This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
A Celtic Yuletide Carol by Jennifer Ivy Walker is a historical romance that follows Sir Cardin, a former Breton knight now known as Basati, the Basque Wolf. Haunted by guilt, he drowns his sorrows in taverns until his mother's dying wish brings him back to his abandoned son. In the forest, he meets Ulla, a mute Viking widow who lives in seclusion with her wolf and falcon. As Basati bonds with his son and falls for Ulla, old enemies threaten his newfound peace. Set against the Yuletide season, the story blends love, redemption, and the pull of past darkness.
Author Jennifer Ivy Walker's gorgeous writing took my breath away with its wealth of historical detail and emotional storytelling that blends both familial and romantic love into a tender tale. Her vivid descriptions of the forest setting create a magical feel to the atmosphere that perfectly complements the romance at the heart of the story and captures the style of a classic Yuletide tale. The sensitivity with which she handles both Basati's redemption arc and Ulla's silent strength shows a deep understanding of human nature and the healing power of love, and the pairing of these interesting energies is always intriguing. Her ability to weave together themes of redemption, family bonds, and second chances creates a tapestry of emotion that feels authentic, and by the end of the tale, readers feel the characters have earned their happiness. What I found especially touching was how she used music and nature as healing forces throughout the story, creating scenes that resonated with such beauty and emotion that I often had to pause just to let them sink in. Overall, A Celtic Yuletide Carol is a beautiful and moving romance that deserves a place on any historical fiction lover's bookshelf.