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Mists of Albion #2
Ragnar
It started with a secret.
I make a promise to Paige. I’ll never breathe a word. We journey through time to a world of myth and fable, to ancient lands shrouded in mist, ruled by fierce, hulking men.
The land of Vikings.
The harsh beauty of the sea stands in stark contrast to the men who sail the fjords and open waters. Vikings show no mercy. They raid up and down the coast, hungry for land, grain, livestock - and women.
Especially women.
When I return to my world without my friend, my life implodes. The police question me. As the last person seen with Paige, I’m now a suspect in her disappearance. My secret… our secret… It’s more than a burden, it’s a liability. A risk. Everyone thinks I’m guilty.
Left with no choice, I travel back to the brutal and unforgiving land. I must find Paige. She’s the only person who can clear my name.
But instead of finding my friend, Viking raiders find me. Bound and utterly helpless, I’m certain they intend to kill me. But Ragnar, their Jarl, a fierce and powerful warrior, makes his intentions clear. I know the instant I feel his touch on my skin.
Ragnar has other plans for me…
Author's Note: 'Ragnar' is the second book in the 'Mists of Albion' series.
Book 1: Eirik
Book 2: Ragnar (this book)
Book 3: Ivar
Due to adult situations and language, this series is intended for mature readers.
438 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 24, 2018
149 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
About the author
Joanna Bell
9 books68 followersHistorical romance author, specializing in Vikings and medieval world-building.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
April 24, 2019
3 ❤️🌟s
It didn’t excite me that much. Ragnar was a great character, while Emma was selfish and didn’t share the same feelings for him. There was a little dragging and plenty of grammatical errors.
It didn’t excite me that much. Ragnar was a great character, while Emma was selfish and didn’t share the same feelings for him. There was a little dragging and plenty of grammatical errors.
September 29, 2020
Meh, boring.
February 7, 2018
Have you ever read a book and loved it so much that when the second book comes out you couldn't be any happier but you are also scared to read the next book. Because how could this book be as good, or it(the previous book) was so perfect your just scared the next book won't be because you want it to be as good so badly. Well thats how I felt about this book. I read book one and fell head over heals in love. So much so I contacted the author to ask when book two would be out. Her response was such a kind response and happy day that book two would be out within a few days. I couldn't wait. Literally I can't tell you how happy I was for another book.
I put off reading this book for a few days because I was a little scare(ok more than little) but wanting to read this book won out over my fears or nervousness and I am so happy it did. I loved this book. I was so happy to see who's book this was. We met Emma in book one, she is the best friend of book ones heroine Paige. meeting her in book one I knew she would make a great heroine especially after what she sees and learn in book one. I will also say that I have read one other viking book(I'm pretty sure) but it was so long ago that Vikings were never a theme I was excited about but after these two books I want more Viking books, but really book three in this series more.
Emma came home after she found out paige wasn't crazy and tried to go back to her regular life but being the best friend and the last to see Paige alive has made life more than difficult and the crazy people as well as the cops and the FBI don't seem to be going away. Some think Emma had something to do with Paige, her son and her fathers disappearance but everyone thinks Emma knows something. When it gets to be too much Emma makes a stupid decision, and then to make matters worse trying to right that decision Emma does something that should have been a small decision but it ends up changing Emma's life. Back in the past Emma is put in danger only to be saved by Vikings and one in particular has his sights set on Emma.
Ragnar has never met anyone like Emma, not only is she beautiful and healthy she is also head strong and fearless and not afraid of the things everyone else is. When he see's Emma she catches his eye and soon Ragnar can't think of anything but Emma. The things Emma does that would get others whipped or killed Ragnar loves and wants nothing more than to spend time with this strange girl.
The more time Ragnar and Emma spend together the more Emma likes Ragnar and starts to fall in love which makes Emma's life even more difficult because Emma has to return home. Ragnar's world has changed since he met Emma and though the life of a Viking especially a Jarl isn't simple or easy Ragnar's thoughts revolve around Emma and his love for her as well as the life he wants with her. But Ragnar also knows that Emma has no intention of staying.
I can't lie when I started this book I was so excited and every page and situation I kept thinking ok is this what will take her back to the past. The idea of this series has really gotten my attention, it's different and the characters are great. Ragnar is what you would think a viking would be, strong determined, stubborn, and very possessive. Emma is smart and strong, I love that she doesn't get pushed around but at the same time recognizes that this isn't 2018 and things are different.
Another thing about this book/series is that I love the authors writing style it's very easy to get sucked right into this book(as well as book one) which is exactly what happened to me. I can't wait for book three, and getting the book blurb just made me even more excited. This is a series that I hope lasts for a very long time because I am no where near ready for it to end.
