All That Lasts - Patrick Garner - Bog

The Great Goddess Timessa is challenged by Gaia to correct her predecessor's ancient failings. She is ripped in time from the modern-day Greek island of Naxos to Europe of 40,000 years ago.
There the original Great Goddess reigned over a peaceful, matriarchal society. But barbarians began to invade. For millennia she successfully defended her lands. Unexpectedly, though, she developed a conscience and could no longer kill the hoards who would rule and subjugate women. Men took over, and we see the results even today.
Gaia challenges Timessa to redo the old Great Goddess's decisions. Timessa is forced to relive the ancient goddess's trials, all the while chided by Gaia and confronted at every turn. The Olympic gods hold their breath as they watch Timessa struggle.
Concluding that Timessa, like her predecessor, has failed, Gaia strips her of her powers. That event forces the enfeebled Timessa to look inside herself and discover what all of us seek.
Readers may be interested to know that Gaia, the most powerful being in the universe, appears to Timessa as a 9-year-old girl learning ballet so she doesn't overwhelm her.
This is a stand-alone novel or Book IV of The Naxos Quartet.