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Blue Bells Chronicles #2
The Minstrel Boy
On a misty night in the Scottish Highlands, Shawn Kleiner, a womanizing modern American musician, and Niall Campbell, devout medieval warrior, both fall asleep in the tower of Glenmirril Castle, seven centuries apart. They wake up in each other's time. In The Minstrel Boy, Shawn's girlfriend Amy resigns her position with the orchestra and stays behind in Scotland to trace Niall’s fate through historical records. What she finds is not answers, but more questions. Niall Campbell, a man larger than life, who recovers miraculously from multiple injuries, walks through walls, and appears in two places at once—fact or myth? The thieving MacDougalls built a gallows to hang Niall—was it used? Why is the cop assigned to Shawn’s case pursuing her long after the files are closed? And what can she tell the police and everyone in the orchestra? They want answers, and unlike Shawn, she’s not good at lying. But she can’t tell them the they’ll never find him. Because Shawn Kleiner, the notorious twenty-first century musical phenomenon is dead.
Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2012
About the author
Laura Vosika
28 books149 followersLaura 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 degree in music, and worked for many years as a freelance musician, playing trombone for pit orchestras, ballets, and symphonies, and flute and harp for other venues. She spent three years as a member of the Buz Whiteley Big Band and Farragut Brass Band in Bremerton, WA.
After earning a masters degree in education, she took a job as a music teacher and band director. She has also taught private lessons on wind instruments, piano, and harp, for twenty years.
In her spare time, Laura likes to play piano, harp, and flute, do sudokus, and learn Gaelic.
She currently lives in Minnesota with her husband, nine children, and assorted menagerie.
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 degree in music, and worked for many years as a freelance musician, playing trombone for pit orchestras, ballets, and symphonies, and flute and harp for other venues. She spent three years as a member of the Buz Whiteley Big Band and Farragut Brass Band in Bremerton, WA.
After earning a masters degree in education, she took a job as a music teacher and band director. She has also taught private lessons on wind instruments, piano, and harp, for twenty years.
In her spare time, Laura likes to play piano, harp, and flute, do sudokus, and learn Gaelic.
She currently lives in Minnesota with her husband, nine children, and assorted menagerie.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
November 29, 2014
I loved the first book of this series, Blue Bells of Scotland, and kept waiting for the second book to come out. I guess I stopped checking on it and now there are three books! I made a mistake by reading this one the minute I got it without re-reading Blue Bells (which I am re-reading now before I start the third one). I found as I got into it that some things were confusing but I should have understood them. I just could not stop reading and go back to the previous book.
The concept of this story is that two men, Shawn who is a selfish self centered womanizer musician in the present time, and Naill an honorable future Laird of his clan who is also a musician but a warrior too from 700 years previous. They both are injured and fall asleep in a tower of a castle which is a ruin in present time but home in Naill's time. When they wake up they find themselves having switched places. They look exactly alike. That happened in the first book as they deal with pretending they are someone else, have to deal with the woman in each of their lives etc. Naill finds out that his people and all that he knows will be slaughtered in a battle against English King Edward in a matter of days. He is desperate to go back to his time and prevent the massacre. The story of that battle and the supernatural things that happen was really well done (in the first book)
This book starts off with Amy, in present time knowing what happened at the battle and believing that Shawn is dead, and believing that Naill is back in his own time. Naill actually is back in his own time, but a seriously wounded Shawn is there also. I need to explain one thing about the way this book is written. It alternates a chapter or two between present time and the past, so you go back and forth between the two. This at times is irritating but only because I was getting into what I was reading and then thrown to another time. But then I didn't want to leave that one, so in the end it worked for me. I did get a little bored with Amy and a little irritated with her which may be just me. I wanted to be with Naill and Shawn back in history. But Amy is obsessed with finding out if Naill lived and is doing research on the time. and that part was good - a mystery of sorts. This is the time of Robert the Bruce and I have read a lot about that era, so the history was intriguing to me. I love books about Scotland! Watching how Shawn deals with this time and how both he and Naill begin to rub off on each other is a fun read.
