BF.jpg "Enchantments of the Haglady (Alan R. Smith)")
Enchantments of the Haglady blends history and fantasy as it explores the time travels of two orphans, a girl from the 21st Century, the other, a boy from the 11th Century, who meet on the docks of Venice just before the First Crusade.
The Book has been self-published via Friesen Press and is available as Hardcover and Paperback - 380 pages - released in February 2014.
About the Book
Enchantments of the Haglady explores the “dream” world of a young girl, and the “struggle to survive” of a young boy, each who overcome heartbreak, misfortune, and calamity through their strength of character and a belief in themselves.
This intricately crafted novel walks the line between historical time-travel and fantasy, balancing the two with ease as it explores the travels of the two orphans, a girl from the 21st Century, the other, a boy from the 11th Century, who grow strong in spite of their tragedies, and meet on the docks of Venice just before the First Crusade.
The Enchantments will transport the reader to ancient lands of pirates, shipwrecks, a kidnapping, an emperor and empress, a princess, a first infatuation that crosses over centuries, and the always present and mysterious Haglady.
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| Click to Read an Excerpt |
Reviews (Excerpts)
- "Alan Smith deftly bends time and place as we join a self-confident Kathryn and the strong-willed Antonio in this fantasy adventure as their dreams and reality crossover time from the present-day Jersey Shore to Medieval Venice and Constantinople. Many mysteries are solved as the Haglady will certainly enchant young readers!"
- "This manuscript has a “voice.” The voice within those who can overcome the most tragic of losses—being without parents at an early age—and find through their individual courage, and at times the helping hand of a friend, and greater still, that of a stranger, are able to accomplish great deeds. This story’s voice begins as a whisper, but grows in volume with each of its three parts: Kathryn and her meeting with the Haglady; then Antonio’s rise from street urchin to Master Merchant; and the final section when hero and heroine leave on a mission from the Doge of Venice to the exciting city of Constantinople just before the First Crusade."
- "Kathyrn and the Haglady teaches readers the importance of keeping one’s word and being honest, as well as the powerful force of family connection. This book is also an excellent conduit through which young people may learn about history or launch into an exploration of different cultures. One can also find a lovely message embedded in this narrative: that women can and do hold their own positions that might traditionally be considered ‘men’s work’ by society. Kathryn of the 11th century is a strong female character who will inspire young readers, no matter their gender."
About the Author
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| Author Alan R. Smith |
He has traveled extensively throughout the world studying people and their cultures. His passion is bringing his stories to students from elementary school to college. Presently, he is a professor of history at the college level. He has found his students and friends love stories of where they “have not been.”
His goal is to have his readers wrap themselves with the clothes of the story and insert themselves into the past.
Links to the Author and the Book
Connect via the Author's Website
Connect via Twitter: @authoralansmith
Link to the Paperback Enchantments of the Haglady with Excerpt on Amazon
