Title: Winter Solstice in the Crystal Castle
Author: Jennifer Ivy Walker
Genre: Medieval holiday romance
Book 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?
Although Winter Solstice in the Crystal Castle is a stand alone novel, it does feature many of the characters introduced in The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven trilogy!
My Review:
In a tournament to win Gabrielle’s hand in marriage, can Sir Bastien compete without a title and show his Viking Valkyrie he’s worthy? Just when I think Jennifer Ivy Walker can’t outdo herself, she writes Winter Solstice in the Crystal Castle. This book left me breathless. It’s a gift for romance readers like me. Blending fantasy, medieval, and Viking lore along with sweeping romance, Winter Solstice in the Crystal Castle is a feast for the senses.
Let’s start with the characters. I connected with Gabrielle from the very first page. A fiery heroine who’s comfortable in her own skin and with a sword in her hand. She also speaks her mind. She’s a warrior princess through and through. Her heart belongs to Sir Bastien, a knight. He’s not a titled gentleman but his love for Gabrielle is far-reaching. He’d do anything to make her happy. These fated souls must go through many trials but is worth the cost. Beautifully written, this couple leaps from the pages and into my heart. I couldn’t get enough.
The world-building is astounding. Jennifer Ivy Walker layers intricate detail to make the world she’s created both believable and imaginative. The Yuletide Joust is reason enough to read this book.
The romance is classic medieval with a twist. A knight not worthy and a fiery princess who disobeys her father, the king. The romance is slow-burn with a holiday setting. I got swept away and so will you.
My Rating: 5+ stars
Buy it Now:
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/winter-solstice-in-the-crystal-castle-jennifer-ivy-walker/1144031968?ean=2940186024446
Google Books: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Winter_Solstice_in_the_Crystal_Castle/6sAm0AEACAAJ?hl=en
Kobo:
Giveaway –
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Author Biography:
Enthralled with legends of medieval knights and ladies, dark fairy tales and fantasies, 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.
“Winter Solstice in the Crystal Castle” is a blend of her love for medieval romance, the French history of Vikings in Normandy, and chivalrous valor. It’s a steamy, passionate romance between a fiery French princess descended from Viking Valkyrie and the sullen, solitary knight who suffers an impossible love for her.
Social Media Links:
Website: https://jenniferivywalker.com/
Reviewed by: Nancy