Richard Haslam – författare

No area of Wales is more rewarding to the architectural traveler than Gwynedd—the historic counties of Anglesey, Caernarfon and Merioneth, which are the setting for many of Wales’s greatest buildings. This book examines the buildings of the region, from Beaumaris, Caernafon, Conwy, and Harlech castles and atmospheric medieval churches to Nonconformist chapels and houses in distinctive vernacular traditions.

The historic counties of Montgomeryshire, Radnorshire, and Breconshire are described in this final volume of the Buildings of Wales series, expanded and revised from the first edition of 1979. Prehistoric hill-forts and standing stones, Roman encampments, Early Christian monuments, ruined castles and the enigmatic remains of early industry enhance the landscapes of this wild and beautiful region. Atmospheric medieval churches survive in quantity, together with diverse Nonconformist chapels. Vernacular traditions are represented by robust medieval cruck-framed houses, and by the manor houses and farmhouses of the Tudors and Stuarts. Other highlights include Montgomery, with its beguiling Georgian heritage, the Victorian spa at Llandrindod Wells, and Powis Castle, with its Baroque interiors and terraced gardens.

When Kiona's little brother, Achak, was kidnapped by the ruthless Eresh Kigal, she embarks on an adventure that leads her to the fulfilling and start of a destiny that was sown in her from long ago. As well as meeting up with her friends, from the old such as Abenanka when helping with the rescue, to the new such as The Masked Piper, whom Kiona helped to regain her sight, and would later compete in The Forest Trial to accomplish her unfinished race in Gardenia's Trials of Maturity.

Kiona, the Maid of the Heart, had a relaxing week before experiencing treachery, heartbreak, and miracles within the quiet forest town of Shenandoah. Nascha from The Great Western Lands had arrived to discover the whereabouts of her proposed future husband, Achak. Now one with Kiona's heart as Levtiqvah, awaking her true self as Tiqvah, the angel who represents Hope. Kiona had also been invited with her friends to attend the ball in Belladina, held by her charitable friend, Princess Roso.

How did Rubecula's search for Mira's friend, Okasa, lead her to find her womance relationship with Kiona? Where did the waveark that appeared within Lake Saintmere come from? Along with the many mysteries that surround the relic town of Saintmere and beyond. Meanwhile, Nascha's loss of Achak had since left her confused and reckless. Will she recover and seek for peace when she and her friends travel to Kocoum? Or will her rage and attitude engulf her like the volcanos that dominate its landscape?

After many years of understanding each other, the Ainu Isonash and the Sami Birta have decided to propose their hand in marriage, so that Isonash can start afresh after his and Hasinaw's upbringing by their peculiar parents. Elsewhere, Kiona helps Rubecula with her homesickness that threatens her most important day. In contrast, Rubecula helps Kiona with a problematic situation concerning her mother's hated family, the wealthy MacDuff clan of the Ur Alliance.