The Rope Carrier

Theresa Tomlinson was born in Sussex. The daughter of a vicar, she spent her early childhood in various places in the north of England. As a child she had no interest in writing, but she loved reading. Her main interest was drawing and painting. She attended Hull College of Art, and later trained as a teacher at Hull College of Education. She taught as an infant teacher for five years 
 
Theresa and her husband live in Whitby, North Yorkshire, where Theresa spent her childhood. Over the years she has acquired an outstanding reputation for her historical novels, particularly those, like Wolf Girl, set on the north-east coast of England. 
 
Shortlisted twice for the Carnegie Medal and for the Sheffield Children's Book Award, Theresa takes a keen interest in the area where she lives. 
Recent visits to Turkey have fuelled her enthusiasm for the ancient mythology of that part of the world. Her scrupulous research has resulted in two epic stories, The Moon Riders and Voyage of the Snake Lady.

‘This little lass is strong. She will carry the ropes and walk forever.’ 
 
It is as well that these words, spoken by Minnie’s great grandmother at her birth, prove to be prophetic, for the ropemaker’s youngest daughter needs all the strength and courage she can muster in the subterranean cavern which is the family home. And not only there but even more so in Sheffield where she goes to support her ailing sister and finds an even harsher existence where squalor and injustice are rife.

Against The Tide

A three-in-one volume of historical stories set on the north-east coast of Yorkshire where life for the fisher-folk is tough and dangerous and it requires determination and often ingenuity for the families to survive.

A gritty, touching novel of the North Yorkshire coast

The mantle of Rosemary Sutcliff hangs over this talented writer

Theresa Tomlinson's skill lies chiefly in creating believable characters whose emotional lives are so real that the reader is compelled to turn the page...no reader, young or old, can read these stirring stories with indifference.

These three stories are moving, powerful and enlightening.

Theresa Tomlinson and her husband live in North Yorkshire. Over the years Theresa has acquired an outstanding reputation for her historical novels. Shortlisted twice for the Carnegie Medal and for the Sheffield Children's Book Award, she takes a keen interest in the north-east coast of England. 
 
Recent visits to Turkey have fuelled her enthusiasm for the ancient mythology of that part of the world. Her scrupulous research has resulted in two epic stories in which classic tale and imaginative re-enactment make a stunning impact.

Theresa Tomlinson has established herself as a talented writer of historical fiction, particularly when pinpointing her home territory on the NE coast of England. Here in one volume are three of her most gripping novels in which she describes the courage and humour with which the fishing families face up to the hard conditions of their lives. 
 
THE FLITHER PICKERS of Sandwick Bay spend their days gathering shellfish on the shore - limpets and mussels - and baiting the lines for the fishermen . The story centres on young Liza Welford whose mother is haunted by an accident in the past. 
 
In THE HERRING GIRLS, when tragedy strikes the Lythe family, 13-year-old Dory joins the tough world of the Scotch herring girls in Whitby in order to earn money and save her brothers and sisters from the workhouse. 
 
Family life is destroyed for Ann and Polly Lancroft in BENEATH BURNING MOUNTAIN when the violent and merciless press-gangs invade the cliffs where men and women create alum crystals for a livelihood - and their home is wiped out by a sudden landslide. 
 
Skilfully blending fiction with reality, Theresa Tomlinson has written three moving and absorbing stories of close-knit communities of fisher-folk a hundred years ago whose whole existence is governed by the sea.

The Cellar Lad

A novel set in nineteenth century Sheffield when young Ben Sterndale takes up his job as a cellar lad at Dyson's Scythe Works: the chartist movement is begining to gain momentum as there is large-scale unemployment. An excellent combination of fact and personal drama.

Theresa Tomlinson was born in Sussex. The daughter of a vicar, she spent her early childhood in various places in the north of England. As a child she had no interest in writing, but she loved reading. Her main interest was drawing and painting. She attended Hull College of Art, and later trained as a teacher at Hull College of Education. She taught as an infant teacher for five years 
 
Theresa and her husband live in Whitby, North Yorkshire, where Theresa spent her childhood. Over the years she has acquired an outstanding reputation for her historical novels, particularly those, like Wolf Girl, set on the north-east coast of England. 
 
