Blue Bells of Scotland (Blue Bells Trilogy, #1)

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Blue Bells of Scotland (Blue Bells Trilogy #1)

by Laura Vosika (Goodreads Author)

3.54 of 5 stars 3.54 · rating details · 530 ratings · 80 reviews

Shawn has a skyrocketing musical career, fans, fame, money, his beautiful girlfriend Amy, and all the women he wants. Everything changes Amy has enough and leaves him stranded in a Scottish castle tower overnight. He wakes up in medieval Scotland. Mistaken for the castle's future laird, he is forced to make a dangerous cross-country trek with a beautiful woman wielding a k...more

Paperback, 372 pages

Published September 18th 2009 by Gabriel's Horn (first published 2009)

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Community Reviews

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Oct 13, 2009 Dorsi rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: owned-by-me, historical, first-reads, fantasy

Loved it! Original & intelligently written. Towards the end, I could not turn the pages fast enough to find out what happened. The end was definitely not what I expected. I can't wait until the next in the series comes out! I will be the first in line to get it. Thanks Laura Vosika for sharing your engaging story. Keep tapping those keys on the keyboard...carry on!

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Nov 25, 2012 Abby rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Emily Baker

Shelves: ebook, historical-fiction, romance

You know how "polite" people will sometimes couch criticism by closing their statement with "Bless their hearts"? Well, bless her heart, Laura Vosika tried real hard with BLUE BELLS OF SCOTLAND. She really did try and while some moments were truly outstanding, much of the book was a hot, angry, confused mess.

Brief plot summary: arrogant yet incredibly talented trombonist Shawn Kleiner and his orchestra are touring Scotland; while back in 1314, Niall Campbell, future Laird of Glemmirril, is prepa...more You know how "polite" people will sometimes couch criticism by closing their statement with "Bless their hearts"? Well, bless her heart, Laura Vosika tried real hard with BLUE BELLS OF SCOTLAND. She really did try and while some moments were truly outstanding, much of the book was a hot, angry, confused mess.

Brief plot summary: arrogant yet incredibly talented trombonist Shawn Kleiner and his orchestra are touring Scotland; while back in 1314, Niall Campbell, future Laird of Glemmirril, is preparing for a journey across the highlands to help raise an army against King Edward of England. Back to the future: after a rousing fight, Shawn's girlfriend Amy abandons him at the top of Glenmirril castle where he spends the night and wakes up in 1314, having traded places with Niall Campbell.

The rest of the story switches back and forth between times as we follow each man on their journey of self-discovery and eventual understanding that they've gone backwards/forwards in time. At first, Niall thinks he's been kidnapped and it's an elaborate English ruse, while Shawn thinks he's stuck in an historic re-enactors camp.

I loathed the main (contemporary) protagonist, Shawn. I haven't felt this much animosity towards a fictional character since Quoyle from THE SHIPPING NEWS. I disliked Quoyle because he was a dense, dumb push-over where as Shawn is the polar opposite. Arrogant, narcissistic, childish, petty and vain, it's impossible to see what his girlfriend Amy sees in him. He cheats on her non-stop, lies to her face and yet she hangs on. I found their relationship hard to believe because Vosika only ever showed the bad side of Shawn. We're told Amy sees a different side of him, the potential he could have, but as the reader, I didn't start to see any growth or development in Shawn until it was too late.

I was ambivalent about Niall. He's your standard romance hero: cocky but charming, and far too sure of himself. His personal journey seemed weaker than Shawn's, perhaps because he didn't have as far to go in terms of self-improvement. It also didn't feel genuine when it was Niall making up for all the cruelties Shawn imposed on his orchestra mates, bed partners and girlfriend Amy. The apologies aren't Niall's responsibility and it felt like I, along with the rest of the characters, were STILL being lied to.

I will admit that the ending had a surprising twist and I'm curious to see where Vosika takes the sequel. Without revealing too much of what happens, Niall and Shawn meet and I'm thinking the next book will explore the relationship of the two men after they've each walked in the other's shoes.

