This book is a hard one to rate. Although I really loved all the characters and Courtenay's writing style, I felt really let down by the final 25%. Everything felt rushed and overly simplified. I felt that all the work that had been done to develop the characters, plot and chemistry between our MCs was swiftly undone by hasty ending.

I did still enjoy this book and although I didn't love the end, I'm rating this 3 stars.

Thank you to the publisher for kindly providing me with an ARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

‘A love forged in fire lives on through the ages’.

My thanks to Headline Review for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Hidden in the Mists’ by Christina Courtenay.

I had enjoyed her 2020 time slip romance, ‘Echoes of the Runes’, and here again she explores relationships linked through time.

Ever since her marriage fell apart Skye Logan has been struggling to run Auchenbeag, a small remote farm on Scotland's west coast. Early one misty morning she glimpses the shadowy figure of a woman on her property. The next day she sees an article about the discovery of the remains of a Viking village on land next to hers. A drawing accompanying the text looks very like the woman she glimpsed. Skye wonders if it was a ghost disturbed by the excavation. Then she finds a heavy gold bracelet in a brook ….she slips it onto her arm.

Soon after a handsome chap turns up seeking work. Rafe Carlisle is searching for peace and somewhere he can forget about the last few years. He has recently purchased a silver ring inscribed with runes. Skye hires him though as she is living on her own with two dogs, she pretends that her husband is away on business.

Yet echoes of the distant past haunt Skye and Rafe and they begin to experience vivid dreams which appear to be linked to the Viking jewellery they each wear.

In 890 Ásta ThorfinnsdÓttir’s father has died. She was to inherit his position but her ambitious cousin usurps her though forces her to continue managing the community. She has an ally in Óttarr, the blacksmith, a former thrall who was recently freed by her father. The account of their lives is interwoven with the modern day story.

I admit that I was a little put off when Rafe was described as having a man bun. Still, I quickly warmed to him. Skye was a lovely character from the outset.

Are Skye and Rafe connected to the past by the artefacts they have recently found? Did the recent excavation of the Viking settlement stir up unsettled spirits? Is this a case of reincarnated souls finding each other? Such fascinating questions seem central to Courtenay’s time slip novels, leaving it to the reader how they interpret the narrative.

I enjoyed this very much and found her descriptions of Scotland past and present evocative. I certainly plan to read more of Christina Courtenay’s writings and to look out for her future projects.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

This is my first book by Courtenay, and I have to say it will not be my last. This book takes you small costal village in Scotland, and from there the author takes you on this beautiful journey of love, family and forgiveness.

This story is told in multi-timelines Scotland Viking period to present, two love stories that weave through time. Sometimes have a hard time with multi-timelines but author wrote it so beautifully that it just flowed in all the perfect spots.

Skye lives in a remote village off the coast of Scotland, she loves her life there working her small farm. But when her husband decides he wants divorce, she is not sure she can manage the farm by herself.

Then one day this too good to be true handsome man named Rafe offers to help for just room and food. At first, she leery about having this stranger there helping her, so she keeps her divorce a secret. But that is ok Rafe has his secrets too. Both of them have dreams of someone from the past and they both see ghosts. But these ghosts are trying to tell them something. Can they figure out what that is and guard their hearts?

You will want to read this book it has adventure, love, family, buried gold and secrets. Paperback release date is Nov. 29th.

Thank you to NetGalley and Headline Publishing Group for copy of this book for my honest review.

I'm always eager for time slip / time travel novels and Hidden in the Mists doesn't disappoint. Not only is the writing evocative, but the content is well researched and we get great insights into the lifestyles of Skye (present day heroine) and Asta (past heroine). The start of the book was powerful with betrayal in the past and Skye's isolation in the present. Past and present wove together and resolved beautifully at the end.

This was my first Christina Courtenay and I will be "backtracking" to explore her other novels.

Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for the copy of the book to read.

{3.5 stars}

I really enjoy time slip stories, the mix of historical fiction with fantasy, when done right can just be enchanting. I really enjoyed Courtenay's Tempted by the Runes where we see a character slip back to Viking times a la Outlander style. This story gives us a different kind of historical romance, one of a love that spans the ages. Skye and Rafe live in modern day Scotland and Ottar and Asta in the ancient lands of the Vikings. Each are living in uncertain times and find one another to lean on... and find they quite fancy one another.

