Lisa T. Bergren - Cascade (River of Time Series)

What people are saying about

Cascade

A romantic tale that twists and turns with every page, Cascade is the ideal sequel to Waterfall . A riveting tale to the very end, this adventure follows Gabi back into the arms of the dashing Marcello as the events of history unfold around them in the present. Lisa T. Bergren leaves us with only one question: Can their love transcend time? Read this bookyou wont regret it. I could hardly put it down!

Shannon Primicerio, author of The Divine Dance, God Called a Girl , and the TrueLife Bible study series

While I found Waterfall to be thoroughly enjoyable, I thought Cascade was completely captivating. Its so refreshing to read teen lit that isnt full of darkness but is still exciting. The characters arent just more Bella and Edward wannabesthey have a fresh romance all their own, and that love story feels utterly real. Ill be recommending this book to my teen readers every chance I get.

Lindsay Olson, teen specialist for the Pikes Peak Library District

Praise for

Waterfall

I love stories about strong, capable young womenand I love stories set in other countries. Mix in a little time travel and some colorful characters, and Lisa Bergren has stirred up an exciting and memorable tale that teen readers should thoroughly enjoy!

Melody Carlson, author of the Diary of a Teenage Girl and TrueColors series

As the mother of two teens and two preteens, I found Waterfall to be a gutsy but clean foray into the young adult genre for Lisa T. Bergren, who handles it with a grace and style all her own. Gabriella Betarrini yanked me out of my time and into a harrowing adventure as she battled knightsand love! I heartily enjoyed Gabriellas travel back into time, and I heartily look forward to Cascade, River of Time #2!

Ronie Kendig, author of Nightshade

I loved every minute of this adventure that took me out of our time and into the fourteenth century, and I marveled at how true to life teenage Gabi remained when facing extraordinary circumstances. Under Bergrens guidance, I look forward to time traveling again in the next book of the River of Time series.

Donita K. Paul, best-selling author of the DragonKeeper Chronicles and the Chiril Chronicles

Diving into Waterfall reminded me why Lisa T. Bergren is one of my favorite authors. Unfolding adventures, fascinating characters, and exciting plot twists make this a stellar read. I loved it! Highly recommended!

Tricia Goyer, award-winning author of twenty-five books, including The Swiss Courier

The River of Time Series

Waterfall

Cascade

Torrent (Fall 2011)

CASCADE

Published by David C Cook

4050 Lee Vance View

Colorado Springs, CO 80918 U.S.A.

David C Cook Distribution Canada

55 Woodslee Avenue, Paris, Ontario, Canada N3L 3E5

David C Cook U.K., Kingsway Communications

Eastbourne, East Sussex BN23 6NT, England

David C Cook and the graphic circle C logo

are registered trademarks of Cook Communications Ministries.

All rights reserved. Except for brief excerpts for review purposes,

no part of this book may be reproduced or used in any form

without written permission from the publisher.

The website addresses recommended throughout this book are offered as a resource to you. These websites are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement on the part of David C Cook, nor do we vouch for their content.

This story is a work of fiction. All characters and events are the product of the authors imagination. Any resemblance to any person, living or dead, is coincidental.

LCCN 2011923883

ISBN 978-1-4347-6431-7

eISBN 978-1-4347-0401-6

2011 Lisa T. Bergren

The Team: Don Pape, Traci DePree, Amy Kiechlin, Sarah Schultz, Caitlyn York, Karen Athen

Cover Design: Gearbox Studios

Cover Images: 4495136, 123RF, royalty free

PHP3075584, Veer Images, royalty free

Printed in the United States of America

First Edition 2011

There is always one unexpected moment in
life when a door opens to let the future in.
Graham Greene

Dear Reader,

Few of us have a real handle on the medieval time period and Italys history. So here are a few reminders before you dive back into Gabi and Lias story.

In this era, Italy was volatile and divided into lots of city-states. The Vatican had been moved to Avignon, France, because the pope(s) felt safer there. The Vatican would stay away from Rome for almost seventy years total.

City-states were sometimes called communes, or republics, and were run by semidemocratic bodies or groups of elected leaders. In Siena, this group was the Council of Nine. Florence, or Firenze, had two councils with more than five hundred men; Ive chosen to represent them with the fictional grandi, based on a smaller group that actually served as city advisors to the Fiorentini (people of Florence).

Other territories were ruled by rich lords with hilltop fortresses or castlesbut most had to be in league with others (or had powerful connections) if they hoped to hold their territory for any length of time. Many hired mercenaries or knights to help them fight off anyone attempting to take what was theirs.

Florence and Siena, like all of the big city-states, alternated between peace and a struggle for power and territory. In the thirteenth century, the terms Guelph and Ghibelline came into use as people fought either for the emperors imperialistic goals (Ghibelline) or to follow the popes leadership (Guelph). For the purposes of this fourteenth-century series, Florence/Firenze is referred to as Guelph and Siena as Ghibelline, which is a simplistic generalization of their loyalties. But trust me, if we went deeper, Id really risk losing you.

I see the backdrop of politics and history as seasoning to the fictional stew; the heart of the meal is the story itself. My hope is that this recap helps you stay with that!

LTB

CHAPTER 1

Mom freaked out when she saw us, of course.

I couldnt blame her, with Lia in her medieval gown. And me looking like Id been mauled by a bear. Especially when two meaty guards were hauling us into Dr. Maneros tent. Its all right, Mom, I said, hands out, as she rushed toward us. Her face was white.

Lasciateli, she shouted in irritation let them go brushing the guards hands off our arms, staring at the blood on me. Girls, what in the

Shes all right, Mom, Lia began. Its not as bad as it looks.

Its okay, I said, pushing her hands away as she touched my underdressa gown made hundreds of years beforeand tried to figure out what kind of wound had made me look like Id been doused in ketchup. Im fine, Mom. Really.

But her fingers remained on the raw weave of the silk fabric. Her beautiful blue eyes widened, then her narrow brows lowered as she rubbed it between thumb and forefinger and bent to study the weave. She turned and touched Lias gown. Where did you get these clothes?

Mom, I whispered, can we talk about it alone? ManeroDr. Manero, my parents long-time adversary, a bigwig with the Societa Archeologico dell Italia was staring at us with a smug look on his face, as if he had us all exactly where he wanted us.

They were found in Tomb Two, Dr. Betarrini, he said, crossing his arms. I pictured him stuffing a cigar into his mouth, leaning back in a chair, and putting his feet up on the desk, hands behind his head. You know what giving unauthorized persons access can do to ones site approvals.