A Celtic Yuletide Carol
(Christmas in the Castle)
By Jennifer Ivy Walker
Publication Date: 6th November 2024Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Page Length: 212 Pages
Genre: Historical Fantasy Romance
Once a royal Breton knight, Sir Cardin de Landuc is now infamously known as Basati, the Basque Wolf. Savage and sullen, he drowns his guilt in raucous taverns, accruing enormous debt and acquiring vengeful enemies.
Ulla, widowed daughter of a Viking chieftain, is a skilled archer who lives as a recluse in a secluded woodland cottage. Rendered mute by trauma, she avoids humans, preferring the company of her wild wolf and falcon as she hunts in the Forest of Brocéliande.
When his mother’s dying wish calls Basati home, he finally meets the son he abandoned at birth and Ulla, the enigmatic priestess who is teaching the boy to hunt. As the holidays approach, Basati finds himself smitten with the beguiling beauty as he bonds with his once forsaken child. But past enemies plot against him, and Basati is ensnared in darkness.
Can music lure the savage wolf into the light of love?
Formerly a noble knight from Brittany, Sir Cardin is now notoriously known by the name Basati, the Basque Wolf. Stricken with guilt and grief, he turns to alcohol for comfort after his wife’s death. Unfortunately, his mother is seriously ill and her last wish is for him to come home for Yule. The only thing that would make him return to his birthplace is his mother’s health, but the memories are overwhelming. In addition, he will have to face his young son, whom he has accused of causing his wife’s death in childbirth.
Ulla, who witnessed the murder of her entire family, including her husband and son, seeks solace in silence and prefers the company of animals over humans. Despite that, Ulla possesses exceptional healing and hunting abilities. Even though she can no longer speak, Ulla finds solace in teaching Cardin’s son, Lukaz, the skills of archery and hunting. Yet, she fears that with Cardin’s return, he will persist in ignoring his beautiful child.
As Ulla strives to reunite father and son, she grapples with the dilemma of guarding her own heart. Will she take the risk of falling in love with Basati, the Basque Wolf?
Jennifer Ivy Walker’s A Celtic Yuletide Carol is a sensually captivating historical fantasy romance, perfect for a cosy afternoon with a hot cup of chocolate.
Successfully portraying a mute protagonist is a challenging task that requires skilful writing. In Ulla, Walker has created a believable protagonist who, despite her disability, plays a central role in everyone’s life, particularly Lukaz and Cardin. Ulla faces communication challenges due to her muteness, but she has devised strategies to navigate them. She is a highly expressive character who communicates through gestures and can effectively convey her thoughts through writing. Throughout the story, the reader is granted an intimate glimpse into her thoughts. Walker has successfully embraced the challenge of portraying Ulla, and her character truly propels the story forward. She becomes the bridge, uniting Cardin and his son.
Cardin is initially depicted as somewhat of an anti-hero in the novel due to his lack of strong morals, reckless behaviour, and selfish disregard for his brother and son, which diminishes his likability. Nevertheless, beneath the exterior of Basati, the Basque Wolf, is a man haunted by grief and remorse. Cardin’s tale is incredibly moving, and it is sure to provoke intense emotions in the reader. Cardin evolves into a character that the reader genuinely cheers for by the book’s conclusion.
Though firmly established in the realm of historical fantasy, Walker’s book draws upon actual historical figures and events. Although we do not meet the historical characters mentioned in this novel, we are given an insight into the era. The lives of the main characters are shrouded in a shadowy backstory, stemming from the accumulation of tensions and drama caused by feuds and alliances of the kings of this period. Both the House of Plantagenets and the House of Valois seek dominance over Aquitaine, but avoiding war is possible through a treaty. But there are those who do not wish the treaty to be signed. On the crisp of the Hundred Year War, the characters face many challenges, and the future is uncertain, but their loyalties to their king are unquestionable. On the other hand, the historical fantasy elements bring together history, myths and legends. Thus, Lancelot du Lac, the famous knight who is famed for bringing down King Arthur, is alive and well and living his best life in Joyeuse Garde, training the next generation of knights. The decision to include Lancelot was fascinating, particularly because his story/creation was relatively new thanks to Chrétien de Troyes’ epic poem in in the 12th century, but as unlikely as it seemed, his inclusion (although we never actually meet him in this novel) fits with the narrative. Similarly, there is a multitude of Celtic traditions that persist, particularly in the realm of medicine which are endlessly fascinating. Walker’s knowledge of herbs and crystals is evident throughout the story. Although leaning more towards fantasy, the novel’s blend of historical accuracy and fantasy is what makes it such a highly enjoyable read. There is also a very believable romance, which runs through the length of this story, which has been beautifully written.
Through multiple narratives, this novel provides readers with insights into the thoughts of various characters, going beyond just the protagonists. There are moments when the author becomes repetitive, making it a bit monotonous for the reader who already knows what the character will say as they are already privy to their thoughts. Moreover, an abundance of internal monologues, except for Ulla's, while occasionally beneficial, tends to impede the flow of the story.
The author’s profound adoration for Brittany is evident in the masterful depiction of this enthralling kingdom. Walker has obviously done a great deal of research as to what Brittany was like during this era, and this comes across as a realistically drawn depiction. The depiction of the Brocéliande Forest is expertly done, immersing the reader in its enchanting atmosphere. Ulla effortlessly embodies the role of a Priestess of Dana in this bewitching setting.
This book is a profoundly moving story that truly captivates the imagination. For fans of well-written historical fantasy romance, A Celtic Yuletide Carol by Jennifer Ivy Walker is a must-read.
Review by Mary Anne Yarde
Yarde Reviews & Book Promotion
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A Celtic Yuletide Carol
Amazon UK Release Date, 6th November 2024
Jennifer Ivy Walker
JEnthralled 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, spending summers in France as a foreign exchange student, exploring medieval castles and troglodyte caves in the Loire Valley, sites of pilgrimage such as le Mont-Saint-Michel, eventually becoming a high school teacher and college professor of French.
As a high school teacher, she took her students every year to the annual French competition, where they performed a play she had written, "Yseult la Belle et Tristan la Bête"--an imaginative blend of the medieval French legend of "Tristan et Yseult" and the fairy tale "Beauty and the Beast", enhanced with fantasy elements of a Celtic fairy and a wicked witch.
Her debut novel, "The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven"--the first of a trilogy-- is a blend of her love for medieval legends, the romantic French language, and paranormal fantasy. It is a retelling of the medieval French romance of "Tristan et Yseult", interwoven with Arthurian myth, dark fairy tales from the enchanted Forest of Brocéliande, and otherworldly elements such as Avalonian Elves, Druids, forest fairies and magic.
Explore her realm of Medieval French Fantasy. She hopes her novels will enchant you.
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