I had a hard time getting this from a local library so I purchased it as an e-book. No issues with the e-book version, though I'm learning I do miss seeing the covers in color. But not to the extent that I'd switch from my Kindle to a Nook or an iPad. Those LCD screen are murder on my eyes! :)(less)

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Mar 02, 2013 Dianne Wilensky rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is book 1 of a trilogy (Scottish history, romance, time travel). Book 2 is "The Minstral Boy" and there is a 3rd book on the way that I want to read as soon as it is published.

I'm not good at explaining why I liked a book so I'll borrow a review from Amazon.com.

"What if you could swap your life with someone in years long past? It's one of those questions I ask myself a lot. This book explores the possibilities of time travel and changing personalities.

Shawn Kleiner has it all, including a...more

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Jan 17, 2013 Phoebe rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction-romance, just-for-fun-us, us-authors

This was alright. Also, if you don't know your Scottish history, brush up on it a little bit because all the names are confusing at times (e.g., Edwards everywhere--not until Shawn clarifies---almost 3/4 of the way through!!--do we know clearly who they all are).

I thought there was a great deal of redundancy in terms of the thoughts (particularly of Shawn) that were reflected; that, and often it read as if it were something I'd read in middle school (I like her! No, I like her!). Not very beli...more

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Jan 08, 2013 Sarah-Lambert Cook rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: eh-not-so-much

"Blue Bells of Scotland" aka "This one time at band camp..."

"Blue Bells of Scotland" is an alright read if you're not looking for anything with much substance, but it suffers from one of the most painfully unbelievable and stupid careers for a main character ever: rock-star like trombone player. Yep, trombone. I literally laughed out loud when I first read that, but it made me pretty happy since it reminded me of the goofy fiance in 'Serendipity'. One of the movie's gags is that the fiance of Ka...more

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Jan 16, 2012 Susan rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really debated my rating. If I could do a 3 1/2 I would. Its an enjoyable easy read; its clean and one I'd not be embarrassed for my teenaged daughter to find on my nightstand. This is a book that starts like a harlequin. The old sweet ones; which is okay and nostalgic for me. I used to read my grandmothers books all the time...and I was sitting in a nice hot bath anyways so I kept on reading. I think it was the 4th chapter (of 21 chapters so still early in) that I started to get into the book...more

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Mar 18, 2011 J.R. Tomlin rated it 4 of 5 stars

This novel starts a trilogy story surrounding two identical men in Scotland who are separated by 700 years.

I was a bit nervous in starting this novel because most novels, including some very popular ones, thoroughly muck up Scottish history. I hate that, particularly when it involves events as important as the Battle of Bannockburn. However, although I would nitpick the history somewhat, Vosika stuck close enough to the history that even I wasn't too bothered. Mind you, don't read it for history...more

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Oct 26, 2010 Crazycatladyslibrary rated it 4 of 5 stars

Did you know that everyone’s name has a meaning? For example, Shawn Kleiner’s name means self centered. And he certainly lived up to his name. As the critically-acclaimed virtuoso of the orchestra and an unabashed ladies man with an undeniable gift for blarney, Shawn didn’t care who he took advantage of or who got hurt as long as everything always went his way. But eventually the day came when his disenchanted girlfriend Amy, weary of his selfish ways, had finally had enough and left him high an...more Did you know that everyone’s name has a meaning? For example, Shawn Kleiner’s name means self centered. And he certainly lived up to his name. As the critically-acclaimed virtuoso of the orchestra and an unabashed ladies man with an undeniable gift for blarney, Shawn didn’t care who he took advantage of or who got hurt as long as everything always went his way. But eventually the day came when his disenchanted girlfriend Amy, weary of his selfish ways, had finally had enough and left him high and dry in the tower of a ruined Scottish castle. Surprised by Amy’s behavior and totally defensive of his narcissistic motives, Shawn decided to remain where he was, enjoy the picnic he had brought with them, and worry about finding his way back to their hotel and the orchestra in the morning. Except when morning arrived, his entire world was changed…

