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Highland Stone
~~A grandmother's secret sends Kara back in time where she finds her heart.~~
Have you ever dreamed of the perfect man, knowing you’ll never meet him?
Kara did too until a magical storm transports her to the 1300’s Scottish Highlands, and dream guy almost tramples her with his horse.
Have you ever dreamed of the perfect man, knowing you’ll never meet him?
Kara did too until a magical storm transports her to the 1300’s Scottish Highlands, and dream guy almost tramples her with his horse.
Paperback
First published October 1, 2007
49 people are currently reading
668 people want to read
About the author
Sloan McBride
10 books42 followersSloan McBride weaves steamy, spellbinding tales where love defies destiny and danger lurks in every shadow. A multi-published author of paranormal romance, she blends sensual heat with heart-pounding suspense and a touch of ancient magic.
In her Time Walker Series, gods and demons collide as forbidden passion burns across realms. She whirls through the mist-shrouded Highlands in The Talisman Trilogy, where warriors and magic entwine, and she ignites sparks—and tempers—in the adrenaline-fueled world of Men of Fire, her sexy smokejumper series.
When she’s not conjuring fierce heroines and the tortured men who love them, Sloan lives in Illinois with her husband of 44 years and their two creative, grown children. By day, she keeps a law firm running smoothly. By night, she slips into her writer’s skin and crafts stories that prove love spans all time and truly is the most powerful magic of all.
✨ Dive into Sloan’s worlds of passion, peril, and the paranormal.
Visit her website to explore her books and sign up for her newsletter.
In her Time Walker Series, gods and demons collide as forbidden passion burns across realms. She whirls through the mist-shrouded Highlands in The Talisman Trilogy, where warriors and magic entwine, and she ignites sparks—and tempers—in the adrenaline-fueled world of Men of Fire, her sexy smokejumper series.
When she’s not conjuring fierce heroines and the tortured men who love them, Sloan lives in Illinois with her husband of 44 years and their two creative, grown children. By day, she keeps a law firm running smoothly. By night, she slips into her writer’s skin and crafts stories that prove love spans all time and truly is the most powerful magic of all.
✨ Dive into Sloan’s worlds of passion, peril, and the paranormal.
Visit her website to explore her books and sign up for her newsletter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
July 27, 2011
First of all let me start by saying that the cover for the Kindle edition is BEAUTIFUL!! It caught my attention and made my heart jump around in my chest ;)
Highland Stone is a very entertaining read. This is a time travel story where a young woman is transported from the 1940's back to the Scottish Highlands in 1350. She is to return a stone that belonged to her ancestors. Of course there are complications along the way. One of which is named Alexdander MacLeaod.
Alexander is a product of his time. He's a bit bossy and believes that women should follow orders and should look to their men for protection. He is certainly a hot and sexy alpha male!! I loved his character!!
Kara is an independent young woman who likes to take care of herself. She handles being propelled back into time quite gracefully. I would have personally liked to see her a bit more concerned or maybe in more of a panicked state upon realizing what her predicament was. She had been told stories by her grandmother of such events when she was a young girl. She never really believed the tales until she found herself in the Highlands of Scotland. Face to face with a man she had dreamed about for years.
I absolutely loved the banter that goes on between Kara and Alexander. It's a lot of fun and made me laugh out loud a few times. I also thought it was fun that Kara would slip up and say things that nobody else would understand because she would refer to something from her own time.
I truly enjoyed reading this book. The characters are lovable. The plot is exciting and fun. The romance is hot and passionate ;)
Highland Stone is a very entertaining read. This is a time travel story where a young woman is transported from the 1940's back to the Scottish Highlands in 1350. She is to return a stone that belonged to her ancestors. Of course there are complications along the way. One of which is named Alexdander MacLeaod.
Alexander is a product of his time. He's a bit bossy and believes that women should follow orders and should look to their men for protection. He is certainly a hot and sexy alpha male!! I loved his character!!
Kara is an independent young woman who likes to take care of herself. She handles being propelled back into time quite gracefully. I would have personally liked to see her a bit more concerned or maybe in more of a panicked state upon realizing what her predicament was. She had been told stories by her grandmother of such events when she was a young girl. She never really believed the tales until she found herself in the Highlands of Scotland. Face to face with a man she had dreamed about for years.
I absolutely loved the banter that goes on between Kara and Alexander. It's a lot of fun and made me laugh out loud a few times. I also thought it was fun that Kara would slip up and say things that nobody else would understand because she would refer to something from her own time.
