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A Celtic Yuletide Carol
A Celtic Yuletide Carol beautifully weaves together the story of Ulla, the daughter of a Viking chieftain who has lost her voice following the tragic deaths of her husband and son, and Cardin, a former knight struggling with grief after losing his wife and estranging himself from his son, Lukaz. Cardin’s reluctant return home, driven by his mother’s dying wish, brings him into Ulla’s life, and as their worlds intertwine, they begin to heal from their shared pain.
Set in 13th-century medieval France, author Jennifer Ivy Walker crafts a captivating love story filled with heartache, healing, and the magic of the holiday season. Both Ulla and Cardin are richly developed characters who have endured years of emotional suffering, and their journey of overcoming trauma and finding love feels authentic and deeply moving. The historical backdrop enhances the story, while the festive atmosphere adds an extra layer of warmth.
Walker’s writing shines throughout the novel. She has a remarkable ability to draw readers into the world she creates, making them feel deeply connected to the characters. The bond between Cardin and Ulla is both tender and powerful and left me convinced that these two souls were destined to find each other. Their relationship unfolds with grace as they help one another overcome their past wounds and form a connection that feels both unique and timeless. Adding a touch of humor, Cardin’s mother brings lightheartedness to the story with her determined efforts to reunite her family. Her antics are both amusing and endearing, capturing the essence of a loving, scheming mother who will stop at nothing to bring her son home.
A Celtic Yuletide Carol is an enchanting and cozy holiday read, perfect for curling up with during the festive season. Walker’s storytelling leaves readers with a heartwarming sense of joy and renewal, making it an ideal pick for those looking for a feel-good tale filled with love, healing, and the spirit of the season.
Pages: 212 | ISBN : 1509257446
Never Give Up On Yourself
Soul Scepter: Time Marauders follows two friends from Idaho who are transported through time to medieval England and have to stop history from being changed. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I grew up in Idaho near the area where the book begins and toured the Idaho National Laboratory when studying physics in college. I’ve always loved all things medieval and have been to all of the historical locations in England referenced in the book. The book is the product of a series of daydreams and the desire to provide young adults with inspirational fiction to help foster confidence and emotional resilience.
Did you plan the tone and direction of the novel before writing or did it come out organically as you were writing?
The tone evolved since the first draft. Some of the combat scenes started out as too mature for a younger audience and some of the teen interactions were probably too juvenile for an adult audience. I was fortunate to have many adult and teen beta readers which helped in striking a maturity balance that satisfied me and readers across an age spectrum.
The middle of the book changed from draft to draft, while the beginning and ending stayed consistent. An aspect that didn’t change was the importance of never giving up on yourself or the people you care about.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I sought to incorporate elements of characters digging deep to pull through desperate circumstances and sprinkle in nuggets of ways to find hope and resist self-harm. Some reasons this is important to me is that I’m an Air Force veteran, and a veteran commits suicide in the US every 65 minutes. Someone commits suicide in the US every 11 minutes, and a study estimated that there is a suicide attempt every 31 seconds. I wanted to be a part of the solution as much as I could. Most individuals taking their lives probably weren’t reading dry textbooks on techniques for overcoming suicidal ideations—but many people do turn to fictional entertainment when they want to escape.
Can you tell us where the book goes and where we’ll see the characters in the next book?
In the next book, the characters need to time travel to the future to find the solution to the havoc that the Dreizack has unleashed on the world. When they arrive in the future, they discover a Dreizack-ruled dystopian world where they struggle to survive as they search for answers.
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A militant organization attacks Will’s friends, sending him, a girl named Celeste, and their assailants time-traveling to medieval England. As a cunning modern-military commander plots a global conquest to rewrite history, Will and Celeste struggle to navigate the perils of 1345 while being hunted by the modern men.
With every heartbeat, the stakes grow higher as Will races against time to avert disaster—a challenge made more complicated by his growing feelings for Celeste and his uncanny link to the Soul Scepter.
Soul Scepter
Eric Westergard’s Soul Scepter: Time Marauders transports readers on a thrilling adventure that seamlessly blends history and fantasy. The story follows Will Donovan and his friend, who find themselves in the midst of a battle for a powerful scepter while playing paintball in Idaho. After being chased by a militant organization, they suddenly find themselves transported to medieval England. In this new world, they must navigate through history without altering the course of events.
