Where to Start with Christina Courtenay
If you are new to Christina Courtenay (the pen name of Pia Tapper Fenton), the best entry point depends on your favorite historical era. For readers who love dual-timeline "timeslip" novels with a touch of magic, start with Echoes of the Runes (2020), the first book in her highly popular Viking-inspired Runes series. If you prefer immersive historical settings without modern-day framing, The Scarlet Kimono (2011) offers a thrilling romance set in 17th-century feudal Japan, while Trade Winds (2010) is the perfect introduction to her multi-generational family sagas.
Almost all of Courtenay’s novels are written to work as standalones, meaning you can pick up any book and enjoy a self-contained romance with a satisfying conclusion. However, reading her series in publication order is highly recommended. Courtenay frequently includes cameo appearances, updates on former protagonists, and subtle family connections that reward loyal readers who follow the chronological publication sequence.
The Runes Series (Viking Timeslip)
Courtenay's signature series is a collection of dual-timeline novels that connect modern-day characters with 9th-century Viking ancestors. These stories combine meticulously researched Scandinavian history, archaeology, and genealogy with sweeping romance and a hint of the supernatural. They are best read in order of publication to track the recurring elements of Viking lore and the mysterious power of the runes:
- Echoes of the Runes (2020) – Follows Mia Maddox in the present and Ceri in the Viking era as a shared history unfolds around an ancient gold ring.
- The Runes of Destiny (2020) – Centers on Linnea, who is transported back in time after finding a runestone, and must navigate life alongside the Viking warrior Hakon.
- Whispers of the Runes (2021) – Features jewellery designer Sara, who slips back to the 9th-century where she meets Niáll, a Norseman seeking a new future.
- Tempted by the Runes (2022) – Tells the story of modern-day researcher Madison, who travels back to Viking-age Sweden and falls for a warrior named Jarl.
- Promises of the Runes (2023) – Features a dual-timeline romance that bridges the present day with the challenges of early Viking settlements.
- Legacy of the Runes (2024) – Concludes this story cycle, following modern-day Storm Berger and the 9th-century heroine Freydis Ulfsdottir as their fates align.
The Roman Timeslip Series
Following the success of the Runes series, Courtenay moved her timeslip formula to the Roman Empire. These books are technically standalone works but are linked by shared characters and historical events:
- Shadows in the Ashes (2024) – Set in modern Italy and AD 79 Pompeii just before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Caterina Rossi experiences visions of Raedwald, an enslaved gladiator hired to guard a Roman woman.
- Shadows in the Spring (2025) – Alternates between modern-day Bath and AD 80 Britannia. This novel acts as a direct thematic sequel, following the character Duro, a former gladiator who previously appeared as a minor figure in the first book, as he seeks vengeance in Roman-occupied Britain.
The Kinross Saga
This historical family saga follows the adventures of the Kinross family in the 18th century, spanning Gothenburg, Scotland, and the Far East. The books should be read in order to follow the family's lineage:
- Trade Winds (2010) – Set in 1732, Jess van Sandt enters a marriage of convenience with Scotsman Killian Kinross in Gothenburg, Sweden, to protect her inheritance.
- Highland Storms (2011) – Brice Kinross, the son of the couple from the first book, leaves Sweden in 1754 to reclaim his family's ruined estate in the Scottish Highlands.
- Monsoon Mists (2014) – Concludes the trilogy, focusing on trade, adventure, and romance in the exotic East Indies.
The Kumashiro Saga
Inspired by the author's teenage years living in Tokyo and the historical account of William Adams (the first English samurai), this trilogy explores the cultural clashes and romances of 17th-century Japan:
- The Scarlet Kimono (2011) – Englishwoman Hannah Marston escapes an arranged marriage in 1611, stows away on a ship, and is captured in Japan by samurai Taro Kumashiro.
- The Gilded Fan (2012) – Continues the saga with a focus on cross-cultural relationships and political court intrigue.
- The Jade Lioness (2015) – Follows Temperance Marston as she travels to Nagasaki, where she meets a ronin named Kazuo who is trying to restore his family's honor.
Shadows from the Past Series
This is Courtenay's first timeslip series, connecting modern heroines with various periods of British history through family secrets and old manors:
- The Silent Touch of Shadows (2012) – A genealogist discovers dark secrets and an ancient connection to the past.
- The Secret Kiss of Darkness (2013) – A modern-day heroine is drawn back to the 17th century amid danger and witchcraft.
- The Soft Whisper of Dreams (2014) – Focuses on dreams and memories that link two eras.
- The Velvet Cloak of Moonlight (2017) – Set partly during the 1646 siege of Raglan Castle during the English Civil War.
Regency Romances & Standalones
Courtenay began her career writing traditional Regency historical romances, which are lighthearted and do not feature paranormal or timeslip elements. They can be read in any order:
- Marry in Haste (2009) – Her debut novel, featuring a marriage of convenience between Amelia Ravenscroft and Viscount Demarr.
- Once Bitten, Twice Shy (2010)
- Desperate Remedies (2011)
- Never Too Late (2011)
- Marry for Love (2018)
She has also written contemporary young adult fiction, including New England Rocks (2013), under her real name Pia Fenton, as well as the standalone timeslip novel Hidden in the Mists (2022), which bridges modern Scotland with the Viking era.