Whispers of the Runes

Runes #3

by Christina Courtenay

' I would recommend this to readers of Barbara Erskine and if you enjoyed the TV series Vikings ' 5 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review

'Once again, Christina Courtenay takes us to the heart of the Viking world with an epic romantic tale of love and adventure' NICOLA CORNICK

Christina's stunning and evocative new dual-time standalone epic novel, Hidden in the Mists , is available to preorder now!

Brimming with romance, adventure and vivid historical detail, Christina Courtenay does for the Vikings what Diana Gabaldon's Outlander and Clanlans does for Scottish history.
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Time is no barrier for a love that is destined to be.

When jewellery designer Sara Mattsson is propelled back to the ninth century, after cutting herself on a Viking knife she uncovers at an archaeological dig, she is quick to accept what has happened to her. For this is not the first Sara has heard of time travel.

Although acutely aware of the danger she faces when she loses the knife - and with it her way to return to her own time - this is also the opportunity of a lifetime. What better way to add authenticity to the Viking and Anglo-Saxon motifs used in her designs?

As luck has it, the first person Sara encounters is Rurik Eskilsson, a fellow silversmith, who is also no stranger to the concept of time travel. Agreeing that Sara can accompany him to Jorvik, they embark on a journey even more perilous than one through time. But Fate has brought these two kindred spirits together across the ages for a reason...

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Just some of the rich praise for Christina

' Whispers of the Runes is the best Christina Courtenay book yet. It held me captive as I read and stayed in my mind whenever I had to put it down' SUE MOORCROFT

'A wonderful dual timeline story with captivating characters and full of vivid historical detail bringing the Viking world alive, I didn't want it to end!' CLARE MARCHANT

'I love how the historical detail is sure and authentic but never at the expense of a rollicking-good story and romance. If you like beautifully written timeslip, this is definitely one for you. Oh, and did I mention hot Vikings? What's not to like!' GEORGIA HILL

'This epic romance is sure to sweep you off your feet!' TAKE A BREAK

'An absorbing story, fast-paced and vividly imagined, which really brought the Viking world to life' PAMELA HARTSHORNE

'A love story and an adventure, all rolled up inside a huge amount of intricately-detailed, well-researched history. Thoroughly enjoyable' KATHLEEN MCGURL

'Prepare to be swept along in this treasure of an adventure! With a smart, courageous heroine and hunky, honourable hero at the helm, what's not to like?' KATE RYDER

'Seals Christina Courtenay's crown as the Queen of Viking Romance' CATHERINE MILLER

Genres: Historical Fiction, Time Travel, Romance, Historical, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Romance

368 pages, Paperback

First published June 24, 2021

About the author

Christina Courtenay writes historical romance, time slip and time travel stories, and lives in Herefordshire (near the Welsh border) in the UK. Although born in England, she has a Swedish mother and was brought up in Sweden – hence her abiding interest in the Vikings. Christina is a former chairman of the UK’s Romantic Novelists’ Association and has won several awards, including the RoNA for Best Historical Romantic Novel twice with Highland Storms (2012) and The Gilded Fan (2014) and the RNA Fantasy Romantic Novel of the year 2021 with Echoes of the Runes. Christina is a keen amateur genealogist and loves history and archaeology (the armchair variety).

Reviews

[Heidi (MinxyD14) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love detailed historical fiction, and I will be the first to admit that this is a well-researched book. I am sure this took a great deal of time to create, and I'm never particularly eager to give out two star reviews. However, for a time travel story where the possibilities are pretty endless, there is zero adventure or excitement of any kind in this book coupled with a lacklustre love connection.

The plot is formulaic. The events that befall the characters are predictable, and the angst feels silly and forced. The book is way too long, and the description of the day to day events is a bit tedious. Explaining modern-day ice cream flavours to a Viking time traveller was my breaking point. The heroine is also tiresome with her moaning about wanting to go home, then not wanting to go home and then not being as good or beautiful as her best friend. So this is it for me and this series; I am throwing in the towel.

[Lu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two hearts. Two different eras.

Whispers of the Runes is an entrancing time-slip romance that takes the reader to the time of the Vikings.

Rurik was a favorite of mine from the previous book (Runes of Destiny), and I’m glad to inform you that he officially joined my list of fictional crushes.

Middle brother in a Viking landed family, Rurik left his older brother’s home after he married the woman Rurik loved. Heartbroken and disillusioned, Rurik traveled to another city to start a blacksmith shop but ended up being the only survivor of a shipwreck.

Alone in a place away from home, he met Sarah, a woman strangely dressed who came from the future. Irritated to have been settled with someone to take care of, he reluctantly agreed to let her travel with him to the city of Jorvik (currently York, England).

This romance has all the elements I most love in the genre: a loyal and honorable hero, a strong heroine, a slow-burn connection, and the right amount of unrequited love and angst.

Both Rurik and Sarah were simply adorable. I could not put the book down until the very end.

The side characters were intense and exciting, including some actual fearsome historical figures from the Vikings era. I love a sweet pet, and Beowulf, their dog, was perfect in his fierce and loyal way.

