Update for Book III Of The Alban Saga: THE VORTEX

 

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

Beatrice was Book I and Black Grotto,  Book II. The Vortex is the third and final book of the series, and I just finished Chapter 25 titled "OMNIPOTENT."

The Vortex is going to be about 31 chapters long, with the final chapter being the "Epilogue." It's looking more and more like I'll be able to complete and publish it sometime during the fall of 2024. Maybe sooner if everything goes well!

New Book Excerpt: Chapter 8 Of THE VORTEX: Book III of the Alban Saga

The Vortex: Book III of the Alban Saga

Below, I've included the beginning three paragraphs of Chapter 8. Those of you who have read the other two books in the Alban Saga will recognize the characters mentioned in this section.

Chapter 8

Bea’s Quest

15 December 2026

 

 

The sound of birds nearby engaged in their early morning calls was the first thing that touched Bea’s senses. She felt drugged and dizzy and couldn’t open her eyes without the world spinning about her. She felt ill, but the bird songs calmed her. The first rays of the rising sun lit up the undersides of her eyelids, and she stretched to rouse herself and fight off her nauseating sickness. As she did, a slight breeze floated over her skin and caused what sounded like the rustle of leaves overhead. Flexing her fingers, she also noticed damp blades of grass beneath her. She clutched and pulled at them, continuing to fight her way back to consciousness. 

 

With her eyes still shut, she began to recall what had happened. She had just left Erin standing outside the Cave of Dreams and had used her magic, her staff, and the power of her mind to call up a Vortex. She had guided its direction and purpose with a vision of the location and time of her first destination. She was to travel inside the walls of the ancient city of Edinburgh on 1 June, 1566 and arrive near the base of a hill leading up to its great castle. Of course, she had never seen it during that time period, so Erin had helped her place the correct picture in her mind allowing her to arrive at the safest spot during the best time of day in order to avoid being discovered. She also remembered him telling her that on this first attempt at using the Vortex she might lose consciousness as she neared her destination, especially considering she would be traveling over such a long and difficult expanse of time. If she did, he urged her to allow herself to first recover from the journey and then determine if she had made it to the correct place and time – all this before beginning her search for Obsidian.

 

Not only was she nauseated from the journey, her whole body ached, including her head. It pounded terribly, but she had to ignore her symptoms as much as she could and force herself to become fully aware and mobile. She didn’t want to lay there incapacitated very long. So, she stretched and slowly raised the heavy lids of her eyes. Forcing them open and beginning to focus on the area around her, she sat up slowly and noticed that she was hidden within a small copse of trees on a sloping hillside. She was alone, at least for the moment. Glancing up the hill, she could see the walls of what looked like Edinburgh Castle.

 

Dreamed the Ending to THE VORTEX

 

The Vortex: Book III of the Alban Saga

I'm still working on the The Vortex, which is the final book of the Alban Saga trilogy, but last night I had a breakthrough! I dreamed the ending. I love it when that happens! Now, I just need to write the rest of the book. I'm really looking forward to sharing it with you!

In the meantime, check out the first two books of that series and all of my books on Amazon. Just type Bob Stegner in the search box there, or . . .  just click the Bob's Books link above in my blog.

You can also read the first chapter of The Vortex in the blog entry before this one.

BLACK GROTTO: Book II of the Alban Saga - Free Kindle Book Offer on Amazon from September 26-30, 2020

 

Free Kindle eBook Giveaway

From September 26-30, 2020, you can get the latest Kindle version of my Fantasy novel, BLACK GROTTO: Book II of the Alban Saga, FREE on Amazon and download it to your Kindle. OR if you have a Kindle reader on your phone or computer, you can sign in to your Amazon account, purchase it for FREE, and it will be sent to your device.

If you don't have a kindle book reader on your phone or computer, simply Google "Kindle Reader App", and you can get one free.