We get a good bit of Viking culture and from several unusual points of view, that of a usurper, the daughter of a fallen jarl and a thrall. I enjoyed that half quite a bit more than the modern one but I did like the aspect of history echoing throughout the ages.

Thanks to Headline via Netgalley for advanced access to this novel. All opinions above are my own.

I think this is one of the most beautiful books I've read in a long time! I absolutely love the Viking era so was totally sold on it straight away. The dual timeline is seemless and just works so well, it's able to flit back and forth between the two without adding any confusion. The history is so well researched, you feel transported back in time. The characters are just wonderful and so romantic. I love all the descriptions of Skye's farm and wool dyeing using plants etc.
I honestly didn't want this book to end, I could have carried on getting lost in their world. However, I have found out that the author has written several other, similar books so hopefully they will fill the hole this beautiful book has left.

So this is the first book I have read by Christina Courtenay, but if her previous novels are anything like this one, it will not be my last.

When I read the blurb (above) I got some serious Outlander vibes. This is both good and bad. I am an Outlandish fan, so I love anything that reminds me of my dear James Alexander Malcolm Mackenzie Fraser. However, I love Outlander so much that everything else seems to pale in comparison to my beloved series.

Hidden in the Mists did not falter to entertain me and, in fact, reminded me very little of Outlander by the end. Yes there was a time travel aspect with mystical properties, but the characters and intent of Hidden in the Mists differed so much from Outlander as to make it more of an inspiration.

Hidden in the Mists seemed to have a real world yet simultaneously mythical/supernatural air about it. And the dual timelines were absolutely gripping, especially as they wove back and forth. There were times I felt like I was reading a time traveling mystery.

The characters were so vivid and each had their own mysterious pasts that brought them together in a way that spanned space and time. Each of our main characters were so different but similar in many ways. I never once found myself feeling robbed of time with anyone and that is quite an accomplishment for a 4 POV book. Usually I feel wrenched or wanting from a POV switch, but I truly did not feel this way. I felt like I was returning to more fun with every switch.

Hidden in the Mists weaved it’s magic over me as I was spellbound after the first chapter.

Conclusion
Time slip is a popular historical fiction subgenre, but Christina Courtenay seems to have mastered in with Hidden in the Mists.

Trigger Warnings
This book contains:
• References to drug use
• Set up of illicit drugs with the intent to distribute
• Attempted and committed murder
• Attempted rape
• Various forms of theft.
Characters
Skye lives in a remote part of Scotland where she’s easily gone months without seeing another human. While part of this comes down to the success of her self-sufficient property, some of this comes down to an unwillingness to be go into town unless strictly necessary.
Rafe on the other hand has been living on the road for a couple of years and is looking for something, not that he knows what that is just yet. When he hears about Skye potentially needing an extra set of hands for the summer, he offers his services in exchange for a place to park his camper van and food. He’s a fairly simple man, just wants to live a happy life, but he’s found that difficult in recent years for reasons you’ll discover as you read.
Storyline
Skye’s been trying to do everything herself after her husband left, and money is fast running out. Trying to make her slice of Scottish heaven profitable so she can remain on the land is difficult to say the least. Especially after everything her husband has done to her and the village locals.
Cue Rafe coming into town and needing some seasonal work, who just also happens to have the skillset Skye needs to make a difference.
As they work together they come to grips with their own pasts and what they want from the future, while also facing down the history of the area (in a very time-slip kinda way) and their own pasts that keep wanting to be a part of their present.
Overall Thoughts
While this Viking era-esque novel is quite different to the previous books I’ve read from Christina Courtenay, it keeps the hallmarks of her style. Romance, danger, time travel, a mystery and forces beyond their knowledge and comprehension pushing the main characters in a certain direction.
The best part about this was actually the little nugget of info I got from reading the Author’s Acknowledgements (I never read these and I think I accidentally started accidentally) which gave me an insight I wouldn’t have otherwise known. In this case, that Christina has actually never been to the part of Scotland this story is set in and she normally likes to travel to the locations she writes about to ensure it’s authenticity.
I was following along some of the locations on Google Maps, and as an Aussie who’s never been to Europe let alone Scotland, I would never have known she’d never been! Instead, she enlisted the help of some friends who lived in the area and made sure she stuck to that area to ensure it stayed authentic. That’s the kind of dedication you don’t expect from an author when they write a book while stuck in lockdown!
This dedication is also part of why Christina’s books feel so real. You can imagine the trees, the smell, the feel of the earth and all the sights wherever she set’s her books. That’s the kind of immersion into a book not all authors are capable of achieving, especially about a location they don’t live in themselves.

