The Summer House

By RJ Scott

A small town veterinarian and the youngest son of an English lord fall in love, but past hurts and secrets may keep them apart.

Connor once lost his heart to a rich, entitled man with a penchant for using people and lives by the adage, once bitten twice shy. The news that the manor house has a new resident and that Ashby, the youngest son of Lord Haynes, is gorgeous, sexy, and available is entirely irrelevant. Ashby Sterling-Haynes is everything he dislikes in a man, and falling for him is never going to happen. Until it does.

Ash made a decision that could ruin his life and keeps secrets that threaten to destroy his family. Hiding out in a small Cotswold town is as far from London as he can get. Only, he never expected to meet someone who would capture his attention amidst the chaos he is running from. Even though pushing for a date with the local veterinarian is just a game at first, he soon begins to believe in the impossible, and Ash is sure that Connor could be the man to make him stop chasing random hook-ups and one-night-stands.

N.B. - This is a previously released title featuring new cover art.

• Language: English
• Publisher: RJ Scott
• Release date: May 29, 2015
• ISBN: 9781785640124

RJ Scott

RJ Scott is the author of the best selling Male/Male romances The Christmas Throwaway, The Heart Of Texas and the Sanctuary Series of books.She writes romances between two strong men and always gives them the happy ever after they deserve.

Book preview

Chapter One

Connor Lawson straightened his tie and brushed imaginary lint from the suit he’d rescued from storage.

I can’t believe you tricked me into this, he muttered, and not for the first time. He was teasing, but it made Rachel smile, and hell, he liked making her smile. She’d spent far too long recently looking sad, and today was no exception. She had worn her brightest flowing summer dress with bright scarlet flowers but she didn’t look bright herself. There were flashes of anger in her that vied for dominance with a sad resignation.

You keep saying that. But really, what did I do? Rachel attempted a smile, then changed the subject, something she’d become very good at lately. Now, you look fine, stop panicking.

Connor huffed. I don’t feel fine. He was dressed up like a mannequin in a shop window and felt twice as plastic.

Rachel moved to stand in front of him, effectively blocking his way through the pitched-roof gate into the church grounds. She placed two hands flat on his chest and smiled up at him. Even in heels she topped out at five nine and was half a foot shorter than him. He frowned down at her. They’d got this far, why was she stopping now? Didn’t she know if they stopped walking, it was likely they’d just turn and leave, bet or no bet?

You look gorgeous. Sexy, even, she said.

This suit is five years old, Connor grumped. He couldn’t help himself. Yes, he still fitted in a suit he’d bought when he was with his ex, but it was a simple dark grey suit and wouldn’t stand out too badly.

But the tie is new. Rachel smiled and then punctuated her statement by patting his sapphire and gold tie. And it’s a very nice tie.

Yeah, he said. At least focusing on the tie and the suit meant he didn’t focus on the church. He didn’t like churches in general, but to be at a service that was labelled a society wedding was something he’d always promised to avoid.

Ever since the ex and his family, he thought. This is for Rachel. Suck it up.

Marks and Sparks special, Connor said. Then he took a step back and away from Rachel and patted his suit down where she’d touched him. You so owe me, he teased under his breath.

I know it was unconventional the way I got you to agree—

You cheated—

You lost fair and square, Rachel interrupted. Her smile vanished. "And you did agree Landon was an ass and it was your idea that I should show him what he was missing by turning up with a good-looking guy."

Connor ignored the fact he never said that at all, or at least he didn’t remember saying that, but there had been wine involved. Instead he focused on the first part. Not by going to the actual church service for this Wedding of the Century.

Rachel very deliberately looked left and right, and Connor could read her mocking response before she even said it.

Wedding of the Century? she began. In Upper Fordham? Please.

Rachel turned smartly on scarlet heels that complemented her bold statement dress, and for a second Connor watched his friend walk smartly away. Maybe if she kept walking he could stop here and she’d never know he was thinking about leaving. The thought was fleeting. However much he didn’t want to be here, he wouldn’t leave his friend alone to enter the lion’s den.

