Penance

The Xander Walsh Series

Welcome to the world of Xander Walsh. Here you’ll find information on characters (short description, families, name meanings), locations, and symbols used throughout the series. Although I try not to give away major plot points in the series, there will be spoilers in the content.
Vengeance: A Xander Walsh Novella by Rena Aliston

Vengeance

Coming December 15, 2025

In the city of Birchwood, where every street whispers secrets, Detectives Xander Walsh and Damon Schaeffer are called to investigate a series of ritualistic murders. As Xander delves deeper into the town’s history, he uncovers a legacy steeped in betrayal and bloodshed.

With each clue he unearths, Xander finds himself drawn into a twisted web of ancient beliefs that echo his own haunted past. As the line between the past and present blurs, he must navigate the treacherous waters of loyalty and heritage.

Caught in a labyrinth of secrets, Xander must decide how far he’s willing to go to protect Birchwood. With time running out and the stakes growing higher, can he uncover the truth before becoming the next victim of a past that refuses to stay buried?

Explore The Xander Walsh Series

Penance: A Xander Walsh Novella by Rena Aliston
Vengeance: A Xander Walsh Novella by Rena Aliston

Annelisse Birchwood

Annelisse Birchwood was born in Birchwood, Kentucky to Celina Birchwood and Felix Meyer.

Felix Meyer

Felix Meyer was born in 1985 in Birchwood, Kentucky to Hasso Meyer and Carlotta Millwood. He and Celina Birchwood dated briefly, breaking up due to his constant cheating. They had one daughter together, Annelisse Birchwood.

Celina Birchwood

Celina Birchwood was born in 1985 in Birchwood, Kentucky to Karsten Birchwood and Lina Fuchs. Due to the constant fighting between her parents, she was raised by her aunt, Elke Birchwood, who she resides with at Birchwood Manor. In 2007, she had a daughter (Annelisse Birchwood) with her ex-boyfriend Felix Meyer.

Lina Fuchs

Lina Fuchs was born in 1960 in Louisville, Kentucky. In 1983, she married Karsten Birchwood. They had one child, Celina Birchwood. Due to their tumultuous relationship, Celina was raised by her aunt, Elke Birchwood.

Elke Birchwood

Elke Birchwood was born in 1955 in Birchwood, Kentucky to Ralf Birchwood and Katrina Fischer. She is the current matriarch of the family, residing at Birchwood Manor and running the city of Birchwood.

Elke Birchwood never married and has no children (miscarried multiple times). She raised her niece, Celina Birchwood, who currently resides with her at Birchwood Manor with her daughter Anneliese.

Karsten Birchwood

Karsten Birchwood was born in 1960 in Birchwood, Kentucky to Ralf Birchwood and Katrina Fischer. In 1982, he married Lina Fuchs. They had one child, Celina Birchwood.

Detlef Birchwood

Detlef Birchwood was born in 1957 in Birchwood, Kentucky to Ralf Birchwood and Katrina Fischer. In 1979, he married Elsa Hahn. They had two children: Karl and Vald.

Katrina Fischer

Katrina Fischer was born in 1930 in Louisville, Kentucky to Thaddeus Fischer and Monika Weber. The Fischer family moved to Birchwood, Kentucky in 1940 and she married Ralf Birchwood in 1950. They had three children: Detlef, Karsten, and Elke. Katrina Fischer Birchwood died in 2015 in Birchwood, Kentucky and is interred in Birchwood Cemetery.

Elke Birchwood

Elke Birchwood was born in 1934 in Birchwood, Kentucky to Everten Birchwood and Frieda Birch. She died at birth and is interred in Birchwood Cemetery.

Karsten Birchwood

Karsten Birchwood was born in 1932 in Birchwood, Kentucky to Everten Birchwood and Frieda Birch. In 1954, he married Rheta Taylor. They had two children: Sigmar and Anneliese. Karsten Birchwood died in 2004 in Birchwood, Kentucky and is interred in Birchwood Cemetery.

Ralf Birchwood

Ralf Birchwood was born in 1930 in Birchwood, Kentucky to Everten Birchwood and Frieda Birch. In 1950, he married Katrina Fischer. They had three children: Detlef, Karsten, and Elke. Ralf Birchwood died in 2000 in Birchwood, Kentucky and is interred in Birchwood Cemetery.

Frieda Birch

Frieda Birch was born in 1907 in Birchwood, Kentucky to Harald Birch and Kerstin Weber. In 1928, she married Everten Birchwood. They had three children: Ralf, Karsten, and Elke. Frieda Birch Birchwood died in 1982 in Birchwood, Kentucky and is interred in Birchwood Cemetery.

Inga Birchwood

Inga Birchwood was born in 1910 in Birchwood, Kentucky to Ralf Birchwood and Helma Dressler. In 1934, she married Dirk Hahn. They had no children. Inga Birchwood Hahn died in 1945 in a car crash in Lousville, Kentucky and is interred in Birchwood Cemetery.