I am now re-reading Blue Bells as I should have in the first place but can't wait to get to the third book! If you like Scotland and time travel this is a really good series. And no, it is nothing like Outlander in any way other than it is Scotland and it has time travel.
The concept of this story is that two men, Shawn who is a selfish self centered womanizer musician in the present time, and Naill an honorable future Laird of his clan who is also a musician but a warrior too from 700 years previous. They both are injured and fall asleep in a tower of a castle which is a ruin in present time but home in Naill's time. When they wake up they find themselves having switched places. They look exactly alike. That happened in the first book as they deal with pretending they are someone else, have to deal with the woman in each of their lives etc. Naill finds out that his people and all that he knows will be slaughtered in a battle against English King Edward in a matter of days. He is desperate to go back to his time and prevent the massacre. The story of that battle and the supernatural things that happen was really well done (in the first book)
This book starts off with Amy, in present time knowing what happened at the battle and believing that Shawn is dead, and believing that Naill is back in his own time. Naill actually is back in his own time, but a seriously wounded Shawn is there also. I need to explain one thing about the way this book is written. It alternates a chapter or two between present time and the past, so you go back and forth between the two. This at times is irritating but only because I was getting into what I was reading and then thrown to another time. But then I didn't want to leave that one, so in the end it worked for me. I did get a little bored with Amy and a little irritated with her which may be just me. I wanted to be with Naill and Shawn back in history. But Amy is obsessed with finding out if Naill lived and is doing research on the time. and that part was good - a mystery of sorts. This is the time of Robert the Bruce and I have read a lot about that era, so the history was intriguing to me. I love books about Scotland! Watching how Shawn deals with this time and how both he and Naill begin to rub off on each other is a fun read.
I am now re-reading Blue Bells as I should have in the first place but can't wait to get to the third book! If you like Scotland and time travel this is a really good series. And no, it is nothing like Outlander in any way other than it is Scotland and it has time travel.
March 31, 2012
Well now, I certainly enjoyed this second book quite a bit more than the first, and I liked that one. Enough so that I will be anxious now for the final chapter to be released and see how it all ends up. The basic idea of them all is a 'time travel' story but one a bit unique in that she has not only a character travel through time but actually 'switch' with another and then procedes to follow them both, incorporating characters from each time frame into the respective storylines. As I said in the first review I sometimes found myself having trouble keeping who was who straight as she jumped back and forth between the foutheenth century and current times but in this one she has perfected her style and the story moves along seamlessly with no loss of clarity os to which she is telling at any one time. I loved that every character arrived from book one, fully developed and more personal here and a few new ones introduced as well to add to the tale. The author appears to have matured, tightened up the story, dialog is crisp and often humorous, scenery is well described and sense of place delightfully told. Best of all it's a book I could well suggest to my granddaughter, PG rated and just a fun story to read and imagine. If half stars were offered I'd surely give this 4 1/2.
July 25, 2012
I knew it was coming with one of the characters, but now I have to wait 'til next year for what happened to Shawn/Niall & Amy/Allene:(. I put off reading this series at first. The only good thing is I got to read two together and only have to wait a bit to read the next one. If you like the Outlander series, I think you'd like this one.
March 19, 2013
Love this book a little less that the fist in the trilogy - there is a lot of repeating of emotions and ideas and how long does it take to get what is happening from one of the characters? I did enjoy it though and look forward to the third book.
May 12, 2013
This story line keeps getting better and better. Can't wait for the third book!
January 18, 2014
The only reason I didn't give this one 5 stars is because Amy is an idiot.
June 1, 2017
I really enjoyed reading book 2 in this clean, interesting time travel series. The author and her darn 🙃 cliffhanger chapter endings! Again, I stayed up to 3 a.m. trying to finish this. The characters and plot lines are great and have me hooked. I can't wait to read book 3!
