Tempted by the Runes: The stunning and evocative timeslip novel of romance and Viking adventure Paperback – 9 Dec. 2021

I loved reading this story. It felt as if I was being drawn into the viking, Island. A must read for time traveling fans.

4.5 StarsMulti award-winning author Christina Courtenay blends passion, history, mystery and intrigue in her mesmerizing new timeslip romance, Tempted by the Runes.Madison Berger is in Dublin for a Viking re-enactment festival when on the banks of the Liffey she finds something that will enable her to have an unforgettable adventure that will change the course of her entire life forever: a small knife with runes on its handle that ends up transporting her all the way back to the 9th Century. Maddie isn’t planning on sticking around in the past for longer than is necessary, but little does she realise that an unfortunate skirmish will compel her to cross paths with an honourable man who will save her from a dangerous attack: Geir Eskilsson, whom she is trapped on board a ship bound for Iceland with!Geir had left his family in Sweden behind for a better future. Determined to carve out a new life for himself far from home, Geir is not looking for romance or for any further complications, but he finds himself drawn to Maddie like a moth to the flame. Learning of her connections to his sisters-in-law, Geir is convinced that fate has brought him and Maddie together. But the journey to their new life on a strange land will be fraught with terror and jeopardy that might just end up putting paid to any hope Geir had of building a future with Maddie.With the odds stacked against them, can Geir win Maddie’s heart and prove to her that that her destiny lies with him in the 9th Century? Or will the promise of the runes that binds them together be broken forever leaving them both consumed by sorrow and regret?Christina Courtenay writes sweeping, atmospheric and enthralling timeslip romances that take readers away into a world of danger, adventure and desire that is so beautifully and brilliantly evoked that they will be held spellbound from page one until the very last sentence. In Tempted by the Runes, Christina Courtenay spins a beguiling and seductive tale with a terrific heroine and a noble and charismatic Viking hero who gives the likes of Jamie Fraser a run for his money in the swoon-worthy stakes!Christina Courtenay has knocked it out of the park yet again with Tempted by the Runes, a passionate, compulsively readable and captivating timeslip novel where the pages simply turn themselves.I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Loved it some more please

An enjoyable story. A bit too good to be true that Geir 's brother's were already married to Maddie's sister and her friend, otherwise a very stiring tale. Geir is every woman's dream! Maddie is certainly a very lucky girl. He also found his perfect partner, with Love thrown in as well! Who could ask for more in a story.

Having visited Iceland and loved the wild beauty, I was pleased to discover ‘Tempted by the Runes’ by Christina Courtenay. A time-travelling Viking romance combining Sweden, Iceland and Ireland in the 21st and 9th centuries, this is a light romance which skips along nicely.Geir Eskilsson is a Viking adventurer who sets sail from Sviariki [Sweden] in AD875 in a ship bound for Iceland, loaded with fellow travellers, livestock and tools. During a stopover in the port of Dyflin [Dublin, Ireland] to buy thralls [slaves] to work the land, he sees a strangely dressed woman being attacked.In 2021 a nineteen-year-old Swede, Maddie, is visiting Dublin with her parents and brother to attend the Clonarf Viking Festival. Maddie’s father is an archaeologist, her mother a conservator, so she and her siblings have attended Viking re-enactments since they were small and have learned the practical skills of Viking life at workshops. When Maddie explores Dublin on her own, she finds steps down to the shore of the River Liffey where she sees a knife half-buried in the mud.From the beginning it’s necessary to ignore the large number of conveniences and coincidences that occur; just abandon the questioning voice in your head and enjoy the story. Maddie is incredibly naive for her age and makes many impulsive questionable decisions; for example, she leaves the hotel still wearing her Viking outfit so is appropriately dressed when she finds herself in 9th century Dyflin. There she just happens to bump into Geir, not some anonymous Viking who would have treated her differently; to explain why will spoil the plot.The Norse legends run throughout and it felt good to understand references to Odin, Loki and Thor’s hammer. I realised at the end that I read the whole book seeing Geir as Thor in the Marvel movies and hearing his spoken voice as Chris Hemsworth. The description of Iceland’s beautiful scenery, coastline and wildlife is also well done. After the early clash of culture – Maddie is horrified when Geir returns from a hunting trip with Great Auks, birds now extinct through over-hunting – it soon settles into a will they/won’t they romance, threatened by violent visitors and a Viking femme fatale.I admit to being irritated to discover, on starting the book, that it’s actually part of a series which is not clearly stated. After hovering, I decided to go ahead and read it. It turned out not to matter too much but I’m not sure I will now read the earlier books. Some characters from the earlier Runes books are mentioned in ‘Tempted by the Runes’ so I know the outcome of their story arcs. It’s a shame this mystery is lost, as this was an entertaining romance to read on holiday.

Tempted by the Runes by Christina CourtenayFirst time read by this author. I really like a time slip story and this one that covers the time of Vikings , made it , for me , even more special.Great story of Maddie , already a lover of the Viking era due to her participation in Viking festivals , who suddenly finds herself back in that time.The story was very well written and I will definitely look out for her other titles.

Loving this series and this book was another great read. Keep them coming Christina. Can't wait for the next one.

I am thoroughly addicted to this series. I love how Maddie is so independent and how much she surprises everyone at her capabilities. She is an amazing character and I can't wait to see what happens next.

This series is well written and each book is as entertaining as the next. Who doesn’t like a tale about Vikings….

I enjoyed all the books in this series.

As we met three Viking brothers in The Runes of Destiny and the second one was the hero of Whispers of the Runes, it's no surprise that, in this new novel, it's Geir's turn to come across a time-travelling young woman. And who's that this time? Maddie, the now 19-year-old daughter of Mia and Haakon, whose story started the series in Echoes of the Runes. So, once again, I couldn't wait to read the book and, once again, I greatly enjoyed following the heroine back in time (even if I definitely wouldn't want to do it for real). Visiting Iceland was very nice, too (although I'm not sure I'd want to do that for real either because of the cold). And I also really liked the bonus short story at the end.For new readers, it is possible to start here if you happen to have this book and not the others yet... but then I bet you'll want to know what happened before.

Loved the Runes books. I was completely hooked & bought on to this time travel back to the Vikings. Reading the short story about the children & hoping there are more books about this time & all the characters I’ve come to know & admire. Thanks for the enjoyable reads.

I’ve read each of the books in this series and loved every one! The characters are wonderful and the story draws you in immediately.