Celtic pagan goddesses were an integral part of the religious beliefs and practices of the Celtic people, who inhabited parts of Europe during the Iron Age and Roman times. The Celts worshipped a pantheon of deities, and goddesses played a significant role in their spiritual traditions. One prominent Celtic goddess is Brigid, who was associated with various aspects of life such as healing, inspiration, poetry, and smithcraft. She was highly revered and even absorbed into Christian tradition as St. Brigid of Ireland. Another goddess, Danu, was regarded as the mother goddess and was associated with the land, rivers, and fertility.
–NY Times Bestselling Author Darynda Jones
Once again Jeffe Kennedy builds a fantastical, complex world replete with mystery and the machinations of a culture in which marriage is entwined with slavery, and where devotion can be a shackle or a key to freedom. She decided to go back to school while in Albuquerque and ended up graduating Summa cum Laude from the University of New Mexico with a degree in Sign Language Interpreting.
Another goddess, Danu, was regarded as the mother goddess and was associated with the land, rivers, and fertility. The Morrigan, sometimes depicted as a trio of goddesses, was a powerful figure associated with war, fate, and sovereignty. Her presence was often seen as both terrifying and awe-inspiring, as she was believed to grant victory to her chosen warriors.
Dark Wizard
". utterly compelling. clicked Buy right at the end of the sample and just kept reading and reading because this book is so good, with such a rich world and characters. I'm so glad I picked it up. now can it be June already so I can read more?" ~Amazon reviewer
In The Witcher meets The Selection…
She ran from him. but couldn't escape her heart.
Lord Gabriel Phel wants one thing: to rebuild the shattered fortunes of his people and restore his ruined house to its former station in the Convocation’s highest tiers of elegant society. Fortunately, through a wild chance of birth, he was born with powerful wizard magic, the first in his family in generations. If he can obtain a familiar to amplify his magic, a highborn daughter he can marry, to be mother to his children, he’ll be that much closer to saving his family. With her by his side, he can ascend to such a position of power in the Convocation that he can destroy it forever.
Lady Veronica Elal, captive in her tower, has only one way out. To her bitter disappointment, she will never be a wizard. Instead, through a twist of fate, and despite her expensive Convocation Academy education, Nic is doomed to be a familiar like her mother. Forced to participate in the Betrothal Trials, she receives a wizard suitor for one night each month. Whichever man impregnates her will bond her to them forever. With no choice but to serve the one who wins her, Nic has one hope for control over her life: a wizard she can manipulate.
Gabriel Phel seems like the perfect choice for Nic’s gambit—he’s desperate and untutored in wizardry—but within moments of meeting him, she feels the bonds of magic tying them together. Afraid of losing her will to the compelling wizard who touches her heart like no other, Nic does the unthinkable: she runs. Pregnant and alone, Nic eludes monstrous hunters, searching for a safe haven. But when Gabriel catches up to her, their adventure has only begun.
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Reviews
"With delicious characters and exquisite writing, Jeffe Kennedy is an author you simply can't go wrong with. Dark Wizard is one of my top reads ever. It will always have a place on my favorites shelf. I was drawn deeper and deeper into the story with each succulent twist. Each savory turn. Jeffe writes with stunning beauty and clarity, and I can't even hate her for it. I've tried. Oh, how I've tried. She's just that good. Damn it. You know what? I take it all back. Fuck you, Jeffe Kennedy, if that's even your real name. I hate you so bad. So, so bad. Also, when is the next book coming out? Not that I'm going to read it. You know why? Because I hate you. So bad. But if you could give me a general idea, that'd be great. A+! Highly recommended!"
–NY Times Bestselling Author Darynda Jones
"Once again Jeffe Kennedy builds a fantastical, complex world replete with mystery and the machinations of a culture in which marriage is entwined with slavery, and where devotion can be a shackle or a key to freedom. A man with a purpose and a woman on the run make for the best conflict and scorching scenes in this tale of epic adventure and the romance between two strong, driven people at cross purposes. Jeffe nailed what it is to write a fantasy romance. Fabulous!"