I put off reading this book for a few days because I was a little scare(ok more than little) but wanting to read this book won out over my fears or nervousness and I am so happy it did. I loved this book. I was so happy to see who's book this was. We met Emma in book one, she is the best friend of book ones heroine Paige. meeting her in book one I knew she would make a great heroine especially after what she sees and learn in book one. I will also say that I have read one other viking book(I'm pretty sure) but it was so long ago that Vikings were never a theme I was excited about but after these two books I want more Viking books, but really book three in this series more.
Emma came home after she found out paige wasn't crazy and tried to go back to her regular life but being the best friend and the last to see Paige alive has made life more than difficult and the crazy people as well as the cops and the FBI don't seem to be going away. Some think Emma had something to do with Paige, her son and her fathers disappearance but everyone thinks Emma knows something. When it gets to be too much Emma makes a stupid decision, and then to make matters worse trying to right that decision Emma does something that should have been a small decision but it ends up changing Emma's life. Back in the past Emma is put in danger only to be saved by Vikings and one in particular has his sights set on Emma.
Ragnar has never met anyone like Emma, not only is she beautiful and healthy she is also head strong and fearless and not afraid of the things everyone else is. When he see's Emma she catches his eye and soon Ragnar can't think of anything but Emma. The things Emma does that would get others whipped or killed Ragnar loves and wants nothing more than to spend time with this strange girl.
The more time Ragnar and Emma spend together the more Emma likes Ragnar and starts to fall in love which makes Emma's life even more difficult because Emma has to return home. Ragnar's world has changed since he met Emma and though the life of a Viking especially a Jarl isn't simple or easy Ragnar's thoughts revolve around Emma and his love for her as well as the life he wants with her. But Ragnar also knows that Emma has no intention of staying.
I can't lie when I started this book I was so excited and every page and situation I kept thinking ok is this what will take her back to the past. The idea of this series has really gotten my attention, it's different and the characters are great. Ragnar is what you would think a viking would be, strong determined, stubborn, and very possessive. Emma is smart and strong, I love that she doesn't get pushed around but at the same time recognizes that this isn't 2018 and things are different.
Another thing about this book/series is that I love the authors writing style it's very easy to get sucked right into this book(as well as book one) which is exactly what happened to me. I can't wait for book three, and getting the book blurb just made me even more excited. This is a series that I hope lasts for a very long time because I am no where near ready for it to end.
February 6, 2018
I was exciting to read this one. But I couldn’t love it. Until the last chapters I was thinking on giving it three solid stars, but not. I love Ragnar so much. But I dislike with all myself Emma. She was so selfish, arrogant, immature and a bitch. And the fact that she just cameback to Ragnar because she was in danger in the present tainted me the hole story. It was just convenient for her, wasn’t it? If not she wouldn’t have care about coming back to Ragnar. Selfish bitch.
July 9, 2018
We met Emma in book 1 and in this one she goes through some similar experiences to Paige.
She finds herself in a situation where remaining in the present isn´t that great, and because of that I thought it detracts a little from her feelings towards Ragnar, who is the dreamy Jarl she finds herself in the past. Their story is steamy and in my opinion, quite romantic in Ragnar´s part.
The book is very well written, with different styles depending on who is doing the narration, and some beautiful poetic Viking elements from nature or mythology which I particularly liked.
The present does sound awful, I want to go back to the 9th Century as well !!
She finds herself in a situation where remaining in the present isn´t that great, and because of that I thought it detracts a little from her feelings towards Ragnar, who is the dreamy Jarl she finds herself in the past. Their story is steamy and in my opinion, quite romantic in Ragnar´s part.
The book is very well written, with different styles depending on who is doing the narration, and some beautiful poetic Viking elements from nature or mythology which I particularly liked.
The present does sound awful, I want to go back to the 9th Century as well !!
November 30, 2018
Did not finish (sadly) at 72%. I skimmed along to the end to get to the HEA so I know how it all turned out. I stopped reading (or caring) because I simply could not abide Emma! I hated her character all the way throughout the book.
There was nothing original in this book. It was basically a mirror copy of the first book, Eirik (the same story with different characters). I would have liked to see something changed up a bit. I understand the third book has a slight twist. The hero from the past goes into the future so I will likely read that one. This one was a disappointment for me, though.
Emma was obnoxious and annoying. I couldn't stand her in the first book so that should have been my clue. In Eirik, she couldn't keep her mouth shut and she blabbed to the press and to the Police so that she got Paige in trouble. Paige ended up in a mental ward because of Emma's big mouth.
I wanted to see more repentance from Emma in this book. I wanted to see her get what was coming to her and maybe have to suffer some. Instead she was still loud and overbearing and couldn't keep quiet. She mouthed off where she shouldn't have, and even after getting beat up by a man in the beginning of the book, she still didn't learn how to keep quiet. Woman weren't loud and aggressive in the 9th century.
Why did the hero love her? I honestly still don't know. She was healthier-looking than any 9th century Viking woman (she had nice skin and nice teeth). Her personality was horrible, though. I really liked Ragnar, and I wanted better for him than Emma. Yes, they had a happy ending, but Emma was an awful person. Nothing softened her or made her a sympathetic character. I found myself wishing something terrible would happen to her, and by the 2/3 point of the book, I really didn't care anymore. That was why I skimmed to the ending.
It’s a shame. I wanted to like this one a lot more.
There was nothing original in this book. It was basically a mirror copy of the first book, Eirik (the same story with different characters). I would have liked to see something changed up a bit. I understand the third book has a slight twist. The hero from the past goes into the future so I will likely read that one. This one was a disappointment for me, though.
Emma was obnoxious and annoying. I couldn't stand her in the first book so that should have been my clue. In Eirik, she couldn't keep her mouth shut and she blabbed to the press and to the Police so that she got Paige in trouble. Paige ended up in a mental ward because of Emma's big mouth.
I wanted to see more repentance from Emma in this book. I wanted to see her get what was coming to her and maybe have to suffer some. Instead she was still loud and overbearing and couldn't keep quiet. She mouthed off where she shouldn't have, and even after getting beat up by a man in the beginning of the book, she still didn't learn how to keep quiet. Woman weren't loud and aggressive in the 9th century.
Why did the hero love her? I honestly still don't know. She was healthier-looking than any 9th century Viking woman (she had nice skin and nice teeth). Her personality was horrible, though. I really liked Ragnar, and I wanted better for him than Emma. Yes, they had a happy ending, but Emma was an awful person. Nothing softened her or made her a sympathetic character. I found myself wishing something terrible would happen to her, and by the 2/3 point of the book, I really didn't care anymore. That was why I skimmed to the ending.
It’s a shame. I wanted to like this one a lot more.
January 30, 2018
Home is where - and when - the heart is
Ragnar, the second book in the Mists of Albion series, may be the best time travel romance I have ever read. It absolutely is the best Viking historical romance I've ever read. I was able to read Eirik, which was the first in the series, so I had no difficulty getting into the story, but I think there's enough backstory given that it isn't essential to do so. Author Joanna Bell brings wonderful characters and settings to life with smooth prose and the perfect level of detail. Whether it was chaos and threat of danger in the present, or the strange customs and the bold ways of the Viking past, I felt like I was right there, I felt Emma's conflicting feelings for her family and for Ragnar, and the ending had my heart in my mouth until the last second. I was fortunate enough to be given an ARC of the book, and this review is my honest and voluntary opinion: Ragnar rocks!
Ragnar, the second book in the Mists of Albion series, may be the best time travel romance I have ever read. It absolutely is the best Viking historical romance I've ever read. I was able to read Eirik, which was the first in the series, so I had no difficulty getting into the story, but I think there's enough backstory given that it isn't essential to do so. Author Joanna Bell brings wonderful characters and settings to life with smooth prose and the perfect level of detail. Whether it was chaos and threat of danger in the present, or the strange customs and the bold ways of the Viking past, I felt like I was right there, I felt Emma's conflicting feelings for her family and for Ragnar, and the ending had my heart in my mouth until the last second. I was fortunate enough to be given an ARC of the book, and this review is my honest and voluntary opinion: Ragnar rocks!
November 8, 2023
The second book in this time-travelling to the time of the Vikings series, is about Emma, a close friend of Paige who, in the end, prefers to face the challenge and brutallity of living among the Vikings than the press and her allien crazy contemporaries.
As for her relationship with Ragnar, though it started as something convenient and flighty, in the end she realized that this kind a relationship and men doesn't happen often and you only have one chance in life to seize it.
As for her relationship with Ragnar, though it started as something convenient and flighty, in the end she realized that this kind a relationship and men doesn't happen often and you only have one chance in life to seize it.
January 26, 2018
Ragnar is book 2 in the Mists of Albion series and to ensure your full pleasure while reading I highly recommend you read Eirik, book 1 first. This well written book offers a unique and involving plot. It is a book that has plenty of drama, heat and raw emotions. I love how the author takes the time travel romance trope and adds a whole other level by having the heroine have to deal with the emotional, physical and life changing effects that the knowledge takes on her mind, body and life. Emma and Ragnar have great chemistry and the steamy scenes between them are super hot! If you love hot Vikings, are a fan of time travel romances or are just looking for a very good book that offers you something a bit different, I don't think Ragnar will disappoint you. I'm posting an honest, voluntary review after reading an advance copy of this book.
June 22, 2018
A Tail Between Two Times
As usual the Press and News is trying to destroy a family reputation and there lives. The police just want to say that they solve a case, even if it's a lie. 2 people find each other between times. Looking forward to the next story of this series.
As usual the Press and News is trying to destroy a family reputation and there lives. The police just want to say that they solve a case, even if it's a lie. 2 people find each other between times. Looking forward to the next story of this series.
February 2, 2018
The Future of True 💘Love is The Past
Adult Romance in the Viking Age of the 9th century.
Emma💋🐇, best friend of Paige, from book one, has decided to return to Albion, after briefly visiting the present again. In the present world, Paige is missing under suspicious circumstances and now, Emma💋🐇 is a suspect!
Emma💋🐇 has seen Paige, her baby, her father, and her Viking Warlord husband, Jarl Eirik🐺🍆🌋🔪. They are extremely happy living in the past. The Viking community in Northern England(East Angle) is a true home they never had.
When Emma🐇💋 arrives back in the past, she ends up a prisoner of an East Angle lord. But in a day or so, his compound is attacked by Northmen, Vikings! The Viking Warlord is Jarl Ragnar🐺🍆🌋🔪, and he takes much of everything the other lord has, food, supplies,farmers, craftsmen, and women. He leaves them just enough so they won't starve.
He also takes the prisoner, Emma💋🐇.
Emma💋🐇 is as drawn to Ragnar🐺🍆🌋🔪 as he is to her. When he finds out she knows Jarl Eirik' s wife, Paige, and that they are from the same place, he is even more fascinated! What red blooded woman💋💃 can resist a tall, handsome🐺, jacked💪 and fierce Warlord🐺🍆🌋🔪?
YEHAW! Ride em Bareback🍆, Cowgirl!🐎🐎🐎🐎
Emma💋🐇 has just gotten there, but she spends a lot of time complaining about wanting to go back home. I got tired of it.
The book is pretty slow going at first. Emma doesn't even meet her loverman, Ragnar🐺🍆🌋🔪, until chapter 8. Most of the beginning chapters are spent dealing with the disappearance of Paige, the press, and the police.
The book 📑is an awesome 💘love story spanning across time and two cultures , but it was marred somewhat by Emma's constant wanting to go back to the present.
HG provided me this ARC for a Voluntary and Honest Review.
Edit
Delete
Adult Romance in the Viking Age of the 9th century.
Emma💋🐇, best friend of Paige, from book one, has decided to return to Albion, after briefly visiting the present again. In the present world, Paige is missing under suspicious circumstances and now, Emma💋🐇 is a suspect!
Emma💋🐇 has seen Paige, her baby, her father, and her Viking Warlord husband, Jarl Eirik🐺🍆🌋🔪. They are extremely happy living in the past. The Viking community in Northern England(East Angle) is a true home they never had.
When Emma🐇💋 arrives back in the past, she ends up a prisoner of an East Angle lord. But in a day or so, his compound is attacked by Northmen, Vikings! The Viking Warlord is Jarl Ragnar🐺🍆🌋🔪, and he takes much of everything the other lord has, food, supplies,farmers, craftsmen, and women. He leaves them just enough so they won't starve.
He also takes the prisoner, Emma💋🐇.
Emma💋🐇 is as drawn to Ragnar🐺🍆🌋🔪 as he is to her. When he finds out she knows Jarl Eirik' s wife, Paige, and that they are from the same place, he is even more fascinated! What red blooded woman💋💃 can resist a tall, handsome🐺, jacked💪 and fierce Warlord🐺🍆🌋🔪?
YEHAW! Ride em Bareback🍆, Cowgirl!🐎🐎🐎🐎
Emma💋🐇 has just gotten there, but she spends a lot of time complaining about wanting to go back home. I got tired of it.
The book is pretty slow going at first. Emma doesn't even meet her loverman, Ragnar🐺🍆🌋🔪, until chapter 8. Most of the beginning chapters are spent dealing with the disappearance of Paige, the press, and the police.
The book 📑is an awesome 💘love story spanning across time and two cultures , but it was marred somewhat by Emma's constant wanting to go back to the present.
HG provided me this ARC for a Voluntary and Honest Review.
Edit
Delete
February 7, 2018
Sucks you in like the first!
I tried to savor each page just like the first book in this series but I blew through it in two days. It’s just too good. This is your typical time travel romance novel but its also not.. it’s so much more! It’s raw and intense and unique and the descriptions of the people and era and culture and the world and time clash the heroine experiences is so well written you find yourself wondering where the heroine begins and you yourself ends. The author doesn’t get hung up on superficial details. Her writing is so simple yet so captivating. After completing the book I still cannot tell you if I even recall reading anything detailed about the heroines appearance other than her dark hair. It’s almost as if the author allows you to use your imagination and see the heroine through the hero’s eyes in small details or better yet, through yourself. It’s hard to explain and must be read to be understood. It’s an utter all-senses submerge into the 9th century. And for a medieval geek like myself who loves romance novels, it just doesn’t get much better..I liked that the hero in this book, though also a Jarl and Viking similar to the first book, had a different personality and seemed more tender and vocal about his feelings- he fit the heroine perfectly and it kept the book and characters separate and it’s own story from the first. Reading so many novels of this genre as I do, all the heroes tend to blend into one big bad macho blah of a man over time, and this is one character that stood out and I think I’ll always remember. I think the author said it best- he was ‘battle brave’ and ‘heart brave’. Sigh. The man wore his heart out on his sleeves. It was refreshing and endearing. I was all heart eyes over here. I absolutely loved reading about the Viking culture and the spiritual customs and rituals they had- the author weaves it into the story so well that you never feel like your reading a copied and pasted history fact like some other books tend to do. Or like someone was giving you a history lesson. The author simply lets you learn through experiencing it with the heroine. Just amazing! Something I wished with both books was maybe a little more action in the 9th century for everyone.. maybe more battles or a bad guy antagonist to up the action-it seems to follow the same pattern as the first book but nevertheless I have already preordered the third and cannot wait for April to get here. Keep writing Joanna bell!
I tried to savor each page just like the first book in this series but I blew through it in two days. It’s just too good. This is your typical time travel romance novel but its also not.. it’s so much more! It’s raw and intense and unique and the descriptions of the people and era and culture and the world and time clash the heroine experiences is so well written you find yourself wondering where the heroine begins and you yourself ends. The author doesn’t get hung up on superficial details. Her writing is so simple yet so captivating. After completing the book I still cannot tell you if I even recall reading anything detailed about the heroines appearance other than her dark hair. It’s almost as if the author allows you to use your imagination and see the heroine through the hero’s eyes in small details or better yet, through yourself. It’s hard to explain and must be read to be understood. It’s an utter all-senses submerge into the 9th century. And for a medieval geek like myself who loves romance novels, it just doesn’t get much better..I liked that the hero in this book, though also a Jarl and Viking similar to the first book, had a different personality and seemed more tender and vocal about his feelings- he fit the heroine perfectly and it kept the book and characters separate and it’s own story from the first. Reading so many novels of this genre as I do, all the heroes tend to blend into one big bad macho blah of a man over time, and this is one character that stood out and I think I’ll always remember. I think the author said it best- he was ‘battle brave’ and ‘heart brave’. Sigh. The man wore his heart out on his sleeves. It was refreshing and endearing. I was all heart eyes over here. I absolutely loved reading about the Viking culture and the spiritual customs and rituals they had- the author weaves it into the story so well that you never feel like your reading a copied and pasted history fact like some other books tend to do. Or like someone was giving you a history lesson. The author simply lets you learn through experiencing it with the heroine. Just amazing! Something I wished with both books was maybe a little more action in the 9th century for everyone.. maybe more battles or a bad guy antagonist to up the action-it seems to follow the same pattern as the first book but nevertheless I have already preordered the third and cannot wait for April to get here. Keep writing Joanna bell!
January 30, 2018
So here is the second installment in the Mists of Albion series.
While I instantly adored Eirik, I need more time to enter in Ragnar story, due not to Ragnar character but rather to Emma and her whining side.
I can understand it was a kind of a trauma for face the worst aspects of our modern societies which feast on the blood of the others. But she saw what her friend Paige had to face, as she herself had a part in this crazy circus, and never she thought and prepared herself to deal with this flesh thirsty crowd. She is young, but is a modern girl, able to fight for her live in the 9th century but she couldn’t put two ideas together and think straight in her own time.
While Eirik was told from only Paige’s POV, here we have Emma and Ragnar sides of the story.
And I was glad there was Ragnar POV. This story is so rich of many details, events and characters, I would have been sad to stop reading it because of moaning Emma.
Ragnar on the other side is such a good man, young but with so many duties, he embraces his role as a leader, caring obviously for his people. Never he doubted his feelings for Emma, which she brings with her only pain and deception. He is like Eirik, a true alpha, when he loves, it is for life. He made some bad decisions but he made them for love and he tried to correct them.
***Warning : Spoilers ***
While I will always wonder if Emma came back really for him or just because her sister told her she must leave and go back in the past to try to quiet the craziness around her and her family.
Because even she told she was sad she left him behind, she never told really she loved him and never envisaged to come back. She only thought to leave the USA to go to the UK.
She really never deserved his love and devotion.
Whatever, I will read the third book because the author was able to create a wonderful world with amazing men.
It is why I give this book a four stars rate and not less.
I just hope the next heroine will be less selfish and self centered.
While I instantly adored Eirik, I need more time to enter in Ragnar story, due not to Ragnar character but rather to Emma and her whining side.
I can understand it was a kind of a trauma for face the worst aspects of our modern societies which feast on the blood of the others. But she saw what her friend Paige had to face, as she herself had a part in this crazy circus, and never she thought and prepared herself to deal with this flesh thirsty crowd. She is young, but is a modern girl, able to fight for her live in the 9th century but she couldn’t put two ideas together and think straight in her own time.
While Eirik was told from only Paige’s POV, here we have Emma and Ragnar sides of the story.
And I was glad there was Ragnar POV. This story is so rich of many details, events and characters, I would have been sad to stop reading it because of moaning Emma.
Ragnar on the other side is such a good man, young but with so many duties, he embraces his role as a leader, caring obviously for his people. Never he doubted his feelings for Emma, which she brings with her only pain and deception. He is like Eirik, a true alpha, when he loves, it is for life. He made some bad decisions but he made them for love and he tried to correct them.
***Warning : Spoilers ***
While I will always wonder if Emma came back really for him or just because her sister told her she must leave and go back in the past to try to quiet the craziness around her and her family.
Because even she told she was sad she left him behind, she never told really she loved him and never envisaged to come back. She only thought to leave the USA to go to the UK.
She really never deserved his love and devotion.
Whatever, I will read the third book because the author was able to create a wonderful world with amazing men.
It is why I give this book a four stars rate and not less.
I just hope the next heroine will be less selfish and self centered.
April 14, 2020
This is actually the first book that I read in the series, and I didn’t find it hard to follow despite the fact that this story sort of begins in the first book of the series despite a different character and perspective. Before actually purchasing this book I was looking for a kind of time-travelling romance along the same lines of Diana’s “Outlander” and I can safety say I wasn’t disappointed. I finished this book rather quickly in just over a day and half. Despite other reviews where they’ve commented that Emma is unlike able and selfish I actually disagree. I liked Emma and I understood her motives all throughout the book. I also really liked Ragnar, although I would have liked to see him in a slightly more darkening light or maybe more into the Viking culture as a whole as, I believe they were into human sacrifices and they are famous for raping and pillaging (not that I would have liked to read any rape scenes, just that they just seemed to be too noble and reasonable) but maybe that’s just because I’ve watched History’s Vikings Tv show.
My only dislikes of the book are actually due to its formatting, layout, grammatical errors etc. I understand this book is published by amazon but in the copy I received there were no page numbers?? The contents page is by chapter number and then perspective of character e.g Emma or Ragnar— probably would have looked more professional if the chapters had titles. I’m only pointing this out because as a reader If I had picked this book up in a store I probably wouldn’t have purchased it (yes I judge a book by its cover). Apart from that I enjoyed the story but I probably won’t read any of the other books in this series as the first and second seem to follow the same plot line apart from a few character differences.
My only dislikes of the book are actually due to its formatting, layout, grammatical errors etc. I understand this book is published by amazon but in the copy I received there were no page numbers?? The contents page is by chapter number and then perspective of character e.g Emma or Ragnar— probably would have looked more professional if the chapters had titles. I’m only pointing this out because as a reader If I had picked this book up in a store I probably wouldn’t have purchased it (yes I judge a book by its cover). Apart from that I enjoyed the story but I probably won’t read any of the other books in this series as the first and second seem to follow the same plot line apart from a few character differences.
January 31, 2018
👍👍💜🔥 Heart-pounding time travel adventure and soul-stirring love; who could ask for more?!:-)
January 29, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
👍👍I loved this book!! Emma, the heroine, can be a bit stroppy and self-defeatingly argumentative at times, but she is living the whirlwind, facing constant badgering in the present and adjusting to the reality of time travel with an alternate life in a Viking village in 9th century England. I also enjoyed the glimpse the author offered to Viking daily life, traditions and holiday celebrations.
Ragnar, the dreamy young Viking chief who can't resist her, is a great character: decent, strong, an authoritative hunk with the weight of leadership and a community's welfare on his capable shoulders. He and Emma are a red hot pair and their romance is at times frenzied, at times tender.
The plot maintains its tension as Emma is torn between living in the past or the present. No spoiler, but the final decision may not be that difficult a choice when she finally gets needed advice on weighing her options. Plenty of angst but minimal violence; don't be surprised if this one provokes some tears.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
January 29, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
👍👍I loved this book!! Emma, the heroine, can be a bit stroppy and self-defeatingly argumentative at times, but she is living the whirlwind, facing constant badgering in the present and adjusting to the reality of time travel with an alternate life in a Viking village in 9th century England. I also enjoyed the glimpse the author offered to Viking daily life, traditions and holiday celebrations.
Ragnar, the dreamy young Viking chief who can't resist her, is a great character: decent, strong, an authoritative hunk with the weight of leadership and a community's welfare on his capable shoulders. He and Emma are a red hot pair and their romance is at times frenzied, at times tender.
The plot maintains its tension as Emma is torn between living in the past or the present. No spoiler, but the final decision may not be that difficult a choice when she finally gets needed advice on weighing her options. Plenty of angst but minimal violence; don't be surprised if this one provokes some tears.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
April 3, 2021
I think I enjoyed this one slightly more than the first. Although Emma didn't really feel like the same rationally minded women that we meet in the first book, or at least to me she didn't feel quite the same. Also I felt that she felt very American at times when she's meant to be English!
I read this one pretty soon after finishing the first book Eirik mainly because I was curious about what was going to happen to Emma. As she knew Paige's secret of time travel and where she had gone at the end of the first book. So when people notice that Paige is missing again, taking her family with her, she get's questioned as she was the last to see them.
This book is a little similar to the first; Emma gets stuck in the past, kidnapped and ends up falling in love with a Viking. The plot is different but the story-beats are pretty similar.
From this book I could tell that Joanne Bell's writing has matured since the first book in this series, which was good to see. There were less errors in it this time, a few grammar and punctuation here and there.
I liked the romance in this one, I felt like it was pretty believable and they had actual conversations! Between sex but still an improvement since the first book.
I don't think I'm going to read the rest of this series. I'm not that bothered about it but I might pick it back up if I want another Viking romance and time travel story.
I read this one pretty soon after finishing the first book Eirik mainly because I was curious about what was going to happen to Emma. As she knew Paige's secret of time travel and where she had gone at the end of the first book. So when people notice that Paige is missing again, taking her family with her, she get's questioned as she was the last to see them.
This book is a little similar to the first; Emma gets stuck in the past, kidnapped and ends up falling in love with a Viking. The plot is different but the story-beats are pretty similar.
From this book I could tell that Joanne Bell's writing has matured since the first book in this series, which was good to see. There were less errors in it this time, a few grammar and punctuation here and there.
I liked the romance in this one, I felt like it was pretty believable and they had actual conversations! Between sex but still an improvement since the first book.
I don't think I'm going to read the rest of this series. I'm not that bothered about it but I might pick it back up if I want another Viking romance and time travel story.
February 1, 2018
This was an amazing read, I was intrigued from the beginning. The story is about Emma and Ragnar. Emma is Paige Renner's best friend and the only one who knows where she really is. Ragnar is a young Viking chief. Descent and strong with the weight of leadership on his shoulders. Emma travels back in time and gets more than she bargained for. She is captured by Vikings but gets rescued by Ragnar. I really enjoyed Emma and Ragnar's story it was emotional and heartwrenching at times. They had amazing chemistry and the love scenes between them was hot. The story was well written and the characters were well developed.This was an amazing read that kept my interest and one that I would highly recommend. Can't wait for the next book in the series. I voluntarily received an advance readers copy for an honest review.
February 19, 2019
Incredible world building by the author.
The characters, their journey, the surroundings, are all written realistically. I wasn't a big fan of Emma as she seemed to be a bit of a twit and slow to picking up on what was going on. Ragnar was awesome and his character really made you think about a 9th century Jarl in a completely different light, putting emphasis on the many responsibilities that come with their duties and the many lives that depend on them. The training, the rituals and their beliefs. I do suggest you read the books in order to understand and enjoy the stories. Although the books do need some minor editing, the author did an incredible job creating this world and describing the day-to-day comings and goings of how people lived and the importance of hierarchy. Happy Reading!
The characters, their journey, the surroundings, are all written realistically. I wasn't a big fan of Emma as she seemed to be a bit of a twit and slow to picking up on what was going on. Ragnar was awesome and his character really made you think about a 9th century Jarl in a completely different light, putting emphasis on the many responsibilities that come with their duties and the many lives that depend on them. The training, the rituals and their beliefs. I do suggest you read the books in order to understand and enjoy the stories. Although the books do need some minor editing, the author did an incredible job creating this world and describing the day-to-day comings and goings of how people lived and the importance of hierarchy. Happy Reading!
January 28, 2018
*I voluntarily read this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else's*
This is the second book in this series therefore, if you haven't read the first book, I would advise doing so.
This was a fantastic time travel romance and I really enjoyed it.
Emma had a fiery spirit and I enjoyed her antics and her sassy mouth. Ragnar was fierce, protective but must importantly, showed his emotions openly to Emma. These two had good chemistry throughout.
The beginning was slow paced but it did pick up. The ending felt very rushed and incomplete.
This is the second book in this series therefore, if you haven't read the first book, I would advise doing so.
This was a fantastic time travel romance and I really enjoyed it.
Emma had a fiery spirit and I enjoyed her antics and her sassy mouth. Ragnar was fierce, protective but must importantly, showed his emotions openly to Emma. These two had good chemistry throughout.
The beginning was slow paced but it did pick up. The ending felt very rushed and incomplete.
March 6, 2018
Book two
The story lines is good , there are some errors such as a word missing or a different word inserted or a word that was repeated back to back.
Other then that, I enjoyed it. I would like to see at least one character that runs headlong into the past and doesn't look back.... so far both women have looked back and doubted their path or choice...I am hoping book 3 the woman that I am thinking, will go back is Katie (Emma's sister) and that she will be sturn on her decision to go back in time and stay back in time....we shall see..
The story lines is good , there are some errors such as a word missing or a different word inserted or a word that was repeated back to back.
