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Jacqueline Church Simonds
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The Midsummer Wife: Book One of The Heirs to Camelot Series Kindle Edition

by Jacqueline Church Simonds (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 20 ratings
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The reincarnated souls of King Arthur, Merlin, and an anxiety-ridden priestess return to save Britain after a devastating nuclear attack, only to find an old foe: Morgaine.



After a nuclear attack on London that heralds The Time Foretold, Ava Cerdwin, the high priestess in charge of fulfilling a 1,500-year-old prophecy, must assist the heirs of King Arthur and Merlin in healing the devastated country.

The descendants of Britain’s great men of legend have kept the myths and relics for sixty-one generations, but no one is quite clear on what they must do next.

Nothing goes as planned: Ava falls for the wrong heir, the panic attacks are getting worse, the complex obligations of reincarnation are straining old relationships, and Morgaine and her henchwomen are trying to kill them.

Somehow, some way, Ava has to make the Healing happen, or Britain is finished.



The Midsummer Wife, Book One of the Heirs to Camelot is an urban fantasy that combines Arthurian lore, love, and a race to a breathtaking finish.


Praise for The Midsummer Wife



“Sex, magic, and power collide in this [Urban] Fantasy that begins when a devastating terrorist attack on modern London sparks the long-foretold return of King Arthur to heal Britain. Simonds boldly continues the Arthurian saga into the present day, as heirs to Arthur, Merlin, and the woman both men once loved struggle to understand and fulfill their destinies and outwit the sinister agenda of the sorceress Morgaine.” ~ Lisa Jensen, author Alias Hook and Beast: A Love Story

“Imaginative, mesmerizing, and emotionally complex, Simonds’ unique story boldly expands the Arthurian legend into exciting new territory. The fantastical elements—rituals from old Celtic religions, dark magic, forces of fate—are well drawn and skillfully integrated into a contemporary setting. And then there’s the romance… the palpable chemistry between Ava and Ron (the Arthur heir), complicated by their respective destinies, makes their relationship a riveting read.” ~ Mary Fan, author of Starswept, Artificial Absolutes


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  1. Book 1 of 4
    Heirs to Camelot series
  2. Print length
    272 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    June 24, 2018
  6. File size
    3023 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
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  9. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

From the Author

If you liked this book, you'll be excited to hear it is part of The Heirs to Camelot series!THE PRIESTESS OF CAMELOT (Prequel - out now!)THE MIDSUMMER WIFE (Book 1 - out now!)THE SOLSTICE BRIDE (Book 2 - coming Spring 2019)MISTRESS OF THE ROSE MOON (Book 3 - coming Summer 2019)

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07D9Z18B8
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Strange Fictions Press (June 24, 2018)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 24, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3023 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 20 ratings

About the author

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Jacqueline Church Simonds

Jacqueline Church Simonds

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I am an author and publishing consultant living in Reno, Nevada. I love (in no particular order) books, writing, reading, beagles, coffee, good bourbon, publishing, and politics.

My latest books are an Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance series: The Heirs to Camelot. Book 1 is THE MIDSUMMER WIFE, about an anxiety-ridden priestess who assists the heirs of King Arthur and Merlin to heal a nuclear-devastated Britain.

Book 2 is THE SOLSTICE BRIDE. When things go badly during the healing of Britain, Falke Drunmenton must return to the broken country and fix what went wrong with the aid of the Queen's daughter, Ravenna Cerdwin.

Don't forget the prequel, PRIESTESS OF CAMELOT, in which all the stories of King Arthur and his Round Table are discovered by the king and Merlin's lover, a priestess of the Rus, Anya.

The final book in the series, MISTRESS OF THE ROSE MOON is due out in 2020.

I have always loved the King Arthur saga and am a big fan of such books as THE ONCE AND FUTURE KING, THE MISTS OF AVALON, and the Mary Stewart Merlin books. THE BOOK OF ANYA is a mouse-eye view of the doings of Camelot, King Arthur, Merlin and Morgaine. You can follow more about the novellas, and a book set in the future, by visiting http://jcsimonds.com.

