Tuesday, November 19, 2024

THE VORTEX - Update

 



The third and final book of the Alban Saga trilogy is The Vortex. I am currently working on Chapter 31, which is the next to last chapter of the book. 

Below, I've included a short excerpt from Chapter 31 as well as an overall summary of the book. 



1 PARAGRAPH EXCERPT
FROM
CHAPTER 31

As the deep of night further enfolded the multitudes that were gathered round the Stones, the temperatures continued to drop, issuing forth countless billows of steam that rose amongst them, under a crystal-clear bubble of darkness. Nervously awaiting the grand ceremony, everyone either gazed upwards into a velvety-black sky, bespeckled with millions and millions of tiny, brilliant pinpricks of blinking light; or they cast their eyes on the round full face of a dazzling Harvest-Super Moon as it crossed behind the Southern Hills, outlining The Old Woman of the Moors. To a person, all of them could sense that the critical events of that night had begun to unfold. This caused their moods and perceptions of reality to swing chaotically - a constant cycle of emotional flux, vacillating between excited anticipation to ominous foreboding to uncertainty to wonder.



BOOK SUMMARY

 

The Alban Saga is a fantasy trilogy made up of BeatriceBlack Grotto and the new book that I’m writing entitled The Vortex. All three books take place at real locations in Scotland, with actual Scottish history woven into their plot lines. The Vortex begins just as Black Grotto ends. Bea Bauman, a young Druid Priestess, is brought into the future by an ancient prophet named Erin. She cannot resist his call. He reaches for her from the center of the Vortex inside the Black Grotto, and she takes his hand, leaving her family and friends behind as she travels with him through time and space.

 

Just as Bea enters the Vortex, Aran Brodie, who has become a close and dear companion, cannot let Bea go alone into the void. He jumps in after her. For a time, they travel together inside the violent maelstrom, but they cannot maintain their grip on one another and become separated and lose consciousness. When Bea finally awakens, she finds herself at the Stones of Calanais in the year 2026 - three years in the future - staring into the eyes of Erin the prophet. In the meantime, Aran Brodie is expelled from the Vortex at the same location as Bea, but his exit casts him over 4500 years into the past where he finds himself surrounded by primordial Druids in search of a human sacrifice.

 

As all of this is going on, another character from the previous books also finds herself at the Stones of Calanais in the year 2026. Her name is Obsidian. For years now, she has been an acolyte in the grove of an extraordinarily powerful Druid Priestess named Brenna. Brenna brought Obsidian with her to this time and place to help her battle her nemesis, but Brenna is overcome and vanishes. Saddened and distraught, Obsidian is left alone without a way to return to her own time. She wanders aimlessly for days, but then remembers something that Brenna once shared with her. A Druid, even more powerful than Brenna, lives somewhere near the Stones of Calanais. She is called The Keeper. Obsidian sets out to find her in the hope that she can bring Brenna back and restore her to her former greatness and power.

 

The Vortex carries forth the story of the Alban Saga, weaving the plot lines of the three books into a surprising and volatile romp through time, space, and Scottish history. This dangerous and risky journey will either end in the past being completely reshaped, leading to a malevolent and dire future, or… the current timeline will remain untouched and safe for the development of humankind. Bea Bauman will be at the center of this struggle. She will attempt to unravel and countermand whomever or whatever is trying to alter history, while also dealing with her feelings for Aran, her fear for his survival, and having to navigate the treacherous intricacies of traveling through time and space via The Vortex.


Monday, October 21, 2024

MILESTONE: Over 75,000 Pageviews

  

When we walk together, we learn from each other.


My blog recently reached a milestone that I'm very excited about! Since starting my Author's Blog in November of 2013, I've had over 75,000 pageviews, and it's been viewed and read in over 86 countries. I want to thank everyone for their interest in my work and for joining me in this journey!

Learn More About My Books
To learn more about my other books, click on the BOB'S BOOKS link at the top of this blog.

Monday, October 14, 2024

THE VORTEX - UPDATE



The third and final book of the Alban Saga trilogy is The Vortex. I will finish Chapter 30 this week, including editing.

The chapter was much longer and more complicated than I thought it would be, so I've added an additional chapter to the book, bringing the total to 32. I'm heavy into the climax! It's a LOT of fun to write! 

Below, I've included an overall summary of the book. 



BOOK SUMMARY

 

The Alban Saga is a fantasy trilogy made up of BeatriceBlack Grotto and the new book that I’m writing entitled The Vortex. All three books take place at real locations in Scotland, with actual Scottish history woven into their plot lines. The Vortex begins just as Black Grotto ends. Bea Bauman, a young Druid Priestess, is brought into the future by an ancient prophet named Erin. She cannot resist his call. He reaches for her from the center of the Vortex inside the Black Grotto, and she takes his hand, leaving her family and friends behind as she travels with him through time and space.

