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THIS WAS PREVIOUSLY RELEASED AS PART OF THE ALL THINGS MERRY AND BRIGHT CHRISTMAS COLLECTION.

One falling star. Two wishes. Whose will come true?

The love of her life doesn’t know she exists. Still, ever the optimist, Mariote Dundotter-McCullum makes a wish on a falling star: to marry the man before her next birthday. Little does she know that someone else is wishing on the same star.

When it looks as though her wish to marry will never come true, Mariote decides to settle for someone who has been professing his love for her through beautiful letters. It doesn't matter that he is the son of her father's enemy, or that she can’t remember ever meeting him. Mariote believes ‘tis better to be loved by someone than never at all. So, she steals away in the middle of the night to make her own joy.

There’s another who has loved her since the first time he saw her. After learning Mariote has run off to marry someone else, he goes after her. But will he have the courage to give her his heart and to make his secret wish come true?

71 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 27, 2018

174 people are currently reading
105 people want to read

About the author

Suzan Tisdale

88 books663 followers
USA Today Bestselling Author, storyteller and cheeky wench, SUZAN TISDALE lives in the Midwest with her verra handsome carpenter husband. All but one of her children have left the nest. Her pets consist of dust bunnies and a dozen poodle-sized, backyard-dwelling groundhogs – all of which run as free and unrestrained as the voices in her head. And she doesn’t own a single pair of yoga pants, much to the shock and horror of her fellow authors. She prefers to write in her pajamas.
Suzan writes Scottish historical romance/fiction, with honorable and perfectly imperfect heroes and strong, feisty heroines. And bad guys she kills off in delightfully wicked ways.
She published her first novel, Laiden’s Daughter, in December, 2011, as a gift for her mother. That one book started a journey which has led to more than twenty published titles. To date, she has sold more than 750,000 copies of her books around the world. They have been translated into Italian, French, German, and Spanish.
You will find her books in digital, paperback, and audiobook formats.

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5 stars
114 (45%)
4 stars
79 (31%)
3 stars
44 (17%)
2 stars
5 (1%)
1 star
10 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
Profile Image for TJ.
3,340 reviews307 followers
April 24, 2019
As much as I love Ms. Tisdale’s writing - a style that flows so beautifully as she weaves such lovely and heart-warming tales - there are two things I really dislike.

The first is a short-length novella. I don’t read them often because they rarely are able to include the depth and growth needed to satisfy me. In this, Ms. Tisdale did an admirable job. I do think another chapter or two was needed to tie up the loose ends, however. As it stood, the story ended very abruptly with many questions about Mariote and how things worked out left hanging.

The second is a complete deal breaker for me when reading any romance. And that is no declaration of love. Nope, nope, nope! Absolutely HATE it! I’m lucky if I can only deduct one star for that gross exclusion. It is especially offensive when the story is well-written in every other way and desperately needs it in order to close that last page happy.

I’m sure this will be a fabulous story for anyone who isn’t bothered by these two aspects.
577 reviews5 followers
January 22, 2019
True Love

I really enjoy reading Suzan Tisdale’s books. This story starts a new series that will be a great series.
In this story you have a lass named Mariote, who is one of Moirra’s daughter. There is Willem, who Mariote has loved for the last four years. Then Lachlan who has loved Mariote for the last four years.
Mariote now has plans to run off and marry Conner from a clan that is not well liked!
Instead of telling more of the story I would recommend reading it. You will not be disappointed.
79 reviews1 follower
January 25, 2019
Good

I enjoyed this short read. It was a very easy and fun book to enjoy. Great story line. Give it a try.
Profile Image for Yolanda.
247 reviews
January 17, 2019
Mariote has been in love with a man who doesn’t seem to know she exists while another man has been sending her love letters professing his love for her. She finally gives in and decides it will be better to be loved than to end up alone so she runs away to be with him. Little does she know that life isn’t quite that simple and that her plans are about to go awry in more ways than one. Though this is a short story there is a lot to it and it kept me entertained from beginning to end. I loved the characters and all the little surprises the author had in store for us. It is definitely a book well worth reading. I am anxious to read the next book in the series.
102 reviews
January 18, 2019
Too short

Mariota is wanting a husband, home and children. I like Mariote. She cares and makes the most of her circumstances. She feels lonely and none of the men in her clan want anything to do with her. She takes a gamble to run away with a man she thinks loves her. Willem and Lachlan go after you. She realizes she made a mistake. She finds her happiness. I wonder what happened to Connor. I loved her little sister. Well, the whole family. It was too short.
366 reviews
January 21, 2019
I read this novella under the book collection called All Things Merry and Bright. I purchased the copy not realizing I already had it. Oh well..It was good enough that I read it twice!
Profile Image for Laura Simmons.
Author 24 books282 followers
January 18, 2019
I thought this was a delightful and very entertaining novella, I absolutely loved it! It had some really funny parts and situations along with a good level of angst. I could see the scenes playing out in my mind. I plan to read the rest of this series.
146 reviews1 follower
January 15, 2019
Another good story by Susan Tisdale.