Whispers of the Runes is a lovely and well-written time slip romance with wonderful characters.

Highly recommended!

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

*For more reviews, book art, and book-related articles, please visit https://lureviewsbooks.com *

[Leah | Big, Bad and Bookish · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read three of Courtenay's books and they're always very hit and miss with me. I enjoyed the first one, with it's dual timeline. I particularly liked the architecture angle in the present, even though I wasn't blown away by either of the romance stories. The second one I had to DNF because I found a lot of aspects of it frustrating and the heroine took a long time to come to terms with the fact she was in the past.

This one was a bit of a miss for me as well. I did like it more than the second, the heroine seemed much smarter and willing to believe she was in the past. But again the romance fell a bit flat and the characters never seemed to develop. I will say that the research Courtenay puts into these books is amazing--but all the facts sometimes took me out of the story she was trying to tell. My favourite aspect was probably the dog, I loved how the heroine called him Beowulf, that did make me grin.

All in all I think fans of more historical-inclined fiction will enjoy these books a lot more, the detail Courtenay includes is truly brilliant, but unfortunately as a romance reader this one wasn't for me.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed Whisper of the Runes. As per title Rurik and Sara were a lot less threatened ( no thralls) and there was a death at the end that was fitting.
Loved Beowulf!!!
Loved that they had ice cream, although if it was February they must have been frozen.
My favourite bits were when they were travelling. It was good Sara and Rurik could be silversmiths together, enjoying some comradeship.

[Andrea Penrose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whispers of the Runes, the third book in Christina’s “Runes” series, weaves yet another spellbinding timeslip story of a modern-day heroine transported by an ancient artifact back to a far more primitive and dangerous world—where she has no choice but to trust a handsome, hunky Viking warrior in order to have any chance of surviving. Christina combines meticulous research with lovely character development as she skillfully creates an elemental bond of trust and then love between two seemingly very different people. I love how she does this by connecting their common humanity—her hero is an honorable, caring and loyal man, and her heroine is brave, resilient and is smart enough to recognize all of the hero’s sterling qualities. They also bond over a common love of silversmithing, and the reader learns some fascinating history about the craft, as well as other wonderful historical details about the Viking time in Britain. (No spoilers—but there are some really delightful “cross-culture” moments in the book!)

[Susan in Perthshire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have always loved dual timeline stories. Barbara Erskine was particular favourite in years gone by. A difficult thing to pull off but when successfully executed, they are brilliant. The author has pulled it off with this one.

I love the Vikings link, and both the ancient and modern day setting were so wonderfully described.. Great characters and fabulous dialogue.

I was drawn in to both stories but must confess a slight preference for the 'older' setting. It felt so authentic - a world of difference in the way that life was lived and yet so much in common with how we feel and think. A totally y beautiful story.

[Ngarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is a gentle read with a lower level of drama and emotional angst which will be lovely for those that prefer that
The addition of wonderful descriptions of language, culture, food and landscapes create a strong sense of time and place.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A journey even more perilous than one through time” – goodness, yes, it most certainly is. But what I really, really loved about this book is that it’s all tremendous fun too – a quite wonderful developing love story between two characters I really took to my heart (and who both know a little more about travelling through time than they’re ready to reveal), lots of edge-of-the seat excitement from outset (and even more while travelling with the lawless Great Heathen Army), some wonderful glimpses of Jorvik in Viking times (and York in the present day), and a story that grips you and moves at tremendous pace while whisking you away to the world the author creates.

If you should ever find a Viking seax, don’t – for goodness’ sake – cut your finger and read out loud the inscription on the blade. That’s where Sara’s problems begin, when she finds herself transported to a beach in the North of England in the ninth century. Rurik has just been shipwrecked on the same beach on his voyage to Britain to ply his trade in Jorvik – the burial mound that Sara was investigating was the one for his perished shipmates – and they decide to stick together and head off cross-country. Sara really doesn’t have any other options – despite a desperate search, the seax is lost, along with any possibility of making a return journey through time.

But there are other elements at play too – Sara’s already aware that she’s by no means the first person to be taken back through time (she’s a friend of Linnea in the last book), and Rurik too has his reasons to be familiar with a concept other ordinary Vikings might understandably struggle with. But these are troubled times, and they find themselves captured by the forces of the Great Heathen Army roaming the British Isles in the time of Alfred the Great – acquiring a faithful dog in Beowulf in the aftermath of a massacre they stumble across – and become part of a succession of settlements as they hope for the opportunity to finally make their way to Jorvik, where Sara has an idea about how she might just be able to find a way to return to her former life.

The way the author recreates everyday life in Viking times is just wonderful. The research that must have gone into the writing is amply evident, but it’s used so cleverly to bring the era vividly to life – always authentic and believable, with every small detail helping to build a world that you entirely inhabit and experience with all your senses. I liked the fact that both Sara and Rurik were silversmiths – and learned a tremendous amount about the way they set up their workplace and plied their trade without the modern-day help of blowtorches and magnifying glasses. I learned a lot about day-to-day life too – I already knew the life of a thrall was no picnic, but I didn’t know they were sometimes sacrificed, and that’s a particularly difficult one for present day Sara to get her head around.

