As a fan of Christina Courtenay's timeslip and dual-timeline novels, and of the tragedy in ancient Pompeii, I was very excited when I first heard about Shadows in the Ashes. And I was not to be disappointed. It's a riveting, but also thought-provoking read. Let me explain...

In the present, we have Cat, a married stay-at-home mum of a three-year-old girl. But Cat is not a confident, outgoing woman – she is married to an abusive, manipulative husband, whose actions and demands have eroded any confidence she had prior to her marriage. This made an interesting change, and it added a strong sense of urgency and danger. Finding excuses to describe her husband's physical abuse, she has been caught in a tight net from which there seemed no escape. But she must find a way, not only for her own sake but also that of her child, when Derek does the unforgivable and threatens their daughter. He always wanted a son, and her fear finally leads her to flee to Italy – to Naples. There, she meets volcanologist Connor. Then she begins to have visions...

In a parallel situation in Pompeii in the tragic year of 79AD, we have Aemilia - heiress wife to a Patrician husband addicted to gaming, who turns increasingly desperate, and cruel, as his debts grow out of control – and there's nothing left to pawn (well, so he thinks...). To keep himself and his family safe from the creditors, he hires Raedwald, a Germanic slave captured through the treachery of his younger half-brother, and forced into a life as a Gladiator. Soon, a bond begins to grow between the bodyguard and the Roman lady. But will there be a future for them, with her husband growing suspicious and Vesuvius about to erupt? Read the novel to find out!

I found it very brave of the author to use the theme of domestic violence, often overlooked or airbrushed in fiction. And the parallel fates of Cat and Aemilia make for gripping reading. You go with them through their emotions and pain, and you feel their love for their daughters. All these are evocatively described by Ms Courtenay, and the scenes are in no way gratuitous. It shows the skill of a fine writer if you are able to describe the horror inflicted on the women in such a sensitive, but still realistic manner. Their emotional turmoil and their journey out of pain and misery are also shown sensitively. Neither woman is suddenly 'cured', but they stay aware of their psychological dilemma. It's very well done.

As always, Ms Courtenay's research is impeccable, and in Pompeii, we can see the settlement in its splendour, and its darker side unveiled, and as the tension grows, we can smell the volcanic gases in the air. The residents were ignorant of what was going on, as we see in Aemilia who doesn't understand why the land she has inherited on the slope of Vesuvius doesn't yield any produce. Until later.

I found this a very emotional read, mainly because of the women having escaped such personal terror, only for Aemilia to experience a terror of a different kind altogether as the volcano begins its eruption. The novel begins on a more serious note than, for example, Ms Courtenay's Viking timeslip romances, and in my view, this made a welcome, if a little harrowing change.

Shadows in the Ashes is a wonderful novel about the bravery of two women to find the courage to face their dire situation when they need to. Despite living in different eras, there is a delicate bond between Cat and Aemilia that runs like a thread through the centuries. Cudos to Ms Courtenay for tackling this subject, and for giving us two brilliant, strong female leads who, despite their fears, show the courage to move on.

Highly recommended.

Blog tour with Rachel's Random Resources

http://ramblingmads.uk/2024/01/25/blog-tour-shadows-in-the-ashes-christina-courtenay/

I have loved reading Christina’s Viking runes series, always eagerly awaiting the next, and was excited to read a new Roman themed novel.

I was particularly looking forward to reading this one, as much of it is set in and around Sorrento in Italy where I visited when I was a teenager. Like Christina, the history of the eruption of Vesuvius and the pictures of all those poor people who died had quite an effect on me.

This novel, although still set over a dual timeline, it is slightly different as there is no physical travel through time. Cat in the present snd Aemilia in the past are connected by a gold bracelet. Cat can often see the past when wearing the bracelet, and feels a strong connection to its past owner.

The two women are living strikingly similar lives. Abusive husbands. A young daughter. A new love who is a very similar character in both looks and personality in both timelines.

I couldn’t have been more immersed in the lives of Aemilia and Raedwald and Cat and Connor. I absolutely loved both timelines. The gladiator fights in the Roman times had me on the edge of my seat.

I have always loved dual timeline/time slip novels, and Shadows in the Ashes really captured my imagination. As a child I was obsessed with the history surrounding Pompeii and the eruption of Vesuvius in AD79, and I was fascinated by the bodies of those caught by the eruption. Having read this novel, Pompeii is firmly back on my bucket list.

