Stoneheart

by Abby D. Jones, Alana Asby

George "Sul" Sullivan is a bounty hunter with a magical stone for a heart.

Unfeeling and efficient, he nevertheless saves the life of Psyche Kyteler, a gunmaker who was assaulted, staked out, and trapped on a deserted ranch. Psyche and Sul take on their mutual enemies together in a desperate stand. Then they part, Sul leaving his stoneheart with Psyche to keep her trauma at bay.

Unbeknownst to Sul, Psyche is pregnant with a magical child, the result of her assault. During the years they spend apart, she raises her beloved daughter and yearns for the man who cannot feel for her as she feels for him.

Meanwhile, Sul increasingly acts out the guilt and despair he tried to escape by taking the stoneheart. At last, in desperation, he takes a final job that brings him back into Psyche's life. But far from easing his torment, this job confronts him with an impossible choice between honor and salvation.

Genres: Fantasy

436 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 21, 2024

About the author

Stories have been a part of my life since I was a little girl daydreaming plots and characters as I drifted off to sleep. Cowboys have always been a part of those tales, as have guns, fairy tales, warriors, and magic. I seem incapable of telling a story without magic pushing its way in or a warrior standing between evil and those he loves.

I have always been an insatiable reader. I was the child who hid to read. Now, I'm the middle-aged woman who returns to the Shire, Watership Down, and Hogwarts almost every year.

I have developed my craft and pushed to hone my skills while co-owning a business, slogging through chronic health issues, and learning to be a homemaker. No matter where I am in life, writing is with me.

Stoneheart is my debut novel. It is the tangible expression of many years of training, a wonderful friendship with my dear co-author, and the fulfillment of a dream I've had since I was a young woman: to be an author. May there be many more books to come!

Reviews

[Stephanie Florentino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly creative and stunning Snow White retelling, set in an enthralling but dangerous magical world. I couldn't put it down! It's one of those stories that will stay with me; and one that manages the tricky balance of being visceral and brutal, yet hauntingly beautiful and hopeful all at once. The development of each of the main characters is top notch, too. If you can endure the dark times with them and come out on the other side, the journey is well worth it. A masterful reminder that, no matter your circumstances, you can find healing - though the process may not be easy or pretty. And sometimes you have to saddle up and fight back against the darkness in your life before it consumes you.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an inspiring read of bravery, horror, redemption and love.
The author does a wonderful job of exploring not just the love depicted in romance but in motherhood, from a savior, brotherhood and community.

[Rachel Atterholt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, clever and beautiful, this is a story of hope, of redemption and forgiveness, of love, fighting for your home and your trueself. It’s gorgeously written, drawing from mythos and fairytales, and amazingly pulled together in neat, fantastical bows. It made me cry on more than one occasion, made me laugh in spite of myself and had me rooting for the characters throughout. Cannot recommend this book enough.

[Courtney Ranger · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had to DNF this book because of content issues at 25-30%. I don’t want to share all the details to protect innocent readers and their hearts, but this book included sensitive topics like SA and a pregnancy resulting from the SA. There was also more profanity than I was comfortable with. Please feel free to DM me for more information

[Sarah Gabriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I waited too long to read this one, but I'm glad I did because I hadn't realized it was a Christmas story. This meant that I found my way to it at the perfect time of year. Highly recommend and can't wait to read more by these authors.