It’s such a pleasure today to be helping launch the blog tour for the latest book from Christina Courtenay, Hidden in the Mists, and sharing my publication day review: published today (18th August) by Headline Review, it’s now available as an e-book, in paperback and as an audiobook via Amazon in the UK and US. My thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation and support, and to the publishers for my advance reading copy (provided via netgalley).
I’ve been enjoying Christina’s wonderful books since I read my first way back in 2013 – and although I was initially a tad worried about her latest series’ focus on the Vikings, it just gets better and better with every book. First there was Echoes of the Runes (you’ll find that review here), then The Runes of Destiny (review here) – I then really enjoyed the third, Whispers of the Runes (you’ll find that review here), and that was followed by Tempted by the Runes, which I thought was even better (review here). I’ve mentioned before that no-one should be put off for an instant by the mention of “a series” – while there have been a few recurring characters (and I’ve found that a particular treat), there’s nothing to stop you reading any one of the books as a standalone. So I was more than happy to be returning to the ninth century once more – but, this time, it looks like this one is something a little different…
A love forged in fire lives on through the ages…
Skye Logan has been struggling to run her remote farm on Scotland’s west coast alone ever since her marriage fell apart. When a handsome stranger turns up looking for work, it seems that her wish for help has been granted.
Rafe Carlisle is searching for peace and somewhere he can forget about the last few years. But echoes of the distant past won’t leave Skye and Rafe alone, and they begin to experience vivid dreams which appear to be linked to the Viking jewellery they each wear.
It seems that the ghosts of the past have secrets… and they have something that they want Skye and Rafe to know.
I’ve really enjoyed all the author’s Viking books, but will admit that I’ve never been a particular fan of time travel (although, I have to say, those books did it so well that they won me over!). I’ve always rather keener on a more conventional time slip story: and if that statement reads rather like an oxymoron, what I mean is a story told in dual-time, where the protagonists remain in their day-to-day lives but where there’s a thin veil between past and present that allows some interaction. Goodness, I’ve managed to make that sound very dull, haven’t I (and perhaps slightly weird?) – but I have to say that this wonderful book gave me absolutely everything I was looking for.
The book’s present day thread is set in Auchenbeag, a remote spot on the west coast of Scotland, where Skye Logan is running her smallholding and living off the land, alone since her husband left (something of a blessing), sometimes finding the work involved more than she can manage. She’s also feeling the loneliness – and when she sees shadowy figures landing on a nearby beach, she feels threatened but also wonders if she imagined the whole episode, the product of her broken sleep. When she finds a gold bracelet inscribed with what she believes to be runes, she wonders if it – and perhaps what she saw – might be connected to the discovery and excavation of a Viking settlement at nearby Carriage Beag, and decides she must ask them about it.
But then real life takes over, with the arrival of Rafe Carlisle – travelling the area in his van, escaping his past, searching for somewhere to call home – and she agrees that he can stay for a while, doing the heavier jobs that she just can’t manage. He proves to be the best possible company – finishing off the work on the holiday let that’s been waiting for some time – and they’re both aware of the spark beginning to smoulder between them. At first, she doesn’t tell him that she’s living alone, and he keeps his distance, but…. no, I really mustn’t tell the story, the author does it many times better.
The historical thread is set in Viking times. There’s a stunning prologue that sees young Óttarr captured by a raiding party following the massacre of his family – and he’s then apprenticed as a blacksmith at the settlement in Arnaby, biding his time, keeping a low profile, vowing revenge when the time is right. Ásta Thorfinnsdóttir is the only daughter of the dying chieftain, and should become their leader – but the power is wrested from her, and she remains to care for the community, always with the threat that her usefulness won’t continue for ever. Óttarr becomes her protector, seriously endangering himself in the process – and, as the threat to them both escalates and the storm clouds gather, their attraction to each other grows.
In the present day thread, there’s an extraordinary chemistry between Skye and Rafe – their developing relationship has a real sizzle, and it soon becomes clear that they’re a couple who are meant to be together. But they both have hidden secrets that intrude into their lives, particularly well-told stories with unpredictable outcomes, threatening the possibility of their future happiness. The romance between Óttarr and Ásta is beautifully handled too – they’re both young, there’s a lovely naivety about their relationship, and I found I fiercely wanted to protect them from the mounting danger around them. The author really does have the most perfect emotional touch – these are both romances that you can entirely feel.
The settings are quite wonderfully done too – I have no idea how the author manages to completely transport you to a Viking settlement and make it feel both believable and familiar (extensive research, and the best descriptive writing, filled with small detail that brings it all so vividly to life…). But I was equally taken with the intricacies of Skye’s life – the realities of being self-sufficient and living off-grid, the meals she creates, the rural crafts she practices (the shearing followed by the spinning and weaving was simply fascinating – and you can’t help but fall in love with a man who’s happy to join in, can you?).
And then there’s the wonderful time slip content, those times when the stories overlap and leak into each other, that touch of writing magic – and I’ve rarely seen it done so well, the more rational explanations coupled with the mystical elements that are clearly present.
This book was everything I wanted it to be, and I loved every moment – romance at its best, two thoroughly compelling storylines, and I don’t think the author’s writing has ever been better. Highly recommended by me – and one that’ll most definitely feature in my books of the year list.
Giveaway
With thanks to Christina and Rachel, I’m delighted to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a signed paperback copy of Hidden in the Mists, a Viking tea-towel and a Viking carved butter knife (open internationally).
Here’s the rafflecopter for entry:
Terms and Conditions Worldwide entries welcome. 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 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.
About the author
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), and the RNA Fantasy Romantic Novel of the year 2021 with Echoes of the Runes. Hidden in the Mists (timeslip/dual time romance travel published by Headline Review on 18th August 2022) is her latest novel. Christina is a keen amateur genealogist and loves history and archaeology (the armchair variety).
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