Wolf of the Nordic Seas (Valiant Vikings Book 2) by Jennifer Ivy Walker - a review

Book Review: 5 Stars

Wolf of the Nordic Seas was a really enjoyable read and easy to get pulled into from the beginning, even though I haven’t read the first book in the series. The story works well on its own and gives enough background to feel settled in the world without being confusing.

Njörd is a strong, duty-bound warrior with more depth than you might expect, and Elfi is confident, capable, and very much her own person. Their relationship develops at a comfortable pace and feels natural, shaped by shared challenges and growing trust rather than rushed moments.

The plot moves along nicely, balancing action, romance, and touches of mythology without dragging. There’s always something happening to keep things engaging, and I stayed invested in the characters right through to the end.

If you enjoy Viking-inspired romance with adventure and heart, Wolf of the Nordic Seas is well worth a read and works perfectly well even if you’re new to the series.

About the book

The Blurb

Named after the Norse God of the Sea, Njörd grew up sailing, swimming, and fishing the fjords of Norway. Endowed with extraordinary senses, speed, and strength, he became known as Wolf of the Nordic Seas, leading lucrative Viking raids from the Baltic shores to the Black and Caspian Seas. When a Viking völva foretells his future through a seidr vision, Njörd learns that his fate and his mate—the siren with the sea goddess eyes—lie on the alabaster coast of Normandy in the distant Land of the White Chalk Cliffs.

Elfi Thorfinnsdóttir is a skilled shieldmaiden who seeks vengeance against the ruthless Frankish count who killed her brother and abducted her father in an attempt to seize her clifftop castle. But rather that submit to the count’s relentless demand for her hand in marriage, Elfi allies with Richard the Fearless—the Viking Duke of Normandy— and the Danish Jarl of Ribe known as the Wolf of the Nordic Seas.

As Elfi and Njörd discover startling secrets about their respective pasts, they find that the three Norns have entwined the threads of their fates not just as political allies, but as mates destined to fulfill a divine prophecy.

Wolf of the Nordic Seas— book 2 of the Valiant Vikings series set in tenth century Normandy— is a sizzling, scintillating blend of historical fiction, Norse mythology, paranormal fantasy, and steamy Viking romance!

Praise

“This thrilling tale promises to sweep readers off their feet and take them on an unforgettable journey into the heart of Viking lore.” Five Stars

Yarde Book Promotions

“…Walker's textured history and atmosphere, whether it is a sacred grove or ethereal caves, create a world that feels both mystical and real, pulling readers into another unforgettable journey. Very highly recommended.”

Readers’ Favorite

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Jennifer Ivy Walker

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.

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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

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Quillan Creek and the Little War: Time Stones Book I by Ian Hunter - a review

 

Book Review: 5 Stars

I really enjoyed this book for the way it brings the past to life with such quiet confidence. Rather than feeling like a distant historical backdrop, the world of the Haudenosaunee feels close, lived-in and real, as if you’re walking the forests and shorelines alongside the characters. The sense of place seeps into every chapter and kept me completely immersed.

What stood out to me was how respectfully and thoughtfully the culture and daily life are portrayed. Small details of hunting, trading and community life build a picture of a balanced world on the brink of change. The story doesn’t turn this into a history lesson, but instead lets you experience it through the eyes of young people trying to understand where they now stand.

Alongside that rich setting runs a thread of magic and danger that adds urgency without overwhelming the heart of the story. The mysterious stones and the shadow pursuing them raise the stakes, yet the focus remains on trust, courage and finding your place in an unfamiliar world.

This is an engaging, atmospheric read that is especially well suited to a young adult audience and will strongly appeal to teenagers who enjoy adventure with depth. It left me both thoughtful and eager to continue the journey, a solid five-star read for anyone who enjoys immersive historical fantasy.

About the book

The Blurb

Jessie Mason lives with her nose in the pages of history. But she is about to discover that the past is a dangerous place where she doesn't belong, and knowledge alone is not going to save her.

In Jessie’s troubled life her aunt is the only constant and comfort she has. But when she inexplicably disappears, and Jessie uncovers her mother's Time Stone, that unhappy life turns unreal and terrifying.

She is summoned to a world in crisis, 250 years in her past, to three unlikely companions, and the aged Onondaga shaman, Nishkamich, who promises an education in the powers of the stones which they each possess.

Over one glorious summer, Jessie reluctantly settles to village life and the developing bond with her prickly friends, until they are forced to accept that their stones are being hunted through history.

But in the depths of winter, their friendship, their wits, and the very limits of their endurance, will be tested by an unforgiving Nature as war finally erupts around them.

