Maggie Blackbird

Today, I’m hosting author Jennifer Ivy Walker’s latest release Winter Solstice in the Crystal Castle, a historical romance. Be sure to read my review. And don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway.

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Title: Winter Solstice in the Crystal Castle
Series: Christmas in the Castle
Author: Jennifer Ivy Walker
Genre: Medieval Historical Romance
Length: 218 pages
Release Date: November 15, 2023
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Blurb: Gabrielle is a flame haired, fire hearted French princess who dreams of becoming a Valkyrie warrior queen like her Viking ancestors from Normandy. Sent to Paris to learn the proper etiquette for a future French queen, she is called home to le Château de Beaufort for a forced marriage to a man she loathes when her father the king’s precarious health takes a sudden turn for the worse.

Chivalrous, solitary knight Sir Bastien de Landuc suffers an impossible love for Gabrielle, the unattainable princess he can never have. Without a title of nobility, he is ineligible to compete in the tournament for her hand in marriage, despite his unparalleled equestrian skills and inimitable swordsmanship.

Yet, Yuletide wishes for a wondrous winter solstice in the glorious Crystal Castle might make impossible dreams come true.

Can the valiant knight win the coveted hand of his Viking Valkyrie?

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Straightening her windblown hair and smoothing her dark green velvet gown, Gabrielle inhaled deeply to compose herself. As she raised her royal regard to majestically greet her father’s esteemed guests, her heart dropped at the sight of Sir Bastien de Landuc.

The exceptionally skilled horseman whom she’d watched every day during her equestrian lessons as a young princess. The magnificent Master of Horse for her father’s royal stables. The most handsome man Gabrielle had ever seen.

Her legs weakened and her mouth went dry.

Glossy brown waves tumbled to his expansive shoulders, the square jawline of his rugged face covered in dark stubble, a fine, jagged scar along one cheek enhancing his simmering brute strength. Smoldering eyes of deepest green blazed into hers like fiery emeralds, the intensity of his gaze robbing her of breath and coherent thought.

Her heart pounding, her legs trembling under her velvet robe, Gabrielle realized she was staring and forced her attention back to her father, who was making formal introductions.

“Gentlemen, may I present my daughter, the Princess Gabrielle of Finistère.”

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Historical romance is my fave sub-genre, so I was in when this came up for review.  The author is new to me, and she did not disappoint.  As stated in the blurb, Gabrielle is a French princess who longs to be a Valkyrie warrior, but instead finds herself having to marry whoever wins the tournament since her dying father wants her wed before he’s in the grave.

Sir Bastien de Landuc, secretly in love with Gabrielle, knows she can never be his because he lacks a title of nobility.  But he is more than happy to serve as her bodyguard and teach her the skills of a warrior.

I must say I adored this romance.  Bastien is a true gentleman and very likeable.  I especially enjoyed the way he indulged Gabrielle’s desires.  He truly cares about her happiness.  As for Gabrielle, she is the same way.  Happy to please Bastien, devoted to her father, and very caring for the people her father rules.

Although neither has character arcs, this novel does not call for that.  The plot is what drives this forward, along with their romance, since the villain is a horrible man who’ll stop at nothing to make Gabrielle his wife.

This is a well-researched book, and the prose is perfect for the time period.  The author captured the essence of what it’s like to live back then in the dialogue, characters, and setting.  There is also a touch of healing that was enjoyable to read about.  The research blends seamlessly with the plot, and you get to learn as you read, something I love.

If you love chivalrous knights, a swoon-worthy romance, and a horrendous villain determined to wreak havoc, you will love this novel.  This short read captures the spirit of Christmas and the strength of love.  Do yourself a favour and get a copy.

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Enthralled with legends of medieval knights and ladies, dark fairy tales and fantasies about Druids, wizards and magic, Jennifer Ivy Walker always dreamed of becoming a writer. She fell in love with French in junior high school, continuing her study of the language throughout college, eventually becoming a high school teacher and college professor of French.

Her upcoming release, “Winter Solstice in the Crystal Castle”, is a steamy medieval romance between a flame-haired, fire-hearted French princess descended from Viking Valkyrie and the solitary, sullen knight who suffers an impossible love for her. For readers who enjoyed The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven trilogy—a fated mates paranormal fantasy adaptation of the medieval legend of Tristan and Isolde, interwoven with Arthurian myth, Avalon, Elves, Druids, forest fairies, Vikings, and dark magic—will recognize several of the main characters in this new novel as well.

Explore her realm of Medieval French Fantasy. She hopes her novels will enchant you.

Follow Jennifer: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Tik-Tok | Goodreads | Amazon

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