This new time slip/dual time novel has everything I loved in previous ones by the same author, including the first book in the Runes series (the others are time travel and also highly recommended). I was very quickly interested in both the present-time heroes (Skye and Rafe) and the Viking-era ones (Ásta and Óttarr), who were linked across time by pieces of jewelry and strange dreams or visions troubling Skye and Rafe, so it was a hard-to-put-down kind of read for me.

There’s something exciting about being in possession of the latest Christina Courtenay novel, and Hidden in the Mists was no exception!

As soon as I was able to, I dropped everything and snuggled down with my treasure (treasure being the operative word). This book has everything: romance, drama, a gutsy yet vulnerable heroine, a dastardly villain – in this case, several – a ghost, and a hidden treasure lost in time. Not to mention a hero to die for! Óttarr, in particularly, captured my heart, torn as he was between the desire for vengeance and his inherent humanity.

The modern day heroine in this dual timeline story was a slight departure for Christina Courtenay, and I was fascinated by the way she embraces subsistence living on Scotland’s west coast, growing most of her own food and dying wool for crafts using plants she finds in the forest. No doubt this is a challenging lifestyle at the best of times, but I sensed a real connection with nature, and the author’s descriptions simply sparkle on every page. Made me want to go there!

Highly recommended.

Angekündigt wird das Buch als „The sweepingly romantic, epic new dual-time novel from the author of ECHOES OF THE RUNES (English Edition)“, und das sind ja meine Schlagworte: episch, romantisch, Zeitenwelten. Und obwohl ich normalerweise kein Cover-käufer bin, hier hat mich das Titelbild gepackt, ich dachte, ich muss das Buch lesen, und habe vom Verlag ein Vorab-Rezensionsexemplar bekommen – vielen Dank an dieser Stelle hierfür!
Ich kannte die Autorin bislang noch nicht, und bin froh, sie entdeckt zu haben. Ms Courteney schreibt mitreissend, sehr bildhaft, atmosphärisch dicht, und zwar einerseits mit einem elegantem Stil, aber andererseits auch so flüssig und locker, dass ich in diesen englischen Roman auch als Nicht-Muttersprachlerin problemlos versinken konnte.
Zum Inhalt: Wir sind in Schottland, in the middle of nowhere. An der Westküste betreibt Skye Logan eine Farm und versorgt sich hier selbst. Sie erfüllt sich hiermit ihren Traum vom Leben im Einklang mit der Natur. Eigentlich war es der gemeinsame Traum von ihrem Mann und ihr, doch das einsame und arbeitsreiche Leben war dann doch nichts für den „soon to be ex-husband“. Eines Tages taucht Rafe Carlisle auf der Bildfläche auf; ein geheimnisvoller Fremder, der auf der Suche nach Ruhe und Arbeit ist und ein altes Geheimnis mit sich herumzutragen scheint. Rafe heuert als Arbeitskraft bei Skye an, und die beiden entpuppen sich als gutes Team…..und spüren sich voneinander magisch angezogen.
Im 9. Jahrhundert auf demselben Fleckchen Land leben Asta und Ottarr in einer Wikingersiedlung. Asta, Tochter des jüngst verstorbenen Jarls, und Ottarr, dessen Dorf vor Jahren überfallen und vernichtet wurde, und der seitdem als Lehrling des Schmids in der Siedlung lebt, spüren dieselbe Anziehungskraft und erleben eine ähnliche Lovestory……und tauchen als Schatten aus der Vergangenheit immer wieder bei Rafe und Skye auf.
Wir folgen als Leser abwechselnd Asta und Ottarr in der Wikingerzeit und Skye und Rafe im Heute, und haben doch jederzeit eine Verbindung zwischen den Zeiten und Welten. Das war wirklich gut gemacht. Asta erscheint in Skyes Träumen, und Ottarr in denen von Rafi. Wir haben hier also keinen klassischen Zeitreiseroman, sondern die Verbindung zwischen den Jahrhunderten ist subtiler, aber nichts desto trotz genauso spannend. Und realistischer (also realistisch ist natürlich relativ, ich weiss, aber wenn man an Geister aus der Vergangenheit glaubt, dann ist das hier eine halbwegs realistische Story 😉).
Die Autorin hat wohl schon einige andere Romane veröffentlicht, die in der Wikingerzeit spielen, und kennt sich hier aus, ich fand die Beschreibung des Lebens- und der Gesellschaftstrukturen in Astas Clan sehr eindrucksvoll. War historisch sehr gut recherchiert, das hat mir sehr gut gefallen.
Ich komme zu einem Fazit: das war ein richtig, richtig schöner Schmöker. Mit 368 Seiten leider etwas kurz, aber soooooo schön. Zwei wundervolle romantische Geschichten, die so wunderbar zu einem Ganzem verwoben waren. Zwei tolle Heldinnen, zwei tolle Helden zum Dahinschmelzen. Abenteuer und Action. Liebe und Herzschmerz. Plus eine tolle Gegend als Hintergrundszenario. Hat mich mitgerissen und begeistert.
Und natürlich mit Happy End. Soviel verrate ich mal. Ich liebe nämlich Happy Ends 😊!

