Undercurrent [Paperback]

Michelle Griep (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2011

Professor Cassie Larson leads a life her undergrad students hope to attain, until she tumbles into the North Sea and is sucked down into a swirling vortex...and a different century. Alarik, son of a Viking chieftain, is blamed for a murder he didn't commit-or did he? He can't remember. On the run, saving a half-drowned foreign woman wasn't in his plan. Ragnar is a converted pagan shunned by many but determined to prove his Cousin Alarik's innocence. He didn't count on falling in love with Cassie or the deadly presence of evil that threatens his village in Alarik's absence. 

Reviews: "Michelle Griep has done it again. Undercurrent is a gripping historical romance that fulfills every expectation. Easy to follow and laced with adventure, Griep captivates readers by taking them to 10th century Norway and immersing them in the dangers of the Viking world." --Jill Williamson, Christy Award-winning author of By Darkness Hid

              "Thoroughly enjoyable! A thrill ride back in time to the days of the Vikings. Ms. Griep's historical research is evident as she weaves a plot that will both grip your heart and keep you on the edge of your seat. Unexpected twists, a passionate romance, battle between good and evil, and a brutal realism that is refreshing all combine to make Undercurrent a book whose story will stay with you well past the last page. Michelle Griep is an exciting new voice among Christian Romance and a welcome change to the standard fare." --MaryLu Tyndall - Christy nominee and best-selling author of the Legacy of the King's Pirates series

Editorial Reviews

Review

Easy to follow and laced with adventure, Griep captivates readers by taking them to 10th century Norway and immersing them in the dangers of the Viking world. --Jill Williamson, Christy Award-winning author of By Darkness Hid

About the Author

Michelle's been writing since she first discovered Crayolas and blank wall space.

Product Details

• Paperback: 306 pages
• Publisher: Risen Books (May 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1936835029
• ISBN-13: 978-1936835027
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.7 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,444,798 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I hear voices. Loud. Incessant. And very real. Which basically gives me two options: choke back massive amounts of Prozac or write fiction. I've been writing since I discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. I seek to glorify God in all that I write--except for that graffiti phase I went through as teenager.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An exciting visit to the past! April 20, 2011

By Kimfurd

Format:Paperback

"Love requires no return, Alarik. It gives even when forsaken." (p. 232)

The late tenth century is Michelle Griep's chosen time period for her latest novel, Undercurrent. Once again, Griep has used the fantasy element of time travel to give the reader an unforgettable look into human nature through the lens of Viking warriors, early Christianity and one very misplaced twenty-first century professor.

Cassie, Alarik, Ragnar and Magnus are only a few of the well developed characters used to flesh out this very interesting story line. Alarik and Ragnar, although related as cousins, are far distant in the element of faith. Ragnar has such a stalwart, abiding faith in Jesu's atoning death that no matter the circumstance, his faith is as close as his next breath. By far, in my opinion at least, he is the strongest, most moving character in the story. It seems as though everyone else's life is touched in an eternal way by Ragnar's constancy. He is certainly Alarik's reminder of his innocence, Cassie's reminder of all that she has sacrificed on the altar of self-promotion, and a stark contrast to the evil that is invading his pagan homeland.

Each character displays some timeless characteristic of human nature and the need that all people have for the atoning work of Christ. Griep effortlessly weaves a strong faith message into her story in a way that is both effective and believable. She recreates a tenth-century Nordic culture that contains accurate details of every day life challenges and activities. The overall effect is a very exciting and entertaining tale that really showcases God's mercy and grace in every situation. I am more than happy to recommend this story to you!!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Undercurrent is one of my Top 10 Ever books April 11, 2011

By Ane Mulligan

Format:Paperback

Undercurrent rates in the top 10 best books I've ever read. I fell in love with the characters, quirky Cassie, heroic Ragnar, loyal Magnus, and host of others. It's the most creative time travel story, romantic and completely mesmerizing. Griep is such a descriptive writer, you easily suspend disbelief, diving head first into the story and traveling through time with Cassie. I didn't want it to end and can't wait for the sequel. Novel Journey and I give it our highest recommendation: a MUST read.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A good book! September 7, 2011

By Phyllis H. Wheeler

Format:Paperback

A present-day Englishwoman, Dr. Cassie Larson, leads a group of students on a short boat trip in the North Sea. Somehow she falls overboard.

A Viking rows in the same spot, different time: circa 900 AD. He picks her up and cares for her. She can be a slave for his beloved. Once she comes to, she reacts with disbelief and astonishment to her predicament. She must have found herself in a movie set or a medieval enactment, she thinks. Finally she accepts the truth. She is stuck in the dark ages, with Alarik, a fugitive clan leader accused of murder.

Alarik's cousin Ragnar soon finds them and begs Alarik to return and chase away his usurper. The evil tyrant must have supernatural powers, and defeating him looks impossible. But Ragnar follows Jesu, and believes nothing is impossible. And Cassie realizes she's in love with Ragnar.

This is a great book. Read it!