We might not be able to travel much at the moment, but why not take a trip back in time to the rich landscape of the Aztecs with Jeremy Fox and discover the intricacies of a love story - not only between the characters, but of the author for the lush setting.Love. Friendship. Conquest. Love between Alva Tlacuilotl and one of the Emperor Moctezuma's daughters Tecuichpo, and also of friendship between two native Mexicans - Alva and Tlacotl a Mexica (Aztec) a princess. A second love story that mirrors the ancient one is between James, an English foreigner, and Olivia who is Mexican. Here we have a parallel encounter and a different kind of defeat - a modern reversal of the older story.War.

Victory. Defeat. Who - or what - will triumph?The splendour and ruin of Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital, and the untidy, fecund profusion of Mexico City permeate the novel as these characters fight for the ultimate conquest, whatever that proves to be.The author was inspired by his time spent in the land that acts as a secondary character in his novel. "I lived in Mexico for nearly a decade - probably the most important period of my adult life in terms of personal development," Jeremy says. "Through that experience I acquired deep interest in the the country's history, in the survival and the art of the native people and in the vibrant culture that continues to astonish by its diversity and richness."Jeremy Fox has worked as a publisher, journalist, university teacher, and management consultant. In Mexico, he founded and directed a theatre company, taught Literature and Economic History, and was editor of a Spanish-language journal.

He has written widely on Latin America. His novel - The Chocolate Man - was published in Canada in 1995.