I loved This book. History, romance, mystery, time slip, Scandinavia. A real gem and I would love to read more by this author. I read this within 2 days and was engrossed by the story. Told in two halves... set in today and the past. I loved learning more about the Vikings as the story unfolded.

I've always enjoyed Christina Courtenay's books and this time slip was no exception. In the present day there's Mia who is grieving for her grandmother and trying to decide what to do with the old cottage by the lake that she's inherited from her. Mia's boyfriend likes the high life in London and tries to persuade her to sell, but she's not ready to part with something that holds so many memories for her. When she is asked if an archaeological dig can take place on her land she agrees and goes there for the summer, not expecting Haakon, an archaeologist she met on her previous visit to be the one to run it.

Mia's story is interwoven with Ceri's who, in 869AD was kidnapped during a raid on her welsh home by Haukr, known as 'White Hawk' and taken back to his home in Sweden where she ends up caring for his mute daughter.

This is a beautifully told, romance that I found difficult to put down.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC copy in return for an honest review.

An absolute joy to read, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
A time slip story line that was very well done, fabulous setting, well written with fantastic characterisation. I found it difficult to put down and look forward to reading more by this author.

A time slip story, between the 9th century and the 21st century Sweden. Mia and Haakon, are archeologists. When Mia's grandmother died she leaves mia her cottage in Sweden which has been in their family for generations. When she is asked to do a dig on the land, no one is prepared for what they will find.
A great story of how the past and present can be intertwined.
I loved the character and world building and felt really immersed in the story!

Present day: Mia inherits a Swedish cottage from her grandmother, which stands on ancient land which could hide secrets from ancient times. And handsome archaeologist Haakon is only too happy to help uncover them.

900 years before: Proud Welshwoman Ceri is abducted by Norsemen and dragged unwillingly back to Sweden - where she feels a reluctant pull of attraction to their leader, the White Wolf.

Forbidden romance, gorgeous vikings a stunning location and a dash of adventure make this book captivating and evocative. I just wish I could escape to my own waterside cottage this summer....

Echoes of the Runes by Christina Courtenay is a charming tale of timeless love remanifested. This is a dual time novel, shifted between the past where Ceri has been kidnapped by Haukr's raiding party and brought back to be ransomed, and the present where Mia and Haakon are excavating property left to Mia by her grandmother. Haakon and Mia are initially drawn together by a pair of ancient snake rings. As they work together on the dig, each begins to get glimmers of the past, whose validity is proven as the excavations continue. Past blurs with future, playing out an eternal love as souls find one another anew.

I found it a bit confusing at the beginning, as the times, and people speaking, shifted back and forth. I found my bearings soon enough, though, and quite enjoyed it. I think I preferred the present, as it had the more interesting timeline. The conflict with Thoresson, and the excavation both appeal to the archaeologist in me. I'm strongly averse to grave robbing and site looting.

Haakon was my favourite character. He's an archaeologist after all! Both he and the archaeology felt real. Made me feel a little nostalgic, truthfully. Ragnhild was my least favourite character. She was just one nasty tempered b'. And what she did to Ceri. Geez. I love how the characters and story of the present mirror that of the past, and how personality traits filter into present generations. I adore the found family forged by the end. My only qualm is how often the main four characters talk about how they weren't sure how someone felt about them, or that such a relationship would be impossible. That could have been toned down a bit. Also, where were the runes! I was looking forward to runes!

Recommended!

***Many thanks to the Netgalley & Headline for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. Reviewed for Love Books Tours.

I really liked this author’s previous historical romances, and was looking forward to this one, despite not being that keen on time slip books. When I started it, I realised that it was more of a dual timeline story, where we meet Ceridwen, a welshwoman stolen away by a Viking chief, Haukr, the White Hawk, in AD 869, and Mia, half Scottish, half Welsh museum conservator, who meets Norwegian archaeologist Haakon Berger, in Sweden, where he is very interested in her gold snake ring, found on the site of the summer cottage, Birch Thorpe, she has just inherited from her grandmother.