While this book I rate as four stars and while I still like this book a lot, I did not like it as well as book 1. There were a couple of things that I disliked this go round.
The biggest issue for me had to do with all the research reports--Amy's dogged research. It was just too much at times. I tried to quantify "too much" in the overall scheme of the book--consolidated down: 10-15 pages? One hour of reading? Idk.
Besides being too much, there was the obsessiveness and a depressive air to all that research like in the movie Somewhere in Time. The research was interesting for the most part but not action or adventure, "daring do," and it just grew to be a weight dragging down the flow of the rest of the story.
There was also so much of Amy's inner talk at times. All right, all ready.
Anywho! Still really good! On to book 3!
While this book I rate as four stars and while I still like this book a lot, I did not like it as well as book 1. There were a couple of things that I disliked this go round.
The biggest issue for me had to do with all the research reports--Amy's dogged research. It was just too much at times. I tried to quantify "too much" in the overall scheme of the book--consolidated down: 10-15 pages? One hour of reading? Idk.
Besides being too much, there was the obsessiveness and a depressive air to all that research like in the movie Somewhere in Time. The research was interesting for the most part but not action or adventure, "daring do," and it just grew to be a weight dragging down the flow of the rest of the story.
There was also so much of Amy's inner talk at times. All right, all ready.
Anywho! Still really good! On to book 3!
April 23, 2022
So the first book was not well written and there were several historical mistakes. Those continued in book 2. I felt like this was a better story except for Amy, if she were in front of me I woud have to slap her silly. She is too whinny and always second guessing herself. Very annoying. The passages regarding Amy were very repetitive, we know, Shawn was an ass and was constantly putting her down but come on we do not need to read it on every page, we got it already. Niall and Shawn, back in the 1300's were a better story. I'll read the third one just because I have it.
October 8, 2017
Great Sequel
The author has done a wonderful job of continuing the story with vivid detail that puts the reader in the heart of the story. You can actually see in your mind the world as it spins in the tale. Very true to life epic.
The author has done a wonderful job of continuing the story with vivid detail that puts the reader in the heart of the story. You can actually see in your mind the world as it spins in the tale. Very true to life epic.
June 2, 2018
A slow start to this sequel but finished strong. So fun to read about places in Scotland I just saw!
December 12, 2020
Much better than the first book. Now it's on to the third book. It definitely has my interest but I will say there are parts that are draggy that the author could have left out.
February 20, 2012
I need to start my review off with a disclaimer that this was the first ebook I've read on my Kindle and I'm not quite acclimated to it (my Kindle) yet. As such, it's difficult for me to separate my ambivalent feelings about my Kindle from my feelings about The Minstrel Boy. I'll do my best...
Overall, I definitely preferred the first book, Blue Bells of Scotland, over this one. I felt like there was a lot of repetition in the story this time around (Amy struggling with her feelings about Shawn, Shawn alternately acting like a complete jerk or a decent guy, everyone worrying about Amy, etc.). After finishing the book, I feel like it could have been shorter without sacrificing anything of the plot or characters. (Note: My feelings of it being a bit drawn out could have been from it taking ages for me to read on my Kindle.) Also, I read Blue Bells a year ago (which isn't THAT long ago) and I felt like I was missing things at times. At the end of TMB, Vosika has a little teaser summary of what will happen in the third book and some of it didn't really ring a bell with me (no pun intended). After having just finished reading the second book, shouldn't the purported events of the next book entice me to want to read it? I'm left wondering if there is something lost between Vosika's vision and what is actually published, like she thinks there is more complexity to the books than there is. My last complaint is the drinking while pregnant. Now, I know some European cultures especially accept occasional imbibing while pregnant, but it seemed like Amy was drinking more frequently than what would be deemed healthy for the baby/fetus. It didn't quite jive with her character either.