To learn more about BLACK GROTTO: Book II of the Alban Saga, or any of my other books, you can go to the BOB'S BOOKS tab at the top of this blog.

I hope you enjoy your Kindle copy of BLACK GROTTO: Book II of the Alban Saga, and after you read it, I would really appreciate it if you wrote a review on Goodreads, Amazon, or both.

THANK YOU!

 

KINDLE EBOOK GIVEAWAY HAS CONCLUDED

I wanted to say thank you to everyone that participated in the Kindle eBook Giveaway on Amazon for my adult Fantasy/Mystery novel, BEATRICE: Book I of the Alban Saga.

I hope you enjoy your Kindle copy of Beatrice, and after you read it, I would really appreciate it if you could write a review on Goodreads, Amazon, or both.

If you weren't able to participate and would like to learn more about BEATRICE: Book I of the Alban Saga or any of my other books, you can go to the BOB'S BOOKS tab at the top of this blog.

Thanks again!

2nd Edition of Black Grotto and Beatrice Released!

               

       Second Edition             Second Edition 

The 2nd edition of my young adult fantasy novels Beatrice: Book I of the Alban Saga and Black Grotto: Book II of the Alban Saga have been released. They are both new versions of the older novels that have been revised and edited and include new covers with new blurbs on the back.

The series name is new for the two books as well, and I plan on eventually adding others. The history behind the series' name is that the books all take place in modern day Scotland, and there are aspects of each that are derived from Scottish history. The word, Alba, is an ancient name for the Scottish isles, and I used Saga instead of series because it means long story, and that is exactly what this group of books will be - thus, the name, Alban Saga.

The new 2nd edition for both books is now available in either paperback or Kindle eBook on any Amazon site around the world. Just search for "Bob Stegner" to view them. On some Amazon sites you'll need to include the quotation marks around my name.

Second edition released of BEATRICE: BOOK I OF THE ALBAN SAGA

2nd Edition Released!

I just released a 2nd edition of my young adult fantasy novel Beatrice: Book I of the Alban Saga. It's a new version of the original novel that has been revised and edited. The second book of the series is Black Grotto, and I will be issuing a new edition of that book as well in a month or so.

The series name is new for the two books as well, and I plan on eventually adding others. The history behind the series' name is that the books all take place in modern day Scotland, but there are aspects of each that are derived from Scottish history. The word, Alba, is an ancient name for the Scottish isles, and I used Saga instead of series because it means long story, and that is exactly what this group of books will be - thus, the name, Alban Saga.

The new edition can be purchased in either paperback or Kindle eBook on any Amazon site around the world. Just search for "Bob Stegner," and you will see the new cover design.

STARTED WRITING MY NEW NOVEL!

I have started writing my next novel! It will be titled M and will combine both fantasy and science fiction. I'm extremely excited about the project and have already spent a great deal of time doing research and working on the plot and characters. The setting of the novel will be a few years in the future, and it will include some famous medieval characters and involve a situation of international intrigue. It will be my most ambitious project to date!

BLACK GROTTO: Finished Editing Process

BLACK GROTTO 

Update: Editing Process Is Complete

Just tonight I finished the final read-through of Black Grotto. It was a very emotional moment for me, not only because of completing the work, but also because of the story and characters. The book has several chapters throughout where the plot takes unexpected turns, but the end of the book from chapter 27 on is a real roller coaster ride.

I started doing the research for the book in April of 2015, and I've loved writing it. It's been my longest novel and takes place in Scotland. It's a fantasy, and I'll put the description of the book on my blog soon. Also, it should be published on Amazon sometime in June.

If you'd like to read the first chapter, you can do so by clicking the link below.

Chapter 1

BLACK GROTTO: Update & Chapter 24 Short Excerpt

BLACK GROTTO 

Update & Excerpt From Chapter 24

Below is a short excerpt from the Chapter 24 of the Black Grotto. But before you get to that, I thought I'd give you a short update.