Gertrude Birchwood

Gertrude Birchwood was born in 1908 in Birchwood, Kentucky to Ralf Birchwood and Helma Dressler. In 1926, she married Ludolf Fuchs). They had one child, Matilda Fuchs. Gertrude Birchwood Fuchs died in 1960 in Birchwood, Kentucky and is interred in Birchwood Cemetery.

Everten Birchwood

Everten Birchwood was born in 1906 in Birchwood, Kentucky to Ralf Birchwood and Helma Dressler. In 1928, he married Frieda Birch. They had three children: Ralf, Karsten, and Elke. Everten Birchwood died in 1971 in Birchwood, Kentucky and is interred in Birchwood Cemetery.

Detlef Birchwood

Detlef Birchwood was born in 1904 in Birchwood, Kentucky to Ralf Birchwood and Helma Dressler. In 1924, he married Ada Bayer. They had three children: Sigard, Martin, and Bianka. Detlef Birchwood died in 1984 in Birchwood, Kentucky and is interred in Birchwood Cemetery.

Helma Dressler

Helma Dressler was born in 1881 in Birchwood, Kentucky to Frederick Dressler and Christa Weber. In 1899, she married Ralf Birchwood. They had four children: Detlef, Everten, Gertrude, and Inga. Helma Dressler Birchwood died in 1949 in Birchwood, Kentucky and is interred in Birchwood Cemetery.

Ralf Birchwood

Ralf Birchwood was born in 1879 in Birchwood, Kentucky to Ryce Birchwood and Rowena Claxon. In 1899, he married Helma Dressler. They had four children: Detlef, Everten, Gertrude, and Inga. Ralf Birchwood died in 1939 in Birchwood, Kentucky and is interred in Birchwood Cemetery.

Aisly Birchwood

Aisly Birchwood was born in 1878 in Birchwood, Kentucky to Ryce Birchwood and Rowena Claxon. She died in 1893 (strangled behind Harpers Mill) in Birchwood, Kentucky and is interred in Birchwood Cemetery. Aisly Pines, the forest, is named after her.

Aethelwyne Birchwood

Aethelwyne Birchwood was born in 1876 in Birchwood, Kentucky to Ryce Birchwood and Rowena Claxon. He died in 1896 (drowning) in Birchwood, Kentucky and is interred in Birchwood, Cemetery. The swamp, Aethelwyne, is named after him.

Vald Birchwood

Vald Birchwood was born in 1874 in Birchwood, Kentucky to Ryce birchwood and Rowena Claxon. He died in 1982 (barn fire) in Birchwood, Kentucky and is interred in Birchwood Cemetery. Vald Lake is named after him.

Kenric Birchwood

Kenric Birchwood was born in 1872 in Birchwood, Kentucky to Ryce Birchwood and Rowena Claxon. He died in 1894 ("suicide" by hanging) in Birchwood, Kentucky and is interred in Birchwood Cemetery. Kenric Bridge is named after him.

Rowena Claxon

Rowena Claxon is a prominent matriarch and played an intrical role in the families spiritual practices. She was born in 1850 in Germany. Her family immigrated to America in 1860, settling in Indiana. She married Ryce Birchwood in 1871.

Rowena and Ryce had five children: Kenric (1872-1894), Vald (1874-1892), Aethelwyne (1876-1896), Aisly (1878-1893), and Ralf (1879-1939). Four of his children have prominent sections of Birchwood, Kentucky named after them (Kenric Bridge, Vald Lake, Aethelwyne (the swamp), Aisly Pines).

Rowena Claxon Birchwood died in 1930 in Birchwood, Kentucky and is interred in Birchwood Cemetery.

Ryce Birchwood

Ryce Birchwood was born to Ralf Birchwood and Matilda Winston in 1849 in Pennsylvania. The family moved to Indiana in 1867. In 1871, Ryce married Rowena Claxon. After getting into an argument with the locals in Indiana, him and his family fled into Kentucky, where in 1875, he founded Birchwood.

Ryce and Rowena had five children: Kenric (1872-1894), Vald (1874-1892), Aethelwyne (1876-1896), Aisly (1878-1893), and Ralf (1879-1939). Four of his children have prominent sections of Birchwood, Kentucky named after them (Kenric Bridge, Vald Lake, Aethelwyne (the swamp), Aisly Pines).

Ryce Birchwood died in 1924 in Birchwood, Kentucky and is interred in Birchwood Cemetery.

Matilda Winston

Matilda Winston was born in 1819 in Germany to Volker Winston and Inga Millwood. She is the great-grandmother of Walter Winston and 2nd great-grandmother of Christina Winston.

Matilda immigrated to America in 1830 with her husband, Ralf Birchwood, settling in Pennsylvania before moving to Indiana in 1867. In 1849, she gave birth to Ryce Birchwood. Matilda Winston died in 1884 in Birchwood, Kentucky and is interred in Birchwood Cemetery.

Ralf Birchwood

Ralf Birchwood was born in 1819 in Germany. He immigrated to America in 1830 with his wife, Matilda Winston, settling in Pennsylvania before moving to Indiana in 1867. In 1849, Matilda gave birth to a son, Ryce Birchwood. Ralf Birchwood died in 1889 in Birchwood, Kentucky and is interred in the Birchwood Cemetery.