Separated by time. Brought together by fate.
Linnea felt a shiver travel the length of her spine.
It hadn’t been a joke – the runes really had shown her destiny.
Indulging her fascination for the Viking language and losing herself in an archaeological dig is just what Linnea Berger needs after her recent trauma. Uncovering an exquisite brooch, she blacks out reading the runic inscription, only to come to, surrounded by men in Viking costume, who seem to take re-enactment very seriously.
Lost and confused, Linnea finds herself in the power of Hrafn, a Viking warrior who claims her as his thrall and takes her on a treacherous journey across the seas to sell her for profit. Setting sail, she confronts the unthinkable: she has travelled back to the ninth century.
Linnea is determined to find a way back to her own time, but there’s a connection forming with Hrafn. Can she resist the call of the runes and accept her destiny lies here …
Review
I received a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve been reading and enjoying Christina Courtenay’s books since she was with Choc-Lit. I love the way she manages to introduce an ethereal aspect to her stories. Earlier this year, I enjoyed Echoes of the Runes and just loved the introduction to the Swedish Vikings. Whilst The Runes of Destiny is part of the series, it is enjoyable as a standalone story.
I really enjoyed the fact that the story got underway quickly and I was was thrown back to the ninth century in a chillingly atmospheric description of what it was like to be a woman in those days. I learned about the challenges of basic cleanliness, dealing with periods and lack of shampoo to living life as a slave, or thrall as they are referred to.
This is not a cosy love story yet the growing attraction between Linnea and Hrafn is unmistakable. Naturally, there is a danger that she is experiencing Stockholm syndrome and simply becoming enthralled by her captor but, there’s something in his protective manner that makes their connection seem more than that.
Christina Courtenay has a gift when it comes to describing what it must have been like in ninth century Sweden, a time where the Gods ruled the thoughts and decisions on a daily basis and Christianity is still very much in its infancy. The scenery and situations that her words painted were both bleak and captivating in equal measure.
The journey to the Moroccan slave market was fraught with danger and the mood was tangible as danger seemed to come from all angles including close to home in the form of Hrafn’s half brother.
For the avoidance of spoilers, I don’t want to say anything more other than mentioning that this is not the final tale of the series as Whispers of the Runes is set for a Summer 2021 publication!
Author Bio
Christina Courtenay writes historical romance, time slip and time travel stories, and lives in Herefordshire (near the Welsh border) in the UK. Although born in England, she has a Swedish mother and was brought up in Sweden – hence her abiding interest in the Vikings. Christina is a former chairman of the UK’s Romantic Novelists’ Association and has won several awards, including the RoNA for Best Historical Romantic Novel twice with Highland Storms (2012) and The Gilded Fan (2014). The Runes of Destiny (time travel published by Headline 10th December 2020) is her latest novel. Christina is a keen amateur genealogist and loves history and archaeology (the armchair variety).
Social Media Links
Giveaway to Win a signed copy of The Runes of Destiny and Plushy Raven (Open INT)
Click this link to enter
*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter link above. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will be passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.
Book Escapes with BabsW67 