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Celtic Legends #1
Lake of Destiny
A magical story about men in kilts, destiny, healing, and the sometimes twisted path to love by the award-winning author of Compulsion.
Helping her aunt organize a Beltane Festival in a picturesque Highland village seems like the perfect escape from Anna’s second broken engagement and the meltdown that wrecked her legal career. But to succeed, she’ll need to wrangle kilt-wearing villagers, dangerous sheep, unruly dogs, and the reclusive laird who refuses to open his property to the public for the ancient tradition of “Sighting.”
For centuries, Loch Fàil in Balwhither has been known to locals as a ‘thin’ place, one where the veil between worlds peels back on Beltane morning to reveals the face of a person's one true love. The tradition could draw tourists by the busload, but that’s exactly what Connal MacGregor fears will expose the two secrets he's been desperately keeping hidden.
Struggling to mediate between the needs of the village and Connal’s need to protect his identity and his daughter from the media, Anna finds herself falling in love with all of them: Connal and his daughter, the magical glen, the villagers. But day by day, opening herself to love exposes deep scars from Anna’s childhood, and confronting those wounds could finally set her free--or endanger her every chance of happiness.
Helping her aunt organize a Beltane Festival in a picturesque Highland village seems like the perfect escape from Anna’s second broken engagement and the meltdown that wrecked her legal career. But to succeed, she’ll need to wrangle kilt-wearing villagers, dangerous sheep, unruly dogs, and the reclusive laird who refuses to open his property to the public for the ancient tradition of “Sighting.”
For centuries, Loch Fàil in Balwhither has been known to locals as a ‘thin’ place, one where the veil between worlds peels back on Beltane morning to reveals the face of a person's one true love. The tradition could draw tourists by the busload, but that’s exactly what Connal MacGregor fears will expose the two secrets he's been desperately keeping hidden.
Struggling to mediate between the needs of the village and Connal’s need to protect his identity and his daughter from the media, Anna finds herself falling in love with all of them: Connal and his daughter, the magical glen, the villagers. But day by day, opening herself to love exposes deep scars from Anna’s childhood, and confronting those wounds could finally set her free--or endanger her every chance of happiness.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 25, 2017
1342 people are currently reading
1407 people want to read
About the author
Martina Boone
13 books2,014 followersMartina Boone is the award-winning author of romantic fiction set in magical places. Her latest book is a slow-burn to hot chemistry with a bit of spice romantic fantasy available November 11, 2025. THE CROWN OF MOONLIGHT is ACOTAR meets OUTLANDER when a Highland woman uses illicit magic to heal a wounded fae Rider who could doom her clan--or save her world.
Martina's other books include the southern gothic Heirs of Watson Island series for young adults, starting with COMPULSION, the Celtic Legends Collection of novels set in Scotland, Cornwall, Ireland, and Wales, beginning with LAKE OF DESTINY, and the crossover contemporary LOVE FOR TWO LIFETIMES. She’s passionate about improving lives through literacy and the love of books.
She lives with her husband, Shetland Sheepdog Phinney, and an Izzy cat who loves to edit Martina's work. When she isn’t writing, she loves travel, wildlife, wildflower meadows, horses, skiing, chocolate-flavored tea, Nutella, and men in kilts. (Not necessarily in that order.)
Martina's other books include the southern gothic Heirs of Watson Island series for young adults, starting with COMPULSION, the Celtic Legends Collection of novels set in Scotland, Cornwall, Ireland, and Wales, beginning with LAKE OF DESTINY, and the crossover contemporary LOVE FOR TWO LIFETIMES. She’s passionate about improving lives through literacy and the love of books.
She lives with her husband, Shetland Sheepdog Phinney, and an Izzy cat who loves to edit Martina's work. When she isn’t writing, she loves travel, wildlife, wildflower meadows, horses, skiing, chocolate-flavored tea, Nutella, and men in kilts. (Not necessarily in that order.)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
February 16, 2017
I'm a little biased : ), but this is my favorite book I've worked on so far. The gorgeous Scottish Highlands, sexy men in kilts, a cast of quirky characters I adore, and a romance that is tugging at my heart strings. Need I say more?