My previous novel is CAPTAIN MARY, BUCCANEER, a historical adventure novel loosely based on the real pirate women Ann Bonney and Mary Reade. Because who doesn't love pirates, especially women pirates?

I have been a publisher and book distributor for the past 16 years. In all, Beagle Bay, Inc. (named after our barky beagle), through its imprints of Beagle Bay Books, Creative Minds Press and Memory Tree Press, published twenty-one books. We worked on other books in varying capacities, from consulting to editing to book design. Beagle Bay, Inc. was also a book distributor for seven years, and handled over forty books at one point.

I wrote and maintained The Self-Publisher's FAQ website (http://www.beaglebay.com/faq/index.html) for the last ten years. The site was recently updated. Removing material to make the website's information more stream-lined made me realize that I had much more to say about self-publishing and led to the creation of the book The Self-Publisher's FAQ.

I have been a presenter at many Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) Publishing Universities on several topics, from marketing from marketing fiction to using your intellectual property in different content venues. I've been on several radio shows, podcasts, websites, blogs and webinars about publishing, and been featured in articles in such publications as The Wall Street Journal, Self, Reno Gazette Journal, Marketwatch, Reno News and Review and Business Week.

I am primarily focused on book shepherding (publishing consultant) and book packaging these days. I'm also a bookseller for a major bookstore chain. Please visit my website http://www.beaglebay.com/ for more information on my services.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5
20 global ratings
Imaginative, mesmerizing, and emotionally complex
5 Stars
Imaginative, mesmerizing, and emotionally complex
Jacqueline Church Simonds’ The Midsummer Wife, Book One of the Heirs to Camelot series, kicks off what promises to be an intriguing modern-day Arthurian saga that sees heroes reborn and old enemies surface. Set in the not-too-distant future, the story follows Ava, young woman who’s assumed the role of High Priestess in a Sisterhood founded during Arthurian times, as she seeks the heirs to King Arthur and Merlin in the aftermath of a devastating attack on London. With England in crisis, she hopes that the new King and wizard will, with the assistance of herself and the Sisterhood, assume the roles of their legendary forefathers and save the nation. But heroes aren’t the only ones to rise again—followers of Arthur’s enemies have also lasted through the generations, and they’ll do anything to stop the Once and Future King from ascending. Ava soon finds herself grappling with the forces of destiny and romantically entangled with the Arthur heir as she struggles with both the past and the future of England—and herself.Ava is a richly drawn character whose interior life is every bit as riveting as the external circumstances she finds herself faced with – how to both fulfill a destiny and be her own person, how to deal with anxiety and past traumas. The fantastical elements—rituals from old Celtic religions, dark magic, forces of fate—are well drawn and skillfully integrated into a contemporary setting. And then there’s the romance… the palpable chemistry between Ava and Ron (the Arthur heir), complicated by their respective destinies, makes their relationship a riveting read. Imaginative, mesmerizing, and emotionally complex, Simonds’ unique story boldly expands the Arthurian legend into exciting new territory.
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Top reviews from the United States

Jeanette
4.0 out of 5 stars Post-apocalyptic recasting of the Arthurian legend.
Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2018
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The Midsummer Wife by Jacqueline Simonds is a post-apocalyptic urban fantasy drawing on Arthurian legends.

In sixth century Britain, Anya charges her three offspring - Falcon fathered by Merlin, Stephen fathered by King Arthur, and her daughter Arianrhod - to guard the respective rites, relics and heritage of Merlin, Arthur and of the Goddess until the Day Foretold. Almost 1500 years later, in 2029, the nuclear annihilation of London and essentially all its leadership devastates Britain. With Midsummer almost here, the day fortold is fast approaching and Ava Cerdwn, high-priestess of the Goddess, ancestor of Arianrhod, and leader of the sacred Sisterhood, must convince the Merlin and Arthur heirs, Duke Drunemerton (Harper) and Lord Steadbye (Ron), of who she is and that the time has come to step forward and heal the land. Each of the heirs struggle with grief and mental demons. And an ancient and implacable enemy will stop at nothing to thwart their and the Goddess' plans.