Fourteenth-century bard Niall Campbell of the Clan MacDonald was as talented with the harp and song as he was with the sword. Well known as a mischief maker as well as warrior, Niall was the clan chief’s future son-in-law and most trusted champion. When Niall suffered an injury on the day before he was to embark on an extremely dangerous mission for the clan, his fiancée Allene, fearing for his health and safety, tried to talk him in to letting her accompany him. They argued about it in the castle tower, and Niall, having imbibed too freely of the ale that evening in the hopes of easing some of his physical discomfort, ends up falling asleep on the top of the parapet. As the mist swirled around him and he drew his cloak close around his body, his last thoughts were for the mission he was to embark upon in the morning. But when he awoke the next day, he found himself in much more dangerous territory than he could have ever imagined…

This is how Blue Bells of Scotland by Laura Vosika begins. What follows is an amazing adventure in two different lifetimes, as Niall and Shawn find themselves somehow switched into each other’s existences. Filled with humor, intrigue, and tumult, I found this to be an entertaining beginning to what I hope will be a compelling trilogy. I give Blue Bells of Scotland 4 stars.
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Jan 08, 2010 Joan Szechtman rated it 4 of 5 stars

In Blue Bells of Scotland, Laura Vosika spins a captivating tale that combines historical fiction with time travel and a bit of reverse alternate history cleverly woven in. Instead of changing the final outcome of an important historical event, Vosika changes the history at the start of the novel so that her time traveler changes it to what actually is. Although the grandfather paradox is mentioned, no consequences are shown for the changed history that the time travel generated such as people d...more In Blue Bells of Scotland, Laura Vosika spins a captivating tale that combines historical fiction with time travel and a bit of reverse alternate history cleverly woven in. Instead of changing the final outcome of an important historical event, Vosika changes the history at the start of the novel so that her time traveler changes it to what actually is. Although the grandfather paradox is mentioned, no consequences are shown for the changed history that the time travel generated such as people disappearing as if they never existed. The pacing flows from a measured cadence at the start of the tale and builds to a climatic crescendo reminiscent of Ravel’s Bolero.

Just before the 1314 Battle of Bannockburn, the two main characters, Shawn Kleiner, a twenty-first century classical trombonist who has rock-star fame, switches places with Niall Campbell, a fourteenth century lord, soldier, and harpist. Niall and Shawn are effectively clones, and so are seen by their peers to be the persons they were expected to be. One thing that often bothers me in time travel tales is how the time traveler is able to understand radically different versions of the same language. For example, in addition to Gaelic, Niall knew Middle English, which is not readily intelligible to Modern English speakers. Here is a sample from Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales:

Heere bigynneth The Knyghtes Tale

WHILOM, as olde stories tellen us,
Ther was a duc that highte Theseus;

Visually, this may be more understandable for us than if we heard it, because of the way pronunciations changed. In Monty Python and The Holy Grail, knight was pronounced ki-nig-it. This is probably the way knight was said then as one of the members of Monty Python, Terry Jones, is a medievalist. Vosika shows how Niall works through the language change in a believable way.

Vosika created a plausible background for both characters that allowed them to function—albeit awkwardly—in the other's time. I was able to suspend my disbelief that these two men had these skills and were physically identical to each other. I particularly liked Shawn’s transformation from an arrogant womanizer who only thinks about himself and what people can do for him, to an unpretentious loyal friend—a man ready to lay down his life for a cause he believes in.

Perhaps the most important aspect of a story to me is that I become invested in the characters. Blue Bells does not disappoint. Both Shawn and Niall are fully fleshed and I could imagine having a conversation with each. In addition to the two main characters, I feel I got to know and cared for Amy, Shawn’s lover. One negative in my mind is the author sprang a significant revelation about Amy where I did not see the behavior as consistent with her character. My apologies for being vague, but I do not want to introduce spoilers. One character that I would have like to have known better was Allene, a feisty, self-sufficient medieval noblewoman and Niall’s betrothed. I look forward to learning more about her in the second book.

Of some minor concern was that I thought the prose could have been tighter and I found a few typos. I soon forgot these as I became absorbed by the story. This is one book that I found hard to put down.