The book is a captivating page-turner, with action-packed scenes around every corner. The author’s ability to set the scene and develop the characters will leave readers in awe from the opening chapters. From the first page, readers will be drawn into the non-stop action, adventure, and plot twists that keep going throughout the entire novel.
Westergard’s writing style and attention to historical accuracy are admirable, making it feel as though the reader is transported back in time. I could vividly imagine the battle scenes, smell the stench of England, and picture the grandeur of The Tower of London. The more I read, the more invested I became in the characters’ emotions and experiences. The author’s inclusion of themes surrounding depression and mental health is commendable and adds another layer of depth to the story. This is a story of self-discovery as much as a quest to stop evil from altering history. Will’s journey is one that teens will be able to relate to while rooting for him.
Overall, Soul Scepter: Time Marauders is a gripping action and adventure novel through time and medieval England. This excellent book is a must-read for teens and young adults with a passion for fantasy and history. I look forward to reading the next installment in this series and continuing the adventure with Will and his friends.
Pages: 390 | ASIN : B0C2GBTLRH
The Lady of the Mirrored Lake
The Lady of the Mirrored Lake by Jennifer Ivy Walker is the exciting sequel to The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven. It follows our heroines, Tristian, a disgraced knight, and Issylte, a powerful girl with the gift of healing. After fleeing Avalon, Issylte struggles with losing her previous life and lover. As time passes, Tristian and Issylte must navigate their feelings for each other and learn who they can trust as dark forces threaten to tear them apart. After becoming the Lady of the Mirrored Lake, Issylte finds herself questioning everything as she works to find an object that calls to her beneath the surface. Together, Tristian and Issylte must work to save their lives as they know it– and each other.
The author has woven a gripping plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat as the characters navigate through their personal and external conflicts, which have high stakes and much depth. One of this book’s standout features is how the author handles the relationship between the two main characters, Tristian and Issylte. The added element of Tristian being pursued by someone else adds a layer of complexity to their dynamic, allowing for a deeper exploration of their feelings toward each other while also creating mistrust among some of the other characters. The characterization of the characters is well done, and there are a number of subplots worked into the main storyline. These allow the reader to gain a deeper understanding of the characters and how things work in the world while adding to the overall enjoyment of the book.
The Lady of the Mirrored Lake is a wonderful addition to the series, filled with adventure, magic, and complex relationships. I would recommend this book to fans of fantasy, medieval stories, and mythical creatures, as they will undoubtedly find it thrilling and captivating.
Pages: 338 | ASIN : B0BKYHZGFJ
The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven
A medieval fantasy story full of magic, royalty, knights, and elves, The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven by Jennifer Ivy Walker is sure to entertain lovers of fairytales and fantasy alike. The story begins with a young princess, Issylte, who is next in line for the throne. Trouble comes when her father chooses to marry an evil woman who treats Issylte cruelly. After the queen arranges to kill the young princess, the two huntsmen refuse and send her into the forest on her own. There, she meets a fairy witch who takes her in. As she learns about magic, she learns of her true mate, Tristian, a Knight of the Roundtable with a dark past and a love of being a warrior. Together they must save her kingdom from her evil stepmother.
The story was interesting and engaging. The characters’ relationships were well developed, and the aspects of magic were fascinating, as they included herbal remedies and other nonconventional kinds of magic. There are mature themes within the story, and it combines several different threads of fairytales and fantasy tropes.
The development of the main character Issylte was well done, as we see her go from scared and lost to strong and independent as the story progresses. The same is said of the other protagonist, Tristian. He gains more and more knowledge and friends as the story moves along. I feel the author tried too hard with the style of dialogue, it wasn’t exactly right for the period. I felt that tropes seemed overused at times, such as the mate bond between the two protagonists and elves in a medieval fairytale setting feeling off.
The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven is a riveting mix of fantasy, fairytale, and historical romance. Readers will find threads of old-time favorites with a unique twist and perspective. With magic, knights, and a wicked queen there is something for all readers who want mature content and a fascinating adventure.
Pages: 377| ASIN : B0B8XNMYBS
LITERARY TITAN 