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Celtic Maidens
Celtic Maidens tells the story of Siân whose life holds few pleasures except for her friends, her interest in local folklore and the standing stones until the day that Ryan Ackley arrives in her remote Welsh village.
Siân and Ryan are reincarnations of Celtic lovers who were slaughtered long ago. They are unaware that obsessive love, power struggles and murder have followed them down through the ages. Thwarted in ancient times, a murderous spirit has followed them through time and now, with them all reunited in the 21st century, he plans to fulfil his malevolent vendetta.
Siân and Ryan are reincarnations of Celtic lovers who were slaughtered long ago. They are unaware that obsessive love, power struggles and murder have followed them down through the ages. Thwarted in ancient times, a murderous spirit has followed them through time and now, with them all reunited in the 21st century, he plans to fulfil his malevolent vendetta.
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
75 people want to read
About the author
Ceri Norman
10 books18 followersThis is my official biography. I hate writing about myself, I'd much rather be writing fiction!
From a young age Ceri Norman's love of mythology and history has inspired her. After gaining a degree studying History and English, Ceri worked in libraries and museums where she shared this love with the people she met and worked with. Seeing the pleasure that books and history brought to people, Ceri started writing fiction that people of all ages could enjoy and relate to. As a spiritual person she prefers her writing to have a spiritual and mystical flavour.
Ceri is most definitely a Scorpio.
My official website
From a young age Ceri Norman's love of mythology and history has inspired her. After gaining a degree studying History and English, Ceri worked in libraries and museums where she shared this love with the people she met and worked with. Seeing the pleasure that books and history brought to people, Ceri started writing fiction that people of all ages could enjoy and relate to. As a spiritual person she prefers her writing to have a spiritual and mystical flavour.
Ceri is most definitely a Scorpio.
My official website
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 13, 2012
First of all: it’s so hard not to love this book. From the first moment, it sweeps you up in the telling, like a bard speaking a long-held tale by a cosy fireside. The characters come to life and before you know it, you’re rooting for them, the pages almost turning by themselves as you’re drawn into the world… of misty modern-day North Wales.
This is a contemporary tale, but with the echoes of history clearly felt as part and parcel of daily life. Ostensibly, it’s a simple romance, as two people come together to fulfil promises from a thwarted past life, but that could describe any number of bad Harlequin novels -this is so much more.
Ryan is researching the stone circles of the Preseli Mountains, as a photographer working on a book with his old teacher. Sian is a local woman pulled home to the village by familial duty. Both are fated to meet, thus bringing to a conclusion a love that has yet to survive the centuries, with a vengeful spirit seeking to destroy them now as it has before.
The author builds her tale as one who clearly knows the community she is writing about – a small village with a well-realised cast of eccentrics, in the shadow of the stone circles and with the descriptive voice so strong you can practically hear the accents (and smell the air of a warm country pub!).
While the villains are a little too emphatically EVIL, in the manner of a fairytale complete with boos and hisses, this is remedied by the very much non-stereotypical nature of the protagonists and their friends. You cannot help but wish them well, sure that all will ‘come right in the end’, but with every cliffhanger there’s still that doubt that keeps you up late reading on.
The spirit of Druidry is depicted beautifully – something that too many fiction authors fail to truly capture in words. The magic in this book is powerful as a thunderstorm, yet also as intrinsic and familiar as creativity in painting or even good home cooking!
A good part of me wishes that the book were longer. You want to find out more about some characters and what happens next with them, and the ending is far too abrupt, jumping from a great chase scene to a quick resolution. I can only hope this implies a sequel, as the community and mood of the tale easily holds more secrets yet to be told.
This is a contemporary tale, but with the echoes of history clearly felt as part and parcel of daily life. Ostensibly, it’s a simple romance, as two people come together to fulfil promises from a thwarted past life, but that could describe any number of bad Harlequin novels -this is so much more.