This is time slip story, and usually I’m not the biggest fan of the going back and forth between the times, but in this case I very much am. I couldn’t choose which storyline was my favorite quite frankly. I went back and forth and fell in love with both stories and people.

I adored both Asta and Skye as they both were strong female leaders, yet vulnerable. Along with Rafe and Ottarr who had similar stories of having suffered at the hands of someone else, but through that both men stand to be honorable, loving, and trustworthy.

I really enjoyed this book and author. I recommend it, and look forward to reading more by the author.

Thank you NetGalley and Christina Courtenay for the eARC! I enjoyed it so very much!

If you love timeslip stories, then this is a must read. A beautiful story went into it expecting a romance story and got so much more. It transports you into another land where you can forget your real life worries. Rich in evocative detail - the storyline kept me guessing right up to the last page.I thoroughly enjoyed this immersive story !

This story has everything I want from a good book; romance, tension, drama and loads of history.
I have enjoyed every Viking story from Christina Courtenay, and it's really hard to decide which one I like the best. I'll have to read them all over again to decide! To write a good time-slip takes skill. The two stories in Hidden in the Mist, set 900 years apart, is beautifully mastered. Christina Courtney knows how to keep the reader glued to the page all the way to the end. I'm already looking forwartd to her next book.
Thank you to the author and the publisher for the arc of Hidden in the Mist.

This cover and synopsis caught my attention. It wasn't quite what I thought it would be but I enjoyed it none the less. I loved the duel timeline slow burn romances and how they mirrored one another. The west Scottish setting was so atmospheric. I liked all the characters individually and as couples. I thought the women were very strong willed smart characters and the men protective yet sweet. My only con about it is the formatting. It needed more clear breaks between character dalogue and time switches.

A beautiful duel timeline story that spans over a thousand years. The story follows two couples who somehow become connected through all these years.
There is so much mystery and intrigue within the story…..modern world versus Viking times.
The love stories from present and past are sweet and endearing.
If you enjoy reading duel timeline novels, you should definitely read this book.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions and thoughts expressed are my own.

An epic dual-time novel that will keep you at the edge Of your seat! I finished reading it in one sitting!

If you are looking for some Thrilling timeslip, read this summer; this book is for you.

Thank you, NetGalley, Publisher, and author, for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Christina Courtney books are always excellent and this one is no exception. A duel time romance with parallels between the current time and ancient Viking time, it is not to be missed. Ensure you set aside a whole day to read this book as once started, you will not want to put it down.

I love a good timeslip novel and was excited to read this book! This is a new to me author and I did enjoy her writing style, as well as the dual timelines and the modern vs. viking world building. It seems she has done a lot of research and her story line and plot both benefit greatly from it. I will say that I would have enjoyed a bit more spice (I'd say it was a 1/5 for spice), but it was still an enjoyable read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an eARC copy. In exchange, I am providing this honest review.

