A riveting, historical tale set in first-century Rome, "The Divining" chronicles one young woman's spiritual quest to discover her destiny through the powerful gift of second sight--and save entire future generations.
"Ancient Rome: 54 C.E." Nineteen-year-old Ulrika is plagued with strange visions and dreams. In order to discover the truth behind her past and her unusual powers, Ulrika embarks on a dangerous journey to her father's homeland, Germania. There, she discovers her calling, a rare gift known as the Divining.
Sent on a quest to find her destiny, she travels far and wide, from ancient Germania to the vast and exotic countries of Syria, Babylon, and Persia. Along the way she meets wise spiritual guides--men, women, and spirits alike--who teach her to harness her ability to heal and protect others. Ulrika's journey also brings her close to the handsome trader Sebastianus Gallus, who must depart for his own quest to the Far East to gain riches for the powerful emperor Nero. But can Ulrika reunite with the man she loves, fulfill her profound destiny, and usher in a new era in Rome under the threatening rule of Nero?
A powerful, spiritual story of romance, betrayal, faith, and courage, "The Divining "stunningly brings to life one young woman's daring role in shaping the entire ancient empire of Rome.

" I was born for adventure. I flout convention. I am a New Woman on a holy purpose. " Newlywed Emily Stone and her husband, Isaac, areyoung missionaries who have traveled from New England to Honolulu to share the Gospel with the Hawaiian natives. Gentle, adventurous, well-bred, and beautiful, Emily soon finds herself struggling with intense homesickness but remains determined to share her faith . . . andignore her growing feelings for handsome Captain MacKenzie Farrow. Just as she begins to bond with the influential High Chiefess Pua and her daughter, Mahina, unexpected tragedy threatens to force her off the island. In a state of confusion, Emilymakes a decision that could destroy everything she knows and loves including her own sanity.Three decades later, Sister Theresa comes to the islands as a missionary nurse and becomes acquainted with Captain Farrow s charming son, a powerful man who is instrumental in Hawaii s alliance with America. Teresa discovers that a dark curse is plaguing his family and the island s inhabitants, a curse that only Emily and Mahina can help her reverse.With richly imagined characters and spellbinding scenery in the tradition of James A. Michener s "Hawaii, Rainbows on the Moon" is a masterful depiction of the beauty of humanemotion."

Barbara Wood's 1978 debut novel is now back in print in a new edition from Turner Publishing.When the first of the Magdalene Scrolls arrives, Professor Ben Messer is puzzled, intrigued, excited. What scholar of ancient languages wouldn’t be, when he held in his hands something even more astonishing than the Dead Sea Scrolls—a scroll just discovered to contain the life story and last confession of a man who had lived in Jerusalem just after the death of Christ. By the time the second scroll arrives, Ben’s interest has begun to be more than professional. For it seems that David, the writer of the ancient scrolls, is in many ways very much like Ben—and he seems to be speaking directly to Ben, across nearly 2,000 years of history. Before long, the terrifying transformation has begun, and there can be no turning back. What do the words of a Jew who lived 2,000 years ago have to do with today, and with Ben Messer, a man who had forsaken his Jewish identity years ago—or thought he had. And why does David’s life suddenly seem so much more real—and powerful—than Ben’s own? Why does Ben suddenly shut himself off from the beautiful woman he intends to marry and become involved with Judy Golden, a very different kind of woman? And what will happen if Ben surrenders completely to the power of the scrolls?

Even for scholars who have devoted their careers to the early modern theatre, the name John Lowin may not instantly evoke recognition-until now, the actor's life and contribution to the theatre of the period has never been the subject of a full-length publication. In this study, Barbara Wooding provides a comprehensive overview of the life and times of Lowin, a leader of the King's Men's Company and one of the greatest actors of the seventeenth century. She examines his involvement in the Jacobean/Caroline world as performer, citizen and company manager, and contextualizes his life and career within the socio-economic and political framework of the period. Although references to him in the archives are patchy and sporadic, information about his activities within the King's Men's Company is well documented. In the course of analysing less familiar plays of the period and the characters Lowin played in them, Wooding supplements critical understanding of the scope and range of Caroline drama. Because Lowin's career burgeoned after Shakespeare's and Burbage's death, his life in Southwark and his career with the same company furnishes the opportunity for an examination of the changing status of actors, and the exercising of their skills within the drama of the later playhouse period.

Barbara Wood's 1978 debut novel is now back in print in a new edition from Turner Publishing.When the first of the Magdalene Scrolls arrives, Professor Ben Messer is puzzled, intrigued, excited. What scholar of ancient languages wouldn’t be, when he held in his hands something even more astonishing than the Dead Sea Scrolls—a scroll just discovered to contain the life story and last confession of a man who had lived in Jerusalem just after the death of Christ. By the time the second scroll arrives, Ben’s interest has begun to be more than professional. For it seems that David, the writer of the ancient scrolls, is in many ways very much like Ben—and he seems to be speaking directly to Ben, across nearly 2,000 years of history. Before long, the terrifying transformation has begun, and there can be no turning back. What do the words of a Jew who lived 2,000 years ago have to do with today, and with Ben Messer, a man who had forsaken his Jewish identity years ago—or thought he had. And why does David’s life suddenly seem so much more real—and powerful—than Ben’s own? Why does Ben suddenly shut himself off from the beautiful woman he intends to marry and become involved with Judy Golden, a very different kind of woman? And what will happen if Ben surrenders completely to the power of the scrolls? Before long, the terrifying transformation has begun, and there can be no turning back . . .

