Rare Sale on Great Summer Series from Morgan O'Neill

Love, Eternally
by Morgan O'Neill

Book One of the
Roman Time Travel Series

Published: 2015
Publisher: Time's Arrow Productions
Page Count: 214

TRILOGY SALE JULY 10-16

.99ea. US/UK

About the Book:
A witch's ancient curse propels talented flutist Gigi Perrin back to A.D. 408, to the court of the depraved Roman Emperor Honorius and his admirable sister, Princess Galla Placidia. There, Gigi grapples with her disbelief about what has happened, and with the strange, new world of violent politics, social upheaval and barbarians straining at the very gates of an empire. Through it all, she must struggle with her powerful attraction to a pagan senator and military commander, Quintus Magnus, a man exotically different from anyone she has ever known. On the brink of a dark and war-torn age, Gigi joins forces with Magnus, battling to save a princess and her people, and ultimately finding love amid the chaos, before the fall of Rome.

BOOK ONE

After the Fall

by Morgan O'Neill

Book Two of the 

Roman Time Travel Series

Published: 2015

Publisher: Time's Arrow Productions

Page Count: 212

About the Book:

After the Fall ratchets up the tension as time traveler Gigi Perrin and her husband, the Roman warrior Quintus Magnus, join forces with the Visigoth King Alaric to march on Rome. There waits Princess Galla Placidia, the admirable sister of the despicable Emperor Honorius. About to be forced into an arranged marriage by her brother, Placidia fears a bleak future, trapped in a loveless union. 

In an attempt to save Rome from barbarian invasion, Placidia puts aside her troubles and meets with Alaric’s delegation, which includes Gigi and Magnus, and the king’s second-in-command, the Visigoth prince, Athaulf. The attraction between Placidia and Athaulf is instantaneous and overwhelming, but theirs is a forbidden love, destined to fail because of implacable politics and impending war. 
Bound by a friendship that transcends time, Gigi and Placidia must do whatever they can to protect the men they love, after the fall of Rome.

BOOK TWO

Return to Me

by Morgan O'Neill

Book Three of the 

Roman Time Travel Series

Published: 2015

Publisher: Time's Arrow Productions

Page Count: 220

About the Book:

Return to Me finds time traveler Gigi Perrin happily settled into twenty-first century life with her husband, the former Roman senator and military commander, Quintus Magnus. Gigi has resumed her successful musical career, playing the flute for her adoring fans, while making her first foray into Hollywood by creating the musical score for a feature film about the Roman emperor Nero. 

At the film’s wrap party, Gigi is presented with a gift to commemorate her work: an ancient Roman ring depicting the goddess Victoria. Stunned, she and Magnus recognize it as the very ring that brought them together, and the one subsequently stolen from her and lost in A.D. 410. How did it make its way back to them? Magnus believes the answer is clear; Victoria sent it as a warning about their dear friend, Princess Galla Placidia. They start researching what happened to Placidia after Gigi and Magnus time traveled from the barbarous fifth century. To their shock, they discover Placidia's life took a series of terrible turns, culminating with the murders of her children. 
Realizing they have no other choice, Gigi and Magnus prepare to embark on a perilous quest to go back in time and rescue them. But one ominous question remains – how can they save the children without altering the course of history?

BOOK THREE

About the Authors:

A chance meeting at a writers' conference brought Cary Morgan and Deborah O'Neill Cordes together, two award-winning authors who connected because of a mutual love of time travel fiction. Collaboration ensued, the search for a pen name the first step in their working relationship. Their maiden names provided the solution - and "Morgan O'Neill" was born. 
Cary and Deborah's backgrounds are uniquely suited to writing stories steeped in atmosphere and history: Deborah has a master's degree in history and is a dedicated genealogist; Cary is a talented linguist in French and is currently a student of Latin. They've traveled to Europe's ancient and medieval sites many times, with Cary living on the Continent for five years. 
The Morgan O'Neill time travel novels have received a number of literary awards, including two finalist wins in the Booksellers' Best Awards, two semifinalist wins in the William Faulkner-William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition, first, second, and third place wins for the Mainstream Novel with Strong Romantic Elements category of the Golden Rose Contest, a top ten finalist award in the Pacific Northwest Writers' Conference Zola Awards Literary Contest, and a top ten finalist win in the Orange Rose Contest.

