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Viking & Saxon #2
Geloof in mij
318 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 17, 2002
About the author
Josie Litton
72 books379 followersJosie Litton is the author of several NY Times and USA Today bestselling romances.
Married and living in Connecticut, she is the parent of two grown children. Becoming an empty nester has left her plenty of time to write, think about writing, plan what to write next, and read. When she isn’t doing that, she’s cooking, gardening, and traveling.
Married and living in Connecticut, she is the parent of two grown children. Becoming an empty nester has left her plenty of time to write, think about writing, plan what to write next, and read. When she isn’t doing that, she’s cooking, gardening, and traveling.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 7, 2022
Read: 2020
The 1st book in the series is the best! That said, this is still a good read.
The 1st book in the series is the best! That said, this is still a good read.
August 5, 2022
set in early England- before England was England- I love me some Viking/Saxon settings and themes in my Hist-Rom reading. I believe its because of this that Ms. Litton's first two stories in the trilogy worked as well as it did for me because much of it felt heavy handed and missing a little spark even thought I really do enjoy the characters.
This one gets panned here on goodreads in reviews but I actually liked it just as much as the first, which is to say both were sorta just okay for me. :/
In this storywe get the next Viking-Saxon marriage for the sake of peace, with Cymbra's brother Hawk and another hinted at magical bearer that we never really get to see in action. Dont get me wrong, I liked Krysta, probably more than Cymbra in the first novel, but why is the author not fully telling these stories??
Anyway, this time Krysta does the trickery and Hawk is intrigued. It just takes him awhile to get on with it imo. Also the set up for the climax is heavy handed again, I mean, come on I knew who caused the trouble in the last book and that continued here. Despite the heavy handedness and the lack of story telling on the magic, I still left these first two stories thinking, ok, now Im ready for the next one. We shall see
This one gets panned here on goodreads in reviews but I actually liked it just as much as the first, which is to say both were sorta just okay for me. :/
In this storywe get the next Viking-Saxon marriage for the sake of peace, with Cymbra's brother Hawk and another hinted at magical bearer that we never really get to see in action. Dont get me wrong, I liked Krysta, probably more than Cymbra in the first novel, but why is the author not fully telling these stories??
Anyway, this time Krysta does the trickery and Hawk is intrigued. It just takes him awhile to get on with it imo. Also the set up for the climax is heavy handed again, I mean, come on I knew who caused the trouble in the last book and that continued here. Despite the heavy handedness and the lack of story telling on the magic, I still left these first two stories thinking, ok, now Im ready for the next one. We shall see
November 29, 2023
5 Saxon Stars!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I love this little series so much, and I’m so glad I own them! Hawk and Krysta were great together and I loved the dash of the supernatural thrown in. I do recommend starting with book one, because the bad guy is introduced there and since he’s not caught in book one, their story continues in this one. That said, I don’t think you’d be completely lost if you started here, but it just might not be as meaningful in certain areas.
I can’t wait to check out more from this author! Highly recommend!! ❤️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I love this little series so much, and I’m so glad I own them! Hawk and Krysta were great together and I loved the dash of the supernatural thrown in. I do recommend starting with book one, because the bad guy is introduced there and since he’s not caught in book one, their story continues in this one. That said, I don’t think you’d be completely lost if you started here, but it just might not be as meaningful in certain areas.
I can’t wait to check out more from this author! Highly recommend!! ❤️
July 11, 2022
Oh man was this not even on the same level as book 1. Hawk seemed weak compared to Wolf and Krysta....definitely not a strong female lead. This one seemed a 180 flip of everything compared to the first one. I'm still going to check out Dragon's book from the library and some of Josie's other work.
August 25, 2021
A decent read. I liked the first one better, but this was a pleasant enough read. This is the second book in a three book series. I enjoyed Hawk (the hero). One thing that I didn’t care for was the H and h where wildly wealthy and got so many gifts they didn’t have room for all them two ships full of more wealth and the o my thing the “shared” with their people was material for her maid a wedding gown. I know this was probably typical but if they where such good leaders ect it seems they would ha e spread the good will a little more. Plot 6(1-10) steaminess 6(1-10)
August 31, 2018
If we could just talk to the animals – that would be very noisy.