In 2022 we meet Caterina, who escapes her violent husband and flees to Italy for the protection from her mother’s family with her young daughter. She supports herself by working in a hotel in Sorrento where she meets Connor. Undertaking some translation work for him, they become much closer and when they go to Pompeii together she has a series of visions of a man who looks very much like Connor but in a significantly distant time.

In AD79 Raedwaldis a gladiator and slave who is employed as a body guard who falls in love with the wife of his employer. Raedwald and Aemilia, with her young daughter resemble Cat and Connor, linked by the ancient bracelet Cat wears on her arm.

Both couples face similar issues, with Aemilia’s husband wanting to keep Aemilia and their daughter in Pompeii when he does not actually want her any more, and with Cat’s husband managing to track her and their daughter down in Italy, and has no intention of relinquishing the control he had before they ran away from him.

I found myself transported to ancient Pompeii, and modern day Pompeii and Sorrento so effortlessly by the prose. At times when I had to put the book down I was thinking about the story and the characters almost obsessively.

The stories and the romances reflected one another with such symmetry that they meshed together so perfectly. I adored both stories equally within the novel, which is the perfect example of the best kind of dual timeline novel. Shadows in the Ashes is a stunning dual timeline romance with tension making the novel both compulsive and tense reading.

I love Christina Courtenay's viking time shift novels so I jumped at the chance to read this one set in Pompeii at the time of the eruption of Mount Versuvius.
This is a dual time novel that moves between present day England and Sorrento and ancient Pompeii
Both storylines have parallels in the Past and present, the female protagonists are both in abusive relationships that they are trying to escape from, and the similarities between the male protagonists are marked, they are both protective towards the women.
The vivid detail brings to life the streets of Roman Pompeii, you can actually picture the scenes as you turn the page. The depictions of modern day Sorento and the heritage sights of Pompeii and Herculaneum and Mount Versuvius are also spot on . I've visited myself and the attention to detail brought the place to life .
A good way to spend your day off , thoroughly recommended

Trigger Warnings
This book contains:
• Domestic and family violence
• Stalking
• Kidnapping
• Suicide
• Gambling addiction
• Gladiator fighting and wounds depicted in detail.
Characters
As a time slip novel, we have four main characters: Caterina, Connor, Raedwald and Aemilia.
Caterina is of Italian descent living in the modern world in a marriage she’s not entirely happy in. She’s a strong woman doing her best with what she has to work with, but she’s also incredibly isolated in her life.
Connor is staying in Italy while he completes his thesis for his PHD in volcanology. He’s a friendly, happy go lucky kinda guy when he meets Caterina and finds himself changing his idea of what he wants for his life.
Raedwald is from a tribe in the Frisia region when he was betrayed by his half brother and sold as a slave to the Romans. Through that, he was sold into the Gladiator system and spent more than 6 years fighting for his life daily with a single goal. To take out revenge on his half-brother and stepmother and get his place back in his tribe.
Aemilia is a Roman noble lady living within the Roman society while doing her best to be ready to support herself if, and when she is left to support herself and her daughter. She’s aware of the limitations and challenges facing her in her situation, but she’s still trying to figure out what and how she can make the changes she wants.
Storyline
Our four characters are following almost dual storylines with the challenges they’re facing with some differences between them. Both timelines had slow starts with moments of intense drama that slowly increased in frequency as their situations were unfolded and explored.
Overall Thoughts
Christina Courtney is known for great time travel and time slip romances and I’ve enjoyed every single one I’ve read. While most of the ones I’ve read of hers is time travel, the previous time slip was quite different to this one.
Instead of the historical time period supporting the modern time, this was two distinct stories that happened to run concurrently. In a way, the two timelines had nothing to do with each other, and yet they were still intricately linked supporting each story.
While I’m excited to get back to her Runes series, this was such a great story where I could tell how much research she’d done to be historically accurate which made the story so much more enriching. And something I noticed in the version I read was that Christina spoke about the research she’d done and how it contributed to the story and why she made decisions she did.
And then finished on a bonus chapter back in AD times that again linked us back to the ending of the modern timeline!

Felt the extent between the two time periods to be quite jarring, and actually wasn’t as interested in the modern-day story as much as the older one.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story! Set in Pompeii and present-day England, this is a mesmerizing story about domestic violence. The stories echo one another in many ways and while difficult at times were handled wonderfully.