MORGAN O'NEILL WEBSITE

Dive into the Time Travel Duo by Morgan O'Neill

The Other Side of Heaven

Book One of the Italian Time Travel Series

Morgan O’Neill

Publisher: Time’s Arrow Productions

Publication Date: October 8, 2014

Genre: Historical/Time Travel Fiction

Don't miss out on this great two-part Italian Time Travel Series by best-selling author Morgan O'Neill .

About the Book:

Californian Gwendolyn Godwyn seeks to learn her family’s history and hopes to restore the bond that once existed between her Italian forebearers and those who live in America. While visiting her ancestral Italian town, Gwen is caught in a violent earthquake and inexplicably thrust through time. 
At first refusing to believe what has happened, she nevertheless uses her wits to survive, donning a monk’s cowl to hide her identity as a woman. Ripped apart from all she has ever known, Gwen finds herself in the midst of brutal territorial battles in an era she once blithely called “The Dark Ages.” When the golden Italian summer of 951 emerges from the strife and gloom, Gwen joins forces with a cadre of gallant men, allies in the struggle against the evil nobles, Willa of Tuscany and Count Berengar, kidnappers of Italy’s rightful queen, Adelaide. Along with Father Warinus and Lord Alberto Uzzo, Gwen seeks to rescue Adelaide and restore her kingdom. In the midst of this great adventure, Gwen falls in love with the complex and passionate Alberto, to whom she reveals her identity as a woman. But can Alberto learn to love her strong and independent nature and help Gwen in her quest to discover her rightful place in time?

AmazonUS | AmazonUK

Time Enough for Love

Book Two of the Italian Time Travel Series

Morgan O’Neill

Publisher: Time’s Arrow Productions

Publication Date: October 8, 2014

Genre: Historical/Time Travel Fiction

About the Book:


Through dark magic, Californian Gwendolyn Godwyn has been swept back in time to medieval Italy. There, she finds herself in the midst of a war between Italy’s rightful queen, Adelaide, and those who have kidnapped her and seek to usurp her crown. Risking her life, Gwen elects to play a pivotal role in the planned rescue. In the midst of the chaos, she is drawn to the queen’s champion, Lord Alberto Uzzo, who battles not only their military foes, but also his personal demons. Tested to the limit when he discovers Gwen’s true identity as a time traveler, Alberto nevertheless fights through his doubt and the whirl of superstition that surrounds this intriguing and strong-willed woman. Time is of the essence as the lovers seek to overcome the evil forces rallying against the queen they’ve vowed to save. Will Gwen and Alberto be able to overcome the groundswell of danger to find time enough for love?

Amazon US | Amazon UK

About the Author:

A chance meeting at a writers' conference brought Cary Morgan Frates and Deborah O'Neill Cordes together, two award-winning authors who connected because of a mutual love of time travel fiction. Collaboration ensued, the search for a pen name the first step in their working relationship. Their maiden names provided the solution - and "Morgan O'Neill" was born. 

Cary and Deborah's backgrounds are uniquely suited to writing stories steeped in atmosphere and history: Deborah has a Master's Degree in history and is a dedicated genealogist; Cary is a talented linguist in French and is currently a student of Latin. They've traveled to Europe's ancient and medieval sites many times, with Cary living on the Continent for five years. 

The Morgan O'Neill time travel novels have received a number of literary awards, including two finalist wins in the Booksellers' Best Awards, two semifinalist wins in the William Faulkner-William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition, first, second, and third place wins for the Mainstream Novel with Strong Romantic Elements category of the Golden Rose Contest, a top ten finalist award in the Pacific Northwest Writers' Conference Zola Awards Literary Contest, and a top ten finalist win in the Orange Rose Contest.