On to the second book in Ms. Litton’s Viking series, Believe in Me. Lady Krysta, aka Super I-Talk-To-Animals-and-Fantasy-Creatures Girl, is the heroine and she is a Norse woman who has been forced by her brother to marry Lord Hawk. Lord Hawk is our Saxon lord and he is being encouraged by King Alfred to wed Krysta. You know that this wouldn’t actually be a romance without the requisite bad plan, only this time it’s the heroine who has the stink-a-roo. Krysta is going to – wait for it – wait for it – disguise herself. Instead of pretending to be a boy, she is going to pretend to be a servant. She is pretending to be a servant and ensconce herself in Hawk's stronghold so she can keep an eye on him. She just wants to be very sure he is a trustworthy sort before she commits herself. If she had really thought her plan out, she would know that she didn’t really have any choices, but this is make-believe. She has dyed her hair black, I’m not sure why because I don’t think Hawk has ever seen her. She has also brought two of her trusty servants along. These servants have been with her since she was a child and her parents abandoned her. Here’s the deal. Krysta’s servants are not what they seem. Raven, the female servant, is a shapeshifter and she can turn into birds. Mainly, Ravens, hence the name. Krysta’s other servant, Thorgold, is a troll. I’m not actually sure what the benefit of having a troll for a buddy can be. The bird I get, because a bird can fly into a room and eavesdrop – which is what Raven does. But a Troll, they live under bridges and collect money. Not sure how that would be of any use to Krysta.
As you may have guessed there is a slight paranormal element in this tale, and I wonder why. When the story begins we are told that Krysta’s mother wasn’t human, or we are led to believe that she wasn’t. Because Krysta’s father could not accept whatever it was that Krysta’s mother was, her mother was “called” back to the sea and never seen again. So, all of Krysta’s life, everything she does centers around a paranormal mother. I suspect the mother was a Selkie because Selkies used to show up a lot in older books. However, we never actually know. All we know is that Krysta has to marry a man who will really, really love her, even if she does swim with the fishes. And, paranormal romances are fine, don’t have a problem with them, as long as they are treated as such. What this story does is bring up all the shapeshifting, trolls and non-human stuff and then just sort of forgets about them as the book progresses. The story then turns into a Saxon/Norse real story with the villain from the previous book. I think this book would have been a lot better if these elements had either been left out or been stronger. For me, the narrative didn’t blend the paranormal elements into the story very well.
Let’s talk about Lord Hawk. When I compare Hawk to the hero from the previous book, Wolf, Hawk doesn’t stand up too well. Just making a hero big doesn’t really add anything to his character. Hawk was a pretty flat guy; quite a cardboard person. Sure, sure, all the correct body parts twitch when they are supposed to but there wasn’t any substance to it. There was also tons of sex with no chemistry.
After an interesting start with the first book in the series, Dream of Me, Believe in Me was a let-down. I was disappointed in this book; there was just nothing to it. It does come as part of a package, but it doesn’t really enhance that package. Second story not so good.