" I was born for adventure. I flout convention. I am a New Woman on a holy purpose. " Newlywed Emily Stone and her husband, Isaac, areyoung missionaries who have traveled from New England to Honolulu to share the Gospel with the Hawaiian natives. Gentle, adventurous, well-bred, and beautiful, Emily soon finds herself struggling with intense homesickness but remains determined to share her faith . . . andignore her growing feelings for handsome Captain MacKenzie Farrow. Just as she begins to bond with the influential High Chiefess Pua and her daughter, Mahina, unexpected tragedy threatens to force her off the island. In a state of confusion, Emilymakes a decision that could destroy everything she knows and loves including her own sanity.Three decades later, Sister Theresa comes to the islands as a missionary nurse and becomes acquainted with Captain Farrow s charming son, a powerful man who is instrumental in Hawaii s alliance with America. Teresa discovers that a dark curse is plaguing his family and the island s inhabitants, a curse that only Emily and Mahina can help her reverse.With richly imagined characters and spellbinding scenery in the tradition of James A. Michener s "Hawaii, Rainbows on the Moon" is a masterful depiction of the beauty of humanemotion."

"Ugarit, Syria, 1450 B.C.E. "Eighteen-year-old Leah, the eldest daughter of a wealthy winemaker, is past the traditional age of betrothal. Vowed to wed the wealthy but cruel shipbuilder Jotham, Leah declines his offer of marriage after discovering that he and his family suffer from "the falling sickness." Enraged by her refusal and his ruined reputation, he blackmails Leah's father, a punishment forgiven only by offering Leah's hand in marriage. With no more options for another suitor and no male heir for her family, Leah must seek out the cure for Jotham's sickness or her family will face permanent ruin.
During her quest Leah begins to burn with desire for Daveed, the handsome household scribe whose culture forbids their union. Daveed has been called by the gods to restore the Brotherhood, an elite fraternity of guardians at the great Library of Ugarit, rumored to contain the secret symbol of immortality within its ancient archives. If his plan succeeds, it may also save Leah's family from disaster. But even Daveed and Leah cannot fathom the extent of Jotham's sinister schemes to make Leah his bride once and for all.
With rich historical detail, "The Serpent and the Staff" is a sweeping tale of love, betrayal, and how one family's faith can overcome the obstacles that life has in store for them.

Beautiful young Andrea travels from Los Angeles to her ancestral home in England to meet her relatives and confront her mysterious heritage. But from the first moment she steps foot in her grandmother's cold Victorian house in Warrington, she senses an awesome, unsettling presence.

"Mixing medicine and romance in absolutely riveting combinations is getting to be a habit with Barbara Wood."-"The Philadelphia Inquirer"

"Entertainment fiction at its best."-"Booklist"

"A winning combination of medicine and romance."-"Library Journal"

Moving through the exotic settings of California, Hawaii, and Africa, acclaimed novelist Barbara Wood weaves a rich and compelling story of three women's lives and the challenges they face in their careers and in their relationships.

In the late 1960s, these bright, ambitious women struggling to make a place in a man's world meet in medical school. Each has a past she wants to forget, and each has a dream she needs to fulfill.

"Mickey Long"-Disfigured from birth, Mickey turns to plastic surgery to heal herself and others afflicted with her special pain.

"Sondra Mallone"-Abandoned by her natural parents, Sondra becomes a missionary doctor to forgotten souls crying out for love.

"Ruth Shapiro"-After discovering the miracle of motherhood, Ruth opens a pioneering fertility clinic that offers new hope to those who once had none.

In the years that lie ahead-years of triumph and tragedy, joy and sorrow, love and loneliness-each woman will find, in their unique bond of friendship, the courage and strength to succeed.

A magnificent coming-of-age saga about two sisters from an aristocratic Egyptian family who rebel against tradition.
Inside a beautiful mansion on Virgins of Paradise Street in post-World War II Cairo, Jasmine and Camelia Rasheed grow to womanhood under the watchful eyes of their grandmother and the other women of the prominent Rasheed family. Despite the glamour and elegance of the city, women still wear the veil and live in harems. But as Egypt begins to change, so do Jasmine and Camelia. Rebelling against a society in which the suppression of women is assumed, Jasmine and Camelia embark on turbulent personal and professional voyages of discovery. Cast out of the family, Jasmine travels to America to become a doctor while Camelia sets out to become one of the foremost beledi dancers in the Middle East.
Sensuous, spicy, and romantic, " Virgins of Paradise "is a spellbinding novel set in an exotic and erotic culture. Brilliantly portraying two sisters' search for identity amidst historic change, Wood also conveys a portrait of an ancient nation merging into the modern era while mired in superstition, magic, and mythology.

"Barbara Wood is an entertainer."
-"Washington Post Book World"

Acclaimed novelist Barbara Wood combines her superb storytelling gifts with medical and historic fact to create the epic adventure of an unusual and gifted young woman seeking her destiny in the ancient healing arts.

Born into the tumultuous world of ancient Antioch, Selene is orphaned at birth. But before her father dies, he leaves a puzzling clue to her heritage: she has come from the gods and has a special destiny to fulfill.

In the coming years, Selene studies the primitive healing arts with Mera, the healer-woman who adopts her. She learns how to lower fevers by brewing Hecate's Cure from the willow tree, how to apply green mold to an open wound to prevent infection, and most importantly, how to calm a patient by summoning the inner power of the "soul flame."

But on her sixteenth birthday, Selene falls in love with Andreas, a passionate and troubled surgeon. When fate cruelly separates them, Selene's search for Andreas takes her to the great centers of civilization in the ancient world-Egypt, Babylon, and Rome. Desperate to find Andreas, Selene is torn between love and her dreams of healing when a revolutionary vision brings her to the fulfillment of her destiny-and the dawn of modern medicine.