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She Learns To Wield The Magic
The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven is a genre-crossing novel with elements of fantasy, fairytale, and romance as well. Did you start writing with this in mind, or did this happen organically as you were writing?
I adapted the medieval French legend of Tristan et Yseult, which is heavily interwoven with Arthurian myth. I knew I wanted to write a paranormal fantasy version of this medieval romance, complete with Druids, forest fairies, dark magic, Avalon, and Elves, so I researched a lot of dark tales from the enchanted Forest of Brocéliande, birthplace of Merlin, Lancelot, and the Lady of the Lake Viviane. My paranormal romance dark fantasy trilogy incorporates many of those mystical tales of Arthurian myth into the original medieval French legend of Tristan et Yseult.
In your novel, I picked up some inspiration from other fantasy novels that I thought played well in the story. What were some of your sources of inspiration for this book?
Marion Zimmer Bradley’s classic, “The Mists of Avalon” was a big inspiration for me, as were many legends associated with King Arthur–especially the forging of Excalibur in dragonfire on the island of Avalon by an Elf descended from the Gods. I knew I wanted to have Avalon and the Elves play a huge role in my trilogy. And when I discovered that Tristan (my male protagonist) was a Knight of the Round Table with Sir Lancelot, who was trained in Avalon by the Elves, I knew that would be essential to my plot.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I did a lot of research into herbal medicine and healing crystals, since my female protagonist Issylte is a healer. I created an elemental “verdant magic” for her to wield as she discovers her latent gift as a forest fairy who heals with natural herbs. I developed the plot so that Fate would lead Issylte to Avalon–where she learns to wield the magic of all three sacred elements of the Goddess (forest, water, and stone). In my novel, Lancelot brings the grievously injured Tristan to Avalon, the Island of Healing, where Tristan meets his fated mate, Issylte– the only one skilled enough to heal him.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
“The Lady of the Mirrored Lake”, book 2 of “The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven” trilogy, will be released January 23. It continues the paranormal fantasy medieval romance of Tristan and Issylte as the fated mates discover a transcendent passion, wield their Druidic magic, and join forces with shapeshifting allies to defend their Celtic kingdoms from the wicked Black Widow Queen.
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Tristan of Lyonesse is a Knight of the Round Table who must overcome the horrors of his past and defend his king or lose everything. When he becomes a warrior of the Tribe of Dana, a gift of Druidic magic might hold the key he seeks.
Haunted and hunted. Entwined by fate. Can their passion and power prevail?
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
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