Three linked stories set in twelfth century Ireland show us
what the Christmas and winter solstice celebrations held at
that time, with tensions and romances between different
groups of people.
In The Bleak Midwinter introduces Brianna, daughter of a
chieftain, who sees her brother Liam return from the
Crusades with a bride to be, Adriana of Navarre. The
Spanish girl's brother Arturo, wearing Norman chainmail and
a Damascene sword, is escorting her. Brianna is a young
widow and can't avoid the sultry glances of Arturo, but has
no intention of giving up her mourning. Arturo however is
also widowed and could see himself settling in Ireland.
Brianna's hatred of the Viking who killed her husband fills
all her mind, and it takes a tragedy to shock her out of
her grief.
The Holly and the Viking tells the story from the Viking's
point of view. Kaall has lost his sight and killed
Brianna's husband in self-defence. He paid the fine to the
widow according to the laws of the time, and then could not
support his little daughter so she had to be fostered, a
frequent custom to build relationships between families.
Young Rhianna, sister of Brianna, is lost in the snow after
taking a love charm despite her protective father's chasing
men away from her. She is attacked by a wolf and is saved
by Kaall's hearing the disturbance and getting mauled
instead. He takes the girl to shelter in his woodland cave
where she uses her healing skills on his injuries and next
day they visit the Viking settlement. Rhianna doesn't know
how to cope with her growing feelings for Kaall, without
betraying her sister.
A Season to Forgive focuses on Adriana of Navarre and the
suffering of the Crusades. She and her betrothed Liam were
at the city of Acre, and Liam refused to put women and
children to death. King Richard had him tortured for
disobedience. The guilty secret Adriana is hiding is that
she offered herself to the king to spare her beloved's
life. She did not fare well and is not looking forward to
the wedding night as a bride should. A foreign boat is
seen offshore and she fears that the past has caught up
with them.
The customs and languages of the times are well described
and the merging of Norman, Viking and Irish people is
lovely to read. I enjoyed the romances and the capable
women, while the WARRIORS IN WINTER would steal any woman's
heart. Michelle Willingham has done her research and
brought the period to life excellently. This is highly
recommended.
Spend Christmas with your favorite warriors—the MacEgans!
In The Bleak Midwinter
It's a year since Brianna MacEgan's husband was killed, and
she remains coldly obsessed with avenging his death. But
Arturo de Manzano is intent on distracting her with his
muscled fighter's body—and the ice around her heart is soon
in danger of melting….
The Holly and the Viking
Lost in a snowstorm, Rhiannon MacEgan is rescued by a fierce
Viking. Her lonely soul instantly finds its mate in Kaall,
but can they ever be together? For not only is Kaall blind,
he's also her beloved cousin's most hated enemy….
A Season to Forgive
Adriana de Manzano is betrothed to Liam MacEgan, a man she
absolutely adores. But she's hiding a terrible secret. To
save Liam's life in the Holy Land she was forced to betray
him. If she tells this proud warrior the truth, can he ever
forgive her?
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