Even though this is only the first book, I found the ending sufficiently satisfying, giving me the patience to wait for the second of the trilogy. That said; write faster, Laura. I want to read more.(less)

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Sep 22, 2009 Kat Yares rated it 5 of 5 stars

What if you could swap your life with someone in years long past? It's one of those questions I ask myself a lot. This book explores the possibilities of time travel and changing personalities.

Shawn Kleiner has it all, including a shallow, self serving personality to boot. Niall Campbell is Shawn's twin from the past - everything that makes a man a man - the complete opposite of Shawn. When circumstances cause them to trade places in time and history - we see one man remain loyal to himself and...more

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Jan 19, 2013 Sandy rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: didn-t-finish

A time-travel romance set in in Inverness...hmmm...what could that have possibly be inspired by? If you're looking for something like "Outlander" this is not it. I'm sorry I blew $2.00 on the Kindle version. I put it down after the opening two pages describing Shawn's seducing the engaged-to-someone-else receptionist by picking a rose from the vase on her desk and dragging it across her cheek. And then becoming the rock-star trombone player savior of the classical orchestra. Yes, this was the fi...more

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Sep 27, 2011 Lori McD rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: easy-read, faith-spirituality, fantasy, highlander, historical-fiction, series, time-travel, scottish-lit, 2011_read

At first, I was skeptical about this book... an orchestra "rock star"? Changing places with a highland double from 1314? It seemed like a cheesy beginning...

But as I read, the story surprised me! Niell Campbell (from 1314) has a great deal of faith. His prayers affect both timelines -- the present and the past. Rather than treating faith like a joke, the story embraces it. The contrast between the easy living in the present with the ever-present danger in the past -- in this timeline, we don't f...more

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Dec 12, 2011 Donalee rated it 4 of 5 stars

Ok, ok, I know it's not a Booker, but it sure was fun! Shawn Kleiner is a trombonist who has it all -- good looks, incredible talent, all the women he wants, and a rock star popularity. While on tour in Scotland, his much abused girlfriend Amy deserts him at the castle ruins; he awakes in the morning to find himself mistaken for a Scottish medieval knight Neill and sent on a dangerous mission with Neill's beautiful knife-weilding betrothed. And Neill? He awakes 700 years in the future, mistaken...more

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Jan 17, 2012 Ambre rated it 2 of 5 stars

An obvious "tribute" to the other popular time travel authors, with a few minor twists.

I give it 3 for being fun to read. I subtracted 1 for major historical inaccuracy (clan tartans in 1300s? Really, you have to research EVERYTHING) and failure to discuss her historical research or variance from known fact. So as a pure fiction it gets a 3 (I thought the ending was confused and nonsensical) but as a historical fiction it gets a 2 for flubbing that major point, and underemphasizing the differenc...more

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Aug 17, 2011 Pamelabyoung rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Time travel, music and Inverness....my faves!

Gotta say, though, I really hate to get to the end of a book and find out it is the first of a series or a trilogy. Don't get me wrong, I love trilogies and series. I just prefer to know from the outset that I am at the beginning of a longer journey. Frankly, I hate being left hanging and would rather wait to buy a book until the entire trilogy is available so I can read them in quick succession. On the other hand, I can't really understand the whole...more

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Oct 30, 2009 Kristen rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Vikki, Corey, Stef

Shelves: 2009

I was somewhat apprehensive when starting this book, thinking that it might be like any other book I've read involving time travel and historical events (specifically those that took place in Scotland). I was fortunate enough to have won an advance copy of the book, so I gave the book a full chance, and I was very pleasantly surprised.

Pretty soon after starting the book, I found myself not wanting to put the book down, curious about what would be happening next, where the story was going to go,...more

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Nov 01, 2009 Suzanne rated it 2 of 5 stars

I just won this book! I am so exited, I cannot wait for it to come in so i can start reading! thank you Laura Vosika!