At this point, I've finished Chapter 24, and it looks as if there will be another three chapters before the first draft of the book is completed. That could change, but for now that's my best estimate.

Writing the ending of a book is something that I enjoy a great deal, and this one is no exception. I love it when all of the various strands of the plot come together and build towards the climax. I usually have a very clear idea of what I want to do, but sometimes as the story unfolds in my mind, a surprising detail can simply present itself, and I have to put it in. I mention it because a situation exactly like that arose in chapter 24, and it made the that part more challenging, yes, but also more fun to write!

Anyway, here is the excerpt that I promised. It contains the first two paragraphs of chapter 24, which is titled "Path to Power". I'm having a blast!

Chapter 24

Path to Power

April 1, 2023

In the distance, the morning sunrise in the west had just touched the horizon with its thin yellow glow, and the night had begun its retreat. The stars dimmed, and the moon dipped behind the hills in the east as the lonely raven soared over Stornaway Bay, flying inland. Tilting her head, she glanced down, one-eyed, at the town and harbor and began her descent, gliding over the forested parkland and the top of Lew’s Castle. Deciding to land for a moment, she set her wings, caught the air, and fluttered to a halt at the very top of one of the castle’s two turrets, resting on the battlements. With her binocular, two-eyed vision, she stared out across the isle and thought of how it had been her home and sanctuary for almost seventeen years. She then pushed away, beat her wings but twice, and glided downward along the backside of the castle to a soft landing on the ground below.

The raven’s dark, glossy wings lowered and rested at her side. She shook her head rapidly and stared upwards, feeling small as she stood at the base of the large stone citadel that spiraled high above her. Refocusing, she noticed the streaks of brownish-red that still tainted her dark black beak as well as several caked and dried stains of the same color that had splashed on the down of her chest.

Home From Scotland & A New Review Of Rooms

Writing in Edinburgh

I'm home from my trip to Scotland. I thought I'd try to finish my new fantasy book, Black Grotto, while I was there but didn't quite make it. I accomplished a lot, though, and I'm working on Chapter 24 now. I'll let you know how it goes.

I spent two weeks in Inverness and loved being there. It's right in the middle of the highlands and has a population of about 47,000. I worked every day, and also enjoyed the people, the culture, the music, the food, some good beer and a little whisky. But mostly, I loved working on the book. Being in Scotland added a lot to the writing.

The last week I was in Edinburgh, and most of my writing time was spent in the Scottish National Library. It was a very motivating and inspiring place to work. Also, every day I ate breakfast at a place called Mrs MacIntyre's Coffeehouse. It's run by a wonderful family. They had great food, and it was a cozy and warm place to start my day.

One of the owners of Mrs MacIntyre's, read my first science fiction book, Rooms, and wrote a review on their Facebook page. If you CLICK HERE, you'll be able to take a look at it.

BLACK GROTTO: Interesting News!

BLACK GROTTO 

Interesting News!

I wanted to mention something that was very interesting in relation to BLACK GROTTO. In the novel, Bea, who is the main character, is on a journey through Scotland to discover more about herself and where she came from. One of the many places that she travels to on her quest is an archeological site called Skara Brae on the Orkney Archipelago.  As I was reading BBC news, I noticed an article about a discovery on the Orkney's. The site that I mention within the story may end up being part of a larger archeological dig that could cause a re-write of our pre-history. It could be the actual cradle, or beginning, of our civilized culture.

Click here to go to the BBC page that has the article.

BLACK GROTTO: Change Of Title

BLACK GROTTO 

New Title

I've finished planning and have begun writing the 18th chapter of my new fantasy novel. As I've mentioned before, this new book is a continuation of the Beatrice series. The original title, Cave of Dreams, didn't seem to fit the book nearly as well as another one I've been considering.

This book is much darker than the first and a more complex story. I believe that BLACK GROTTO, for several reasons, sets a better tone and provides a better sense of the mystery inherent in the novel.