The story is absolutely cracking – fast paced, with so many moments of real danger – with some of the most wonderfully well-drawn characters, both evil and benevolent. And through it all, the romance between Sara and Rurik builds – it feels hopeless, and really tears at your heart, with a few perfect tender moments, on the way to an unexpected ending (a real “bravo!” moment) that was everything I could have possibly wished for. The secrets between them cause considerable problems: there might have been a few times when a little more honesty and disclosure wouldn’t have gone amiss, but then we wouldn’t have had the story.

I’ve always enjoyed the author’s writing – and if pushed, I think I have to say that in this book it’s better than ever. It’s important when reading a time slip story that you’re able to suspend your disbelief of the basic premise – and this was a book I didn’t have a moment’s hesitation in believing. There’s an essential lightness about the writing – with a lot of gentle humour – but no glossing over the less palatable parts of ninth century life. I particularly liked too the brief return to the present day, for the most essential of reasons – it was something a little different to see a Viking experiencing life in modern-day York.

Whatever might draw you to this book – the history, the notion of time travel, the romance – I absolutely guarantee that it won’t disappoint you in any way. I really loved it – and recommend it very highly.

[Robynne Lozier · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this story, Sara Mattson, finds an old Viking knife in an archaeological dig in northern england and reads the runes on it. After a dizzy spell she finds herself back in the Viking era, with the former knifes owner trying to steal it from her. When Sara tries to tell her that she needs the knife to travel back to her own time, he accepts her story but throws the knife away because he wants her to stay.

The viking owner was named Rurik. His story was that he had left his home in Sweden in order to get away from his new sister in law because he was in love with her and she was no longer available. So he came to England where he was planning to find a job as a silversmith.

When Sara tells him that she too is also a silversmith, (her speciality is making viking jewelry) they decide to travel together to the city of Jorvik (York) in Northern England.

Along the way Sara and Rurik meet up with the Great Heathen Army and their adventures of life as Viking raiders are very well described.

I had no idea that the Vikings who invaded England in the 8th and 9th centuries were referred to as Great Heathen Army as this author calls it. I had assumed that they were always soldiers and armies - not just anyone from the Viking homelands who came to take whatever they wanted. I am aware of the Danelaw - the eastern part of england which became part of the Viking held land in England - but I guess this story is a little too early for the Danelaw.

Eventually the army arrived at Jorvik (York) and we now learn about Viking life in a 9th century city. But by now Sara and Rurik have acquired some enemies. When one of these enemies stabs Rurik in the gut with a knife, Sara has no choice but to bring him to the future in order to use the NHS and get him fixed up.

After his recovery from surgery, Rurik decides to rturn to Sweden with Sara - and when he meets up with Linnea again he is shiocked to discover that he is no longer in love (or lust) with her any more, He is now desperately in love with Sara. They eventually make up and talk things out and get married. Rurik and sara make their home in the town of Birka because that is where rurik was apprenticed as a silversmith, and it would be much easier for Sara to also work with her husband without people asking questions.

So this book follows the same format as the previous book. The women travels from the 21st century back to the Viking era, falls in love with a Viking man, learns how to live in a new era, and then when something happens, bring the man to the 21st century for a short time. After they return to the Viking era, a miscommunication of some kind happens and they have to work this out before the story ends with a Happily ever after.

In the prologue of this book, Linneas's younger sister, Madison, reads Sara's fortune for her from the runes. Madison predicts that Sara will soon be taking a long and difficult journey for which she will need a lot of mental and possibly physical strength.

The reading turned out to be accurate, but not once is this mentioned in the story. I am sure that Sara could have or should have thought of this. What was the point of the reading, if it had no place in the main story.

A good story if you love history and the Vikings, and time travel stories.

I really enjoyed this story. Mostly because it is centred around the city of York in England. I gave it 4 stars, despite the similar story format as the previous one.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having recently read and loved The Runes of Destiny I jumped at the chance to read an ARC of Christina’s next book which follows on but can easily be read as a stand alone.

The book is again set over a dual timeline, with nearly all of the story set in the historical part. We follow Hrafn’s brother, Rurik, as he has left his homeland of Sweden in AD873 and sailed to England, aiming to start a new life as a silversmith in Jorvik (York). Unfortunately whilst sailing across the North Sea he and his crew are shipwrecked and he is the only survivor, washing up at Marsden Bay in Northumberland. He buries the bodies of some of the crew with a seax (a knife) and some pins he has made, being a silversmith. He is shocked to find a girl holding the seax in her hand he has just buried! And wearing such strange clothes. He realises this must be another time traveller. His brother had married a time traveller, Linnea, and she is the reason he has left his home behind. He had developed feelings for her.

In the present time line, Sara is at an archeological dig at a grave with her grandfather. When he briefly leaves the site she notices something shining in the grave and pulls it out. It is a seax. She reads the runes on the handle and finds herself in front of a man who has just buried some bodies. She realises she has travelled back in time, just like her friend Linnea had.