On to the second book in Ms. Litton’s Viking series, Believe in Me. Lady Krysta, aka Super I-Talk-To-Animals-and-Fantasy-Creatures Girl, is the heroine and she is a Norse woman who has been forced by her brother to marry Lord Hawk. Lord Hawk is our Saxon lord and he is being encouraged by King Alfred to wed Krysta. You know that this wouldn’t actually be a romance without the requisite bad plan, only this time it’s the heroine who has the stink-a-roo. Krysta is going to – wait for it – wait for it – disguise herself. Instead of pretending to be a boy, she is going to pretend to be a servant. She is pretending to be a servant and ensconce herself in Hawk's stronghold so she can keep an eye on him. She just wants to be very sure he is a trustworthy sort before she commits herself. If she had really thought her plan out, she would know that she didn’t really have any choices, but this is make-believe. She has dyed her hair black, I’m not sure why because I don’t think Hawk has ever seen her. She has also brought two of her trusty servants along. These servants have been with her since she was a child and her parents abandoned her. Here’s the deal. Krysta’s servants are not what they seem. Raven, the female servant, is a shapeshifter and she can turn into birds. Mainly, Ravens, hence the name. Krysta’s other servant, Thorgold, is a troll. I’m not actually sure what the benefit of having a troll for a buddy can be. The bird I get, because a bird can fly into a room and eavesdrop – which is what Raven does. But a Troll, they live under bridges and collect money. Not sure how that would be of any use to Krysta.
As you may have guessed there is a slight paranormal element in this tale, and I wonder why. When the story begins we are told that Krysta’s mother wasn’t human, or we are led to believe that she wasn’t. Because Krysta’s father could not accept whatever it was that Krysta’s mother was, her mother was “called” back to the sea and never seen again. So, all of Krysta’s life, everything she does centers around a paranormal mother. I suspect the mother was a Selkie because Selkies used to show up a lot in older books. However, we never actually know. All we know is that Krysta has to marry a man who will really, really love her, even if she does swim with the fishes. And, paranormal romances are fine, don’t have a problem with them, as long as they are treated as such. What this story does is bring up all the shapeshifting, trolls and non-human stuff and then just sort of forgets about them as the book progresses. The story then turns into a Saxon/Norse real story with the villain from the previous book. I think this book would have been a lot better if these elements had either been left out or been stronger. For me, the narrative didn’t blend the paranormal elements into the story very well.
Let’s talk about Lord Hawk. When I compare Hawk to the hero from the previous book, Wolf, Hawk doesn’t stand up too well. Just making a hero big doesn’t really add anything to his character. Hawk was a pretty flat guy; quite a cardboard person. Sure, sure, all the correct body parts twitch when they are supposed to but there wasn’t any substance to it. There was also tons of sex with no chemistry.
After an interesting start with the first book in the series, Dream of Me, Believe in Me was a let-down. I was disappointed in this book; there was just nothing to it. It does come as part of a package, but it doesn’t really enhance that package. Second story not so good.
July 21, 2016
More Fantasy in this story of a Saxon Lord and a Norse Maid
Set in the 9th century, this is book 2 in Litton’s Viking trilogy, a saga of two Viking lords and one Saxon lord who must make marriages to bring peace between the Norse and King Alfred of Essex and to fight the Danes together. In each case the bride they get comes with a special gift. This latter aspect, to me, made the stories seem less serious, giving them a whimsical feel that is not your classic Viking romance.
After the “perfect” couple of Wolf and Cymbra in book 1, it had to be difficult to find another that could hold the reader’s interest as well. So, I think most readers will feel a bit of a let down with this story coming right after the first.
Wolf’s brother-in-law, Lord Hawk was not pleased when King Alfred commanded him to take a Saxon bride, especially since it was not a woman of Hawk’s choosing. And now he’s further annoyed that his bride, Lady Krysta is late in coming to Hawkforte. Instead three of her servants arrive: a man who seems to be a dwarf, a strange woman named “Raven” and a young pixie-like girl to whom Hawk is very attracted. Little does he know but the pixie he favors is Krysta.
Very early on Hawk discovers the ruse and the rest of the story is the couple’s getting to know each other and overcoming misunderstandings. And, like Cymbra, Krysta will encounter opposition and women who wanted her man. Oh, and she has some special talents that bring in the fantasy element and are the source of her many insecurities.
Hawkforte is an elaborate dwelling, more a castle than a Saxon thane’s dwelling, but still made for a nice setting.
The action and the tension between the two slows quite a bit in places but still the story is charming and I can recommend it. Just know it’s not the fast paced Viking action story you might think at first encounter, nor as intriguing as DREAM OF ME. Hawk is a very capable leader but without the stormy side that Wolf had, which made him such a compelling Norseman.
