Seventeen years have passed since Charles Fontaine last set foot in the beloved Ardennes forests of his youth. Too many restless memories…too many ghosts.
When he finally returns to sell the family’s ancestral domain, he confronts not only his own unfulfilled dreams, but also traces of a twelfth-century legend that still haunt the woods around the Fontaine property and suggest a shadowy link to the modern family.
Clues lead Charles to a parchment documenting the curious tale of a village seeress, whose music enchanted a nobleman preparing for crusade. With the help of a famous medievalist and an enigmatic woman from his youth, he draws ever closer to the truth of this tale and its stunning historical revelation. Suddenly the words of his cherished uncle and mentor spark to life: Sometimes you can actually feel the past breathing…even after nine centuries.
“This lovely, gentle book contains a deceptively gripping plot and a wonderful set of characters who will stay with me for a long time. The concept of chivalry runs strong and true through the narrative as the reader follows Charles de la Fontaine (or Charles d'Outre-mer) as he grows from a thoughtful boy obsessed with history to a man grown in the image of his father (or is he?)
The chapters describing Charles' relationship with his beloved Uncle Theo are some of the most interesting and touching in the story and truly drive the narrative forward. Charles' fascination with the chivalrous knights of the Crusades and the cognitive dissonance of their actions (killing for God) help create an exciting and deeply moving story.
The author is exceptionally skilled at storytelling - keeping a consistent pace, introducing new characters and bombshell information at just the right time, and crafting an ending that wraps up all the loose ends. I'll be recommending this for sure.”
"...Leona Francombe does a wonderful job of telling The Heron Legacy by pulling readers into the de la Fontaine family's blend of historical facts with local legends, creating depth and a near-instant allure. Theodore explains the dual nature of Arda’s story, both as a local legend and a historical figure persecuted for her pagan beliefs, and sets the reader up with the prophetic lines, “The past is alive, Charles. In you.” It's a toss-up for me who my favorite character beyond Charles is. On the one hand, we have Sylvana, a childhood friend of Charles' who is there to help in putting all the pieces together. She's smart and capable and, unlike Charles, has not been so easily swayed away from what appears clearly in front of her. Still, she has some relationships and motives that are questionable at best. On the other hand, we have a pet rabbit named Arnulf, who lives in the opulent home of parchment paper polyglot Cédric Florus, and Arnulf provides some comic relief. As far as mysteries that transcend time and folklore that resonates through generations, this is one of the more interesting stories published of late, and I have no doubt others will enjoy it as well. Recommended.
"A sublime tale written by Leona Francombe...I adored the atmosphere of the novel. Inside its pages oozed a sense of beauty and wonder. The book compelled me to indulge all of my senses while reading it. I could see the beauty of the landscape, smell the flowers, touch the trees, and hear the horse hooves trot down the beaten path. Within the framework, Leona Francombe has penned a mystery that intrigues the soul wanderer that lives within us. At its core, the novel reminds the reader to stay true to oneself. A read that will inspire us to live life through our passions and disregard the need to satiate our ego with money and prestige..."
"A mesmerizing piece of historical and legend-filled fantasy, The Heron Legacy by Leona Francombe is a complex and genre-blending work of literary suspense. Charles de la Fontaine inherits more than his family's ancestral home upon the death of his noble father - he is also entranced by an enigmatic spirit of the forest, and a long-buried secret about the foundational lore of his land. This quick-moving read is a delightful burst of magical realism with the perfect blend of historical nuance, linguistic dexterity, and narrative twists. Francombe has a delicate pen and a flair for treasure-hunt energy in her prose, ensuring a wonderfully rich read in a superbly crafted world."
"...Francombe possesses a lyrical writing style that imbues her descriptions of nature with mystical beauty. Lovers of medieval history will appreciate this vivid account of the Crusades that goes far beyond a discussion of gallant knights inspired by religious fervor. The book depicts the visceral reality of the brutality committed in the name of God and the disease, exhaustion, and starvation experienced by the Crusaders. The book also explores the demonization of ancient female nature mysticism as a result of imposed reverence at the emergence of Christianity. Francombe artfully weaves history into a tale of otherworldly intrigue."
"...Despite being set in the present day, Francombe’s novel effectively resurrects the 11th century and offers readers a realistic depiction of the lives of the early Crusaders. Francombe skilfully illustrates the fervent response of European Christians to Pope Urban II’s call for a crusade to reclaim the Holy Lands from the Muslims, with the arrogant assumption that “Deus vult,” God wills it. With meticulous attention to historical accuracy, Francombe has brought the era to life by utilizing original documents, local legends, the protagonist’s vivid imagination, and a hint of the supernatural. Her portrayal of Godfrey of Bouillon was nothing short of exceptional...
"Leona Francombe’s book is brilliantly tantalizing, turning each page into a voyage of discovery. It explores not only the documented history but also the journey of Charles as he learns to fight for his true desires and the life he wants to live. For those who appreciate an exhilarating thriller with a dose of history, this book is a must-read. I’m eagerly anticipating reading more works from this exceptionally talented author."