Author Links:

Website | Newsletter | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter 

WE'RE BACK!! Spotlight and excerpt:Prequel Release Day!! Begun by Time by Morgan O'Neill

Begun by Time

The Prequel to The Thornless Rose

Morgan O’Neill

Publisher: Entangled/Macmillan Select Historical

Publication Date: August 24, 2015

Genre: Historical/Time Travel Fiction

About the Book:

In 1945, a man disappeared into thin air...

In the final days of World War II, Catherine Hastings meets the man she wants to marry. Flight surgeon Jonathan Brandon isn't just handsome—he's everything Catherine could hope for in her betrothed. But her dream of a happily ever after is shattered when Jonnie disappears shortly before their wedding...leaving Catherine bereft, broken-hearted, and with a lifetime of unanswered questions.

Arthur Howard is smitten with the lovely Catherine the moment he sees her. He's certain he's found the woman he wants to marry. Yet behind Catherine's sparkling green eyes is a haunted look—the look of a woman who has known loss. But can he love a woman who still grieves the loss of her fiancé? Now Arthur wants answers about the man Catherine intended to marry.

But the truth about Jonnie’s disappearance is far stranger than fiction…

Amazon  | iTunes | BN  | Kobo | Entangled

The Thornless Rose

An Elizabethan Time Travel Novel

Book One

Morgan O’Neill

Publisher: Entangled/Macmillan Select Historical

Publication Date: December 29, 2014

Genre: Historical/Time Travel Fiction

About the Book:

No one ever knew what really happened to Dr. Jonathan Brandon back in 1945. He simply disappeared from a London pub, leaving behind an unsolved mystery and his fiancée—Anne Howard's grandmother. Seventy years later, Anne herself is haunted by the strange tale, along with inexplicable hallucinations straight out of Elizabethan England. Including a scarred, handsome man whose deep blue eyes seem to touch her very soul....

Anne wonders if there isn't something more to the story. Is it even possible that Jonathan disappeared into England's dark past? And why does Anne keep hearing him whisper her name? Because now she too feels the inexorable pull of the past, not to mention an undeniable attraction for a man she doesn't even know.

It's just a matter of time before Anne will step back into history, and face a destiny―and a love―beyond imagining...

Amazon  | iTunes  | Kobo  | BN  | Entangled

Author Bio:

A chance meeting at a writers' conference brought Cary Morgan Frates and Deborah O'Neill Cordes together, two award-winning authors who connected because of a mutual love of time travel fiction. Collaboration ensued, the search for a pen name the first step in their working relationship. Their maiden names provided the solution - and "Morgan O'Neill" was born. 

Cary and Deborah's backgrounds are uniquely suited to writing stories steeped in atmosphere and history: Deborah has a Master's Degree in history and is a dedicated genealogist; Cary is a talented linguist in French and is currently a student of Latin. They've traveled to Europe's ancient and medieval sites many times, with Cary living on the Continent for five years. 

The Morgan O'Neill time travel novels have received a number of literary awards, including two finalist wins in the Booksellers' Best Awards, two semifinalist wins in the William Faulkner-William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition, first, second, and third place wins for the Mainstream Novel with Strong Romantic Elements category of the Golden Rose Contest, a top ten finalist award in the Pacific Northwest Writers' Conference Zola Awards Literary Contest, and a top ten finalist win in the Orange Rose Contest.

Author Links:

Website  | Newsletter  | Goodreads | Facebook  | Twitter  

Spotlight: The Thornless Rose by Morgan O'Neill

The Thornless Rose

An Elizabethan Time Travel Novel

Morgan O’Neill

Publisher: Entangled/Macmillan Select Historical

Publication Date: December 29, 2014

Genre: Historical/Time Travel Fiction

About the Book:

No one ever knew what really happened to Dr. Jonathan Brandon back in 1945. He simply disappeared from a London pub, leaving behind an unsolved mystery and his fiancée—Anne Howard's grandmother. Seventy years later, Anne herself is haunted by the strange tale, along with inexplicable hallucinations straight out of Elizabethan England. Including a scarred, handsome man whose deep blue eyes seem to touch her very soul....