Hidden in the Mists is a detailed medium paced story, that hooks the reader in from the first page to the very end. The action and atmosphere encourages the reader to read more...

Courtenay has created a unique and engaging plot by using vivid imagery research. The reader in able to learn about how culture, society and religious events effected life of vikings. I found the Viking words and archaeology information provided were very interesting and added to the authentic feel of the the whole story. The writing style was easy to follow, with a good mixture of description and dialogue. The flow between the past and the present was great. I did notice a few typos, but they didn't take away anything.

The character development of Hidden in the Mists is good. The characters are relatable and interesting, with their own personalities. The background information is revealed gradually to keep to interested...

Skye is a independant, self sufficient woman. She has always been an early riser and like to be active. Skye is unable to sleep, due to having strange and disturbing dreams that leave her sweating with tears rolling down her face. She begins to sees shadows and hazy figures as well as the eerie sensation of being watched. Becoming shaken and unsettled... In the process of getting divorced from her ex, Craig. With only her two border collie dogs, Pepsi and Cola as company Skye finds that the isolation and loneliness is affecting her. Especially when Rafe appears...

Ásta is a calm, even-tempered, compassionate person, who is respected by the people around her. When her father Chieftain Thorfinn becomes gravely ill and tormented by cries of victims from past raiding, Ásta is dutiful and attends the sickroom. Eventhough she is deeply afflicted by his confession, she never shys away from her responsibilities, and fulfills her fathers dying wish... With no siblings she believes that she is the heiress, according to the agreement settled between everyone, Yet Ketill, the son of her father’s younger brother takes over... Ketill is unnecessarily cruel delighting and thriving on the misfortune of others, as Ásta's position becomes more precarious, she finds herself in dangerous situations...

Rafe has been touring Britain searching for something, he is yet to find while also trying to escape his past. He has become bored and tired of contantly moving and hopes to find a more permanent solution. When he arrives at Auchenbeag, he is looking for temporary job, over the summer months. He experiences strange dreams that seem realistic, and believes that he is sleep walking... I liked the fact that he was a history buff, and had a interest in viking and Anglo-Saxon history...

7 years have past since Óttarr was denied his inheritance as chieftain... He was captured, taken aboard a ship and made a lowly thrall to work for the resident blacksmith. Now he has taken over, as the smith has died. Óttarr is a early riser, and normally uses the time before dawn to do some weapons training to keep his skills up, in secret. He has been planning to take revenge on those responible for killing his family, and destroying his home. When he spots Ásta being suspicious, he decides to follow her... He is determined to cling onto his feelings of hatred, yet his confusion and interest in Ásta slowly begin to change his views and choices...

The are countless links and similarities between all four character. They all have a slow built attraction from the moment they meet and deep sense of the forbidden... Skye and Rafe are both experience the same issue with the lack of sleep and seeing apparitions. Ásta and Óttarr grown up with warfare and raiding, experiening harsher times. Rafe and Óttarr both have been wronged are are seeking some form of justice..

I would highly recommend reading Hidden in the Mists to people who enjoy reading historical romances and dual timelines based around the Viking era, as it is a emotive character driven story that is filled with secrets, true love and intrigue as the characters seek their HEA in this timeless tale of magic and destiny...

I absolutely love a good timeslip novel and this one is way beyond good. It is truly captivating story that is so emotive I cried and had warm fuzzy feelings all at the same time. If that’s even possible? It is a gentle story that just flows naturally , that’s not to say there isn’t some truly awful outcomes and some violent actions that make you want to warn those involved to run and hide. I found the similarities between the past and present really brought the two worlds alive.

The characters of Ottaar (Viking) and Rafe (present day) and Asta (Viking) and Skye (present day) are so incredibly written that I was drawn to them all. It felt as though Rafe and Skye were actually reincarnated versions of Ottaar and Asta. I was utterly taken in by them all and their stories that brought them together. Its not all plain sailing for any of them but through love and patience and persistence they find a way to live in their worlds together. I highly highly recommend this book to lovers of timeslip, the Viking era, romance and a bit of scary thrown in.