Rurik agrees to take Sara with him to Jorvik. As a silversmith herself, she is very interested to see the designs of the jewellery before she finds a way to get back to her own time. On the way they find a house which has been set on fire and all it’s inhabitants slaughtered. There is a dog which has survived and they take him along with them, naming him Beowulf. Not king after they encounter part of The Great Heathen Army and are forced to join them.

They eventually reach York having got to know each other quite well and realising they have feelings for each other although they are keeping their thoughts to themselves.

Another very enjoyable book by Christina although I did not enjoy it quite as much as the previous one which was outstanding.

[Clare Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the way Christina Courtenay’s Viking time-slip books feature characters who step forward for their own adventure. This time it’s Sara’s turn and she’s in for a rollercoaster ride! I love the way the story interweaves the danger she faces with her adaptation to Viking life; it’s an exciting and fascinating mix. There’s plenty of tension, offset with a feeling of warmth, thanks to a rich cast, from villains you love to hate to compassionate people who offer friendship. The romance is central throughout of course! I also loved visiting York in the time of the Vikings and the way the story allowed me to lay historical images over the present-day city.

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun Viking adventure. Comparable to Outlander in concept but the writing is not as good. Overall, a quick, enjoyable read.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read all the previous ‘Runes’ stories, I was very pleased to see this new timeslip adventure from Christina Courtenay. You know you are going to get a well-written and well-researched story but Courtenay’s particular talent is to entice you into her world and capture you.

Whether living in a Viking age house with the smells of Jorvik around you, swaying across the North Sea in a low-hulled ship or fighting the Saxons in bloody battle, you are there and vividly so.

The timeslip is handled well and I particularly enjoyed Rurik’s encounter with modern technology. How would we handle such a time jump either backwards or forwards?

The romance develops tantalisingly between two main characters who have suffered deep emotional hurts and are reluctant, no, completely dead set against a new relationship.But as we know from previous books, this will change!

The writing is clear and sensitive without being sentimental, but you can’t doubt the warmth of the good relationships and the bitterness of the bad ones. This is an absorbing way to spend your precious reading hours. Highly recommended.

[Helen Hollick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read all the previous ‘Runes’ stories, I was very pleased to see this new timeslip adventure from Christina Courtenay. You know you are going to get a well-written and well-researched story but Courtenay’s particular talent is to entice you into her world and capture you.

Whether living in a Viking age house with the smells of Jorvik around you, swaying across the North Sea in a low-hulled ship or fighting the Saxons in bloody battle, you are there and vividly so.

The timeslip is handled well and I particularly enjoyed Rurik’s encounter with modern technology. How would we handle such a time jump either backwards or forwards?

The romance develops tantalisingly between two main characters who have suffered deep emotional hurts and are reluctant, no, completely dead set against a new relationship. But as we know from previous books, this will change!

The writing is clear and sensitive without being sentimental, but you can’t doubt the warmth of the good relationships and the bitterness of the bad ones. This is an absorbing way to spend your precious reading hours.
Highly recommended.

Reviewed for Discovering Diamonds

[Isabelle D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been looking forward to reading this book since the moment I finished the previous one, The Runes of Destiny, in which we met both Sara (friend of that book's heroine) and Rurik (younger brother of that book's hero). Just like with Linnea in the previous book, I greatly enjoyed following Sara back in time (even if I definitely wouldn't want to do it for real) and in the adventures she had there, surrounded by ninth century Vikings. It was a really enthralling story (again). And now, predictably, I'm already looking forward to reading the next one (Tempted by the Runes, to be published in December).

[M.W. Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

My second Christina Courtney novel (sorry) and the first dual timeline of hers I've read, so I don't know if this is a first? You may need to go back in time to understand what I've just written!
Anyway, I've recently become a fan of this genre, so that made this book even more welcome.
Shipwrecks, heroic Vikings, loyal dogs (even though I'm a cat bod) and strong women, all laced together with writing of the highest order; what more could you want? Ms Courtney weaves a tale that drew me in and refused to let me go until the wee hours of each morning. Her style and description is hard to equal and together with a fair amount of well-placed humour, makes pretty much a perfect read - more please!
My thanks to Netgalley and Headline for the ARC.

[Cathie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whispers of the Runes is part of a series, and I've enjoyed the previous two books, particularly The Runes of Destiny, and I was pleased to see characters from that story return, especially Linnea and Hravn. But it can also be read as a standalone, without any problems.

So I knew already that Sara was still recovering a severe accident that left her with physical scars. The mental scars took her much longer to heal, as is revealed in the plot.

Sara knows of her best friend Linnea's travels to the past and her new life in the Viking age, so when she is sent back in time after finding a beautiful seax in an archaeological dig, she is at first stunned, but then realises what had happened. What were the chances?!

On arrival on the coast in Viking age Northumbria, she is immediately confronted by Rurik who is furious as to how she got her hand on a weapon he had just deposited in a grave, following a shipwreck. But as he is Hravn's brother, he has a sneaking suspicion that whatever happened to Linnea was also happening to Sara. She'd travelled through time.

