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Contact: Timothy Paleczny
Cavalarico Books in Ontario, Canada
Cavalarico@gmail.com

Winter, 2026

Media Release

Breath of the Adamastor is a sweeping literary historical fiction set in Portugal

Toronto, Canada — Cavalarico Books announces the release of Timothy Paleczny’s novel Breath of the Adamastor, a historical fiction that presents a sympathetic portrait of humanity, its impossible choices, and its search for meaning and redemption in a world seemingly bereft of either.

Beginning in 1930s Canada, the novel follows Ardis Lowney, a Canadian marine biologist who is eager to commence her research of the rare Kemp’s Ridley tortoise. She agrees to extraordinary conditions that take her to Lisbon and to Portugal’s southern coast and put her in harm’s way. Carlos, a Catholic priest who extols the miracles of Fatima, masks the real reason the Church wants him in the wolfram-rich north of his native Portugal. And Xisco, a young Portuguese stable hand, earns extra money with men from the village by collecting rocks for mysterious foreigners.

The title harnesses the image of the Adamastor, a mythical storm-giant of the sea invented by Portuguese poet Luís de Camões in his epic poem Os Lusíadas (1572). During signature scenes in the novel, the Adamastor imparts a symbolic dimension that echoes across the narrative and intensifies the novel’s exploration of fate and awe.

Solidly grounded in historical fact, Breath of the Adamastor (111,000 words) targets readers of literary historical fiction who appreciate layered storytelling, nuanced characters, and a richly-textured sense of place.

Breath of the Adamastor is the second edition of A Life on Water (ISBN 978-1-7386433-2-5) first released in March 2023. In addition to the new title, the second edition features a new cover illustration and a new book description. The new edition is available in the usual softcover and ebook formats as well as a premium cloth bound hardcover with a dust jacket.

Paleczny’s published books include The Tale of Indigo (poetry), A Bill to Pay, (a stage play), and Breath of the Adamastor (a novel of historical fiction.)

Contact: Timothy Paleczny
Cavalarico Books in Ontario, Canada
Cavalarico@gmail.com

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