The Gypsy's Prophesy is a very rich, real-life account of Washington State adventurer, Iorn Northup, and the lovely Ozark-born, Susan Yingst-two very different and engaging people whose lives are improbably intertwined. Set in the majestic forests of Washington State and the beautiful Arkansas Ozarks in the early 1900's, author Ettie Northup Parker, with the assistance of her daughter, Joyce, are remarkable writers who astutely capture the authenticity and realism of life for the two pioneering people-Northup and Yingst.

This novel is set at the time of the 1825 December uprising in Russia. The first chapter opens with a description of a large party of Dun Cossacks, military personnel, riding in the dark and snowy moonlight through a snow-covered forest. The men ride on small horses and there are two gun carriages towed along by six horses for each. On the first is a cannon, and on the second, a body, badly injured but still living as can be told by the drops of blood still falling from it.

The village midwife declares the baby dead on arrival; but his grandmother has other plans. A gripping account, of an incredible journey of survival; one that commenced from a makeshift crib in a nondescript village in Kerala. The story of a man’s journey against odds fuelled by the desire to fulfil a childhood dream everyone laughed at. A compelling tale about one who dared to dream different, a tale about one who believed odds are to overcome.

Age Range: 9 - 12 years.

In the England of 1218, King John is dead and his young son is on the throne, guided by the aging William, Marshall of England. All of the vast domains of Johns father on the Continent have been lost and the rebellious barons are held to a fragile truce. It is very much a mans world. When Elise of Debouchet defi es the step-uncle who has laid claim to her estates and refuses to marry any of the men he chooses, he gives her an ultimatum. You do not need your eyes to speak the vows or get an heir. You will do as I say or I will have your eyes put out. Elise says she would rather marry any man than the one before her. Her uncle counters with, The next man through the gate will be your husband, be he prince or serf. Elise agrees because she doesnt want to be blinded. Her uncle has taken her mother and younger sister hostage and she needs time to fi nd some clue as to where he holds them. When Louis of Kirkfi eld, a Romani merchant, walks over the bridge and through the gate of the closest castle, his only thought is to buy a horse to replace his lame packhorse. He is overwhelmed by four brawny men and badly beaten, then forced to say vows before a priest. He and his new bride are thrown into a tower room. The door is barred against escape. Louis does escape and comes back with an army. But Elises mother and sister cannot be located and they follow the trail to France and her grandmother. The more they know, the more they fi nd out, the bigger the scheme becomes and they are now searching for a double agent, a money lender, a lawyer and an assassin. The wealthy young bride and her gypsy must follow the trails and learn to work together to make their marriage work and therein lies the tale.

Reels for 1973- include Time index, 1973-