Anne wonders if there isn't something more to the story. Is it even possible that Jonathan disappeared into England's dark past? And why does Anne keep hearing him whisper her name? Because now she too feels the inexorable pull of the past, not to mention an undeniable attraction for a man she doesn't even know.

It's just a matter of time before Anne will step back into history, and face a destiny―and a love―beyond imagining...

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Thornless-Rose-Entangled-Select-Historical-ebook/dp/B00QRW3OH6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418852004&sr=8-1&keywords=the+thornless+rose  

iTunes - https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/thornless-rose-entangled-select/id949899897?mt=11

Kobo - https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-thornless-rose-entangled-select-historical

BN - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-thornless-rose-morgan-oneill/1120872044?ean=9781633751767

Entangled - http://www.entangledpublishing.com/the-thornless-rose/

Coming very soon: 

Begun by Time

The Prequel to The Thornless Rose

Author: Morgan O’Neill

Publisher: Entangled/Macmillan Select Historical

Publication Date: August 24, 2015

Genre: Historical/Time Travel Fiction

About the Book:

In 1945, a man disappeared into thin air...

In the final days of World War II, Catherine Hastings meets the man she wants to marry. Flight surgeon Jonathan Brandon isn't just handsome—he's everything Catherine could hope for in her betrothed. But her dream of a happily ever after is shattered when Jonnie disappears shortly before their wedding...leaving Catherine bereft, broken-hearted, and with a lifetime of unanswered questions.

Arthur Howard is smitten with the lovely Catherine the moment he sees her. He's certain he's found the woman he wants to marry. Yet behind Catherine's sparkling green eyes is a haunted look—the look of a woman who has known loss. But can he love a woman who still grieves the loss of her fiancé? Now Arthur wants answers about the man Catherine intended to marry.

But the truth about Jonnie’s disappearance is far stranger than fiction…

Amazon | iTunes | BN  | Kobo  | Entangled 

About the Authors:

A chance meeting at a writers' conference brought Cary Morgan Frates and Deborah O'Neill Cordes together, two award-winning authors who connected because of a mutual love of time travel fiction. Collaboration ensued, the search for a pen name the first step in their working relationship. Their maiden names provided the solution - and "Morgan O'Neill" was born. 

Cary and Deborah's backgrounds are uniquely suited to writing stories steeped in atmosphere and history: Deborah has a Master's Degree in history and is a dedicated genealogist; Cary is a talented linguist in French and is currently a student of Latin. They've traveled to Europe's ancient and medieval sites many times, with Cary living on the Continent for five years. 

The Morgan O'Neill time travel novels have received a number of literary awards, including two finalist wins in the Booksellers' Best Awards, two semifinalist wins in the William Faulkner-William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition, first, second, and third place wins for the Mainstream Novel with Strong Romantic Elements category of the Golden Rose Contest, a top ten finalist award in the Pacific Northwest Writers' Conference Zola Awards Literary Contest, and a top ten finalist win in the Orange Rose Contest.

Author Links:

Website | Newsletter  | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter  | Entangled  

Giveaway & Spotlight: Highland Protector by Catherine Bybee

HIGHLAND PROTECTOR
The MacCoinnich Time Travel Series, Book Five
by Catherine Bybee

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publishing Date: November 19, 2013


About the Book:
From New York Times Bestselling Author Catherine Bybee comes the long awaited next installment in her MacCoinnich Time Travel Series.

No ordinary hero can save Amber from death…it will take a Highland Protector. 

Amber MacCoinnich’s survival depends on her traveling to the twenty first century, or so her mother’s premonition told her. Death taunts Amber and offers peace in her endless pain. Without the mysterious savior her mother spoke of, Amber prepares for death only to wake with a handsome, dark stranger in her bed. 
Gavin Kincaid spends his life shifting time in order to preserve and protect the MacCoinnich family and their line even though he’s never met one living MacCoinnich. A haunting portrait of a beautiful woman captures his attention and he embarks on a quest to put a name to the picture. When a colleague vanishes, the time-stream forces Kincaid to the twenty first century where he finds his mystifying woman close to death. His Druid gift can save her, but at what price? And when they both find themselves emotionally linked, the truth behind Kincaid’s heritage just might kill them both.