Shortlisted twice for the Carnegie Medal and for the Sheffield Children's Book Award, Theresa takes a keen interest in the area where she lives. 
Recent visits to Turkey have fuelled her enthusiasm for the ancient mythology of that part of the world. Her scrupulous research has resulted in two epic stories, The Moon Riders and Voyage of the Snake Lady.

Ben Sterndale's days of freedom are over. There'll be no more running wild through Ecclesall woods now that he's got a proper job at Dyson's Scythe Works. As the Cellar Lad he's at everyone's beck and call and it's hard and dangerous work. His father and fellow workers at the cruicible workshop - the forgers, grinders and the puller out - are striving for change. But as the working people of Sheffield unite to peacefully campaign for their rights, SOMEONE is threatening to FIGHT for a difference - no matter what trouble it may bring. . . . . . . .

The Moon Riders

An epic novel centred on the Amazon women (the Moon Riders) and the part they played in the battle for Troy.

This is an epic tale, well-researched, imaginative and interesting

Theresa Tomlinson is among the strongest of a younger generation of historical novelists

A well-written, dramatic epic that blends rich characters and strong emotions

'At last they emerged from the rising dust. A great party of strong-armed young women, all on horseback, their eyes and body pictures gleaming in the torchlight.' 
 
When young Myrina becomes one of the warrior priestesses known as the Moon Riders, she is well prepared to perform their sacred dances, hunt and fight when necessary. But when the visionary Trojan princess, Cassandra, joins them, events take a tragic turn. Myrina becomes her confidante, and the Moon Riders are drawn into the drama of the siege of Troy. 
 
Mysterious tales surround the exotic but little-known Amazon women. Who were they? How did they really live? Based on careful research, Theresa Tomlinson paints a fresh, intriguing background to an ancient and gripping story, combining her own drama with existing myths. 
 
A tremendous read and an epic novel of triumph and tragedy.

Theresa Tomlinson and her husband live in North Yorkshire. Over the years Theresa has acquired an outstanding reputation for her historical novels. Shortlisted twice for the Carnegie Medal and for the Sheffield Children's Book Award, she takes a keen interest in the north-east coast of England. 
 
Recent visits to Turkey have fuelled her enthusiasm for the ancient mythology of that part of the world. Her scrupulous research has resulted in two epic stories.

When a young Amazon woman, Myrina, becomes one of the warrior priestesses known as the Moon Riders, she is well prepared to perform their sacred dances, hunt and fight when necessary. But the Moon Riders who inhabit the plains of Troy are drawn into the troubles of the city and when the visionary princess, Cassandra, becomes Myrina`s confidante, the help of the young band of horsewomen enables Cassandra`s young friend, Iphigenia to escape from the sacrifice planned for her. Hereafter the Moon Riders are drawn into the siege and the ensuing battle. Theresa Tomlinson, combining meticulous research into the Amazon women with the ancient legends of Troy, has created an epic story of tragic dimensions.

Wolf Girl

Set in a turbulent period of Anglo-Saxon history at St Hilda's abbey in Whitby, this is the gripping story of Cwen, an impoverished weaver unjustly accused of stealing a priceless necklace from the queen, whose plucky daughter, Wulfrun, is determined to prove her mother's innocence.