Mia is drawn to keep Birch Thorpe and she struggles with her fiancés determination to sell it to fund a lavish lifestyle in London.. When she is asked if an archaeological dig can take place on her land, she sees it as a reprieve. When Haakon unexpectedly becomes the dig leader, and also is forced to bring his young daughter, they soon become closer. As they proceed with the dig they slowly uncover the story of Ceri and the White Hawk, and we are treated to two separate love stories, whilst Ceridwen struggles with her conflicted feelings of anger for being abducted, and is constantly on guard for the harm her enemies in the settlement want to inflict on her, she begins to understand and care for Haukr, and his deaf mute daughter. As they struggle against violence and intrigue, Mia and Haakon do too. They are both inexplicably drawn to feelings and visions of the past lives of Ceri and Haukr, and are also trying to work out who is raiding the dig for treasures, and trying to thwart their work.

Can both couples overcome their troubles to get their HEA’s

I really enjoyed this, particularly the 9th century sections, both stories were interesting, but I found Cerdwen’s the most absorbing. There was a lot of modern dialogue, but the book felt pacy, informative and very interesting, with characters I was very invested in.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book and all opinions are my own.

Also posted on Goodreads

Thanks to Headline/Wildlife and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I'm a huge historical fiction fan especially when a book weaves past and present together. Absolutely superb. Will watch out for future books from this author.

I would like to thank Headline and NetGalley for sending me a copy of this amazing book to read. A new author for me so I excited to start reading from just looking at the cover and upon reading the blurb.
I have recently read a book involving an archaeological dig although a different country and era. I am also addicted to TV programmes that have teams trying to solve mysteries to find gold or treasure, so add in a romance to and I am in.
Echoes of the Runes just flowed and it was amazing how quick I read this in one day. Following a duel timeline from present to past two exciting enchanting stories unfold mirroring each other, its beautiful and exciting as discoveries are made.
An amazing tale of Vikings, treasure and romance.

It’s been far, far too long since the last book from Christina Courtney – and I’m delighted to report that her writing has lost none of the magic that made me fall in love with her books. This is a dual-time story with the most wonderful timeslip elements, very different from anything I’ve ever read before (and not only because of those Vikings) and a totally absorbing read.

Both timeframes feature strong and believable love stories. In the present day, Mia meets Haakon – both are archaeologists – at a Swedish museum, where his attention is first drawn by an unusual gold ring she’s wearing, passed down to her by her grandmother. She’s also inherited her grandmother’s lakeside cottage, Birch Thorpe, and gives permission for an archaeological dig that she joins for the summer as joint leader – fair to say, I think, that there’s nothing particularly appealing to keep her in London, where her relationship is definitely sliding downhill rather fast. And then there’s the historical thread – Hauke, the “White Hawk”, and a raid on a Celtic village reluctantly undertaken and driven by the avarice of his wife, that brings the captured Ceri into his life.

I will admit I’ve never before been particularly drawn by stories with a Viking setting – all a bit bloodthirsty and lawless for me, I thought – but this story with its meticulous research and recreation of an unfamiliar world was totally engrossing. Far from the rape and pillage I’d rather expected, we experience everyday life in a Viking settlement – and the three-dimensional depiction of its sympathetic characters and depth of detail is quite wonderful, deepening my knowledge and understanding of a slice of history and a way of life about which I knew lamentably little.

I also really liked the way the stories mirrored each other, the villains and the children as well as the key characters and some of the dramatic moments – and I guess that’s the point at which I really should mention the timeslip elements. The emphasis here really is on “slip”, and not time travel, and it’s particularly effectively done – a whole series of echoes and reverberations, moments seen through a veil (witnessed by both Mia and Haakon, which I particularly liked), centred on particular locations and “finds”, all infused with that feeling of destiny and inevitability.

There’s an immensely strong sense of place to this book, enhanced by that interaction of “then” and “now” – it was enthralling to watch the present day archaeologists uncovering the details from the past, there under their feet, that were already so familiar from the parallel narrative.

And just a little thing, but I particularly enjoyed the way phrases and expressions in Old Norse are used, sometimes explained and sometimes not, that really added depth and authenticity to the narrative: it’s never entirely necessary to go beyond the page, but there were times when I did rather enjoy some excursions into Wikipedia to find out more.

And I really must say “what a story!” – both threads perfectly paced, full of treachery and villainy and some people behaving particularly badly. This really is a thriller and page turner alongside some satisfyingly stirring romance.

It might be that you’re drawn to this story by the history – or it might be the timeslip, the setting, or the love story. But whatever might attract you, there is so much here that any reader would thoroughly enjoy. I really loved it.

(Review copied to Amazon UK, but link not yet available.)

My thanks to Headline Review for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Echoes of the Runes’ by Christina Courtenay in exchange for an honest review.

Time slip novels are a guilty pleasure of mine and I was totally caught up in this enthralling historical romance that wove together two time periods: modern day London and Sweden with 9th Century Sweden and Wales.

Mia Maddox is employed by the British Museum as a conservator specialising in artefacts from prehistory and early Europe, including the Viking period. When she inherits Birch Thorpe, her grandmother’s summer cottage located on the southern shore of Lake Mälaren in Sweden, she faces a dilemma.

She is very attached to the cottage yet her fiancé, Charles, wants her to sell it so they can buy a flat in a trendier area of London. When Mia is approached with a request to conduct an archeological dig on her land it offers her a reprieve from making a decision.

She agrees with the provision that she can be part of the on-site team. However, she finds herself drawn to the lead archaeologist Haakon Berger. Both of them are sensing the past inhabitants of the site while trying to resist the growing attraction between them.

They slowly piece together the story of a Welsh noblewoman, Ceridwen, and the Viking leader, Haukr Erlendrsson, known as the 'White Hawk', who stole her away during a raid in 869 AD. She is well treated as she is a hostage awaiting ransom by her brother. However, Haukr’s wife takes exception to Ceri and becomes a deadly enemy.

The narrative moves seamlessly between the present and the past and weaves a powerful story that is reflected in its title as the power of the runes echo down through time.

Is it a story of reincarnation or of how historical artefacts can hold emotional energy and transmit such down the ages? It’s an interesting question that is central to time slip novels.

I also felt that Courtenay did well in acknowledging both the pagan faith of her Norsemen with the Celtic Christianity followed by Ceri (despite her being named for a powerful Celtic goddess). It was interesting to see the lack of conflict between these religions during this time period.

This was superb and I was delighted to see that another archeological Viking-themed novel, ‘The Runes of Destiny’ is due out in December 2020. I can hardly wait!

I'm a big fan of historical fiction, and I love books that weave the past and the present together. This book is about Mia, a modern day woman, who is tied to a woman in the far past through a ring. Artifacts play an important part of this story, as does the woman's childhood home, which is where most of the treasures are found.
This dual timeline romance is well written and the story is well paced. The author shows a good knowledge history and especially about the Viking culture in the IX century. I knew practically nothing of this, so all the information was welcome.
Mia meets a man who works as an archeologist in a museum, and who immediately notices her ring. He shows her one identical to it in an exhibit. When the man puts the ring on, he has visions of things that happened in the past. So does Mia, through her own ring. Bit by bit, the story is pieced together as the past and the present a pulled together.
The past is seen through Ceri, a Celtic woman, was kidnapped by Viking raiders. Her kidnapper is kind to her, and instead of the life of serivtude she fears, she is treated well and asked to look after the man's deaf and mute daughter.
I enjoyed both the historical and modern parts of the book, and recommend it highly to anyone who loves dual timeline romances.

A engrossing and entertaining novel that made me dream and root for the characters.
I loved every moment of it and was sad when it ended.
I rooted for the well thought characters and liked the well crafted plot.
I strongly recommend it.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

This is an epic Viking journey. A dual timeline based in current day and 9th Century Sweden.

The Viking era, and the modern-day archaeology dig are impeccably researched, cleverly weaving in a romantic plot that traverses both ages.

A must for fans of historical romance.

Loved it!

A Viking delight! I always enjoy stories involving history and at one time wanted to be an archaeologist, so this book was right up my street. The weaving of the past and present stories and the echoes of the past in the present were skilfully handled and enthralling.

I always know when a book is good if I'm tempted to sneak away to read when I should be doing something else and this book was definitely enticing me away from daily activities.

Definitely a book where you can lose yourself in the story and imagine yourself in the two heroines' shoes. Next book please ...

Let me start by saying that I am addicted to the TV Series’ Vikings and Outlander. There’s nothing better than a gorgeous leading man….
Whilst visiting a museum in Sweden, Mia is accused of stealing Viking artefacts. Her recently deceased grandmother left her a waterside cottage in Sweden along with a family heirloom, a ring with a snake’s head detail, a matching ring is on display in the museum.
After proving her ownership of the ring, Mia returns home to London where her fiancé, Charles, is adamant that she should sell her cottage so that they can buy a larger property in London. Mia is reluctant to sell and is given a reprieve when she learns that the museum in Sweden wants to carry out an archaeological dig at the site.
As Mia works at the British Museum as a conservator, she is more than familiar with the protocols regarding artefacts and she requests to be co-director on the dig. Mia is shocked to find herself working alongside her accuser, Haakon Berger, the man she had met at the museum.
In no time at all, Mia finds herself dreaming of Vikings in the 9th Century and, whilst she doesn’t see Haakon in her dreams, the beautiful, blue eyed Viking leader casts a spell on her. She develops a constant awareness of Hawkr – The White Hawk and a Celtic woman, Ceredwen. Is Haakon seeing the same story unfold?
I finished this book last night a loved every minute of it. The story flips between the 9th Century and the modern day and it’s impossible not to be enchanted both stories.
Christina’s ability to take her reader on a journey and keep their interest is joyful and I love reading her books.

If, like me, you are a big fan of all things Viking, you are likely to love this book! A dual timeline romance which follows Mia in the current day as she excavates the grounds of her Swedish grandmother's house Birch Thorpe, and Ceri, a Welsh woman in the 9th century who was abducted and taken to a settlement at the same site. The alternating stories made this a difficult book to put down, as I constantly left one timeline eager to get back to it, but also curious to know what was happening on the alternative timeline. Just one more chapter was a constant refrain. The gradual revealing of artefacts in the present day, alongside the tense unravelling of events in the past, kept the mystery alive, just feeding enough information to whet the appetite. There was suspense and romance and both historic and modern day settings felt very well researched. It was fascinating as well as a very enjoyable ride which, as a bonus, also featured two hunky Norsemen!

The author is an award winner of two Romantic Novel of the Year awards for Best Historical Roomance Novels so knows her stuff.
She is also half Swedish and has spent a lot of time researching the history, language and traditions of Vikings. Without that aspect of the book I would have given up reading very early. I am sure many women (and it always seems to be women) are attracted to these classic boy meets girl - or here- strong but vulnerable female meets blonde Viking looking hunk of a man. It is soon established who will end up with who in the dual time lines some of which mirror each other and perhaps the links with mystery reincarnation and rune tales would have been in a non romance explored far more.
But we are hear to get over the obstacles of true love - ie boring fiance and tricky ex wife- and establish the beauty, maternal and life changing aspects of the main female characters. This is done very satisfactorily with two happy endings.
I liked the aspect of the time line in AD 869. It was worth a proper book of its own.