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Jan 31, 2011 Tammi rated it 4 of 5 stars

What a great read! Lively characters that you really feel for, fantastically researched, wonderfully descriptive. And very clean, too. Historical fiction with romance as well, but something I wouldn't be at all ashamed to have my mother or my grandmother (or, if I had any, my kids) read. At times you want to smack some sense into some of the characters, and at others you just want to hug them. :D And the climax is especially fun. It was a fun read from start to finish. I am very much looking for...more

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Aug 25, 2012 Jenni rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle

Another time travel/Scotland book. The time period is after William Wallace when Robert the Bruce is trying to reclaim Scotland from the English. This book was a bit different because the travelers were men. The ending was really chaotic and I had a hard time knowing what was going on a little bit but the battle scenes were very descriptive. In this book "history" is different than what we know it to be and the characters try and change it-so that it really is the actual history. I had to read u...more

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Apr 11, 2013 Sharry Miller rated it 4 of 5 stars

I was totally prepared to hate Blue Bells of Scotland and roll my eyes on every overwritten page. After the first few pages, I was sure it was going to be trite and predictable. I'm so happy I was wrong. In one sense, it was predictable. It was obvious from the first pages that it was going to be a time travel story in which the two main male characters switched times. Beyond that, however, it was well written, interesting, and filled with characters I came to care about. I won't ruin the story...more

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May 19, 2012 Julia rated it 2 of 5 stars

I thought I would enjoy this book as it has two of my favorite things - time travel and Scotland. It just didn't work for me. The character of Shawn was so annoying. He had no redeeming qualities and it was not at all convincing that Amy would stay with him with the way he treated her. Niall's character was the exact opposite, all honor and selflessness. He was a Mr Perfect and the fact that they were so completely opposite just made the whole scenario even more unbelievable. I wasn't convinced...more

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Sep 14, 2009 Ben Anderson rated it 5 of 5 stars

I was lucky enough to get an advance copy. The writing is solid, characters come to life and you find yourself right there with them-- as Niall struggles to understand what's going on, as Shawn waits in the cellar, fighting off rats, as Allene and Shawn crawl through the woods with the English soldiers beating the brush behind them. I especially liked the fair day scene, moreso after I went to the Blue Bells Trilogy site (www.bluebellstrilogy.com) and listened to the music Shawn was playing.

Bei...more

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Feb 07, 2012 Reese rated it 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars. I really enjoyed this book. The writing was eloquently intelligent and witty, as was the story itself. There was one issue I had, although the entire book was suspenseful right down to the last page, all of the sudden those two bawdy words loom into ones peripheral, announcing "the end." The book abruptly ended without the closure to calm my angst from its harrowing ride. I still have mixed feelings, but when I remember how I felt jumping back and forth through time, living as one wou...more

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Mar 30, 2012 Virginia rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Somewhat unusual twist on a time travel story. She flipped two characters, one from current day and one from 1300's and then followed each of them in their respective 'new worlds'. Lots of Scottish landscape, people, folk tales of course and if you enjoy that time frame it will hold your interest surely. I will say towards the end the characters got so entwined that I found it difficult at times to keep straight who was who, but it came to nice enough conclusion and I liked it overall. Quick, ea...more

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Apr 22, 2012 Deb rated it 3 of 5 stars

I seem to have a fondness for historical fiction that involves time travel. This book had a bit of a twist (for me, anyway) in that two characters who could be twins in looks, switch times. Niall Campbell of 1314 and Shawn Kleiner of present day wake up and find themselves in different times -- a fact neither quite realizes at first. I think the author does a pretty good job, without getting too much into the nitty gritty, of portraying these characters trying desperately to both deny, then acce...more

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Mar 21, 2012 Books rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

I was hesitant to read this book as I don’t entertain the notion of time-travelling. But Laura Vosika made it so believable, I caught myself from time to time actually reconsidering such a concept.

On the very first page of this book, I was already bent over laughing so hard. The author brilliantly portrays the arrogance and selfishness of the main character in a delightfully humorous way. You know guys like him. He swaggers into a room, women’s knees buckle and men’s blood boils. The world seems...more I was hesitant to read this book as I don’t entertain the notion of time-travelling. But Laura Vosika made it so believable, I caught myself from time to time actually reconsidering such a concept.

