Nici's Christmas Tale by Jean Gill ** Blog Tour Review**

A stand-alone short story in the multi-award-winning Troubadours Quartet series' It is aimed at young readers / YA.

1157: Aquitaine. The wolves are coming! At midnight on Christmas Eve, while the blizzard blasts snow through every crack in the castle walls, Nici the Shepherd's Dog stands guard in the sheepfold.

   Beside him as usual are his pack and the flock they protect but this night is not usual at all. A small boy braves the snowy night, seeking the protection of his great friend while he is banned from his parents' quarters in the castle.

   Nici recalls other times and other dangers, his trials and failures, the reasons why he ran away with a young girl, now the little boy's mother. He would still give his life in a heartbeat for Lady Estela. And yet, on this snowy night, he cannot help her. So, while he waits and comforts Estela's son, he tells his own puppies the story of a dog's life.

'One just wants to sit down with Nici as he shares his story in that cozy sheepfold while the cold winds rage outside on Christmas Eve.' Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

This is the fifth in the Troubadour Quartet series and takes you back to a chilly Christmas Eve in Aquitaine in 1157. You feel the bitter cold of the night and as you listen to Nici's tale, you can visualise the hard life which both men and animals had at that time. Nici is a sheepdog and relates the story of his life so far to his pups and to his Mistress' son, to settle them down as they wait for his mistress to give birth. 

    This is a short story with a lot of impact as you hear about the dangers and the warmer moments which Nici has faced. You feel that even though it is an animal narrating, he is doing so with a voice which fits with the times. I can see that the story could appeal to young readers who would warm to Nici and appreciate the historical element which is skilfully written in so as to never jar. You get to learn quite a lot about medieval life in the Great Hall and the life of the shepherd.

                                                                   About the Author

Jean Gill is a Welsh writer and photographer living in the south of

France with two scruffy dogs, a beehive named 'Endeavour', a Nikon D750 and a man. For many years, she taught English and was the first woman to be a secondary headteacher in Wales. She is mother or stepmother to five children so life was hectic.

Publications are varied, including prize-winning poetry and novels, military history, translated books on dog training, and a cookery book on goat cheese. With Scottish parents, an English birthplace and French residence, she can usually support the winning team on most sporting occasions.

Sign up to Jean special readers' group at https://www.jeangill.com/  for exclusive news, offers and a free book. 

You can follow Jean on Twitter here: @writerjeangill

Book link: Amazon UK

Thanks to Jean, Troubador Publishing and Anne Cater of Random Things Tours for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.

                                        Check up on the rest of the tour!