The Stone of Time

by Pamela Chartrand

When you recognize your destiny, you’ll know what to do.Paige Delaney is coming to terms with her identity as a bloodline witch. Although she’s one of the most powerful of her line, she struggles to access her magical gifts.Returning to the Wiccan bonfire, she receives a mystical vision of a monk attacking a hooded figure, and she knows she must pursue it. She travels to France to find the enigmatic bookseller who introduced her to the sacred text that started it all. With his mentorship, and the mysterious Stone of Time, she time-travels to 14th-century Avignon on a daring mission to rescue the Herbarium.There, she meets the Companion who is attempting to save the life of a young man, but risks falling into a trap set by the Papal counsel.Overwhelmed, Paige fears her tenuous grasp on her powers will fail.And when fate reunites her with her timeless love, Paige must make a heart-wrenching choice—Return to the present, or remain and leave behind everything she knows and holds dear.In this captivating sequel to The Herbarium, prepare for a sweeping tale of love, sacrifice, and magic, where past and present collide in a quest to preserve the future.

364 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 31, 2023

Reviews

[Helen Garraway · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paige is still adjusting to the knowledge that she is a powerful ancestral witch when she receives a vision that sends her on an adventure through time to 13th century France. There she meets a man who has a deep connection to her, but she doesn't know why.

With Armand, she attempts to save the mystical book, the Herbarium, and right some wrongs in the process.

I loved the idea of a cosmic hacker, and his shennanigans to ensure Paige travelled alone.

An enjoyable read, though I found it difficult to really connect to characters. Being told how people feel instead of experiencing it removes you from that immediacy of immersing yourself in the story.

If you love historical fiction with a touch of magic and time travel, then this is the book for you.

[Kat Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read the first book but this book can be read as a standalone.

Paige has learned she is a mighty witch but has no knowledge of her powers or how to use them. She embarks on a journey to save a precious book, The Herbarium, from destruction in the 1300s. She gets some training (a few days) before she has to time travel.

Her fears are plausible regarding the little knowledge of her powers and time travel. Will she be able to get back to this time? What if her powers aren't strong enough to save the book? Will she survive the time travel?

When Paige does arrive back in time, she still wears her modern-day clothes and needs to hide. Another witch sees her and takes her into her home. Here she meets Armand, the person she is to help save this precious book. They do have a deep connection and feel like they have known each other forever. Is this Sam, her husband who died, or is it her current love interest, Jack, in her current time?

There is a lot of deception from higher powers, and those who want the book destroyed will stop at nothing, including murder. And why is Armand and the young acolyte, Gilbert, a target? Who wants them dead?

It is an interesting story but I wished that the main characters were given more depth in their feelings.

I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pamela Chartrand added another great installment to the Herbarium Chronicles. Paige takes the reader on an adventure to Europe in the 1300s to save the sacred Herbarium. It was a superior adventure with characters from the first book in the series and twists that moved the story along fabulously. The transition and relation between past and present was adequately explored and the connection was clear. The story was engaging and kept my attention throughout the novel. I highly recommend this series if you like time travel novels that are interesting with clear connections between the past and present. I hope there will be another novel or more in this series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tina M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect Wrap

Excellent ending in this duology. Wraps up all points from the beginning to the end.

The time travel is more tolerable in these than I tend to find in a lot of other ones. I have a hard time sticking with the storyline with there’s a huge fracture in time jumps. Even with this one going back to the 1300’s to the current period of the 21st century, it was seamlessly integrated without the feeling of being "lost in time."

I was surprised to read in the acknowledgment section that the author almost didn’t write this, and originally didn’t even have a second planned out. Glad she did.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2, it might help to read book 1 to appreciate Paige's full journey. The chapters switch between Paige in the current day and Armand in the early 1300s until Paige is helped with time travelling to the time she can retrieve the Herbarium. Once successful, Paige receives help camouflaging herself amongst the locals and pursues her mission. The story reads young and there are plenty of characters to follow.


I received a free copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Thank you to Hidden Gems Books and author.

