Author/Uploaded by Lisa T. Bergren
Acclaim for ESTUARY “Sometimes you just need to check speculation at the door and sink into an utterly absorbing tale, taking you to a dreamy place (Italy), introducing you to fascinating people (time-travelers) and casually learn about a time period you might not know much about (medieval). Diving into the deep end of this first book in the Oceans of Time will bless yo...
Acclaim for ESTUARY “Sometimes you just need to check speculation at the door and sink into an utterly absorbing tale, taking you to a dreamy place (Italy), introducing you to fascinating people (time-travelers) and casually learn about a time period you might not know much about (medieval). Diving into the deep end of this first book in the Oceans of Time will bless you with a refreshing ‘break read,’ as well as a restorative opportunity to consider how families are sometimes uniquely brought together by God . . . a theme close to my heart. I’m eagerly anticipating book two!” —Tricia Goyer, bestselling author of 80 books, including A Daring Escape “Estuary will whisk you away into a richly woven world of danger and beauty—and sweeping romance. Full of twists and intrigue that will keep you turning pages, this riveting tale delves into the ties of family that span centuries and the parts of ourselves we discover in long-forgotten places. Fans of the original River of Time series—as well as new readers, diving in for the first time—will discover charm, heart and courage brought to life in a breathtaking new way. This spellbinding novel a must-read. Highly recommended!” —Kara Swanson, Christy Award-winning author of Dust and Shadow “Lisa Bergren weaves a beautiful story in this unique time jump novel. Medieval Italy provides the backdrop with knights, battles, and strong women. A definite recommendation for both those who love her River of Time series and fantasy.” —Morgan L. Busse, award-winning author of The Ravenwood Saga and Skyworld series “Fabulous and utterly satisfying! Estuary is a glorious return to Bergren’s much-beloved River of Time series. Beautiful portrayals of love, betrayal, and courage are as gorgeous as the Italian countryside in which they’re set. This story will delight Bergren’s longtime fans and have new readers searching caves for that portal back to medieval Italy to meet the infamous She-Wolves of Siena. Nock your arrows and get ready to ride—this is one story you won't want to miss!” —Ronie Kendig, award-winning author of the Droseran Saga Books by Lisa T. Bergren The Oceans of Time Series Estuary The River of Time Series Waterfall Cascade Torrent Bourne & Tributary Deluge River of Time California Three Wishes Four Winds The Remnants Trilogy Season of Wonder Season of Fire Season of Glory The Gifted Series Begotten Betrayed Blessed View more of Lisa’s books at lisatawnbergren.com Estuary Copyright © 2023 Lisa T. Bergren Published by Enclave Publishing, an imprint of Oasis Family Media, LLC Carol Stream, Illinois, USA. www.enclavepublishing.com All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, digitally stored, or transmitted in any form without written permission from Oasis Family Media, LLC. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual people, organizations, and/or events is purely coincidental. ISBN: 979-8-88605-046-2 (printed hardcover) ISBN: 979-8-88605-047-9 (printed softcover) ISBN: 979-8-88605-049-3 (ebook) Cover design by Kirk DouPonce, www.DogEaredDesign.com Typesetting by Jamie Foley, www.JamieFoley.com Printed in the United States of America. For my beloved River Tribe, who never tire of tales from Toscana. I so appreciate each and every one of you! Table of Contents Cover Acclaim for Estuary Half-Title Books by Lisa T. Bergren Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Acknowledgments About the Author Other Fantasy Series PROLOGUE Luciana Betarrini In all my daydreams about time traveling to medieval Italy, none included being in a wagon, bouncing over cobblestone streets, with my hands tied behind my back. And yet there I was, my bound brother behind me, and the Perugian crowds calling us all sorts of foul names in an ancient form of Italian. Some threw rotting fruit at us. Seriously. Rotting fruit. I thought people only did that in movies. But I’ve gotten ahead of myself. You probably want to know how two modern college kids ended up in medieval Italy, before the Medicis and da Vinci were around, and a little after the Black Death had killed every third person in the country. I blame it on my brother, Domenico. Nico was a bit obsessed with our Betarrini relatives, to the point of convincing our dad that we should spend the summer as volunteers in the refurbished Castello Forelli, a big tourist attraction in Tuscany. He won Dad over by claiming it’d be “educational” as well as a connection to our lost Italian relatives. Not that Dad cared much—only what it cost. But Nico was totally convinced he had a lead on some medieval treasure. An ancient scepter and miter of some corrupt pope who’d sheltered with the Medicis for a time. And he had it in his head that if we could just bop back in time, he’d find a way to nab it. Admittedly, The Great Betarrini Disappearance Mystery was all the clan—the few we were connected to—could talk about last Thanksgiving. My dad’s uncle and that side of the family gathered on the Jersey shore every year, and once in a while, I accepted their invitation and made Nico go with me. We’d never really had extended family connections, but for some reason, last year, all the commercials showing big, happy families had made me push Nico to bail on Dad in LA—who never made a turkey dinner but preferred to take us out—so we could hang out with Uncle Vinny and his five kids and twenty-plus grandkids. It was always a madhouse being with them, but they did their best to include us. I could still see Uncle Vin—Dad’s eighty-year-old uncle—lifting his bear-paw hands
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