On the very first page of this book, I was already bent over laughing so hard. The author brilliantly portrays the arrogance and selfishness of the main character in a delightfully humorous way. You know guys like him. He swaggers into a room, women’s knees buckle and men’s blood boils. The world seems to hold its breath for a minute just for him. That’s Shawn Kleine, one of the two main characters at the start of this book.

Shawn is the epitome of self-indulgence, self-importance and self-centeredness. To him, life is all about him. A master trombone player, he can turn a tin whistle into stardom! On the flipside of the coin and almost 700 years in the past, there is Niall Campbell, a mirror image of Shawn in the looks department. A proud Scottish warrior on the verge of fighting a war to save Scotland, his betrothed, and the lives of everyone dear to him, he is the exact opposite of Shawn Kleine in that he is noble, humble and a man of faith. The only other similarity between these two men is their stubbornness. Oh, and of course the little issue of them switching places in time.

The lyrical wordplay in this book is amazing! I couldn’t help but savor every word; every sentence, every page, as it invoked vivid pictures in my mind of Scotland in the fourteenth century and present day. The atmosphere of each scene, whether in a present-day concert hall or fourteenth century wilderness or battlefield, is so well described that not only can you visualize the surroundings, you can feel it, you can hear it and you can smell it…..heck, you can almost touch it! The author’s love for, and sound knowledge of music and musical instruments is also evident as the story is filled with traditional and folk music to accompany and accentuate the different moods and emotions of the characters.

A good balance was maintained between the contrasts and similarities of Shawn and Niall. These were some of the most genuine and real characters, with elegantly written depth and dimension, I’ve come across in a long time. Shawn’s naïve arrogance in stark contrast to Niall’s unassuming nature added a lighthearted ambience to this book, yet at the same time seriousness was lent to the story with a subtle religious undertone. Niall’s struggles with his unwavering faith when he questions why he was placed in a situation over which he has no control, and Shawn’s character’s growth as understanding of his past dawns on him through life-threatening events and while fighting his own personal demons, is a personal journey which compels the reader to do some soul-searching of one’s own.

The unusual plot told from Shawn and Niall’s different points of view, and an open ending which would leave you eager to get the next book in this trilogy makes “Blue Bells of Scotland” unadulterated magical indulgence. I guess I have to stop gushing about this magnificent book at some point, so I’ll just give it to you straight - this really is a one-of-a-kind book deserving of much more than merely 5 stars!(less)

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Nov 29, 2011 Katya rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: time-travel, favorites

"Actually this was pretty good piece of historical fiction/fantasy-It centers around the character development of a man who starts off very shallow and self centered and grows into a decent human being.

It is the story of two men who live seven hundred years apart and switch places-I know, I know...but it kinda works.

The book title is a song title-a Scottish folk song that is often performed by a trombone-which is an instrument played by one of the lead characters.

FYI-the author is a professio...more

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Feb 23, 2011 Terry (Ter05 TwiMoms/ MundieMoms) rated it 5 of 5 stars

I have revised my rating on this book from four stars to five. Why? Because a month after I read it I am still thinking about it. That does not happen often and is worth an extra star! The first was kind of slow for me. After reading it, I realize why I wasn't crazy about the beginning, and why it was necessary. There are two main characters, Shawn and Niall. Shawn is a self centered jerk and getting to know him early in the book was very irritating. He is a famous musician in the present time a...more I have revised my rating on this book from four stars to five. Why? Because a month after I read it I am still thinking about it. That does not happen often and is worth an extra star! The first was kind of slow for me. After reading it, I realize why I wasn't crazy about the beginning, and why it was necessary. There are two main characters, Shawn and Niall. Shawn is a self centered jerk and getting to know him early in the book was very irritating. He is a famous musician in the present time and cares only for himself. Niall is a natural leader and honorable man - in the 13th century. Shawn and Niall look exactly alike, and one night in the tower of a castle in Scotland, somehow they are switched in time. Once they realize what has happened they do not dare to let those around them know they are not who everyone thinks they are. A head injury gives them each an excuse to not quite "be himself". Shawn soon realizes that if he reveals himself he probably would burn as a witch. Niall decides telling the truth would probably end up with him in a straight jacket.

