Welcome to a journey to ancient Ireland, !

A little while ago, you entered a giveaway which included one of my books. It looks like you didn't win the big basket, but I've still got a prize for you!

Since this giveaway included Fiona Davis, you probably love historical fiction, so I worked out something special just for this giveaway.

Have you ever been driving around Europe, or watching one of those food or travel shows, and you see a castle or an ancient manor that's repurposed or even up for sale? I love touring historical houses and seeing how they were set up, perhaps with a faux meal in the grand baroque dining room, or an embroidery box set up in the ladies' solar. Some of these castles are still used by families today, and that sets my imagination alight.

When I thought about fairy tale retellings, the idea of living in a castle came back to me, until I had...

The only things that American folklorist, Maura, wanted from her contentious divorce was custody of her two young children—and an Irish castle. She ended up with more than she bargained for, including her ex’s teenage kids, plumbing problems, and now...

In my first fairy tale, The Horned Women end up spinning and knitting in Maura's living room. I've given this out as a freebie before, but I thought you might like something with more of a deep dive into history. In my second novella, The White Deer of Kildare, Maura slips back into the third century, into the time of Finn McCool.

Some readers say...

A perfect balance of real life travails - divorce, step-kids - and fairies...

and:

It felt like I was transported to Ireland and I was living in an ancient castle. The love and conflict of being a mom to littles and teens, birth and stepkids, was all so raw and real.

So — thank you for entering the giveaway, and here is your prize. Fiona Davis set her story in the iconic New York Public Library; let me transport you to an Irish castle, into a family with "100% teen snark"...and lots and lots of love.

Get my prize copy of "The White Deer of Kildare"

Readers have said The Horned Women is "a thrilling adventure" with "compelling" and "relatable" characters. I would love to hear what you think of The White Deer!

Best wishes, and I look forward to getting to know you!

Christy Matheson, author