A silversmith, Rurik was on his journey to Jorvik (York) to ply his trade. He'd escaped from his home, having considered himself in love with his brother's stunning wife, Linnea. Convinced he'd never fall in love again, he plans to carve out a life by himself in the vibrant town. What he hasn't counted on was for his protective instincts to kick in when he realised the precarious position Sara finds herself in. He threw the seax into the sea, and in doing so was responsible for her staying in his time.

But Sara, also a specialist in Viking and Anglo-Saxon jewellery, is keen to see first hand the beautiful items made at the time, so convinced him to take her to York, even after he found the seax. Hiding it from her until she was ready to go back, they are soon on their way.

But the journey doesn't work out as planned as they are caught by Asmund, a particularly nasty group leader of the marauding Great Heathen Army – groups of Norsemen that pillaged the Northumbria and Mercian countryside. Asmund is the typical ’baddie’. He is a nasty piece of work who has his eye on Sara, triggering Rurik's protective instinct.

The Great Heathen Army really existed, and Ms Courtenay described their journey across eastern English shores very well. In that part of the plot, she weaves real historical characters into the action, which works very well. Her research is impeccable.

As the large army rests over winter, Rurik is able to set up a silversmithy, and is surprised at Sara's abilities. Soon, they work together. Then, Halfdan, the leader, moves north, and Rurik and Sara are finally able to go to Jorvik. But they're not made welcome by some of the locals, and their troubles with Asmund continue...

I love Rurik. He is such a three-dimensional character, and I thought he is the perfect lead. A trading Norseman rather than a warrior – even though he knows well how to fight – he is a calm, sensible character, but still a man of his time, with his own beliefs that Sara often finds abhorrent. But his kind, caring nature and quiet determination soon makes her fall in love with him, despite her concerns. For me, Rurik is the star of the story.

But I'm afraid I've had my issues with Sara. I found her too naïve at times. Yes, Viking practices were shocking to modern sensibilities, but she was so clueless, I wanted to tell her to get real. None of us would appreciate human or even animal sacrifices, of course, but her reaction to a hare he'd caught for their meal, and to the other animals slaughtered for food, made me think of children believing meat on supermarket shelves just comes from a factory, not from living animals. Equally about her cleaning tick. Whilst it was necessary, especially compared to 21st century standards, her attitude appears like that of a spoilt child. I'm afraid I did not find her likeable, and if I'd been Rurik, I'd have sent her back home. But he's a good, patient man...

I did love Beowulf, the dog they'd found at a homestead where the owners had been killed. He is a wonderful addition to the story, and he protects them well.

Whispers of the Runes has an engaging plot. A little slow in the beginning, the pace soon picks up and sweeps you away into a great adventure. Not quite the journey we saw in The Runes of Destiny, but there is still plenty of Viking and Anglo-Saxon life to make this story gripping. Ms Courtenay often uses Old Norse terms, which she then goes on to describe, and whilst I found it fascinating, it did take me out of the story once or twice. A glossary may have been handy (and there might still be one in the final version).

I enjoyed reading Whispers of the Runes, but for me it didn't reach the same level of engagement I felt when I read The Runes of Destiny. But I would still recommend it for readers of timeslip and Viking romance.

Disclaimer: I received a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest review through Rachel's Random Resources. All views expressed are my own.

[Tia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as part of a blog tour hosted by Rachel's Random Resources.

I didn’t realise it when I signed up to review this book, but I actually have a personal connection to this timeslip romance set in the Viking era. In the 70s and 80s, Repton, a village in the south of my home county Derbyshire, was found to have remnants of a 9th-century army camp, and mass graves.

That might seem like a bit of self-serving history, but facts like it are woven throughout Christina Courtenay’s novel. Ultimately, they all share the same purpose: immersion in the novel’s world and characters.

One of the reasons why I was drawn to reviewing this novel was the combination of ancient history and fictional romance. It’s something I’ve written myself in the past – I love using real life as a jumping-off point for a story, and Courtenay is a dab hand at this too.

In the acknowledgments at the end of the book, Courtenay mentions the great amount of research that went into it. That definitely shows – whether it’s Rurik cursing his rival as an ‘argr’ or Sara having expert knowledge of filigree, I learned far more from this book than I expected to.

Even Courtenay’s description of Sara’s first journey through time (“like being in a room full of people all talking at once” and “a dizzying frenzy”) seemed to have been well-thought-out, which made this fictional experience surprisingly easy to picture.

Of course, it’s not just about the mechanics of time travel. The main event of this story is the relationship between modern-day Sara Mattson and Viking adventurer Rurik Eskilsson – and though it develops slowly, their journey to each other is no less beautiful.

Both Sara and Rurik have a deterministic view of life – with Rurik noting that “You couldn’t change your fate […] so what was the point of fretting?’ Indeed, their relationship starts out as one purely of convenience; Sara needs Rurik to keep her safe, and Rurik comes to need Sara as a stand-in wife when they reach a settlement. But as the novel progresses, we see them getting closer. This is done through a lot of naturalistic metaphors – Sara’s blood ‘sings’ when Rurik looks at her, and from Rurik’s perspective, Sara’s lips are ‘pink pale flower petals’.