For the good stuff, I really, really like Angus. I am going to be ticked if Vosika writes him out of the next book, because he is currently my favorite character. Also, I enjoyed reading the parallel plot lines a lot. Switching back and forth between times can be tricky, but it works for TMB.
One final note: For those of you who either aren't religious or dislike reading about God, know that TMB has more religious overtones than BB. In fact, I'm really expecting some "come to Jesus" (I use that phrase with all due respect) moments in the final book. I didn't have any problems with the religious parts of the story, but I know it's not for every reader.
I really debated on my rating of this book. I wanted to rate it a 3.5 and round it up to 4 as is my custom, but I just can't quite bring myself to do it. It's a big 3 though, so I'm going to be overly specific here and rate it a 3.25 :)
Overall, I definitely preferred the first book, Blue Bells of Scotland, over this one. I felt like there was a lot of repetition in the story this time around (Amy struggling with her feelings about Shawn, Shawn alternately acting like a complete jerk or a decent guy, everyone worrying about Amy, etc.). After finishing the book, I feel like it could have been shorter without sacrificing anything of the plot or characters. (Note: My feelings of it being a bit drawn out could have been from it taking ages for me to read on my Kindle.) Also, I read Blue Bells a year ago (which isn't THAT long ago) and I felt like I was missing things at times. At the end of TMB, Vosika has a little teaser summary of what will happen in the third book and some of it didn't really ring a bell with me (no pun intended). After having just finished reading the second book, shouldn't the purported events of the next book entice me to want to read it? I'm left wondering if there is something lost between Vosika's vision and what is actually published, like she thinks there is more complexity to the books than there is. My last complaint is the drinking while pregnant. Now, I know some European cultures especially accept occasional imbibing while pregnant, but it seemed like Amy was drinking more frequently than what would be deemed healthy for the baby/fetus. It didn't quite jive with her character either.
For the good stuff, I really, really like Angus. I am going to be ticked if Vosika writes him out of the next book, because he is currently my favorite character. Also, I enjoyed reading the parallel plot lines a lot. Switching back and forth between times can be tricky, but it works for TMB.
One final note: For those of you who either aren't religious or dislike reading about God, know that TMB has more religious overtones than BB. In fact, I'm really expecting some "come to Jesus" (I use that phrase with all due respect) moments in the final book. I didn't have any problems with the religious parts of the story, but I know it's not for every reader.
I really debated on my rating of this book. I wanted to rate it a 3.5 and round it up to 4 as is my custom, but I just can't quite bring myself to do it. It's a big 3 though, so I'm going to be overly specific here and rate it a 3.25 :)
February 19, 2012
Another great read by Laura Vosika! This is book 2 of the Blue Bells of Scotland Chronicles. It was so good to see Shawn/Niall & Amy/Allene again. Not just them but so many characters old and new. I love the way the author has them interact with each other. Reading each scene for me was like watching a show or movie. Going back and forth between characters and time.
In the first bookBlue Bells of Scotland I was wanting to knock some sense into Shawn. In this book I found my self wanting to knock some sense into about 5 of the characters. I was talking to them as if they could here me, actually mad that they were not hearing me!
The scenery is written so well, I could see it; be it out side or in. I love seeing the castles both in their original time and on the tours in present time. I could just imagine going through the archives as Amy and Angus were doing. I really liked the new characters especially Rose, Angus & Christina. When I saw the words The End I literally said NO! I wanted to keep reading!
This books takes you on a wonderful ride through Scotland both in the 1300's and present time (its never bad to learn some history!) with characters you love and characters you hate. I am hanging on the edge of my seat to see how things work out! I highly recommend this book! Ooooh it is going to be hard waiting for the next one!
In the first bookBlue Bells of Scotland I was wanting to knock some sense into Shawn. In this book I found my self wanting to knock some sense into about 5 of the characters. I was talking to them as if they could here me, actually mad that they were not hearing me!