I'm only writing about a chapter a week now, as each chapter is taking a great deal of planning and thought. It's a joy to write this book, and I'm having a great time with the characters, scenes, and the plot. It isn't an easy book to write, though, and each of the chapters are much longer than in any of my other books.

So...BLACK GROTTO it is!

CAVE OF DREAMS: Character Profiles

Cave of Dreams 

CHARACTER PROFILES

I'm writing a new fantasy novel titled Cave of Dreams. In sequence, it comes after Beatrice, but it is being written so that you can read it without having read the first book. They have many of the same characters with some new ones added in Cave of Dreams.

It seems the more I write, the more I attempt to give each of my characters their own very unique personality and characteristics. In order to accomplish that in a more organized fashion, I've recently taken to listing each of their attributes before I begin writing about them in the novel. I can remember them better that way, and I can also make sure that each of them is truly an individual. It's a technique that I'm finding quite helpful, as I seem to refer back to each character's profile often and even add to it as I write.

To give you an example, I'm going to show you one of the profiles that I created for a new character in Cave of Dreams. I've taken the list of attributes for him directly from my working notes for the book and listed them below. The list does not contain all of his characteristics because some of them would tell you too much about the novel. There are enough, though, for you to get a sense of what I'm doing.

One other technique that I found useful in developing this particular character was that I did an image search on the internet for a person that would fit his general description. And in so doing, he actually ended up being a compilation of my imagination as well as several of the pictures that I viewed during the search.

In relation to his name, it is completely fictitious, derived from a Scottish name search that I did.

Dr. Willam Hamilton Brodie or Wellyn (his Druid name)

• Professor of Celtic and Scottish Studies at Edinburgh University
• Avocation is as a Druid healer mostly during the summer months
• In that capacity, his name is Wellyn
• 59 years old
• 5' 10"
• White shoulder length hair parted in the middle of his head
• Ruddy, outdoors complexion
• Gray eyes
• Summer clothes
• T-shirt and blue jeans
• Leather loafers
• Dress as Druid healer
• Brown, hooded ankle-length robe
• Tattoos on arms and one shoulder
• Druid runes
• Fit but slight paunch - likes Scottish ale
• Strong arms like his ancestor, Erin
• Serious student of
• Celtic and Druid history
• Sacred Druid sites in Scotland
• Druid healing techniques and customs
• Knows of the Baumans and the new Center on their estate
• Direct descendant of famous Druid Prophet, Erin
• Drives a white and brown 2-door Cooper

SPECIAL PREVIEW: First Two Pages Of My New Fantasy Novel

Cave of Dreams won't be published for several months, but I thought I'd share the first two pages with you.

Chapter 1

The Prophet & The Scribe

“All of us are fraught with the pangs and struggles of our duality – that ever present tug and pull of the two disparate and powerful forces that exist within us. And so it will be for the two black-haired beauties of my dreams. One had eyes blazing like blue sapphires that were filled with the flaming light of life, and the other possessed deep black orbs that virtually oozed of desperation and rage. Separate beings, yes, but both inescapably comprised of elements and aspects of the other.”

The Druid Priest, Erin

AD 500

Looking down the valley from the opening of the cave, through white flakes floating haphazardly towards the ground, Adair could see Erin’s apparition moving ever so slowly towards him, inching his way up the slope in the sluggish and unsteady movement of the aged. Adair had tried to assist his master, attempting to give him support and help along the final leg of his journey, but Erin had simply gazed up into Adair’s eyes, shook his head, and in a shaky yet determined voice, spoke softly saying, “This is my journey. I…must do it alone…”

Reaching the cave ahead of his master, Adair walked into the cavern, unloaded his burdens from the large satchel on his back and from the smaller one tied by the sash to his waist. He then completed the preparations for his master’s arrival. He laid out the candles, lit the peat fire inside the ring of stones that some previous inhabitant of the cave had built, and organized the small amounts of food, herbs, and water that remained from their journey, placing them near the edge of the steaming caldron at the back of the cave.