It gets to the point where, as a reader, you’re just begging them to realise their true feelings for each other. When they kiss for the first time, it’s a triumphant moment (even if they are just doing it to keep up the ruse of being a married couple)..

The implied sex scenes have this undertone to them too – there’s nothing explicit here, and the focus is on what the experience evokes for Sara and Rurik. “The world shattered into a thousand pieces for both of them” – an apt description of their relationship’s impact as a whole.

Supporting characters can add a lot to a love story, and Whispers of the Runes is no exception. Whether it’s callous Asmund, Sara’s best friend and fellow time traveller Linnea, or the pair’s adopted dog Beowulf, they all play their own role in letting Sara and Asmund see they belong with each other, despite their checkered pasts.

I had never read timeslip romance before this novel, but it’s definitely a genre I’d read again. Though there were some instances of themes not being as deeply explored as I would have liked (such as the ethical gulf between Rurik and Sara’s views on sacrifice and the afterlife), some elements were close to perfect. I love “fish out of water” tropes in media, so seeing Rurik respond to ice cream with “You’re sure I’m not in Valhalla after all?” was a particular highlight.

Despite some of the missed opportunities, I think the majority of fans of timeslip or historical romance in general will enjoy this novel for what it is. Whisper of the Runes is a satisfying romance with a love of history at its heart and earns four stars from me.

[Westveil Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was granted eARC access to Whispers of the Runes via a NetGalley widget as part of my participation in a blog tour for this title with Rachel's Random Resources. Thank you to all involved in affording me this opportunity! My thoughts are my own and my review is honest.

I jumped on the opportunity to review what promised to be a relatively clean romance with time travel back to biking times, as I absolutely love anything that touches on Scandinavian heritage. I've seen some others reviewing this book refer to it as third in a series, and I was not aware of its sequel status when I signed up for the tour (nor is this book listed as part of a series on Goodreads!) but I do feel that this book reads well as a stand-alone, and I suspect the "series" is merely a collection of time travel romances going back to the same time and place, but with different characters.

Sara, our heroine from the future, is intelligent and strong-willed and responds exactly as I would expect one to respond to discovering that she's suddenly in the distant past. Rurik is exactly the sort of strong, sensible leader of a biking hero I like to see in historical romances, and there's just the right amount of standoffishness going on to make it juicy. This pairing is adorable, and the slow-burn is perfect!

Can I just ask, though, why on Earth anyone who's educated enough to read Norse runes wouldn't think maybe they shouldn't read the inscription on an old viking seax, out loud no less, immediately after cutting yourself on it and thus adding blood to the runes? Come on, Sara! You seemed smarter than that for the rest of the book...

I love the fact that Sara and Rurik have compatible careers, with Sara being a jewelry artist and Rurik a silversmith.

This is a well-written, well-researched historical romance with a lot to offer fans of both historical fiction and clean romance. If this sounds like your thing, check out the whole series!

[Book Escapes Babs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having been enthralled by the previous books in this series, it has taken extreme self-control to wait until now to read it. I can say, without fear of contradiction, that this is the best yet. Of course, you can read this as a standalone story, but why would you when this series is so good?
When we were last in the 9th Century, it was to meet Linnea and Hfran. Their story was wonderful, but Sara is Linnea’s best friend and Rurik is Hrfan’s brother, so the hurdle of explaining time-travel was already leapt, and we get straight into the action. This time, we are in medieval England and at the mercy of The Great Heathen Army and their mission to conquer all the kingdoms.
In this third instalment, it felt as though Christina Courtenay had really found her muse, as the story just flowed, and I found it hard to turn off my kindle. I was still reading when I should have been sleeping. I became obsessed with learning what would happen next as the story unfolded. Sara and Rurik are wonderful protagonists, well supported by a varied array of characters. My favourites would have to be Holger and Eadgyth, their story was simply lovely. Of course, I really didn’t like Asmund, but I wasn’t meant to.
The shining element of this series is without a doubt Courtenay’s knowledge of the Viking era. The sheer volume of research must have been staggering. The easy descriptions and explanations are perfect, and I felt like I had a personal tour guide as I found my way through this wonderful timeslip. I felt as though I had a little insider knowledge as I watched a live interview where she proudly displayed a Seax, a sword-like fighting knife with engraved runes.
I loved escaping to the 9th Century and hope I’ve inspired you to visit too.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5* rounded to 5
I read “Echoes of The Runes” and loved the mix of historical fiction and romance, a highly entertaining and interesting story.
Whispers of the Rune is another good story by this author as it’s engrossing, fascinating and highly entertaining.
I’m a huge fan of Outlander and Doctor Who, this means I’m fascinating by story that features people travelling in time and meeting different way of living and cultures. I’m also a huge fan of Jody Taylor’s The Chronicles of St Mary's Series but I don’t know if this is relevant for this review.
There’s plenty going on: time travelling, action, fight, a lovely dog and two very interesting main characters.
Sarah is great character: I loved how she was able to cope in a different age and how she saw it as an opportunity to learn. The evolution of her characters is very interesting, and she grew on me.
Rurik is the Danish I’d love to meet handsome, gentle, clever and brave. I liked how he treated Sarah as a peer and how he came to love her.
The romance is slow burning and realistic, Sarah and Rurik don’t fell in love at first sight and their relationship grows as they share experiences and get to know each other.
The historical background is well researched. I found the parts set in the past vivid and learned something news about Viking culture and how people lived in the IX century.
One small note: the fantasy aficionado in me would like some more world building. How is the time travel working and how the magical objects were created? I would be interesting in know more about this part.
An engrossing and entertaining story that I highly recommend.
Many thanks to Headline Review, Rachel's Random Resources and Netgalley for this digital copy, all opinions are mine

