To the Rhythm
of the
Moon

A tale of knowledge
and love lost and found

By Chess Capino*

.

* Chess Capino

(Pen name of Francesca Pinoni) lives on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus where she promotes holistic health. Her book, through a story of adventure and romance, provides seeds of information and thought to help girls grow into happy and naturally healthy women. This book does not attempt to provide all the answers; rather it poses many questions in the hope of inspiring young readers to do the same and to seek the answers within themselves.

Click here to read the first few chapters

Featherlight Press 2009
ISBN 978-9963-9651-0-6

Introduction

Many years ago, obscured by the twisting road of history, there lived in Central Europe a band of gypsies like none other who have lived before or since. Legend has it that they were not of this world at all, but children of the stars. They were known for their beauty and for their talents in singing, dancing and the healing arts. They migrated across the countryside from village to village. Their arrival was greeted with joy and celebration.

If, on their travels, they met children whose parents had died or were too poor to care for them they would adopt that child as a member of their Gypsy band. The child would live with them, travel with them and learn a skill that would enable them to live a fruitful and happy life. These children became members of the band in every way - except that they were not initiated into the secrets that only a blood member of the band was allowed to know.

This is the story of one of the gypsy children and how she came to learn their secret.

Reminiscent of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s “Little House” series and the inspirational tales of the Brazilian author Paulo Coelho, this charming story is peopled with characters that engage the reader and a plot that will keep the pages turning.

This is a book to be read at that sensitive age, the cusp between childhood and womanhood; the age when there are so many questions and no one we ask, if we have the courage to ask at all, seems to have satisfying answers.

As we enter our teens, our bodies suddenly change, our relationships change, everything changes and so often we are not prepared for what lies ahead.

Capino’s light touch belies the depth of the ideas she presents. Through an appealing story with action, suspense and romance the characters learn to rely on themselves and their own in-born wisdom to cope with the difficult situations and decisions that they must face.

Through the eyes of Milada, an orphan girl living with a band of gypsies possessing profound knowledge, the plot, with suspense and romance, carries the reader through themes of belonging, growth, love and change. There are deaths and there are births. Years and seasons pass as the characters grow and develop, measured by the ever-changing phases of the moon.

Some comments from readers:

“This is a book that can be read by an 11 year old and reread again and again even by women of my age. This book could be perfect for mother-daughter quality relations offering them both so much and such a deep connection.” M.S.

“This book would make a great movie or miniseries – I could just see the action taking place.” B.D.

“I started it, thinking, ‘why am I reading a book for children?’ But then I got into it and couldn’t put it down.” I.S.

“The ending could not be more perfect. I was very, very touched. The ending was also a beautiful lesson of being free from restrictions, flowing like the water teachings included in this book.; a completion of all that Milada had learned through her journey.” M.S.

Order the E-book version and read it today!