[Dixie Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this time travel adventure

I'm old, lazy and still don't like book reports after all these years. I enjoyed the two books in this series. Adventure, a tasteful touch of Romance ,but not the total focus which seems just right for where I am in life these days. Thanks Pamela for taking me along on your fantasy. Makes me wish I could have another couple of episodes. Even different characters and or locations. Guess I will just need to do it myself, but your writing fleshes out the characters so well. Thanks!

[Linda Constantine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a feeling...

that we will be seeing more of Paige in future stories. At leaat, that is my hope. I especially love novel series in which each book is a complete story all its own, yet brings back characters I've grown fond of.
This is well written, edited, and proofed (which can be lacking in books through KU). Characters are well fleshed out, and sympathetic. Storyline is great, and believable.... something that can be difficult when fantasy, and /or magic are part of the story. I loved both of these books. Looking forward to more from this author.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story a good deal - very interesting characters and the story line was quite fascinating. It took me a little bit to get into the story but soon enough, the pace picked up for me and I sped through the second half. I do think it is advantageous to read the first book before you read this one. I didn't -- I don't think it interfered with my enjoyment but I do think if you can read it first, I think things would make even more sense.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Susan Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good except for misspellings

I liked the storyline of this and the previous, but reading that the author has a degree in English, makes the misspellings more egregious and made me give this four stars. I find so many grammatical and misspellings in newer books, I figure the authors cheap out and use computer spelling and grammar checking instead of paying for proofreading, but many homonyms especially get through wrongly. I get tired of it, but I guess that's the world we live in now, and the way the world is going, spelling and grammar are the least of our problems.

[Tami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! The history was lush! So vivid and real! There were several scenes that left the mind reeling! Very intriguing! Twists and turns, hidden secrets, mysteries revealed in fantastic and out of the way methods. Another journey for the Herbarium! Wonder where it will end up next and who we'll meet next!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Angie Vanschoick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, we join Paige, but this time she is more aware of her abilities. Some of the background information for this story felt slightly unneeded. Although, if you hadn’t read the herbarium, you would definitely need the background to know what was going on. I very much enjoyed reading this and seeing how the story plays out.

[Jake Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book as a standalone, having attempted the first book in the series but finding the characters superficial and lacking depth. The dialogue often feels needless and flat, which can be quite distracting.

The plot itself is fairly shallow, and although the author includes some twists, the dramatic reveals fall flat due to the overall lack of character and story development.

[Olivette M Aviso · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a romantic and I am so glad I chose this book. I enjoyed the Herbarium and couldn't wait to read The Stone of Time. I wasn't disappointed. Pamela's descriptions are wonderful and her stories flow so smoothly I was carried on until I finished the book at 4:30 am! I am looking forward to more of her stories.

[Melissa Izquierdo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a reader who loves interesting characters. Unfortunately, the characters here don't have much depth.

The story line didn't really go anywhere.

I appreciate the opportunity to read this ARC. This is my honest review.

[readwithreag · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this series!

Another riveting novel in the Herbarium Chronicles. I’m no book critic. I love historical fiction, especially when it involves herbal medicine. Time travel is another plus. Thank you, Pamela Chartrand for this delightful series.

[Rhonda J Steele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this

I loved both looks, but this even more. I really wish there
would be another one. I am fascinated by the early origins of the church and the mingling of the Christian and pagan beliefs.

[Rita Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading

It has been difficult for me lately, I'm so glad I found your stories. I love history ((even if it isn't real but implied) weaved into stories and yours are mixed so well. The content is great...

[michael a brewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable fantasy!

I love the characters, Paige &Armand, the Herbarium, enjoyed the limits of the 13th century food & simpler way of life. Looking forward to a follow-up novel, gotta know how Armand & Paige reconnect their relationship.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fast fun clean magic story

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hoping there will be another book in the future. Felt like the end hinted at it.

[Jennifer L · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a qonderful continuation of the Herbarium which I picked up accidentally which ended up being the best books I've read in ages! I highly recommend!

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good second installment!

Really enjoyed the second book about the Herbarium, Paige’s skills and her travels to another place and time. Looking forward to book 3!

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

2nd of series and I sure hope there's more to come. So nice not to have to deal with poor editing. . Highly recommend.