RAVE reviews have followed the publication of a first novel, which has been written by Michele Wardall of Lydbrook.

Jousting Is Not A Game – The New Legend Of Guinevere, published by Troubador Books in both hard copy and e-book formats, takes it's plot from the grail legend, with the central character this time being Guinevere, and her pivotal part in the quest to find the holy relic via, what the publishers describe as, 'the darker side of chivalry'.

Among a number of five-star rated reviews on Amazon, one reader wrote: "Once I started I found it difficult to put this book down. Told from a womans point of view, not something you find very often when the book is set in the time of King Arthur."

Michele worked as a nurse for 20 years, before 'dropping out' after her two sons left home, and headed for India for seven months.

This resulted in her first adult written work of fiction, The Good Daughter's Guide To India, published by Cinnamon Press as part of an anthology.

She now works part-time as a nurse at the Great Oaks Hospice.

Michele said: "I enjoyed further publishing successes, including a short story in Delivered, and a haiku in a newspaper supplement, before settling down to my real ambition – to research and write my first novel.

"With a love of medieval history, which includes a lifelong penchant for the Arthurian romances, the subject matter seemed obvious, although making the protagonist Guinevere rather than Arthur was just one of the ways my plot would diverge.

"My current lifestyle – helping my husband run his small business and working as a part-time nurse at the Dean Forest Hospice – allows me time to indulge my passion for the written word, and living in the beautiful Forest of Dean provides an inspirational setting."

She is currently formulating her ideas for a sequel to her first novel.

Her book is available from independent bookshops, including the Forest Bookshop in Coleford, or online.