When Skye and Rafe meet they are both overcoming hurdles and keeping secrets for fear of judgment. Through shared experiences they learn to lean on one another. Also, spectral ghosts, dreaming of past lives, and a local archaeological find? Yes, please.

This was a cozy 4 star read with a 1 star spice rating. I really enjoyed this! I'm not typically drawn to back and forth time jumps, but this one really gave me cozy vibes throughout the whole thing. We got a past life story intertwined with a modern Scottish farm setting that gave just enough to be considered warm and fuzzy without being monotone. Definitely recommended reading for a rainy day!

I received an Advanced Reader Copy from the publisher in return for an honest review.

I really enjoy this author’s books. Her research is impeccable but it is used to enhance the story, not dominate it.

A dual timeline/time slip story we follow two couples who live over a thousand years apart, yet interconnect. As with all this author’s books, it is well written, enthralling and entertaining.

Hidden in the Mists by Christina Courtenay

Skye Logan has been struggling to run her remote farm on Scotland's west coast alone ever since her marriage fell apart. When a handsome stranger turns up looking for work, it seems that her wish for help has been granted.
A beautiful story set in two timelines linked by a Scottish island , a Viking settlement, and a bangle.
The four main characters were a delight , and the storyline magical.
You can't go wrong in picking up a book by this author, she never fails to enthrall her devoted readers.

This is a great Timeslip novel, bring the past and the present together with such fluidity.
We start in AD883 with vikings, Asta's father, pillaging Ottarr's fathers realm, and the present day with Skye managing a smallholding in Argyll on her own.
A bracelet that Skye finds links herself with Asta's story, and when Rafe turns up for seasonal work she feels drawn to him as though they've met before.
Both sides of the story were interesting, was fascinating to read about wool dyeing and weaving and living off the land.
A fabulous read

This is a timeslip story and I LOVED it!
The first chapter is set in AD855 and grabs you straight away with some great action. Then we move to 2022 and meet Skye, our present day character. When we return to the past we meet Asta, our past heroine.
It would be hard to choose which storyline was my favourite. This is unusual for me as I normally read these books for the past story because I love history so much.
Both heroines are lovely, strong, independent women while being vulnerable at the same time.
Rafe, our modern day hero and Ottarr from the past have similarities, in being caring, trustworthy men who have suffered at the hands of others.
The love story in the past is sweet and gentle and the descriptions of Viking life were amazing. Life really was lived on a knife edge and just by being a woman made it harder still.
Skye's lifestyle was extremely interesting. We get an insight into small scale weaving and wool dyeing and how to live on what's provided by nature. It fascinated me.
There are a couple of great villains with Ketill, in the past, just edging it for me. Life was held very cheaply back then.
I had great fun looking up Viking words and their meanings but a glossary might be a good addition.
I highly recommend this book to all timeslip and time travel fans but also to anyone who enjoys a well told story.

A brilliant time slip from the time slip queen herself. I loved the way the two stories ran alongside each other. Set in the 9th century and now it is a very enjoyable read I devoured it in one sitting.

I do enjoy reading Christina Courtenay books, the characters are strong the history is fantastic, and I love the way she uses the modern day and the Viking era. They are great timeslip books and I love them all...... and this book was no exception. A fantastic story
Thank you Christina Courtenay for always writing such incredible books.
Thank you netgalley

This is a beautifully written story, weaving past and present seamlessly, and draws the reader into two different worlds, but the core of the stories were the same. Two people drawn together and trusting in
their feelings for each other. If you love timeslip stories, then this is a must read. A beautiful Story

Simply stunning. Once again, Christina Courtenay sweeps readers into a vividly-imagined epic romantic adventure that spans the centuries. I was so engrossed I read in one sitting late into the night and when I finally put it down it was so real to me I dreamed about it for the rest of the night. Haunting, beautifully written and full of fascinating research worn lightly, Hidden in the Mists transports you to another time and place.