Brimming with romance, adventure and vivid historical detail, Christina Courtenay does for the Vikings what Diana Gabaldon''s Outlander and Clanlands does for Scottish history. Pre-order the epic conclusion to The Runes series now!

Inscribed Viking axe head. Good condition. Probably late 9th century. This was it, his passport to the past.

Storm Berger has never forgiven himself for his younger sister Madison''s disappearance. Suspecting she''s travelled back to the ninth century in the footsteps of other family members, Storm can only make sure she''s safe by going after her.

Raised unconventionally as her father''s only child, Freydis has never been content to simply accept her fate. So, when she''s promised in marriage to a tyrant, she''s determined to find a way out of the arrangement. Help comes in the form of a mysterious and attractive stranger stranded on her island''s shores: Storm.

The only way Freydis can truly be free is for Storm to marry her himself. But that would mean entwining lives that, until now, have been separated by centuries. . .

Just some of the rich praise for Christina Courtenay''s novels:

''An absorbing story, fast-paced and vividly imagined'' PAMELA HARTSHORNE

''Prepare to be swept along in this treasure of an adventure!'' KATE RYDER

''Whenever I need a break from the Twenty-First Century, I read one of Christina Courtenay''s novels. She transports me effortlessly to a different time, where I feel I''m experiencing life in Viking settlements'' SUE MOORCROFT

''I''ve been looking forward to this book . . . and it far exceeded my hopes and expectations. Romantic, fascinating and gripping, it''s one of my favourites of the series'' NICOLA CORNICK