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Druid Knights #1
Knight of Runes
England, 1605. When Lord Arik, a druid knight, finds Rebeka Tyler wandering his lands without protection, he swears to keep her safe. But Rebeka can take care of herself. When Arik sees her clash with a group of attackers using a strange fighting style, he's intrigued.
Rebeka is no ordinary 17th-century woman - she's travelled back from the year 2011, and she desperately wants to return to her own time. She poses as a scholar sent by the king to find out what's killing Arik's land. But as she works to decode the ancient runes that are the key to solving this mystery and sending her home, she finds herself drawn to the charismatic and powerful Arik.
As Arik and Rebeka fall in love, someone in Arik's household schemes to keep them apart, and a dark druid with a grudge prepares his revenge. Soon Rebeka will have to decide whether to return to the future or trust Arik with the secret of her time travel and her heart.
Rebeka is no ordinary 17th-century woman - she's travelled back from the year 2011, and she desperately wants to return to her own time. She poses as a scholar sent by the king to find out what's killing Arik's land. But as she works to decode the ancient runes that are the key to solving this mystery and sending her home, she finds herself drawn to the charismatic and powerful Arik.
As Arik and Rebeka fall in love, someone in Arik's household schemes to keep them apart, and a dark druid with a grudge prepares his revenge. Soon Rebeka will have to decide whether to return to the future or trust Arik with the secret of her time travel and her heart.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
32 people are currently reading
274 people want to read
About the author
Ruth A. Casie
65 books707 followersHi! I'm Ruth A Casie. I write historical adventures from the shores of medieval Scotland to the cobblestone streets of Regency London. My stories embrace strong woman and the men who deserve them. Within the pages you’ll discover ‘edge-of-your-seat suspense, mind boggling drama, and heart melting emotions. Grab your favorite cup of tea, or an ale if you prefer, and join my heroes and heroines as they race across the pages to find their happily ever after. I hopes her stories are your next favorite adventures!
Here are five things you probably don’t know about me.
1. I filled my passport up in one year.
2. I have three series. The Druid Knight stories are a historical time travel series. The Stelton Legacy is historical fantasy about the seven sons of a seventh son. The Ladies of Sommer-by-the-Sea, a regency romance about ladies who all graduated from the same women's seminary. I also write stories in the Pirates of Britannia Connected World.
3. I did a rap to “How Many Trucks Can a Tow Truck Tow If a Tow Truck Could Tow Trucks.”
4. When I cook I dance.
5. My Sudoku book is in the bathroom. I’m not saying anything else about that.
My stories feature strong women and the men who deserve them, endearing flaws and all. Their stories will keep you turning the pages until the end. I hope my stories become your favorite adventures.
I’m a USA Today bestselling author.
My hobbies:
* counted cross stitch
* ballroom dancing - not just between the fridge and stove
* reading almost anything
* Sudoko - I'm still staying quiet about that
Here are five things you probably don’t know about me.
1. I filled my passport up in one year.
2. I have three series. The Druid Knight stories are a historical time travel series. The Stelton Legacy is historical fantasy about the seven sons of a seventh son. The Ladies of Sommer-by-the-Sea, a regency romance about ladies who all graduated from the same women's seminary. I also write stories in the Pirates of Britannia Connected World.
3. I did a rap to “How Many Trucks Can a Tow Truck Tow If a Tow Truck Could Tow Trucks.”
4. When I cook I dance.
5. My Sudoku book is in the bathroom. I’m not saying anything else about that.
My stories feature strong women and the men who deserve them, endearing flaws and all. Their stories will keep you turning the pages until the end. I hope my stories become your favorite adventures.
I’m a USA Today bestselling author.
My hobbies:
* counted cross stitch
* ballroom dancing - not just between the fridge and stove
* reading almost anything
* Sudoko - I'm still staying quiet about that
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
April 20, 2021
*** Book Q & A***
* How did the book make you feel?: This book was thoroughly entertaining. I went into it blind, not realizing it was part of a series. I got swept away. It reminded me somewhat of Outlander with the stones and all.
* How do you feel about how the story was told?: I enjoyed the action and the details in the daily lives of the villagers. I enjoyed seeing things in 1605 from Beka’s perspective as a time traveler from 2011.
* What did you think about the main characters?: I was upset with how stubborn Arik was and how he coddled the meddlesome Katherine. He was downright hostile to Beka for the majority of the book. I thought she was very forgiving to a fault, especially concerning the banishing and dungeon incidents. Arik’s romantic feelings for Beka seemingly did a 180 and came out of nowhere. I would’ve liked to have seen their relationship develop more organically with some more sexual tension. Their passion for one another was not very convincing, given the baggage. I wanted some groveling!
* Which parts of the book stood out to you?: I loved how Beka was an empowered, skilled, educated and pragmatic woman. I also loved that she could defend herself. The Druid element was very cool.
* What themes/tropes did you detect in the story?: time traveling romance, enemies to lovers
* What did you think about the ending?: A part of me wants to pretend that the current ending is the way it stays, but I’m feeling compelled to read the rest of the series because it is very absorbing.
* What is your impression of the author?: I’m very interested in reading more!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
* How did the book make you feel?: This book was thoroughly entertaining. I went into it blind, not realizing it was part of a series. I got swept away. It reminded me somewhat of Outlander with the stones and all.
* How do you feel about how the story was told?: I enjoyed the action and the details in the daily lives of the villagers. I enjoyed seeing things in 1605 from Beka’s perspective as a time traveler from 2011.
* What did you think about the main characters?: I was upset with how stubborn Arik was and how he coddled the meddlesome Katherine. He was downright hostile to Beka for the majority of the book. I thought she was very forgiving to a fault, especially concerning the banishing and dungeon incidents. Arik’s romantic feelings for Beka seemingly did a 180 and came out of nowhere. I would’ve liked to have seen their relationship develop more organically with some more sexual tension. Their passion for one another was not very convincing, given the baggage. I wanted some groveling!
* Which parts of the book stood out to you?: I loved how Beka was an empowered, skilled, educated and pragmatic woman. I also loved that she could defend herself. The Druid element was very cool.
* What themes/tropes did you detect in the story?: time traveling romance, enemies to lovers
* What did you think about the ending?: A part of me wants to pretend that the current ending is the way it stays, but I’m feeling compelled to read the rest of the series because it is very absorbing.
* What is your impression of the author?: I’m very interested in reading more!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2020
Rebeka discovers she’s inherited a vast estate in England. It’s a good thing she’s a historian and a scholar because the previous owner wants her to continue researching the vast history of the manor. She goes on a tour and before she knows what’s happened, she’s transported back in time.
Lord Arik discovers Rebeka wandering his lands and at once, his suspicions are aroused. Is she a spy for the king or someone else? Is she the one responsible for what’s happening to his lands? He tries to keep her at arm's length but there’s something about her he can’t put his finger on. He’s drawn to her and his desire runs rampant, pushing away his logic.
Rebeka doesn’t tell anyone she’s from the future; she’s afraid of the consequences if she does. So, she tells Lord Arik she’s a scribe sent from London but she knows Arik isn’t fooled. The more she’s around him, the stronger her feelings grow. Can she trust him with the truth or will he deem her a traitor?
Knight of Runes is the epitome of Medieval Time-Travel Romance: a man tormented by his past mistakes, a woman flung into the past trying to find her way back, an antagonist bent on coming between the two lovers and history brought alive by a talented storyteller. Arik and Rebeka argue over ideas and concepts, much to the chagrin of Lord Arik. Rebeka makes him think and in Medieval times, women would never dream to second-guess men, especially Lords. When Lord Arik realizes his mistake and sees Rebeka for who she is, he swoops in to save her. His desperation to save her melted my heart and made me yearn for my own knight. Filled with historically accurate characters, setting, and druid lore, Knight of Runes is perfect for fans of Outlander. Highly recommend!
Disclaimer: I read this on Kindle Unlimited.
Favorite Quote:
“His breath caught and his heartbeat quickened as a rapturous surge raced through his body. Something eternal and familiar, with a sense of longing, unsettled him. In the next heartbeat, she tore her eyes away, leaving him empty.”
My Rating: 5+ stars
Lord Arik discovers Rebeka wandering his lands and at once, his suspicions are aroused. Is she a spy for the king or someone else? Is she the one responsible for what’s happening to his lands? He tries to keep her at arm's length but there’s something about her he can’t put his finger on. He’s drawn to her and his desire runs rampant, pushing away his logic.