Excerpt:
1686, MacCoinnich Keep Scotland 

Fighting with a sword ranked up there with having sex without an orgasm. Holding the damn thing took too much energy and the end-result was anticlimactic and messy. 
Kincaid’s free hand itched to pull any one of his hidden weapons from the pockets of his modified seventeenth century clothes and finish off his opponent. The man’s death was inevitable. He had no earthly prayer of taking Kincaid. Even without the use of Kincaid’s gift, the kilted Scot had two fatal flaws working against him. One, he underestimated his opponent, never a good thing in battle. Two, Kincaid’s Druid gift would prevent any fatal blow from reaching his skin. He was damn near immortal. 
Kincaid missed being skewered by the Scot’s blade by lunging to his right and placing one foot on the edge of the Keep’s massive stairs. Above him, other men fought, some with powers, a few without. Preventing the ancient Keep from falling into any hands that didn’t belong to descendants of the original owners, wasn’t going to happen. These missions were planned and orchestrated with extreme caution and precision. 
The Scot advanced again—sweat falling from his brow with the effort of the fight. 
“Kincaid!” He heard his name from the floor above, but didn’t make the mistake of looking up. 
“I’m busy.” He blocked his opponent’s sword again, locked the man’s free arm, and attempted to pull it behind his back. 
Kincaid was rewarded by taking an elbow in the ribs and having the wind knocked from his lungs. 
“Finish him already. We need to move on.” 
Moving on was his queue that their time was nearly up. 
“I guess…” He shoved the Scot a foot away and lifted his sword high. “That means we’re done here.” 
“Your confidence will be your downfall,” the Scot said. 
Kincaid motioned the man forward. …said the spider to the fly… 
The Scot advanced with a surge of strength and determination. 
Kincaid held his ground, threw up his Druid shield, and watched as shock filled the man’s gaze when his sword bounced off the shield and opened him up for Kincaid’s final blow. 
Killing never sat well with him. But he was a warrior and killing was part of his soul. 
Damn shame that. 
Kincaid heard his name called again, and he took the familiar stairs two at a time to reach the others. From the corner of his eye, his gaze met a painting on the wall, one he’d not seen before. His steps faltered as he connected with the haunting gaze of the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. Didn’t matter that the painting was one dimensional, or that the woman was most likely dead…even in this century. He did a quick inventory of the other images on the walls and recognized only one. The same painting hung in that very space on the wall, so many years in the future. But this one…the picture of the woman with her long dark hair and pained focus as she attempted to smile, beckoned him. This painting he’d never seen. 
“Kincaid! Dammit man, get your ass up here!” 
Kincaid shook away the woman’s soulful gaze, bounded up the stairs, and trailed his band of men up the spiral staircase of the turret. As they moved to the privacy of the bricked room, he noticed the small face of one of the Keep’s youngest occupants watching from behind an adjacent door. 
Rory moved to close the door when Kincaid motioned toward their witness. The child, a girl not more than ten years old watched with wide eyes. She didn’t appear frightened in the least. 
“Is she…” 
Rory lifted his hand, palm up, and from it, a small ball of fire swirled from nothing and hung suspended. 
The girl’s wide eyes lifted and a small smile inched at the side of her lips. She lifted her hand and a sputtering of fire sprang from her fingertips. 
Kincaid felt his pulse dip as he lifted his finger to his lips “Shh,” he whispered with what he hoped looked like a friendly smile. 
Noise from the long staircase met their ears. Rory ushered them inside and closed the door. Before the noise from below became another battle, Kincaid closed his eyes, lifted his shield, and spread it over his small party…then he began to chant and time slid away.