 

Just as Bea enters the Vortex, Aran Brodie, who has become a close and dear companion, cannot let Bea go alone into the void. He jumps in after her. For a time, they travel together inside the violent maelstrom, but they cannot maintain their grip on one another and become separated and lose consciousness. When Bea finally awakens, she finds herself at the Stones of Calanais in the year 2026 - three years in the future - staring into the eyes of Erin the prophet. In the meantime, Aran Brodie is expelled from the Vortex at the same location as Bea, but his exit casts him over 4500 years into the past where he finds himself surrounded by primordial Druids in search of a human sacrifice.

 

As all of this is going on, another character from the previous books also finds herself at the Stones of Calanais in the year 2026. Her name is Obsidian. For years now, she has been an acolyte in the grove of an extraordinarily powerful Druid Priestess named Brenna. Brenna brought Obsidian with her to this time and place to help her battle her nemesis, but Brenna is overcome and vanishes. Saddened and distraught, Obsidian is left alone without a way to return to her own time. She wanders aimlessly for days, but then remembers something that Brenna once shared with her. A Druid, even more powerful than Brenna, lives somewhere near the Stones of Calanais. She is called The Keeper. Obsidian sets out to find her in the hope that she can bring Brenna back and restore her to her former greatness and power.

 

The Vortex carries forth the story of the Alban Saga, weaving the plot lines of the three books into a surprising and volatile romp through time, space, and Scottish history. This dangerous and risky journey will either end in the past being completely reshaped, leading to a malevolent and dire future, or… the current timeline will remain untouched and safe for the development of humankind. Bea Bauman will be at the center of this struggle. She will attempt to unravel and countermand whomever or whatever is trying to alter history, while also dealing with her feelings for Aran, her fear for his survival, and having to navigate the treacherous intricacies of traveling through time and space via The Vortex.


Sunday, September 29, 2024

THE VORTEX - 2 CHAPTERS LEFT TO WRITE!

 


I am currently working on the third and final book of the Alban Saga trilogy, entitled The Vortex, and I only have two chapter left to write.

I just completed Chapter 29. It's title is "Uprepared," and I started Chapter 30, "Ascension." 

Below, I've included an overall summary of the book. 



BOOK SUMMARY

 

The Alban Saga is a fantasy trilogy made up of BeatriceBlack Grotto and the new book that I’m writing entitled The Vortex. All three books take place at real locations in Scotland, with actual Scottish history woven into their plot lines. The Vortex begins just as Black Grotto ends. Bea Bauman, a young Druid Priestess, is brought into the future by an ancient prophet named Erin. She cannot resist his call. He reaches for her from the center of the Vortex inside the Black Grotto, and she takes his hand, leaving her family and friends behind as she travels with him through time and space.

 

Just as Bea enters the Vortex, Aran Brodie, who has become a close and dear companion, cannot let Bea go alone into the void. He jumps in after her. For a time, they travel together inside the violent maelstrom, but they cannot maintain their grip on one another and become separated and lose consciousness. When Bea finally awakens, she finds herself at the Stones of Calanais in the year 2026 - three years in the future - staring into the eyes of Erin the prophet. In the meantime, Aran Brodie is expelled from the Vortex at the same location as Bea, but his exit casts him over 4500 years into the past where he finds himself surrounded by primordial Druids in search of a human sacrifice.

 

As all of this is going on, another character from the previous books also finds herself at the Stones of Calanais in the year 2026. Her name is Obsidian. For years now, she has been an acolyte in the grove of an extraordinarily powerful Druid Priestess named Brenna. Brenna brought Obsidian with her to this time and place to help her battle her nemesis, but Brenna is overcome and vanishes. Saddened and distraught, Obsidian is left alone without a way to return to her own time. She wanders aimlessly for days, but then remembers something that Brenna once shared with her. A Druid, even more powerful than Brenna, lives somewhere near the Stones of Calanais. She is called The Keeper. Obsidian sets out to find her in the hope that she can bring Brenna back and restore her to her former greatness and power.

 

The Vortex carries forth the story of the Alban Saga, weaving the plot lines of the three books into a surprising and volatile romp through time, space, and Scottish history. This dangerous and risky journey will either end in the past being completely reshaped, leading to a malevolent and dire future, or… the current timeline will remain untouched and safe for the development of humankind. Bea Bauman will be at the center of this struggle. She will attempt to unravel and countermand whomever or whatever is trying to alter history, while also dealing with her feelings for Aran, her fear for his survival, and having to navigate the treacherous intricacies of traveling through time and space via The Vortex.



Saturday, September 21, 2024

Just Added Another Country & Updated the Other Countries' Category

   

Readers Around the World

  

I want to say hello to everyone around the world who is reading my blog! Readers from Venezuela are the latest. They are the 86th country on the list! Welcome! 

