Between The Pages - Dragonslayer's Valkyrie: The Legend of Sigurd and Brynhildr

Dragonslayer's Valkyrie: The Legend of Sigurd and Brynhildr 

Jennifer Ivy Walker

June 2026 

Last of the Völsung line of kings descended from Odin, Sigurd is one of the elite Sjórúlfar—the fearsome Sea Wolves of southern Norway. Endowed with the divine blood of the wolf, he seeks glory at the Sólhjarta Summer Solstice tournament to avenge his father’s death. 

Brynhildr, daughter of the Raven King, is the Sun Falcon shieldmaiden and gifted seeress who has glimpsed her fate as a Valkyrie in a seiðr vision. When her father decrees she must wed the tournament’s champion, she summons Freyja for guidance—only to learn her future is bound to Sigurd. 

As the Norns tighten the intricate threads of fate, Brynhildr must guide Sigurd toward his destiny as a dragonslayer—by defying the web of wyrd and incurring the wrath of Odin. 

Between The Pages 

In Dragonslayer's Valkyrie: The Legend of Sigurd and Brynhildr, the author proves once again that she is a master of visual storytelling. Her worldbuilding is lush and cinematic. Every scene feels textured and alive. The Norse setting is especially engaging, even when stumbling over pronouncing the names. The characters are compelling and pull you straight into their fates. 

Sigurd and Brynhildr are both fascinating figures, and their intertwined destinies give the story emotional weight. However, one pivotal moment involving Sigurd lost some of its impact when told through the eyes of a secondary character rather than allowing readers to experience it directly with him. In addition, Brynhildr is introduced as a fierce, formidable warrior, and because her character is rooted in that strength, she should have retained more of her trained resilience and fighting spirit; losing it softened the impact of her arc. Even so, the novel delivers plenty of action, conflict, and drama, making it an enjoyable and immersive read. The author’s evocative prose and mythic atmosphere shine throughout, earning this story a strong 4.5 stars. 

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Between The Pages - Cherry Creek

Cherry Creek 

Linda Griffin 

July 2026 

When her fiancé died, Eileen said, “Then I’m free,” words that her younger sister Molly didn’t understand and never forgot. In 1850s Ohio, a girl doesn’t have that many options, and marrying Andrew MacLeith may be the best she can hope for. He promises to cherish her, but they have to live with his parents, and he can’t even protect her from his mother’s sharp tongue. After a quarrel, Molly impulsively joins his gambler brother Hugh on a journey to the Pike’s Peak gold region. Perhaps the romance and freedom she longs for lie elsewhere. Or were they right under her nose all along? 

Between The Pages 

Cherry Creek is an interesting and fast-paced read that follows Molly, a young woman driven by a fierce desire for adventure and independence. Her determination leads her into a life where she quickly discovers how difficult it can be to survive on her own. Yet those same challenges shape her, revealing her inner strength and teaching her hard-earned lessons about resilience and love. The story leans heavily on narrative and would have benefited from more dialogue to deepen character interactions and bring scenes to life. Overall, the plot remains engaging, and the ending delivers a satisfying conclusion with a compelling heroine and a thoughtful exploration of growth, hardship, and second chances. 

Rating 4 Stars

Between The Pages - Abigail Trench

Abigail Trench 

Randy Overbeck 

June 2026 

In occupied New York, a schoolteacher with everything to lose turns information into a weapon, threading between Redcoats and rebels as plots against Washington gather steam. After rogue Redcoats assault her and strip her family's Long Island farm, Abigail Trench fights to survive in New York City—tutoring in a high-ranking British officer's Water Street household by day, navigating taverns, informants, and soldiers by night. Through Abigail's keen eyes—and a counter-narrative following a principled British major—the novel renders the moral gray zones of occupation with gritty intimacy. As rumors swirl of a strike at General Washington, Abigail's vantage inside upper-crust parlors and rough waterfront rooms makes her an ideal courier—and a target.

Between The Pages 

Abigail Trench is a gripping historical novel that immerses readers in the tension and uncertainty of occupied New York. Randy Overbeck crafts a vivid, tightly woven narrative that follows a resilient schoolteacher forced into the shadows of espionage. By day, Abigail tutors within a British officer’s household, and by night, she navigates taverns, informants, and danger with a courage that steadily deepens. Overbeck balances the story with a compelling counter perspective from a principled British major, adding nuance to the moral complexities of war. While some depictions of violence and occupation may feel especially resonant given today’s global conflicts, the novel ultimately centers on strength, compassion, and the quiet heroism of an ordinary woman who chooses to act. With its textured world building, escalating tension, and emotionally grounded heroine, Abigail Trench delivers a high intensity read that highlights both the brutality of war and the bravery found within it. 

Rating: 5 Stars