Shamefully this is the first book I have read by Christina Courtney (how is that possible??) I have a few of her books languishing on my kindle, as I have always loved the sound of her books, but as we all know it’s one o those cases of too many books and not enough reading time in the day (especially when you’re a ridiculously slow reader, like myself) so you can imagine how excited I was to finally have the opportunity to sit down ad read one of them, and what an introduction to Courtenay’s work. Loved it!!

Absolutely loved it!!

I am a big fan of timeslip romances, I have read a lot of them but I am indeed incredibly fussy about the books in this genre that I do like as I think at times it can be rather hit and miss. I don’t know about other readers but I think getting the timeslip element right in a book is a real skill, you can see the skills in the writing as your read. But this one hits all other books in the genre out of the ballpark. I think this may be one of the best I have read, the writing is utterly magical the way the past and the present so seamlessly entwine is mesmerising, the writing, the research the romance, the characters – everything is flawlessly written and a pure delight to read!

I do love a Viking romance (or just Viking’s full stop, those who know me will know of my love of those gorgeous rugged Vikings…;-) ) and this is gorgeous!! Split between the present day and the Viking era, 900 years in the past this tells two gorgeous stories which meticulously entwine together.

The opening hooks the reader from the first sentence, and the intensity of the story keeps hold of the reader right to the end. Usually, I would say ‘oh I loved this part of the story a little more than that part’ but with this, because each part is so compelling I couldn’t honestly say which timeline I loved most, I liked how it alternates between the two eras and how the past merges with the present, it’s so easy to read that I was never confused over who was who or what was happening. The romance in both eras is so beautiful, it’s tender and sweet, both the romances will give you goosebumps and make your heart melt.

This has some wonderfully memorable characters, obviously being me I loved Ottar – I do love a strong, loyal, silently vulnerable man who you know you can trust with your life and this is Ottar, in a nutshell, in fact, Rafe is a lot like him too (I am torn!!) Asta and Skye are wonderful women, proper matches for the men; these two women are kind, caring and strong-willed, there are some vulnerabilities which along with the heroes they must try to overcome.

Hidden in the Mists is a haunting, atmospheric and mesmerising tale of absolute love, a definite must-read and now I really must start reading the Christina Courtenay books I have left far too long on my to-read shelf!

Hidden in the mists front cover makes me feel calm when I look at and I love the colours and they way the front cover is presented. This is the first time ever I have read a book by Christina Courtenay. The story is set in dual timelines and I found that I didn’t get confused by this and I really like her style of writing and the dual lines are set in Scotland present and 19th century Scotland. The descriptions of the scenarios where amazing and I could really visualise them. The characters where very likeable. Hidden in the mist is historical Romance and this is part of Viking series but you can read this without reading the other books.
Skye is running farm in Scotland on her own due to her marriage breaking up and is struggling to do this by her self until someone walks into her life who may be able to help her.
if you love romance and vikings you will love this book 5 stars. Thank you @rararesources and @PiaCCourtenay for letting me be part of this review.

I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. It has been a while since I read a book that moved back and forth between two time periods, but it was done very well. I have a love for Scotland and Vikings making this book ideal for me. I was a little worried that the switching back and forth would be weird or awkward, but it was not at all. The stories of both pairs were done so well. I was a little taken back that it took a bit longer than I thought for Rafe and Skye to really connect and trust each other, but that was okay. It was an amazing book. I want to read more by this author. I might have to re-read this book again. Just to take a trip back to the setting.

Thanks to Headline, Netgalley and the author for an ARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is the first book by this author I have read and I really enjoyed it. I am a bit of a history buff, I loved the Vikings TV show and watched every season and I love the idea of the old stories reaching out to us in the modern world. I only hoped that there was no time travel - I truly believe I have had enough of that.

I loved the connection between the two couples, the inclusion of the Picts and some of the tips on self-sustainable farming. I loved Ottar and Asta. I didn't really understand why Skye and Rafe took so long to trust each other and I would have liked more descriptions of the area in which each part was set, so I could visualise it better (I kept thinking 'I wonder if I am imagining the landscape from the right tv show?)

