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Past Storm and Fire

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She wrote herself into history. Will she sample the sensual spoils?

Val Masterson longs for a taste of passion. With a loveless husband and a soul-sucking job, it’s no surprise when a bump on the head gives her vivid dreams of life as a powerful heroine. Losing herself in rugged fantasies with two twelfth-century Icelandic brothers, she’s shocked when her smoking-hot fictional men vie for much more than her hand…

Dismayed and horrified when the siblings’ father tries to make her his concubine, Val’s imagination runs riot as the sexy times start to heat up. But when her life in the physical world crumbles, she fears it may be time to choose a bed and sleep in it.

In a cold land she’s not sure is real, will she find the warmth her body desires?

Past Storm and Fire is a steamy timeslip romance. If you like enticing characters, delectable triangles, and lush historical backdrops, then you’ll love Christy Nicholas’ sizzling tale.

Buy Past Storm and Fire to fall into an age of enchantment today!

402 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 15, 2019

36 people are currently reading
61 people want to read

About the author

Christy Nicholas

111 books320 followers
Celtic Fairies, Fables, and Folklore!

Christy Nicholas loves all things historical, especially if it has anything to do with Ireland, Scotland, England, or Iceland, and she writes historical fantasy, travel guides, and a book on writing craft. Her tales tend to the gritty, with bittersweet endings, and she's never afraid to torture her characters. But there is beauty in all darkness, and she loves showing that, as well.

- If you are in the mood for something more scifi, check out her C. N. Jackson book, Time Tourist Outfitters, Ltd.

- If you are looking for some urban fantasy, magical adventure in modern ireland, see her Rowan Dillon series, Guardians of the PHAE.

- If you prefer some timeslip romance in Iceland, or a women's fiction based on her parents' true story, go look at her Emeline Rhys books, Past Storm and Fire or Better To Have Loved.

Homepage: http://www.greendragonartist.com

Blog: http://www.greendragonartist.net

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/greendragonau...

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/greendragon9

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkSd...

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@greendragonau...

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greendragon...

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/chris...

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

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5 stars
27 (43%)
4 stars
22 (35%)
3 stars
9 (14%)
2 stars
4 (6%)
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0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
Profile Image for Heather W.
4,065 reviews35 followers
August 17, 2019
This is a fascinating read that encompasses past and present, home and Iceland. The author weaves a tale that takes you on a journey with Val as she becomes Vigdis. An enthralling story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Maura.
2,180 reviews6 followers
April 29, 2019
I've read and enjoyed this author's "Druid's Brooch" series so I blindly went into PAST STORM AND FIRE based on her name alone. I wasn't sure that I could write anything about this book without writing spoilers so I went back and looked at the blurb. OHHHH NOW it makes sense.

This book is told in past and present tense, dream and reality, and has a story within the story. It's a complex tale that at times I had a hard time following. The historical portion of the story appears to have been well researched. There are certain situations that are written in the story that serve as background for why the protagonist is the way she is. At times I liked her and other times I felt like she was just so passive in what she wanted. Then I would warm up to her again.

There is a common arch that ties all of the parts of the story together. It took me a little bit to get into the rhythm of it because I wasn't quite sure what was going on. It has a very clear beginning, middle, and end and while it is not my favorite by this author, I did find it enjoyable.

Profile Image for Janelle Garrett.
Author 15 books57 followers
August 14, 2019
3.5/5 stars

This book started off with a bang. It drops you into the middle of a hurricane, Andrew to be more specific. My husband grew up in Miami and was living there in 1993, and the depictions of the hurricane were accurate compared to stories I've heard from him. So from the get-go, the book had my attention.

It follows the story of Val, who finds herself in a loveless marriage, a dead-end job, and having just gone through the trauma of having her home destroyed by the hurricane. She copes by beginning to write a book about Iceland in the 1100's, based on research she was doing involved with a re-enactment club. The friendships she forms helps her get through her subsequent divorce, and the book helps her cope by providing an escape. Or is it?

Generally speaking, I did enjoy this book. The characters were likeable and endearing (excepting Val's bumbling husband who leaves her for his ex-wife). Jorge in particular was the gay best friend, an overdone stereotype that I honestly never get tired of. He was funny and sweet and gave light-hearted relief to an otherwise more depressing story.

