This is a medieval mystery/adventure, I would call it a serial story rather than a series. Although each book has it's own story, to really understand our heroine you need to read them in order.
After her rather stinky escape in the last one , our heroine finds herself working for the Empress instead of the King. For a humble baker the politics aren't important, it's when the murder attempts start.
We will be trying to find out who is behind the plots. I didn't guess correctly. There is danger, a little romantic tension and plenty of new discoveries. There is obviously more to come, and I will want to read it.
Good fun.

Book two of this continuing saga is about Bronwyn. She escapes one ruler only to be in debited to another ruler. Surrounded by both mystery and political strife, she must choose who to trust, who will help her and who she must betray. It's best to read these in order to ensure you aren't missing anything related to either the characters or the overall plot. Well written and full of dynamic creativity..

This is a medieval mystery/adventure, I would call it a serial story rather than a series. Although each book has it's own story, to really understand our heroine you need to read them in order.
After her rather stinky escape in the last one , our heroine finds herself working for the Empress instead of the King. For a humble baker the politics aren't important, it's when the murder attempts start.
We will be trying to find out who is behind the plots. I didn't guess correctly. There is danger, a little romantic tension and plenty of new discoveries. There is obviously more to come, and I will want to read it.
Good fun.

4 out of 5 stars

A Witty, Winding Historical Mystery With a Dash of Romance

Winter’s Crown is an engaging follow-up to The Winter Warden, blending medieval court politics with murder, missing regalia, and unresolved romantic tension. Bronwyn, once a humble baker, now finds herself knee-deep in royal secrets as she searches for Empress Maud’s stolen crown—and a killer in their midst.

Highlights:
• Relatable Heroine: Bronwyn’s intelligence and resilience shine, even when faced with flirtatious squires and royal suspicion.
• A Strong Setting: Civil war-era England is gritty, chaotic, and compellingly brought to life.
• Dynamic Duo: Bronwyn and Theobold make for a sharp and entertaining investigative pair.

Small Drawbacks:
• Some character dynamics felt rushed or underexplored, likely due to the fast-moving plot.
• A bit of a slow start after the action-packed opening.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. Winter’s Crown is a fun, thoughtful mystery that offers just the right balance of danger, romance, and intrigue in a unique historical setting.

A murder mystery taking place during England’s first civil war.
I haven’t read the first book in this series, but for those that have, the characters of Rupert and Lady Alice appear in this story too. Bronwyn, baker, kitchenmaid and one time maid servant, is one of the refugees in Empress Maud’s temporary camp outside of Lincoln. She finds herself thrust into the limelight when she saves Maud’s life and then becomes involved in trying to identify the murderer of Lady Eleanor when the Empress’ crown is stolen.
I cannot say that I was particularly invested in the story, indeed practically the only person I liked was Bronwyn herself and although smart, she’s very much the peasant servant abused and put upon. There were also unnecessary repetitions of facts, such as to do with her missing family (perhaps the ARC still needed some editing?)
I’ve always felt sorry for Maud who should have been Queen of England but there is no denying that the fifteen years of skirmishes and raids between Maud and her cousin Stephen, caused a significant human toll. But in this book she came across as a one dimensional villain and the reader certainly doesn’t feel any empathy for her.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

“Winter’s Crown” by E.L. Johnson, is a 231-page fiction book released this year, and the second volume of two books in the Winters Murders series, the first being “Winter’s Poison.” It was published by Dragonblade Publishing Inc. in Moreno Valley, California, and its cover design was produced by Dar Albert. The ebook has ISBN 05302025WC123 and costs $2.99. E.L. Johnson, who has a penchant for historical books, medieval magic, and drama films, currently lives in Boston.

This story is based on events occurring in Lincoln, Gloucester, and London in 12th-century Europe and centers on Bronwyn Blakenhale, an 18-year-old English refugee and baker who saves Empress Maud’s life. She gains the attention of the court ladies and, eventually, the young squire Theobold. In an attempted assassination plot, someone steals the Empress’s crown. She commissions Theobold to find the crown and guard Bronwyn. The duo ventures to find the crown together. The crown’s discovery is immediate, but in the most unlikely way possible.

Who is behind the theft of the crown? What will be of the duo’s relationship? Is Bronwyn even safe at all? It’s up to you, readers, to find out!

To begin, the style in which the author portrayed the characters’ personalities is astounding. A relevant example is Empress Maud’s traits, as they remind me of the Chinese philosophy of yin and yang. She is a mosaic of undiluted sternness and authority intertwined with maternal compassion and justice. She is lionly, a contrast to the more humbled King Stephen. This also applies to Bronwyn, who is sleuthlike and daring as well as emotional and dutiful. Some of the ladies, like Alice, are welcoming, while others like Morwenna are repugnant. To me, the contrasting traits most characters possess make the story more interesting. As Theobold said, “The world can seem very big and very small at the same time.”

I do not have any negative views in the book. It is a tale of loyalty, friendship, suspense, and foreboding danger. Its content portrays many interesting characters, descriptive scenes, and well-crafted storytelling, intended to keep the readers wholly entertained to the end.

I did not find any typographical mistakes or grammatical errors because this book is excellently and thoroughly edited. I, Michael Lartey, the reviewer, find this book to be filled with power, emotional suspense, and adventure. Because of this, I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. 

I recommend this novel to young adult readers who love fiction, history, and tales of bravery.

Winters crown by E.L Johnson delivered a captivating mix of historical intrigue and creative story telling. The story follows the journey of its protagonist, who navigates political intrigue and personal growth amidst a backdrop of shifting alliances.

The first couple of chapters were rich with detail, though I found them challenging to follow at times, necessitating a re-read to fully grasp the context. Additionally some character motivations could have been more clearly articulated leaving me wanting deeper development.

Nevertheless Johnson’s creativity shines through, with well crafted imagery and strong sense of place that pulls readers into the wintry realm! Overall it’s an enjoyable read for anyone who appreciates a unique take on historical fiction, with imaginative twists to keep you engaged!