Slightly different to her previous books, because of the setting, Roman times and not Vikings.
I Loved it.
The description of Rome and the characters made me feel as though I was there. Great time slip book Christina Courtney is an amazing writer who really draws you into the storyline
Thank you netgalley

Shadows in the Ashes is the latest enthralling, atmospheric and mesmerizing novel from award-winning author Christina Courtenay.

Caterina Rossi has left her abusive marriage behind and gone to Pompeii with her three year old daughter. Caterina hopes that this move to Italy will be the fresh start she desperately needs and among the ruins of the city, she strikes a connection with research scientist Connor. Cat is immediately drawn to Connor and as the two of them begin working closely together, their work on volcanology takes them to Mount Vesuvius where Cat finds herself unsettled by chilling visions that appear to come from the bracelet handed down through her family’s generations…

In AD 79, Raedwald had been sold by his half-brother and enslaved as a gladiator. Getting through each day and surviving the bloody battles he is forced to fight is what keeps Raedwald going. He hopes to make enough money to be able to go back home and exact his revenge. However, vengeance will need to wait when he is hired to guard the beautiful Aemilia. Drawn together by a passion that cannot be denied, Raedwald soon finds himself falling for Aemilia, however, when his dreams begin to shift and become more and more brutal and violent, he begins to wonder – and fear – what might be in store for him…

As the past and present begin to merge in the most unexpected of ways, Cat realises that she has a fight of epic proportions on her hands if she is to keep her loved ones – and herself – safe and forge a brand new destiny from the ashes of her old life.

It’s impossible not to fall under Christina Courtenay’s spell and Shadows in the Ashes is a dazzling tale of danger, passion, intrigue and emotion full of romance, tension and adventure that will hold readers in thrall from start to finish. With her gift for creating nuanced characters and ability to make the past come splendidly to life, Christina Courtenay effortlessly grabs her readers from page one and keeps them on the edge of their seats until the very end.

A superbly written page-turner from a terrific storyteller, Shadows in the Ashes is another triumph for Christina Courtenay.

Thank you for NetGalley for providing me with this book for review. Very excited to read this one, as I absolutely adore the series of Runes books. I was hesitant, thinking that maybe I wouldn't enjoy it as much, but thankfully I was wrong as I loved this book too. For anyone who hasn't read this author before, please do, give her books a try.

This was a 2/5 review for me. I am new to the author and the genre is not something I normally go for, however I do enjoy historical romance now and then and one set in Roman times was a big appeal. I will say this was a fairly easy read. It's not too long and is quite quick and cozy.

I think this could have been much improved if a few things were worked on.

The author had a tendency to go super textbook-like when describing Ancient Italy. There is a big chunk of text describing how the arena looked, for example, that dragged on for quite a while and took away from the action we were really there to see. I did not feel like I needed to know that there were diagonal staircases going up here and another one there when none of our principal characters were actually using them at the time (and never did on page in the future).

The romances on both sides of the timeline were incredibly rushed. Declarations of love and "will you marry me" felt unfounded. Maybe this is a symptom of having two romantic couples in one fairly short book, but I actually laughed out loud at Connor telling his dad that he would marry Cat, and then later asking her to marry him immediately after she watched the violent death of her abusive husband.

Raedwald and Aemilia's storyline had the opportunity to make some interesting commentary on social status at the time but fails to deliver. We're told Raedwald has this bone-deep hatred for the Roman elite but then forgets that when he starts to feel things for Aemilia. There was no internal struggle for him being in love with one of the 'ruling class'. Aemilia has also lived in the Roman elite all her life and is accustomed to owning slaves. What are her thoughts on falling for a slave? We never really know. It almost seems routine for her. The whole scandal of mistress x slave was in fact not really played on to any interesting effect or tension.

Derek (and to a lesser-extent, Lucius) are pantomime villains in the extreme. Derek's motivation is entirely confused so it makes his abuse seem hokey rather than sinister. He controls Cat and also hates the fact that they have a daughter. He travels all the way to Italy to retrieve said daughter, then threatens to kill her at every opportunity. Does this child mean anything to him or not? The domestic abuse element lacked subtlety and seeme dover-the-top. An abusive relationship is far more than physical harm, but that isn't really explored here and I didn't feel much of a connection or empathy for this plot point as a result.