I wish the "voice" of Val had been a bit more cohesive. There were times her uniqueness shone through, but generally speaking, the writing was a bit too on the nose. The plot meandered, and although I did enjoy the jumps from the past to the present, it felt more like a mix of biography and fiction. I think perhaps the author was trying to add too many elements, making it a but jumbled up. That is, I still enjoyed the story, and I think fans of historical fiction will enjoy this.
Profile Image for ChillwithabookAWARD With.
457 reviews19 followers
July 3, 2019
Past Storm And Fire has received a Chill with a Book Readers' Premier Award.
www.chillwithabook.com

An enthralling story well thought through and cleverly written. An enjoyable read.
Pauline Barclay - Founder of Chill Awards
Profile Image for Laura Furuta.
2,047 reviews28 followers
April 15, 2019
Past Storm and Fire
By: Christy Nicholas
5 out of 5 stars

The story Past Storm and Fire by Christy Nicholas is a wonderful book to read. It drew me in from the very beginning and I found myself not wanting to put it down until I had finished the last page. I loved reading about the character of Val. She is a woman who is responsible. Her life is not going the way that she had hoped and is inspired to writing a romance novel set in Iceland. The novel opens up a world which she can escape to. What will happen when the lines between her writing and her real life begin to cross? What does the future hold for Val? Read this book to find out. I also loved reading about the character of Vigdis that Val creates. She is a hard-worker, independent, and strong. I liked that so much detail is given to the story. I felt like I was right there with the characters. This is also a book that is emotional and mine went up and down. I grew to care about Val and Vigdis with each chapter that I read. Don’t miss out on a journey that had me thinking about it even after I had finished the book. Recommended reading.
8 reviews
April 2, 2019
A wonderful and exciting read full of adventure, romance, snark, black magic, and a mystery that stretches over a thousand years. The book opens in the middle of Hurricane Andrew and didn't slow down from there. I didn't want to put the book down! Lovely descriptions and meticulous research are interwoven into a mature and skillful narrative. Loved it!
Profile Image for Katie.
2,260 reviews15 followers
April 18, 2019
Past Storm and Fire
By Christy Nicholas
5 stars

Past Storm and Fire was a fantastic and exciting 5 star read by Christy Nicholas and I story that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. The level of detail that the author put into the story was just amazing; I was completely captivated by what I was reading. I could tell that the author really had taken the time to research what she writing about and this made a he difference to me as a reader. I have read quite a few books by this author now and I have to say I think that this one is definitely my favourite so far, it was just one of those stories that you find really difficult to put down. I loved the main character Val, she was such a strong person and I really felt like I was living her journey with her.
A fantastic 5 star read that I highly recommend!
Profile Image for Caralee.
658 reviews6 followers
April 15, 2019
Past Storm and Fire by Christy Nicholas
4 Stars!!!!


This is once again a great read. I have read other books by this author and I was not let down. I found that she has a unique way of bringing her characters to life and drawing the reader in. I really found this book to be refreshing.

I love the way that the main character Val is both a part of the present world and the past. I really got into how the past life she experienced comes to her as a book idea. I love how she is drawn to the past through her work in the future. The way that the book draws the reader in just had me glued to the pages. I really enjoyed how she gets to tie all the characters in her book to the past and gets a new beginning for her in the present. I really liked the chemistry between her and Havaldr. I definitely will be reading more from this author in the future.
Profile Image for Gwen Clayton.
Author 3 books10 followers
June 26, 2019
Two stories in one. Past Storm and Fire must have been an ambitious undertaking for author Christy Nicholas. Main character Val was dealing with the trauma of Hurricane Andrew, a troubled marriage and a boss from hell. To escape her misery, she first gets involved with a historical re-enactment group, and then decides to write a fiction novel based on the exploits of her persona. Nicholas deserves praise for amalgamating two disparate story lines without losing the reader.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Bobbi Wagner.
4,999 reviews63 followers
April 15, 2019
I found this book enjoyable and hard to put down as it also made me feel as if I was part of the story. It is well written and the author’s attention to detail especially the historical parts are great. Val’s life seems to be falling apart between the damage from the hurricane to her husband’s deceit. Inspired, she finds herself writing a novel based in Iceland. What will happen when her present and past collide? Strong characters that are connectable. I highly recommend this book
1,405 reviews10 followers
April 16, 2019
Another fantastic book from Nicholas! She is a master storyteller and few can match her ability to create new worlds that leave you breathless with their newness yet they are still relatable. I loved this book from start to finish and found myself transported once again to the world created. Fantastic book.
Profile Image for E.A..
951 reviews27 followers
April 25, 2019
Past Storm and Fire by Christy Nicholas was an original, engaging detail read, that had me hooked.

