ELIZA Harrison has had a lifelong passion exploring different spiritual paths in the east and the west and has been a teacher of meditation all her adult life. She is also a photographer and author and has produced several books on the life and landscape of northern England.

Her books include Hill Shepherd, Life in the Hills and The Light Within as well as writing her own story: In Search of Freedom – One Woman’s Journey.

The Mystery of Martha is Eliza’s debut novel that bridges the gap between religious and spiritual fiction and women’s fiction.

It is a really engrossing read.

The story revolves around two Marthas: one from Bethany in 31 AD who witnesses the final three years of Yeshua’s (Jesus’) life that inspires her own journey to enlightenment; and another Martha from the Lake District in 2000 AD who discovers the hidden mystical teachings of Yeshua that offer her a pathway to self realisation.

Although two millennia separate these women, Eliza has drawn a clear and fascinating parallel between both, through a redemptive, inspirational story that crosses timelines and cultures and reveals the truth of mystical teachings.

Eliza - well known founder of the Meditation Centre at Dent - explains that it was the elusive character of Martha of Bethany portrayed in the Bible that inspired her to write The Mystery of Martha: “She is only mentioned three times, but was clearly loved by Yeshua.

“However, as sister of Magdalene and Lazarus, she felt lacking and inadequate.

“Both Marthas face similar challenges and experience the same insecurities, but through the Aramaic mystical teachings of Yeshua, transmute their fear into love so serve as inspiration for us all today.”

The Mystery of Martha is published on Troubador.

ISBN: 9781838590628.