March 16, 2018
Scotland. Sigh. Swoon. Such a fantastic series! I highly recommend reading each one of these novels back to back!
Martina Boone does an exceptional job transporting reader to the Glen. What a beautiful love story, rich and vibrant in color and sounds and landscape. This is the perfect novel to get lost in for a few fabulous hours. LoD brings a touch of magic, filling hearts with possibilities and hope. I've never been to Scotland, but Martina gave me a piece of it, which is exactly what a novel should do. Brava!
Martina Boone does an exceptional job transporting reader to the Glen. What a beautiful love story, rich and vibrant in color and sounds and landscape. This is the perfect novel to get lost in for a few fabulous hours. LoD brings a touch of magic, filling hearts with possibilities and hope. I've never been to Scotland, but Martina gave me a piece of it, which is exactly what a novel should do. Brava!
Read
March 28, 2017If you're looking for a fun, sweet romance with a hint of magical elements, pick this!! It made me want to go back to Scotland so bad! <3
July 23, 2019
I absolutely adored this book! It was such a treat to read a plain old highland romance without any time travel or magic thrown in. Just happily ever after romance in a beautiful setting. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it so much, the cover threw me off a bit to be quite honest. But this book is an absolute gem. I love the setting, love the story and love the characters!
April 25, 2017
Outlander-Lite Meets Gilmore Girls in Scotland
If you're looking for a modern day love story with a hint of magic, a side of humor, and a heaping dose of sweet romance set against the backdrop of Scotland (aka men in kilts), then Lake of Destiny is for you!
Anna heads to Scotland thinking she's running from her life when really, she's running to it. This a story that sucked me in from the start and didn't let me go until I'd laughed, shed a few tears and worked up an appetite. I enjoyed the supporting cast of characters too, and I really, really hope Brando gets his own story next.
Fast. Fun. Romantic.
Read it!
If you're looking for a modern day love story with a hint of magic, a side of humor, and a heaping dose of sweet romance set against the backdrop of Scotland (aka men in kilts), then Lake of Destiny is for you!
Anna heads to Scotland thinking she's running from her life when really, she's running to it. This a story that sucked me in from the start and didn't let me go until I'd laughed, shed a few tears and worked up an appetite. I enjoyed the supporting cast of characters too, and I really, really hope Brando gets his own story next.
Fast. Fun. Romantic.
Read it!
May 16, 2017
This was a fun story. Clean and sweet. I can't figure out why I liked it so much. There was nothing really special about the characters or the writing. The kisses were even a bit dull. I guess it was the small town and the highlands that really carried this book for me. I loved the whole feel of it. Had this book had any other setting I don't think I would have finished it. The town and all it's people and craziness were pretty fun to read about and I did enjoy the Heroines change as she went from someone with low self worth to seeing things in a new light and putting her big girl panties on and telling her mom off. I liked the balance the author kept not over doing her change and keeping it real.
April 7, 2017
Not only does Lake of Destiny have allll the food mentions (something I absolutely love) but it is absolutely perfect for those of us who found Outlander too description heavy. I LOVE Lake of Destiny because it has everything you could ask for in a romance. Heartbreak, a strong leading lady, a HAWT broody lead, a kilt wearing Scot, and so much more! I seriously couldn't put the book down. If ya'll are looking for a beautifully written CLEAN romance set in Scotland, you've come to the right place. GET ON IT! <3
July 15, 2017
Lake of Destiny wasn't what I was hoping for. I was excited for the Scotland setting and hot guys in kilts but I was underwhelmed with what I received. I didn't know going in that this was a clean romance with zero sexytimes or even a fade to black. I may have been able to let that go if I had received heat elsewhere but there wasn't even good sexual tension. Lake of Destiny had no spark or sizzle. It was very insta-love and just too sugary sweet for my taste. I knew things weren't going well when I liked a side character much more than the main love interest. Overall, not my cup of tea.
abandoned
August 18, 2019DNF 2%
This book got three strikes within the first two pages or so:
- too much tell
- “there was the possibility of turning her knack for organizing events into a new career”. Why do so many heroines want to become wedding/event planners or open their own bakery? It’s overdone
- name dropping
This book got three strikes within the first two pages or so:
- too much tell
- “there was the possibility of turning her knack for organizing events into a new career”. Why do so many heroines want to become wedding/event planners or open their own bakery? It’s overdone
- name dropping
April 24, 2017
When I read the summary of Lake of Destiny by Martina Boone I was immediately interested…I mean, it includes the Highlands, men in kilts, and some romance.
Anna has had a rough time of it lately…her fiancé left her and she recently lost her job at a top law firm in Washington, D.C. so when her aunt asks her to come to Scotland to help organize a festival, she jumps at the chance to get away and do something where she isn’t failing to meet everyone’s expectations of her.
I liked Anna and while some pieces of her story were slow to come out, I thought she was a solid character. It is clear she is running away from her life and her mother. She has never quite lived up to her mother’s expectations and on top of that, Anna has always felt like she has taken a backseat to her sister’s lives in her mother’s eyes. As her history is revealed, I couldn’t blame her. I’m not saying avoidance is the right thing but I don’t know that I would have had the strength to deal with the things that Anna did. I know that sounds cryptic but I don’t want to give anything away…just know that I don’t blame her.
When Anna gets to her Aunt Elspeth’s village in the Highlands, she is immediately welcomed. Well…after she crashes into one of the locals. Elspeth talked Anna into coming to help with organizing a Beltane Festival and Anna immediately dives right in to helping negotiate the event between the villagers and Connal MacGregor…the man she crashed into and the man who really just wants to stay locked away on his land. Unfortunately the changes to the festival mean he may have to reveal his secrets and he’s not sure he is ready to do that.
As Anna and Connal get to know more about each other, they quickly fall for one another. Unfortunately, Anna is still planning to go home to the states after the festival and Connal isn’t completely ready to share all his secrets. This creates some bumps for these two but Elspeth is there to talk some sense into Anna and Connal quickly realizes that if he truly cares about Anna, he can’t hide away in his house. I loved seeing these two open up to each other. No, they weren’t always straightforward with each other but they both came to realize that life may have had plans for them that were different than what they thought they wanted.
I loved the secondary characters in this story as they added some perspective for the main characters. Elspeth and Anna’s mother, Brando, Moira…all added something to the story to keep it moving forward but also give Anna and Connal others to interact with. As both characters come to realize just how their decisions have been impacting those around them, they also realize that if they don’t change, they might just regret the decisions they have made.
This ended up being a quick read. There are some pieces to the story that I wanted more from – really I am interested in seeing if Anna’s relationship with her mother and sister will ever change. If you’re looking for a light romance set in the Highlands of Scotland that has a bit of folklore included, definitely consider checking this one out. I will be keeping my eye out for another book if this is a series as there are a few other characters I’d be interested in finding out more about.
Thank you to the author for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Anna has had a rough time of it lately…her fiancé left her and she recently lost her job at a top law firm in Washington, D.C. so when her aunt asks her to come to Scotland to help organize a festival, she jumps at the chance to get away and do something where she isn’t failing to meet everyone’s expectations of her.
I liked Anna and while some pieces of her story were slow to come out, I thought she was a solid character. It is clear she is running away from her life and her mother. She has never quite lived up to her mother’s expectations and on top of that, Anna has always felt like she has taken a backseat to her sister’s lives in her mother’s eyes. As her history is revealed, I couldn’t blame her. I’m not saying avoidance is the right thing but I don’t know that I would have had the strength to deal with the things that Anna did. I know that sounds cryptic but I don’t want to give anything away…just know that I don’t blame her.
When Anna gets to her Aunt Elspeth’s village in the Highlands, she is immediately welcomed. Well…after she crashes into one of the locals. Elspeth talked Anna into coming to help with organizing a Beltane Festival and Anna immediately dives right in to helping negotiate the event between the villagers and Connal MacGregor…the man she crashed into and the man who really just wants to stay locked away on his land. Unfortunately the changes to the festival mean he may have to reveal his secrets and he’s not sure he is ready to do that.
As Anna and Connal get to know more about each other, they quickly fall for one another. Unfortunately, Anna is still planning to go home to the states after the festival and Connal isn’t completely ready to share all his secrets. This creates some bumps for these two but Elspeth is there to talk some sense into Anna and Connal quickly realizes that if he truly cares about Anna, he can’t hide away in his house. I loved seeing these two open up to each other. No, they weren’t always straightforward with each other but they both came to realize that life may have had plans for them that were different than what they thought they wanted.
I loved the secondary characters in this story as they added some perspective for the main characters. Elspeth and Anna’s mother, Brando, Moira…all added something to the story to keep it moving forward but also give Anna and Connal others to interact with. As both characters come to realize just how their decisions have been impacting those around them, they also realize that if they don’t change, they might just regret the decisions they have made.
This ended up being a quick read. There are some pieces to the story that I wanted more from – really I am interested in seeing if Anna’s relationship with her mother and sister will ever change. If you’re looking for a light romance set in the Highlands of Scotland that has a bit of folklore included, definitely consider checking this one out. I will be keeping my eye out for another book if this is a series as there are a few other characters I’d be interested in finding out more about.
Thank you to the author for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
May 7, 2018
Lake of Destiny #1 - This story has it all: romance, intrigue, traditions and excitement. Although this book has 338 pages, the pages just flew by as the story progressed. A well written, intriguing suspense with a surprise revealed at the end. The plot is well thought out and the characters are believable and realistic. Not all is sugar and spice, there are some rotten apples in the bunch. The descriptions are so well done the reader experiences everything and easily visualizes the area the story is set. This is my first book by the author and I will happily read anything else she writes. I received this book through the APX website. 5*
Bell of Eternity #2 - After reading Lake of Destiny, I was hooked on this author and had to read more of her books. I contacted the author to review anything she had available. This is a well written, intriguing romance with interesting background material to make the story flow along, while being a substantial read. The interesting characters draw the reader into the story with their actions, reactions and believable dialog. The plot has a twist and turn, also, keeping the reader immersed in the story, along with the author's gift for descriptions. I've always loved books about the Cornwall area, fiction and nonfiction, and this book is among the best of them. It was interesting to learn of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and the history behind the volunteers. 5*
Magic of Winter #3 - Another well written, intriguing romance set the Cornwall area with our favorite and not so favorite characters. A second chance at love fraught with problems, both with the romance and a dying father. The characters are well thought out with realistic dialog and a willingness to communicate. The descriptions by the author are vivid and the plot is interesting and both help keep the reader immersed in the pages. I've read all three books and while this one isn't my favorite (it is good), all three were well done and the author is an interesting storyteller. Reading all three in order just makes a continuing story, but they can be read in any order, but why? 5*
Echo of Glory #4 - This story fits well into the series. Complete with history, romance and intrigue. Well written, lovable characters with realistic dialog and a storyline that holds the reader's attention until the end. Ms. Boone does a great job with her vivid descriptions and the history of the people and times are always an added bonus that strengthens and adds substance to the story.
Bell of Eternity #2 - After reading Lake of Destiny, I was hooked on this author and had to read more of her books. I contacted the author to review anything she had available. This is a well written, intriguing romance with interesting background material to make the story flow along, while being a substantial read. The interesting characters draw the reader into the story with their actions, reactions and believable dialog. The plot has a twist and turn, also, keeping the reader immersed in the story, along with the author's gift for descriptions. I've always loved books about the Cornwall area, fiction and nonfiction, and this book is among the best of them. It was interesting to learn of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and the history behind the volunteers. 5*
Magic of Winter #3 - Another well written, intriguing romance set the Cornwall area with our favorite and not so favorite characters. A second chance at love fraught with problems, both with the romance and a dying father. The characters are well thought out with realistic dialog and a willingness to communicate. The descriptions by the author are vivid and the plot is interesting and both help keep the reader immersed in the pages. I've read all three books and while this one isn't my favorite (it is good), all three were well done and the author is an interesting storyteller. Reading all three in order just makes a continuing story, but they can be read in any order, but why? 5*
Echo of Glory #4 - This story fits well into the series. Complete with history, romance and intrigue. Well written, lovable characters with realistic dialog and a storyline that holds the reader's attention until the end. Ms. Boone does a great job with her vivid descriptions and the history of the people and times are always an added bonus that strengthens and adds substance to the story.
April 25, 2017
Lake of Destiny by Martina Boone
Lake of destiny is a modern love story that somehow manages to Hold on to that whimsical fairy tale essence.
Anna reminds you of a typical career woman. She wears her high heels, lugs around her briefcase and really has her S*it together... at least on the outside. I had no trouble at all relating to her as she tries to hold it all together. BUT, After two failed relationships and the downfall of her dream career (not to mention the family pressure) Anna's about had it. She decides a holiday is exactly what she needs to regroup & Her aunt, who claims she could use her help with an upcoming festival she's planning, happens to live in a small highland village...so off Anna Jets.
This is where it gets interesting. You've got a small village in a beautiful setting full of opinionated and somewhat quirky personalities, which the author writes exceptionally well. Not entirely unlike Stars Hollow (if your a GG fan & GG had men in kilts) the village and its people are delightful. With a motley group of gossips and bag pipe players, a man with a secret he's desperate to keep safe, and another equally good looking man with a possible hero complex there is comedy around every corner ( also sheep & a particular troublesome dog so watch your step).
There is a good dose of romance artfully done with the overall feel of a romantic comedy. There is some tension along the way, and a bit of a mystery to solve which keeps the reader turning the page just to see what else could possibly go wrong.
My favorite part of this story was watching all of these characters as they unintentionally looked inward and figured out things about themselves they never imagined. I enjoyed every moment of the story and I'm looking forward to Martina's next novel.
Lake of destiny is a modern love story that somehow manages to Hold on to that whimsical fairy tale essence.
Anna reminds you of a typical career woman. She wears her high heels, lugs around her briefcase and really has her S*it together... at least on the outside. I had no trouble at all relating to her as she tries to hold it all together. BUT, After two failed relationships and the downfall of her dream career (not to mention the family pressure) Anna's about had it. She decides a holiday is exactly what she needs to regroup & Her aunt, who claims she could use her help with an upcoming festival she's planning, happens to live in a small highland village...so off Anna Jets.
This is where it gets interesting. You've got a small village in a beautiful setting full of opinionated and somewhat quirky personalities, which the author writes exceptionally well. Not entirely unlike Stars Hollow (if your a GG fan & GG had men in kilts) the village and its people are delightful. With a motley group of gossips and bag pipe players, a man with a secret he's desperate to keep safe, and another equally good looking man with a possible hero complex there is comedy around every corner ( also sheep & a particular troublesome dog so watch your step).
There is a good dose of romance artfully done with the overall feel of a romantic comedy. There is some tension along the way, and a bit of a mystery to solve which keeps the reader turning the page just to see what else could possibly go wrong.
My favorite part of this story was watching all of these characters as they unintentionally looked inward and figured out things about themselves they never imagined. I enjoyed every moment of the story and I'm looking forward to Martina's next novel.
June 12, 2017
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I was a big fan of Compulsion, a YA by Martina Boone, so when I got the chance to review Lake of Destiny, I jumped at it. This was BEFORE I read the synopsis. As soon as I read the synopsis, I was like.. 300% sold. I really love Outlander, and I think I made it to the word "Highland" before squealing, and the squealing only intensified when I got to "kilt-wearing villagers". Basically, she had me at men in kilts. Martina is a woman after my own heart.
When I started reading, I knew immediately that I'd love Anna. The girl is a mess, and as a twentysomething who is also more or less a mess, I can totally relate, with the exception of my love life being good. Literally within ten minutes of arriving in the village, Anna manages to find herself in a pretty unique form of trouble. You know how I said earlier that Martina is a woman after my own heart? I think Anna has her beat. She's such a real character, and it's easy to imagine being friends with someone like her. You root for her, you feel for her, the whole nine yards.
Speaking of characters, Martina has crafted an entire village full of very... *ahem* big personalities. Honestly, even the sheep have some mischief in them. Don't even get me started on the dog. The village is quite small, so it ends up feeling more like one decently large hodgepodge dysfunctional family, which is a fun dynamic to read about in itself. Jokes are made about how arguing is practically a sport around town, and Anna finds this to be 100% true when she takes on the role of mediator. It was interesting to watch a woman who by all means thought she was prepared to take on a few villagers, but immediately finding out she's in over her head.
The setting of Lake of Destiny just radiates this magical, almost whimsical feel at times. I mean, Scotland is already a place that I desperately want to visit, but I feel like Martina captured the very essence of a small Highlands village, with all the magic and even a bit of mystery involved. From the people, to the animals, to the land itself, I felt fully immersed, like I was Anna herself, experiencing the story firsthand.
As a closing note, I should warn you not to read this book on an empty stomach, because it will make you so hungry. It was the most unexpected thing, but there's some awesome food mentioned throughout the story that made my stomach growl.
With a lovable cast of characters and a magical setting, Lake of Destiny stole my heart. Without a second of hesitation, I give it 5 stars and urge you to pick up your own copy ASAP.
I was a big fan of Compulsion, a YA by Martina Boone, so when I got the chance to review Lake of Destiny, I jumped at it. This was BEFORE I read the synopsis. As soon as I read the synopsis, I was like.. 300% sold. I really love Outlander, and I think I made it to the word "Highland" before squealing, and the squealing only intensified when I got to "kilt-wearing villagers". Basically, she had me at men in kilts. Martina is a woman after my own heart.
When I started reading, I knew immediately that I'd love Anna. The girl is a mess, and as a twentysomething who is also more or less a mess, I can totally relate, with the exception of my love life being good. Literally within ten minutes of arriving in the village, Anna manages to find herself in a pretty unique form of trouble. You know how I said earlier that Martina is a woman after my own heart? I think Anna has her beat. She's such a real character, and it's easy to imagine being friends with someone like her. You root for her, you feel for her, the whole nine yards.
Speaking of characters, Martina has crafted an entire village full of very... *ahem* big personalities. Honestly, even the sheep have some mischief in them. Don't even get me started on the dog. The village is quite small, so it ends up feeling more like one decently large hodgepodge dysfunctional family, which is a fun dynamic to read about in itself. Jokes are made about how arguing is practically a sport around town, and Anna finds this to be 100% true when she takes on the role of mediator. It was interesting to watch a woman who by all means thought she was prepared to take on a few villagers, but immediately finding out she's in over her head.
The setting of Lake of Destiny just radiates this magical, almost whimsical feel at times. I mean, Scotland is already a place that I desperately want to visit, but I feel like Martina captured the very essence of a small Highlands village, with all the magic and even a bit of mystery involved. From the people, to the animals, to the land itself, I felt fully immersed, like I was Anna herself, experiencing the story firsthand.
As a closing note, I should warn you not to read this book on an empty stomach, because it will make you so hungry. It was the most unexpected thing, but there's some awesome food mentioned throughout the story that made my stomach growl.
With a lovable cast of characters and a magical setting, Lake of Destiny stole my heart. Without a second of hesitation, I give it 5 stars and urge you to pick up your own copy ASAP.
June 2, 2022
I just can't enjoy a story where a man falls immediately in love with a woman who doesn't care about her appearance, and the author consistently portrays other women as less-than because they do care about theirs. You can show me Rhona is troublesome without pointing out that she is wearing high heels in every goddamn scene.
Also, when Anna finds out I skimmed a bit more, realized it all continued to suck, and read the ending, which also, unsurprisingly, sucked.
Also, when Anna finds out I skimmed a bit more, realized it all continued to suck, and read the ending, which also, unsurprisingly, sucked.
June 14, 2017
I had a time putting this book down when I needed to be doing something else. Lake of Destiny by Martina Boone is a modern day romance with bits of fairy tale woven in. After reading this I would so love to go visit Balquhidder Glen (Balwhither). There are several misinterpretations, pranks, past heartbreaks to conquer, other people to deal with and confusion to get past, but Martina writes it well. The plot and setting were great. You fall in love with the village, its setting and its people with all of their quirks. The story was well written and the characters were well developed. The characters were true to life; you could relate to their problems. I would definitely recommend reading Lake of Destiny.