Not my first read by this author, so I new going in that this book was going to be something otherworldly and fantastical. And I was not disappointed. This book was hooking right from the start. Opening with that storm, it not only set the stage for the mood, but it showed us right away the cracks in Val's and Karl's marriage. It was a heavy hitter from there, and once that fantasy plot got underway, there was no turning back for me. I loved the play on fact or fiction, and the way the author had Val escape into her writing. It was a unique twist and it made this story stand out.

Overall this book gets my super high recommendation and my stamp of approval.

Happy Reading

-E.A. Walsh
Profile Image for Rachel.
161 reviews1 follower
July 12, 2019
Great story line! Loved the historical locale. The only thing that gave the story a small amount of hesitation for me, is the tone of the heroine. She’s meant to be in her mid twenties but her “voice” is that of a middle aged woman. But otherwise an enjoyable and well written story.
Profile Image for Jenni.
6,381 reviews78 followers
April 27, 2019
Past Storm and Fire by Christy Nicholas ​is original and engaging and the author wove real life into fantasy as she wrote this story. It is a quick and fluid read that was intriguing and definitely takes you on a journey to remember. The fantasy, the mystery and the past and present collide. Captivating and refreshing is how I would describe this tale that shows a woman who is unsure of her marriage who finds herself immersed in a world that is not known if it is real or not.

427 reviews
April 20, 2019
Past Storm and Fire
By Christy Nicholas

Past Storm and Fire is yet another exciting and well written story by Christy Nicholas. Just love the cover of this book. I found this book to be a nice quick read, the book also flowed nicely, and the story has a nice pace to it as well. If Christy, you are a fan then this book is going to grab your attention from the start as I did with me. If you are now just finding Christy after reading this book you will want to read more of her wonderful work. You will find Past Storm and Fire has such detail to it you wont want to put the book down, and since this book has a lot of detail it will have you feeling you are on the same journey with Val and the characters of the book. Definitely a five-star read.
Profile Image for Erica Fish.
992 reviews2 followers
April 18, 2019
Past Storm and Fire is a story by Christy Nicholas and I am sure that it will great like her other stories. I was not disappointed. Nicholas writes in a way that grips you in a way like you are in a spider web and do not even realize it. The way she can start the story with Hurricane Andrew and take you back to historic Iceland is mind blowing. Val is the main female character and she is living with Karl, her husband but is she truly happy. She has visions that take her to Iceland. There is another story that is brought to her in visions. As the story grows so does the love I have for Val and Vigdis. Who is Vigdis and what is his role? You will have to read this story and fall in love yourself.
Profile Image for Erin.
714 reviews2 followers
May 19, 2019
I give Past Storm and Fire by Christy Nicholas, 5 stars.

Val has been dealing with a lot in her life -- a devastating hurricane, a failing marriage, and a boss she cannot stand. To escape, she decides to write a historical romance set in past times in Iceland. The more she gets into, the more she enjoys -- it's her escape. But is it really good for her or is it destroying her real life? Follow the stories of both Val's real life and the characters and life she created in one wonderful book!

I didn't know what to expect from this book. I have loved previous books by this author but am not too big on the jumping back in time thing. The more I got into this book, the more I enjoyed it. The parts set back in Iceland pulled me in immediately and I could not wait to get back to these parts of the book. The modern day time frame (set in the 90s) took me a little while to get into. Personally I found the characters annoying. That being said, I believe that is the point -- it shows us just how much Val is not enjoying her life. The book within a book is a great concept to me, too. I would readily read this type of book again. Let's face it, the author has basically given us two books in one, and has managed to do a superb job at telling both stories.

I highly recommend this book to lovers of historical fiction, romance, and lovers of really good stories.
Profile Image for Christy Nicholas.
Author 111 books320 followers
April 1, 2019
As the author, I like to highlight issues I came across while writing my books.

