Stone Heart

by Mallory Glass

An isolated manor. Ancient enemies locked in an eternal struggle. An innocent woman’s heart and soul caught in the middle.

Lord McCardle hires me to stay at Kinloch Manor to restore the keep’s magnificent granite guardians. From the arrogant McCardle to the grumpy Cook, no one here is what they seem.

Adriel, the great stone beast guarding the manor’s entrance, unlocks the magic hidden inside me. Now I have two choices.

Flee from the handsome monster who occupies my nights and surrender my daylight dreams...

Or risk it all for love and join the battle between two ancient enemies.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy

151 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2025

About the author

Mallory Glass enjoys creating worlds within worlds for her characters to explore. She writes for those who love to embrace a temporary escape from reality.

When she’s not engaged in vicarious angst over the antics of fictional characters, she digests too much media and suffers the antics of her hostile pet rabbit.

Her debut novella, Stone Heart, was released March 2025 from Sloth & Envy Press. Mallory’s college romance, Me + You, will be released in spring 2026. The follow up to Stone Heart will be published in late spring 2026.

She lives in the Twin Cities, MN.

Find her on Bluesky as @mglaz.bsky.social or email mglass@slothandenvy.com

Reviews

[Mallory Glass]

Hello reader! I'm Mallory, the writer of Stone Heart. I'm not technically reviewing or rating my own book, but I wanted to share some details with you here.

If you like a romance that is:

-slightly unhinged
-Gothic-inspired
-filled with stone monsters
-about ancient enemies
-full of unexpected magic
-a meeting of fated mates

...then this book might be for you!

Lauren
Lauren is a sculptor and restoration specialist whose been hired by Lord McCardle to repair the gargoyles and grotesques at his ancestral manor in Scotland. Her arrival triggers a series of events that brings out her hidden magic and leads to a final showdown between two ancient enemies.

Adriel
Adriel has given up any interest in the world around him. Until an intriguing woman appears and begins to work her magic on the stone monsters of Kinloch Manor. Brooding and mysterious, he finds himself entranced by Lauren and willing to risk everything to see her free of Kinloch before it's too late.

Thank to those who have invested their time reading this tale and/or left a rating or review. You are appreciated!

Stone Heart is available in paperback at most online retailers. The ebook is available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited. https://books2read.com/mallory-glass/

I can't wait to bring you book 2 of Stone & Flame in Spring 2026, but Stone Heart can be read as a standalone with a satisfying HEA!

[HorsesDogsAndBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an INTERESTING story! There’s a ton of spice but it’s also just a really cool and engaging tale. I love the way sex and magic are woven together so intimately.

This is an author to watch!

[Langley Beatrix · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story wraps you in mist, magic, and longing from the very first page.

Kinloch Manor is deliciously eerie, its inhabitants layered with secrets, and nothing-no one-is quite what they seem. The slow-burn romance between the heroine and Adriel, the stone guardian who awakens her hidden magic, is intense, tender, and dangerously addictive.

What truly shines is the atmosphere: ancient grudges, whispered magic, and a love that demands everything. The choice at the heart of the story—safety or love, escape or destiny keeps the tension tight until the end.

Perfect for readers who crave gothic settings, cursed protectors, and romances that feel both epic and intimate.

[Rebekah Worick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightfully romantic and magical, and yet still familiar. The characters were all well-written, and their interactions conveyed the rising stakes without feeling forced or unbelievable.

I loved the dual POV between Adriel and Lauren, and it made for an even better story by getting to see into both of their heads. For those seeking a fresh romantasy, this book checked all the boxes and was exactly the escape I needed.

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Writing is occasionally clunky and the story had a bit of a lurching start. The two characters have very similar narrative voices and I was frequently confused whose POV we were in.

That said, this is an enjoyable read with a fun premise. I really appreciated how the book treated the history of the MMC and didn't try to turn him into a perfect hero. The characters had great chemistry and even though it was insta-lust, it didn't feel like insta-love, if that makes sense.

[Solveig Pederson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This great escape of a book is a spicy romantasy between Lauren, hired to restore Kinloch Manor's granite guardians, and Adriel, one of the stone beasts guarding the manor's entrance. It's surprising, with a great sense of humor, and I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

[Emily Schmidt · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 ⭐️