2 books in 1: Dream of Me and Believe in Me [Mass Market Paperback]

Josie Litton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2, 2001

Complete in one breathtaking volume — Books One and Two of an unforgettable historical romance series by an exciting new author

They were two Viking lords, the brothers Wolf and Dragon, bound both by blood and by a shared ambition to end the war with their lifelong enemies, the Saxons. They know that their only hope for peace is to persuade the Saxon Lord Hawk to unite his noble family with theirs — in a bond sealed forever by the sanctity of marriage.

Together these three men will strive to overcome centuries-old rivalries and hatred. Each will unite in marriage with an extraordinary woman who has her own special gift — and her own dreams of bringing about an end to war....

Book One

In Dream of Me we meet the Viking leader Wolf Hakonson as he embarks on a mission to kidnap the Lady Cymbra, a legendary beauty Wolf mistakenly believes is the cause of war. Instead he discovers that she is a gifted healer who will challenge him to confront his deepest yearnings — and together they will become soul mates who forge a future blessed by peace.

Book Two

The drama continues in Believe in Me, when the Saxon Lord Hawk, brother of Cymbra, seeks to strengthen the alliance by wedding a Norse noblewoman. But Lady Krysta arrives bearing many secrets — including her gift for seeing what others cannot. And as an unexpected love ignites, only Krysta can sense the looming danger that threatens the peace — and Hawk as well.

Now, discover Josie Litton....

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

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 fiancee, 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.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

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. Dream of Me 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. Believe in Me tells the story of Hawke and his intended Norse bride, the fey Lady Krysta; and the final volume, Come Back to Me, 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. Maria Hatton
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 816 pages
• Publisher: Bantam; 2 Books in 1 edition (October 2, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553584367
• ISBN-13: 978-0553584363
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1.3 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #676,181 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Dream of Me......, February 9, 2003

By 

M. I. "krushedvelvet" (Old Bridge, NJ United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: 2 books in 1: Dream of Me and Believe in Me (Mass Market Paperback)

Ive only read the first installment of this trilogy thus far, but I have to say that I enjoyed it immensely. Wolf was soooo sexy, and I liked the fact that although Cymbra was delicate, she wasnt helpless. The lovescenes were steamy and frequent, but what really stood out was when I was able to just sit back and enjoy watching them get to know one another.The food-fighting scene was one that I will never forget..one of the funniest Ive read in a long while. I would highly recommend reading this..I look forward to diving into Believe in Me next...

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 2 great stories for the price of 1, October 2, 2001

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 2 books in 1: Dream of Me and Believe in Me (Mass Market Paperback)

DREAM OF ME. The Vikings and the Saxons are at war as they have been for centuries. Viking leader Wolf Hakonson believes that the "Ice Princess" Lady Cymbra is the cause of the latest conflict. Leading his men on a raid of her castle, Wolf captures Cymbra, but quickly she melts his heart with her passion as love sets in between the duo.

BELIEVE IN ME. As a follow-up to the beginnings of peace started by the marriage of his sister Cymbra to the Viking, Lord Hawk weds Norsewoman Lady Krysta. He knows he must do whatever it takes to make this marriage of state work if he is to build on his sibling's success and further the cause of peace. However, the Saxon and the Viking never anticipated love to enter their relationship.

Readers gain two full historical novels for the price of one book as Bantam showcases the debut of Josie Litton's strong new sub-genre voice. Both books contain strong characters and resplendent details distinguishing the era when the Vikings and Saxons constantly fought one another. The story lines are well written, never slowing down with only one problem. If readers are as selfish and hedonistic as this reviewer, they would have wanted a triplet rather than wait a whole month for book three.

Harriet Klausner

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 5 stars for Dream 4 for Believe, August 25, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: 2 books in 1: Dream of Me and Believe in Me (Mass Market Paperback)

I thoroughly enjoyed DREAM OF ME. I listened to it on tape and played it everywhere I went on my walkman. Wolf kidnaps the beautiful Cymbra for the sake of peace among the Saxon and Norse clans. He had originally requested she accept him but when his letter was rejected he took her by force. One writer said that they were too perfect and nothing to write home about. I beg to differ. Sometimes some stories are so incredibly full of strife that they get so exasperating. This story reminds me of the many written by Julie Garwood... my favorite all time historical writer. As for BELIEVE IN ME... I did enjoy the characters although I wasn't thrilled about Krysta's beliefs that she was not a normal human being. I have a hard time reading about what in my mind is fantasy. Thorgold and Raven's presence would have been fine if they weren't magical. I'm not into magic... that's fake. Nevertheless, Hawks sister Daria does things in the first book but all is discovered in the second. I have just started reading Come Back to Me and have no doubt it will be another winner.. provided there aren't any wizards.