Dream of Me/Believe in Me

September 17, 2001
Set in England and Norway at the end of the ninth century, this single volume contains the first two installments of Litton's debut trilogy. Through lyrical prose and sharp sensory details, Litton conveys the harshness of an era tempered by the promise of peace and the prospect of love. When fierce Norse chief Wolf Hakonson receives a scathing response to his offer of peace from Hawk, a renowned Saxon lord, and his sister, Cymbra, he kidnaps Cymbra and takes her back to his settlement. Wolf had originally planned to ravage and humiliate her, but her unparalleled beauty and compassionate demeanor lead him to marry her instead. The attraction between the two is immediate and palpable, but their path to marital bliss is beset with obstacles. First, the women of the settlement refuse to accept their Saxon mistress, who turns out to have empathic abilities, and then Wolf must face the wrath of his brother-in-law. Inevitably, true love triumphs, but the peace forged by their fortuitous union is precarious. To cement the pact between the Saxon and Norse, Hawk grudgingly agrees to take a Norse bride, and his unexpected affection for Lady Krysta, his enigmatic and fiery fiancée, is the focus of Litton's second, less dynamic entry. Although Hawk's sinister half-sister, along with a number of other scheming figures, try to drive a wedge between the couple, the story lacks the romantic tension that distinguishes the author's first installment. Nevertheless, Hawk and Krysta are charismatic characters, and Krysta's guardians—a wily troll and an austere woman aptly named Raven—add humor and a dash of magic to the mix. Historical romance readers will embrace this capable author and her enchanting new trilogy. (Oct. 9)Forecast:Litton is the pseudonym of a popular romance author, and Bantam is putting a lot of push behind her "debut"—including Internet banner ads, print advertising in
First for Women and
USA Today and extensive ARC mailings. The book's glossy, gold cover and affordable two-in-one format will attract browsers.

September 15, 2001
\deflang1033\pard\plain\f3\fs24 In late-ninth-century England, King Alfred is on the throne, and an uneasy peace reigns between the Norse and Saxons thanks to his efforts. What better way to ensure this alliance than to forge marriages between the two? This is the foundation of Litton's trio of engaging novels. \plain\f3\fs24" Dream of Me\plain\f3\fs24 begins the saga with the tale of the infamous Viking, Wolf Hakonson. Wolf wants peace for his people and offers marriage to Cymbra, sister of the powerful Lord Hawke of Essex. \plain\f3\fs24" Believe in Me\plain\f3\fs24 tells the story of Hawke and his intended Norse bride, the fey Lady Krysta; and the final volume, \plain\f3\fs24" Come Back to Me, \plain\f3\fs24 involves Dragon Hakonson, Wolf's brother, and the strong-willed Saxon, Lady Rycca. Although suspension of disbelief is required a bit more in the second book than in the other two because of some dabbling in magical realism, all three share the same wonderful characteristics as they take the reader on an enjoyable journey through a well-drawn period of history. The setting, an integral part of the stories, comes vividly to life and is skillfully woven into the fabric of the characters' experiences. The characters themselves are magnetic and fully dimensional. The large and powerful men and the women, each different but with her own special "gift," are smart, funny, and believable. Readers will be captivated as each relationship unfolds, and as the series closes, they'll be anxious to devour Litton's next trilogy. (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2001, American Library Association.)