Rebeka doesn’t tell anyone she’s from the future; she’s afraid of the consequences if she does. So, she tells Lord Arik she’s a scribe sent from London but she knows Arik isn’t fooled. The more she’s around him, the stronger her feelings grow. Can she trust him with the truth or will he deem her a traitor?
Knight of Runes is the epitome of Medieval Time-Travel Romance: a man tormented by his past mistakes, a woman flung into the past trying to find her way back, an antagonist bent on coming between the two lovers and history brought alive by a talented storyteller. Arik and Rebeka argue over ideas and concepts, much to the chagrin of Lord Arik. Rebeka makes him think and in Medieval times, women would never dream to second-guess men, especially Lords. When Lord Arik realizes his mistake and sees Rebeka for who she is, he swoops in to save her. His desperation to save her melted my heart and made me yearn for my own knight. Filled with historically accurate characters, setting, and druid lore, Knight of Runes is perfect for fans of Outlander. Highly recommend!
Disclaimer: I read this on Kindle Unlimited.
Favorite Quote:
“His breath caught and his heartbeat quickened as a rapturous surge raced through his body. Something eternal and familiar, with a sense of longing, unsettled him. In the next heartbeat, she tore her eyes away, leaving him empty.”
My Rating: 5+ stars
April 7, 2021
Strange Magik⚡
ADULT Historical English Paranormal Time⏳ Travel Romance💕 with Betrayal.
This is an interesting book that I thought the author should have placed much further back in time, since the ancient Druid religion plays heavily in the story and plot. The author puts the time period of the book during the early 1600s. Other than that, I really enjoyed the story!
It's about Rebeka💃📚, a modern scholar of runes and the druids who somehow goes through a druid created portal and goes back in time ⏳to 1600s England. She meets Arik🐺🍆⛲💪👊🔪, a Druid Knight who is fighting to save his lands and people from a type of pestilence. All of the problems are emanating from his own family!
This is a long book that you can become completely immersed in.
ARC Provided by Book📚 Sirens💃
I also got this ebook with KU.
ADULT Historical English Paranormal Time⏳ Travel Romance💕 with Betrayal.
This is an interesting book that I thought the author should have placed much further back in time, since the ancient Druid religion plays heavily in the story and plot. The author puts the time period of the book during the early 1600s. Other than that, I really enjoyed the story!
It's about Rebeka💃📚, a modern scholar of runes and the druids who somehow goes through a druid created portal and goes back in time ⏳to 1600s England. She meets Arik🐺🍆⛲💪👊🔪, a Druid Knight who is fighting to save his lands and people from a type of pestilence. All of the problems are emanating from his own family!
This is a long book that you can become completely immersed in.
ARC Provided by Book📚 Sirens💃
I also got this ebook with KU.
June 19, 2020
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for awarding me with this ARC.
Knight of Runes is a wonderful tale that has a very Outlander vibe to it but is still a story on its own. I really enjoyed this book, more than I had imagined. I like how there is a built-up and we get to know Rebeka and her life in modern day society. She is as mysterious as she is independent and while we learn a few things about her history and past, I do feel as the author could've explored that more. As I progressed in the book I had quite some questions and some have been left unanswered.
We meet Lord Arik and his family and while I initially really disliked him I started to grow fond of him along the way. This book has very interesting characters, a wonderful setting and of course we all love a good time travel romance. I was glad to see the romance was built slowly and not sudden. It makes for a more realistic image of love growing between people.
There were also a few things I wasn't a big fan of. At times the book feels rushed which is a shame because I really appreciate the author's good balance in the beginning of the book. I also felt as if sometimes things just happened to easily or too quickly. For someone who has just traveled from 2011 to the 1600's, Rebeka is awfully calm and collected. Not that I minded it much but I could imagine why people would find the book to be slightly unbelievable.
That doesn't take away though that I really enjoyed this story and I'm quite curious to see what the author has come up with for the sequel! All in all this is a book for anyone who loves fantasy and romance, lords and ladies, a beautiful setting. It will give you a relaxing and enjoyable break from your own life.
Knight of Runes is a wonderful tale that has a very Outlander vibe to it but is still a story on its own. I really enjoyed this book, more than I had imagined. I like how there is a built-up and we get to know Rebeka and her life in modern day society. She is as mysterious as she is independent and while we learn a few things about her history and past, I do feel as the author could've explored that more. As I progressed in the book I had quite some questions and some have been left unanswered.
We meet Lord Arik and his family and while I initially really disliked him I started to grow fond of him along the way. This book has very interesting characters, a wonderful setting and of course we all love a good time travel romance. I was glad to see the romance was built slowly and not sudden. It makes for a more realistic image of love growing between people.
There were also a few things I wasn't a big fan of. At times the book feels rushed which is a shame because I really appreciate the author's good balance in the beginning of the book. I also felt as if sometimes things just happened to easily or too quickly. For someone who has just traveled from 2011 to the 1600's, Rebeka is awfully calm and collected. Not that I minded it much but I could imagine why people would find the book to be slightly unbelievable.
That doesn't take away though that I really enjoyed this story and I'm quite curious to see what the author has come up with for the sequel! All in all this is a book for anyone who loves fantasy and romance, lords and ladies, a beautiful setting. It will give you a relaxing and enjoyable break from your own life.
March 19, 2021
I will start by noting this book ticked a lot of boxes for me before I even turned the first page; standing stones, time travel, England – I was all set. And I don’t judge books by their covers any longer because they can be very deceiving. While this wasn’t the most history based of historical fiction I have read lately the story was solid and bodice ripper cover belies what’s inside.
As with all time travel novels you just have to let reality go and accept the premise that someone can fall through stones and land in another century. If you try and fight this the book is just not going to work for you. You can’t try and logic it out, you can try and assume the impossibility of it. Just accept, accept, accept and enjoy the ride.
Arik is not sure about this new woman in his domain but he feels a spark around her. Rebeka is still trying to figure out how she came to be where (and when?) she is. Last she remembered she was learning about her new inheritance, Fayne Manor. THAT came as a huge surprise as her father never told her their family had relatives in that area.
Rebekah is explained away as someone who will help to figure out what is causing strange lightening and other problems in Arik’s domains. She soon settles into the household but all is not well as forces are coming for Arik. Problem is, he thinks Rebekah might be against him.
i really did enjoy this book; the story was intriguing and the Druid elements were different from most books I read. I do find myself with some questions left after reading the book but there is another chapter in the story and I suspect they will be answered in that next volume. It is good when a book leaves you thinking.
Knight of Runes was a great way for me to spend my Thursday. The hours sped by quickly as I went back in time with Arik and Rebeka.
As with all time travel novels you just have to let reality go and accept the premise that someone can fall through stones and land in another century. If you try and fight this the book is just not going to work for you. You can’t try and logic it out, you can try and assume the impossibility of it. Just accept, accept, accept and enjoy the ride.
Arik is not sure about this new woman in his domain but he feels a spark around her. Rebeka is still trying to figure out how she came to be where (and when?) she is. Last she remembered she was learning about her new inheritance, Fayne Manor. THAT came as a huge surprise as her father never told her their family had relatives in that area.
Rebekah is explained away as someone who will help to figure out what is causing strange lightening and other problems in Arik’s domains. She soon settles into the household but all is not well as forces are coming for Arik. Problem is, he thinks Rebekah might be against him.
i really did enjoy this book; the story was intriguing and the Druid elements were different from most books I read. I do find myself with some questions left after reading the book but there is another chapter in the story and I suspect they will be answered in that next volume. It is good when a book leaves you thinking.
Knight of Runes was a great way for me to spend my Thursday. The hours sped by quickly as I went back in time with Arik and Rebeka.
April 9, 2021
I truly enjoyed reading this time travel romance novel. I thought that the author did a great job with building the drama and the plot for her readers with an interesting story that draws them to the book. Let me just say that I love the action scenes. A book with details that this good in the book, you know that you have a good book. The drama was a little intense, but that made the pace of the book go by quickly. The romance was very sweet and charming. I enjoyed reading this book.
June 18, 2017
Overall, I found this to be a thoroughly pleasant, if somewhat tame, time travel romance.
Initially it took a bit of getting into. I did think the time it took for the heroine to get thrown back in time was a little long-winded and drawn out and I found myself wishing for it to hurry along. With these kinds of books, if you know the time jump is coming then it's much better to get to it quickly in my opinion. Any delay tactics only serve to aggravate and possibly cause readers to lose interest. It took roughly 4 or 5 chapters for me to be genuinely invested in this book, which was a tad too long, I think.