Finishing his tasks, he again stood at the entrance and glared into the storm, searching for the whereabouts of his master. Through the clouds of accumulating snow, it took a moment to find him, but when he finally did, it seemed that Erin had made very little progress. He could tell that the old man was beyond tiredness now, almost ready to collapse, slumping forward on his staff in what they both knew would be his final and ultimate journey. His tattered clothes were heavy and stuck to his frame, and his brown, patched woolen robe, his only real source of warmth, drooped and slid along the ground like an anchor, hampering his every step on the ancient path that traversed the Lost Valley floor. And towering above him, one on each side, were the twin peaks of Aonach Dubh and Gearr Aonach, making him seem even smaller and more feeble in the shadowy mists and mounting blizzard of this early winter storm.

Adair could hardly stand to watch any longer. He had served his old friend for eight years now, and he owed him his life. When he was ten, Adair’s parents had been killed in a fire that had consumed their thatched home. Erin had seen the fire from the Druid settlement nearby and brought help as quickly as he could, but it had been too late for Adair’s parents. Hearing someone nearby, Erin had followed the sound and found Adair sitting on the ground, slumped over and crying. He had taken pity on the young boy and immediately took him on as his servant, and once he saw how bright he was, he also trained him to be his scribe. They had been together ever since and were very close. Adair would have done anything for Erin and, even now, almost succumbed to the desire to rush down and give him aid, but he stood fast, obeying his wishes, and simply looked on. He would not interfere, at least not yet.

The old Druid priest and he had undertaken this journey because he had decided that this was his time to die and be reborn in order to truly become the prophet that his dreams had foretold. As a Druid, Erin knew that every leader of standing had undertaken a similar path to enlightenment, and it was his destiny to come to this most sacred of places, the Uaimh an Aisling or Cave of Dreams. It must happen here, and it must happen now.

His sandaled feet, almost completely numb from the icy snow, continued to slide along the stones, scuffing away the white flakes from each and exposing the dark slick rocks beneath. He almost fell several times, but somehow maintained his balance. The solid oak staff that he’d had all of his life was held tightly in his white-knuckled hand, and he leaned on it now more fervently than ever, feeling the long and arduous climb in every muscle and bone in his body. It seemed as if it had been months now since they had left their home on Innis-nam Druidbneach - the Island of the Druids - and because of Erin’s age, the journey had been extremely difficult, but now only a few steps remained, and he would finally be home.

Pausing, he turned his head and glanced over his shoulder down towards the valley floor where only this morning he and Adair had stood by a lonely gnarled pine near a fork in the stream. At that moment, the climb had not looked nearly as difficult or foreboding, and both of them had felt sure that they would be able to reach the cave before the oncoming storm set in. However, it hadn’t worked out as they’d hoped, and Erin was still laboring upwards while the layers of white sugary crystals collected in deeper and deeper pools along his path.

Wet and cold dripped from the creases in his pale skin; his ragged clothes doing little to keep the bitter temperature at bay. Every few steps he halted and stared ahead in the desperate hope that he might almost be there.

He could see Adair now, standing at the entrance to the cave, but at this point Erin was shaking almost uncontrollably and could feel the detrimental effects of the height of the climb, his weariness, and the lack of food and water. All of which were sapping whatever strength he had left. He ached and yearned to stop and lie down, but something kept pushing him forward as he placed one foot in front of the other – one step, then another, and another – then a pause – another step, then another, and another…

With less than a stone’s throw between Erin and himself, Adair had had enough. He sprang from the lip of the cave and ran down to meet his old friend. Sliding to a stop, he reached out and noticed how pale and weak Erin had become. Neither of them hesitated any longer as Erin raised a shaky hand and grabbed onto Adair’s shoulder. Together they tread the last few steps, climbed up to the entrance, and walked into the mouth of the Cave of Dreams.