Amazon | Kindle | iBooks | Smashwords 


About the Author: 

New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee was raised in Washington State, but after graduating high school, she moved to Southern California in hopes of becoming a movie star. After growing bored with waiting tables, she returned to school and became a registered nurse, spending most of her career in urban emergency rooms. She now writes full-time and has penned novels Wife by Wednesday, Married by Monday, and Not Quite Dating. Bybee lives with her husband and two teenage sons in Southern California.

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Author Contacts:
Website | email | Blog | Twitter | Facebook 

Book Spotlight: Love, Eternally by Morgan O'Neill

Love, Eternally
by Morgan O'Neill
Book 1 of the Roman Time Travel Series

Genre: Paranormal/Time Travel Romance
Publisher: Crimson Romance

$0.99 Today Only!

Kindle Daily Deal, October 31!

About the Book:

A witch's ancient curse propels talented flutist Gigi Perrin back to A.D. 408, to the court of the depraved Roman Emperor Honorius and his admirable sister, Princess Galla Placidia. There, Gigi grapples with her disbelief about what has happened, and with the strange, new world of violent politics, social upheaval, and Visigoth barbarians straining at the very gates of an empire. Through it all, she must struggle with her powerful attraction to a pagan senator and military commander, Quintus Magnus, a man exotically different from anyone she has ever known. On the brink of a dark and war-torn age, Gigi joins forces with Magnus, battling to save a princess and her people, and ultimately finding love amid the chaos, before the fall of Rome.

**LOVE, ETERNALLY received a double finalist win in the 2013 Booksellers' Best Awards Contest in the Paranormal category and the Best First Book category. 

Morgan O'Neill had a Semifinalist win in the 2011 William Faulkner-William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition for After the Fall (later published as two novels - Love, Eternally and After the Fall)!




About the Authors:

A chance meeting at a writers' conference brought Cary Morgan Frates and Deborah O'Neill Cordes together, two award-winning authors who connected because of a mutual love of time travel fiction. Collaboration ensued, the search for a pen name the first step in their working relationship. Their maiden names provided the solution - and "Morgan O'Neill" was born.

Cary and Deborah's backgrounds are uniquely suited to writing stories steeped in atmosphere and history: Deborah has a Master's Degree in history and is a dedicated genealogist; Cary is a talented linguist in French and is currently a student of Latin. They've traveled to Europe's ancient and medieval sites many times, with Cary living on the Continent for five years.

The Morgan O'Neill time travel novels have received a number of literary awards, including two finalist wins in the Booksellers' Best Awards, two semifinalist wins in the William Faulkner-William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition, first, second, and third place wins for the Mainstream Novel with Strong Romantic Elements category of the Golden Rose Contest, a top ten finalist award in the Pacific Northwest Writers' Conference Zola Awards Literary Contest, and a top ten finalist win in the Orange Rose Contest.

Author Contacts:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest

Guest Post: Images and excerpts from the Italian Time Travel Series by Morgan O'Neill,

The Italian Time Travel Series by Morgan O’Neill

It’s always fun to see the actual settings depicted in historical novels and time travel epics. We’d like to invite you to join us on a tour of some of the principle locations in Morgan O’Neill’s Italian time travel series. The story begins in present day Santa Lucia, Italy, a village located in the northern foothills of the Apennines. Through dark magic, our heroine, Gwendolyn Godwyn, is pulled back to war-torn tenth century Italy. Follow her from the medieval church where she time traveled, to the towering cliff of La Rocca and its sinister fortress, and then on to the gleaming castle of Canossa, home of our hero, Lord Alberto Uzzo.

The excerpts are from The Other Side of Heaven and its sequel Time Enough for Love.

Basilica della Madonna della Ghiara, 

located in Reggio nell'Emilia. It is

the inspiration for our Chiesa di Santa

Lucia. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia 

Commons.

Our first excerpt from the Other Side of Heaven takes place in the fictional Italian town of Santa Lucia. Our heroine, Gwen, is there to do genealogical research and find her long-lost relatives. Little does she know, the man she is about to meet will play a pivotal role in her future – in the past.