I truly enjoyed reading this book. The characters are lovable. The plot is exciting and fun. The romance is hot and passionate ;)
October 30, 2013
View more of my review and others at my blog: www.mynotsovacantshelf.blogspot.com
The book was filled with some really really good romance...and I was loving it, but the ending sort of ruined it for me. Sadly, it didn’t make sense and i’m not the kind of person who could just let that fly. Clearly the author needed a way to end it and make it a happy ending and by doing so just sort of swept the detail under the rug. But, I can’t say that I didn’t enjoy this novel, because that would be a lie. I did, there could have been more depth and a better ending, but I did love it. There also seems like there could be a second and it could be a series...there is definitely some characters that I want to see happy and hear their story, but this seemed to be the only book in the series, which made me a little sad when I realized it.
Good:
The characters. All are pretty unique, different and interesting
Bad:
The ending. How the ending came to be was never really explained...it just happened and was blamed on magic. That's not really ok for me.
Overall (Writing style, story line, and general):
Overall the book was good until the end. Sadly the end really effected me. That aside the book was rather easy to follow and I never misunderstood anything with regards to the plot and/or characters. There also seemed to be a lot of hope for a continuation in the series with other characters. I admit that I’d be willing to read another book with some of the same characters, but it doesn't seem like that will be the case. Its a shame because, ending aside, there was definitely promise for this novel as a series.
The book was filled with some really really good romance...and I was loving it, but the ending sort of ruined it for me. Sadly, it didn’t make sense and i’m not the kind of person who could just let that fly. Clearly the author needed a way to end it and make it a happy ending and by doing so just sort of swept the detail under the rug. But, I can’t say that I didn’t enjoy this novel, because that would be a lie. I did, there could have been more depth and a better ending, but I did love it. There also seems like there could be a second and it could be a series...there is definitely some characters that I want to see happy and hear their story, but this seemed to be the only book in the series, which made me a little sad when I realized it.
Good:
The characters. All are pretty unique, different and interesting
Bad:
The ending. How the ending came to be was never really explained...it just happened and was blamed on magic. That's not really ok for me.
Overall (Writing style, story line, and general):
Overall the book was good until the end. Sadly the end really effected me. That aside the book was rather easy to follow and I never misunderstood anything with regards to the plot and/or characters. There also seemed to be a lot of hope for a continuation in the series with other characters. I admit that I’d be willing to read another book with some of the same characters, but it doesn't seem like that will be the case. Its a shame because, ending aside, there was definitely promise for this novel as a series.
January 3, 2015
The Fae strikes again!
This story starts with time-travel to save an abused woman from her father who found happiness in the 1940's. Upon her death her granddaughter, after reading her journal, finds a stone (clan talisman), which transports her to the fourteenth century where she meets and falls in love with Alaxandar MacLeod. This story kept me on pins and needles trying to get a clue about what the author would do tie all the characters together and still have a happy ending. The ending could have only been contrived by the Fae! Well done!
This story starts with time-travel to save an abused woman from her father who found happiness in the 1940's. Upon her death her granddaughter, after reading her journal, finds a stone (clan talisman), which transports her to the fourteenth century where she meets and falls in love with Alaxandar MacLeod. This story kept me on pins and needles trying to get a clue about what the author would do tie all the characters together and still have a happy ending. The ending could have only been contrived by the Fae! Well done!
Read
September 12, 2014ok so I really wanted to like this book. The cover and the premise of the book did draw me in but alas it is not my cup of tea. The one positive bit was the Scotish talking in the book. I got about half way through the book but I really couldn't see the direction the book was going in. Kara was in the US but some how ended up in ancient Scotland.
January 11, 2018
Highland Stone, started well. Kara is the granddaughter of a woman from the past from the Mackay clan. She finds her grandmother's diary and stone and on her way to Hawaii she ends up in the highlands, better said Isle Sky, in the arms of Alaxandar Macleod.
All is well, kind off, until she lands in the past.
What I liked: the story was good, simple, not many ups and downs and had intriguing characters. It was a fast read, a little boring at times but it worked. Kara and Alaxandar had chemistry and I had fun reading about them. Their coming together was slow but good enough.
It's not the type of book that will stay with me and make me want to re-read it.
Now, what I didn't like takes over here:
The writing moved between the Scottish brogue and english. I wish for once some/any author will just use plain English.
Up until I visited the Highlands and the rest of Scotland I thought that the Scottish brogue characterized the whole country. Well, no. They either spoke Gaelic in the highlands, Isle Sky which some still do today, or they spoke that "Scottish brogue" which is a language in itself as far as i gather (there are dictionaries and explanations of the words).