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Books have been an important part of my life as long as I can remember, and at 54 years old, that’s a lot of books. My earliest memories of reading are CS Lewis’, “The Horse and His Boy” – by far the best of the Narnia books, the Adventures series by Willard Price, and “Goalkeepers are Different” by sports journalist Brian Glanville. An eclectic mix. My first English teacher was surprised to hear that I was reading, Le Carré, Ken Follett, Nevil Shute and “All the Presidents’ Men” by Woodward and Bernstein at the age of 12. I was simply picking up the books my father had finished.

School syllabus threw up the usual suspects – Shakespeare, Chaucer, Dickens, Hardy, “To Kill a Mockingbird” – which I have reread often, and others I don’t immediately recall. By “A” level study, my then English teachers were pulling their hair out at my “perverse waste of talent” – I still have the report card! But I did manage a pass.

During a 35 year career, briefly in Banking and then in IT, I managed to find time, with unfailing family support, to study another lifelong passion, graduating with an Open University Bachelors’ degree in History in 2002. This fascination with all things historical inspired me to begin the Time Stones series. There is so much to our human past, and so many differing views on what is the greatest, and often the saddest, most tragic story. I decided I wanted to write about it; to shine a small light on those, sometimes pivotal stories, which are less frequently mentioned.

In 1995, my wife, Michelle, and I moved from England to southern Germany, where we still live, with our two children, one cat, and, when she pays us a visit, one chocolate labrador. I have been fortunate that I could satisfy another wish, to travel as widely as possible and see as much of our world as I can. Destinations usually include places of historic and archaeological interest, mixed with a large helping of sun, sea and sand for my wife’s peace of mind.

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The Relic Keeper by Heidi Eljarbo - a review (5 Stars)

 

Book Review: 5 Stars

I don’t think I’ve ever connected so deeply with a supporting character the way I did with Padre Benedetto in The Relic Keeper. Angelo is already such a compelling character, struggling to survive in a harsh world, but it’s Benedetto who truly transforms the story for me. From the moment he appears, there’s this calm, steady presence about him — he doesn’t scold or lecture, he simply sees Angelo for who he could be, not who he has been.

Benedetto’s kindness is quiet but incredibly powerful. He offers shelter, trust, and guidance at exactly the right moments, and watching Angelo respond — slowly, cautiously, but genuinely — is incredibly satisfying. It’s the little things that stayed with me: breakfast offered instead of punishment, patience when Angelo falters, encouragement when he shows a glimmer of hope. Benedetto doesn’t just give Angelo a safe place; he gives him the tools to understand that his past doesn’t define him and that he can make different choices.

I also loved how Benedetto’s influence ripples through the story. He’s the reason Angelo begins to see the world differently, to notice beauty and possibility where he had only seen survival before. His wisdom and steady heart feel like a lifeline, and it reminded me how one thoughtful, compassionate person can change the course of someone’s life entirely. 

If you enjoy stories about growth, hope, and the quiet power of compassion, this is absolutely a book to pick up. The Relic Keeper isn’t just about Angelo’s journey — it’s about the people who help us become the best version of ourselves, even when we don’t realise it at the time. Padre Benedetto alone makes this one unforgettable.

About the book

The Blurb

Italy, 1620.

Angelo is an orphan, lonely and forgotten. Having been passed on from one family to the next, he ends up as a common thief, subject to and under the thumb of a ruthless robber called Tozzo.

Angelo knows no other life and has lost hope that any chance of providence will ever replace his lonely, misfortunate existence. When he loses his master, his livelihood is shaken. Tozzo’s plunder is hidden in a safe place, but what will happen if someone comes after Angelo to get their hands on the stolen relics? More than that, he feels threatened by words he’s heard too many times; that he’ll always remain unforgiven and doomed.

One day, a priest invites Angelo to help with chores around the church and rectory and, in exchange, offers him room and board. Padre Benedetto’s kindness and respect are unfamiliar and confusing, but Angelo’s safety is still a grave concern. Two older robbers have heard rumors about the hidden treasures and will stop at nothing to attain them.

With literary depictions and imagery, Angelo’s story is a gripping and emotional journey of faint hope and truth in seventeenth-century Italy—an artistic and audacious tale that crosses paths with art collector Vincenzo Giustiniani and the powerful Medici family.

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HEIDI ELJARBO grew up in a home full of books, artwork, and happy creativity. She is the author of historical novels filled with courage, hope, mystery, adventure, and sweet romance during challenging times. She’s been named a master of dual timelines and often writes about strong-willed women of past centuries.

After living in Canada, six US states, Japan, Switzerland, and Austria, Heidi now calls Norway home. She lives with her husband on a charming island and enjoys walking in any kind of weather, hugging her grandchildren, and has a passion for art and history. Her family’s chosen retreat is a mountain cabin, where they hike in the summer and ski the vast white terrain during winter.

Heidi’s favorites are her family, God's beautiful nature, and the word whimsical.

Social Media Links:

Website: https://www.heidieljarbo.com/

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Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16984270.Heidi_Eljarbo

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Heidi-Eljarbo/author/B073D852VG

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