The bride, Chloe Davenport, was Rachel’s friend from school. Rachel herself worked with Connor at the veterinarian practice. And because of that, he was now a plus-one at the most talked-about wedding of the month. Well, talked about this far out of London, that was. A security guard had been hired in to hold back any wayward photographers, of which there were two. Both with cameras, and both of whom were dressed in suits and appeared restrained and respectful. The wedding wasn’t the kind to attract the gutter-press paparazzi so that was one thing in the plus column. The groom might well be the middle son of the seventh Lord Haynes, but choosing to have the wedding here in the small village of Upper Fordham in the middle of the Cotswolds made the event even less newsworthy.

Are you coming? Rachel asked. With her hand outstretched and with a pleading look on her face, she waited for him.

Okay. I can do this. For Rachel.

Connor moved to join her and when she put her hand in the crook of his arm, she squeezed him. Thank you.

Connor melted. Rachel hadn’t wanted to come on her own. Yes, she’d encouraged him past the second bottle of wine, and yes he was convinced she’d somehow rigged the game so he’d lose the bet, but still she needed him. He hadn’t been needed in a long time.

Over the same wine Rachel had told him the whole sorry tale about sex in a cupboard with the groom’s older brother. Also that the brother hadn’t spoken to her since. He had in fact used her. And all she’d wanted from Connor was for him to be arm candy for this event. She didn’t even want him to play straight, which was good because that ship had sailed a long time ago. She just needed backup. He could do that. Repeat until I believe what I’m saying. For Rachel.

The door to the church was open and flanked by two men, one over six foot with dark wavy hair, the other shorter, with the same dark hair and laughing at something the other was saying. They were dressed in matching morning suits, handing out the order of service and directing people to which side of the church to sit.

And they both looked like the kind of men Connor tried to avoid now. The same as Tristan and his friends.

Rachel, you came, the tall one said. He looked happy to see Rachel but Connor could feel the tension in Rachel and didn’t move his arm. The tall one must be Landon Sterling-Haynes, the one who’d fucked and ignored Rachel.

I was invited, she said. She was using the same tone she used when she was close to telling clients exactly what she thought of them overfeeding their pets: censorious and just ever so slightly condescending. Landon went scarlet and couldn’t look at her.

Seemingly oblivious to Landon’s embarrassment and Rachel’s acid response, the other groomsman held out embossed orders of service. Bride or groom? Connor stiffened. This guy not much over five ten, built like a swimmer, all clean lines and slim form, had a voice just like the ex from hell, all spoken vowels and well educated. Good-looking he might be, gorgeous actually, with his softly spiked hair, but he was still one of them: a privileged moron.

But at least with his inquisitive smile and the order of service still held in front of him, he looked more put-together than Landon. All Landon was doing was standing there with his mouth open and his face an interesting shade of scarlet. There was a slight similarity in looks between the groomsmen and Connor assumed man two was the youngest of the Sterling-Haynes brothers, Ashby. A nice guy but a manwhore, Rachel had explained when she was gleefully decimating the entire family over wine and nibbles.

Three brothers, and the only one who was a good guy was the middle one, the family man, the one getting married today. Youngest was a waster and the oldest was a bastard. Or so she’d said after the second bottle of Chardonnay.

Rachel, it’s good to see you. I wonder if we could talk, Landon began.

Bride, Rachel said. She directed her response to Ash and Connor saw just how deliberately she was ignoring Landon.

Bride’s friends to the left, Ashby said as he handed Connor the beautifully crafted order of service. Connor made to take it but Ashby held onto it a bit longer and Connor’s hand touched his. For a second their eyes connected and Connor’s heart raced in a not all together good way. Ashby really was a good-looking man.

And privileged and rich and entitled.

Thank you. Connor dismissed all thoughts of attraction, and he and Rachel found seats towards the back of the beautiful stone church. He was sweating in his suit even in the coolness of shade. Panic had begun to push at the very edges of his control. One question in a softly spoken upper-class accent and his head was fucked. Too many memories.

You okay? Rachel asked.

Was he okay? That was a leading question. His chest felt tight and his head was full of buzzing. Rachel looked at him with concern in her eyes. Then it hit him. She needed her friend to be the strong one today. She’d been fucked over by the family and she needed his support.

Instead of letting the panic take hold, he pushed it away as best he could and focused on changing the subject. So that’s Landon, then? he whispered.

Yes, and the younger brother. She glanced at the front, then back at Connor. Ash is the gay one, she added in her quietest voice.