Gwen sipped her cappuccino. A nicely dressed man came into view and bounded up the church steps. The girls at the next table giggled and pointed. She focused on the guy as he unlocked the door and slipped inside. Possible “nice bod” sighting. She listened to the breathless Italian chatter:

“Magnifico... he is so beautiful. Like a Greek god.” 

“Sì, an Adonis. And that blond hair, those green eyes, bellissimo.”

They giggled again and continued to speak excitedly about the tour guide.

Gwen grinned. From this distance anyway, the girls seemed to have pretty good taste. She usually preferred tall, dark, and handsome types, yet she’d heard a lot about the attributes of northern Italian men. Tall, fair, and handsome might just fit the bill; that is, if he were tall enough. 

The Italian girls were still chattering, and a spark of competition flashed through Gwen. She found herself wondering how many tall California blondes had given these girls a run for their money.

Tucking five Euros under the saucer, she gulped down the rest of her cappuccino and left the table. An eye-candy tour guide. This was going to be more interesting than she thought.

Crossing the piazza, she climbed the church steps and arrived at the main doors just as they opened for business. Inside, she looked around, but saw no trace of Nice Bod. She bought her ticket and waited as the signorinas and a group of British tourists got in line. 

Suddenly, the doors to the nave opened from within and she gaped. The tour guide looked a lot like her cousin back in California! That much of a resemblance couldn’t be a coincidence, could it? 

The girls burst into twitters again, one fanning herself dramatically, just out of his line of sight. Gwen felt like joining them, but for a different reason.

She had to keep telling herself, Look normal, look normal, he might be family. You can’t hook up with a relative. His badge says his name is Stefano. But what’s his last name?

She needed to find out.

The promontory of La Rocca rising above Italy's 

Lake Garda. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia Commons.

In addition to our principal romance between Gwen and Alberto, we have woven in the historical story of Queen Adelaide of Italy and her fight to retain her crown against the efforts of the evil usurper, Lord Berengar. This excerpt from The Other Side of Heaven takes place after Adelaide is kidnapped and facing a terrifying future.

“Let her see.”

Berengar’s voice startled Adelaide.  She had been riding blindfolded and bound at the wrists since her capture, now untold days in the past.

Hands grabbed her, forcing her sideways, and she was pulled off the horse. Someone wrenched the cloth from her eyes. Momentarily stunned by the burst of daylight, she squinted, trying to get her bearings.

“Look at it,” Berengar demanded. “This is where you shall die if you do not do my bidding.”

A dark castle loomed before Adelaide. She felt dizzy gazing up at the sheer cliff face of La Rocca, the mountain of stone forming the foundation of her enemy’s fortress. She had heard of this place, been told of the sinister goings-on, its terrible dungeons. She shuddered.

In book two of the series, Time Enough for Love, Gwen is determined to find a way to rescue Queen Adelaide from Berengar’s fortress.

Gwen glared at the towering cliff of La Rocca, black against the night sky. It loomed before her, the castle at its apex evil personified. The fortress of Berengar and his wife, Willa of Tuscany. The place where Queen Adelaide was being held captive and cruelly mistreated, the very spot where the queen would die if Gwen and her companions could not set her free.

Mission impossible?

Gwen’s heart blazed with rage and fire. She vowed to rescue Adelaide, no matter the cost, then slipped into the forest and headed back to find Alberto and his men.

With each step, she felt his presence growing stronger. Alberto. Dark, smoldering eyes. Tall, with broad shoulders. Sober and intelligent. His sensual smile for her alone.

Despite the terrors she had encountered in this dark place and time, she felt hope because of his love. Alberto, Lord of Canossa, was the queen’s champion, but Gwen knew there was strength in numbers.

I will play a role in her rescue. She pressed on toward Alberto’s camp.

Mission accepted.

San Pietro in Ciel d'Oro
in Pavia, Italy, dates from
the seventh century.
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia Commons.

Several scenes take place in Pavia’s grand basilica, including the wedding of our principal historical couple, Otto and Adelaide. This excerpt is from Time Enough for Love.