This story is atmospheric and immersive from the beginning as it tells its dual timeline stories, One set in ancient Pompeii and the other in present-day England and Italy. Both female protagonists suffer domestic violence and have a young child. The domestic abuse is heartbreaking, but this is a story of courage and second chances. The timeslip element is intense and believable, drawing the women together over time. The romance is passionate and mirrored by the emotional commitment that makes it credible and heartwarming. The historical details evoke ancient Pompeii and the Romans. It immerses you in the time, and you can experience the fear of the volcanic eruption. The ending is lovely. I enjoyed the historical details, the sensory imagery, the romance and the mystical timeslip elements.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Now I love dual-timeline historical fiction so I can't believe that I'd never heard of Christina Courtenay's books before now! And I'm so glad this was my first one of her's because I absolutely loved it, I read it in two sittings one of which took me into the small hours of the morning because I just needed to know what happened.
I really felt for poor Cat and her situation, it was so brilliantly written it brought out all the emotions when reading anything to do with her and her abusive husband and I was cheering her along when she finally made that escape from him. The relationship between her and Connor was really well-paced, she had that uncertainty which you'd expect considering her previous situation and I loved how they started with a friendship and just visiting places in Italy together rather than a rushed relationship. And I really enjoyed the Flashbacks/visions that Cat started to have after that visit to Pompeii, I liked how she got those insights into Aemilia and Raedwald's life by catching those glimpses.
Speaking of Aemilia and Raedwald I loved the forbidden nature of their relationship and how it quietly grew on both sides until they couldn't contain it any longer, it was lovely to read in those chapters and to be there willing them to get together and escape Pompeii before its too late. Much like Cat's husband i really disliked Aemilia's husband, both of them were nasty pieces of work who treated their wives like a piece of property. It was good to see both women find a man who treated them like they were something to treasure rather than something to possess. The switches between timelines were brilliantly done, it was very easy to flick between the two and it was all very well written.
I thoroughly enjoyed every page of this book and I can't wait to read more by her.

I recently had the opportunity to read and listen to an ARC copy of a book in both eBook and audiobook form. This was made possible thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and Headline. I must say, experiencing the story in both formats was a truly enjoyable and immersive experience. One aspect that stood out to me was the narrator's exceptional skill in distinguishing between the dual timelines. Through her changes in voice and emotions, she effectively conveyed the characters' feelings and brought their stories to life. Among the many intriguing characters in the book, one that particularly captured my attention was Rufus. His vibrant red hair in the past added a unique touch to his character. However, as the story progressed and we shifted to the present day, a new character named Cat was introduced. Cat is facing a tumultuous domestic abusive situation and is deeply concerned about the safety of her daughter. Seeking solace and protection, she finds herself in Italy, where she crosses paths with Connor, a research scientist specializing in volcanic activity. What fascinated me about Cat's character was the antique bracelet she wears. This seemingly innocuous piece of jewellery becomes the catalyst for a series of visions she experiences while walking the streets of modern-day Pompeii and its surroundings. These visions, although rooted in the ancient timeline, serve as a backdrop to Cat's present-day struggle with her abusive spouse. It is truly remarkable how the author seamlessly weaves together the past and present, creating a rich and captivating narrative. In conclusion, the book I had the pleasure of reading and listening to was a masterful blend of historical and contemporary storytelling. The way the author intertwined the past and present was skillfully executed, and it made for a truly engaging reading experience. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a captivating tale that transcends time. #bookreview #historicalfiction #contemporaryfiction #audiobook #ebook #dualtimelines #characterdevelopment #captivatingnarrative #Italy #volcanicactivity #Pompeii

Thank you to Headline and Christina Courtenay for the chance to review the chance to review Shadows In The Ash in exchange for a fair review. In my view, Christina Courtenay is a queen of historical fiction and time-travel/time-slip stories. Her storytelling brings history to life with such earthy realism the world springs off the page in vivid detail - whether it be the 16th Century, Vikings, or the Roman era.

A gritty, bold plot that delves into darker spaces than her other books. The writing handled the dark elements very delicately and brought to life realistically the pain and damage domestic abuse and controlling relationships can have on the victim. How Christina Courtenay has woven these topics into her story narrative proves to me how versatile her writing talent is to bring the reader from darkness into light through love.

Shadows in the Ash is a dual-time romance, portraying the love of two couples Cat and Connor & Aemilia and Raedwald, almost two millennia apart bound by an artifact under the towering Mount Vesuvius ancient Pompeii, modern-day Sorrento & Naples in Italy and the UK. The chemistry between these forbidden relationships between a Gladiator and Roman lady & a mother in hiding and academic leaps off the page as attraction grows into passion and love through kindness and understanding. A compelling and engaging read full of forbidden love, danger, and heartbreak.