Connor refused to give any weight to that statement. Being gay like Connor wasn’t much of a tick in the column of right. Landon, the big one from the cupboard, the oldest, worked in the city in finance or something, investing his father’s millions. Benedict was the middle son, manager of the six-thousand acre Haynes Park Estate and the one getting married today. He was the reason Connor was in a monkey suit on an icy wooden pew with his knees pressed against the row in front. Then there was Ashby, the youngest, who worked for the family firm somewhere, and oh yes, a gay guy who slept around.

You don’t need to qualify a man by whether he’s gay or not, Connor whispered back.

Rachel quirked her lips in a soft smile. She looked sympathetic and motherly, and it freaked Connor out a bit. If I don’t mark them out as possible, how will you ever get a boyfriend?

I told you before, I’ll tell you again, I don’t need a boyfriend. Especially not one you described as fucking anything that moves.

I did say that, didn’t I? But he’s nice, right? And you know what I’m like when I’m drunk.

Yeah: honest. Anyway, he’s the last thing I need, Connor grumped.

Rachel raised one perfectly plucked eyebrow in mock surprise. But he’s the perfect guy: shorter, dark hair, dreamy brown eyes. Pretty. And it would be short-term, so that fits everything you want.

Connor shook his head. He’d had enough of the short-term pretty boys to last him a lifetime. If he ever had another relationship, it would be with someone normal, not entitled, rich and cute. And he certainly didn’t want to discuss Ashby. It might be cruel but the only way to stop Rachel was to focus her back on the whole Landon problem.

Why did you even come today if you knew Landon would be here?

You know why. Chloe is my friend, and she invited me.

Does she know about Landon?

Rachel shrugged. No, and that is the way it’s staying.

What’s it like seeing him again?

She leaned closer. He’s not interested in me. I’m the archetypal poor kid from a council estate, and he’s the guy who’s going to inherit the title from his dad.

Your parents live in a five-bedroom detached house and you went to private school. He knew that and much more about the ultra-talkative veterinary nurse.

Well compared to Landon’s place, it’s small.

The woman in front of them had a wide brimmed hat full of feathers and some kind of weird looking fruit. When she turned to look at them Connor realized they must have started talking loud enough for her to hear. Luckily enough she was surrounded by a brood of five small kids, relegated to the back of the church and clearly tasked with keeping them all quiet. So damage was limited. Connor smiled at her, and after she cast her eye up and down his chest, she turned back to face the front.

He and Rachel exchanged amused glances until distraction arrived with the whispers that the limo with the bride had turned up. There was some more murmuring, and then like a Mexican wave, everyone stood up. In his peripheral vision, he saw the two brothers move from the door and take their place at the front near the waiting groom. He didn’t track Ashby’s walk all the way up there. Much.

The bride was gorgeous and Connor heard a sniffle from Rachel as he held her hand throughout the whole service. Finally they spilled out onto the flat grassy area under the trees behind the church. From there you could see the river at the bottom of the road and the sweep of emerald-green fields as far as the eye could see. Upper Fordham really was a beautiful place for a wedding, and the weather was cooperating; the sky bright blue with no clouds and a soft breeze cooling the heat of the sun. Just like those summers long ago when he’d stayed in the village with his family.

They were only in one set of photos—bride’s friends—and that was exactly how Connor wanted it. Actually, what he really wanted was a drink and a quiet place to sit and stare at the view.

Everyone at the wedding had formed little groups—the bride’s family, the groom’s, people from the village, friends—and they all began the short walk down into the village and to The Wychwood pub. Connor held back until Rachel realized the others had left, and then they walked down the hill from the church avoiding puddles left by last night’s rain. A short step to the side and he’d be back in the garden of the house that was his childhood. It would be so easy to go through to the place that reminded him of happiness and safety, when his parents were still in his life and everything was innocent and easy. In fact, as they passed a hole in the hedge, he glimpsed the corner of it. He could just step through the hedge and go and see the place… just for a few minutes. No one would miss him.

Like Rachel knew exactly what he was thinking, she linked her arm with his and set up a conversation about the bride and the dress and the benefits of biodegradable confetti.

All Connor could think was kill me now.

Chapter Two

Ash picked up the remaining order of service sheets and looked around. What did you do when there was no visible bin anyway? Or even a box marked Recycling?

Come on, Landon snapped. He’d been pissed off all day and Ash ignored his brother enough to have the customary huff of irritation. We need to get to The Wychwood.