The characters were mostly well thought out and developed. The romance was a slow-building one and felt authentic and sweet. The scenes at the festival were particularly enjoyable and that's when I truly grew attached to both of the main characters. There was an incident shortly after this which nearly changed my mind completely about one of them, and it unfortunately cooled my affection considerably from then on. Also, if I'm totally honest, I would have liked more in the way of love scenes after waiting so long. In terms of raunchiness, this book is definitely pre-watershed in it's detail and content.
The secondary characters were quite good also. The two nieces Skylar and Aubrey were sweet, and a complete contrast to their cousin, Catherine, who was a rather nasty piece of work, if slightly predictable in her feminine scheming. The descriptions of day to day life felt very peaceful and beatific. As I said, it was all very pleasant.
This book uses many of the plot devices I have seen before with time travel romances: The druid magic, stepping through time by way of a stone henge or stone circle, and it always happens at Beltane or Samhain it seems. I am really looking forward to the day someone comes up with a new idea in this area as it's getting a bit overdone now.
There was a mystery to solve along the way, which whilst not nail-bitingly gripping, was certainly unusual and interesting. The use of the runes and the connections there prevented this from being completely predictable, and, all in all, I found myself enchanted by the sweet nature of the characters and the romance. It made a refreshing change to the ones who are in bed together after 24 hours of meeting, but, as mentioned before, after waiting so long I would have liked more scenes of a romantic nature.
Verdict: If you like historical romances, with a bit of magic thrown in, and are perhaps a bit tired of over the top sex scenes, then this should be right up your street.
Initially it took a bit of getting into. I did think the time it took for the heroine to get thrown back in time was a little long-winded and drawn out and I found myself wishing for it to hurry along. With these kinds of books, if you know the time jump is coming then it's much better to get to it quickly in my opinion. Any delay tactics only serve to aggravate and possibly cause readers to lose interest. It took roughly 4 or 5 chapters for me to be genuinely invested in this book, which was a tad too long, I think.
The characters were mostly well thought out and developed. The romance was a slow-building one and felt authentic and sweet. The scenes at the festival were particularly enjoyable and that's when I truly grew attached to both of the main characters. There was an incident shortly after this which nearly changed my mind completely about one of them, and it unfortunately cooled my affection considerably from then on. Also, if I'm totally honest, I would have liked more in the way of love scenes after waiting so long. In terms of raunchiness, this book is definitely pre-watershed in it's detail and content.
The secondary characters were quite good also. The two nieces Skylar and Aubrey were sweet, and a complete contrast to their cousin, Catherine, who was a rather nasty piece of work, if slightly predictable in her feminine scheming. The descriptions of day to day life felt very peaceful and beatific. As I said, it was all very pleasant.
This book uses many of the plot devices I have seen before with time travel romances: The druid magic, stepping through time by way of a stone henge or stone circle, and it always happens at Beltane or Samhain it seems. I am really looking forward to the day someone comes up with a new idea in this area as it's getting a bit overdone now.
There was a mystery to solve along the way, which whilst not nail-bitingly gripping, was certainly unusual and interesting. The use of the runes and the connections there prevented this from being completely predictable, and, all in all, I found myself enchanted by the sweet nature of the characters and the romance. It made a refreshing change to the ones who are in bed together after 24 hours of meeting, but, as mentioned before, after waiting so long I would have liked more scenes of a romantic nature.
Verdict: If you like historical romances, with a bit of magic thrown in, and are perhaps a bit tired of over the top sex scenes, then this should be right up your street.
January 21, 2022
A historical mystery, a fantastic trip through time, and intrigues in the past are all captivating reasons that I was eager to pick up this tantalizing first in series by a fairly new to me author and enjoy it for a buddy reading experience.
Knight of Runes begins when Dr. Rebeka Tyler journeys to England both for her university's new research project, but also a mysterious summons from a lawyer to transfer a medieval manor and it's archives to the next of kin. Rebeka's specialty is medieval history and documents so this inheritance seems too good to be true especially when she can't remember any connection to the family and that manor. But, if she thought that was an odd start, time traveling through the Avebury stones and ending up meeting the lord of that manor, thwarting a group of ruffians who attack her, and discovering a mysterious blight on the very land are enough to make her head spin. Slowly, Rebeka determines that it was no accident that she came back in time and it is her knowledge from the future and unique skill set that will save Lord Arik, Fayne Manor, and the people there that Rebeka has come to love.
Arik finds himself fighting a known enemy and figuring out the mysterious lightning and killed spots on his land. He does not need the sassy, suspicious woman who fights and speaks like a man and his equal and hunts through the manor archives supposedly at the king's orders. She stirs up his household, but her presence also seems to be a catalyst for Druidic magic and runes to play a strong role in discovering the truth behind everything before it is too late. He fights the attraction as long as he can, but will he sort out the truth and his feelings for Rebeka in time for his own happiness and the safety of all he loves.
Knight of Runes has an engaging time travel premise and the fascinating addition of a history mystery and tie to Druidic magic. The antagonistic attraction between the main pair is instant, but there are barriers to them easily falling into a relationship. The pair were in opposition for a lot of the story and Arik, especially, was resistant for a mysterious reason and his intuition that Beka is keeping secrets- which she is, just not the ones he thinks she's keeping.
The action scenes were well done and I loved that there were a few fight scenes with swords and staffs like a good medieval period rumble. There is also subtle intrigues and mysteries going on so I was busy pointing fingers and trying to work out exactly what was going on and who was behind it both the magical troubles and the business within the manor.
Rebeka was an expert with a staff that was her father's and she has martial arts and survival training to make her tough enough for the past and those fight scenes. She also has knowledge of herbs, music, runes, and all things medieval. She is kind and giving and wins over the whole village and almost everyone at the manor. In truth, she's a bit much to be believed, but I didn't care because I liked her and felt she needed all the help she could get since Arik was blind to what was going on right under his nose with his bitter, distant female relation and his own suspicion let alone the shadowy evil influence of a former Druid knight who is set on destroying Arik and taking what he has.
Now, Arik, he's not exactly my favorite person. He has the potential to be, but he really screwed up a few times. I didn't blame him for being a man of his times and frowning on Rebeka jumping into fights and all-male discussions. But, he has these moments when he's had plenty of time to see what her character is like and even that there is no real proof that she is acting with his enemy and plenty of proof that she's acting against his enemies, yet he doesn't hesitate to assume the worst and act on it. I didn't hate him and thought he was good as a protector and defender, taking duty and honor seriously, but as a romance partner, he needs to work at it.
Fortunately, this is only the first part of the story. It doesn't end on a cliffhanger and wraps up some threads while leaving others open for the next installment. I thought it did well to make me feel I got a good story, but left me wanting more. I loved the combo of time travel and magic with the mystery and historical setting, action, romance and characters all well-written. I can definitely recommend this book to those who love time travel romance.
I read this for COYER Community 'Read a book from a Friends' Shelf' as a buddy read with Nadene @ Totally Addicted to Reading. We both rated it 4-4.5 stars.
Knight of Runes begins when Dr. Rebeka Tyler journeys to England both for her university's new research project, but also a mysterious summons from a lawyer to transfer a medieval manor and it's archives to the next of kin. Rebeka's specialty is medieval history and documents so this inheritance seems too good to be true especially when she can't remember any connection to the family and that manor. But, if she thought that was an odd start, time traveling through the Avebury stones and ending up meeting the lord of that manor, thwarting a group of ruffians who attack her, and discovering a mysterious blight on the very land are enough to make her head spin. Slowly, Rebeka determines that it was no accident that she came back in time and it is her knowledge from the future and unique skill set that will save Lord Arik, Fayne Manor, and the people there that Rebeka has come to love.
Arik finds himself fighting a known enemy and figuring out the mysterious lightning and killed spots on his land. He does not need the sassy, suspicious woman who fights and speaks like a man and his equal and hunts through the manor archives supposedly at the king's orders. She stirs up his household, but her presence also seems to be a catalyst for Druidic magic and runes to play a strong role in discovering the truth behind everything before it is too late. He fights the attraction as long as he can, but will he sort out the truth and his feelings for Rebeka in time for his own happiness and the safety of all he loves.
Knight of Runes has an engaging time travel premise and the fascinating addition of a history mystery and tie to Druidic magic. The antagonistic attraction between the main pair is instant, but there are barriers to them easily falling into a relationship. The pair were in opposition for a lot of the story and Arik, especially, was resistant for a mysterious reason and his intuition that Beka is keeping secrets- which she is, just not the ones he thinks she's keeping.
The action scenes were well done and I loved that there were a few fight scenes with swords and staffs like a good medieval period rumble. There is also subtle intrigues and mysteries going on so I was busy pointing fingers and trying to work out exactly what was going on and who was behind it both the magical troubles and the business within the manor.
Rebeka was an expert with a staff that was her father's and she has martial arts and survival training to make her tough enough for the past and those fight scenes. She also has knowledge of herbs, music, runes, and all things medieval. She is kind and giving and wins over the whole village and almost everyone at the manor. In truth, she's a bit much to be believed, but I didn't care because I liked her and felt she needed all the help she could get since Arik was blind to what was going on right under his nose with his bitter, distant female relation and his own suspicion let alone the shadowy evil influence of a former Druid knight who is set on destroying Arik and taking what he has.
Now, Arik, he's not exactly my favorite person. He has the potential to be, but he really screwed up a few times. I didn't blame him for being a man of his times and frowning on Rebeka jumping into fights and all-male discussions. But, he has these moments when he's had plenty of time to see what her character is like and even that there is no real proof that she is acting with his enemy and plenty of proof that she's acting against his enemies, yet he doesn't hesitate to assume the worst and act on it. I didn't hate him and thought he was good as a protector and defender, taking duty and honor seriously, but as a romance partner, he needs to work at it.
Fortunately, this is only the first part of the story. It doesn't end on a cliffhanger and wraps up some threads while leaving others open for the next installment. I thought it did well to make me feel I got a good story, but left me wanting more. I loved the combo of time travel and magic with the mystery and historical setting, action, romance and characters all well-written. I can definitely recommend this book to those who love time travel romance.
I read this for COYER Community 'Read a book from a Friends' Shelf' as a buddy read with Nadene @ Totally Addicted to Reading. We both rated it 4-4.5 stars.
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December 29, 2021🎁 FREE on Amazon today (12/29/2021)! 🎁
April 8, 2018
I’m a romantic, through and through, and Knight of Runes is the epitome of Medieval Time-Travel Romance: a man tormented by his past mistakes, a woman flung into the past trying to find her way back, an antagonist bent on coming between the two lovers and history brought alive by a talented storyteller.
Rebeka is in the present day and she discovers she’s inherited a vast estate in England. It’s a good thing she’s a historian and a scholar because the previous owner wants her to continue researching the vast history of the manor. She goes on a tour and before she knows what’s happened, she’s transported back in time.
Lord Arik discovers Rebeka wandering his lands and at once, his suspicions are aroused. Is she a spy for the king or someone else? Is she the one responsible for what’s happening to his lands? He tries to keep her at arms length but there’s something about her he can’t put his finger on. He’s drawn to her and his desire runs rampant, pushing away his logic.
Rebeka doesn’t tell anyone she’s from the future; she’s afraid of the consequences if she does. So, she tells Lord Arik she’s a scribe sent from London but she knows Arik isn’t fooled. The more she’s around him, the stronger her feelings grow. Can she trust him with the truth or will he deem her a traitor?
Truthfully, I read the sequel to this book last year so I already knew the outcome. But that didn’t detract from my enjoyment of this book. In fact, it allowed me to just let go and immerse myself in the world Casie has created. Filled with historically accurate characters, setting and druid lore, Knight of Runes is wonderful. I loved that Arik and Rebeka argued over ideas and concepts, much to chagrin of Lord Arik. Rebeka made him think and in Medieval times, women would never think to second-guess men, especially Lords.
The romance in Knight of Runes is sweeping and swoon-worthy. When Lord Arik realizes his mistake and sees Rebeka for who she is, he swoops in to save her. His desperation to save her melted my heart and made me yearn for my own knight (Mr. N).
If you’re a romance lover, this is a must-read. Casie has a true talent for storytelling (especially romance) and she’s quickly becoming my favorite author!
Favorite Character:
Rebeka. I loved everything about her, from her ability to blend in to her feistiness, and when I read the last page, I wanted more. She’s a warrior with internal strength she doesn’t even know she has and I secretly want a walking stick like hers. She’s proof-positive that there’s a perfectly-matched mate for each of us. She also proves that if you’re yourself and don’t compromise, men will be drawn to you.
Favorite Quote:
“His breath caught and his heartbeat quickened as a rapturous surge raced through his body. Something eternal and familiar, with a sense of longing, unsettled him. In the next heartbeat, she tore her eyes away, leaving him empty.”
My Rating: 5 stars
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/si...
Rebeka is in the present day and she discovers she’s inherited a vast estate in England. It’s a good thing she’s a historian and a scholar because the previous owner wants her to continue researching the vast history of the manor. She goes on a tour and before she knows what’s happened, she’s transported back in time.
Lord Arik discovers Rebeka wandering his lands and at once, his suspicions are aroused. Is she a spy for the king or someone else? Is she the one responsible for what’s happening to his lands? He tries to keep her at arms length but there’s something about her he can’t put his finger on. He’s drawn to her and his desire runs rampant, pushing away his logic.
Rebeka doesn’t tell anyone she’s from the future; she’s afraid of the consequences if she does. So, she tells Lord Arik she’s a scribe sent from London but she knows Arik isn’t fooled. The more she’s around him, the stronger her feelings grow. Can she trust him with the truth or will he deem her a traitor?
Truthfully, I read the sequel to this book last year so I already knew the outcome. But that didn’t detract from my enjoyment of this book. In fact, it allowed me to just let go and immerse myself in the world Casie has created. Filled with historically accurate characters, setting and druid lore, Knight of Runes is wonderful. I loved that Arik and Rebeka argued over ideas and concepts, much to chagrin of Lord Arik. Rebeka made him think and in Medieval times, women would never think to second-guess men, especially Lords.
The romance in Knight of Runes is sweeping and swoon-worthy. When Lord Arik realizes his mistake and sees Rebeka for who she is, he swoops in to save her. His desperation to save her melted my heart and made me yearn for my own knight (Mr. N).
If you’re a romance lover, this is a must-read. Casie has a true talent for storytelling (especially romance) and she’s quickly becoming my favorite author!
Favorite Character:
Rebeka. I loved everything about her, from her ability to blend in to her feistiness, and when I read the last page, I wanted more. She’s a warrior with internal strength she doesn’t even know she has and I secretly want a walking stick like hers. She’s proof-positive that there’s a perfectly-matched mate for each of us. She also proves that if you’re yourself and don’t compromise, men will be drawn to you.
Favorite Quote:
“His breath caught and his heartbeat quickened as a rapturous surge raced through his body. Something eternal and familiar, with a sense of longing, unsettled him. In the next heartbeat, she tore her eyes away, leaving him empty.”
My Rating: 5 stars
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/si...
March 8, 2024
Although I have read short stories by this author in various anthologies, this is the first time I read one of her full length novels and I thoroughly enjoyed it. What is not to like when it comes to time travel, mystery, romance and intriguing characters?!
Even though I found the start to be a bit slow paced, the story soon becomes intriguing and faster paced. Arik and Rebeka need to learn to trust each other but that's easier said than done when someone is out there trying sever the connection they have. As Rebeka tries to work out the mystery of the runes, Arik is struggling with his fate as a Druid knight. I really loved how well Rebeka can take care of herself in a fight and all I could say was...."you go, girl":)
I now look forward to reading the other books in this series!
Even though I found the start to be a bit slow paced, the story soon becomes intriguing and faster paced. Arik and Rebeka need to learn to trust each other but that's easier said than done when someone is out there trying sever the connection they have. As Rebeka tries to work out the mystery of the runes, Arik is struggling with his fate as a Druid knight. I really loved how well Rebeka can take care of herself in a fight and all I could say was...."you go, girl":)
I now look forward to reading the other books in this series!
July 24, 2020
This book was a huge surprise for me. I haven't heard of this book or author and I am shocked by that because there aren't a whole lot of time travel books and I love them. So I try to find all the ones I can. Rebeka is a modern girl who found out she inherited an estate in England. She somehow travels back in time and we meet Lord Arik. Look you guys, Arik is an ass. He is. He didn't trust the girl that just showed up.. which I guess I understand. He grows on you though. He shows a sweeter side to Rebeka and you kind of learn to love him. I really liked Rebeka. She was strong and smart and not at all like any of the women back then. Obviously she's not from that time. But I loved watching her adapt and make friends.
There were alot of surprises in this book that I didn't see coming. I will absolutely be reading the next book in the series!
Thank you netgalley for my copy of this book. All thoughts and opinion are my own.
There were alot of surprises in this book that I didn't see coming. I will absolutely be reading the next book in the series!
Thank you netgalley for my copy of this book. All thoughts and opinion are my own.
February 18, 2021
One of the things that are such fun with time travel books, is that when a modern character gets sucked into the past, and then have to try and find a way of communicating without the people from that time period think they are crazy. Rebeka is tossed into the 17th century, and as she works to solve the mystery of going home, she falls in love with Arik. One of the not-so-fun parts of time travel for me, is do they elect to stay in the past with their love, or do they go home? I’m always torn with this scenario.
This is a well written story, it does start off very slow – at least until Rebeka meets Arik. The characters are easy to like and even though the story wasn’t fast and action packed, it still held my interest and it was great seeing Rebeka and Arik fall in love.
This is a well written story, it does start off very slow – at least until Rebeka meets Arik. The characters are easy to like and even though the story wasn’t fast and action packed, it still held my interest and it was great seeing Rebeka and Arik fall in love.
January 18, 2022
5 stars
I, literally, could not put this one down. I was only going to give it a 4 star rating because the sex scenes are so vanilla they do the book a disservice, but changed my mind cause I enjoyed it so much. It is paranormal story based around the druids of the 17th century, with the magick of time travel from the 21st century. It is good vs evil, suspenseful, enchanting, with a love everlasting. Be warned, it does have a happy ending, but this is not a HEA, as the story continues in Knight Of Rapture, which I will be reading next cause I loved the characters so much.
I, literally, could not put this one down. I was only going to give it a 4 star rating because the sex scenes are so vanilla they do the book a disservice, but changed my mind cause I enjoyed it so much. It is paranormal story based around the druids of the 17th century, with the magick of time travel from the 21st century. It is good vs evil, suspenseful, enchanting, with a love everlasting. Be warned, it does have a happy ending, but this is not a HEA, as the story continues in Knight Of Rapture, which I will be reading next cause I loved the characters so much.
July 1, 2020
Ok so I really enjoyed this book, there was so much story going on but I never felt lost. This was exciting and captivating, I will say the ending had me a little with a ..... what just happened here..... this more definitely not a cliff hanger, but almost like hitting a wall. The story just comes to an end rather quickly. But I loved it and I look forward to reading ore from this author.
August 13, 2020
If you like historical romance this is for you. it was an enjoyable read about a girl from 2011 travel back to the year 1605. Arik is the leader of Druids and Rebeka is a historical professor doing research. She goes back in time and is try to find her way back. I would recommend this read.
June 2, 2021
It’s such a wonderful feeling to read the first few pages of a book and realize that a wonderful story is unfolding. Crafted by an awesome storyteller, Knight of Runes is a beautiful, enthralling time travel romance. The book is filled with mystery, action, and passion.
I’ve begun to accept that author Ruth A. Casie was a warrior princess or a pirate, or maybe even a ninja, in another life. Her action scenes are astounding!
Even better, the romance is both tender and passionate. The relationship between Rebeka and Arik opens up and grows throughout the book. Their love for each other is deep and true. They are perfect together.
I am thrilled with the way the author handles the time-travel aspect. She doesn’t give too much away too soon and creates a perfect setup for a series. Trust me, we want more of these knights!
Many thanks to the author for a well-written, amazing, medieval escape! Five stars!
I’ve begun to accept that author Ruth A. Casie was a warrior princess or a pirate, or maybe even a ninja, in another life. Her action scenes are astounding!
Even better, the romance is both tender and passionate. The relationship between Rebeka and Arik opens up and grows throughout the book. Their love for each other is deep and true. They are perfect together.
I am thrilled with the way the author handles the time-travel aspect. She doesn’t give too much away too soon and creates a perfect setup for a series. Trust me, we want more of these knights!
Many thanks to the author for a well-written, amazing, medieval escape! Five stars!
January 29, 2022
Knight of Runes is the first book in the Druid Knights series. As this was my first-time reading Ruth Casie, I knew little of what to expect. However, I dived in, hoping for the best. It did not disappoint. Knight of Runes plunged me into an exciting and imaginative world of time travel, rich in mystery, romance, action and magic. I read this book as part of the COYER community buddy read with Sophia Rose over at Delighted Reader. We both had a wonderful time with this title. We rated it 4 -4.5 stars
Knight of Runes was a delightful read from start to finish. It pulled me in, and I soon found myself caught up in the events and the lives of the characters. The author’s description of the events and the scenery titillated my senses, giving me the feeling of being a part of the story. The story was divided into two time periods, 2011 and 1605, with most of the focus on the latter period.
I am not sure what I would have done if I found myself in Rebekah’s position. First, she receives a mysterious message about inheriting an estate in England. Not only did this inheritance appear unbelievable, but she also did not know of the relative whom she inherited the estate from. However, as a professor of medieval history, the idea of the estate fascinated her. So, she travelled to England to learn more. Soon after her arrival, while in exploring her recent acquisition, she found herself travelling through time to the year 1605.
One may think she would be scared to discover that she was no longer in her century. However, Rebekah proved to be resilient. She could definitely hold her own. Eventually, she figured out her reason for travelling to 1605 was no accident. She quickly embraced her destiny and used her knowledge and skills to protect the manor and its residents.
Despite his attraction to the mysterious woman who fought better than his men, and who the king supposedly sent to conduct research into the mysterious happenings on his land, Lord Arik did not trust her. Her sudden appearance has him questioning her part in the mysterious events. She brings chaos to his household, but in a good way. It would seem her appearance paved the way for the revelation of the truth behind the mysterious events. Arik faces the biggest battle of his life but is he willing to come to terms with his attraction to Rebekah and embrace his destiny in the process?
Rebekah was a smart, brave, kind, and passionate heroine. A fighter with a fierce sprit. However, beneath these layers, she possessed a level of vulnerability. One could understand why everyone embraced her except for the few haters, whom had their own agenda. I did like Arik, but there were a few occasions where I felt compelled to give him a swift kick in the butt and a slap on the head. He was so obtuse; he made me wonder if he would eventually see what was staring him in the face. I am happy to say he redeemed himself and his actions at that point had me swooning.
I enjoyed the fight scenes, which I thought were well done. The weapons used were fitting for the time period. Then there was the mystery element, which had me guessing in the earlier part of the story.
The story ended on an interesting note. Now, while it may not have been a cliffhanger, it was clear Rebekah and Alric adventures were far from over. Despite my satisfaction with the tying up of the events in this installment, it left me wanting more.
Knight of Runes is an enjoyable story with the perfect blend of mystery, romance, magic, action, time travel and well-written characters that will keep you turning the pages till the very end. A perfect addition for fans of time travel romance. This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
Knight of Runes was a delightful read from start to finish. It pulled me in, and I soon found myself caught up in the events and the lives of the characters. The author’s description of the events and the scenery titillated my senses, giving me the feeling of being a part of the story. The story was divided into two time periods, 2011 and 1605, with most of the focus on the latter period.
I am not sure what I would have done if I found myself in Rebekah’s position. First, she receives a mysterious message about inheriting an estate in England. Not only did this inheritance appear unbelievable, but she also did not know of the relative whom she inherited the estate from. However, as a professor of medieval history, the idea of the estate fascinated her. So, she travelled to England to learn more. Soon after her arrival, while in exploring her recent acquisition, she found herself travelling through time to the year 1605.
One may think she would be scared to discover that she was no longer in her century. However, Rebekah proved to be resilient. She could definitely hold her own. Eventually, she figured out her reason for travelling to 1605 was no accident. She quickly embraced her destiny and used her knowledge and skills to protect the manor and its residents.
Despite his attraction to the mysterious woman who fought better than his men, and who the king supposedly sent to conduct research into the mysterious happenings on his land, Lord Arik did not trust her. Her sudden appearance has him questioning her part in the mysterious events. She brings chaos to his household, but in a good way. It would seem her appearance paved the way for the revelation of the truth behind the mysterious events. Arik faces the biggest battle of his life but is he willing to come to terms with his attraction to Rebekah and embrace his destiny in the process?
