Celtic Fire
By Liz Gavin
(Highland Celts Series, #1)
Publication date: January 31st 2017
Genres: Adult, Historical, Paranormal Romance
This
is a standalone, historical/paranormal romance.
Its
mature themes – violence, religious war, and
pagan
rituals – might not be appropriate for
audiences
under 18.
When
ancient gods ruled and Druids kept Faith alive,
the
Celts thrived as a democratic, matriarchal society. Then
savage Roman soldiers
swept across Europe, killing and
enslaving. The Celts did not succumb without a
fight. Their
Old Ways survived centuries of ruthless domain until
another menace loomed: a tortured god worshiped in cold
stone buildings. The sacred
shores of Avalon began to drift
away, the mists threatened to hide the island
from mortal
eyes forever.
Against
the bleak backdrop of war, the gorgeous Scottish
Highlands stood tall,
sheltering its inhabitants from greedy
invaders. Yet the reach of the eagle
banners was long and
the highlanders turned to the Goddess for protection.
However, the sacred groves felt silent and grim as Avalon
faded away. Once sad,
pealing bells began to sound
strangely comforting while the high walls of
monasteries
offered an alluring barrier from violence. Caught in the middle
of
this centuries-old war, a young High Priestess might be
Avalon’s last chance.
Wise
beyond her years and powerful like no other Priestess
in her lifetime, Rowen
had served the Goddess faithfully,
forsaking her family and the company of her
soulmate. When
the Lady of the Lake asks for another sacrifice, it might be
one
too many for her scarred heart. How could she obey the
Goddess without
betraying Caddaric? Could she trust
Eochaid, who embodied everything she
despised and hated?
Would she be able to fulfill her duties without losing her
soul?
Caddaric
had been Rowen’s companion in countless lives;
but, now, they existed in
different realms. Beautiful Rowen
lived in the mortal world while sweet
Caddaric remained in
the sacred isle of Avalon, watching over her. Could he
step
aside to allow another man – a flesh and blood man – to
become her
protector?
Eochaid
had sworn to protect the Old Ways. The rude warrior
never quite understood his
faith yet his loyal heart belonged to the Goddess. A gorgeous, fiery High
Priestess was not in
his plans. He would risk his life to protect Rowen; but,
would
the Goddess safeguard his heart? Could he defend the
bewitching maiden
from himself?
When
stakes were so high that a simple mistake could cost
their very world, a
priestess, a Druid, and a warrior must
learn to trust each other and the
mysterious ways of the
Goddess. Their success would save Avalon. Their failure
would tear the island from the human realm forever,
condemning it to oblivion.
Failure
was not an option.
Rowen
Although
my heart is heavy and my thoughts are gloomy, I take a deep breath and
focus on the task at hand. I search for the sacred oak, the oldest tree
in the grove. Finding it, I lie on the ground, face down, in front of
the revered tree. Earth’s energy radiates from the ground, traveling
through my body and limbs, filling me with a potent magnetism, and
making my skin tingle as I say my prayer.
“Forgive
me, Great Mother. I have failed you yet again. I am your vessel on this
realm and as such I should never doubt your ways. Nevertheless, when
the time came for Caddaric to go back to Avalon, I despaired and fought
against the inevitable, as I always do.
Please, give me strength to control my weak heart, wisdom to understand your signs, and courage to do your bidding.”
The
wind picks up around me making the dry leaves and little twigs swirl.
Faint whispers come in the breeze. A thousand gentle fingers move over
my body caressing, soothing me.
“Oh,
Mother, you are too kind and never abandon me. I promise to serve you
faithfully and perform my duties accordingly from now on.”
The
wind blows stronger, molding my clothes to my body, covering me in dry
leaves. I feel faint and when I open my eyes, I’m not in the sacred
grove any longer. I’m lying on a sunny field, there’s a gentle breeze
blowing from the distant line of apple trees, bringing the sweet smell
of their flowers in full bloom. Recognizing my beloved isle of Avalon, I
get up and look around. I see the Lady of the Lake standing just a few
feet away. I go to her and offer a curtsy. The Lady gently holds me by
my shoulders, smiles serenely and holds my gaze. Not for the first time,
I wonder if her eyes can read my soul.
“Rise,
Rowen, my child. And do not cry. You should rejoice over your successes
instead of mourning what you perceive as failures. Your apprentices
look up to you and seek your guidance, because your advice is wise and
respectful. The villagers worship the Great Mother according to the old
traditions, because they follow your firm yet kind leadership. Despite
being so young, my beautiful Rowen, you are wise and your people respect
you.”
I am touched by her words. I never expected the Lady of the Lake herself would answer my prayer and come talk to me, comfort me.
“You are too kind, my lady. I am honored and, although I think I do not deserve your comfort, I am thankful.”
“I
speak only the truth, Rowen, as all true servants of the Goddess shall
do. Now, you will not like what I need to tell you. You have always been
loyal to your vows and I count on that loyalty to see you through the
task I need you to undertake.”
“You frighten me, my lady. What do you need from me? You know I would never deny you, or the Great Mother, anything.”
·٠•● Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ●•٠· Liz
Gavin ·٠•●
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ●•٠·
International best-selling author Liz Gavin, has
accomplished much in her short career. Her books have
made to #1 and Top Five
best-selling ranks in her home
country Brazil and others as diverse as Japan,
the UK and
the US; both in English and Portuguese, collecting 5 and
4-star
reviews. Nominated for a Summer Indie Book Award in
2016, and again in 2017,
this RWA member constantly
seeks new opportunities to improve her craft.
This thirst for knowledge propelled Liz to leave the
comforts
of family and friends in Brazil and move to California to
pursue a
Master’s degree in late 2015. She lives in sunny
SoCal, where she’s researching
the writing process, for her
thesis, in hopes to figure out why she creates in
English
instead of her native Portuguese.
Liz Gavin writes in contemporary, paranormal, and
historical
genres. In her sexy stories, one finds smart, independent
women, who
don’t need rescuing by knights in shining armor,
but indulge in steamy action
with swoony Alpha males with
big hearts. She also writes about women
discovering their
sexuality and finding happiness in unconventional setups.