I need to find a place to… He waved the sheets in front of him and just raised an eyebrow when Landon grabbed the whole lot and placed them on the nearest pew.

Someone will sort it. He moved to the door and looked back expectantly. Come on.

Ash didn’t argue, he was more the type to go with the flow, and probably this one attempt at ethically ridding themselves of the spare services was the most responsibility he could handle for the rest of the day. He fell into stride alongside Landon.

Who pissed in your cereal? he asked.

Landon shot him a look. There was anger in his eyes, definite anger. Landon didn’t really do anger. As son and heir to the whole of the Haynes Park Estate and the title of Lord Haynes, he was the sensible one. He didn’t do irrational outbursts of temper; that was Ash’s job.

Rachel, Landon admitted.

And this Rachel pissed in your breakfast? Ash teased. Didn’t know you were into that kinky shit—

Shut up, Ash, Landon warned. Can’t you be serious for one-second?

Ash held up his hands in mock surrender. Okay, okay, this is me being serious.

Landon muttered something under his breath that Ash didn’t catch, although he didn’t need to, he’d heard most of the things Landon had to say about him before. Waste of education, random, directionless, an idiot, yep, he’d heard it all.

Stop muttering and talk to me.

Rachel was at the wedding.

Rachel who? Ash bypassed the remains of a muddy puddle left over from yesterday’s summer rain with a small bounce in his step. The path from the church down the hill to The Wychwood Public House was mostly left to nature and ramblers. He was sure that Ben and Chloe had envisaged a quiet country stroll from church to reception and although the sun was shining today, last night’s summer storm had put paid to dusty pathways and turned the whole thing into a game of jump the puddle.

Rachel from, you know… the thing…

Ash wasn’t really following. The thing. Landon, for fuck’s sake, spit it out.

The event at the gallery.

Mum’s gallery? The last event? I didn’t go. I was out that night. Ash waggled his eyebrows. That particular night had been a mutually satisfying meet-up with a guy he’d met in Starbucks. A good night indeed.

She did. Go that is.

Who? Who is she?

You saw her. She was the girl with the long dark hair, pretty, has the most amazing violet eyes. She’s little. Landon held out his hand to indicate where Rachel came up to him, which was kind of mid-chest height. Bright flowery dress.

Ash had only really noticed one person today, and it hadn’t been someone in a bright flowery dress.

You know I don’t look at girls.

Landon huffed. Jesus, Ash, she was with a blond man, six foot plus, styled hair, completely your type.

Ash grinned up at his brother. "Now him I noticed."

Well, Rachel was the—

Ahh, she was the one hanging off his arm. Is he her boyfriend? And wait, what happened at the gallery?

Landon stopped suddenly. They’d apparently gotten too close to the other wedding guests in front and he wanted to talk. Finally Ash would find out what had put his brother in such a bad mood.

You know the store cupboard.

The one at the back? Ash had fond memories of that storeroom and Eamon the visiting artist at another of his Mum’s events.

Well. Yeah.

It hit Ash and his shock must have shown on his face. You didn’t.

I did, Landon said miserably.

Ash leaned in. You fucked that girl in the store cupboard at a showing with Mum not more than twenty feet away? Ash thumped his brother on the arm. I’m proud of you—

I didn’t shag—we didn’t fuck. We made love.

Yeah, because bent over a desk among canvases and stationery is exactly where you make love. He air-quoted the make love part. If he recalled, his encounter with Eamon had been quick and to the point.

Landon looked left and right. I didn’t do… that… He made a small circle with his index finger in the air.

Ash couldn’t help the fact he’d identified the perfect place for some brotherly teasing. You didn’t bend Rachel over the desk and have animal sex—

Hell, Ash, keep your voice down.

I can’t see what the problem is, healthy lusty sex is a good thing, big brother. Then it hit him. Oh shit, she’s pregnant, isn’t she?

No, No! Landon said quickly in a voice considerably higher than a whisper. Well—his face fell—"I don’t actually know, I mean we used… Jesus, Ash, I haven’t

Reviews for The Summer House

[bill5bradford · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is the second book of a planned ?? book series (I believe the original intent was four but I can see it going longer than than that, and the author's website has no definitive number).Like the first in the series, the book is composed of a number of short to medium length chapters. As the first book introduced new characters, the chapters switched viewpoints quickly and the second continues this - what happens at the end of one may be picked up in the next chapter or several chapters later. There are advantages and disadvantages to this (one of which is that it lends itself to reading before bed - you can read a chapter and put it down). Overall, it works - but by the very nature of the book (switching between multiple universes with multiple time frames) it can be somewhat disjointed. The second book also goes back to fill in back-story from the first book. It was nice to have the back-story but in the first half the story drug a little because of this. Having said that, the action and interest pick up substantially ion the second half, and the reader is left with a number of unanswered questions (some, no doubt, to be resolved in book three).Not as good as the first in the series, but well worth your time. And I will soon be picking up the third in the series.

[herdingcats_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is the second book in the Bright Empires series following The Skin Map. Once again, Kit and Mina travel through different times and worlds via Ley Line travel. It is not only time travel, "Rather, Kit and companty are bouncing around a multidimensional universe in the equivalent of a helicopter that can travel in any of a thousand different directions. Ane if that hypothetical helicopter is a vehicle that can also zoom off into hidden dimensions and lands in any possible alternate world - with a dose of time slippage thrown in for good measure - then we have..." the situation described in this series of books. It kind of reminds me of : "There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man it is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity it is the middle ground between light and shadow between science and superstition and it lies between the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge this is the dimension of imagination it is an area which we call- the Twilight Zone."That being said, Kit, Mina and company travel the ley lines searching for the mysterious skin map and for a way to decipher it while trying to evade Burleigh and his goons. Kit lands for an extended stay in the stone age with some cave men, which is quite interesting. I found this book a bit disjointed and confusing, but still a good story and concept and if you liked the first book, I think you will enjoy this second one as well.

[longhorndaniel · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

a good 2nd novel in a series but leaves too many questions for me

[rosenectur · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

These books are so unique I don't quite know how to classify them. Sci-fi, adventure, fantasy, mystery, history... time twister, all wrapped into one. The stories revolve more or less around Kit Livingston who one day sees his great-grandfather in an alley that turns out to be a conduit into another time in a parallel dimension. Turns out that there are ley lines all around us leading to other times. Kit's great-grandfather has been seeking a map of the ley lines that one early ley explorer had tattooed on to his body, the "Skin Map." It has been split into piece and lost in time. The threads of the books also get split and lost in time as the chapters weave in and out of several connected stories and times. I can't wait to see what the third book is like. There are so many unanswered questions, I still don't quite know where this is all going, and that makes it all the more exciting.

[lcjohnson1988_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Titles: The Skin Map The Bone HouseAuthor: Stephen R LawheadPublisher: Thomas Nelson PublishersYear: 2010 & 2011How does one define such novels that have many diverse genres? Are the novels based on science, history, Bible, archeology? There are authors who write in the fiction genre that seem to have to basis in either reality or facts, just the imagination is involved it seems. Then there are others who write novels that include a host of facts and various fields of known study. So what about this series known as The Bright Empires?I bought both books simultaneously and now can’t wait till book three comes out in September of 2012. Generously weaved in these novels are aspects of distant lands, science, archeology, past ages, scientists, and characters who out to do both good and evil. Within these novels are many threads that the author uses to weave together a captivating story.At the end of Bone House the author shares which character was based on an actual person with a specific field of study. Stephen Lawhead shares what is on his reading table and why he wrote these novels. If I told you what he wrote would you read it? I don’t want to ruin the surprise for you so I won’t reveal what Stephen did write.The moment I picked up Skin Map, I couldn’t put it down. I kept trying to figure out where I was being led in the story. There are several climaxes in the books, many themes, captivating ancient places and people, and lives interweaved in different ways. In the midst of it all, there is the aspect of time travel. The main characters travel through time seeking understanding of that period, learning to blend in all of whom are in search of the key which would break the code of the map. What map? All I can tell you is this is no ordinary map. These novels are not just the run-of-the-mill at all! They excel in captivating the reader and tell an excellent story. I can’t recommend this series high enough. Buy them, get your favorite beverage and settle in for the ride of your life. The journey is awaiting; it is inviting; are you coming along? I hope so because it is awesome!