The trilogy:
DREAM OF ME (Wolf and Cymbra)
BELIEVE IN ME (Cymbra’s brother, Hawk and Krysta)
COME BACK TO ME (Wolf’s brother, Dragon and Rycca)
Set in the 9th century, this is book 2 in Litton’s Viking trilogy, a saga of two Viking lords and one Saxon lord who must make marriages to bring peace between the Norse and King Alfred of Essex and to fight the Danes together. In each case the bride they get comes with a special gift. This latter aspect, to me, made the stories seem less serious, giving them a whimsical feel that is not your classic Viking romance.
After the “perfect” couple of Wolf and Cymbra in book 1, it had to be difficult to find another that could hold the reader’s interest as well. So, I think most readers will feel a bit of a let down with this story coming right after the first.
Wolf’s brother-in-law, Lord Hawk was not pleased when King Alfred commanded him to take a Saxon bride, especially since it was not a woman of Hawk’s choosing. And now he’s further annoyed that his bride, Lady Krysta is late in coming to Hawkforte. Instead three of her servants arrive: a man who seems to be a dwarf, a strange woman named “Raven” and a young pixie-like girl to whom Hawk is very attracted. Little does he know but the pixie he favors is Krysta.
Very early on Hawk discovers the ruse and the rest of the story is the couple’s getting to know each other and overcoming misunderstandings. And, like Cymbra, Krysta will encounter opposition and women who wanted her man. Oh, and she has some special talents that bring in the fantasy element and are the source of her many insecurities.
Hawkforte is an elaborate dwelling, more a castle than a Saxon thane’s dwelling, but still made for a nice setting.
The action and the tension between the two slows quite a bit in places but still the story is charming and I can recommend it. Just know it’s not the fast paced Viking action story you might think at first encounter, nor as intriguing as DREAM OF ME. Hawk is a very capable leader but without the stormy side that Wolf had, which made him such a compelling Norseman.
The trilogy:
DREAM OF ME (Wolf and Cymbra)
BELIEVE IN ME (Cymbra’s brother, Hawk and Krysta)
COME BACK TO ME (Wolf’s brother, Dragon and Rycca)
December 24, 2020
By and 1515
Hawk wanted peace as much as the next man so when it was proposed he would marry again he agreed.
She sent her servants. His soon to be wife sent three servants to prepare for her arrival or so that was what they kept saying.
From the moment he laid eyes on the woman with jet black hair he'd been drawn to her.
Krysta really should have thought more about her plan before she actually decided to put it into action.
How ever she was done In by something she hadn't considered and now Hawk knew the truth.
Krysta was taken back by the venom his older sister possessed she claimed to be a Christian but honestly she didn't believe Daria.
There many people who secretly wanted peace treaty to fail they couldn't stand the thought of vikings and danes having anything in common.
She couldn't believe the fool had the nerve to kidnap her and now Krysta would have to figure out how to save herself.
He'd never been so grateful to rid someone of their last breathe as he had the man whom had so sorely tried his patience.
They were finally married and the days an nights they stayed at the King's court sadly came to and end so now they would be returning to Hawke's home.
Krysta didn't realize her mistake until it was to late.
Hawk was becoming frantic as her searched desperately for his wife and he wouldn't leave a stone unturned until he found her.
Hawk wanted peace as much as the next man so when it was proposed he would marry again he agreed.
She sent her servants. His soon to be wife sent three servants to prepare for her arrival or so that was what they kept saying.
From the moment he laid eyes on the woman with jet black hair he'd been drawn to her.
Krysta really should have thought more about her plan before she actually decided to put it into action.
How ever she was done In by something she hadn't considered and now Hawk knew the truth.
Krysta was taken back by the venom his older sister possessed she claimed to be a Christian but honestly she didn't believe Daria.
