A Celtic Yuletide Carol


Romance - Historical
187 Pages
Reviewed on 10/27/2024
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

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.

Paul Zietsman

A Celtic Yuletide Carol by award-winning novelist Jennifer Ivy Walker is a medieval holiday romance with suspense, action, and intrigue elements. Sir Cardin, now known as Basati, the Basque Wolf, drowns his sorrows in inns and bars, drinking mead, gambling, and getting into fights. He lost his wife when she delivered their son, Lukaz. He cannot help but blame Lukaz for the unfortunate turn of events, and now Lukaz lives and grows up with his uncle and aunt. Sir Cardin's mother fakes a terminal illness to reunite father and son. Cardin falls head over heels in love with the healing priestess Ulla. Is the enchantment with her enough to win her heart and heal his own, and will enemies from his sordid past get in his way?

The book starts with an intriguing set of events, luring the reader into a majestic story of love, guilt, repentance, trust, and loyalty. The dialog is very authentic and therefore effective. Good food, mead, herbs, and interesting potions are integral to the storyline as well as titles and nobility. First and foremost, this is a love story in which suspense and thrilling action combine exceedingly well to form a multi-faceted, yet beautifully well-rounded novel. The characters are endearing and one quickly and easily forms a bond with them, especially the young Lukaz, who at first is called a bastard by his peers, because of being abandoned by his father. A gem of a find for me, Jennifer Ivy Walker's A Celtic Yuletide Carol is sure to be a hit with romance lovers from all walks of life.

Pikasho Deka

Treat yourself to an absorbing tale of medieval romance with Jennifer Ivy Walker's A Celtic Yuletide Carol. It's been six years since Cardin de Landuc and his older brother Gaultier were sent to guard the fortress of le Château de Montmarin and defend the coast of Aquitaine. But all Cardin has done is gamble, drink, and rack up debts while his brother Gaultier saves him from trouble. Cardin has never seen his young son, Lukaz, since the death of his wife Charlotte, and now, his mother, Lady Laudine, has summoned her son home. Meanwhile, Ulla, a healer and a widow, has developed an unexpected bond with Lukaz. After Cardin returns home, he and Ulla feel an irresistible mutual attraction to each other. However, Cardin is again called to action as Andoni Zilar enacts a nefarious plan to assassinate Comte Eztobe Ibarra.

A medieval love story flavored with a healthy sprinkling of romance, action, and political intrigue, A Celtic Yuletide Carol is a must-read for historical romance enthusiasts. Jennifer Ivy Walker excels in crafting captivating tales set in the medieval era, and this book demonstrates the author's mastery of the genre beautifully. The plot is very well-paced, featuring two main characters who come from very different backgrounds. Both Cardin and Ulla have suffered the loss of their loved ones, and those losses have changed the course of their lives. It's not until they find kindred souls in each other that they begin to heal. Cardin and Ulla have a compelling dynamic, and as a reader, you want to see them end up together. In conclusion, I really enjoyed this novel. For readers of historical romance, do not miss out on this!

Frank Mutuma

In A Celtic Yuletide Carol by Jennifer Ivy Walker, Gaultier and Cardin are part of the Breton knights sent to help quash uprisings by English rebels anxious to claim the coveted duchy of Aquitaine while maintaining political alliances with the Spanish regions of Navarra and Aragó. Before being sent to the region, Cardin had been a different person and not the drunk and brute that people take him for now. It is the death of Charlotte that changes him, leaving him unable to love his son as a father should. Cardin's mother, Laudine, taught young women to become capable Celtic healers. Ulla is the most gifted of her students. With the help of Ulla, Laudine hatches a plot of how to bring Cardin back home during the Yuletide season. How will things turn out when Cardin returns home?

With diverse and captivating themes, there was never a dull moment in A Celtic Yuletide Carol by Jennifer Ivy Walker. I loved the highly engaging dialogue and the steady pacing, which kept me intrigued and eager to discover the next twist in the plot. This amazing work also triggered my curiosity in history, and I was pleasantly astounded to read about the Vikings in Normandy. This showed that the book was well researched, though a work of fiction. Jennifer also ensured that all events and places were vividly described, which helped create a mental picture of what was happening. Honestly, I would love to see this amazing work made into a movie. This was a nice read, and I would love to read something else by this amazing author.

Cecelia Hopkins

A Celtic Yuletide Carol by Jennifer Ivy Walker sees career fighters Cardin and Gaultier receive a message suggesting that their mother, the priestess Laudine, is terminally ill. Luckily, the summons is a ruse intended to bring the brothers home for Yule. However, the visit triggers a process of restoration for Cardin, who has been living a life of gambling and carousing. At home, in le Château de Landuc he begins to care for his neglected son and enjoy the refreshing company of talented healer Ulla. Will Cardin find a new purpose or will the plot to frame him for the murder of Comte Ibarra ruin everything?

A Celtic Yuletide Carol by Jennifer Ivy Walker combines historical romance with mild fantasy. At first, I thought Cardin might be an unlikable and irredeemable character, but I was charmed by his developing paternal instinct and romance with Ulla. The healer had experienced tragedy, which made her an appealing and empathetic character. Moreover, the side romance between Gaultier and Dolssa added depth to the narrative. I thought they would have a fling, but was pleased to learn Gaultier was serious enough to return for a relationship. Dolssa also had secrets which made her an interesting character. Enough lifestyle and period details were included for convincing world-building. The elements of political intrigue added excitement and suspense to the narrative, keeping me eagerly reading. A Celtic Yuletide Carol by Jennifer Ivy Walker presents a family Yuletide that I could relate to as the forerunner of Christmas and enjoy as holiday fiction.