Storm Trilogy

by Ria Cantrell

  Liam and Shawn managed their lands in Northern Scotland and their herds flourished. They were known for their wonderful wools throughout both the Lowlands and Highlands of Scotland. Their oldest brother, Jamie managed the estates of Campbell on behalf of Brielle, executing repairs and renovations to restore the crumbling keep to its original glory. It would be held for her children if they ever wanted to return there. Sometimes, Jamie could swear he would see the ghost of Gavin Campbell walking along the ramparts of the newly restored keep and he swore, the spirit of the old laird seemed pleased with the keep's restorations.

  Bronwyn and Drew continued living in England, granting a powerful alliance between England and the Highlands. They frequently came to stay at the manor house on the property that Bronwyn had been given by her father prior to her marriage to Drew. Drew felt more like a Scott than an Englishman and he fit well in his Scottish world when staying at their manor with his wife and their two children.

  Rory and Brielle enjoyed their lives with their growing family. Rory had relinquished all darkness and he felt wonderful contentment living with Brielle at MacCollum. Her beautiful soul had healed him of all past hurts and darkness. His position as commander of the MacDougal forces used his talents as a superior warrior to benefit both clans.

  Rory loved watching his wife fitting happily into the role of motherhood to their children. She had blossomed into a happy and healthy woman who loved him with all she was. She had just given him his second daughter, the youngest of their three. Connor was their second child, who thrived and grew to be a strong healthy lad. Baby Elizabeth was only two months older than Rory’s little brother, Robbie and he thought it was rather funny that little Elizabeth’s uncle had been born two months after she had come into their lives. However, seeing how happy his Da was made the little joke worth it. Rory loved his life that was now restored thanks to Brielle’s nurturing and love. The passion she continued to bring to his life never stopped being a source of joy and amazement to Rory. Rory knew he could grow old with his woman, who had given him back his life and who had made him fall in love all over again each and every time he saw her. She was love. She was his life and life was so very good with her in it.

  And Morag grew old and content; happily watching all her adopted ‘babes’ as they continued to extend the clan she loved so deeply. She became Nana Morag to all the new children that once again played and filled MacCollum keep. She never regretted what Caleb had called her insidious meddling, but she had simply stated as the coaxing of the possibility of love. She was proud to say she had encouraged that possibility with those she loved like her own and including the Laird himself. The Darkness of MacCollum was dispelled and Morag enjoyed her golden years watching the happiness and prosperity that imbued MacCollum clan.

  ~The End~

  ~Author’s Note~

  I hope you have enjoyed reading the Storm Trilogy which combines the first three stories of the Celtic Storm Series. I put them in chronological order this time, although that is not how I originally wrote them. Knight Storm is the prequel to Celtic Tempest, and Celtic Fury. I wanted to create stories that took place in Medieval England and Scotland, during a time when hatred ran deep both between Scotland and England, as well as within the many Scottish clans themselves.

  During those days, many marriages were arranged as business propositions first and foremost and love rarely played a part in it. In the stories of Erik and Rhianna, Drew and Bronwyn and Rory and Brielle, I wanted to portray the anxiety from both male and female standpoints in such arrangements and through deep clan division. I tried to mix these stories with a little misunderstanding, reluctance to capitulate to the whim of another, and a good healthy dose of love and passion.

  In Knight Storm, I created a hero, Sir Erik Ragnorsen who, although was born an Englishman, would have had ties to his Viking heritage. He had to look like a Viking and he had to embrace some of the qualities from his Norse ancestors. I needed a strong hero who was not afraid of a willful and independent healer, Rhianna du Montefort. Erik Ragnorsen was just such a man. Rhianna was smart, brave and gifted with many aspects that would have labeled her a “witch” in those days. Their love overcomes obstacles of political intrigue and personal prejudices.

  While reading Knight Storm, you will be introduced to one of my favorite characters, Sir Andrew Brandham. His love story with the beautiful and strong Bronwyn MacCollum is told in Celtic Tempest. Drew is a beloved rake who becomes one of Rhianna’s closest friends. He is also psychic. Rhianna helps him embrace his Gifts and encourages him to find love of his own choosing, but it is not without a price. The animosity between Scotland and England was a very dangerous thing and it would take more than the average love to overcome old hatreds between both worlds. Bronwyn MacCollum grew up believing that all things “English” were sent to destroy all things “Scottish”, so it is hard to learn to trust a man from the country that were in enmity with her own. Pepper that with a spiteful ex-lover and it would seem impossible to put her heart in the hands of a man she would be deemed to wed.

  In Celtic Tempest, we learn of a love of a brother, which is so strong, it blots out the turbulent events of his own life. I introduce Rory MacCollum in Celtic Tempest and believed he had to have his own story, so I wrote Celtic Fury. Clan division aided in the volatile political atmosphere in Scotland. Tortured from the events of his past, Rory MacCollum has vowed vengeance on the Campbell clan. He is plagued with a perceived darkness that comes from grief and guilt. When he finds the broken Brielle on the side of the road, no clan hatred existed…only compassion and love for an unknown woman that needed his help. I wanted to write a believable story, where despite the many obstacles that Rory and Brielle had to face due to their backgrounds from rival and feuding clans, love could grow.

  I also believe that there are powers at work that are greater than all of us. I wanted my readers to believe in that power and to remember that we cannot run from our destinies. Once it is written in the stars, there is nothing we can do, though we might try to run from it and plot our own course. I believe we should embrace our destinies and embrace all the gifts life has to offer.

  I believe in Love and Passion. I think that people should seek that which infuses passion into their lives. If it is a hobby or an interest or another person, I believe that it should be embraced with complete and utter enthusiasm.

  I hope that you open your heart to the Clan MacCollum in these stories. Please look for Celtic Spirit, where Rory’s nemesis, Derek Campbell, will be offered a chance at redemption and love, but it may take him centuries to figure out. This will be a continuing story of my beloved Clan MacCollum and Clan Campbell that will span the present and the past. Sometimes love cannot be contained within one century, but must transcend space and time.

  In Morag’s Tears, you will learn about the people who were loved and who were part of the mysterious woman’s life, ever present in all the stories of the MacCollum Clan. It is told in her own words and it has parts of all the stories in this series plus many new things we had not known about her. Many mysteries will come to light through her tales of love, honor, loss and redemption. I hope you enjoy all these journeys and their many twists and turns that shape the tapestry of their lives.

  I took some liberties in the actual events of the day, but I wanted to write believable stories where despite the many obstacles that all the couples had to face, love can conquer hatred and division.

  It is at times, challenging to write both in the medieval era and present day, but I must say, I have good fun making that leap in time, if only on the pages of my stories.

  May you be surrounded by those who cherish you!

  Bright Blessings to you ALL!

  ~ Ria Cantrell

  Acknowledgments:

  When I began writing, I never thought my dream would be realized to put my story out to the world. For so long, I wrote strictly for my own enjoyment. It was not until recently, posting blogs on a public site that I realized people did
read my words and in fact wanted to read them. This gave me the courage to push forward and put my story to virtual paper. I would like to thank all my friends who were test audience for my stories. Their support and encouragement has been such a blessing to me. They made me believe that my stories needed to be told and that others would like to read them, too. To the countless other friends and family members who have been with me every step of the way, encouraging me and being my cheerleaders, I thank you.

  In all of my stories, there is a level of medicinal as well as spiritual healing. Back in those days, healers were often labeled with witchcraft and so many times they would have to practice their craft in secret. I wanted to combine actual remedies for various maladies and so I followed the teachings and healing properties researched and provided by Saint Hildegard of Bingen. Saint Hildegard was an eleventh century abbess and mystic who studied and perfected the use of herbs as medicines and health aids that are still used today. I used some of her combinations in the work that Rhianna did among her villagers and family.

  I would like to thank my family for encouraging me to pursue my dreams. My sister Andrea has always been my biggest advocate. My mom has supported me through the trying times that help mold a writer, and my dad was a man who believed in my dreams. He brought me music and wisdom and I miss him with my whole spirit, to this day.

  I would like to thank Jill Kersey for putting me in touch with my literary advisors and promoters. I would like to thank Leilani Bennett for helping me begin my journey as a published author. I would like to acknowledge my beta readers who were my “eyes” of the first draft of these stories. Without them, I would have missed so many edits and corrections.

  I have been blessed with many friends and sister “authors” who have encouraged me and shown me the virtual ropes in this endeavor. The friendships I have made have grown and I continue to be inspired by them all. I would especially like to thank Mary Morgan, Kathryn Le Veque, Kathryn Lynn Davis, K.R. Thompson, and Angela Boudreau Searles for taking me under their collective wings. Their advice, counsel and help have been like a gift from Heaven. I would also like to acknowledge a beautiful lady that left this world too soon. Amanda Albright Still was one of my first “Author Sisters” who offered words of encouragement and love. I miss her dearly.

  I would like to thank my street team, Ria’s Celtic Spirits, who promote my work without asking for anything for themselves. I especially want to thank Lisa Eagle Shuping, Wynne Guglielmo, Virginia Smith, Cathy Phillips, Sarah Fischer, Sharon Frizell, Debbie McCreary, Kim Court, Patricia Dyche Hunter, and Jenna Clemmerson, to name a few. There are so many more…too many to name.

  Lastly, but by no means least, I want to thank my husband Paul, who has always stood beside me and has helped my dream of being a writer to be achieved. He brainstorms my plots, helps me work out the details of the events, critiques the works in progress, and edits some of the finished products. He is responsible for almost all of the beautiful artwork on the covers and his creative eye is ever present in all of my books. He has been a positive influence in my life since the day we first met. He has encouraged love to grow in my heart, thus helping me create and believe in the tender moments you will find in the Celtic Storm series. I am a lucky girl to have such a team of positive angels with me.