So on Isle Sky, at that time only Gaelic was used and maybe some knew English due to their education.
Plain english was needed here.
Kara used a lot of modern day language not not so many were fazed by it but when she didn't recognize the Mackays as her family I started the wonder what happened. Kara's whole existence in the castle was plain weird and the Macleods had a very high tolerance for her spirit.
What bothered me the most was the end. When she went back to her time I had a whole Jude Deveraux story deja vu.
When Alex/Alaxandar showed well, I was disappointed. I can be happy they didn't fall in love again.
In the end, the book was Ok-ish. It didn't have the right elements to make it even good. The magic was an after thought and there are so many characters in the story that needed a sort of ending that I didn't get. Even Kara and Alaxandar barely got a decent ending.
I stop here with reading from Sloan McBride.
All is well, kind off, until she lands in the past.
What I liked: the story was good, simple, not many ups and downs and had intriguing characters. It was a fast read, a little boring at times but it worked. Kara and Alaxandar had chemistry and I had fun reading about them. Their coming together was slow but good enough.
It's not the type of book that will stay with me and make me want to re-read it.
Now, what I didn't like takes over here:
The writing moved between the Scottish brogue and english. I wish for once some/any author will just use plain English.
Up until I visited the Highlands and the rest of Scotland I thought that the Scottish brogue characterized the whole country. Well, no. They either spoke Gaelic in the highlands, Isle Sky which some still do today, or they spoke that "Scottish brogue" which is a language in itself as far as i gather (there are dictionaries and explanations of the words).
So on Isle Sky, at that time only Gaelic was used and maybe some knew English due to their education.
Plain english was needed here.
Kara used a lot of modern day language not not so many were fazed by it but when she didn't recognize the Mackays as her family I started the wonder what happened. Kara's whole existence in the castle was plain weird and the Macleods had a very high tolerance for her spirit.
What bothered me the most was the end. When she went back to her time I had a whole Jude Deveraux story deja vu.
When Alex/Alaxandar showed well, I was disappointed. I can be happy they didn't fall in love again.
In the end, the book was Ok-ish. It didn't have the right elements to make it even good. The magic was an after thought and there are so many characters in the story that needed a sort of ending that I didn't get. Even Kara and Alaxandar barely got a decent ending.
I stop here with reading from Sloan McBride.
May 21, 2021
This was an enjoyable historical fiction time travel story. I liked the details intertwining the present with the past. Kara and Alaxander were interesting characters with definite chemistry - through strong opposing opinion or actions of a more passionate nature. The struggles highland clans endured became central to bringing opposing clans together, of which Kara had family ties. Watching Kara try navigate the past while trying not to change it or become too romantically involved with Alaxander kept the story moving for me. While I really did like how the story eventually ended, I was not sure how it “happened”. More explanation would have helped me make sense of how this HEA occurred.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily sharing my honest review.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily sharing my honest review.
July 28, 2021
Time travel stories are always eye-cathing and on the top of TBR list of everyone which is why I have chosen it. I wasn'the disappointed. On the contrary. I loved the witty dialogue and the banter. The plot is good and the characters are interesting and believable. The historical background is very life-alike. But for the rather too slow paced main events, it would have been a five stars reading. There is potential though, and all in all, the book worth reading and I recommend it.
July 27, 2019
Awesome
Brilliant read. I love the mystery and adventure of the story. It makes one believe in the impossible. Kudos Sloan McBride.
Brilliant read. I love the mystery and adventure of the story. It makes one believe in the impossible. Kudos Sloan McBride.
September 12, 2021
Intriguing story line with an incredible twist of an ending!
Really fun, but also suspenseful read!!
Really fun, but also suspenseful read!!
January 18, 2022
Highland Romance
The story was mind boggling. I just loved the characters and the storyline. I will be reading the next book in the trilogy.
The story was mind boggling. I just loved the characters and the storyline. I will be reading the next book in the trilogy.
June 15, 2013
The overall plot was really good. It's a good story and has a lot of potential. Except for the ending. That was total rubbish.
The horn dogs couldn't keep their hands to themselves. Three overly graphic sex scenes before it hits 50%. I was actually grateful and relieved when she was kidnapped and injured so they would be forced to behave and the story could progress. Unfortunately, once she was 'better' they went at each other again. Take out all the sex scenes and all that's left is a pamphlet.
There were a lot of phrases and descriptions that were just crass and inappropriate and uncalled for, even for the time. Left a bad taste in my mouth.