The characters are beautifully crafted and wonderfully mirrored in each other in their past and modern incarnation of Raedwald/Connor and Aemilia/Cat. My heart ached for Cat and Aemilia, admired them for their strength, love of their daughters, and caring natures. You can’t help but get caught up in their stories and journey to finding a happy ending with good men who adore them after all they endure at the hands of husbands who are cruel and abusive. Raedwald and Connor’s charm, thoughtfulness, and kindness despite how their wounds make them hero-worthy men to love these special ladies whom they risk everything for. The romance story between these couples was captivating and engrossing – I was on the edge of my seat every time I turned a page waiting to see how their stories unfolded.

Having visited this beloved, beautiful area of Italy and Roman history being one of my favourite eras, my expectations for the writing and delivery of research were exceptionally high. I wasn’t disappointed by the vivid portrayal of the landscape and quaintness of Sorrento or the grittier qualities of Naples. The vivid hustle and bustle of the ruined city of Pompeii and the invocative impression it leaves on you. The eerie alienness of visiting Mount Vesuvius, the power of the volcano under your feet, and the sliver of terror it invokes knowing the devastation it unleashed in 79 AD. Courtenay captured it all authentically and vibrantly as I can remember being there in person.

Another powerful, moving historical time-slip story that can boast powerful storytelling, heartwarming romance, swoony passion, and delectable heroes to make your heart sigh. If Christina Courtenay dips her writing toes back into more Roman-era historical romances, I will be there to gobble them up. A must for any readers who love time slips, historical romances, and dappling in low-level fantasy components or suggestive reincarnation.

Shadows in the Ashes is a detailed medium paced story with a slow revealing plot. Shadows in the Ashes focuses on the years AD 73-79 and 2022.

Courtenay has researched the society customs and lifestyles of the Romans and gladiators, paying particular attention to what happened to Pompeii. Courtney shows The reader the effects of domestic violence and the process of leaving the situation...The writing style has titled chapters to help with navigation between the different characters. Shadows in the Ashes has an easy to follow plot, with a mixture of dialogue and detail, creating am engaging and interesting story.

The character development of Shadows in the Ashes gives the reader a brief background about the characters. The characters are relatable and realistic, with their own personalities and mannorisms.

In North London, 2022 after 5 years of being in an abusive marriage Caterina (Cat) finally gathers enough courage to leave with her daughter, Bella (3). With the help of her mother and family she puts a plan for a new life in motion...

Connor is working on his thesis for a PhD in volcanology. He has travelled to sites of volcanic activity collecting data. His final stop has led him to a research centre in Naples, where his has been allowed to join their team. He meets Cat in a hotel restaurant and asks for help to translate some of the documents he is studying...

In Frisia (Northwestern Europe) AD 73, Raedwald is following his younger half-brother, Osbehrt (15), towards the forest... Osbehrt was determined to hunt a stag he saw the day before...as the eldest brother, Raedwald has always told to watch over, so he follows tediously... suddenly shadowy figures come from the trees, surrounding him...caught he soon comes to the realisation that he has been sold...

In Pompeii, AD 79 Raedwald is a gladiator called Rufus. Gladiators are seen as the lowest of the low only there for entertainment purposes as well as hired out as bodyguards. Six years have passed since his capture. His only goal of returning and seeking revenge on his half-brother and step-mother is the only thing that keeps him going.... Raedwald is hired to protect Lucius and his family...

In Pompeii, AD 79 Aemilia and her husband, Lucius have recently returned from the gladiatorial games... Aemilia has an unhappy relationship with Lucius, yet her only option is to obey her husband as he is master of the household...she hands over some of the jewelry left to her to pay for his debts...

Aemilia and Raedwald share a slowly built chemistry, much like Connor and Cat, who are linked through space and time... Their heated attraction, with small smiles and looks turns to passion as their feelings grow...

Overall I feel that Shadows in the Ashes has a great sense of history mixed with romance. I 100% rooted for Cat from the start and was happy that she was able to escape and build on making her life her own again... I quickly became investigated in the stories behind both timelines and enjoyed exploring the theme of reincarnation.

I would suggest reading Shadows in the Ashes to people who enjoy reading historical fiction, romance and dual timelines, based around the Roman era, as it is a character driven story about love, hardship and passion as the characters rebuild their lives...