The first one third of the book is heavy with set-up, backstory and long conversations and looking at ancient relics as Ava seeks to establish her credentials with both Harper (the Merlin heir) and Ron (the Arthur heir). Harper's distrust and Ava falling for the 'wrong' guy sets up some tension, but these are quickly resolved. The story momentum speeds up as the trio encounter murderous opposition and the final one third kept the pages turning with a cliff-hanger ending.

I did wonder about some of the historical 'facts' (for instance, Arthur's son Stephen arrives in Jerusalem during the Persian Muslim takeover in 636 AD and then takes a bride from Anatolia on the way home 97 years after he was born and 51 years after he died); or the heirs produce elaborate, detailed 'sixth century' tapestries, whereas even in the 12 century wasn't that advanced in this art form. Eleven years into our future, the Goddess religion is well established with only passing mention given to over 1500 years of Christianity in Britain. Even so, Simonds has built up a rich world of myth and legend which values 'a gentle love-centred power', peace and healing. The personal backstory/demons and their doubts and fears add to the portrayal of the characters and I did like how Ava's overcoming of her acrophobia and PTSD was portrayed.

Overall, interesting setting and complex, rich characters in fresh look at the legendary once-and-future king.
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Judith Rook
4.0 out of 5 stars A unique Interpretation of Arthurian Legend
Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2018
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“The Midsummer Wife” (Book one of ‘The Heirs to Camelot’ Series) by Jacqueline Church Simonds is not an action-packed narrative. Instead, the reader is taken, with a well-controlled regularity of pace, along a storyline where contemporary realism and fantasy intermingle to fascinating effect.
An essential backstory is built up during the first half of the book. It is a very complex history, based on the Arthurian legend of England, and is revealed sometimes in large sweeps of exposition, which tend to slow the pace. Events from the distant past are shown to carry a vital influence into the ruined present, offering salvation for the future; and a conflict, begun fifteen hundred years earlier between the forces of good and evil, returns.
Most of the characters are strong and fully rounded. The central character is particularly well developed. She possesses knowledge and experience which will lead to a new world order. But at the same time she is altogether human, and helps the other players to reconcile their individual pasts with their contemporary experiences.
Perhaps the narrative gives too much space to the arcane aspect of the storyline, at the expense of action. But this is the nature of the book. In its well-controlled progress, it reveals the potential for a new spirituality following an apocalyptic event, and tends to stimulate the reader’s own speculative ability. One may not be hooked in by a high level of tension, but one is drawn consistently onwards as a series of powerful happenings unfolds.
The main point of conflict arrives towards the end of the book, bringing with it a higher level of energy, and action takes over. But it is worth the wait; and the careful preparation throughout the rest of the book is shown to be a very natural and well-regulated progression to a rather surprising dénouement.
“The Midsummer Wife” is a novel where the known facts of the Arthurian legend are brought into a modern-day fantasy setting in a unique and completely convincing manner. It is an enjoyable book, recommended to a wide range of readers.
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Edward
4.0 out of 5 stars A good read, take it from me
Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2020
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I've gotten pretty jaded in my reading habits and I have no problem putting down a book that does not interest me. This story held my attention, though, so it's highly recommended.

It's a highly imaginative and remarkably detailed take on major Arthurian figures reincarnated to modern-day Britain. The characters, particular the main character, Ava, are sweet, likable, and relatable, and they're each given flaws which enhance this without bogging the story down.

I think writers could learn from studying this author. For example, there is a pages-long description of a found cache of Arthurian relics, but it is never boring as most such things are, even fascinating, due to the warm descriptions, tieback to legend, and most importantly, told through the eyes and reactions of the characters present. It drew in the reader. The writer also, in my opinion, masterfully took us from event to event in a spare way that moved things along without feeling rushed.

