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An ex-primary teacher, Nancy Jardine, lives in the fabulous castle country of Aberdeenshire – Scotland. Whenever possible, she includes her homeland in her work, and many of the wonderful world-wide locations she has been fortunate to visit.
Officially childminding her energetic young grandchildren a few days every week, her large garden is often left to the forces of nature, rather than tended, when writing tasks win the battle of time. Any further spare moments are devoted to ancestry research, personal novel reading and keeping up with politics of the day.
Teaching historical periods was a joy, and it heavily influences her writing. In addition to her Celtic Fervour Historical Clan Saga set in late 1st century Roman Britain, her published work also includes historical time travel adventure set in 'Ancient Roman Scotland', and contemporary mysteries which have ancestral 'family tree' plots.
She regularly provides illustrated presentations on Roman Scotland to local groups, large and small.
Reviewed by Kathryn Bennett for Readers' Favorite
"The Beltane Choice" by Nancy Jardine takes us back in time to Celtic Great Britain in 71 AD. Nancy Jardine weaves a fantastic tale of Nara, a princess of a tribe called the Selgovae who had planned to become a priestess but was banished. So instead she found that she had to find herself a mate before Beltane. As if it was not hard enough to have to find someone to marry, the Mighty Roman armies were marching on their lands and tribes that were not bonded together could not possibly fight off the might of Rome. While Nara was searching for her mate she was taken captive by Lorcan, a prince of an enemy tribe. Many turns for her life and that of the Celtic people begin to fall into place from here.
Nancy Jardine combines several elements into one story that grips readers and pulls them under the spell of an ancient time. Stories of love and war are not new topics to cover and yet the way "The Beltane Choice" is written gives a fresh twist to the old favorite. I loved the way Nara and Jorcan's relationship develops in the story. From the moment they meet there is a mutual attraction that cannot be denied. However, you can also feel the complex emotions they both feel because their tribes are enemies. Nara is a strong woman who is very easy to connect with as a character. I appreciate how Nancy Jardine gives her traits that are so tangible and real. Nara is strong, loyal and loving and she has a sense of humor but she is not perfect. Lorcan is an equally prominent character. He is a strong warrior who has a good sense of self and a mind for what needs to be done with the coming war. However, even that strong warrior sense and loyalty to his tribe is tested in the face of love. "The Beltane Choice" is a book that will appeal to a lot of different readers, all who enjoy ancient history, war, pagan ritual and just a good story.
