>Constance Sayers</em></strong><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)> author of </span><strong style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)><em>A Witch in Time</em></strong><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)> and </span><strong style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)><em>The Ladies Of The Secret Circus</em></strong></p><p><br></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>Lovely and unique. A love that spans time and enough history to make this WWI nerd's heart flutter - </span><strong style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)><em>J'nell Ciesielski</em></strong><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)> author of </span><strong style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)><em>The Ice Swan</em></strong><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)> and </span><strong style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)><em>The Socialite</em></strong></p><p><br></p><p>In 1916 1st Lieutenant Robert Lovett is a patient at Coldbrook Hall military hospital in Sussex England. A gifted artist he's been wounded fighting in the Great War. Shell shocked and suffering from hysterical blindness he can no longer see his own face let alone paint and life seems increasingly hopeless.</p><p><br></p><p>A century later in 2017 medical student Louisa Casson has just lost her beloved grandmother - her only family. Heartbroken she drowns her sorrows in alcohol on the South Downs cliffs - only to fall accidentally part-way down. Doctors fear she may have attempted suicide and Louisa finds herself involuntarily admitted to Coldbrook Hall - now a psychiatric hospital an unfriendly and chaotic place.</p><p><br></p><p>Then one day while secretly exploring the old Victorian hospital's ruined abandoned wing Louisa hears a voice calling for help and stumbles across a dark old-fashioned hospital room. Inside lying on the floor is a mysterious sightless young man who tells her he was hurt at the Battle of the Somme a WW1 battle a century ago. And that his name is Lieutenant Robert Lovett...</p><p><br></p><p>Two people two battles: one against the invading Germans on the battlefields of 1916 France the other against a substandard uncaring mental health facility in modern-day England. Two journeys begun a century apart but somehow destined to coincide - and become one desperate struggle to be together.</p><p><br></p><p>Part WW1 historical fiction part timeslip love story - and at the same time a meditation on the themes of war mental illness identity and art - Beyond The Moon is a debut novel that sweeps the reader on an unforgettable journey through time. An intelligent read perfect for book clubs. For fans of Diana Gabaldon Amy Harmon Beatriz Williams Kate Quinn Kristin Hannah Kate Morton Susanna Kearsley and Paullina Simons.</p>