December 25. It was late, an evening wedding, the scene glowing with candlelight and hope, the air redolent with sweet incense, the future for the royal couple beckoning and so very bright.

In St. Peter’s Church of the Golden Ceiling, King Otto and Queen Adelaide were participating in the velatio, an ancient ritual where the bride and groom knelt beneath the nuptial veil and received God’s blessing. Pope Agapetus II stood over them, hands raised in prayer. All looked resplendent, Otto and Adelaide in silken robes of Imperial Purple, the Holy Father’s brocaded vestments crimson and trimmed with ermine.

Gwen kept her eyes on the king and queen, but she could feel Alberto’s presence, feel his eyes upon her.

Since our epic Italian time travel series is a romance, we leave our readers to ponder who will get married next at the Church of the Golden Ceiling…

Morgan O’Neill invites you to join Gwen and Alberto on their epic adventure from Santa Lucia to La Rocca, then to Pavia and beyond. 

If you have comments or questions about medieval Italy, we would be glad to answer them. Thank you and happy reading!

Amazon | BN | Apple

The Other Side of Heaven

Book One of the Italian Time Travel Series

by Morgan O'Neill

Release Date: May 13, 2013

Publisher: Crimson Romance

About Book One:

Californian Gwendolyn Godwyn seeks to learn her family’s history and hopes to restore the bond that once existed between her Italian forebearers and those who live in America. While visiting her ancestral Italian town, Gwen is caught in a violent earthquake and inexplicably thrust through time.

At first refusing to believe what has happened, she nevertheless uses her wits to survive, donning a monk’s cowl to hide her identity as a woman. Ripped apart from all she has ever known, Gwen finds herself in the midst of brutal territorial battles in an era she once blithely called “The Dark Ages.” When the golden Italian summer of 951 emerges from the strife and gloom, Gwen joins forces with a cadre of gallant men, allies in the struggle against the evil nobles, Willa of Tuscany and Count Berengar, kidnappers of Italy’s rightful queen, Adelaide.

Along with Father Warinus and Lord Alberto Uzzo, Gwen seeks to rescue Adelaide and restore her kingdom. In the midst of this great adventure, Gwen falls in love with the complex and passionate Alberto, to whom she reveals her identity as a woman. But can Alberto learn to love her strong and independent nature and help Gwen in her quest to discover her rightful place in time?

Time Enough for Love

Book Two of the Italian Time Travel Series

by Morgan O'Neill

Release Date: August 12, 2013
Publisher: Crimson Romance

About Book Two: 

Through dark magic, Californian Gwendolyn Godwyn has been swept back in time to medieval Italy. There, she finds herself in the midst of a war between Italy’s rightful queen, Adelaide, and those who have kidnapped her and seek to usurp her crown. Risking her life, Gwen elects to play a pivotal role in the planned rescue.

In the chaos, she is drawn to the queen’s champion, Lord Alberto Uzzo, who battles not only their military foes but also his personal demons. Tested to the limit when he discovers Gwen’s true identity as a time traveler, Alberto nevertheless fights through his doubt and the whirl of superstition that surrounds this intriguing and strong-willed woman. Time is of the essence as the lovers seek to overcome the evil forces rallying against the queen they’ve vowed to save.

Will Gwen and Alberto be able to overcome the groundswell of danger to find time enough for love?

Other books by Morgan O'Neill:
The Roman Time Travel Series:
Love, Eternally, After the Fall and Return to Me.
Released in 2012
Publisher: Crimson Romance

For more on Morgan O'Neill visit:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Reviews:
To my complete amazement, an ending I did not expect made me say "wow." Time Enough for Love is a wonderful sequel to its companion, and a stand alone read worth any number of "wows"! - Leslie Garcia, author of Unattainable.

Alberto and Gwen’s relationship was one of the most touching and heartfelt romances, that I’ve read in a long time. The conflicts they endured in the story had me holding my breath one minute, and crying the next....Time Enough for Love by Morgan O’Neill is a must read!   - Angela Boudreau Searles, Satin Sheets Romance