Rebekah was a smart, brave, kind, and passionate heroine. A fighter with a fierce sprit. However, beneath these layers, she possessed a level of vulnerability. One could understand why everyone embraced her except for the few haters, whom had their own agenda. I did like Arik, but there were a few occasions where I felt compelled to give him a swift kick in the butt and a slap on the head. He was so obtuse; he made me wonder if he would eventually see what was staring him in the face. I am happy to say he redeemed himself and his actions at that point had me swooning.
I enjoyed the fight scenes, which I thought were well done. The weapons used were fitting for the time period. Then there was the mystery element, which had me guessing in the earlier part of the story.
The story ended on an interesting note. Now, while it may not have been a cliffhanger, it was clear Rebekah and Alric adventures were far from over. Despite my satisfaction with the tying up of the events in this installment, it left me wanting more.
Knight of Runes is an enjoyable story with the perfect blend of mystery, romance, magic, action, time travel and well-written characters that will keep you turning the pages till the very end. A perfect addition for fans of time travel romance. This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
January 25, 2021
This was an interesting book and a first for me by this author. These days when I attempt to try someone new, I’m always afraid that either the writing style, characterization, or plot will fail me.
Thankfully there wasn’t any worry of that here! Whew. I was immediately captivated by the story from the first chapter- knights, time travelling ass kicking female lead, dash of druid lore. The scenes were described well, and I could easily see myself watching it on screen. The author even helped by providing background music through references of tracks running in the heroine’s mind!
The heroine, Rebeka was amazing and everything you want to read about in a strong female character these days. she did come across as a bit of a superhero- she was a beautiful intelligent university professor, a black belt, familiar with geology, herbal medicines, fluent in medieval and Celtic languages, rock climber, swimmer and melodic singer! Really at one point I didn’t think there was anything she couldn’t do! And while this could be irritating to read about in some novels, here it worked because she needed all these skills to fit in and survive in the past.
The book started with thrilling prologue and then proceeded in building up the scenarios that left to the heroine falling into time and living in the past. My only hitch with the book was the pacing and the hero’s character- which was tied up with the slow pace of the book. This is essentially a romance novel, but the two characters don’t meet until the fifth chapter. After that there is hardly to no interaction between them for another five to six chapters it felt. The heroine was a scholar and all she did was research the problem with the land! She was mostly in the library page after page with various people speaking to her. I kept waiting for something to happen, but it hardly did until near the end.
Then there was Arik the knight. All he did was brood and ignore Rebeka. We later realize that it had something to do with him closing his heart and mind to his ancient magic that caused him to behave this way- but because it wasn’t explained until much later, he just annoyed me. At some point we are told that the two always argue, but we never read any such scenes. His accepting his feelings for her comes about too quickly and very much near the end of the book.
I found out later that the second book in the series is also about the two characters- and so this book should be forewarned as maybe part 1, only to explain the slow pacing of the two characters interactions and development.
Because of this I felt all the action occurred near the end of the book- which I read with gratitude because of the boredom of the previous chapters.
I would still recommend it to anyone who likes time travel and supernatural mysticism. The historical references by the way were well researched for this book. At no point was I irritated with anachronisms.
I did though have an issue with the cover. It gives the impression it’s a medieval book from the 10th/12th century rather than 16th century England!
**I received a copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.**
Thankfully there wasn’t any worry of that here! Whew. I was immediately captivated by the story from the first chapter- knights, time travelling ass kicking female lead, dash of druid lore. The scenes were described well, and I could easily see myself watching it on screen. The author even helped by providing background music through references of tracks running in the heroine’s mind!
The heroine, Rebeka was amazing and everything you want to read about in a strong female character these days. she did come across as a bit of a superhero- she was a beautiful intelligent university professor, a black belt, familiar with geology, herbal medicines, fluent in medieval and Celtic languages, rock climber, swimmer and melodic singer! Really at one point I didn’t think there was anything she couldn’t do! And while this could be irritating to read about in some novels, here it worked because she needed all these skills to fit in and survive in the past.
The book started with thrilling prologue and then proceeded in building up the scenarios that left to the heroine falling into time and living in the past. My only hitch with the book was the pacing and the hero’s character- which was tied up with the slow pace of the book. This is essentially a romance novel, but the two characters don’t meet until the fifth chapter. After that there is hardly to no interaction between them for another five to six chapters it felt. The heroine was a scholar and all she did was research the problem with the land! She was mostly in the library page after page with various people speaking to her. I kept waiting for something to happen, but it hardly did until near the end.
Then there was Arik the knight. All he did was brood and ignore Rebeka. We later realize that it had something to do with him closing his heart and mind to his ancient magic that caused him to behave this way- but because it wasn’t explained until much later, he just annoyed me. At some point we are told that the two always argue, but we never read any such scenes. His accepting his feelings for her comes about too quickly and very much near the end of the book.
I found out later that the second book in the series is also about the two characters- and so this book should be forewarned as maybe part 1, only to explain the slow pacing of the two characters interactions and development.
Because of this I felt all the action occurred near the end of the book- which I read with gratitude because of the boredom of the previous chapters.
I would still recommend it to anyone who likes time travel and supernatural mysticism. The historical references by the way were well researched for this book. At no point was I irritated with anachronisms.
I did though have an issue with the cover. It gives the impression it’s a medieval book from the 10th/12th century rather than 16th century England!
**I received a copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.**
May 10, 2021
Incredible Time Travel Romance
In Knight of Runes, Ruth A. Casie has crafted an amazingly unique time travel romance. By incorporating the ancient order of Celtic Druids into the story, she has added a sensational element of mystery and magic that enriches the entire story.
Rebeka Tyler, a history professor, received a letter informing her that she was the only surviving relative of the late Lady Emily Parson and is now the owner of Fayne Manor in England. Upon arrival, she was given a brief tour of the Manor, including the Gallery, where she felt a faint kiss to the back of her neck as she passed in front of a seventeenth century painting of Lord Arik, his brother and nieces. Spinning around, there was no one there.
Since there was still plenty of daylight left after the tour, she decided to join a tour to the Avebury standing stones, bringing her staff that she always carried with her. Her staff was carved with runes and before he died, her father stressed that she should keep it with her always as it was her protector. Walking between the standing stones, she was inadvertently sucked into a vortex and landed on earth that crumbled out from under her. She tumbled down a steep embankment, injuring her right leg rather seriously. Having no idea where she was and with night coming on, she built an emergency camp and was sitting at the campfire warming herself when an old man came toward her. He introduced himself as Doward, a traveling tinker, although he was much more than he shared with her. He had sensed a disturbance that heralded her arrival and stayed with her to try to understand it. Rebeka thought he was a character from a re-enactment company and played along with him.
The next morning, Doward showed her the way up the embankment from which she had fallen; however, when she reached the top, the standing stones weren’t to be found. Doward convinced her to travel with him to the next village and since she was lost anyhow, she agreed. Before they could reach the village, they were overtaken by Lord Arik and his party. She again thought they were part of a re-enactment company; but as events unfurled, she was forced to accept that everything was real.
This sets the stage for the remainder of this wonderful novel; and yes, I left out a LOT of important details in my short introduction that you can discover for yourself. The world building was particularly well done, with colorful descriptions of the countryside, the village and the Manor. In addition, the characters were carefully developed and the author imparted an atmosphere of danger and mystery where appropriate. There are lots of twists and turns before the conclusion of this exciting story. I really loved this book and can’t wait to read the next one!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
In Knight of Runes, Ruth A. Casie has crafted an amazingly unique time travel romance. By incorporating the ancient order of Celtic Druids into the story, she has added a sensational element of mystery and magic that enriches the entire story.
Rebeka Tyler, a history professor, received a letter informing her that she was the only surviving relative of the late Lady Emily Parson and is now the owner of Fayne Manor in England. Upon arrival, she was given a brief tour of the Manor, including the Gallery, where she felt a faint kiss to the back of her neck as she passed in front of a seventeenth century painting of Lord Arik, his brother and nieces. Spinning around, there was no one there.
Since there was still plenty of daylight left after the tour, she decided to join a tour to the Avebury standing stones, bringing her staff that she always carried with her. Her staff was carved with runes and before he died, her father stressed that she should keep it with her always as it was her protector. Walking between the standing stones, she was inadvertently sucked into a vortex and landed on earth that crumbled out from under her. She tumbled down a steep embankment, injuring her right leg rather seriously. Having no idea where she was and with night coming on, she built an emergency camp and was sitting at the campfire warming herself when an old man came toward her. He introduced himself as Doward, a traveling tinker, although he was much more than he shared with her. He had sensed a disturbance that heralded her arrival and stayed with her to try to understand it. Rebeka thought he was a character from a re-enactment company and played along with him.
The next morning, Doward showed her the way up the embankment from which she had fallen; however, when she reached the top, the standing stones weren’t to be found. Doward convinced her to travel with him to the next village and since she was lost anyhow, she agreed. Before they could reach the village, they were overtaken by Lord Arik and his party. She again thought they were part of a re-enactment company; but as events unfurled, she was forced to accept that everything was real.
This sets the stage for the remainder of this wonderful novel; and yes, I left out a LOT of important details in my short introduction that you can discover for yourself. The world building was particularly well done, with colorful descriptions of the countryside, the village and the Manor. In addition, the characters were carefully developed and the author imparted an atmosphere of danger and mystery where appropriate. There are lots of twists and turns before the conclusion of this exciting story. I really loved this book and can’t wait to read the next one!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 8, 2021
Thanks to BookSirens for a free copy of this fun time-slip adventure, which I have reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
I thoroughly enjoyed this visit into England in its past days, and would have given it five stars, but for a couple of issues. First, as at least one other reviewer has pointed out, there were quite a few print errors which, though not detrimental to my enjoyment of the book, are nonetheless there and worth noting. Second, I wonder, as again I have seen at least one other person wondering, whether the time period chosen by the author was quite right for her tale? The heyday of the Druids was indeed much earlier in time than this, although who is to say that there may not have been surviving pockets of Druidical influence in early seventeenth -century rural England? After all, there are still practising Druids today. Again, whilst worthy of note, this by no means affected my enjoyment of the book. Third, and my final slightly negative point, is the pacing of the whole - I actually greatly enjoy a slower pace, and like to have time to get to know the characters and setting thoroughly; but in this case, everything was revealed in a mighty rush in the last few chapters, which did not really match the rest of the book, having previously proceeded with plot and characters in a leisurely fashion, giving the reader plenty of time for reflection.
These things apart, however, I am a fan of this book, and cannot wait for the sequel to find out what happens next. The characters, in my opinion, were well drawn and sympathetic. Rebeka was a convincing “fish out of water”, as a woman with modern attitudes and values cast adrift in the seventeenth century would be, and I found her and her situation sympathetic. Arik (is this a very authentic name choice for a nobleman of the period?) was indeed, as others have pointed out, arrogant and suspicious at first, but in his situation I find this totally understandable and excusable - Rebeka is quite unlike any other woman he could ever have come across, and he must wonder where she is from and what she is about. The supporting cast, too, were well drawn - I have a special soft spot for Doward, whom I liked and found intriguing from the start.
I would thoroughly recommend this to anyone who loves a time-slip adventure, and look forward to the next instalment of Rebeka’s story.
I thoroughly enjoyed this visit into England in its past days, and would have given it five stars, but for a couple of issues. First, as at least one other reviewer has pointed out, there were quite a few print errors which, though not detrimental to my enjoyment of the book, are nonetheless there and worth noting. Second, I wonder, as again I have seen at least one other person wondering, whether the time period chosen by the author was quite right for her tale? The heyday of the Druids was indeed much earlier in time than this, although who is to say that there may not have been surviving pockets of Druidical influence in early seventeenth -century rural England? After all, there are still practising Druids today. Again, whilst worthy of note, this by no means affected my enjoyment of the book. Third, and my final slightly negative point, is the pacing of the whole - I actually greatly enjoy a slower pace, and like to have time to get to know the characters and setting thoroughly; but in this case, everything was revealed in a mighty rush in the last few chapters, which did not really match the rest of the book, having previously proceeded with plot and characters in a leisurely fashion, giving the reader plenty of time for reflection.
These things apart, however, I am a fan of this book, and cannot wait for the sequel to find out what happens next. The characters, in my opinion, were well drawn and sympathetic. Rebeka was a convincing “fish out of water”, as a woman with modern attitudes and values cast adrift in the seventeenth century would be, and I found her and her situation sympathetic. Arik (is this a very authentic name choice for a nobleman of the period?) was indeed, as others have pointed out, arrogant and suspicious at first, but in his situation I find this totally understandable and excusable - Rebeka is quite unlike any other woman he could ever have come across, and he must wonder where she is from and what she is about. The supporting cast, too, were well drawn - I have a special soft spot for Doward, whom I liked and found intriguing from the start.
I would thoroughly recommend this to anyone who loves a time-slip adventure, and look forward to the next instalment of Rebeka’s story.
November 16, 2020
Thanks to BookSirens for providing me with a copy of this book to review. I liked it very much and found it hard to put down, despite numerous editing errors (missing punctuation, run-on sentences, etc.) and dialogue that is, at times, questionable. It is extremely reminiscent of Outlander, in that the plot revolves around a modern woman who is transported back through time via standing stones. Once you get past that, though, there is a unique story.
Rebeka, a scholar and professor, as well as the daughter of a scholar who specialized in Druid and celtic culture/runes, receives notice from a solicitor in England that she has inherited an estate. When she arrives to investigate, she learns that the home contains old papers and books that hold "secrets." Before she has a chance to learn more, a sightseeing visit to some standing stones (people, if I ever visit standing stones, you can bet that I'm going to be very careful before I touch them!) results in her unplanned travel 400 years back in time.
Despite the fact that the lord of the manor, Arik, is a condescending, overbearing jerk for the first half of the book, Rebeka gets to know him well enough to see another side of him (as do we), and they eventually fall in love. We learn more about her past before she does, and she faces the choice all time-traveling lovers do: should she return to the home she remembers, or stay in this new home with Arik? The ending was satisfying and left me wanting more. It's no Outlander, but it's a great diversion anyway!
Rebeka, a scholar and professor, as well as the daughter of a scholar who specialized in Druid and celtic culture/runes, receives notice from a solicitor in England that she has inherited an estate. When she arrives to investigate, she learns that the home contains old papers and books that hold "secrets." Before she has a chance to learn more, a sightseeing visit to some standing stones (people, if I ever visit standing stones, you can bet that I'm going to be very careful before I touch them!) results in her unplanned travel 400 years back in time.
Despite the fact that the lord of the manor, Arik, is a condescending, overbearing jerk for the first half of the book, Rebeka gets to know him well enough to see another side of him (as do we), and they eventually fall in love. We learn more about her past before she does, and she faces the choice all time-traveling lovers do: should she return to the home she remembers, or stay in this new home with Arik? The ending was satisfying and left me wanting more. It's no Outlander, but it's a great diversion anyway!
January 1, 2021
Through Time to Hearth and Home
In order to not give away any facet of this complex novel, I will just tell you why I love it and let you decide if you want to read it.
Knight of Runes is so much more than I expected. I have read many novels set in Medieval times, but few are as absorbing as this first book in Ruth A. Casie's Druid Knight Series. In addition to a well written and intricate plot, the world building in both the modern and ancient time period is easy to envision. Which speaks to the deep level of research by Ms. Casie. Also, all of the characters, both good and evil are strong and believable. I like a flawed hero that is willing to be persuaded by a strong and accomplished heroine. Especially as they match wits to find common ground and lasting love.
Lastly, for readers who want a 100% complete book, you may be just a tad disappointed. Although this part of Arik and Rebeka's story is complete, the arch villain is still at large at the end of this book in the series. That said, I did not feel deprived, because the ending was still sigh worthy.
Content 411: although there are six instances of mild swearing, there is no vulgar language and no explicit sex. That said, there is one sweetly tender scene of sexual intimacy that is so gently described as to be almost poetry.
Disclosure: I received this book for free from BookSirens. I am voluntarily reviewing this book, and this is my honest review.
In order to not give away any facet of this complex novel, I will just tell you why I love it and let you decide if you want to read it.
Knight of Runes is so much more than I expected. I have read many novels set in Medieval times, but few are as absorbing as this first book in Ruth A. Casie's Druid Knight Series. In addition to a well written and intricate plot, the world building in both the modern and ancient time period is easy to envision. Which speaks to the deep level of research by Ms. Casie. Also, all of the characters, both good and evil are strong and believable. I like a flawed hero that is willing to be persuaded by a strong and accomplished heroine. Especially as they match wits to find common ground and lasting love.
Lastly, for readers who want a 100% complete book, you may be just a tad disappointed. Although this part of Arik and Rebeka's story is complete, the arch villain is still at large at the end of this book in the series. That said, I did not feel deprived, because the ending was still sigh worthy.
