Scozia, 1310. Abbandonata dal promesso sposo nove anni prima, la highlander Catriona Mackenzie ha promesso di prendere i voti. Il suo desiderio sta per avverarsi, quando Tadhg — l'uomo che amava — ricompare, ferito e bisognoso delle sue cure. Scozia, 2021. L'ispettore della polizia di Oxford James Murray sta indagando su una scomparsa nel castello di Eilean Donan. È sicuro che ci sia una spiegazione logica. Ma quando scende in una grotta sotterranea, una pietra magica lo fa precipitare indietro nel tempo fino al Medioevo. Bloccato in una stanza buia, James è grato all'angelo biondo che viene in suo aiuto. Finché lei non lo fa prigioniero. Ma quando il fratello di Catriona viene avvelenato, James la convince a permettergli di aiutarla. Con un assassino a piede libero, James non può lasciare il suo angelo medievale indifeso. Sa che lei è off-limits — e lui se ne andrà presto — ma non può fare a meno di desiderarla. Combattuta tra i sentimenti confusi verso Tadhg, l'intensa attrazione verso James e il vincolo sacro verso Dio, Catriona si ritrova con la vita in subbuglio. Cedere alla passione ardente tra di loro sarebbe un peccato. Ma avrà tutto il resto della vita per pentirsene.
When time travel romance writer Mariah Stone isn't busy writing strong modern women falling back through time into the arms of hot Vikings, Highlanders, and pirates, she chases after her toddler and spends romantic nights on North Sea with her husband. Mariah speaks six languages, loves Outlander, sushi and Thai food, and runs a local writer's group. Subscribe to Mariah's newsletter for a free time travel book today!
WHAT AN AMAZING READ!! Highlander's Vow by Mariah Stone is book 6 in the Called By A Highlander series and what a wonderful read they! Though in a series Highlander’s Vow can be read as a standalone. I probably say this every time but I think Highlander’s Vow is so far my favorite. So romantic and I just love a strong women. Mariah writing is unique and she never disappoints. This story has a a secret betrothed, a detective looking for missing people, time travel, a battle, healing, highland games, poisoning, a fall, two loves and a love of your life. This story has it all and I am highly recommending you read this book.
***This book was gifted to me and I am voluntarily reviewing.
I have read many of this author's time-travel and historical romances, and I typically thoroughly enjoy them. I was looking forward to digging into this book. I was intrigued because the person time-traveling was a man. Most time-travel books have the woman in the potential couple go back in time. This man is a modern-day detective looking into the disappearance of a young woman and her brother; that young woman was the heroine of the previous time-travel book of this series. I liked that connection between the books. I found some of the first part of the book confusing, as the hero kept referencing aspects of his past that were unclear until much later in the book. I think the author could have given us more details—even just a few—earlier so it wouldn't have been so confusing. My biggest problem with the book, though, was the heroine. She was an odd combination of parts that never quite gelled into a believable character, and I honestly never liked her or related to her. Her first reaction to the hero just seemed too extreme, and frankly, I didn't like the way she treated him. I also didn't quite believe their instant attraction to each other, especially given their histories (and the way she treated him at first). So, while I typically enjoy books by this author, I found this one disappointing.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
James Murray is an English police detective from the present and looking for two missing persons, a recent Oxford university graduate, Rogene Wakeley, and her teenage brother David. That was two weeks ago in Donan Castle in Dornie, Scotland in the highlands. Yet while he is investigating the two missing Americans, James is whisked away through a time travel rock to medieval Scotland to the year 1310.
Catrìona Mackenzie had been heartbroken by her one true love Tadhg MacCowen, who abandoned her with no explanation. She believes he never loved her at all, and the older rich nobleman, Alexander Balliol, with royal ties she was to be forced to marry had died. So Catrìona decides to become a nun, yet her brother who is now Laird asks her to wait six years in case she meets another and falls in love. She agrees but now the decision to become a nun has not changed , the time is near as she will be taking her vows shortly after the Highland games.
Police Detective, James Murray, at first is in denial not believing time travel exists. He feels this was an actor’s reenactment or reality show. Even Catrìona at first glance feels James is some sort of English sassenach witch with his strange clothes but lighting a cigarette with a lighter had her convinced he was evil. On top of that her former betrothed has shown up and her attraction to the handsome Englishman from the future can’t be helped. Plus it seems her brother and former betrothed have both been poisoned by one of her healing tisanes. Now Catrìona must figure out what she wants for her life, her former love, James Murray or her commitment to God to become a nun and married to the Lord.
This book has a timeless setting, captivating dialogue, unforgettable character! The plotting is absolutely brilliant, with so many twists and turns where readers never know what to expect next! A wonderful time-travel romance where love is the winner! This is a new author for me that I really enjoyed and plan to read more Mariah Stones books. As I was totally swept away in this enchanting, spellbinding read! A book I highly recommend!
Disclaimer: I received an advance reader’s copy from Booksprout.co. I voluntarily agreed to do an honest, fair review and blog. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.
What a wonderful story of two people from different walks of life and different time periods. Both have suffered from their parents, and now feel unlovable. This story draws you in with the first page. In Scotland 1310 at Eilean Donan Castle Catriona Mackenzie was abandoned by her best friend and the only person who she though loved her. Now nine years later she is older, wiser and waiting to become a nun. She is the healer for her clan, helping and being needed is what keeps her going. Tadhg the boy who left her without a word or a goodby or why shows up wounded and in need of her help. She is shocked to see him ! But cannot turn him away. Scotland 2021 Detective James Murray is searching thru Eilean Donan Castle for two tourist who disappeared. Rogene and her brother David, went thru a door to an underground cavern and never come back out. James is not superstitious, or believes in magic. He believes in facts, leads and truth. Till he follows their path to the underground cavern touches a glowing rock and wakes in 1310! Catriona finds him and believe he is a sorcerer for how he is dressed and talks. She has him thrown in the dungeon. Even at their first meeting both feel something between then and awareness neither understands. When Catriona's brother Laomann, the Laird of clan Mackenzie falls deathly ill no one knows what is wrong with him. James talks her into letting him found what is going on. As other fall ill, and more are attacked the mystery deepens with members of the clan accusing many. As both Catriona and James work together, they can't deny the attraction growing between them. We meet up with some of the characters from past books, Rogene, David and Angus. This book will have you flipping pages to see what happens next. With twist and turns, the mystery fighting clans and an evil person out to hurt all. Don't start reading this book if you have anything else you need to get done because you will not want to put it down. Catriona and James might be from different time periods but they find they have a lot in common thanks to their parents. I hope you get a copy because I know you will love it, the books in this series can be read as standalone but so much better read in order. The ending is one of the best parts of this book... I received and ARC from the author and wish to thank her. This is my honest opinion and am freely giving it.
These stories continue the thrill! This book starts with James, an English police officer, investigating the disappearance of Rogene and her brother David, who are the subjects of the previous book in this searies. Catriona, sister to the Mackenzie laird, is the clan healer and is resolved to become a nun. When James ends up in 1310 Scotland and it is Catriona who discovers him. Shortly thereafter, Catriona’s brother is poisoned, and James’ detective instincts kick in. He is determined to uncover the culprit and keep Catriona and her family safe before he returns to the 21st Century. So much happens in this story. There are several attempted murders; many close calls; battles; betrayals and the return of a long lost lover. Euphemia rears her ugly head, hell bent on destroying the Mackenzies and making Angus suffer. We even get a glimpse into James and Catriona’s past and the horrors they faced….so much anguish, fear and heartache. I am so in love with this series. The characters are diverse, easily imaginable and draw you into their lives. The storylines are original, action packed, emotionally captivating and meticulously developed. The author masterfully weaves her books together, creating a saga that is impossible to put down.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
TITLE: Catrìona is betrayed twice by the man she thought loved her!
SETTING: Eilean Donan Castle: 1301, 2021 Detective James Murray comes to Eilean Donan Castle to investigate 2 people who had disappeared in the museum, under the noses of other visitors and in plain view of security. He finds the “key” to the mystery when he himself is transported back in time to 1301. After a bit of confusion, he realizes where and WHEN he landed, and proceeds to fit himself into life in medieval times, even finding the love of his life.
CRITIQUE: A nice diversion when life eases up a bit, and one has time to breathe and read. The story has the usual problems of life in Scotland of that time, and some twists and turns that are unexpected. One must accept that time travel is possible, that old Gaelic symbols hold secrets of such travel, and that fairies exist and help direct human affairs (i.e. an adult fairy tale, with it’s requisite happily-ever-after). After I got past the fairy-tale part, I did get into, and enjoyed, the story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Detective James Murray is investigating a disappearance of a brother and sister in Eilean Donan Castle in Scotland. When he goes down into the bottom of the castle, he gets transported back to 1310 where he meets Catriona Mackenzie.
When the Laird of the castle gets poisoned James wishes to use his detective skills to work out who might be attempting Loamann’s life.
