Charles de la Fontaine has to say goodbye to his beloved forest in the Belgian Ardennes, his Uncle Theodore, an historian, and the legends of Castle Blancheron. Charles's father, Hugues, is moving them both to Connecticut and a new life. When Theodore dies, Charles is expected by Hugh, as he is now called, to return to Belgium and sell the ancient home of his family. Can Charles defy his father and hold onto the property. Just what is Hugh up to? Is he dangerous and Theodore seemed to think? I enjoyed this story as it appealed to my love of history. Weaving old and new together can be challenging but the author has made it believable. The legend is deftly drawn. The only criticism I have is the gap in the story between Charles's teens at school and his work. How did he become the man he is? There is a gap in the story but no obvious gap in the layout. Thank you for allowing me to read it.
Ancestry. Myth. Revelation. How far can you reach into the past?
The ancient Ardennes Forest holds more than just the beauty of nature for Charles Fontaine. When he returns to this land of sinuous rivers and lonely ridges to sell his ancestral domain, he stumbles upon a twelfth-century legend woven into the complex tapestry of his heritage. Driven by unresolved questions, Charles delves into the tale of a local seeress, Arda, a centuries-old story intertwining Christianity, paganism and a battle for identity. With the help of a famous medievalist and an enigmatic woman from his youth, Charles draws ever closer to the truth of this legend and its stunning historical revelation...and to his own buried self.
The Heron Legacy is a gripping mystery set against the mystical backdrop of the Belgian Ardennes. If you love compelling family histories, otherworldly intrigue and rich, atmospheric settings, you’ll be captivated by Leona Francombe's immersive storytelling.
