Monday 9 December 2019

Book Blog Tour Stop & Review, After Whorl: Donning the Double Cloak by Nancy Jardine.



After Whorl: Donning Double Cloaks by Nancy Jardine

AD 73 Northern Roman Britain

Brennus of Garrigill—Bran—monitors Roman activity across Brigantia. Stability prevails till AD 78 when Agricola, Governor of Britannia, orders complete conquest of all barbarians. Brennus heads north, seeking the Caledon who will lead the northern tribes against Rome.
Ineda treks northwards with her master, Tribune Valerius – supplies officer for Agricola’s Britannia campaigns. At Pinnata Castra, she escapes and seeks fellow Brigantes congregating for battle in the north.

The Legions of the Roman Empire and the Caledon allies clash at Beinn na Ciche in AD 84, but where are Brennus and Ineda?

The adventures of the Garrigill Clan continue…






This third book in the Celtic Fervour series is my favourite so far. This novel follows straight on from The Beltane Choice and After Whorl: Bran Reborn. We discover what happened to Ineda and Bran after they are ambushed by a passing a Roman patrol.

The timeline scans ten years with the focus mostly on Ineda and her life in captivity. It's fascinating to understand the dynamics of the relationship between her and her captor Tribune Valerius. Despite the hostility between them in the beginning, over time, there's a softening of feelings between them. The result allows Ineda to use the information openly discussed between them to help keep the local people informed about the Romans intentions.

The outcome of this novel appeals to my romantic side. I heartily enjoyed Lorcan and Nara's story in The Beltane Choice and since then have enjoyed updates about them along the way. Yet it's Bran and Ineda story which grabbed my imagination the most and knowing they finally have a happy ending is heartfelt and satisfying especially after what both have experienced during their time apart and how acceptance and trust allows them to be together.

For those who enjoy intriguing historical stories wrapped around absorbing facts, The Celtic Fervour series is a must-read. Nancy Jardine masterfully writes a flowing narrative full of detail. I particularly enjoy learning about how the Romans and the local tribes lived their days to day lives.

So what's next? I'm looking forward to continuing this saga with the fourth novel; Agricole's Bane.

***review copy received courtesy of Ocelot Press via Rachel's Random Resources***


Nancy Jardine writes historical fiction; time-travel historical adventure; contemporary mystery thrillers; and romantic comedy. She lives in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, where life is never quiet or boring since she regularly child minds her young grandchildren who happen to be her next-door neighbours. Her garden is often creatively managed by them, though she does all the work! Her husband is a fantastic purveyor of coffee and tea…excellent food and wine! (Restorative, of course)
A member of the Historical Novel Society; Scottish Association of Writers; Federation of Writers Scotland; Romantic Novelists’ Association and the Independent Alliance of Authors, her work has achieved finalist status in UK competitions.
Giveaway to Win x1 signed paperback of After Whorl: Double Cloaks to one UK winner; X1 kindle copy worldwide
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