Ryan is researching the stone circles of the Preseli Mountains, as a photographer working on a book with his old teacher. Sian is a local woman pulled home to the village by familial duty. Both are fated to meet, thus bringing to a conclusion a love that has yet to survive the centuries, with a vengeful spirit seeking to destroy them now as it has before.
The author builds her tale as one who clearly knows the community she is writing about – a small village with a well-realised cast of eccentrics, in the shadow of the stone circles and with the descriptive voice so strong you can practically hear the accents (and smell the air of a warm country pub!).
While the villains are a little too emphatically EVIL, in the manner of a fairytale complete with boos and hisses, this is remedied by the very much non-stereotypical nature of the protagonists and their friends. You cannot help but wish them well, sure that all will ‘come right in the end’, but with every cliffhanger there’s still that doubt that keeps you up late reading on.
The spirit of Druidry is depicted beautifully – something that too many fiction authors fail to truly capture in words. The magic in this book is powerful as a thunderstorm, yet also as intrinsic and familiar as creativity in painting or even good home cooking!
A good part of me wishes that the book were longer. You want to find out more about some characters and what happens next with them, and the ending is far too abrupt, jumping from a great chase scene to a quick resolution. I can only hope this implies a sequel, as the community and mood of the tale easily holds more secrets yet to be told.
March 7, 2013
I'd never heard of Ceri Norman before and I'm so glad I came across this book. The story had me gripped from the beginning - and I believe it's one time when my lack of Welsh history and knowledge did me good, I learnt a bit of history as well as enjoying a really good book. The characters are believable and I squirmed in fear at places, as well as smiling and laughing appropriately. I didn't even see the complete ending coming, which is always a bonus. Great authour and a lovely book which is completely different to what I'd normally read - just sorry my review doesn't quite do it justice!
July 20, 2011
Lots of lovely Welsh atmosphere that felt so real you could almost smell the public house and feel the wind on the mountains. The myths and legends were interesting and the characters felt like my family. I was almost back at home reading this one !
June 14, 2023
I was given this book by a friend who knows of my love of "fantasy" books and folklore / mythology. This was an absolutely magnificent read that draws you in from the first page and keeps you guessing until the end. Exceedingly well written with characters you can associate with. I have to admit that my favourite part of the book is actually the location of Wales and therefore the folklore given is Welsh. It makes such a refreshing change to read about Wales' history and not just Ireland's.
Would highly recommend it to simply everyone!!!
Apr 12, 2012
Would highly recommend it to simply everyone!!!
Apr 12, 2012
January 16, 2011
I liked this book very much. The authour easily transports you to the wonderful setting of the Preseli mountains. The characterisation is very good and from the start I was able to connect with them. I was gripped from the first page and enjoyed the way the story unfolded in a gentle way but with undertones of menace to culminate in an exciting climax. The blend of mytholgy, history and mystery was skillfully done.
January 2, 2013
Sorry but I found this disappointing. I'd had this on my to-read list for some time and was looking forward to the reading when I was given a copy as a gift at Christmas. Alas, I felt that the author had overdone the magic and myth to a point where it became a turn-off. It's my opinion only of course but I felt that just a little fantasy was all that was needed and then the story would have remained feasible.
April 2, 2015
This book reminded me of another I've read, and I think it's Barbara Erskine's On The Edge of Darkness. The spooky atmosphere was very good, and the pace towards the end of the book really got going! There was a little twist in the book regarding the identity of someone, which I didn't guess which ratcheted the tension up.
I can definitely recommend this book if you fancy a spooky read.
I can definitely recommend this book if you fancy a spooky read.
March 7, 2021
A very good read
I first read the book when it was released. I liked the dual time line elements but think more can be written about the past story line, develop those characters and make them stronger
I first read the book when it was released. I liked the dual time line elements but think more can be written about the past story line, develop those characters and make them stronger
August 16, 2015
Good story but the writing style could have been improved, I was cringing sometimes reading the dialogue.
January 3, 2016
I was actually a bit disappointed with this book. The premise was great but I couldn't empathise with the characters and I thought the writing was a bit stilted, hence the low star rating.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews