THE FORTRESS OF TIME: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I loved this. Talk about women's rights. This story shows how women were capable of many things if the men of their time would only take a chance and allow them to do so. Norway 871AD vs NYC 2018. Men back then were still chauvinistic as present-day men. This story held my attention from page one. There was fighting to protect the H's village, men were slaughtered and died on both sides. The enemy’s side and the H's side. The H's side prevailed. The H was building a fortress around the village for defense. But there were half as many men than before the raid of the enemy. He was doubtful they would finish before another raid would come. The H was the leader of his people the jarl. 2018 NYC the h is a lawyer fighting for women who have been discriminated against. She had learned from her mother and her own experience that alpha men were selfish, self-centered and chauvinistic. She would never trust them again. In the middle of a court hearing a Norn approached the h and she was transported to a village in Norway 871 AD. The Norn had told her that there was a man there that needed her. This story covers the h coming to terms with her surroundings and how she could mobilize the women to help the men build the fortress and train to help fight during a raid. The H hated what the h was doing and forbade it; threatened to banish anyone who disobeyed. It was interesting how the h and H came to an understanding and to trust one another as equals. It was amazing what got accomplished. The romance between the h and H was primal and raw animal attraction as well as a deep soul binding connection neither could explain. They were each other's missing half. I loved the h and H's characters. They were confident, bold, assertive, hardworking, dedicated, focused and loyal. It was easy to identify with these character's feelings and emotions as they were very realistic. I loved this story and wished it did not end. I wanted more, more and more. I was intrigued from the beginning. This is definitely a page turn and I highly recommend it.
THE JEWEL OF TIME: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I absolutely loved this book. It takes an original twist to the time travel stories I have read. In the beginning it was slow going. Then after a quarter of the way through the action picked up drastically. Our H/h are desperate people. Kolbjorn is looking to make his father proud enough to be taken into his family as he was born illegitimately and could not be recognized as a true son of the Jarl. Rachel's mother had kidney cancer and needed treatment and a transplant in order to live. The Viking gods and magic are spun into this story in a way that grabs your attention and does not let you go. Even though this is a quick read, it is totally satisfying. I highly recommend this book
THE MARRIAGE OF TIME: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
WOW... I am loving the Viking series by Mariah Stone. Mia and Hakon's story is full of surprise twists and turns. Just when you think you know what will happen, boom something else comes up. Mia is an intelligent, kindhearted woman who was studying to be a pediatrician. She falls in love but does not know till after she moves in with him that he is with the mafia. Dan controls every aspect of Mia's life until she decides to leave him. Later she finds she is pregnant and plans to disappear where Dan can never find her. Dan finds her and forces her to go with him under threat by a gun. Then the most magical thing happens to her. With the help of a Norse deity she finds herself whisked back in time. In order to survive she lies to her captive to protect herself and her unborn child. Hakon has his own woes. Everyone fears him because they think he is cursed. No one has loved him since his mother died when he was just a young boy. He is Jarl to his people and takes prodigious care of them always going out of his way for them. It does not matter that they fear him and loath him because of the curse. When Hakon sees Mia for the first time he is enamored with him. But he thinks she is the daughter of his enemy that he is to wed. He has revenge on his mind and nothing will keep him from it. When illness strikes the village, Mia goes on full doctor alert and slaves away to save each baby, child and adult. As Mia learns more about Hakon and he learns more of her, the closer they get. Mia always intended to tell Hakon the truth but it is too late. The consequences of her actions have now come to bite her on her honches. So much happens to both Mia and Hakon. Their emotional lives have been turned upside down. Mia has to decide to go forward to her own time or stay. Hakon has to decide if he really wants her to go or stay. Decisions are made. Mia is abducted by Dan, Hakon cannot live without her and is gifted to go forward in time to save her. Will she go with Hakon or stay? So many decisions. So many secrets. So many lies. What will happen to our out of time love struck couple? I really enjoyed reading this. I enjoyed the characters. Very realistic and unique. Loved it and recommend it.
THE SURF OF TIME: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
An amazing read. Tension and suspense? ✔ Fighting and war? ✔ Hope and hopelessness? ✔ Life and death? ✔ Shame and guilt? ✔ Love, repentance and forgiveness? ✔ Holding on or letting go? ✔ Learning to love again? ✔ Live in the ashes of the past or rise like a phoenix? ✔ Walk away or stay and rebuild? ✔ Norway, 875AD. The beginning of the story hits the ground running as we enter the aftermath of the slaughter of Jarl Andor Thornsson's village. His wife, Svana, died in his arms. He got his revenge on the jealous Jarl who did this. Andor could not handle the guilt and instead of rebuilding he walked away to fight battles against the Anglo-Saxons with another powerful Jarl. Los Angeles, 2019. Cathy was at the hospital attending her unresponsive fiancé. He was in a surfing accident and has been unconscious for over a year. The doctors recommended taking him off of life support but Cathy would not have it. Brad's parents wished to let Brad have peace and wanted her to let him go. They gave her two weeks to comply or they were going to get a court order. The next thing Cathy knew she was on her surf board in the ocean when an elderly lady came over to her. She had a sixth sense and knew everything Cathy was thinking. The woman explained that there was another man she had to save and sent her back in time. She met Andor and their lives took an unexpected, unpredictable turn. This book is so well written I did not want to put it down. When I got to the end, I did not want the story to be finished. I loved the characters. They were genuine, realistic and down-to-earth. The author did a wonderful job with the imagery. It felt like I could see what they saw. Nature, clothes, facial features, weather etc. Their feelings and emotions were expressed in a heartfelt way. It was easy to relate to them. This Series is excellent and I highly recommend it. I look forward to the next book "The Tree of Time".
THE TREE OF TIME: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I loved the overall time travel romance. Holly and Einar were good and decent people who excelled at their jobs. But both had fears to conquer. Holly had a goal to complete in her time and Einar had his duty to his king to become a Jarl. When they meet in the ninth century there is curiosity and attraction. I admired Holly and Einar's personalities. Down to earth, honest, sincere, yet powerful to command others well. They were not afraid to get their hands dirty. No job was beneath them. They both had some serious hangups to get over. This is an enjoyable action adventure romance that will keep you entertained page after page. The secondary characters one a mature man the other a little girl of ten summers. They were both wise and could see things in the main characters could not because of all the baggage they had. A very good read.