[booksofallkinds · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I voluntarily reviewed this book from Netgalley.

The third book in this exciting time-slip series, WHISPERS OF THE RUNES by Christina Courtenay, is everything I wanted it to be and more.

When Sarah finds herself transported back in time, she isn't unduly shocked and is determined to make the most of her time there, learning about the Viking world, specifically their talents in design. And when she finds what she needs to transport her back to her own time, she will have learned firsthand everything she needs to know to make her own jewellery authentic. It's all quite simple really.
Rurik understands heartache and hardship in ways that Sarah could never imagine, but when he stumbles across this strange girl with her strange clothes, he understands what has happened to her and feels the need to keep an eye on her, even if it is begrudgingly at first. As they travel together and danger begins to thwart their adventure, a gentle heat slowly starts to build. But how can they ever be more? Has fate placed them together or will fate tear them apart?

A time-slip romance that will effortlessly transport you to a different place and time, WHISPERS OF THE RUNES, is brimming with detail perfectly woven throughout the story so that you can picture it all in your mind's eye like a movie. The characters are likeable and strong-willed, which I love, and it was such a pleasure to watch them learn to trust each other with their hearts. With plenty of excitement and danger along the way, this historical romance has something for everyone, and as soon as I turned the final page, I wanted more.

WHISPERS OF THE RUNES by Christina Courtenay is the kind of story that you want to curl up on the couch with and savour, and I cannot wait for more from this talented author.

[Jaffareadstoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sara Mattsson is attending an archeological dig in the north of England when she inadvertently cuts her finger on a Viking knife. Instantly transported back to the 9th Century Sara encounters Rurik Eskilsson, an enigmatic Viking, who is safeguarding his own secrets.

Already aware of the time travel phenomenon Sara takes being whisked back in time with remarkable good grace and her burgeoning friendship with Rurik ensures a lively adventure especially when they get drawn into the long standing feuds which exist in this time. I enjoyed being with Sara and Erik as they make a perilous journey towards Jorvik, encountering an array of fascinating characters, some good and some bad, but none are more special than Beowulf, who captured my heart from the start.

Time slip stories are notoriously difficult to get right but when they are done with a realistic look at the past then the whole thing comes alive and in Whispers of the Runes the past feels very real indeed as the author clearly does an impressive amount of research in order to create an authentic atmosphere. Filled with excitement, danger, adventure and passion, Whispers of the Runes is an absolute joy to read and is every bit as good as I knew it would be from this talented author.

This is such a lovely series of time slip stories and whilst each book can be read comfortably as a stand alone, there are occasional references to previous stories, so it sort of makes sense to start at the beginning and escape to the time of the Vikings.

[Sharon Rimmelzwaan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whispers of the Runes by Christina Courtenay is a timeslip romance fiction story that is the second book I have read of Christinas'. The previous book was in the 9th Century and we met Linnea and Hfran. Their story was for me, brilliant. Sara is Linnea’s best friend and Rurik is Hrfan’s brother, so we meet the main characters of this book and they already have knowledge that time travel happens, so that sets us up for this story. This time, we are in medieval England and the enemy is The Great Heathen Army and they have a mission to conquer all the kingdoms no matter how they do it.
I really enjoyed the previous book and know how much historical detail Christina Courtenay puts into her work. This one flowed even better that the other book, I thought the first was marvellous and Whisper of the Runes just solidifies her writing for me. The characters are again so wonderful and vibrant. The two main ones are surrounded by characters just as varied as always. There is always a hated one and Asmund is shining in this catergory.
Again I was transported away and truly enveloped in the 9th century, Christina has a knack of allowing me to time travel with whichever characters are going back in time, it is such an immersive experience and again I felt like I was being educated as well as entertained yet again.
Another fabulous book from Christina and I am hoping I will be able to experience time travel again soon.
Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and Christina Courtenay for the book to take part and bring you my thoughts.

