Fiction: The Blue Bells Chronicles
"I felt like I could sit down and have a conversation with Shawn and Niall...."
The Books
Shawn means self and Kleiner means centered! Shawn Kleiner, world class musician, took pride in one of his (many) ex-girlfriend's character assessment. Life was about having fun. And his money and power bought him the ability to have all the fun he wanted.
That all changed the night his girlfriend Amy, fed up with his drinking, lying, and cheating, left him abandoned in a medieval Scottish tower. He woke up in the wrong century.
The Blue Bells Chronicles follows the lives of Shawn, Amy, and Angus; and of the people of the fourteenth century Castle Glenmirril on the shore of Loch Ness--the devout and responsible Niall Campbell, Shawn's cross-century twin, his beloved, Allene, the Laird and his giant of a brother, Hugh. It is a story of time travel and adventure, as Shawn fights at Bannockburn, rescues Niall from hanging, battles alongside the legendary James Douglas, and meets Robert the Bruce.
It is the story of how two men who hated each other became brothers. It is a story of mysteries and miracles. It is a story of redemption.
The story is told in five books. The fifth, The Battle is O'er, WAS RELEASED MARCH 23, 2018.
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In the realm of non-fiction, Laura offers two books. Food and Feast in the World of the Blue Bells Chronicles: a gastronomic historic poetic musical romp in thyme is a collection of recipes modern and medieval, along with history, poetry, legend, and song, associated with the Blue Bells books.
Go Home and Practice: Music Record Book is a system of learning based on short and long-term goals, focus, and direction, built on more than 30 years of learning to play, and teaching, more than a dozen instruments.
Go Home and Practice: A Music Record Book
The Author
Laura Vosika grew up in the military, visiting castles in England and Germany, and the historic sites of the American east coast. This no doubt inspired her love of history and the stories of those who came before.
Like Shawn and Niall, she is a musician. After being kicked out of organ lessons at the age of eight for being an unwilling participant in the music being foisted upon her, she took up trombone, and went on to major in music at Lawrence University, and play freelance over the next twenty years, in addition to teaching private lessons, and briefly teaching music in school and directing a school band. She plays several other instruments, including performing occasionally on harp and flute.
She is currently at work on multiple other books, both fiction and non-fiction, in addition to being co-owner and collaborator in Emmanuel's Light Gallery and Castle of Dromore, retreats for artists, writers, and photographers.
She lives in Minnesota with six of her nine children, three cats, and an Irish Wolfhound much like the laird's great hunting dogs.
The Links
What you will find at Laura's sites:
Homepage: More information about the books and appearances
Emmanuel's Light: The photography gallery of which Laura is co-owner
Facebook: Frequently updated with interesting information found during research on languages, music, Scotland, medieval history, music, humor and...coffee!
Twitter: Linked to facebook, with occasional additional updates or updates on author friends' work.
Blogger: Less frequently updated, especially during busy seasons, but with more in-depth articles on Scotland, past and present, time travel, music, medieval history, and other authors.
Pinterest: Pictures related to The Blue Bells Chronicles.
Youtube: Listen to music associated with The Blue Bells Chronicles--the music Shawn loves, the orchestral and jazz pieces he plays and arranges, the medieval music of Niall's world.
TravelPod: Follow Laura's research trips to Scotland.