L-Ewwel preżenza – L-Imħabba tal-ħares ma tmut qatt The First Ghost... Whose love will never die

Author: Michael Cini Publisher: Horizons Did it ever cross your mind that hovering around us, there could be ghosts? Ghosts who were once human beings like us? Humans who lived, worked, loved and had many wishes and aspirations like everyone else? But who for some reason or another, such as in an unfortunate accident or even through some horrendous murder, all of a sudden their lives ended tragically before they had fulfilled their most fervent dreams?

It is a known fact that such spirits become entrapped in our dimension and remain bound to this world. They will never be able to find eternal rest until they manage to complete some very important unfinished business.

And one such ghost was actually Gabriele, the handsome young man from this novel.

A short while after setting foot on Malta with the French army when Napoleon invaded the islands back in 1798, this soldier falls in love with Rożina – a humble Maltese farm girl of outstanding beauty.

But because he was a French soldier, the maiden’s villagers were far from happy with the lovers’ relationship. The French rulers were abusing their power and authority over the islands by pillaging and desecrating churches. No wonder the Maltese people started to hate them terribly and very soon, became to think of them as their sworn enemies.

So one fateful night the villagers ambushed and murdered the young soldier, buried his body and managed to get rid of him once and for all. Or so they thought! As since his life was terminated in such an abrupt and gruesome manner before he had time to enjoy his beautiful and beloved Rożina, his soul could not rest in peace.

From that very moment starts the exciting story of this soul, this spirit which suddenly finds itself trapped between this life and the next, whose time had not yet come to enjoy eternal rest. He just wasn’t ready. He didn’t want to depart from his beloved Rożina yet, at all costs. He wanted to remain by her side to look after her and to provide whatever was best for her. But most of all to protect her... since he had now become her true and faithful ghost.

So, he starts using his mystical powers to keep Rożina only to himself. To convince her to remain his lover – and no-one else’s – forever!

But was it humanly possible for a beautiful girl like Rożina to remain all alone for the rest of her life? To wish and crave for lustful love? To long for true happiness, companionship, and the warm comfort which... only some other young man in real flesh and blood... could actually give her?

In 2014, Horizons had published the novel Preżenza – Inti temmen fil-ħares? And now through its prequel L-Ewwel preżenza – l-imħabba tal-ħares ma tmut qatt! the reader shall discover the origin of the first spirit, the first soul or even the very first ghost which from the very beginning, sought to protect the members of this family. The family, which from the time of the French occupation till the present day, has gone through many different episodes in life, both good and evil. Worst of all, the tragedy which left the soul of a mother of a seven-year-old boy who had mysteriously disappeared, unable to find peace and eternal rest.

But could it be that it is now time for this tragic mystery to be uncovered?

This is Michael Cini’s fifth book. In his first novel Preżenza – Inti temmen fil-ħares? the author brought the reader face to face with the ghost of a mother, who could not yet rest in peace before someone uncovered how her young child had mysteriously disappeared many years before. A novel which has recently been re-printed as a best-seller. On a historical theme, in his second novel Ix-Xafra tad-Destin – L-Imdina 1565 he led the reader through the gates of history to join the Mdina cavalry and take part in a romantic adventure during the time of the Great Siege of Malta of 1565. And on a totally different note from the previous two, in his third novel Skjava...fil-ktajjen tal-imħabba the author exposed the reader to a sensual and erotic love story. An intimate relationship fuelled by emotional intrigue which, in order to survive, has to overcome unfaithfulness, domestic abuse... and lustful temptations! Then in 2017 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the Santa Marija Convoy, thE author published Konvoj – Il-Ġrajja li naf jiena biss! Another historic novel which blends romance with the historic facts that took place all along this perilous journey. A journey featuring love, courage and victory which set sail from Scotland during which, brave men and galant heroes, managed to save Malta from surrendering to the enemy, as they miraculously brought in the vital supplies to the Grand Harbour.

About the author

was born in Ħamrun on 20 July 1964, grew up in Balzan and lives in Mosta. He is a qualified draughtsman and today occupies the position of senior principal. He studied Arabic to understand better the Semitic roots of the Maltese language. In the course of his career he also studied at the University of Malta, from where he graduated in Public Administration and as a proof-reader in the Maltese language. At this point in time, he started writing novels to contribute towards Maltese literature. Among various topics, his love for the mother language and his deep interest in Maltese history help him to interweave even historic novels. Together with his passion for writing, he is also keen to receive comments in order to remain close to his readers.

Michael Cini