Riduna

Why Riduna? Riduna is the Latin name for the unique and picturesque island of Alderney, sister island to Guernsey Channel Islands, UK. For Harriet, who was born on Riduna in 1866, and many others in her community, Riduna seems to be a character in its own right. It is the only world they have known, or wanted to know. On the other hand Edward lives with his head full of dreams of distant shores. As their destiny is challenged, will their devotion remain constant? Diana chose the name 'Riduna' to conjure up the mystery and beauty of an island which holds a special place in her heart.

This novel paints a vivid picture of the island of Riduna and the interwoven life of the islanders in the late nineteenth century. The shores of France clearly visible, a sizeable military presence and a community maintaining the defences swelling the population, all contributed colour to life of this small island, only three miles long. Harriet, born on Riduna in 1866, faced the challenge of falling in love in a community governed by the strict moral code of its elders, whereas Edward's dream of a life at sea, unforeseen events, and poor communications all played a role in their destiny. Why Riduna? Riduna is the Latin name for the unique and picturesque island of Alderney, sister island to Guernsey Channel Islands, UK. For Harriet, who was born on Riduna in 1866, and many others in her community, Riduna seems to be a character in its own right. It is the only world they have known, or wanted to know. On the other hand Edward leaves the island for the more exciting life of 19th century travel. As their paths divide, will their devotion remain constant? Diana chose the name 'Riduna' to conjure up the mystery and beauty of an island which holds a special place in her heart.

Living in the heart of Bedfordshire, UK, Diana Jackson divides her time between her writing and teaching literacy and business studies at a local college. As you will see if you visit her blog, Diana’s other passions are social history, gardening, cooking her own produce, following her husband’s rock and roll band and her more recent absorbing interest in early flight, especially flying boats. Although Diana’s initial inspiration to write was her great grandmother, an Alderney girl, leading to the conception of the ‘Riduna Series’, she stresses that her novels are purely fiction. She takes the reader from the mid Victorian era through to 1920 and plans a third in the series to the mid thirties. To find out about the ‘Riduna Series’ and Diana Jackson’s other writing projects, you can meet her in person at her various book signing events and talks, or say hello virtually on Twitter (search for Riduna).