Other then that, I enjoyed it. I would like to see at least one character that runs headlong into the past and doesn't look back.... so far both women have looked back and doubted their path or choice...I am hoping book 3 the woman that I am thinking, will go back is Katie (Emma's sister) and that she will be sturn on her decision to go back in time and stay back in time....we shall see..
February 1, 2018
Loved the story of Emma and Ragnar. It has a nice steady pace and the characters were likable. I smiled, laughed and cried through spots of the story. I was really pulled into the story and wanted to know more about the two main characters. Very well written and hope to keep reading from the author’s book shelf.
Thank you for sharing your book with us.
Got ARC from Hidden Gems Book Club for an honest review.
Thank you for sharing your book with us.
Got ARC from Hidden Gems Book Club for an honest review.
February 2, 2018
I was lucky to receive this book free for a review & as a bonus I also recieved Eiric!
I'm a Diana Gabaldon junkie & have read all of her books. When I first read time travel, I decided to take a chance & so glad I did.
The story is compelling reading & it was hard to put down, so much so, I've now read it twice.
Each time it's left me wanting more.
A totally enjoyable story, but, read Eiric first, it flows & that story is just as enjoyable
I'm a Diana Gabaldon junkie & have read all of her books. When I first read time travel, I decided to take a chance & so glad I did.
The story is compelling reading & it was hard to put down, so much so, I've now read it twice.
Each time it's left me wanting more.
A totally enjoyable story, but, read Eiric first, it flows & that story is just as enjoyable
July 1, 2018
This is an unusual a good time travel series.
Miss Bell draws realistic characters from two completely different worlds. Her descriptions of the people and life of 9th century England is authentic. She did her research in that time period. If you love time travel romances and want something different, I wholeheartedly recommend this series.
Miss Bell draws realistic characters from two completely different worlds. Her descriptions of the people and life of 9th century England is authentic. She did her research in that time period. If you love time travel romances and want something different, I wholeheartedly recommend this series.
August 16, 2018
Great
Loved this story. This is about Emma, a friend of Paige who was featured in book one, who tries to go back to find her friend only to be captured herself. Through several trials she ends up with Ragnar, the jarl for another group of Vikings, but he is a childhood friend of Paige's Eirick. It is a page turner that you cannot put down.
Loved this story. This is about Emma, a friend of Paige who was featured in book one, who tries to go back to find her friend only to be captured herself. Through several trials she ends up with Ragnar, the jarl for another group of Vikings, but he is a childhood friend of Paige's Eirick. It is a page turner that you cannot put down.
August 21, 2019
This is the one!
Do you know how you have to read 50 mediocre books just to make the crappy ones worth it? I would happily read the dictionary 100 times to find this treasure! The first book in the series was great, however this one is my favorite. I laughed, cried, and may have yelled out loud a time or two.
Do you know how you have to read 50 mediocre books just to make the crappy ones worth it? I would happily read the dictionary 100 times to find this treasure! The first book in the series was great, however this one is my favorite. I laughed, cried, and may have yelled out loud a time or two.
October 12, 2022
After Paige this one for me was disappointing
I really could not get behind Emma, that was a really painful read. I liked Ragnar and loved her meeting back up with Paige, but overall I really did not care for Emma. I was hoping that how awesome the first one was, the second would flow just as well. So not one to quit, I'm on to book three .
I really could not get behind Emma, that was a really painful read. I liked Ragnar and loved her meeting back up with Paige, but overall I really did not care for Emma. I was hoping that how awesome the first one was, the second would flow just as well. So not one to quit, I'm on to book three .
May 14, 2023
Didn't like it as much as the 1st book. I just couldn't connect with Emma and her constantly wanting to go home. She was stupid to think going back would work out...did she think the FBI would forget about her and go away!!!
Ragnar was the only redeeming character here and I loved him. He knew something was different about Emma but still risked his heart on her.
Ragnar was the only redeeming character here and I loved him. He knew something was different about Emma but still risked his heart on her.
October 13, 2025
As per all Bell's books, I really enjoyed this book. We follow Emma who goes back in time and becomes captured by the Saxons, and then taken by the Northmen after that. As Emma learns to live in the past, she also comes to appreciate the simplicity of life and the affection of her jarl, Ragnar. Just another well done book. I would recommend the rest of the series too!
February 1, 2018
Love it! Very entertaining, captivating, and interesting read. I could not put it down. Wonderfully written with strong characters. I want to read more from this author. I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
February 4, 2018
Transcendent
Wow! Just. Wow! Such an epic love story that transcends time and space. That transcends cultural differences. That transcends what you know to be true in the universe. I love, love, love this series. Anyone know of a tree I could use as a portal through Time?
Wow! Just. Wow! Such an epic love story that transcends time and space. That transcends cultural differences. That transcends what you know to be true in the universe. I love, love, love this series. Anyone know of a tree I could use as a portal through Time?
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