Catriona is a healer who has decided to be a nun after she had been left by the man she loved several years earlier.
Both Catriona and James have been hurt in the past and have emotions to work out. They both need to find love and acceptance.
This is a lovely well written story. Contains action, battles, intrigue, betrayal suspense and sexy romance. Really enjoyed reading this story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Highlanders Vow is the 6 th. book in a series of time travel stories, that Mariah Stone has wrote! Mariah stories get better and better , this book starts with Catriona MacKenzie in the year 1310, waiting for her secret Betrothal to come and take her away to get married! But Tadhg never arrives, and she is devastated, as years pass she decides to join the nunnery. In the year 2021 James Murray a Oxford detective is investigating the disappearance of two people in Castle Eilean Donan, and comes across a magic stone with a hand print in the stone. James touches the stone and is transported to the year 1310, in the castle lower room. James is terrified beening locked in closed rooms from a terrible childhood, Catriona finds James and lets him out,but takes him as a prisoner to her brother who is the laird of their clan. This ebook is full of excitement and drama, Love between James and Catriona,. Tadhg has returned and Catriona is confused how she is feeling about the two men! I received this ebook as a ARC for my honest review, and gave the story a 5 stars, I so enjoyed the story, I had to find out who was poisoning people in the castle, loved the suspense, and the love between James and Catriona. Thanks Mariah Stone for letting me read this book.
Rogene and David Wakeley are entering the castle, Eilean Donan. They have been seen. Detective James Murray is looking for Rogene and David Wakeley they have disappeared. He has come to the castle looking for them. Instead, he meets a woman and starts asking questions. She sends him into the basement. He comes across this rock with a handprint on it. It pulls him through to the year 1310. Catriona Mackenzie had a rough life. Her father was evil. She had become the healer of her clan. She was also in great demand. At the end of summer, she was going to the Nunnery to become a nun. James is stuck in the basement because the door is locked. She comes to his rescue. She takes him to meet her brother, the Laird. Someone is trying to kill him? I found the story wonderfully readable. It was intriguing and kept you guessing. There were a lot of twists but the author kept everything rolling along just fine. The characters needed each other to heal after all they had grown up with. I enjoyed the danger, getting to know each other, and the family at both ends of time. I received this ARC from the author and voluntarily reviewed it.
Another engrossing read from Mariah Stone! Her ability to give depth and vulnerability to her characters make them real. Detective James Murray is investigating the disappearance of Rogene and David Wakeley and looking for clues in an ancient Scottish castle. What he finds is both exciting and unbelievable! Entertaining story with strong characters that have much in common due to each of their less than ideal upbringings. I enjoyed this book and couldn't stop reading. James starts out investigating one mystery but finds himself in the middle of several other unanswered questions and danger. A few surprising turns of events before some of the mysteries are solved. Not to be missed! looking forward to the next Highlander novel. Hope we will also find out more about James and Catriona and what lies ahead for the Mackenzies!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Two people so in need of finding acceptance and love find each other in the most unusual time. A Story that is filled with so much emotional strive that you are constantly taken in with there feelings. Catriona MacKenzie and James Murray are the perfect couple that complements each other. There individual needs and strengths work well for the other. That brings out the chemistry that pulls you in. As for the the End Of The Story, It is the Best. The words say it all. As will the tears you will shed.
Nailed it! This multifaceted time-travel fantasy (Book 6) is one of the best yet. I totally loved the main characters and felt like I really was back there. Though life was surely much harsher than depicted. I love that Mariah uses a real place though sadly the actual Eilean Donan Castle has no such stone... at least that I could find years ago.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Cartiona and James are a awesome together in this. The writer created an intriguing romantic tale involving the past and future of two worlds. For me the book started out as a slow pace, but then at the halfway point of the book the excitement picked up. I enjoyed that the book was a happy ending book. All the characters where interesting and charming. The fancy wording was a bit much. The dialect and Gaelic was awesome. I appreciate that.
This is a brilliant read. Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start. Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable. Great drama and romance with wonderful world building. Can't wait to read what the author brings out next. Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
There’s a sizzle when the two main characters meet and touch, they both try to deny. They are so different: she’s wanting to be a nun, while he’s an atheist; she’s a healer and he solves murders; but the biggest is she’s from the past and he’s from the present! As the tension increases the mystery stars to unravel, but the twists start.
James, a modern day policeman, is transported to medieval Scotland. He encounters Catriona, a healer for her clan. They fall in love and discover who is the attempted killer of her brother. Excellent plot with a developing romance and time travel.
The Called by a Highlander series has been fabulous so far but I must say "Highlander's Vow" is the best one yet! This story gripped me in its clutches from beginning to end. Time travel stories have always fascinated me and Mariah Stone is excellent at writing them.
When James, a present day cop, finds himself in the Middle Ages and encounters Catriona, a young lass intending to become a nun, life will never be the same for either one of them! Their story has it all....danger, mystery, battles, unexpected twists and most important of all, love. James and Catriona are two lost souls who truly need each other but their path is not an easy one.
I received an ARC of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Again I paid a visit to the 1310 to Donan Castle. It’s always nice being there and great to meet the characters from the previous book: Rogene, David, Angus… It was so sweet to see how James and Catrìona grew together although they’re from different ages. They seek the same acceptance and love and found it by each other. I also loved the mystery they had to solve. This story was well written and the plot had me engaged from the beginning until the end! I highly recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Sineag is such a sneaky Fae! I really like how she provides opportunities to bring together couples separated by time. Rich with history and the struggles of the time, Catriona and James both have different yet similar challenges to address. Having the story weave around this couple’s individual strengths made the persistent unrest in the highlands interesting to follow. Satisfying right to the very end!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Catorìna is a sister and a healer of the clan Mackenzie. She promised herself to go be a nun after her childhood sweetheart never came to pick her up and move away. One man traveled through a rock from 2021 to the 1310 after he was told his one true love waited for him. After meeting and the start of falling for Catorìna he has been tring to go back home to help his own family.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Mariah Stone is my favourite author. She writes stories that you can’t put down and this one is no exception. There are always vibrant characters, enough tension and ‘action’ to keep your attention throughout. And i love how her books tie in so well with her other books and don’t have any plot holes like some others. All in all an excellent addition to this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Another wonderful tale of time travel! James a police officer from Oxford heads to Scotland to follow a lead in regards to two missing persons. Once at the last know place, Eilean Donan Castle. There he meets a fairy that sends him back to 1310, stating he will find his true love. Locked in a dark, musty room he is rescued by Catrìona, the Laird sister. She takes James as a prisoner, he is strangely dress and what is a lighter to James was Black Magic to Catriona! Catriona is on the verge of taking a vow to become a nun. She promised her brother to wait 6 years before she takes her vow. Hoping she will change her mind, but she sees it as the only way to be free. There is murders, mysteries, battles and the missing persons are found! Plenty to keep James in 1310, not to mention a beautiful women.
I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story.
The latest in Mariah Stone's called by the highlander series , and for my mind this series just gets better . Catriona McKenzie, was left in limbo by her betrothed Tadgh, and vowed to enter the nunnery. Into the mix comes Detective James Murray, hurtled from modern day Oxford to the medieval highlands of Scotland James is taken prisoner by Catriona and when her brother the laird is poisoned James offers to help her find the culprit, and what starts as slight antagonism turns to something else. I really liked the fact that this storyline was a continuation of the last book ( in a sense, it involves Rogene and David’s characters) Although I struggled to read this book (due to problems with my eye) I devoured this book in one sitting , Get it , if you like this genre you won’t be disappointed..
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Me encantó, como todas las novelas de Mariah, te muestra todo el daño que pueden hacer los prejuicios en la personalidad de alguien y como las personas, sus acciones y las palabras correctas pueden marcar un antes y después eso sucede con la protagonista mi dulce Catriona cuando conoce a mi bello James, le hace ver la gran persona que es y todo lo que tiene para dar, le da la fuerza para decir lo que realmente quiere y cómo ésto le permite liberar todas las cadenas que los prejuicios atan, es una historia maravillosa como todas las de Mariah, que te mantiene en zozobra junto a los protagonistas hasta que logras descifrar el misterio y luego te da un abre boca de la que viene y te deja con unas ganas enormes de leerla como es la historia de mi hermoso Raghnall!!!
Dopo un quinto libro molto deludente, questo sesto volume è una vera rinascita per la saga. Una romance costruita con calma e intelligenza, personaggi coerenti e un conflitto reale tra amore, fede e identità. Il libro più maturo e riuscito finora.
⚠️ Questa recensione contiene spoiler ⚠️
Uno degli elementi che funzionano fin dalle prime pagine è il protagonista maschile. James è un personaggio solido, coerente, credibile: un uomo moderno, razionale, con un passato doloroso che giustifica il suo rapporto complesso con la fede e con tutto ciò che non può essere spiegato logicamente. Il suo viaggio nel Medioevo non viene accettato con leggerezza, ma attraverso osservazione, dubbio, verifica. Anche quando si trova di fronte all’impossibile, resta fedele alla propria identità di investigatore, ed è proprio questo a renderlo così convincente.
Catriona, dal canto suo, è una protagonista femminile ben costruita e profondamente umana. Il suo conflitto non è semplicemente sentimentale, ma identitario: tra la vocazione religiosa, il desiderio di libertà, il bisogno di sentirsi utile e la paura di essere amata davvero. Il romanzo affronta la fede con rispetto, senza idealizzarla né demonizzarla, mostrando come, nel contesto storico, il convento possa rappresentare per una donna uno dei pochi spazi di autonomia e potere. Il dissidio interiore di Catriona è graduale, coerente e mai forzato.
La relazione tra Catriona e James è il vero punto di forza del libro. Non nasce dal destino né da un’attrazione immediata e immotivata, ma cresce attraverso dialoghi difficili, silenzi, rispetto reciproco e riconoscimento profondo. James non cerca di salvarla né di cambiarla, ma la vede per ciò che è. Catriona, a sua volta, non rinuncia a se stessa per amore, ma arriva a scegliere solo dopo aver chiarito chi vuole essere. È una romance che non cancella i conflitti, li attraversa.
L’intimità tra i protagonisti è gestita con rara delicatezza per la saga. Il desiderio è scelto, non subito; il consenso è centrale; i limiti vengono rispettati. Non è erotismo fine a se stesso, ma una naturale estensione del percorso emotivo.
Molto riuscito anche il triangolo amoroso con Tadhg, che non viene trasformato in un antagonista artificiale. Il confronto con lui non serve a scegliere tra due uomini, ma tra due vite: una fatta di ruoli e rinunce, l’altra di possibilità e libertà. È una distinzione lucida, adulta, e uno dei momenti narrativamente più forti del romanzo.
Il filone mystery è ben integrato e risolto in modo intelligente. La scoperta del colpevole avviene attraverso deduzione e osservazione, non per convenienza narrativa. Anche la violenza viene trattata con maggiore consapevolezza rispetto ai libri precedenti: uccidere non è mai un gesto banale, e il peso morale delle azioni resta presente, soprattutto nel monologo interiore di Catriona durante la battaglia.
L’unico punto leggermente più debole è la gestione della sorella di James nel finale: la sua accettazione della scelta di lui di tornare indietro nel tempo risulta un po’ compressa sul piano emotivo, pur restando sensata sul piano narrativo. È una forzatura minore, che non compromette però l’equilibrio complessivo della storia.
La conclusione è credibile e meritata: James torna per scelta, non per destino; Catriona trova una strada che non rinnega né la fede né sé stessa; il lieto fine arriva solo dopo che entrambi hanno risolto i propri conflitti interiori.
In sintesi, questo libro riesce là dove altri volumi della saga avevano fallito: costruisce personaggi complessi, una romance matura e un conflitto reale tra amore, fede e identità. Un romanzo sorprendentemente profondo, che dimostra cosa la saga è capace di fare quando smette di prendere scorciatoie.
Consigliato, soprattutto a chi aveva quasi perso fiducia dopo il libro precedente.
She’s a Highland lady, sworn to become a nun. He’s a police detective thrown back in time. Can a vow of love bring them together across centuries?
Scotland, 1310. Abandoned by her betrothed nine years ago, Highlander Catriona Mackenzie vowed to join a nunnery. Her wish is about to be granted. Then Tadhg--the man she once loved—reappears, injured and in need of her healing touch.
Scotland, 2021. Oxford police detective James Murray is investigating a disappearance in Eilean Donan Castle. He’s sure there’s a logical explanation. But when he descends to an underground cavern, a magical rock sends him hurtling back through time to the Middle Ages.
Locked in a dark room, James is grateful to be rescued by an angelic blonde. Until she takes him prisoner. But when Catriona’s brother is poisoned, James convinces her to let him help. With a killer on the loose, James won’t leave his Medieval angel unprotected. He knows she’s off-limits—and he’ll be leaving soon—but he can’t help wanting her. Torn between her confusing feelings for Tadhg, her intense attraction to James, and her sacred commitment to God, Catriona finds her life in upheaval. Giving in to the passion that burns between them would be a sin. But she has the rest of her life to do penance.