There many people who secretly wanted peace treaty to fail they couldn't stand the thought of vikings and danes having anything in common.
She couldn't believe the fool had the nerve to kidnap her and now Krysta would have to figure out how to save herself.
He'd never been so grateful to rid someone of their last breathe as he had the man whom had so sorely tried his patience.
They were finally married and the days an nights they stayed at the King's court sadly came to and end so now they would be returning to Hawke's home.
Krysta didn't realize her mistake until it was to late.
Hawk was becoming frantic as her searched desperately for his wife and he wouldn't leave a stone unturned until he found her.
March 29, 2021
I did not like this book particularly because of many reasons:
The plot was not interesting, rather dull.
The heroine was uninteresting, her background was shrouded in mystery ( her mother seemed to belong to the sea - whatever that means) her two personal servants were very weird.
The hero was ok, somehow, but not standing out (won’t stay in my memory for very long.....)
There was a villain - actually two- but when they were caught while being villainous, it was like an anti-climax.. and uninteresting.
This book felt like a promise not kept, as it started promising but ended being disappointing.
The plot was not interesting, rather dull.
The heroine was uninteresting, her background was shrouded in mystery ( her mother seemed to belong to the sea - whatever that means) her two personal servants were very weird.
The hero was ok, somehow, but not standing out (won’t stay in my memory for very long.....)
There was a villain - actually two- but when they were caught while being villainous, it was like an anti-climax.. and uninteresting.
This book felt like a promise not kept, as it started promising but ended being disappointing.
February 23, 2021
3.5 stars
September 14, 2016
I tried. I really really tried but I couldn't do it. I DNF at about 20%
May 17, 2012
H/h: Hawke & Krysta
Others: Dragon,
Where: The Manor Hawkforte, Essex, Britain
Lady Krysta has been chosen to be the wife of Sir Hawke to help usher in peace between the Norse and England. They have never met and so the story unfolds from there. This story has sweet love, intrigue, and the occasional laugh.
I'm thinking I must be going soft because I really enjoyed this book. I didn't want to put it down & was left wanting more when the end came. How fun to discover another book that is a "friend."
Others: Dragon,
Where: The Manor Hawkforte, Essex, Britain
Lady Krysta has been chosen to be the wife of Sir Hawke to help usher in peace between the Norse and England. They have never met and so the story unfolds from there. This story has sweet love, intrigue, and the occasional laugh.
I'm thinking I must be going soft because I really enjoyed this book. I didn't want to put it down & was left wanting more when the end came. How fun to discover another book that is a "friend."
March 29, 2015
I read this years ago and fell in love with the series. I revisited this one recently and was a big disappointed. Krysta was constantly making bad decisions, talking too much which caused unnecessary drama and issues. I had no patience for her shenanigans. Hawk was ok but not enough to get this back up to 5 stars. Dropped to 3.5 for me.
November 22, 2012
This wasn't as good as the first book, and I felt a bit disconnected from the romance. But I will definitely be picking up the final book in the trilogy.
September 13, 2014
OMFreakingG!!!! LOOOVED IT!!! SUCH LOVE.......I envy all ye who are yet to experience this book!!! Loved it Loved it Loved it!!! can't say that enough!!! WOW!
December 10, 2015
I love this series!! Going on the the last one.
Want to Read
March 4, 2016Well - I'm going to put this down for now.
There's some girl who turns into a crow and a guy who turns into a troll? Eh - too weird for now. Maybe I'll pick it back up again.
There's some girl who turns into a crow and a guy who turns into a troll? Eh - too weird for now. Maybe I'll pick it back up again.
March 12, 2016
I read the Kindle Edition of this book. It was combined with Dream of Me, its predecessor. I enjoyed this book and I loved Hawk, the hero.
July 29, 2016
I love Josie Litton's books!! It is cutesy and there's always a supernatural element to it. It is pure fantasy.
December 28, 2016
Good for easy romance novel, not quite the Norwegian historical fiction I was looking for
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews