The Battle is O'er
(The Blue Bells Chronicles #5)
By Laura Vosika
Historical Time Travel, Fantasy
Paperback & ebook, 470 pagesBy Laura Vosika
Historical Time Travel, Fantasy
March 23rd 2018 by Gabriel's Horn Press
In the gripping conclusion to The Blue Bells Chronicles, just as Shawn is steadily regaining all he feared he had lost forever—his career, his son, and even Amy’s heart—he learns of MacDougall’s vengeance against Niall, for the act Shawn himself committed. He wrestles with a prophecy and an ancient letter that never changes, a letter that details the fate of his own son, if he cannot stop it—and possibly the fate of the world itself, as he learns of Simon Beaumont’s plan to use his knowledge of the future to destroy it.
Shawn’s selfishness once cost him everything. His newfound selflessness may do the same.
***Simon Arrives at Claverock***
*Claverock Castle, Northumbria, December 1317*
Simon stared up with pride at the great stone walls of Claverock, at his banners snapping on its towers. His steward had kept the place up. It was all worth it, he thought. He drew breath. This was his moment! “Open the gates!” he bellowed up at his towers. “Your Lord of Claverock is home!”
Men looked down from the walls above the gatehouse. One pointed and shouted. Two ran, and soon the portcullis creaked, lifting. His steward raced through, falling to one knee, as he cried, “My Lord! My Lord, is it really you? We thought you dead, my Lord!”
He led his master’s horse across the drawbridge, and Simon swung his leg over, dropping to the ground. He landed awkwardly, sore from many days’ ride. His steward reached to steady him. Simon glared, flinging his hand away.
“My apologies.” The man bowed his head. “I’ve sent men to prepare your chambers. A feast is even now being laid. My Lord...” He lifted his eyes. “You disappeared at Bannockburn. More than three years hence. Where have you been?”
Simon strode toward his great hall, speaking as his steward fell into step beside him. “I was badly injured. Someone pulled me from the field, near dead, and spent many months nursing me back to health.” He’d had plenty of time to weave a story, culled from the books of Amy’s time. He told it now with relish.
Why Simon, an imagination! The mocking words of the horrid professor with snake hair came to him. Of course he had an imagination! He was Lord Claverock. He had anything he pleased.
“It was an old crone,” he told his steward. “She asked one favor of me—to bring her a golden lamp from the lands of the Moors.” As he climbed the stairs, he substituted a real country for the unnamed land in the tales he’d read. “I felt honor bound to do so, after she had saved my life. I encountered many difficulties on the way, but persevered.”
The steward hurried to throw open the huge wooden doors, revealing Claverock’s great hall. Fires blazed in all four hearths. His chair stood at one end, polished and well-cared for. The thick wall hangings that kept out winter chill were cleaned and in good repair. Sweet scents rose from the rush mats on the floor. The trestles were in place, and pairs of men carried long wooden boards to lay across them. The head table was already set up.
Simon nodded approvingly. “Well done.” He watched the servants bustle, two women flinging out a long white cloth over the head table. They could not have done all this so quickly on word of his arrival. He could smell the venison and boar and sauces cooking. They were well into preparations for some great personage. This was his first test. He smiled. “King Edward dines with us tonight.”
“My Lord!” The steward’s jaw dropped. “How did you know? We received word ourselves but this morning. We understood his journey was to be made quietly.”
Simon’s smile grew. The old monk had told the truth—this time. “The woman to whom I brought the gold lamp. She granted me the gift of prophesy.”
The man stared at him, his face going pale. “Prophesy?”
Simon rather liked this imagination thing. “That and perhaps....” He let his features turn cold. “Reading men’s souls. I hope you’ve run the place well and honestly in my absence.”
“Of course, my lord!” The steward sounded aghast.
“Send the chamberlains to draw a bath,” Simon said. “I shall be here to greet our king on his arrival.”
Other Books in the Series
About the Author
Laura Vosika is the author of the beloved series, The Blue Bells Chronicles, a tale of time travel, action and adventure, romance and redemption, ranging across modern and medieval Scotland. She runs Gabriel’s Horn Press, and is active in poetry as a member of the League of Minnesota Poets, routinely performing at local open mics. She has appeared in The Star Tribune, and on WCCO and Channel 12, and hosted Books and Brews with Laura Vosika on AM 950.
Tour Schedule
June 11th:
Launch
Bri's Book Nook
June 12th:
Among the Reads
Two Points of Interest
June 13th:
E-Romance News
Hearts & Scribbles
Rockin' Book Reviews
Andi's Book Reviews
June 14th:
Paulette's Papers
June 15th:
Becky on Books
June 18th:
Stacking My Book Shelves!
June 19th:
Daily Waffle
June 20th:
Mel’s Shelves
June 21st:
Koops Konclusions
SilverWoodSketches
June 22nd:
Teatime and Books
June 23rd:
Grand Finale
Tour Giveaway
Launch
Bri's Book Nook
June 12th:
Among the Reads
Two Points of Interest
June 13th:
E-Romance News
Hearts & Scribbles
Rockin' Book Reviews
Andi's Book Reviews
June 14th:
Paulette's Papers
June 15th:
Becky on Books
June 18th:
Stacking My Book Shelves!
June 19th:
Daily Waffle
June 20th:
Mel’s Shelves
June 21st:
Koops Konclusions
SilverWoodSketches
June 22nd:
Teatime and Books
June 23rd:
Grand Finale
Tour Giveaway
- l winner will receive a print copy of Blue Bells of Scotland (book one in the series) and a Team Shawn or Team Angus t-shirt (US only)
- 1 winner will receive an ebook of Blue Bells of Scotland (open internationally)
- Ends June 27th