How they cope and what this experience does to them turns into a fascinating and thought provoking story. Shawn has a long time relationship with Amy in the present time where he has treated her badly. Niall is engaged to Allene in his own time, and they are part of a dangerous plan to bring more clans to fight with Robert the Bruce against King Edward of England. The story of how these two men deal with their feelings for the woman they love in "their time" and how they deal with the woman with them in the time they find themselves in is great reading. Shawn's coming to terms with who is is and who he has been is beautifully done. There are twists and turns in the end as Niall tries desperately to get back to his time and to change history, preventing his countrymen from being slaughtered is so well written I couldn't put it down until I finished. I had forgotten this is book #1 of a trilogy, and at the end I was very glad of that!

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Nov 30, 2010 Amanda rated it 4 of 5 stars

"You don't know what you've got till it's gone." Joni Mitchell sang these lines in her song "Big Yellow Taxi". The Counting Crows created their own version, but kept these ever so poignant words. Some of us have learned the effects of these words in our very own lives. For Shawn Kleiner in Laura Vosika's novel Blue Bells of Scotland, these words become a reality.

Shawn Kleiner is a famous twenty-first century trombone player. He has everything....money, fame, talent, a loyal girlfriend, and women...more "You don't know what you've got till it's gone." Joni Mitchell sang these lines in her song "Big Yellow Taxi". The Counting Crows created their own version, but kept these ever so poignant words. Some of us have learned the effects of these words in our very own lives. For Shawn Kleiner in Laura Vosika's novel Blue Bells of Scotland, these words become a reality.

Shawn Kleiner is a famous twenty-first century trombone player. He has everything....money, fame, talent, a loyal girlfriend, and women swooning over his every step. Niall Campbell is a Highland warrior from the 1300's. A loyal, brave, honest man who is willing to die for his people and their liberty. Within the walls of a Scottish castle tower, these men trade places in time and history. Shawn finds himself back in time, fleeing for his life, pursued by English soldiers. Niall finds himself in the future, with a pregnant girlfriend and scantily clad women throwing themselves at him. One of these men stays true to himself, and the other finds himself on a journey that will change his life forever.

Writers are always being told to "write about what you know". Well, Laura does just that in this historical read. She takes her knowledge of music and weaves a tale of redemption, love and self-discovery. A great deal of research and historical detail add to the believability of the story. I was so entranced with the characters that I felt like I could reach out and touch them. I found myself holding my breath as Shawn hid in the cellar from the English soldiers who sought to kill him; I found myself yelling at Niall to keep searching, don't give up; I found myself reaching out to Shawn at the final fair day, wanting so badly to just grab hold of him and tug him back to the future. I admire the way that Laura Vosika led Shawn down the path of self-discovery, one where he finally comes to be the man I feel he was meant to be. This is a captivating story that you will truly enjoy. I am eagerly awaiting the second installment in this trilogy.(less)

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Oct 03, 2010 DKAY rated it 4 of 5 stars

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I have thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have only read a few time travel novels and really so far only really liked one author and now I can say I have found a second. I had a hard time putting this book down. I really love a great historical and to have the time travel added to it was a treat. I was engrossed in the story from the beginning and really liked the way the switch between the two men and how they realized what had happened. I found that the characters had plenty of details and the st...more

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Historical Fiction

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Science Fiction > Time Travel

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Cultural > Scotland

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Romance

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Romance > Historical Romance

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Fantasy

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Adult

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Romance > Paranormal Romance

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Historical Fiction > Medieval

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Romance > Time Travel Romance

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About Laura Vosika

Laura Vosika is the author of the Blue Bells Trilogy. In addition to the Trilogy, she is working on several other novels and a non-fiction book on raising a large family.

Laura grew up in the military, visiting castles in England, pig fests in Germany, and the historic sites of America's east coast, and living in climates ranging from Mississippi's heat to Duluth, Minnesota.

She earned a bachelor's...more

More about Laura Vosika...

Books by Laura Vosika

The Minstrel Boy (Blue Bells Trilogy, #2)

The Water is Wide (Blue Bells Trilogy, #3)

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Blue Bells of Scotland (Blue Bells Trilogy #1)

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