Content 411: although there are six instances of mild swearing, there is no vulgar language and no explicit sex. That said, there is one sweetly tender scene of sexual intimacy that is so gently described as to be almost poetry.
Disclosure: I received this book for free from BookSirens. I am voluntarily reviewing this book, and this is my honest review.
November 10, 2020
So I give this book a solid 3 stars, maybe 3.5.
Knight of Ruins started a little slow for me. I put it down a handful of times before really giving it a chance. The story just didn't grab me. However, once I got about a quarter of the way in, I wanted to know what happened next.
The plot: I really liked the plot. Time travel, romance, homicidal maniac...what's not to love. Outside of the uneven pace, which starts slow, gets a little faster, then finishes at breakneck speed, I have no complaints.
The characters: This is tough. I wanted to like the characters, but I never felt like I really got to know them. There is back story, but it didn't really illicit a connection for me...so it felt like I just knew the characters based on their reactions to what was going on. But there is a ton of potential.
The writing: Again, aside from the pace, I have no complaints. The author tends to tell more than show, but it's not done enough to take away from the story overall.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. I've never read this author, so I'll probably check her out. If you like romance and time travel as well as magic, you should read this!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review.
Knight of Ruins started a little slow for me. I put it down a handful of times before really giving it a chance. The story just didn't grab me. However, once I got about a quarter of the way in, I wanted to know what happened next.
The plot: I really liked the plot. Time travel, romance, homicidal maniac...what's not to love. Outside of the uneven pace, which starts slow, gets a little faster, then finishes at breakneck speed, I have no complaints.
The characters: This is tough. I wanted to like the characters, but I never felt like I really got to know them. There is back story, but it didn't really illicit a connection for me...so it felt like I just knew the characters based on their reactions to what was going on. But there is a ton of potential.
The writing: Again, aside from the pace, I have no complaints. The author tends to tell more than show, but it's not done enough to take away from the story overall.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. I've never read this author, so I'll probably check her out. If you like romance and time travel as well as magic, you should read this!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review.
December 8, 2020
If I fell back in time, please give me a Druid Knight like this
This read was exactly what I was in the mood for. Adventure, romance, and a twist to the time travel bit. The author Ruth A. Casie is new to me and I can't wait to read more from this series. Each night as I cozied up to read I got swept away with the storyline and had trouble putting it down. I was surprised to find I had an interest in both times Rebeka lived in. I kept wondering where the next twist and turn would take the protagonist. The steamy level could have been a little higher for my liking but the story was so well written it didn't need it to keep me interested. The struggle of Rebeka and Arik's friendship was relatable, which I like. And if you were to find yourself back in time, Rebeka landed in the hands of a man probably any woman would want to take on just as she did. Arik, a Druid Knight, was a real man the reader might find they want to scream at sometimes, but they'll also want to wrap their arms around him. This was a great read and worth losing a little sleep time over too.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This read was exactly what I was in the mood for. Adventure, romance, and a twist to the time travel bit. The author Ruth A. Casie is new to me and I can't wait to read more from this series. Each night as I cozied up to read I got swept away with the storyline and had trouble putting it down. I was surprised to find I had an interest in both times Rebeka lived in. I kept wondering where the next twist and turn would take the protagonist. The steamy level could have been a little higher for my liking but the story was so well written it didn't need it to keep me interested. The struggle of Rebeka and Arik's friendship was relatable, which I like. And if you were to find yourself back in time, Rebeka landed in the hands of a man probably any woman would want to take on just as she did. Arik, a Druid Knight, was a real man the reader might find they want to scream at sometimes, but they'll also want to wrap their arms around him. This was a great read and worth losing a little sleep time over too.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 24, 2021
I voluntarily read an arc of this book for an honest review. This book was amazing! The characters are so well developed and fleshed out. Their interactions are good and I LOVED Doward, the Druid. The main characters are great and fit very well in their respective parts. Rebekah is awesome, she’s a hiking expert and a black belt that has amazing skills on the battlefield. Arik is the leader of his family home, Faye Manor. I loved seeing these two meet. The clash between past and future was seriously good. Imagine a modern woman, who’s a wilderness rescue expert/black belt meeting a 1600’s man of the time. Sparks flew, tempers flared and chemistry caught flame. My one complaint was that Arik blew hot and cold over and over without a valid explanation. Even Rebekah being unknown to him didn’t explain it. So I didn’t like that. The historical and Druid aspects of this were spot on. The descriptions of the era really resonated with me and totally put me in the story. I definitely recommend this book.
April 29, 2021
I have mixed feelings about this book. It takes a long time for the story to start (six chapters, at least) and we have to get to chapter twenty before Arik admits his feelings to himself, not even yet to Rebeka. I found some things were underdeveloped, making things confusing. Some events would happen and you are expected to understand why, but you don’t have a single clue. I honestly almost drop the book without finishing it. Once the action starts, the story becomes interesting and lovely, but you are way past half the book. You need a lot of patience. I understand that the author had a lot of things to put in place before getting into the heart of the matter, but the real action should have been the main event: it doesn’t feel like it. There are still typos and discrepancies that should be addressed. I don’t think I will read the second installment: I got too annoyed with this one, even though I really enjoyed the characters.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 5, 2020
When Rebekah received a letter from England telling her she had come into an inheritance she was intrigued. She didn’t know the person who had died and knew nothing about the name. Travelling to England to sign for her inheritance and to conduct research for the universe she worked at Rebekah discovers that she is more involved in the history that she can imagine.
This was a page turner and one that had me anticipating every page. Although the world was not overly detailed it wasn’t really needed as it was still of this world. I love the Druid context and would have loved to read more about it as this only came to the fore towards the end.
Rebekah and Arik’s story is not new but the twist was unexpected and not unwelcome to be honest.
The writing style of the author was simple and easy to read and made it easy to continue reading until the very end.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review
This was a page turner and one that had me anticipating every page. Although the world was not overly detailed it wasn’t really needed as it was still of this world. I love the Druid context and would have loved to read more about it as this only came to the fore towards the end.
Rebekah and Arik’s story is not new but the twist was unexpected and not unwelcome to be honest.
The writing style of the author was simple and easy to read and made it easy to continue reading until the very end.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review
January 24, 2021
Who doesn't love a good historical romance added to time travel and then to be extra fancy let's make it a bit fantastical?
I'll admit that I don't know much about druids so I could've taken or left that arc, but this book was such a fun and fast read that I devoured everything it offered to me. Rebeka and Arik were a power couple, the type of couple that separately are a force to beheld but together you probably do not want to get mixed up in a fight with.
Unfortunately due to circumstances that I will fully blame on Katherine, I trusted no one through the entire book. If someone smiled the wrong way, I was worried. If someone knew the truth about Rebeka, I was trying to figure out how they were going to use it against her. It really did send my anxiety up, but the heat between Arik and Rebeka fully made up for it. I can't wait to see how the second book will go.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I'll admit that I don't know much about druids so I could've taken or left that arc, but this book was such a fun and fast read that I devoured everything it offered to me. Rebeka and Arik were a power couple, the type of couple that separately are a force to beheld but together you probably do not want to get mixed up in a fight with.
Unfortunately due to circumstances that I will fully blame on Katherine, I trusted no one through the entire book. If someone smiled the wrong way, I was worried. If someone knew the truth about Rebeka, I was trying to figure out how they were going to use it against her. It really did send my anxiety up, but the heat between Arik and Rebeka fully made up for it. I can't wait to see how the second book will go.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 22, 2020
Rebeka Taylor unexpectedly travels from 2011 to 1605. Lord Arik finds Rebeka travelling and swears to protect her but what he doesn't realize is that Rebeka is not like other ladies, she can protect herself. Rebeka is desperate to figure out how to travel back to her own time. While trying to figure that out, can she also help Arik figure out what is killing his land? And will she find out what - or who - brought her back in time?
This book is a time travel romance with knights, druids, and fighting against the evil in the land. I like how the narration goes back and forth between the main characters. I thought it was a good read but I was frustrated to get to the end and realize it isn't the end for the HEA.
This book was given to me an an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in an exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.
This book is a time travel romance with knights, druids, and fighting against the evil in the land. I like how the narration goes back and forth between the main characters. I thought it was a good read but I was frustrated to get to the end and realize it isn't the end for the HEA.
This book was given to me an an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in an exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.
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