–USAT Bestselling Author of Radiance, Grace Draven
"DARK WIZARD is pitch perfect. The best two main characters I've read in a long time. The world is finely drawn and lustrous, the hero and heroine so real, they walk off the page. DARK WIZARD will be on my keeper shelf for freaking ever. I can't wait until book 2 comes out, because I'm desperate for the rest of the story, but also, because I'll get to reread book 1 in preparation. (If I don't reread it sooner, which I probably will.) If you like fantasy romance, clear your day."
–NY Times Bestselling Author Dana Marton
"I've fallen so crazy in love with one of the best Fantasy/Romance books in 2021. If you haven't tried Jeffe Kennedy's books, please give her a chance. Highly recommended this book as one of the best Book#1 of a new series EVER."
-AlwaysV on Goodreads
"This is not a standalone book and the next one doesn't come out until June, but I'm confident the wait will be worth it. This story is so utterly compelling and I absolutely adore our protagonists Gabriel and Nic. Note, even though this is subtitled "A Dark Fantasy Romance," it is less intense than I feared. When I think of dark romance, I think of appalling, abusive "heroes" - mafia and childhood bullies and horsemen of the apocalypse. Here, the WORLD is dark and disturbing, but our hero works so hard to show our heroine that they are equals and he treats her as such, even when society literally considers her his property that he can manipulate at will."
-Cat at Goodreads
Gabriel Phel seems like the perfect choice for Nic’s gambit—he’s desperate and untutored in wizardry—but within moments of meeting him, she feels the bonds of magic tying them together. Afraid of losing her will to the compelling wizard who touches her heart like no other, Nic does the unthinkable: she runs. Pregnant and alone, Nic eludes monstrous hunters, searching for a safe haven. But when Gabriel catches up to her, their adventure has only begun.
Epona was a goddess associated with horses, fertility, and abundance. She was often depicted as a woman riding a horse or accompanied by horses, symbolizing her connection to these animals. Horse imagery was significant in Celtic culture, and Epona represented the nurturing and protective qualities associated with these animals. Blodeuwedd was another important goddess in Celtic mythology, primarily associated with flowers, love, and transformation. She was created from flowers by the gods and married to a mortal prince. However, she later betrayed him and faced a curse, symbolizing the consequences of her actions. These are just a few examples of the many Celtic pagan goddesses worshipped by the ancient Celts. Each goddess represented different aspects of life and nature and held immense significance in the religious and spiritual beliefs of the Celtic people. Their worship and mythology offer insights into the rich spiritual traditions of the Celts and their deep connection to nature and the divine..
Reviews for "Cerridwen: The Celtic Pagan Goddess of Transformation and Inspiration"
1. Emma - 2/5 stars - As someone who is not familiar with Celtic paganism, I found this book to be very confusing and hard to follow. The author assumes a certain level of knowledge from the readers, which left me feeling lost and frustrated. Additionally, I felt that the writing style was very dry and academic, making it even more difficult to engage with the material. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to those who are not well-versed in Celtic paganism.
2. Michael - 1/5 stars - I picked up this book hoping to learn more about Celtic pagan goddesses, but unfortunately, it didn't provide the depth and insight I was looking for. The information provided was surface-level and lacked any real substance. I also found the organization of the content to be haphazard and confusing. Moreover, the writing style was dull and lacked the passion and excitement that should be associated with such a fascinating topic. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a comprehensive and engaging exploration of Celtic pagan goddesses.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Celtic Pagan Goddesses" as it turned out to be more of a rehash of general information I had already read in other books. The author didn't bring any new insights or perspectives to the table, and I felt like I was just going through the motions while reading it. Additionally, the book lacked any personal anecdotes or stories that would have made it more relatable and interesting. If you're new to Celtic paganism, you might find some value in it, but if you're already familiar with the subject, I would give this one a pass.
4. John - 3/5 stars - While "Celtic Pagan Goddesses" does offer some interesting tidbits of information, I found the overall tone of the book to be too biased and opinionated. The author's personal beliefs and interpretations overshadowed the objective exploration of the subject matter. Additionally, I felt that the book lacked a comprehensive approach to the topic, as it only scratched the surface of the rich and complex world of Celtic pagan goddesses. If you're looking for a more well-rounded and unbiased perspective, I would suggest seeking alternative sources.