A most compelling read to immerse yourself in. The period details feel authentic without obtruding into the development of the characters and story line

Tomlinson has skilfully woven known facts and real people with invented characters to form an exciting historical novel . . . shows her talents to the full

This is a novel sure to please any reader looking for intrigue and adventure

Whitby Abbey and its community are brought vividly to life . . . The book just abounds with strong, independent female characters, the pace is just perfect and the twists and turns of the plot never become confusing . . . Wolf Girl should be fascinating for young people and adults alike

Older readers will enjoy this exciting historical novel

Younger adults will welcome Theresa Tomlinson's foray into the Anglo-Saxon era with this excellent and well-crafted adventure . . . Appealing to both sexes, a great adventure story for the modern readership

Until recently, Theresa Tomlinson and her husband lived in Sheffield, but have now moved to Whitby, where Theresa spent much of her childhood. They have three grown up children. Living within sight of the ruined Abbey has made this story of Wulfrun come vividly alive to her. 
Over the years Theresa has acquired an outstanding reputation for her historical novels. Shortlisted twice for the Carnegie Medal and twice runner up for the Sheffield Children's Book Award, she takes a keen interest in the north-east coast of England. 
 
Recent visits to Turkey have fuelled her enthusiasm for the ancient mythology of that part of the world. Her research has resulted in two epic stories - The Moon Riders and Voyage of the Snake Lady - in which classic tales and imaginative re-enactment make a stunning impact.

Cwen, a poor weaver struggling to make a living at Whitby Abbey, is accused of possessing a valuable necklace; if found guilty she could be hanged. Wulfrun, Cwen's daughter, sets out to prove her mother's innocence. 
 
Set in turbulent Anglo-Saxon times, this is the story of a resourceful, dauntless heroine, determined and clever as the wolf that she is named for. 
 
In WOLF GIRL, Theresa Tomlinson links her enthusiasm for creating strong, adventurous heroines with her interest in history and mythology of the North East Coast of England.

Voyage Of The Snake Lady

A stunning sequel to The Moon Riders following the fortunes of Myrina, the young Amazon woman after the fall of Troy.

This is a well-written, sophisticated historical fantasy

Thrilling, authentic, imaginative, original - very highly recommended

'I have seen them!' cried Cassandra. 'Iphigenia! Myrina and her young daughter! They are in terrible trouble...taken prisoner on a boat...stripped of all weapons.' 
 
Some years have passed since Myrina reassembled the Moon Riders as a strong and potent force after the fall of Troy. During that time the brave warrior women have lived in peace. But now, once again, Myrina's life is savagely disrupted, this time by Neoptolemus, avenging son of Achilles. 
 
Slavery, storm, shipwreck and strife plague Myrina, her fate closely entwined with that of Iphigenia, daughter of Agamemnon. Can she free them both and fashion their destiny towards a more peaceful life? 
 
This powerful and richly woven sequel to The Moon Riders is once again the blend of intriguing myth and inspired imagination for which Theresa Tomlinson has built an impressive reputation.

Theresa Tomlinson and her husband live in North Yorkshire. Over the years Theresa has acquired an outstanding reputation for her historical novels. Shortlisted twice for the Carnegie Medal and for the Sheffield Children's Book Award, she takes a keen interest in the north-east coast of England. 
 
Recent visits to Turkey have fuelled her enthusiasm for the ancient mythology of that part of the world. Her scrupulous research has resulted in two epic stories in which classic tales and imaginative re-enactment make a stunning impact.

Some years have passed since Myrina reassembled the Moon Riders as a strong and potent force after the fall of Troy. During that time the brave warrior women that survived have lived in peace. But now once again, Myrina`s life is savagely disrupted, this time by Neoptolomus, avenging son of Achilles. First slavery, storm, and shipwreck take their toll on Myrina, but hearing that Iphigenia is in trouble, she is determined to stand by her and sets out to rescue her friend who is in trouble on the island of Tauris. The fate of the two women is closely entwined, together with the whole family of Agamemnon. Can Myrina play a part in freeing them from their tragic destiny?

Theresa Tomlinson

'They tell you that most lumps are nothing. ' Mum's voice wobbled. 'But mine is cancerous . . . . oh dear. Its a bit of a shock, it really is!' And so Ellen and her family must learn with the reality of her mum's breast cancer. Ellen finds solace in her dancing and coupled with an unexpected discovery in the school grounds, she is able to face the difficult times ahead . . .

Theresa Tomlinson

Books by Theresa Tomlinson

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