The OTHER category is for all countries not specifically listed in the database for this blog but still counted. I'm giving those a prominent spot at the top of the list with the number of pageviews as of the day I post this entry. Plus, I've included you in the number of countries with the plus sign: 86+.

Here's a complete list of the countries:
  • Other - not listed in the database by name
    • 3870 pageviews as of 21 September 2024
  • United States
  • Poland
  • Ukraine
  • France
  • Turkey
  • Germany
  • Denmark
  • China
  • Russia
  • United Kingdom
  • Spain
  • Netherlands
  • Belgium
  • Romania
  • Taiwan
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Italy
  • Canada
  • Brazil
  • Indonesia
  • Mexico
  • Vietnam
  • Thailand
  • Colombia
  • Austria
  • Macau
  • Ireland
  • India
  • Singapore
  • Moldova
  • Pakistan
  • Netherlands Antilles
  • South Africa
  • Philippines
  • Czech Republic
  • Finland
  • Malaysia
  • Kenya
  • Australia
  • Estonia
  • Japan
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Greece
  • Nepal
  • Bangladesh
  • Switzerland
  • Hungary
  • Portugal
  • Slovenia
  • Bulgaria
  • Israel
  • Mongolia
  • Puerto Rico
  • Iraq
  • Latvia
  • Serbia
  • Sweden
  • Georgia
  • Azerbaijan
  • Iceland
  • Croatia
  • Egypt
  • Algeria
  • Turkmenistan
  • Cypress
  • South Korea
  • Ecuador
  • Kenya
  • Ethiopia
  • Kazakhstan
  • Armenia
  • Morocco
  • Uzbekistan
  • Madagascar
  • Belarus
  • Mozambique
  • Albania
  • Haiti
  • Zimbabwe
  • Uruguay
  • Fiji
  • Afghanistan
  • Guinea
  • Panama
  • Hong Kong
  • Venezuela

 

Thursday, September 5, 2024

My Blog is Being Read in 85+ Countries + OTHER Category Update

  


Readers Around the World

  

This is an OTHER category UPDATE. The OTHER category is for all countries not specifically in the database for this blog, so I'm giving those a prominent spot at the top of the list with the number of pageviews as of the day I post this entry. Plus, I've included you in the number of countries with the plus sign: 85+.

Here's a complete list of the countries:
  • Other - not listed in the database by name
    • 3850 pageviews as of 5 September 2024
  • United States
  • Poland
  • Ukraine
  • France
  • Turkey
  • Germany
  • Denmark
  • China
  • Russia
  • United Kingdom
  • Spain
  • Netherlands
  • Belgium
  • Romania
  • Taiwan
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Italy
  • Canada
  • Brazil
  • Indonesia
  • Mexico
  • Vietnam
  • Thailand
  • Colombia
  • Austria
  • Macau
  • Ireland
  • India
  • Singapore
  • Moldova
  • Pakistan
  • Netherlands Antilles
  • South Africa
  • Philippines
  • Czech Republic
  • Finland
  • Malaysia
  • Kenya
  • Australia
  • Estonia
  • Japan
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Greece
  • Nepal
  • Bangladesh
  • Switzerland
  • Hungary
  • Portugal
  • Slovenia
  • Bulgaria
  • Israel
  • Mongolia
  • Puerto Rico
  • Iraq
  • Latvia
  • Serbia
  • Sweden
  • Georgia
  • Azerbaijan
  • Iceland
  • Croatia
  • Egypt
  • Algeria
  • Turkmenistan
  • Cypress
  • South Korea
  • Ecuador
  • Kenya
  • Ethiopia
  • Kazakhstan
  • Armenia
  • Morocco
  • Uzbekistan
  • Madagascar
  • Belarus
  • Mozambique
  • Albania
  • Haiti
  • Zimbabwe
  • Uruguay
  • Fiji
  • Afghanistan
  • Guinea
  • Panama
  • Hong Kong

 

Monday, August 19, 2024

Update --- THE VORTEX: Book III Of The Alban Saga

 


The Alban Saga series takes place in Scotland in the real world with fantasy incorporated within it. It also includes elements of mystery, time travel, and Scottish history, occurring at actual locales and famous sites across Scotland.


Book I of the series is Beatrice. Book II is Black Grotto, and the third and final book of the series is entitled The Vortex.

I just finished Chapter 28, titled "Una's Message," and started Chapter 29. It doesn't have a title yet, but I'd like to let you read the first few lines. I've included it below! 

I put the ellipsis in the last sentence so that I wouldn't give something important away. No spoilers!


Standing and leaning her shoulder against the door jamb, Bea stared at the open window on the far side of Fiona and Doug’s bedroom. The sun had risen just enough to allow its rays to pierce the opening and splay out across the room. It imbued all that it touched with the soft glow of early morning light, including the shrouded body of ... still lying across the bed.