I found her books by chance and I am addicted to them. The only thing I didn't like this story was how short it was. But her stories, even when they are short are much better than another person's full length book.
Profile Image for Debra Parmley.
Author 47 books1,237 followers
January 26, 2025
Short but Sweet

I enjoyed this short Scottish romance by Suzan Tisdale. I can hear her characters speaking as I read. Her dialog is that good. I'm looking forward to reading the next one.
Profile Image for Siv.
367 reviews
March 16, 2022
Very sweet short story💕💖 love Suzan Tisdales books
1,690 reviews15 followers
May 30, 2021
4.5 STARS

I purchased this as part of a multi author bundle called ALL THINGS MERRY AND BRIGHT and I purchased it separately.

I thought I knew how this was going to end, but oh I was so wrong, in a good way. I only wish, it was a little longer, to know how her father reacted when he found out the truth of her actions. This cried for an epilogue, only because I really loved this couple and the father.

UPDATE: I had ordered this not realizing I already owned it because it is in the bundle I mentioned. Not sure if the blurb was added this was previously published after I bought it. But, in this story (not the bundle), there is a table of contents that lists EPILOGUE. I was so excited because in my review I WISHED for an epilogue. But, this isn't an epilogue - it is word for word of the last chapter in the bundle. I still would recommend it, just got excited thinking more was added to the story because I didn't want it to end. There is a prologue at the end of this book now called Esa that wasn't included in the bundle. End of UPDATE.

This is a clean story, with HEA, no cheating either. (LJB)
46 reviews2 followers
July 26, 2019
I have read 3 of Suzan Tisdale's books so far including Mariote, and have enjoyed reading all.

Mariote was featured throughout the previous novel "Saving Moirra" so reading this short novela on her new life as a grown up, seeking to find a husband and succeeding was very refreshing.

One of the things I liked about Susan's novels is the fact that they are not long winded and full of unnecessary flowery texts that becomes repetitive and boring.

I also like the way way she writes the story line, twists and plots for each novele

I am now a fan and ooking forward to the release of the Novel "Tender is the Heart" and "Esa" The Daughter of Moirra
116 reviews3 followers
September 1, 2019
Love Letters

Wow, who doesn’t enjoy the Novels by Suzan Tisdale. They never let you down do they? And this one is no different. Lairds in Castle’s 🏰 the Lairds strong, sexy men. And the Lairds Step Daughter’s. That’s ingredients for any story. Even though this is a short story that’s an introduction to The Daughter’s Of Moirra Dundotter Series, Of which I’m going now to purchase the second one of this series, it’s that good. Happy reading.
Profile Image for Belinda Wilson.
115 reviews5 followers
April 6, 2022
Wonderful and touching novelette

Excellent plot engages the reader immediately as Mariote begins her adventure. Thinking she knows her heart, she leaves the one who really loves and wants her. She is unprepared for what awaits her on the trip towards Inverness. Deceit abounds in this story. There is a plot twist which makes everything fall into place. A short, astounding story that fully entertains!
Profile Image for Patricia.
838 reviews
March 10, 2019
Lovely tale

I would definitely recommend this book. Or any other book by this author, as far as that goes.
This one introduces a group of people, and fleshes out a couple characters quite completely. It offers tantalising glimpses of other people, and, through it all, includes enough scenery and weather to keep you lost in the woods in a brutal snowstorm.
Profile Image for Gigi.
582 reviews
August 8, 2019
3 1/2 Stars...

‘Mariote,’ was an incredibly sweet and much too quick read! It had the feel of a novella, more than an actual book. Though I did find it entertaining and was anxious to read more on Moirra’s daughters... I was expecting much more of a storyline.
Profile Image for Reader_for_LifeTLG.
2,885 reviews17 followers
November 21, 2019
Her love swoops in to save her from the villain. Really! And a trouncing was soundly delivered. Great story to open the series. First book I have read by Ms. Tisdale. Will not be the last. Can't wait for lovestruck Esa.
Profile Image for Alison.
83 reviews
January 13, 2021
Such a good story! It is a short little novella, 76 pages, but I enjoyed it. One thing that I think would have been great for this though is another chapter just to tie it all up. But otherwise, it is a good read. Both characters were good, Lachlan and of course, Mariote.
6 reviews
February 18, 2022
Lovely Story

Reread this as I get ready to read Esa. Quick little tale connecting the family together from previous books. Hoping more are coming, especially one about Orabilis. That would be a great story! Love this family that sticks together.
Profile Image for Beth Blanchard.
35 reviews
November 25, 2023
Had to read in one sitting

As always, Susan grabs the reader on page one and doesn't let go. Her logical heroine decides to follow her heart for the first time and things go terribly wrong, but then wonderfully right. And those Highlander men...
12 reviews
April 30, 2019
Great short story

It's a sweet short story and I can't wait for the next installments. I love a story that gets me hooked from the very beginning.
Profile Image for Olivia.
1,653 reviews1 follower
January 13, 2022
3.75 stars. I didn’t realize this was a novella. It felt wholly incomplete and rushed. But I did like the characters and the plot for what it was.
43 reviews
April 27, 2022
Very sweet

I enjoyed reading this and it was a very easy reading. A bit tame from what I'm used to reading, but will continue to finish the series. Very enjoyable read.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews