by: Gloria Pearson-Vasey
Genre: Science-Fiction/Thriller
Release Date: April 29, 2024
Publisher: Tellwell Talent
After her sister dies, Meara Deleaney invites her bereaved nephew, Jackson, to accompany her on a book tour to Canada's Atlantic provinces. Fearful of leaving the security of her apartment, Meara bolsters her courage by recalling the imaginary dragons she and her sister slew as children behind the hollyhock hedge.
As they travel in a motorhome from park to park and bookstore to bookstore, Meara and Jackson are unaware of the manipulating forces intent on preventing their return home. They do, however, realize they are being stalked and therefore welcome the company of another touring author, criminology professor Bartholomew Wolfe.
A long-standing professional relationship between the authors builds to romance and a persuasive invitation to seek shelter at the professor's lodge. However, to reach the lodge, Meara—now accompanied by her nephew, niece and mother—unsuspectingly travels through a portal which exits in a future dimension near a fortress.
From there, the family is escorted under guard through dangerous territory to a lodge where metaphorical dragons lie in wait, and security comes at a price.
The captain of the Waterbug announced they had left the Kingdom of the Great Lakes and crossed into the Territories of the Dúns. There the amphibious ship extended its legs and climbed an embankment where their next conveyance awaited them…
Within minutes of leaving the river behind, Gabe informed them they had come up against the invisi-barrier surrounding Ravensglen.
“As the name implies, an invisi-barrier cannot be seen, but it’s impenetrable to outsiders,” said Gabe.
They penetrated the barrier and passed through the west gate of Ravensglen, not far from the quarantine hut. The hut was a charming sod-covered cabin with round windows which Gabe opened to admit fresh forest breezes and scents.
“Are we safe here?” asked Meara, peering into the surrounding trees.
“You are completely safe within the boundaries of Ravensglen,” said Gabe.
It was then that the youngsters noticed them loping fluidly toward them.
“Look at the dragons!” shouted Penny. “One, two, three, four, five!”
“I think those are wolves,” said Jackson, his eyes widening.
By now, everyone was at the windows, peering out to get a good look at the canines. Large and magnificent, with grey coats tinted with white and buff, the wolves encircled the cabin, tails wagging and eyes bright with excitement.
Meara was mesmerized by the largest wolf, which regarded her with pale green eyes. Then it turned away and, followed by the others, disappeared into the trees.
“Even if those aren’t dragons, we could still be behind the hollyhock hedge,” said Penny hopefully.
“I believe we are,” said Meara.
Within minutes of leaving the river behind, Gabe informed them they had come up against the invisi-barrier surrounding Ravensglen.
“As the name implies, an invisi-barrier cannot be seen, but it’s impenetrable to outsiders,” said Gabe.
They penetrated the barrier and passed through the west gate of Ravensglen, not far from the quarantine hut. The hut was a charming sod-covered cabin with round windows which Gabe opened to admit fresh forest breezes and scents.
“Are we safe here?” asked Meara, peering into the surrounding trees.
“You are completely safe within the boundaries of Ravensglen,” said Gabe.
It was then that the youngsters noticed them loping fluidly toward them.
“Look at the dragons!” shouted Penny. “One, two, three, four, five!”
“I think those are wolves,” said Jackson, his eyes widening.
By now, everyone was at the windows, peering out to get a good look at the canines. Large and magnificent, with grey coats tinted with white and buff, the wolves encircled the cabin, tails wagging and eyes bright with excitement.
Meara was mesmerized by the largest wolf, which regarded her with pale green eyes. Then it turned away and, followed by the others, disappeared into the trees.
“Even if those aren’t dragons, we could still be behind the hollyhock hedge,” said Penny hopefully.
“I believe we are,” said Meara.
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A member of The Writers' Union of Canada, Pearson-Vasey has also penned non-fiction books on autism and pilgrimage.
The author feels blessed for experiencing the joy and chaos of merging child raising with career, camping, travel and pets.
She lives in a picturesque Ontario town, and enjoys reading, music, country drives and time with family and friends.
Places to find Gloria Pearson-Vasey:
You can follow the Shushan Portal: Behind the Hollyhock Hedge Book Blast here.
Thank you for hosting ‘Shushan Portal’ on today’s blog tour. All good wishes, Gloria
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. Sounds like an interesting story.
ReplyDeleteWe appreciate you featuring SHUSHAN PORTAL on your site today.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a good book and I really like the cover.
ReplyDeleteScience-Fiction/Thriller - I love this genre along with the unique cover!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this.