The Abattis

by Quentin Grady

In the year 1758, the strategy for winning the war in North America becomes clear in the eyes of the English. Attack the French capital city of Louisbourg on Île Royale. Louisbourg guarded the water passage inland, up the Saint Lawrence River. If Louisbourg were to fall, Québec City would become vulnerable. Attack and invest Fort Carillon on Lake George. Fort Carillon was the military heart of the Canadian defenses. It guarded the path north on Lake Champlain to Montréal. If that strategic fort were to fall, Montréal would become vulnerable. The English planned to attack both simultaneously. Colonel Philippe Gerrard commanded the scout battalion for General Louis-Joseph de Montcalm at Fort Carillon. His elite scouts would be the first to fight the English recoats which were bolstered by the American Rangers and American Provincial regiments from the colonies to the south. Outnumbered four to one, the French defense of Fort Carillon would be formidable, much to the surprise of the attacking English. Captain Henri Gerrard commanded the elite Marine-Grenadier battalion at Fortress Louisbourg. After training and preparing for two years, the garrison of Louisbourg was confident in their strength of defense. Captain Gerrard's marines were brave and fearless. But the young officer was not prepared for the aggressive determination of an enemy who outnumbered the garrison five to one on land, and seven to one at sea. They fought valiantly as they awaited the French navy to come to relieve this strategic city in siege. Lady Corrinne VanderMeer and her twin children had sailed to Brest, France seeking refuge with her sister, Margaux. She hoped to find safety from enemies determined to kill her children; the heirs to the House of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel. Inside that fortress port city she was welcomed as family but quickly learned living in Brest had only brought her closer to these enemies. And one of them was demonic in nature. In the library of that household, Corrinne would discover an ancient book of magic. She did not hesitate to use this dark power to strike back at the deadly wraith. This time would be different!

732 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 21, 2019