[KT · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read from Christina Courtenay, though I have others waiting patiently on my Kindle which I need to catch up on. I loved it and though it is the third in the Runes series; it works well as a standalone. This highly readable romantic novel follows a modern silversmith, Sara, when she slips into the 9th century thanks to an ancient sword. I quickly connected to her when she meets a shipwrecked Viking, Rurik. Unlike the traditional stereotypical Viking we all expect, he is chivalrous, kind and unphased by her time travelling because he has met a wanderer before in a previous book. I loved this twist because it meant Sara did not have to pretend to be someone she wasn’t, increasing the speed of the story. Rurik is also a silversmith, giving the characters a common thread to discuss and allow the chemistry between them build. He really is a Viking everyone could fall in love with.

As like all time travellers, Sara is faced with dangers from others but this tension is balanced with the everyday life of the Vikings. The highly detailed descriptions of this gave the novel depth and was able to transport me to the tents in the camps immersed in the smells and chat. Unlike some well researched historical fiction the details are perfectly blended with the storytelling and were never a distraction but made it a joy to read.

I can’t wait to be able to nudge the other books in the series up my TBR pile and catch up with the series.

[Lynn Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over the years there have been a few instances when I've picked up a book by a new author and wondered why it's taken so long to discover them. Whisper of the Runes is a fabulous time slip adventure with Vikings, runes, and is a wonderful discovery.

When jewellery designer, Sara Mattsson meets fellow silversmith, Rurik Eskilsson!

When I began reading this novel, I was unaware it's part of a series however, it works as a standalone. It's noticeable the novel is well researched and full of historical detail. I enjoy reading novels set during this era, and this more than exceeded my expectations.

The historical descriptions triggered vivid images and captured my imagination as I was transporting back to the age of Jorvik. For those who enjoy, romance and time travel, this is a treat.

I'm always cautious when reading a timeslip novel because often one timeline doesn't hold my attention as equally as the other. I need not have worried because, they weave together seamlessly, as the narrative grabbed my attention right from the start. It resulted in a desire to read the other novels I've missed in the series, whilst waiting on the publication date of the next one.

***arc received courtesy of Headline Review via NetGalley***

[Madeleine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 3rd in the "Runes" series, which tells of a young woman who travels back to the 9th century, when the Vikings were busily battling for kingdoms in Britain. This time it's Sara, who finds an old knife, cuts herself and is whisked back in time, where she meets a hunky (naturally) young man who's the sole survivor of a shipwreck. As there's no one else around, she cautiously joins him as they head for York (Jorvik as it was known in that time) but are soon forced to join the Heathen Army - yes those pillaging Vikings of legend - if they want to survive, but it's not all bad, they make friends and Rurik manages to make and sell some jewellery items, as he's a silversmith by trade - and guess what Sara does for a living? Yes she's a silversmith and jewellery maker too. No prizes for guessing where this is all heading, but to be honest the endless will they won't they, plus both of them thinking that she should have been allowed to return to her own time, got a bit repetitive after a while and the book started to drag. It did pick up eventually in about the last third, which saved it,but this is probably the weakest of the Runes series so far. There are another two (at least), and they do have linking characters. An easy read but it did drag a little. 6.5/10

[Joselyn Moreno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another installment on the runes series, I was enthralled with it too.

This one follows Linnea's best friend Sara and omg i was hooked from page 1, I literally couldn't stop reading it between the history of the Norsemen and all the troubles they encountered to the romance this one is a definitive page turner.

Rurik was so amazing, I loved him on the previous book and loved him so much more in this one, he is so sweet really and has so many talents really, he deserved so much in life.

Sara was so awesome too, she was very strong with everything going on in her life, he live the adventure of a lifetime really.

I loved how the author actually get to piece all the history and the characters stories in between it's actually so seamless and I love to learn more about all this expeditions and the cultures and all the different perspectives to one thing, it's just so cool.

If you love romance and a little history this one is the perfect book to pick up, it will get you both and maintain you very on the edge.

[Jane Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This engaging Viking romance has a believable timeslip element and a vividly written Viking setting, immersing the reader in ninth-century Britain.

Whisked back in time to Viking Britain, Sara adjusts to her time-travelling status better than you'd expect. Rurik shares Sara's jewellery skills and has met a time-traveller before, so he helps her survive the danger, but can he guard his heart?

Full of adventure and romance, pertinent historical details bring the setting to life, but it's the characters who keep you turning the pages. Will they survive? Can they be together?

With lyrical writing, vibrant sensory imagery and complex characters, the readers' time in Viking Britain passes quickly, leaving them with images that resonate and the knowledge they've experienced something special.

I received a copy of this book from Headline via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whispers of the Runes by Christina Courtenay is a beautifully written romance. It’s a time-slip read that transports the reader back to the time of the Vikings. I absolutely loved feeling as though I was there with the characters. The writing is beautiful and the pacing is just right.
This romance is the kind I love to read. A slow-burning connection between two strong people, with just enough drama to keep it realistic and interesting. Rurik and Sarah were a swoon worthy couple.
The characters are very well written. I really enjoyed the fearsomeness that Vikings are known to have, being displayed through these characters.
Well written and worth giving a read!
Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources for the review copy and the opportunity to honestly review this book on the blog tour. All opinions are my own and unbiased.