"Dream of Me/Believe in Me" are the first two novels in Josie Litton's Viking trilogy.The story is very interesting and exciting especially for those readers who are interested in history especially the Viking era. The author has done a good research of the time period.The setting seems realistic and reading the books you can become part of them. The basic story in the whole trilogy is about peace and keeping the peace in those turbulent times in history what was nearly impossible.
DREAM OF ME is the first novel in the trilogy and it is and excellent start what makes you read on and on and wishing for it to never end. There are many interesting characters in the novel and most of them appear in the other two books as well. The main male hero is a powerful Norse Viking jarl Wolf Hakonson who is strong, clever, handsome and instead of battles he is seeking peace.The female character is Lady Cymbra of Hawkforte who is a beautiful brave Saxon lady who is known as the most beautiful woman in all Christendom.She is a healer and has a special gift which she keeps secret. Wolf wants peace for his Norse people and he tries to achive it with an alliance with the Saxons.
Hawk of Hawkforte, Cymbra's powerful Saxon brother shares his
opinion and they decide to marry between the two nations to keep the Danes away. There are misunderstandings, fights, treachery and much action in the book and you never feel bored while reading it. Cymbra and Wolf are a well-matched pair and it is very interesting to follow the way they start to fall in love and trust each other.I loved reading about everyday life in the Norse settlement. It is so precise and detailed that you feel living there among those people and sharing their everyday routines.
BELIEVE IN ME is the second book in the trilogy and I found it just as good as the first one. The story continues with Hawk of Hawkforte's expected marriage to Lady Krysta of Vestfold, a Norse lady who also has a special secret and who arrives unexpectedly and not in the proper way.Hawk is a battle-hardened warrior as his brother-in-law the Norse Wolf. He built up Hawkforte from its ashes after the Danes left and he wants to keep peace for his people. He thinks he sacrifices himself for this marriage but he falls in love with Krysta and they both find happiness. Wolf and Cymbra appear in this book too and some other familiar characters. The author writes about Saxon village life as well as about the Norse village. You can take part in a Saxon harvest and imagine yourself in their lives.
This second part holds lots of action, fights, love and you turn the pages very fast. King Alfred of Wessex appears in the book too and the writer gives you an intersting glimpse into his court and his noble thinking.
DREAM OF ME/BELIEVE IN ME come together in one book and it makes
it easier for the reader to continue this wonderful Viking-Saxon story.I love reading historical romances from the Dark Ages of Britain especially those where Vikings are involved. The historical background is very good and the romance genre is satisfied. I recommend this trilogy to every fan of historical romance and look out for the last book called "Come Back to Me"