𝗠𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
Will their past keep them apart …
This story surprised me as it was much different than the previous ones in this series, from the suspense part managed as sleuth tale to the ending. Maya while hurt by her failed secret betrothal years ago is no damsel in distress and in the previous book, she demonstrated as such. So when her first love reappears and a stranger so different he intrigues her and awakens unknown feeling, she feels lost, struggling to decide if her set course is really what she wants or a path to hide her pain. James is looking for two missing persons when he lands himself in a different time, yet mister rationalize fights every clue he finds as his mind can’t believe the inexplicable is possible. Until he has no other choice, but before going back to his era, he has a murder to identify. Plus it is what he is good at. Together they try to gather evidences to eventually pinpoint toward a possible culprit. I loved the mix between a medieval mystery and a romance, it was thrilling to follow the leads, even if I had my suspicions rather early, I loved watching them adding hint to trace. A great addition to this series, maybe one of my favorite. By the way, I love the new covers for this series. 5 stars
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen foreplays and lovemaking scenes.
I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
Mariah Stone never fails to entertain as she holds you spellbound within her stories where time and space know no bounds and fate is tightly woven within the the threads of her stories. If it’s time travel romance you seek, Mariah Stone is amazing!
Catriona Mackenzie was abandoned by her betrothed nine years ago and since has decided to become a nun. Deep down she longed for another life, one of marriage and children but has settled on her vow to the church. That is until the stranger she’s drawn to appears and at right about the same time so does her long lost betrothed, Tadhg. Tadhg is wounded and she must tend to him as he’s the only man she ever loved. And yet this stranger awakens feelings in her she’s never had and doesn’t understand.
Oxford police detective James Murray is investigating a disappearance in Eilean Donan Castle when he finds himself hurled back in time to Scotland in the year 1310 where he becomes captive to a beautiful, healing, Medieval angel.
Though they are from two different worlds, James and Catriona have so much in common, they can relate to one another on a unique level. There’s a connection that neither of them understand and yet neither of them can deny it for themselves.
When Catriona’s brother is poisoned James convinces her to let him help her find out who has done this. Together they work to solve the mystery and grow closer the more they learn about one another.
The characters are well-rounded, relatable and fascinating. Catriona is good and kind, strong and vulnerable and she’s devoted to her brother the Laird. She deserves so much more than she was dealt. James is a man of facts and practicality, yet he finds a way to fit into this medieval life he’s come to. He’s the polar opposite of Tadhg and oh so protective of Catriona. The connection between the two is undeniable and their chemistry is amazing. What’s a girl to do?
The author holds you spell bound as she weaves this magical story about two people fate, bending time and space has brought together. Her rich, visual and sensory prose crafts with immense skill a story that enthralls you from cover to cover.
Mariah Stone’s stories just get better and better! I loved the story and I absolutely loved the characters. The plot was so well done and the mystery was a bit of lagniappe. I really liked the way James fell into step with this medieval life. Of course there are twist and turns as these two wonderful characters try to unravel the mystery holding your attention all the more in this engaging story.
Thank you so much Ms. Stone. What a lovely way you have of transporting your reader to another time and place.
When I read a book by Mariah Stone I know I am reading a romance where there is always a moment of tension. Where love finds its way, even through the ages. And I love her Highlander series. Where a person (great that it is also men who fall in love with the woman immensely) with the help of Sìneag go back in time and find the love of their lives.
This story is about James Murray and Catriona MacKenzie
James is a detective who starts from facts, things he can see and feel, and doesn't act on emotion. The word "faith" has a bad taste for him given his childhood in a cult. While searching for David and Rogene, he comes to the ruins of Eilean Donan Castle where they were last seen. He hears the story of Sineag standing by a strange stone. The fact that Sineag mentions that she has last seen David and Rogene there makes him touch the stone and ..... recovers in 1310.
Catrìona Mackenzie has always been seen as a means of making things better for those around her. Not for the person she is but the value she will bring from a good marriage. Her father arranged a good marriage for her without her having any say in it. She wants to run away with her childhood sweetheart, but he never shows up at their agreed place and time. Her husband-to-be dies before he arrives at her place. These events have strengthened her in her choice to continue as a nun so that she can mean something to others. In the summer before she will take her oath at the church, she meets James, that strange man with strange clothes but a protective attitude towards her that makes her consider her choices.
I like how James can let go of his experiences and choose to believe in a love without seeing it but certainly feeling it. In the story Catrina grows into a woman who also learns the value of herself without depending on what others think of her. As James tells her: For such a strong believer you have surprisingly little faith in yourself.
Nice also to find characters from earlier parts of the Highlander series in this part