Winter Solstice in the Crystal Castle
A Christmas in the Castle novel
byJennifer Ivy Walker
Medieval Historical Romance
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
Publication Date: November 15, 2023
Page count: 198 pages
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SYNOPSIS:
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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READ AN EXCERPT:
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.”
REVIEW:
5 stars!
The exciting tale of political intrigue and treachery and knights in shining armor.
Winter Solstice in the Crystal Castle is author Jennifer Ivy Walker’s contribution to the new Christmas in the Castle holiday-themed romance series, and is it delectable! With its fierce and feisty princess, honorable lovelorn hero, devious and dastardly villains, and a looming deadline for the princess to wed, this thrilling tale is sure to please fans of the historical romance genre.
The main characters, Princess Gabrielle and Master of Horse, Sir Bastien de Landuc, are strong individuals. She’s a more modern version of her Viking warrior queen ancestor, learning to ride and use a sword, dagger, bow and arrows. She discusses and rails against the uneven treatment and lack of rights afforded women during her time. Bastien trained at the knee of Lancelot du Lac, the greatest competitor at the joust ever.
The two had been constant companions, student and teacher, as children, but with her being a princess and he an unlanded middle son, a romantic relationship would have been hopeless. However, the futility of their situation didn’t stop either one from secretly falling in love with the other. Despite all the good reasons for them to keep their feelings to themselves, I was rooting for them to open up and come clean.
The main villain of the piece is truly vile. He has a despicable past and intends to use every dirty trick in the book to guarantee he wins the Yuletide Joust and Gabrielle’s hand in marriage. He’s a villain who’s easy to absolutely despise.
With a storyline that oozes honor and true love on every page, I recommend WINTER SOLSTICE IN THE CRYSTAL CASTLE to readers of historical romance, especially those who enjoy a holiday theme in their stories.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
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Jennifer Ivy Walker will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
3 comments:
Thank you so much for reviewing this book today.
Thank you very much for the fabulous review of Winter Solstice in the Crystal Castle and for hosting me to promote this novel. I truly appreciate it!
Great review for an awesome story
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