I did really enjoy the book the story line - I felt for the characters and I would read more from this author.

Thank you #Netgalley, #rachelsrandomresources for letting me read this ARC.
This is my first viking story ever and what a great time slip book to introduce me to them.
What an amazing story filled with old wisdom and ways of living and new ways finding their way back to simplicity.
Set in Skotland, who knew that there were once Vikings that roamed the seas of Scotland, There are an array of Gaelic words, details about how to spin yarn from the coats of cows by brushing not sheering etc.
Dreams and visions of the past, that leave their imprint in the present.
Pepsi and Cola the 'guard dogs', the ETSY store, I dont quite know how to describe this story and do it justice. It's magical, natural and beautiful.

I love stories that have a dual timeline/ time slip. I find them captivating, intriguing & engaging. This book really lived up to all of that and more.
What impressed me, the more I read, was the author’s attention to detail and the atmosphere she created. The characters are well written and really come alive to make the story pop!
I haven’t read anything else by this author, but this book has already made me a fan. I can’t wait to go and see what else is out there.
Thank you to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for my arc.
5 out of 5 stars for this masterpiece!

Wow, just wow! As a longtime fan of Barbara Erskine, I was intrigued by the blurb for this book, as it seemed to have similar themes. I absolutely loved it and am thrilled to have discovered such a wonderful author. The book is obviously extremely well researched with fascinating descriptions both of Asia’s Viking settlement and Skye’s rural crafts and lifestyle. I thought it was a perfect mix of romance, mystery and supernatural elements and found myself thinking about the story and the characters long after I’d finished the book. I can’t wait to read more of this author’s work!

Through the mists of time comes a dual time story which takes us from an isolated croft in Scotland where Skye Logan in struggling to maintain the farm where she and her husband once hoped to build a future together and then further back in time to a ninth century Viking settlement where Ásta Thorfinnsdóttir is left alone following the death of her father.

Both time elements blend seamlessly with no awkward moments which detract from the beauty of the story. Travelling back in time to a Viking settlement is done with fine attention to detail, bringing everything to life in an authentic way. It's difficult for us to imagine what it was like in ninth century Scotland but all credit to this talented writer for giving us a special glimpse into life in a Viking settlement and a sense of what it might have been like to sit at table in the hall surrounded by the sights, sounds and dangerous atmosphere of this ancient world. Equally, I was just as comfortable in present day Auchenbeag as Skye tends her smallholding with enthusiasm and passion, and as someone who loves yarn, I was especially interested in the author's intricate descriptions of dying the yarn from Skye's small flock of sheep, blending natural dyes from plants found in the woodland around Skye's house.

Linked by gold, the secrets of the past are revealed, and as Skye and Ásta's lives intertwine so the elements of the past and present come to life as we follow in the footsteps of these two indomitable women, and of the men who fall in love with them.

This is my first book by Christina Courtenay but it definitely won’t be my last, think I’ve definitely found a new favourite (can’t wait to rush off after I’ve written this and purchase her back catalogue). I was drawn by the premise, it just sounded so interesting and mysterious and this moves between both the past and the present and focuses on love that spans the centuries with the Viking jewellery being the conduit across time (but no more details because no spoilers here)

This book was so addictive, especially the romance, the characters are so well written and constructed, it’s no wonder you grow so attached through the book to them. I loved Rafe’s story so much, so moving and it was done perfectly, keeping the tension and mystery til just the right point, then boom -emotion! Not that I didn’t love Skye too, but I think there was something about Rafe, or I have to just accept I’m biased !

Christina is so skilled in bringing to life the Viking world, the clothes, food, rituals, just daily life was really interesting and it gave so much more to the story that she’s clearly very knowledgeable about this era, it makes this book even more compelling and so thoroughly immersive.

A completely gorgeous , compelling, sometimes dark but so beautiful historical romance with so much mystery and drama threaded throughout the story, I can’t recommend this highly enough.

Thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources and Christina Courtenay for the opportunity to read and take part in the blog tour for this wonderful book.

For full disclosure I was gifted a free ebook in exchange for an honest review, all opinions are my own and freely given

disjointed and confusing. The chapters are short and when you are switched back and forth each chapter, its very hard to form a bond with the characters. The prologue was great, but would have loved more chapters with the present day character before the switching back and forth.