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Blurb
Historical fantasy set against the backdrop of WW1.
For seventeen years, the convent walls kept Meara Cleary from the secret of her own parentage.The sisters regard her with a cross of disdain and fear. Only among the trees by the gurgling creek does she find acceptance. A bearded stranger claims she’s his niece and promises to take her home. Before he can, a cataclysmic event thrusts her into a war-torn world.
Meara vows to journey to Ireland to find her uncle, unaware of how perilous a journey it will be. Her Druidic father guides her through dreams, explaining her magical heritage. Her dead parent can’t help her with the intricacies of village life, especially when she catches the eye of the very engaged Braeden Douglas.
A whirlwind composed of equal parts menace, romance, and revelation sweep Meara across the continent while gathering allies and enemies with equal speed. Her intent to return to her family turns into a fight to survive her own destiny.
EXCERPT
A quick head swivel revealed Adelaide standing with a finger pointing in her direction. A brown haired girl stood beside her. They both spoke about her as if she couldn’t hear, or she didn’t matter.
“What’s she doing with the graves? She must be gathering grave dirt to put a hex on someone. Maybe she bewitched Braeden.”
“Braden’s mine.” Adelaide growled the words.
It was enough of a warning for Meara to flee into the woods with the forage bag hitting her leg with every step.
“Let’s get her.”
The sound of running steps spurred her into greater speed until a large tree root tripped her. They’d be on her in no time. Life in the convent hadn’t prepared her to deal with jealous females. Her hands, braced against the ground, felt the vibration of their running footsteps. Must hide somewhere. Too late to climb a tree.
Meara crouched behind a prickly bush. The two girls thundered by shouting instructions to one another.
“I’ll hold her down. Then you’ll mess up her face. No one would find her pretty then.”
“What if she tells?”
Meara couldn’t determine which one expressed doubts at the cold-blooded plan.
“No one will believe her since she’s a stranger.”
Who knew strangers had fewer rights than women? Strange women had no protection whatsoever. Her leg muscles burned due to her crouched position. How long would she have to stay like this?