Tales of a Traveler Series by N.J. Layouni

Broken hearts aren't always broken. Sometimes they're just bruised. Tired of thinking about her worthless ex-boyfriend and the humiliating way in which they parted, Martha Bigalow goes on a hike hoping the dramatic hills of the English Lake District will help her to forget. But as she crosses an ancient set of stepping stones, she slips and falls into an angry river. Time Travel. Sideways. She wakes in cave, wearing nothing but her dodgy, mismatched underwear... moreBroken hearts aren't always broken. Sometimes they're just bruised. Tired of thinking about her worthless ex-boyfriend and the humiliating way in which they parted, Martha Bigalow goes on a hike hoping the dramatic hills of the English Lake District will help her to forget. But as she crosses an ancient set of stepping stones, she slips and falls into an angry river. Time Travel. Sideways. She wakes in cave, wearing nothing but her dodgy, mismatched underwear. Her only company is the man who saved her life: a tall, dark, and disturbingly attractive stranger named Vadim. Too bad he's a medieval re-enactor gone feral. Or so she assumes. Crazy dream or not, it soon becomes clear that when she fell into the river she left the twenty-first century far behind... and medieval Erde is nothing like home. Now, all that stands between her and almost certain death is the crazy man with the sword. And then he offers her his protection... with the role of his "wife." Vadim is a wanted man. An outlaw. The last thing he needs are any complications of the female kind, but then he happens upon a strangely attired woman lying beside the river... Martha is bold, outspoken, and altogether irreverent, and every instinct he has warns him to abandon her... only he cannot. Her allure is already much too strong. Against his better judgement, despite all the risks, Vadim offers to help Martha find her way home. Until then, Martha must adapt to medieval society, steer clear of the Evil Earl and his minions, and maybe—just maybe—learn how to trust her heart again. less

Losing the twenty-first century was bad enough, but Martha Bigalow's situation is about to become a whole lot worse. Only days after her marriage to Vadim—a handsome outlaw stalked by grim shadows of the past—Martha is captured by his arch nemesis, the evil Earl of Edgeway. While awaiting her fate in a dank dungeon beneath Edgeway's castle, Vadim’s twisted foster brother— Anselm—offers her a way out, an alternative to a tortuous and painful death... moreLosing the twenty-first century was bad enough, but Martha Bigalow's situation is about to become a whole lot worse. Only days after her marriage to Vadim—a handsome outlaw stalked by grim shadows of the past—Martha is captured by his arch nemesis, the evil Earl of Edgeway. While awaiting her fate in a dank dungeon beneath Edgeway's castle, Vadim’s twisted foster brother— Anselm—offers her a way out, an alternative to a tortuous and painful death. Forced into a life of deceit, Martha discovers friendship where she least expects to find it, even within the stronghold of the enemy, and by the time war descends on Edgeway, the boundary between black and white—between friend and foe—is less distinct. As the castle braces itself for a bitter siege, Martha's loyalty is divided, her love for Vadim tested to its limit... and may prove to be yet another casualty of war. less

The fight for Edgeway is over. But, for many, the greatest battle has only just begun... Anselm is gravely wounded. Perhaps mortally so. Lost within his fevered dreams, he journeys back to the long-ago summers of his youth, to a time when the bonds of family and friendship had still been unbroken... moreThe fight for Edgeway is over. But, for many, the greatest battle has only just begun... Anselm is gravely wounded. Perhaps mortally so. Lost within his fevered dreams, he journeys back to the long-ago summers of his youth, to a time when the bonds of family and friendship had still been unbroken. Through the eyes of the boy he had been, and those of the man he was to become, Anselm sees the world that might have been—relives a love that should have been—if only the spirits had been kinder. Isobel. The girl who had stolen his heart and, ultimately, sealed his fate. As his body lies broken within his bedchamber in Edgeway castle, Anselm's spirit soars free, wandering the lonely, narrow pathway that separates the realm of life from death. A life that no longer wants him, or the love that never died? Which will be the strongest lure? less

When a new king ascends the throne of the Norlands, only Vadim and Martha's intervention saves Anselm and the other knights - men loyal to the previous king - from a trip to the gallows.Now that reprieve is over. It's payback time.Anselm and his fellow knights have one last chance to prove their loyalty to the crown. But King Rodmar does not require mere lip service. To demonstrate their fealty, he commands the knights to bring home his greatest treasure... moreWhen a new king ascends the throne of the Norlands, only Vadim and Martha's intervention saves Anselm and the other knights - men loyal to the previous king - from a trip to the gallows.Now that reprieve is over. It's payback time.Anselm and his fellow knights have one last chance to prove their loyalty to the crown. But King Rodmar does not require mere lip service. To demonstrate their fealty, he commands the knights to bring home his greatest treasure.Join Anselm, Vadim and their companions on the King's Errand - an adventure that transports them far from the comforts of hearth and home to a new and exotic world.As they brave the peril of the high seas and confront the unrelenting danger of the desert lands, Anselm finds unexpected friendship and a new sense of belonging - not to mention a woman who just might be the love of his life!But when their convoy comes under attack and the future of their mission hangs in the balance, will they be able to avert disaster?Will Anselm finally find his happily ever after? less