The scenery is written so well, I could see it; be it out side or in. I love seeing the castles both in their original time and on the tours in present time. I could just imagine going through the archives as Amy and Angus were doing. I really liked the new characters especially Rose, Angus & Christina. When I saw the words The End I literally said NO! I wanted to keep reading!
This books takes you on a wonderful ride through Scotland both in the 1300's and present time (its never bad to learn some history!) with characters you love and characters you hate. I am hanging on the edge of my seat to see how things work out! I highly recommend this book! Ooooh it is going to be hard waiting for the next one!
April 10, 2012
Despite the fact that it took me a long time to finish this book it was well worth stealing an exhausted moment before bed to read a few pages every chance I got. Unfortunately, I started this book at my most busy time of year professionally. Had this been during the summer, I would have finished it over night!
This is the second of a trilogy. Each book has left me eager for the next. The two stories happening side by side are equally exciting in different ways and the tensions continue through each page. I must admit I have a bit of difficulty keeping track of a couple of characters with VERY similar names which may very well, lead to some of my tension! I thoroughly look forward to the conclusion next year.
I don't want to give away anything in this review because it is such a wonderful journey and no one reading these books should know what comes next. Suffice it to say, this is a fascinating story that moves between centuries not unlike some other stories but with far more interesting detail and intrigue. It is so easy to become invested in the outcome of the various characters and to watch them grow and change as circumstance throws seemingly impossible choices into their paths. They must deal with and become other than what they realistically could expect of themselves.
This is the second of a trilogy. Each book has left me eager for the next. The two stories happening side by side are equally exciting in different ways and the tensions continue through each page. I must admit I have a bit of difficulty keeping track of a couple of characters with VERY similar names which may very well, lead to some of my tension! I thoroughly look forward to the conclusion next year.
I don't want to give away anything in this review because it is such a wonderful journey and no one reading these books should know what comes next. Suffice it to say, this is a fascinating story that moves between centuries not unlike some other stories but with far more interesting detail and intrigue. It is so easy to become invested in the outcome of the various characters and to watch them grow and change as circumstance throws seemingly impossible choices into their paths. They must deal with and become other than what they realistically could expect of themselves.
February 2, 2014
Laura Vosika plunges us into the medieval world of dungeons, battles and feuds between clans as the adventures between Sean and Nial continue. Always the master at crafting her story, Laura easily leads the reader between the centuries as we time travel from present day to 1314 Creagsmalan Castle to visit the Mac Donalds of Glenmirril and watch the feud between the Mac Dougals and Mac Donald's unfold. A new villian Duncan is introduced and how I enjoy hating this character. How Sean is able to rescue Nial is sheer genius and I know you will enjoy discovering the outcome.
I find myself championing the fare Amy, in the present day, hoping she will be reunited with Sean despite knowing his womanizing past. The author makes him likeable enough as we visit him back in time as he battles his way into our hearts, yet strings us along with current likeable suitors like Angus the humble yet capable inspector. And we are not short of female heroines as Christina of 1314 puts her life in peril to help our heros. How will it all end? You must keep reading.
I find myself championing the fare Amy, in the present day, hoping she will be reunited with Sean despite knowing his womanizing past. The author makes him likeable enough as we visit him back in time as he battles his way into our hearts, yet strings us along with current likeable suitors like Angus the humble yet capable inspector. And we are not short of female heroines as Christina of 1314 puts her life in peril to help our heros. How will it all end? You must keep reading.
August 10, 2015
The second in Laura Vosika's trilogy was even better than the first, with interesting plot twists and deeper character development. Amy's already complicated life becomes even more so as Angus joins her in her search to discover Naill's fate. He questions her obsession while doing all he can to help her. Her need for secrecy causes much internal conflict. Meanwhile, Naill's and Shawn's fates are entwined in a web of deceit and intrigue as they face the dangers of Medieval Scotland. The ending is the perfect cliffhanger, leaving me hungry for more. It's beautifully written and I cannot wait to read the final book in the trilogy.