Living in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius, the residents of Pompeii are, in AD79, unaware of the disaster which is about to befall them. Raedwald is a gladiator who has been taken against his will to fight in the arenas. When he is assigned to look after the wife on a prominent Roman, Raedwald can't help but be attracted to the beautiful young woman however, a clandestine relationship between the wife of such a prominent Roman and a captive gladiator is strictly forbidden.

In the present day, Caterina Rossi has escaped an abusive relationship and has settled in her native Italy where she meets Connor, a scientist, who is visiting the area to write a report about volcanoes and hires Caterina to do some translation for him. Hurt by the events of the past, Caterina is reluctant to trust a man again and yet she is strangely drawn towards Connor.

As the story starts to overlap and coalesce we soon get to know much more about what is happening with Raedwald and Aemilia in AD79 whilst at the same time appreciate the burgeoning relationship between Caterina and Conor in the bustling city of Sorrento.

There are very few authors around who can really bring a dual time narrative to life but this author is up there with the best of them as she can, with a magic flick of words, take you from past to present and back again in an imaginative story which is as seamless as it is compelling. I found the setting of the story in Italy, and Pompeii in particular, to be really descriptive and could very easily imagine life in the ancient world as Raedwald and Aemilia cross paths in the city they call home and yet I also followed Caterina's drama filled life with equal anticipation of a peaceful conclusion,

Beautifully written, and authentically researched there is much to enjoy in escaping into the past whilst following a strong connections with the future and with a particular talisman to link the two time-frames the echoes of the past are allowed to sing strong and true. There is anguish in both time frames, harsh events which overshadow happiness but with romance, love and hope at its core Shadows in the Ashes is a definitely story which resonates long after the last page is turned.

I have only recently started reading dual time/timeslip novels and now enjoy them more and more.
Shadows in the Ashes caught my eye because of of the Pompeii setting - a place that has fascinated me since I was in primary school and a place I was finally lucky enough to visit in 2023.

Shadows in the Ashes brings Pompeii alive as we follow the almost parallel lives of our heroines Caterina (present day) and Aemilia (AD 79) as they fight to escape their controlling, abusive partners as well as having a young child to love and protect. The tension and danger, hardship and heartbreak is softened by the appearances of the women's exposure to better, stronger men in the form of research scientist, Connor and gladiator, Raedwald.

A fabulous, high stakes romantic journey through time which I thoroughly recommend!

There was, perhaps, a certain inevitability about future developments in the historical thread – the residents of Pompeii, 79 AD, living under the shadow of grumbling Mount Vesuvius. But the author tells the engaging story of Raedwald – now a gladiator, having been sold into slavery by his father’s new family, awaiting the day he can return to his homeland and take his revenge – and his forbidden relationship with Aemilia, the wife of the dissolute Lucius who treats her cruelly when she fails to provide him with a son, and who hires him as a bodyguard while he gambles his way through what remains of her fortune. Raedwald and his loyal friend Duro have already planned their escape, and are just waiting for the right moment – but as the threat from volcanic activity intensifies, risking his life and freedom, he can’t leave the woman he’s grown to love and her young daughter behind.

The balancing contemporary story is equally strong and engaging – Cat has finally found the courage and opportunity to flee her abusive husband along with her own young daughter, finding refuge with her mother’s family in Italy. Slowly overcoming her fears of discovery and trusting another man, after agreeing to help as his translator, she finds friendship (and the possibility of more) with volcanologist Connor – but when they visit the ruins of both Pompeii and Herculaneum she becomes disturbed by vivid glimpses of past lives apparently linked with the ancient gold bracelet she wears. But the threat to their future happiness is firmly in the present…

The dual timeline is beautifully handled, both stories equally engaging and with unpredictable outcomes, fast-paced and laced with drama and danger, the tension rising in parallel – just perfectly handled, and entirely gripping and compelling. The author’s meticulous research into the historical setting is used quite wonderfully to make the reader feel entirely present as the story of Raedwald and Aemilia unfolds, filled with the kind of small detail that makes you feel you’re sharing their experience. The romance was strong and believable too, despite the many obstacles in its way – and equally so in the present day story.

The storytelling is just superb, and I really liked the way the stories cleverly mirrored each other in so many ways, only helped by the small touches of the supernatural – I felt completely invested in both sets of characters, with none of those uncomfortable wrenches as we moved between past and present, and my heart was in my mouth throughout the later part of the book as developments called for considerable bravery from everyone involved.

The author’s writing just gets better with every book – this one was most definitely a personal favourite, and a book I’d very highly recommend.

(Review copied to Amazon UK, but link not yet available)