The end was weird and all wrong because she doesn't end up with the hero. At least not her hero. I thought she would stay in the past because her grandmother went to the future. Sort of balancing things out.
Lynn Kurland does it much better.
The horn dogs couldn't keep their hands to themselves. Three overly graphic sex scenes before it hits 50%. I was actually grateful and relieved when she was kidnapped and injured so they would be forced to behave and the story could progress. Unfortunately, once she was 'better' they went at each other again. Take out all the sex scenes and all that's left is a pamphlet.
There were a lot of phrases and descriptions that were just crass and inappropriate and uncalled for, even for the time. Left a bad taste in my mouth.
The end was weird and all wrong because she doesn't end up with the hero. At least not her hero. I thought she would stay in the past because her grandmother went to the future. Sort of balancing things out.
Lynn Kurland does it much better.
May 28, 2013
When I read the "details" for this book, I had to have it, had to see what it was about.
I am happy to report that is was AMAZING. You have one strong minded, "warrior" future heroine, a past centuries Highlander, and an old clan talisman that needs to go back where it belongs. What more can you ask for?
Take a trip to old world Scotland and have an adventure, a romance, a few clan feuds and wars and oh weddings. LoL
A must read. When I read the "details" for this book, I had to have it, had to see what it was about.
I am happy to report that is was AMAZING. You have one strong minded, "warrior" future heroine, a past centuries Highlander, and an old clan talisman that needs to go back where it belongs. What more can you ask for?
Take a trip to old world Scotland and have an adventure, a romance, a few clan feuds and wars and oh wedding ..
I am happy to report that is was AMAZING. You have one strong minded, "warrior" future heroine, a past centuries Highlander, and an old clan talisman that needs to go back where it belongs. What more can you ask for?
Take a trip to old world Scotland and have an adventure, a romance, a few clan feuds and wars and oh weddings. LoL
A must read. When I read the "details" for this book, I had to have it, had to see what it was about.
I am happy to report that is was AMAZING. You have one strong minded, "warrior" future heroine, a past centuries Highlander, and an old clan talisman that needs to go back where it belongs. What more can you ask for?
Take a trip to old world Scotland and have an adventure, a romance, a few clan feuds and wars and oh wedding ..
Want to read
February 15, 2016270p After her grandmother's death, Kara Malone inherits a key and a box with a secret. On a plane bound for Hawaii where she is to start a new job, she opens the box to find her grandmother's journal and a beautiful stone. Magical forces propel Kara back in time to the Scottish Highlands where she is nearly run down by Alaxandar MacLeod, the dark stranger from her dreams. Her problems are just beginning.
Alaxandar has been charged with finding the truth behind the recent violent raids against his clan. When his horse almost tramples a beautiful stranger, he wonders if she may hold the key to the raids. Is she a spy or a witch come to lure him with her wiles and distract him from his mission? Whatever she proves to be, Kara is everything he's wanted in a woman and he'll do anything to keep her with him.
**NOTE: This book was released in 2007 under same title.**
Alaxandar has been charged with finding the truth behind the recent violent raids against his clan. When his horse almost tramples a beautiful stranger, he wonders if she may hold the key to the raids. Is she a spy or a witch come to lure him with her wiles and distract him from his mission? Whatever she proves to be, Kara is everything he's wanted in a woman and he'll do anything to keep her with him.
**NOTE: This book was released in 2007 under same title.**
May 18, 2013
This was a cute story...the banter between Alaxander and Kara was great and hilarious. And the sexual tension...*phew*! A very interesting take on the going to the future and then back...I think the story could have been told a bit better. I'm not sure how, but I feel like there is more potential there.
The sudden change of POV was a bit disconcerting, and I would have to go back a bit to re-read when I realized I was reading from a different POV. Not making note of a character doing something would throw me off too, like someone coming out of the lake but making no mention of dressing again and being kidnapped, was a minor one.
All in all, a very cute historical story. Always a soft spot for my highlanders ;)
The sudden change of POV was a bit disconcerting, and I would have to go back a bit to re-read when I realized I was reading from a different POV. Not making note of a character doing something would throw me off too, like someone coming out of the lake but making no mention of dressing again and being kidnapped, was a minor one.
All in all, a very cute historical story. Always a soft spot for my highlanders ;)
June 17, 2014
It was okay. We start off with a Kara Malone's grandmother running away from her home because her father tries to marry her off to a man she hates. She takes the family's heirloom, which is a precious stone that supposedly has magic, to help ward her from evil. The stone does that but takes her to another time period. Then it jumps to Kara herself, she is upset that her grandmother dies and takes a job in another area. Her grandmother tells her to right the wrong that she has caused her family by taking the stone back. Literally, so Kara finds and takes the stone with her only to be thrown back to the past. LOL... you'll just have to read the rest. It was pretty funny.
May 17, 2013
Oh wow. I absolutely loved all of it. Great writing. Some errors but nothing to be worked up about. Lovely characters and although I would have liked them to be with his family because I enjoyed all of them I am glad they got away from all the violence. I am also curious about Ramsey, the brooding warrior. I wonder if Alaxandar's sister managed to tame him...Oh well. Wonderful ending anyway. Truly sweet and romantic!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2013
What disappointed me about this book, was the end. There is this whole love story, and then she is shot back into her present time, and he is left behind. When, oh magically, there he is, at the exact place she was flying to!? At least they didn't have her meet his look-alike present-day ancestor, and then fall in love all over again.. I'm glad it really was Alexander, the man she loved. And I liked Alexander's character. He's what makes this review 3 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2013
I loved this book about A girl who timed traveled back to 14 century Scotland to return what her grand mother took from her Clan 70 years prior. Oh Alexzander is a sexy, cocky, infuriating, alpha male you will fall hard for and Kara is the no nonsense nerd who wants out and back to her own time. Wonder what will happen to these two? Check out the MacKays and MacLeods it's quite a fun filled ride. Check it out!
May 30, 2013
I LOVED the book but hated the ending. She didn't technically end up with her Alexander. She got a diluted version of him with crappy highlights. I wish she would've stayed in the past. It would've been a much better ending.
Also since Alexander's spirit, I guess, somehow possessed the new Alex, what happened to his spirit? Where does his spirit/soul go?
Confusingggg
Also since Alexander's spirit, I guess, somehow possessed the new Alex, what happened to his spirit? Where does his spirit/soul go?
Confusingggg
June 9, 2013
A good enough fluff read. The ending is silly but fun. The writing style is a little on the simple side and there are some jumps in the logic of the story that could have stood better crafting but still something that was fun and sexy to read. The sort of book that goes good with a glass of wine and a bubble bath.
September 10, 2013
This was an exciting and sensual romantic time travel story. Alaxander is a strong highland warrior, and when Kara trips back in time and into his life, they both can't fight their growing attraction. I loved the twist ending. I would recommend this to anyone who loves historical romance or time travel.
February 25, 2015
It's interesting enough that I finished it, but story line is pretty bad I thought... If you've ever read Outlander series don't bother with this, it falls very short in the historical romance/highland/time travel novels. Lacks any real detail. I wanted to like it but was really disappointed unfortunately.
July 27, 2015
3.5 Stars!!!
Not a bad time travel/highlander story. I tend to enjoy time travel stories where it is almost possible. This one was a bit far fetched but enjoyable. I liked the characters and playfulness between them all. I also liked the story of learning about her grandmother, after her death, and how she came to be. All-n-all a good story and quick read.
Not a bad time travel/highlander story. I tend to enjoy time travel stories where it is almost possible. This one was a bit far fetched but enjoyable. I liked the characters and playfulness between them all. I also liked the story of learning about her grandmother, after her death, and how she came to be. All-n-all a good story and quick read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2012
My Review: I really had high hopes for this one. I love time travel and there is definitely a special place in my heart for...
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May 23, 2013
I loved this book. The storyline was fantastic. The characters made you fall in love with them. I simply couldn't get enough and would have loved the story to continue on. I will definitely be reading more from this author.
May 10, 2013
This was a free book and an enjoyable one. The plot is good and I am a sucker for time travel highland romance; but the development was weaker then I would like. 50 to 100 more pages of character development and a smoothing of the plot could have made this a 5 star book for me.
June 2, 2013
Free on B &N. This was just "okay" for me. At times, I grew bored with the story but pushed on hoping it would get better. The love scenes were more trashy than romantic and the ending was rushed. This definitely isn't in the same class as Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series.
June 6, 2013
My first read on IBooks...kilts,swords,time travel. There is no historical fiction,which was what I. Originally thought it was. Just a romance novel based on Scottish warriors and a lass trying to return the clan stone
September 13, 2013
This book is much better than I expected it to be. The story flowed well and was filled with action, romance ,mystery and danger. The characters are fairly well developed and likeable.
Overall this book kept me turning the pages to find out what happened next
Overall this book kept me turning the pages to find out what happened next
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews