I barely know anything about Vikings and Norway in general. So I was a bit afraid how I will like this book and take it, but I was more than pleasently surprised. Christina’s writing is great and it fully grabbed my attention to this book. The amount of research that she’s put in this is probably immense so I salute her to that. Just as heads up, this book is part of the series but I didn’t read other books. Which didn’t take away from the reading pleasure.

In this book, we follow Ivar on his time travel back to the Viking time. He has always wanted to travel back in time and meet his kin, Thorald who is also his ancestor. But before he travels in time, he has a vision of a red-haired woman obviously in distress and he is determined to help her. At first, Ivar is scared of how it will be for him in the ninth century but he soon starts feeling at home and like he belongs there. Personally, I was so glad that Ivar ‘brought’ his 21st century brain with him as it has saved and surprised many people. Especially with the way he treats women.

If you wanted to dip your toes in the viking time and read fiction about it, I would recommend this book. Even if it is 5th in the series, I didn’t regret reading it. If anything, maybe it pushes you to read rest of the series. Get the book and dive deep into 9th century Vikings and follow the love story of Ivar and his mysterious red haired woman.

Trigger Warnings
This book contains:
• Kidnapping
• Attempted rape.
Characters
Ivar is the older foster brother to those that have time travelled before. With no living blood relatives, he’s desperate to find out about his own heritage and find out where his family comes from.
Ellisif is a Viking woman whose land and holdings are under threat. Despite everything she’s going through, she’s strong, she’s determined and she’s willing to fight for what she deserves.
Storyline
Ivar finds a way to travel back in time to meet his ancestors with the aim of learning about his heritage and Viking culture. Before he can travel back in time, he has a vision of a woman he doesn’t know that appears to be from the Viking era.
Once he travels back in time, Ivar finds himself experiencing an adventure he didn’t expect, including finding the woman from his vision.
Overall Thoughts
I was really looking forward to this coming out and I wasn’t disappointed.
Christina has such an amazing way of fully absorbing you into her world. The detail she’s able to give to little things like the clothing, the way boats, tools and weapons are made are what pulls you into her world and what makes it real.
I think one of the best bits is how it ends. How Ivar and Ellisif choose to live their lives together in the way that makes sense to them. While it was a bit of surprise, I was happy with how it ended and it makes me wonder how the next one will go (there is a next one right? I know I need another one!).

Ivar wants to travel through time, too, like his foster sisters. But any attempts at time travel failed so far. Yet he is determined he, as a specialist in Viking history at a history museum in Stockholm, will be on his way one day.

So Ivar prepares for the day that may never come by learning Old Norse and the art of handling ancient weapons – until he stumbles across an amulet that, when he touches it, gives him a vision of a young woman with red-gold hair calling out for help. During a search of the museum archives, Ivar eventually finds what he is looking for: an artefact that will take him through time.

Prepared and excited, he is on his way to the Viking past, determined to find his ancestor. If he can discover what it is about that woman in the vision, the better.

Ivar is fortunate in that he meets a man who knows his family's secret, which makes his integration into Viking life easier. Soon, he is embroiled in his ancestor's personal quest, and it doesn't take long for him to come across the woman in the vision. And she does indeed need his help.

Ellisif begins to feel safe in the stranger's company after he'd saved her from the king's men, but she is aware that her future is fraught with danger for as long as she stays in the area. An heiress in her own right, she doesn't want to marry the old warrior the king chose for her. Yet as long as she stays close, her life will always be in danger.

As Ivar and Ellisif grow closer, they must eventually come to a decision about their joint future. And there may just be a surprise in store for the Viking heiress...

Promises of the Runes is another riveting adventure in this brilliant series of Viking time travel novels by Christina Courtenay. It's refreshing that, this time, a man is the one going back in time. Ivar is well prepared, which made me smile. Like a boy expecting a great adventure – which is what he got.

The historical background is very well researched, and the author brings Ivar's initial struggles across well. Fighting in reenactment is certainly different than fighting for your life, or that of the one you love. I like the way the author hints at differences between modern perceptions of the Viking age, and the reality Ivar finds in the past. It adds a strong sense of realism. We don't know everything, but someone going back in time would inevitably find out.

I like Ivar. I'd probably do the same: prepare as much as you can and go for it. Even in the past he stays a 21st century man, but is realistic about customs of the time, probably more so than the women who travelled. He's a little more level-headed.

For me, Ellisif is the weakest character in the novel, sadly. She has strength and determination not to follow orders, but I felt she accepted help from Ivar and his new friends a little too readily.

Promises of the Runes is an engaging, fast-paced, and well-researched timeslip romance full of adventure and sizzling attraction between Ivar and Ellisif. The Viking-age setting and customs are realistic, if a little toned down for the sake of the romantic focus.

Overall, a wonderful novel to while away the hours in the distant past. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series...

Note: I received a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest review. All views expressed are my own.

What a fabulously compulsive, absorbing series this is! I eagerly await each book in the series. Before reading Christina’s books I hadn’t read any fiction involving vikings but after reading the first in the series I was hooked!

I was happily swept back and completely absorbed in Viking life again, this time following Ivar, the foster brother of Linnea and Maddy, both of whom had found magic objects and travelled back to the Viking age. They were now living happily with their Viking husbands in the 9th century.

Ivar was desperate to experience the Viking age himself first hand, and had at last found a magic object of his own - a pair of Viking shears - to facilitate his time travel back to the 9th century, and one of his ancestors. Ivar had done a great deal of planning to ready himself for the journey; studying Old Norse - the Viking language, making items out of silver and gold to use for trading, taking self defence lessons and much more.
He had no idea what to expect when he arrived.

When handling another Viking object, he had a series of images pop into his mind where a woman was in trouble and asking for help. Was he supposed to find her?

Would he decide to make his home in the 9th century, as his sisters had? Would he find love as they had?

A gorgeous romance, set against the difficult lives of Vikings but also showing the bonds and kinship they had. Christina brings everything vividly to life and completely pulls me in m, and I feel I could be there with them!

A wonderful time slip novel and I recommend this series very highly.

I was well and truly whisked away to the past in Promises of the Runes. I really enjoyed all the historical input and I think Christina Courtenay did a wonderful job of bringing this era to life. I do have to mention that this book is part of a series and I haven’t had chance to read any of the previous books. However this wasn’t a problem at all and I do think this story works well as a standalone. Although I will say I’m very intrigued by the other books and will hopefully find the time to read them all at some point.

I enjoyed getting to know the characters and couldn’t help but root for them. I loved the gentle romance between Ivar and Ellisif, where their chemistry just grew with each interaction. They really were made for each other.

There was a little bit of everything to keep me invested and engaged. From danger, to friendships and of course a beautiful romance. Time travel has always interested me and time slip stories are always fun to read. I loved being transported to the past through Promises of the Runes!

I would recommend reading the Runes series in order starting with the first book, Echoes of the Runes to gain some ideas about some of the characters and events even though each book in the series can be read as a Stand-Alone...The previous book in the series is Tempted by the Runes...

Promises of the Runes is a fast paced story that timeslips between the years 2021 and 875AD.

Courtenay has researched the social aspects, culture, daily routines, and lifestyles of those from the Viking era. The mention of the Viking rituals and holidays adds to the authentic feeling. The writing style is easy to follow with a mixture of description and dialogue.

The character development of Promises of the Runes gives background information to create a connection between the reader and the characters. There are links to prior installments which also helps. The characters are interesting and realistic, with their own personalities...

Ivar works as an archeologist and curator at the historical museum in Stockholm alongside his foster father, Haakon Berger. They are in charge of the items from the Viking era. Ivar has become restless and bored with his life, he longed for an adventure... Ever since his loved ones have travelled to the 9th century he had wanted to follow them and has taken extra lessons in Old Norse, Swordsmanship, and other useful skills in order to prepare.

Ellisif is expected by the king to marry Kári Knutsson in 2 weeks time. She refuses to show any emotions or appear weak in front of him, before stalking from the hall without a word, in frustration. Seen as old even though she is 26, Ellisif was hoping to have a choice in her next husband. She is determined to come up with a solution before it is too late...

Finally brought together by their visions Ivar and Ellisif have a great deal of chemistry. There is some sexual tension and warmth provided in some scenes that was very sweet to see.

Overall I felt that Promises of the Runes was an engaging and interesting novel. I enjoyed seeing the time travel experience from Ivar's point of view, and also hearing from some of the previous characters.

I would suggest reading Promises of the Runes to people who enjoy historical romances and timeslip novels based around the Viking era, as it is a character driven story involving passion, drama and intrigue as the characters grow together....

Having been fostered by the Berger family, Ivar is more familiar than many with the possibilities of time travel – and as a Viking specialist at the museum, he’s irresistibly drawn by the idea of meeting his ancestors. He’s prepared well – a grounding in Norse, a punishing fitness regime, learning about armed and unarmed combat – and he now has the means, an engraved small pair of shears, that will help him on his way. But he also has a swan’s foot amulet that provides a link with a troubled woman from the past – someone he hopes he will be able to find and offer his protection. On arrival, he finds unexpected allies – he’s not the first traveller to pass that way – and wins over warrior Thorald who he accompanies on a voyage to reclaim a stolen inheritance, encountering en route the woman whose plea for help had reached him across the centuries.

There’s a breath-taking authenticity about the detail the author includes as she brings the ninth century to life – this is how research should be used – and she has an unparalleled ability to draw in the reader, and make you feel part of it. The male point of view for this book makes it feel a little different from others in the series – and a man certainly faces different challenges from those of the female travellers who’ve gone before him. Ivar himself is immensely likeable, sometimes struggling with the tasks needed to prove his worth, and never more so than when he becomes romantically involved and torn between his 21st century life and the Viking world where he increasingly feels he might belong.

The book’s romance is, I have to say, beautifully handled – and I found it strong and convincing too, emotionally engaging, and tinged with both hopelessness and frustration because of the circumstances of their meeting. All the characters are really well developed, and there’s a considerable amount of particularly well-written drama too – these were lawless times, and Ivar sometimes finds himself very uncomfortably in the thick of it. But there’s plenty of lightness too – it’s impossible not to smile at Ivar’s fascination with some of the tasks carried out by women, wanting to learn as much as he can during his stay, to the confusion of his fellow warriors. And as for when he wants to write a shopping list for his visit to market to see the settlement through winter, settling for scratching runes on a piece of bark – just one of those many lovely touches of detail. And yes, there are some characters we’ve met before in other books – but nothing that would cause a new reader any problems, just particularly interesting for those of us who’ve passed this way before.

You might be drawn to this book by the history, or by the idea of time travel – and you’ll certainly find the romance everything you want it to be. The best book in the series so far? Yes, I think it was – this series just gets better and better, and I do hope we have more to come. I loved it – and would recommend it very highly to others.

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

My Review: A beautiful and captivating read through the times. I fully enjoyed my time reading this book and I absolutely love the cover. We follow Ivar on a mission to find his way back in time to discover mysteries and love. The research and how its woven into to this dual time story is wonderfully done. I absolutely enjoyed all the different details within the story. Don't ask me to write down the names of the characters, as they are also authentic and viking like. You could lose yourself in some of the scenes. A recommended 5 star read. Can't wait for her next one and am excited to see the cover.

It's always a real pleasure to go back in time with this talented writer and this Viking series has been a particular favourite of mine especially as each story brings a new and exciting character whilst taking us back to what has become a quite familiar world. This fifth book in the series is deliciously different as it gives us the story from a male point of view.

Ivar Thoresson is an archaeologist who specialises in the ninth century world of the Vikings and he would dearly love to travel back in time in order to discover, at first hand, what it was like to live amongst his ancestors. When Ivar discovers a rather unusual silver amulet he is irresistibly drawn towards the plight of a young woman who appears to pleading for help. Armed with with only a vague notion of what time travel is really like, Ivar sets out to discover more about this ancient world with fascinating and rather unexpected consequences.

Ivar is irresistibly drawn to Viking life and although he has some reservations about life in the ninth century, he soon begins to feel at home there, especially as he gets to know the people, their customs and their way of life. The story soon draws you in and the author's flair for detail and her impeccable research makes this time slip novel feel beautifully authentic, each chapter flows seamlessly bringing the Viking world to life in glorious detail.Nicely descriptive and with a wonderful romantic element, Promises of the Runes is another wonderful Viking adventure from this talented writer of historical fiction.

Whilst Promises of the Runes is the fifth book in this Runes series of historical time slip novels, each can be read as a standalone however, as with any series it does make sense to start at the beginning, and if you are new to this author's skilful writing you won't be disappointed.

Award-winning author Christina Courtenay dazzles once again with her latest sweeping, evocative and emotional epic, Promises of the Runes.

Ivar Thoresson yearns for excitement and adventure. An archaeologist who specialises in the Viking era, Ivar would love nothing more than to travel back to the ninth century just like his relatives have done, and learn everything he possibly can about the time period that has enthralled him for as far back as he can remember. Ivar has always felt loved and cherished by his adopted family, however, the opportunity to meet his true ancestor, the warrior Thorald, proves to be a temptation which he finds himself unable to resist…

As Ivar begins to prepare for this fateful meeting, he uncovers an amulet which shows him a disturbing vision of a beautiful woman with red-gold hair begging for help. The woman is clearly in great distress and has nobody who can help her – except for Ivar, who having heard her cry is determined to do whatever he can for her. As Ivar begins his momentous journey back in time, he will find himself embarking on adventure that will challenge him and test him like never before. Yet, despite the many obstacles in his way, Ivar is determined to see this journey through to the end – especially as it will lead him to his destiny and to the woman who has captured his heart from across the centuries.

Nobody writes breath-taking romantic adventure like Christina Courtenay. A gifted storyteller who writes with style, flair and heart, in Promises of the Runes, she has outdone herself yet again with a powerful, passionate and immersive page-turner that is wonderfully atmospheric, brilliantly vivid and beautifully told.

Full of passion, jeopardy, drama, tension and intrigue, Promises of the Runes is a superb tale that effortlessly sweeps readers back in time and continues to affirm Christina Courtenay’s standing as an extraordinarily talented writer.

So good to read another story in this brilliant series of time-slip romances,
With artefacts giving archaeologist brilliant chances.
For Ivar Thoresson, he's hoping to visit his adopted siblings who
Have time travelled back to the Viking era, too.

A chance to catch up with folks he holds dear,
And learn more about this era, his fascination is clear.
An amulet gives him the hope that he'll travel there, too,
As well as showing a young woman - but she is just who?

A brilliant adventure, sharing life in Viking times and romance,
As the characters explore and give love a chance.
This time it is told mainly from a male point of view,
With attitudes, battles and journeys shared, too.

The author transports you back in to these times so
With the characters through the pages it is where you also go.
A fascinating taste of life in those centuries past
As well as sharing information on history that will last.

I really enjoyed this time-slip Viking adventure book
And hope you'll give it a more detailed look.
For my complementary copy, I say a huge thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.

Another winner!

The Viking era fascinates me deeply, and I love reading about them. But what was it actually like? I think Christina Courtenay knows the answer, because she takes us there, literally, and lets us see that world through the eyes of a time-traveller! It is, of course, fiction – well-written, engrossing, passionate – but it feels so real. I loved the journey northwards along the Norwegian west coast, the descriptions of the ship, the camps and trading posts, and the magnificent halls with their communal living. Not much privacy to be had, and trust and loyalty are essential. I also loved the descriptions of various customs, even the horrific duel, a fight to the death. Heck, it was a brutal time!

This time the time-traveller is a man, and a character from an earlier novel of Courtenay’s, and it adds a completely different dynamic to the romantic relationship. There were definite “Kate & Leopold” vibes, yet the connection here between the main characters, Ivar and Ellisif, was deeper and less comedic.

It was almost a shock to return to the twenty-first century again, and I can’t wait for the author’s next book!

Another slightly different chapter in the Runes series told from a male perspective. Ivar is a familiar character from earlier books, but now he is determined to travel back to the 9th Century Viking time, following in his sisters' footsteps. Although he is prepared, what he discovers defies his preconceptions. I love the historical detail that immerses the reader in Viking times. The emotion and romance intertwine to deliver an evocative and exciting timeslip story. I enjoy the vibrant characters, the vividly described setting and the mystery of this story.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Christina Courtenay is the Queen of Travel Time to Viking Age Romance but she’s also the Queen of Travel to Another Era and How-to-learn-about-Viking-Everyday-Life
I read this series and always enjoyed the stories, loving the setting and the details, rootring for the characters and hoping for a HEA, it doesn’t matter when.
Ivar’s story was compelling and sweet.
The main theme Is the so called “hero’s journey or, according to Wikipedia: “a hero who goes on an adventure, is victorious in a decisive crisis, and comes home changed or transformed”.
Ivar goes on an adventure, face crisis, fall in love and comes home changed and with a new life. (*)
This book is good example of how a romance can be a a hero’s journey and how this novel is a romantic fantasy.
All those cerebral blah blahs to say that you will love this book if are into romance but also if you are into fantasy as Ms Courtney delivers a plot that can fit in both category and it’s highly entertaining and compelling regardless of the categorisation.
Ivar and the characters are well rounded and I liked their arc and how the experience and love change them.
The historical background is as vivid and well researched as usual. I think I learned more about Viking’s everyday life reading the Runes series than watching documentaries.
So go and read this series and be ready because it’s a treat.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Headline Review for this arc, all opinions are mine

I have loved all the books in this series and it was great to see Ivar, who first appeared in book 1, finally getting his turn to find love and adventure in 9th century Viking times. It’s unusual to have a romance told primarily from the make character’s point of view, but it really worked here and made sense, given Ivar is a character we already know. It’s clear that a lot of research has gone into this book, as the descriptions of the minutiae of day to day life are fascinating! I was utterly absorbed in the story right from the start and read the whole book in one afternoon. The author is incredibly talented and it’s an absolute joy to read this book!

I may have said this before, but this series just gets better with each reading. The thought and research that has gone into building this series is daunting, and I am in awe of the process. One thing that I have definitely said before is that I hold favourite authors to a higher standard, and need that standard to be at least maintained, if not exceeded. This wonderful story blasted straight to the top position and here’s why:
We first met Ivar back in the first book, Echoes of the Runes, and we also had a glimpse of him in Tempted by the Runes. Of course, time has passed and he’s no longer the vulnerable young boy that we were first introduced to. The fact that he is still living close to Mia and Haakon, having been raised as a son and loved as one of their own. Ivar’s birth father had an unhealthy obsession with Viking artefacts, but Ivar loves them for their historical significance and somewhat magical charm. Knowing that his sisters have travelled back to the 9th Century, Ivar decides to do the same, but purely as research for his job at the museum.
Finally finding what he needs to travel, he embarks on his journey, also clutching an amulet that gives him a vision of a woman with red-gold hair, who he feels needs his protection.
Once again, I was swept away to Viking times and became immersed in their lives and traditions. The 9th Century feels very familiar, and I love each trip as I meet new characters and experience new thrills and dangers. Of course, this is a love story, and the connection between Ivar and his mystery woman is tangible and intense.
There are glimpses of familiar faces and a crossover to the characters from Tempted by the Runes. As the story gathers pace, there is a feeling of urgency as Ivar must choose between the home and museum that he loves and the Viking woman who he has fallen in love with.
One major source of joy is the manner in which each story interweaves with the next. The characterisations, the broad differences, and common grounds that hold them together as we journey between the modern day and the time of the Vikings.
Christina Courtenay has a magical touch, and it is evident in this series. I’m already looking forward to the next instalment. I can highly recommend this escape back in time, it’s an exciting, enchanting trip.

This was a really good book! It has time travel, lots of action and even romance. It’s a descriptive book. It really kept my interest through out the entire book.
Thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources for the early copy

Straight away this time-slip story threw me in a unique and somewhat wonderful way from page one! Gone was the usual female narrator to greet me, that I’d been expecting, and hey presto - a fresh new insight told from a male’s point of view. I actually went back to the beginning, having read two chapters, to reread having realised what Courtenay had done.

Ivor Thoresson works in the Historical Museum, in Stockholm and is a much loved brother within the blended foster-family, the Bergers. Ivor is determined to follow his siblings in travelling back in time, using an artefact as a means of assisting his transportation. His problem being which article contains such a power?

Ivor discovers his precious item, a silver amulet – which provides him with a startling vision of a damsel in much distress. His quest is set. Despite not wishing to leave his foster-parents and brother, Ivor will follow his foster-sisters, Linnar and Maddie back in time to seek, honour and protect as only he knows how! Romance, Viking passion and intrigue are woven throughout the tale providing a worthy escape from 21st Century life.

As a reader, I was delighted and absorbed accompanying Ivor on his quest to the 9th Century. Courtenay writes so beautifully, drawing you in to each scene, that time and pages slip by effortlessly. Before this series, I had no previous knowledge of Vikings – so learn something new with each wonderful tale.

Five star read!

I'll begin by saying that when I began reading this book I had no idea it was part of a series, number 5 in fact, and that the story was one of many involving one family. This is just to clarify that I found no problem reading and understanding the story as a standalone book.

A young man, whose older sisters have time travelled, finds a way to travel to Viking times through an amulet found at a museum, he also has in his possession a silver charm that gives him brief glimpses of a woman in need of help who seems to be speaking directly to him in the visions.

I found this to be a really quick, easy read with a good story and enough historical Viking detail regarding weapons, ships and battles to keep me interested.
It felt a little like Outlander for Vikings and that's absolutely not a bad thing!
I'll go back and read the previous books in the series to fill out the story more, and I'm really interested in the fact that the other siblings who have travelled have gone to different parts of Scandinavia.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me a chance to read and review this ARC.

I have binge read all 5 books in this wonderful series and at the end of each book I swear it's my favourite. This book is no exception apart from the fact its a male in the Berger family who travels back through time. Ivor Thoresson, Linnear and Maddie's Foster brother finds a silver amulet and is drawn to a woman with red/gold curls who appears to be in distress. Travelling back to the Norway in the 9th century he meets Ellisif the woman in his dream.
As with all these books Christina brings 9th century Viking life to the 21st century. Her writing is descriptive and very well researched. A perfect Timeslip novel