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.