Book excerpt: Priscilla Gingold is a thirteen-year-old living in the twentieth century. Inherent in her makeup are the seeds of healing abilities, as well as an innate understanding of herbs and their natural healing qualities. The child of parents who died when she was young, she lives with and is educated by her aunt, Judith. It is there that Priscilla discovers her roots. Aunt Judith’s many talents enable Priscilla to bridge time. Priscilla’s forays into the past bring her into the thirteenth and seventeenth centuries where she experiences the full flavor of her ancestors’ trials. None the worse for her experience, Priscilla understands the seriousness of their cause. The book culminates in a harrowing escapade wherein Priscilla is kidnapped by the opposing forces who want to use her as a bargaining tool with Aunt Judith. Swirls of magic engineered by Aunt Judith pepper the tale. Characters are colorful from Captain Church, who is the boat master; to Orcengetorix, Aunt Judith’s guard; and of course, the whimsical Emily and Marie, her close friends.