Dragonslayer's Valkyrie:
The Legend of Sigurd and Brynhildr
by
Jennifer Ivy
Walker
Historical
Romance
Publisher: Green Mermaid Publications
Publication Date: June 21, 2026
Page count: 388 pages
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SYNOPSIS:
Last of the Völsung line of kings descended from Odin, Sigurd is one of the elite Sjórúlfar—the fearsome Sea Wolves of southern Norway. Endowed with the divine blood of the wolf, he seeks glory at the Sólhjarta Summer Solstice Tournament to avenge his father’s death.
Brynhildr, daughter of the Raven King, is the Sun Falcon shieldmaiden and gifted seeress who has glimpsed her fate as a Valkyrie in a seiðr vision. When her father decrees she must wed the tournament’s champion, she summons Freyja for guidance—only to learn her future is bound to Sigurd.
As the Norns tighten the intricate threads of fate, Brynhildr must guide Sigurd toward his destiny as a dragonslayer—by defying the web of wyrd and incurring the wrath of Odin.
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ENJOY AN EXCERPT:The Sólhjarta Tournament
As the setting sun lit the evening sky and
glistening fjord with brilliant shades of crimson fire, Brynhildr’s gaze
wandered to the drakkar ship whose fierce blue dragon prow was etched with
snarling silver wolves.
That is his ship. The fearsome warrior known as
Sigurd Sea Wolf.
He’d caught her attention the very first day of
the competition, for not only did he stand half a head taller than all the
other warriors, his blue grey wolfskin cloak, shimmering in the summer sun, had
given him the otherworldly air of a god. Deep blue gems glittered in his
braided blond hair, pulled back from his rugged face and tied with leather at
the nape of his corded neck. Lapis lazuli stones glinted in his golden beard,
braided like his long thick hair. As Brynhildr had sat beside her faðir on the
elevated dais to watch the competition, a sizzle of seiðr had shivered up her
spine when he’d removed his wolfskin cloak and tunic.
Dark blond hair and blue tattoos covered his
rippled chest, and for the first time in her entire life, Brynhildr had shared
Astrid’s fascination for the spear-throwing event.
Even his spear had caught her attention.
The pale wood of his impressive weapon had been
painted with blue swirling waves and silver snarling wolves, like his
magnificent drakkar longship. And when he’d hurled the spear farther than any
other competitor, a thrill of triumph had coursed through her veins, as if she
had thrown the weapon herself.
That night, at the feast, her searching gaze had
found him seated among the Sjórúlfar, the firelight in her faðir’s royal hall
wreathing Sigurd’s wolfskin cloak in shimmery sapphire. He’d pierced her with
fierce lupine eyes and seared her soul with a scorching smile.
All week long, she’d watched him. He ran more
swiftly and swam more surely than the other warriors, as if he were indeed a
Sea Wolf. Tonight, at the feast, her faðir would present gifts to the ten
competitors—including Sigurd from Sjóborg—who had won the preliminary trials
and would therefore advance to the next round of events in the Summer Solstice
Tournament.
There would be a thrilling competition of three
skálds, each vying for the prestigious title of Skáld of the Sólhjarta
Tournament.
And after the bountiful feast, guests would
dance around a bonfire beneath the stars.
Brynhildr’s legs trembled under her silk gown at
the thought of being in the Sea Wolf’s arms.
If just looking at him sends shivers of seiðr up
my spine, what will it be like to touch him?
A shudder of anticipation shook her whole body.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jennifer
Ivy Walker is an award-winning author of medieval Celtic, Nordic, and
paranormal romance, as well as contemporary romance, historical fantasy, and
WWII romantic suspense.
A
former high school teacher and college professor of French with an MA in French
literature, her novels encompass a love for French language, literature,
history, and culture, including Celtic myths and legends, Norse mythology,
Viking sagas, and Nordic lore.
List
of Books by Jennifer Ivy Walker
The
Wild Rose and the Sea Raven
The
Lady of the Mirrored Lake
The
Emerald Fairy and the Dragon Knight
Winter
Solstice in the Crystal Castle
A
Celtic Yuletide Carol
The
Witch of the Breton Woods
Flames
of Flamenco
Amour
in Avignon
Dragon
of Denmark
Wolf
of the Nordic Seas
Falcon
of the Faroe Islands
Dragonslayer’s
Valkyrie: The Legend of Sigurd and Brynhildr
REVIEW:
5 stars!
A masterpiece of reimagining a Nordic folk legend.
Dragonslayer's Valkyrie: The Legend of Sigurd and Brynhildr
is the debut novel in author Jennifer Ivy Walker's exciting new Viking
Dragonslayers series, and is a masterful reimagining of a renowned Nordic
folk legend. While retaining the bones of the ancient story, Walker's lyrical
prose, attention to historic detail, and creativity make the tale her own.
Told in the alternating points of view of the two fated
lovers, the story begins with Sigurd's final trial of ability, strength,
stamina, and determination before he is enrolled in the ranks of the elite Sea
Wolves of his stepfather, King Alfr. His successful narrative is followed by
Brynhildr's introduction and her fantastical summoning of Freyja for the
goddess's confirmation of Brynhildr's future as a shieldmaiden rather than the
simpering prize of a tournament victor. These wonderful openings set the stage
for what's to come and define their early strengths of mind and body.
Readers are treated to the innermost thoughts and desires of
these two earnest and deserving young people, establishing their worthiness for
what will become a legendary love story. The author excels at delivering meaningful
thought processes and dialogue that sounds natural, authentic, and makes sense.
However, the author's skills truly shine in incorporating perfectly
appropriate, timely descriptions of settings, rituals, and the characters'
daily lives without bogging the story down in minutiae. The research that must
have been done is evident in the vivid, precise details organically blended
into every scene.
Sigurd and Brynhildr's attraction blossoms into aching
longing, and their union and fulfillment are accomplished openly as part of the
story, so be prepared if full disclosure makes you uncomfortable. The same care
used to depict daily life or religious ceremonies is applied to revealing the pair's
emotional and physical relationship.
The plot moves at an exciting pace as the characters are
introduced and the scenes are set. Sigurd's and Brynhildr's hopes, dreams,
pride, and longing will become yours as events intervene between these two
classic fated mates. If their story weren't legendary before, it certainly
would be now.
I recommend DRAGONSLAYER'S VALKYRIE: THE LEGEND OF SIGURD
AND BRYNHILDR to readers of historical romance, historical fiction, fantasy romance, and folktale retellings.
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Jennifer Ivy Walker will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN
gift card to a randomly drawn winner.
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