DEBUT author Ray J Newell was inspired to write his novel Tintagel by the rich history of his old hometowns.

Despite initially inventing stories for children, Ray’s debut novel is very much for adults. While playing on a cliff ledge in Cornwall, a young man, Dejon, discovers the Sword of Shaftesbury, which once belonged to the Celtic God, Bran.

However, Dejon gets more than he bargained for, as he finds the wizard Cadgwith, father of Merlin, trapped within it.

Cadgwith’s granddaughter Sennen is in grave danger, and upon releasing the wizard, Dejon is persuaded to help. In order to save Sennen from the evil sea lord Mullion, Dejon is transported to Tintagel in the year 410 AD. However, by mistake, Dejon’s rival Jamie falls into the spell and lands in the dungeon of the castle, where he meets Mithian, the hero of the local people; after several mishaps, all three escape the castle together.

The King of Tintagel hates his stepdaughter, Ruth. She is a revered general and leads her own rebel army within the castle. She is a fearless fighter, respected by all sides. A slow and brooding love story develops in a battle for Ruth’s affections between her childhood friends Mithian and Delaboe, her comrades in arms, and Dejon.

Mullion assembles a fearsome army and travels through time, joining forces with Quin, leader of a band of Cornish cutthroats and vagabonds. The teenage rivals bring 21st century humour and logic to those dark days of death before dishonour, but who will come out as the victor?

Explaining the thinking behind the novel, Ray said: “Whilst my children were growing up we lived in several places in Cornwall.

“I told them lots of stories about the different towns, and years later I realised that the stories could be made into something magical!”

“Tintagel uses similar strange magic that can be found in series such as Game of Thrones. It’s fast-paced, unpredictable and will keep you guessing!”

Ray J Newell is a therapeutic counsellor and playwright. He currently lives in North London.