July 3, 2012
I read the first of this trilogy, so felt compelled to see where it was going. I'll tell you where - boredom! Amy is so annoying and whining, it's difficult to read the chapters dedicated to her. Not only do I not care what happens to her - I can't stand her. The 1300's in Scotland was much more interesting. I would have enjoyed some passion between any of the characters, the whole story never approached even PG-13. All in all, a let down. I'm going to re-read Outlander, a series of novels in which you love the characters.
January 5, 2013
In the Blue Bells Trilogy, Laura Vosika has spun a tale that I can't put down. Well, I mean things don't get done because I won't stop reading! Her characters are realistic (seriously, even Shawn's outrageous musician lifestyle:) and endearing. The plot ties between past and present are fun to anticipate, even though I am seldom right and thus enjoy the surprises! But most of all, for me the Scotland setting is pure magic!
February 20, 2012
Enjoyable enough as a continuation of the first book of the trilogy, although I don't know that I care enough about the characters to continue with the third when it is released in 2013. Far too much agonizing over past actions by both Shaun and Amy -- understandable in the first half of the story, unbearably boring by the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2013
I really enjoy this time travel series. The one thing I always end up disliking about series though is their cliffhangers! Can't wait until the third book is ready for publication so I can find out what happens to all of the characters!! Can't wait to see who Amy chooses and if Shawn ever gets back!!!
August 27, 2014
The Minstrel boy ( The Blue Bells Chronicles)
The Minstrel boy ( The Blue Bells Chronicles)
A continuation of The Blue Bells of Scotland, Naill makes it back to his time, Shawn is also in the 14th century doubling for his look alike Naill. Very interesting as all of the characters lives intertwine, looking forward to the third book, The Water is Wide.
The Minstrel boy ( The Blue Bells Chronicles)
A continuation of The Blue Bells of Scotland, Naill makes it back to his time, Shawn is also in the 14th century doubling for his look alike Naill. Very interesting as all of the characters lives intertwine, looking forward to the third book, The Water is Wide.
October 21, 2015
This time Nial Campbell and Shawn both go back to 1314 leaving a pregnant Amy behind. Amy meets Angus McLean who is responsible for the investigation behind Shawn's disappearance. The two begin to fall in love but Amy cannot rid herself of the idea of Shawn being stuck in a dangerous age and continues her research into that time hoping to find mention of him.
March 29, 2012
I loved these two books the first being the blue bells of Scotland trilogy. I was very disappointed when I finished the second book only to learn the 3rd does not come out till 2013! Can't wait to see if shawn returns and who Amy ends up with!
May 5, 2012
I love books about Scotland and castles. This is the second book in the series. It's an entertaining series about time travel. There is also much comparison between the different cultures of old and new, and the way our views have changed based on the current culture.
June 26, 2012
I really enjoyed this second book in the trilogy. The time travel aspects are obviously fictional, but the historical events are accurate & very interesting. The author has created a very unique story that, as it unfolds, is a pleasure to read. I am eager for the 3rd book to be released in 2013!
August 19, 2012
Sometimes, as I was reading, I thought this story is far-fetched and crazy, yet I love it and had a hard time putting the book down! I liked it more than the first book since Shawn becomes easier to care about.
April 5, 2014
Book 1 was iffy for me but I was curious about what happened next so I thought I'd try book 2. I just don't like these characters enough to continue. This one was kinda boring and with no character connection I just couldn't finish it. I did make it a little over half way though.
March 6, 2012
I'm really enjoying this series. I couldn't put it down.
March 7, 2012
2/5/13
July 5, 2012
Cant wait for the next book
so glad I stumbled onto this series
so glad I stumbled onto this series
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews