The Eleusinian Mysteries were the most prestigious initiation of the ancient world. The ritual’s secrets were protected by death vows and have been speculated about for more than 4,000 years. The nine-day festival was run by a group of women called Melissae, or “bees”: married women, second only in rank to the Priestess of Athena Polias, who presided over Athens. They amassed incredible wealth, fame, and political status. Temple accounts from the period reveal that it was the priestesses’ money that paid for Greece's glorious architecture. Fees were earned for sacrifices and granting access to divinity. In return, the priestess made Greece a magnificent place to live. Oracles, diviners, soul midwives and creatrixes of innumerable festivals, these women ensured that the city-state kept favour with the goddess. They achieved that by emulating the ways of the world’s most successful matriarchal community, a bee colony. Herbal textbooks speak of a relationship between these women and the Lemon Balm herb (Melissa officinalis). Journey into the past and into the enchanting dreamscape of the hive with aromatherapist Elizabeth Ashley. A delightful odyssey for anyone interested in herbal wisdom, ancient Greek history, female empowerment, and humankind’s greatest allies, the bees.

Benito Pascal Abelli. Italian security professional by day. Playboy by night. "I love women, just not the same one all of the time " Fearful of any kind of commitment or long term relationship, Benito refuses to take a steady girlfriend, preferring to play the "entertainment game" with his friends, a game in which he singles out a pretty girl to entertain for the night only to be let go the next morning, or sooner. Following a shock announcement by his father, Benito is sent to head the UK division of the family's security business; he continues to play the game at each opportunity, until he picks out Lucy. There's something about her, something that draws him to her, she's certainly not like any of the girls he's ever picked out before. Battling with his feelings not to be drawn into a relationship appears futile as he is convinced that what is developing is being orchestrated by a higher force. Going against all his principals he allows himself to begin what we all consider to be a normal relationship, but in the world of Benito Abelli surely this can't happen? The business he now heads is profitable and growing, feathers are being ruffled, and competition suffers. Threats are issued and ultimately the thing that Benito values the most is taken from him, his worst fear and the very reason he refuses to commit or to love. In true Benito style, as we have learnt from The Alexandra Drake Series, nobody crosses an Abelli or any of their family - he will get back that which he regards as his, as part of his family. Those that hurt him, or threaten his family, will pay the ultimate price. The Abelli motto is "We look after our own in this family..." a motto that Benito will take to the limit.