Don't Forget to Update Your Kindle Copy of Rooms

If you have Rooms on your Kindle, or on a Kindle Reader for one of your devices, you can easily get the updated version by either emailing or calling Kindle Support at 1-888-280-4364 and asking them to update your current version.

New Fantasy Novel CAVE OF DREAMS: Chapter 4 Quote

CAVE OF DREAMS

Below, I've included a quote from the first paragraph of chapter 4 of my new fantasy novel, CAVE OF DREAMS. I've been working on it now for about a month. It's going slowly, but I'm having a great time writing it, and I wanted to share this with you.

“His sight, as he dreamed and stumbled through a world beyond knowing, was like a patterned collage of images, moments, and times from the past, present and future. Most in color and as real as the creases in his own hand, but some in black and white, flat and two-dimensional like white cave drawings swirling about on black walls. Each picture held meaning and foresight, but only if he could truly see and understand them; only if he could sort them, classify and arrange them in a way that would bring insight and coalesce into prophecy.”

BEATRICE & ROOMS Version 2 & Editing and Reviewing THE CHOSEN for Publishing in February

ROOMS & BEATRICE: Version 2 Revisions

 

I've just created version 2 of Rooms and Beatrice. For Rooms, only the first chapter was revised. In Beatrice, the changes were more extensive. Also, the changes to Beatrice were to get it ready to enter the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest, which is in February. There hasn't been a notice yet for the 2015 contest on Amazon's Createspace website, but it should be there soon. I'll let you know how that progresses as it gets closer. Last year, Rooms made it to the second round. We'll see how Beatrice fairs. 


THE CHOSEN

The first draft of The Chosen is finished. Now I can get back to work on doing all the editing so that I can publish it sometime in February. I'm very excited about this book and looking forward to completing it.

Once The Chosen is published, I will look for some other contests to enter and go back to work seeing if I can interest an agent in my work. Last time I worked on that, I received some good reviews from some of the agents, but still haven't found one that will take me as their client. I'll keep looking, and I'm going to look for some publishing companies and agents in Europe as well as America.

Over 6000 Pageviews on my Blog & BEATRICE's Latest Review from Amazon

I just went over 6,000 pageviews on the blog since 11/22/2013!

Below, I've place the latest review of Beatrice from Amazon.

5 Stars

This was a great read and it kept me guessing...

This was a great read and it kept me guessing as to what was going to happen next. This novel is unique because it has an interesting way of time sequencing events from the eyes and perspectives of all the main characters, including the really nasty ones. Everyone will enjoy the twists and turns and the unexpected ending to this book - I do believe there will be a sequel - there better be - I want to see what happens to "Little B".

A New Review of BEATRICE from Amazon

5 Stars

A Must Read for People Who Love an Exciting Fantasy Wrapped Within a Mystery

I've never read a fantasy/mystery quite like this before. I loved it! I really enjoyed all of the characters, and the setting in Edinburgh, Scotland was a superb choice for the content of the story. The plot was exciting, intricate, beautifully written, and the ending packed a punch and left me wanting more. I couldn't put it down! My congratulations to the author for successfully writing yet another story that not only entertains but also speaks to our capacity as humans to either hinder or advance our evolutionary growth through the choices we make. Can’t wait for the sequel!

Review Of BEATRICE From Amazon

Below I've placed the latest review from Amazon for my fantasy/mystery/thriller Beatrice.

5 Stars

While Pondering The Larger Questions Of Cosmic Balance and the Interplay of Good and Evil...

The mysterious events in a contemporary Scottish family leads the reader into exploration of modern spiritualism and its ancient roots. One finds themselves intriqued by the story on one hand, while pondering the larger questions of cosmic balance and the interplay of good and evil on the other.

The reader is left with the questions about the characters and their future on a simple level--wanting to know more about the ancient European pagan beliefs/practices on a historic level--and wanting to dialog with the characters and author about the nature of good and evil on an intellectual level.

A sequel--I hope.