I'd recommend this book even to people who don't normally read urban fantasy. You won't be disappointed.
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Margena Adams Holmes
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting take on Arthurian legend
Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2021
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Interesting take on Arthurian legend. It seemed to start off a bit slow (but that just could have been me trying to read late at night), but it eventually picked up in the middle and kept going through the end. Well-written with believable dialogue.
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Caroline Ruth
4.0 out of 5 stars Midsummer wife
Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2018
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The start of this book was entirely wonderful and I would have given it five stars if it had followed thru with the plot as it started. Then it went totaly off track for me and left me very dissatisfied .Ava,Ron and Harper need a better ending.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Fabrice
4.0 out of 5 stars une romance arthurienne dans un monde contemporaine
Reviewed in France on November 2, 2020
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Comment réagiraient Arthur, Merlin, et la pretresse de la Deesse qui les lie, de nos jours face au plus gros désastre possible en Angleterre ?

Le monde
L'auteur connait bien sa légende arthurienne, un must dans le contexte, et a créé un monde détaillé et précis. On sent qu'elle a de nombreux détails en réserve.

Les personnages
Nous suivons dans le détail l'aventure et les émotions des différents personnages. La aussi les personnages sont fouillés et on sent une grande profondeur chez eux. C'est très agréable.

L'histoire
Le côté prophétie rend la progression moins intéressante car ... la prophétie va s'accomplir. ce qui importe c'est ce que vivent les personnages en l'accomplissant, leurs faiblesses intérieures, leurs unions et leur transformation dans l'accomplissement de leur tâche

Au final
C'était mon premier livre dans ce style et diffère de mon penchant vers une fantasy plus épique. Du coups, j'ai aimé et je recommande à ceux qui cherchent la dimension psychologique alliée à la dimension de romance.
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Storycastrob
4.0 out of 5 stars Romance, prophecy, Arthurian myth and a near-now apocalypse, in one package!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 6, 2019
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The Midsummer Wife is set in an alternate near-now Britain, where descendants of King Arthur’s court must come together to right a terrible wrong: an event that has devastated much of the country. Along the way Ava, must recruit the heirs of Arthur and Merlin in a plot that encompasses romance, psychic powers, trauma, prophecies and ancient cults. There’s a lot going on in this book!
Two caveats on an otherwise excellent read. First, because much of the story involves fulfilling a prophecy, the characters sometimes felt passive, waiting for the next piece to slot into place. Second, the way the supporting cast respond to the crisis, particularly those in government(s), didn’t ring quite true, for me.
That said, the characters are engaging, the pacing, world building and mythology are all otherwise terrific, and if I hadn’t expected some of the racier moments, they certainly didn’t detract from the story. The book is a fascinating exercise in contradiction – the Britain on show is somehow both romanticised and apocalyptic, the scale is huge, yet intimate, the atmosphere is dark, yet handled with a light touch. If this sounds like your kind of thing, then The Midsummer Wife comes strongly recommended.
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Norman Turrell
4.0 out of 5 stars Imaginative and original
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 17, 2018
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The Midsummer Wife is an imaginative and original fusion of the classic Arthurian legend and magical psychics, set in a dystopian world. The author concentrates on the characters—focusing heavily on dialogue and the internal reflection of the protagonist—and gives great depth to their trials and relationships as we travel through their quest to forge a future for devastated England.

For lovers of detail, we are given a lot of information about the history of the legend and the powers behind it, dictated by the characters. For those who like a ‘spicy’ read, there are also, what I would classify as, some fairly explicit sex scenes.

The author has a—what I call—young style of writing which did not appeal to me (but I’m old). This was exemplified by the repetitious overuse of exclamation; there was barely a page without several shouting at me. I also came away with a feeling that description of environment was lacking and the backdrop of a destroyed country and its people to a great extent ignored, which seems strange as the characters’ goal is all about saving them.
This book was an easy to absorb and comprehend and promises an exciting start to a series for all those engaged by this first instalment. Definitely recommend trying it out to see if it suits.
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