Secrets of Hollins Castle

Rosewyn clutched the bundled baby in her arms as she ran through the icy winds of Hollins Shire’s brutal winter, shivering violently – but not from the cold. She shivered from fright and dread. The baby she held in her arms should have been loved and cared for like any other newborn, but the baby had been condemned to die by the King. His birth was against the law and saving him would mean certain death if she was caught. Even the news of his birth would aid the evil duke, Lord Raymond in overthrowing the entire kingdom. If Rosewyn’s secret is discovered, the kingdom could crumble. Tortured by guilt in condemning the child, the King struggles to keep his family together. When a mysterious boy arrives at the castle, things become more dangerous as Lord Raymond plots the royal family’s demise. In an effort to save his family and kingdom, the King has his young sons trained in survival skills for their protection, but when the secret of the new stranger is discovered, will the training be enough? Editorial Review Secrets of Hollins Castle is a delightful medieval fantasy adventure that stands out as a testament of love to the medieval fantasy genre - Christianson weaves a well-crafted tale that feels realistic to the genre, with especially powerful dialogue and relationship building that make the story stand out. The author does an excellent job balancing drama and tenderness without being melodramatic, such as when Queen Jennifry gives birth to her child to start the story. Characters are also introduced with good characterization quickly without overwhelming the reader, such as when the reader meets Lord Raymond with a snide comment. The character relationships between each other, which add to the mystery, also feel realistic and at times tender. Writer's Digest