Beyond the Crescent Sky

The Balkan Legends, Book 2

By: A. L. Sowards

Narrated by: Lameece Issaq

Helena is a healer. Ivan is her prisoner. Caught in the crossfire of war, they must choose: loyalty or love.

The Balkans, 1383

A sudden conflict between Serbs and Greeks has forced Ivan to join his brother and fight with the Serbian army. On the battlefield, Ivan is wounded and captured by the hostile Greeks, and he soon becomes a hostage to be used as a pawn in a deadly bid for power.

Helena, a Greek midwife, is tasked to care for Ivan, a request that will test not only her healing abilities but also her loyalty. Though war has made her reluctant patient an enemy, she can’t help but forge a connection with him, yet falling in love with him could turn her world upside down and brand her a traitor.

As the Ottoman Empire extends its grip into the Balkans, events beyond their control force Ivan and Helena to choose between loyalty to their families and people or following the longings of their hearts.

Award-winning historical novelist A. L. Sowards creates an engaging world of overlords and spies, rebellions and battlefields, and forbidden love.

©2025 A. L. Sowards (P)2025 Blackstone Publishing

Excellent

What an excellent book! I loved learning more about the way people lived back during the rise of the Ottoman Empire, and followed the adventures of the characters with a certain degree of tension, as they strove for love and peace! I highly recommend this book! The narrator did a wonderful job telling the story and projecting the emotions of the characters!

Unique historical

This book was so good! I loved the unique historical setting. I haven’t read many books set in the 14th century in that part of the world. This book makes me want to learn more about the Ottoman Empire.

I loved the continuation of the series, and seeing the characters from the other books. The romance was nice and sweet and had me cheering for Ivan and Helena the whole time. I appreciated the Christian themes in the book. The conflicts kept me in the edge of my seat.

I loved the audio so I could hear the correct pronunciations of the names and different words. Really helps me understand the history of the time period.

I can’t wait for the next book in the series!!

Epic Forbidden Love

If you would have told me a year ago that I’d be RAVING about a book that focuses on the 1300s, I would have scoffed at you… but here we are 😆🫣

I. LOVE. THIS. BOOK! Wow. I’m continually blown away by AL Sowards’ writing. She took a period of time I thought I had zero interest in and hooked my soul. I have binged both books in this series in a day. Can’t stop, won’t stop. Sorry about my responsibilities!!!!

Expect —> Historical Fiction (1300’s), Nurse/Patient, Forbidden (he’s a prisoner), warring nations, Ottoman Empire

This book is magical. Love vs. loyalty. Heartbreak. My heart bled for them. Ivan fell HARD for Helena and refused to give up on her. He fought tirelessly for his love and he is the reason I love men of honor. Also, he’s a badass and he can defend me any day 😆😍😍 I love him!

The audiobook was beautifully narrated by Lameece Issaq. She is a fantastic storyteller and truly brought life to this incredible book.

I love historical fiction.

With all the reading the author did on the Balkans, she made everything feel real.