For this book, there is a great deal of personal experience woven into the narrative. The book opens with Hurricane Andrew, which I lived through in Miami. It also includes art shows and a trip to an ancient Icelandic farm, a place I became enchanted with in 2015.
Profile Image for Jana.
878 reviews
May 13, 2019
Past Storm and Fire by Christy Nicholas is a mindblowing read filled with adventure, romance, black magic and mystery that spans a thousand years! It is weird how at some point I started hearing Christina Perri’s A Thousand Years at the back of my head (like a soundtrack to the story unfolding!) It was my first read by this writer and I was happy to see that I had made a right decision by picking it up! I hope that there will be another book like the main character is told at the end of the book!
We have Val whose life if falling into pieces amongst the damage from the hurricane Andrew and her husband’s deceit. She finds relief from daily grind by starting to write a novel based in Iceland over thousand years ago … she gets lost in the world where the past and the present and the future collide … I studied Islandic back at university so I took special delight in the story and the attention to the detail that the writer is luring us in … I truly hope that there is another book bringing us deeper into the story!
264 reviews4 followers
May 15, 2019
Past Storm and Fire by Christy Nicholas is the story of Val Masterson. Val is a woman who is dealing with many issues, hurricane Andrew and its destruction of the life she once knew, a husband who leaves a lot to be desired. Val has an “active” imagination which she uses to her best ability in order to get through the rough days she is experiencing. What happens when her imagined story starts to become based in reality?
This was the first book I have read by this author, I liked it but I did find it to be a little confusing at times. Will I read something else by Ms. Nichols, I probably will since I was going through her back library, I found some that interest me. So, if you are looking for an interesting concept in a story pick up Past Storm and Fire.
Profile Image for Michelle Austin.
2,832 reviews45 followers
May 16, 2019
Past Storm and Fire was a good 4 star read. I was pulled right in by the authors writing.
We get mystery, romance, adventure and so much more.

We start during a hurricane where we meet Val and Karl and see that things are not perfect for them. We bounce from past to present with Val. She has visions of Iceland and starts to write a story that spans a thousand years. Val loses herself in her story to get away from her troubles at home.

All of the characters were great. The detail was amazing and my emotions were all over the place. This is my first read from Christy, she makes me want to write a book to get away from my reality as well, but I’m sure it wouldn’t be as great as this one was. If you're looking for a great book, 1-click and get started today.
Profile Image for Madilynn Dale.
Author 25 books344 followers
May 16, 2019
Past Storm And Fire by Christy Nicholas

5-stars

Past Storm And Fire was a creative and interesting novel. It seemed very realistic and was descriptive. The storyline featured many interesting characters. Main character Val was interesting to follow as she created her novel which in turn seemed to realistic and sets out to determine if it was. She was so creative and strong. I disliked her husband Karl at the start of the novel and it seemed to stick as I finished reading. She deserved better than him. His character really shined through at the start right after the Hurricane. This novel was definitely a fun an interesting read.
2,077 reviews20 followers
May 16, 2019
5 Star
Past Storm and Fire by Christy Nicholas

Past Storm and Fire by Christy Nicholas is a wonderfully written book filled with mystery adventure, romance and even some black magic. I was drawn in from the beginning and doesn’t let go till the end. Val is a responsible woman whose life isn’t going the way she had hoped and sets out to write a romance novel that’s set in Iceland .The more she gets into it her real life and her writing cross. What happens when those lines are crossed? Find out what happens next. I highly recommend reading this book. I look forward to reading more from this Author.
Profile Image for Heather.
1,654 reviews3 followers
May 14, 2019
Past Storm and Fire by Christy Nicholas was a riveting read that will embark upon the realms of expectation and more. The imagery was remarkably well done and I loved how the Val's writing takes on a life of its own while her own life begins shifting further. This story draws the reader into its pages while Val and her own character(s) embark upon their own journeys. The writing was on point and the emotional attributes hit at the pivotal moments, right where they should. Chapter to chapter, you will drawn further into the story until you crest into the final chapter(s). Truly addictive with passionately written characters with aspects between the past and present that were amazing. Recommend this book!
389 reviews6 followers
May 13, 2019
This book had me hooked just by reading the synopsis! It sounded so different than anything Ive read before so this was a must read!

Val was such an amazing character. She's hitting a rough patch in her life and she's turned to writing a romance novel that takes place in Iceland. This is her escape. She was able to create a world in which she can escape the issues in her life but all of a sudden the lines between her world and the fictional one she's made up start to cross each other.

The story was straight up brilliant. It gave you all the feels and left me with a slight book hangover!
Profile Image for Helen Hollick.
Author 59 books526 followers
October 16, 2019
This book has received a Discovering Diamonds Review:
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs

"Nicholas is a master at providing her readers with stories laced in Icelandic cultural history that touch the souls of her readers."
Profile Image for Louisa.
14 reviews
February 24, 2023
2.5 stars.

It was okay, there were some scenes I liked more. But the overall story didn't grab my attention as much as I had hoped.
Profile Image for Melissa.
1,079 reviews5 followers
December 8, 2023
Past Storm and Fire: A Viking Timeslip Romance

Val dreams of an Iceland of far into the past and writes a book. Author Emeline Rhys later has Val in Iceland for real.
Profile Image for P K.
18 reviews
July 19, 2024
It was hard for me to stay focused while reading it. Maybe it’s just me because it seems to have great reviews.
I got 100 or so pages in before I had to put it down.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews

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