[thelostentwife · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The Bone House is the book that made reading The Skin Map worth it. I loved this book, for its adventure and its characters. My only complaint? It feels as if the story is being drug out for the series sake.This is a problem that occurs when there are many storylines happening at once. When you skip from character to character and pieces are put together. Speaking of pieces put together, that’s another of my pet peeves – when characters are added into the book in such a way it seems as if they were added last minute in order to keep the story moving. Does it make the story less exciting? No. It just gives it that element of… “eye-rolling, whatever”, you know.. the unbelievable (even when reading about science fiction/fantasy things like time travel and magic).I hope that all made sense.Still, The Bone House took off running from where The Skin Map left off and left me wanting more answers at the end. Lawhead is definitely a master when it comes to spinning a good tale, I have to say. I’ll be right there on the list waiting for the next installment to come out.

[thelogo · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

One year ago, less one week, I posted my review of Stephen Lawheads The Skin Map, which is the first book in the "Bright Empires" series. Here, then, is the second book in that series. The Bone House continues the story of Kit Livingston in his quest for the skin map. One piece has been found, but the stakes have been raised. Kit has inherited this quest from his grandfather, Cosimo, but Kit is now on the run, and, except for the help of his surprisingly resourceful girlfriend Mina, on his own. This book was a pleasant surprise. It is an incredibly rare series which gets better in the second book, but Lawhead has done just that. He has maintained the depth of character development, excellent descriptions of the scenes, and at the same time upped the pace and removed my one qualm with the first book in this series: the confusion of jumping from time to time. In this book, he is much more careful to place cues at the beginning of each chapter so that you know where you are, in the story at least. Conclusion: 4 Stars. Conditionally recommended. The only condition is that you like a mix of history, science fiction, and fantasy. Really though, you should like it, it's fun reading. This book was provided by Booksneeze for review.

[janarose1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book continues the story of Kit Livingstone, who is on a mission to recover the "Skin Map." The Skin Map was created by a ley traveler, one who travels, not in time, but between universes. I am reviewing this book for Smashwords. When I choose the book I did not realize that it was the second book in a series. As such, I found it a little difficult to follow the storyline and characters at first. However, once I became more familiar with the storyline, I found the plot to be intriguing and interesting. The characters are interesting and dynamic. Just enough intrigue and back story is thrown in to keep the reader interesting. Overall, I would recommend reading the first book before this one, but this was a very good read.

[shayrp76 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

*This is the second book of the Bright Empires series*Kit and Mina have become allies in the search of the skin map in this book. Neither understands exactly what they are looking for or where it will lead them. Mina’s having a firmer grasp of traveling the ley lines will give them an advantage to more successfully evade their enemies, who also want to get their hands on the map. There are a lot of elements to these books so far. There’s adventure, time travel, multi dimensions, and mystery all rolled into one. I did enjoy the first book slightly better, only because it didn’t seem as hard to keep track of everything going on. I found myself back tracking a couple of times to orientate myself. I like the fact that I am not sure about where all of the characters stand in the sense of good or bad guy. The pacing is pretty fast and the pages turn quickly. I do recommend this, but with the reminder that this is the second book. I don’t think that this is a series you can read out or order.

[jmleduc · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Stephen R. Lawhead has the unique ability to combine fantasy with mystery, stir them up and produce a spellbinding read. “The Bone House,” the second in the Bright Empires series, is no different. You will be reacquainted with the characters that were introduced in “The Skin Map,” the first book in the series.Kit Livingston met his great grandfather, Cosmo in a rainy alley in London. There he discovered the truth of alternative realities. Along with Wilhelmina, he is now deeply entrenched in a treasure hunt for the skin map and the answers to life that it holds. Using ley lines, they travel through astral planes to other lands and times. Their adventure will take you from present day London to seventeenth century Prague, to nineteenth century Egypt all the way back to the stone age and then forward to the future.As they search for the map and the secrets it holds, they must constantly be on guard for their nemesis, the Burley Men. They are constantly lurking in the shadows and manipulating great minds from the past for their own malign purposes as they too search for the elusive Skin Map. Every step along this journey will bring Kit closer to the climax of unlocking the mystery of The Bone House and ultimately closer to finding the next piece of the map. “The Bone House” combines ancient history, alternate realities, philosophy, and mystery. Lawhead has truly woven a page-turning adventure that continues to ramp up the excitement right until the very last word.Reviewed by J.M. LeDuc, author of “Cursed Blessing,” published by Suspense Publishing an imprint of Suspense Magazine