Category: Fantasy Publisher: Amazon Kindle
Copyright: July 4, 2012
ISBN-13: 9781781760871
A group of American "baby boomer" tourists in Ireland become involved in a 1500 year old mystery to save the Realm of the Wee Folk.
Arthur Cola Weaves threads of Irish folklore, Faith Tradition, Fantasy and History into a legendary tale which is sure to delight, inspire and charm. His characters are tourists known as the "Thorn and Roses" who get caught up in a quest to solve a 1500 year old mystery as to where is the lost Pot of Gold of the ancient King of the Leprechauns. Join them as they walk in the footsteps of St. Patrick in the sacred site of Clonmacnoise, climb the pre-hisotric cliffs of Dun Aengus on the Aran Islands, discover an illuminated clue in the Rock of Glendalough, combat an unlikely duo of jaunty cart drivers as they kidnap the Wee Folk monarch in the medieval walled city of Kells and walk on a Rainbow bridge at Torc Falls in Killarney. All this and more awaits you within these magical pages as you discover the most precious treasure of all.
Excerpt
PAPA AND THE LEPRECHAUN KING,
THE SECRET LEGEND OF THE SHAMROCK
By Arthur Cola
(Song of the Wee Folk: Ch. 18)
In an ancient time so long ago,
A message of love rang through the land.
The Wee Folk came to hear and to learn.
And soon the Shamrock came to rest in their hands.
The secret was held by Finbar the King
Who fashioned the Shamrock into coins of Gold.
Into kettles these precious treasures were placed.
And a kettle so full of coins of old
Were gifted to the Lord of each Wee Folk Clan.
Along came a sorceress evil and selfish,
She sought to steal Finbar’s gold,
So fashioned as they were in days of old.
The Power and Magic of Finbar’s Gold
Would make her magic best in the land.
With wit and with charms did Finbar save his gold,
The source of the magic in each Wee Folk Clan.
Alas a coin was lost from the kettle.
The magic so weakened as it damaged his mettle.
The centuries they passed for each of the Clans,
And the coin was searched for throughout the land.
The coin was never to be found
And so the old King did hide his gold,
Never to be found in those days of old.
Now a Quest was proclaimed in valley and dale,
From mountain to seashore, and forest to stream.
Along came the Thorn
Who shouted like a horn,
‘Tis the Secret of the Shamrock that’s the core of this quest.
And the Roses stepped forward to aide on his behest.
And so on this day we sing with great joy,
How the coin was found and restored to the kettle.
The magic of life was once more made known.
The message of truth again burst forward.
The magic of life, so simple and dear,
Is a gift from above to be held with no fear.
The magic of life is divine and serene.
The magic of life, the gift from above
Holds the power of the Wee Folk as the Shamrock is green.
The Magic of Life is Love,
And the Shamrock holds this truth.
The Magic of Life is Love,
And the Shamrock holds this truth.
“Arthur, better known as Papa by his grandchildren, was in the living room…
As he watched the crackling flames of red and gold dancing in the fire place he became absorbed into another time, another land and in fact another world.” (Chapter One)
Thus begins what would become the telling of a fantastic adventure which would bring this “baby boomer” grandparent, his wife and friends into the realm of the Wee Folk.
But this is not a children’s tale, though to be sure, it would be enjoyed by young people.
It is a Christian Fantasy based in folklore, faith and Celtic culture and set in the enchanted and magical land which is Ireland.
The story unfolds as the central character “Papa” also known as the “Thorn” begins to tell a tale to his grandchildren. And what a tale it is. American tourists embark on a tour of the Emerald Isle and soon find themselves in possession of a map from antiquity and invested with the mantle of “chosen one” to fulfill the ancient quest based on this newly discovered Map of Clonmacnoise. The quest is to save the magic of the Leprechaun King. In the process they find an even greater treasure than His Majesty’s Pot O’ Gold.
Whether you’re into tales of Leprechauns or not (and by the way these Leprechauns are magical fun loving ones who root their magical powers in faith tradition), you will enjoy being introduced to Ireland. For this story will take you up the Cliffs of Dun Aengus on Inishmore of the Aran Islands, into ancient ruins like Glendalough and Kells, through the breathtaking Lee Valley and mountains near Killarney as well as bustling villages and the majestic Kilkenny Castle. All are described in a way to bring them into vivid and colorful life. You will feel like you’re standing at the western edge of Ireland peering down to the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean or struggling to climb the stone walls of Blarney Castle.
But if Leprechaun magic and a literary tour of Ireland is not enough, the author, Arthur Cola, weaves into the tale a very important message for our time. As a veteran educator who taught and administered schools for 35 years, he must have felt compelled to introduce into this whimsical tale “The Legend of the Shamrock.” Only this legend has laid in secret for centuries and yet still carries with it the familiar essence of what the Shamrock has always represented. But then you may think you know that already. Find out for yourself in this tale of faith, folklore and fantasy
I am proud to say the Vanx Malic series has reached #1 on the Fantasy Bestseller charts a few times over the last months. Here is a freebie for you guys! Thanks for reading, MR.
Deep in the Lurr Forest, there is a valley called Saint Elm's
BOOK I of THE JADE OWL LEGACY SERIES: An out of work Chinese History Professor crosses paths with a young scamp in San Francisco and becomes part of a quest for a lost and dangerous Chinese relic.
The second book of the trilogy, The Chronicles of Henry Roach-Dairier, this volume will be enjoyed by astute 10 or 11 year olds as well as adults. A reader does not have to read To Build a Tunnel First to understand this volume.
Retail Price; $15