August 26, 2023
There might be a wee bit of magic in this tale set in Scotland! The author provokes a lot of introspection across many of the characters ... lives, loves and heartbreaks ... messy families and secrets yet told! With the Beltane Festival as the backdrop for our story, the month long preparation and organization necessitates the interaction of characters, causing them to face their choices of the past to determine how they will decide their future. The culmination is the annual tradition of "The Sighting" in the local loch. Does it have the magic to show you your true love? Or does it give you the power to hope for a better life?
April 22, 2017
Oh, to follow the path of love the main character, Anna, risks in this beautifully written story would be quite the adventure. Everything about Lake of Destiny, the characters I wish I could hang out with at the pub, the sense of finding oneself in the turmoil of a life turned on its head, and the sheer sensory delights in Martina Boone's prose make this book more than a read, it's an experience not to be missed. Lochs, magic, destiny, and yes, even recipes from the mouth watering dishes in the story await you.
April 25, 2017
I adored every page of LAKE OF DESTINY. Beautifully written, (as with all of Martina Boone's novels), I fell into this sweet romance set in Scotland and didn't want to come out! Anna is a strong leading lady and I rooted for her and her romance with Connal from the very first page. Perfectly paced, with traces of magical realism, I highly recommend LAKE OF DESTINY!
June 18, 2017
I usually don't read adult romance because of the language and focus on the physical aspects of relationships. I need characters that I can care about, want to get to know, and ones that have 3D personalities and seem to walk off the pages. Martina accomplished this and more for me. I loved the characters, loved the setting, loved seeing how these characters dealt with the issues from past relationships as well as faced their fears. This is clean romance, my new favorite adult genre, thanks to Martina. Please keep writing clean romance, Martina, and I'll read it!
April 25, 2017
Martina makes the transition to adult romance with grace, style and beauty. The story and characters grip your heart from the very beginning and don't let go as she takes you on a romantic journey of self-discovery and love in the gorgeous setting (which of course includes men in kilts) and all with a touch of magic. I love, love, love it!!!
August 23, 2017
I can not speak highly enough of this book! A modern-day romance that has elements of fairy-tale, incorporates the best of Scottish Highland culture, has half a dozen characters you wish would step out of the pages and be your best friends, and ends with some delicious recipes?! Yes please! I received a copy of this book for free and voluntarily reviewed it. I wasn't sure what to expect, being a huge fan of Outlander (and all things Highlander), but I was so happily surprised not only by the enjoyable plot but also Martina Boone's beautiful writing style. A book definitely not to be missed if you enjoy romance with a twist!!
March 30, 2017
Note: I beta read/super early review read this for Martina. I loved this!!! It reminds me of a Nora Roberts series, The Gallaghers of Ardmore which I loved but, of course a Scottish version with hot men in kilts! I loved all the characters. This is very clean which means Martina's YA fans can totally read it as well! And damn like Martina's YA books there was tons of delicious food mentioned! It made me very hungry!!!
June 9, 2017
Lake of destiny
Oh my heavens! Romance heartache, and love all set in a magical glen! The characters are delightful,even the not so nice ones. I loved the descriptions and beauty of the locale. I couldn't stop reading until I reached the end and then was sad because I didn't want the story to end. Definitely will be reading more of Ms Boone's books. Thank you for a wonderful story.
Oh my heavens! Romance heartache, and love all set in a magical glen! The characters are delightful,even the not so nice ones. I loved the descriptions and beauty of the locale. I couldn't stop reading until I reached the end and then was sad because I didn't want the story to end. Definitely will be reading more of Ms Boone's books. Thank you for a wonderful story.
June 6, 2017
Set in Scotland? Men in kilts? Yes please! This book was a wonderful romance with a perfect amount of fantasy to it. This book will suck you in and you'll be hooked!
This book and the imagery that the wonderful author Martina Boone managed to describe makes me want to go to Scotland even more than I did before! I also absolutely ADORE the limericks at the start of every chapter.
This book will make you laugh and tug at your heart strings for sure. I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a highlander-esque book that has a clean romance!
This book and the imagery that the wonderful author Martina Boone managed to describe makes me want to go to Scotland even more than I did before! I also absolutely ADORE the limericks at the start of every chapter.
This book will make you laugh and tug at your heart strings for sure. I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a highlander-esque book that has a clean romance!
May 27, 2017
Lovely Romantic Story.
Anna is escaping from her two broken engagements, the loss of her career and her critical mother. Her beloved aunt who lives in Scotland has asked for her help and Anna gladly travels the 3000 miles in order to support her. Little does she know that she is not running from, but running to, her future. A cast of wonderful and quirky characters filled this book and made it a joy to read.
Anna is escaping from her two broken engagements, the loss of her career and her critical mother. Her beloved aunt who lives in Scotland has asked for her help and Anna gladly travels the 3000 miles in order to support her. Little does she know that she is not running from, but running to, her future. A cast of wonderful and quirky characters filled this book and made it a joy to read.
May 24, 2017
Lake of Destiny by Martina Boone (5 stars)
Well-developed plot with believable characters. Fun setting in Scotland--the reader got a bit of a taste of the culture there. Plus recipes at the end of the book, an added goody (so to speak)...
I was impressed with Martina's writing. It was compelling and flowed smoothly. It was extremely pleasant to find an e-book written at such a professional level. (So many are only mediocre.) I only give 4-5 star ratings to the best of the best. I'm hopeful that this isn't a first novel, because I want to read more of her writing.
Well-developed plot with believable characters. Fun setting in Scotland--the reader got a bit of a taste of the culture there. Plus recipes at the end of the book, an added goody (so to speak)...
I was impressed with Martina's writing. It was compelling and flowed smoothly. It was extremely pleasant to find an e-book written at such a professional level. (So many are only mediocre.) I only give 4-5 star ratings to the best of the best. I'm hopeful that this isn't a first novel, because I want to read more of her writing.
May 24, 2017
A very heartwarming story set in the Highlands of Scotland. Where folk lore of old traditions still take place and people hide from their own fear. Until one certain someone makes an example of them all and makes them realize that life is what you make of it. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this love-story. I was funny, sad and uplifting and just brings you in for a warm embrace. I look forward to more from this amazing writer. I voluntarily received a free copy of this book for a review and Highly recommend this to all for reading :-)
May 23, 2017
So good!!!
I loved every bit of this book. Anna and Connal are intriguing characters you will root for them both from the very beginning. Their pasts have affected them deeply and they need to learn about themselves and each other in order to reach for the best of what the future holds for them.
The cast of characters is awesome and I can't wait to return to Scotland with more books in the series. A fantastic read!
I loved every bit of this book. Anna and Connal are intriguing characters you will root for them both from the very beginning. Their pasts have affected them deeply and they need to learn about themselves and each other in order to reach for the best of what the future holds for them.
The cast of characters is awesome and I can't wait to return to Scotland with more books in the series. A fantastic read!
June 12, 2017
I haven't read any other romances featuring men wearing kilts so I don't know if Martina Boone's new story is representative of the category or not but I very much enjoyed "Lake of Destiny". In addition to well-developed characters with lots of foibles and a romance that had its share of ups and downs, some secrets about a couple of the characters kept the story interesting. Also I discovered that my dislike of a couple of the characters in the story was very justified when they were unmasked as "bad guys" at the end of the story.
I definitely recommend "Lake of Destiny" as an enjoyable clean romance with enough surprises to keep you engaged so grab it when it comes out on April 25, 2017.
I definitely recommend "Lake of Destiny" as an enjoyable clean romance with enough surprises to keep you engaged so grab it when it comes out on April 25, 2017.
May 14, 2017
I received a free copy of this book and I am voluntarily reviewing it.
This book is the first one that I have read from this author. It was wonderful. The character and plot development were fantastic. The story flowed so well that it was hard to put down. I truly hope this is the beginning of a series. I hope Brando gets his story next.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a wonderful sweet clean romance!
This book is the first one that I have read from this author. It was wonderful. The character and plot development were fantastic. The story flowed so well that it was hard to put down. I truly hope this is the beginning of a series. I hope Brando gets his story next.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a wonderful sweet clean romance!
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