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Highland Talents #0.5
Heart of Stone
An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here.
A highland talents novella, previously published in the anthology, Kissing the Highlander
Bound home after two years away, Gavan MacNabb comes across a lass and her deerhound in a moonlit circle of standing stones. Little does he know that the garland of bluebells she weaves and the spell she sings will change the course of his life.
Marsali Murray doesn’t really believe the old wives’ tale that making a chain of bluebells by the standing stones under a waxing moon will bring true love, but she’s desperate to try anything to escape the boring, everlasting sameness of her life. Anything except marrying a man her father chooses for her. When her deerhound, Corrie, insists on following Gavan, Marsali decides that’s the excuse she needs to have the adventure she craves. She’ll go where he goes, whether he is the man promised by her spell—or not.
Gavan has already seen much of the world denied to Marsali. He’s ready to settle down. She is eager to spread her wings. Can they find what they need with each other?
A highland talents novella, previously published in the anthology, Kissing the Highlander
Bound home after two years away, Gavan MacNabb comes across a lass and her deerhound in a moonlit circle of standing stones. Little does he know that the garland of bluebells she weaves and the spell she sings will change the course of his life.
Marsali Murray doesn’t really believe the old wives’ tale that making a chain of bluebells by the standing stones under a waxing moon will bring true love, but she’s desperate to try anything to escape the boring, everlasting sameness of her life. Anything except marrying a man her father chooses for her. When her deerhound, Corrie, insists on following Gavan, Marsali decides that’s the excuse she needs to have the adventure she craves. She’ll go where he goes, whether he is the man promised by her spell—or not.
Gavan has already seen much of the world denied to Marsali. He’s ready to settle down. She is eager to spread her wings. Can they find what they need with each other?
86 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2015
175 people are currently reading
198 people want to read
About the author
Willa Blair
35 books238 followersWilla Blair is an Award-winning Amazon and Barnes & Noble #1 Bestselling author of Scottish Historical, light Paranormal, and Contemporary romance. She has been featured on and contributes to USAToday’s Happy Ever After romance blog, Savvy Authors, Romance University, and more.
Her books have won numerous honors, including the Marlene, the Merritt, National Readers’ Choice Award Finalist, The Reader’s Crown finalist, Historical Romance finalist and Honorable Mention in InD’Tale Magazine’s prestigious RONE Award, NightOwl Reviews Top Pick, and InD’tale Review’s Crowned Heart.
A life-long student and reader, she has been a stained glass artist and instructor, a foreign language teacher, a computer scientist, an analyst, a manager and an executive. She has visited six continents and can get by in several languages. She loves scouting new settings for books, and thinks being an author is the best job she’s ever had.
Her books have won numerous honors, including the Marlene, the Merritt, National Readers’ Choice Award Finalist, The Reader’s Crown finalist, Historical Romance finalist and Honorable Mention in InD’Tale Magazine’s prestigious RONE Award, NightOwl Reviews Top Pick, and InD’tale Review’s Crowned Heart.
A life-long student and reader, she has been a stained glass artist and instructor, a foreign language teacher, a computer scientist, an analyst, a manager and an executive. She has visited six continents and can get by in several languages. She loves scouting new settings for books, and thinks being an author is the best job she’s ever had.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
January 8, 2017
This is an enjoyable light read about a girl, the un-needed daughter of a clan chief, who casts a love charm in a stone circle and perhaps it works. For next minute her deerhound is welcoming a stranger from a neighbouring clan, a strong lad who has been abroad fighting with the French and travelling. But he's already got a lass waiting for him all this time.
With looks at the status of women and the suspicious relationships among clans, we see quite a lot of the lifestyle. We also see the care and feeding of deerhounds, which aside from being a nice facet of the story, serves as a metaphor for the need to marry outside the clan.
We're never much in doubt of the outcome but care about the characters, and the novella length makes this a nice easy read.
With looks at the status of women and the suspicious relationships among clans, we see quite a lot of the lifestyle. We also see the care and feeding of deerhounds, which aside from being a nice facet of the story, serves as a metaphor for the need to marry outside the clan.
We're never much in doubt of the outcome but care about the characters, and the novella length makes this a nice easy read.
January 19, 2022
A quick enjoyable read that will make you want to believe in enchanting spells sung while in a moonlit circle of standing stones. All Marsali wants is to find love and explore life beyond her tiny village and if it means trying out a spell, then so be it! When a stranger, Gavan, suddenly comes upon her, she truly believes her spell has worked. Now it's to convince Gavan that he's the man for her!!
I loved their characters and how the plot of the story works itself out. An added bonus for me was Marsali's deerhound, I love when a beloved animal has a part in a story:)
I loved their characters and how the plot of the story works itself out. An added bonus for me was Marsali's deerhound, I love when a beloved animal has a part in a story:)
added-it
January 10, 2021🎁 FREE on Amazon today (1/10/2021)! 🎁
August 28, 2015
HEART OF STONE was originally published as part of the KISSING THE HIGHLANDER anthology which featured an assortment of Highland romances to fall in love with! AND I loved each one!
I count myself as one of Willa Blair's fans. So... when I picked up the KISSING THE HIGHLANDER anthology, there was no way I wasn't reading HEART OF STONE. This novella is nothing short of an enchanted treat featuring a sexy kilted Highlander, a feisty female heroine and a happy ever after ending that will leave the reader with a case of the warm fuzzies. Another huge plus for me was that the Celtic's circle of standing stones, which have always fascinated me, were featured in this story (and in each of the stories that were in the anthology).
Briefly, here's a short synopsis: Marsali seeks her one true love by weaving bluebells amidst the stones. Gavan comes upon her as she finishes her task and Marsali's deerhound hones her matchmaking skills. Will Gavan escape from the spell cast within the stones?
Here's one of my favorite quotes from this tale:
“The hound was a problem. Protective of her mistress, aye, but also seemingly determined to throw them together. Gavan shook his head. Now, there was a silly though. A matchmaking deerhound.”
I can see myself picking up HEART OF STONE to read again and again and highly recommend it!
5 Wine Glasses!
I count myself as one of Willa Blair's fans. So... when I picked up the KISSING THE HIGHLANDER anthology, there was no way I wasn't reading HEART OF STONE. This novella is nothing short of an enchanted treat featuring a sexy kilted Highlander, a feisty female heroine and a happy ever after ending that will leave the reader with a case of the warm fuzzies. Another huge plus for me was that the Celtic's circle of standing stones, which have always fascinated me, were featured in this story (and in each of the stories that were in the anthology).
Briefly, here's a short synopsis: Marsali seeks her one true love by weaving bluebells amidst the stones. Gavan comes upon her as she finishes her task and Marsali's deerhound hones her matchmaking skills. Will Gavan escape from the spell cast within the stones?
Here's one of my favorite quotes from this tale:
“The hound was a problem. Protective of her mistress, aye, but also seemingly determined to throw them together. Gavan shook his head. Now, there was a silly though. A matchmaking deerhound.”
I can see myself picking up HEART OF STONE to read again and again and highly recommend it!
5 Wine Glasses!
November 8, 2017
Goes down as another off my Bookworm Bingo Challenge – A Scottish Highlander historical romance.
Marsali longs to find her true love, hopefully before her father sells her off to the highest bidder for political gain. An old tale she’s told tells of a spell that once cast will bring forth her true love. One that involves stringing bluebells together and singing a song in the middle of a sacred circle of stones. She knows its a long shot so is shocked when a man appears before her, a very handsome one to boot. Though at the end of the day maybe she should just listen to her deerhound Corrie – the fearsome beast she is lol – she seems to know who she should be with.
Gavan is on his way home when he gets drawn towards a voice singing on the wind. It’s like he feels a pull towards the voice and when he finds the one it came from a pull towards her as well. He might want her but holds back for fear of scaring her. Then he takes note that she is in the middle of nowhere by herself with only a deerhound to protect her. Said fearsome deerhound that all but bounces over to him to say hello. Good old Corrie, she knew who he was to her master even before they did. He almost wants to scare her into seeing how dangerous the situation could be but settles on offering to escort her home instead. She might insist she is fine but she secretly wishes for him to force her to be led by him spell or no spell. She may have cast it but how much faith should she have in it anyway? More than she does it seems as they meet again by chance. You can see the pull is there but not acted upon, mainly due to him leaving the next day. Thinking she has lost her chance it seems fate, or should that be Corrie, has other plans as she rushes off to follow him hours after leaving. Marsali might have longed for adventure and she is about to get it when she follows her faithful hound.
Danger is along the path she travels so its good she has a Scottish Highlander to come to her rescue. To keep her safe becomes his first priority and it seems the closest place to do that would be his home. But there awaits a long lost love, one he had hoped would wait for him. Though does he still want his past or maybe now a new future. He thinks to give Marsali time for her adventurous nature to wear off so she will go home on her own choosing but really he wants her to stay, even if he won’t say it. She longs for him to see her as his love as she has quickly come to see him as hers. They fit together no matter where they are. I mean come on even the hound knows they are meant to be. But with past lovers, family ties and hope being tested it’s a wonder if love can concur at all.
Nice short, sweet, clean, adventurous Scottish highlander romance to chill out with on a chilly evening. Would be interesting to see how others in their families get on with their own stories. Lots more tales I hope.
https://readingnook84.wordpress.com/2...
Marsali longs to find her true love, hopefully before her father sells her off to the highest bidder for political gain. An old tale she’s told tells of a spell that once cast will bring forth her true love. One that involves stringing bluebells together and singing a song in the middle of a sacred circle of stones. She knows its a long shot so is shocked when a man appears before her, a very handsome one to boot. Though at the end of the day maybe she should just listen to her deerhound Corrie – the fearsome beast she is lol – she seems to know who she should be with.
Gavan is on his way home when he gets drawn towards a voice singing on the wind. It’s like he feels a pull towards the voice and when he finds the one it came from a pull towards her as well. He might want her but holds back for fear of scaring her. Then he takes note that she is in the middle of nowhere by herself with only a deerhound to protect her. Said fearsome deerhound that all but bounces over to him to say hello. Good old Corrie, she knew who he was to her master even before they did. He almost wants to scare her into seeing how dangerous the situation could be but settles on offering to escort her home instead. She might insist she is fine but she secretly wishes for him to force her to be led by him spell or no spell. She may have cast it but how much faith should she have in it anyway? More than she does it seems as they meet again by chance. You can see the pull is there but not acted upon, mainly due to him leaving the next day. Thinking she has lost her chance it seems fate, or should that be Corrie, has other plans as she rushes off to follow him hours after leaving. Marsali might have longed for adventure and she is about to get it when she follows her faithful hound.
Danger is along the path she travels so its good she has a Scottish Highlander to come to her rescue. To keep her safe becomes his first priority and it seems the closest place to do that would be his home. But there awaits a long lost love, one he had hoped would wait for him. Though does he still want his past or maybe now a new future. He thinks to give Marsali time for her adventurous nature to wear off so she will go home on her own choosing but really he wants her to stay, even if he won’t say it. She longs for him to see her as his love as she has quickly come to see him as hers. They fit together no matter where they are. I mean come on even the hound knows they are meant to be. But with past lovers, family ties and hope being tested it’s a wonder if love can concur at all.
Nice short, sweet, clean, adventurous Scottish highlander romance to chill out with on a chilly evening. Would be interesting to see how others in their families get on with their own stories. Lots more tales I hope.
https://readingnook84.wordpress.com/2...
January 10, 2021
Enjoyed this sweet and clean Scottish Medieval romance (with a lovely cover) about a laird's daughter who wishes to find love instead of an arranged marriage. Great for a feel-good bedtime reading; short enough to finish in one sitting. Enjoyed the realistic Scottish dialogue. Recommended for those who enjoy a good old-fashioned entertaining Scottish tale.
May 5, 2021
Meet the healer
Well researched for the time and place setting for the story. I enjoyed the..conflict? that was waged over who was the right girl. I was unsure what the talent was in this book. It was a sweet story that I would recommend to anyone who likes Highland, historical romance with HEA plots.
Well researched for the time and place setting for the story. I enjoyed the..conflict? that was waged over who was the right girl. I was unsure what the talent was in this book. It was a sweet story that I would recommend to anyone who likes Highland, historical romance with HEA plots.
July 20, 2023
Great Story
Heart of Stone was a great tale of Gavin finally going home to his family the McNabb clan after being gone for a few years, and meeting a woman who had the same desires of adventure. She said she wasn't a lady, but was indeed a lairds daughter. That's just where the story begins. I recommend you read the book and find out what happens.
Heart of Stone was a great tale of Gavin finally going home to his family the McNabb clan after being gone for a few years, and meeting a woman who had the same desires of adventure. She said she wasn't a lady, but was indeed a lairds daughter. That's just where the story begins. I recommend you read the book and find out what happens.
May 8, 2017
Wonderful
Marsali and Gavin 's story was magical from the beginning. Beginning at the circle stones with a bluebell chain and Corrie the amazing Deerhound to comming full circle at the circle stones.
Marsali and Gavin 's story was magical from the beginning. Beginning at the circle stones with a bluebell chain and Corrie the amazing Deerhound to comming full circle at the circle stones.
June 9, 2017
Kissing the Highlander Anthology
Marsali performs a spell to bring her true love to her so she can escape an unwanted marriage. Gavan happens by on their way home. Marsali follows him home and wants to marry him...he wants to marry him too but won't admit it.
This was ok, just kinda flat.
Marsali performs a spell to bring her true love to her so she can escape an unwanted marriage. Gavan happens by on their way home. Marsali follows him home and wants to marry him...he wants to marry him too but won't admit it.
This was ok, just kinda flat.
October 23, 2017
Interesting
Was neat to learn about lives and families back then. Marriages back then were usually prearranged for the benefit of the clan, was nice to know that they weren't all prearranged!
Was neat to learn about lives and families back then. Marriages back then were usually prearranged for the benefit of the clan, was nice to know that they weren't all prearranged!
January 31, 2022
Not a Stone Heart
Young Marsali had heart work cut out for her getting Haven't heart captured. Even her dog, Corrie fell in love with this stranger who came into the magical Stone circle.
Young Marsali had heart work cut out for her getting Haven't heart captured. Even her dog, Corrie fell in love with this stranger who came into the magical Stone circle.
December 28, 2023
1.5*s. Tried new to me author and wasn't impressed. The story seemed both simplistic and forced, the characters — flat, and the writing — too stylized.
But the book isn't awful, just very bland and unremarkable.
But the book isn't awful, just very bland and unremarkable.
May 31, 2017
Sweet love story
Lovely tale of two who meet at a standing stone circle and face much before they can be together. Lovely story, great characters.
Lovely tale of two who meet at a standing stone circle and face much before they can be together. Lovely story, great characters.
June 20, 2017
Nothing really new, but a nice story.
December 28, 2019
Brought together by her spell
A good historical romance short prequel to the Highland Talents series. Good characters and plot. Well written and worth the read.
A good historical romance short prequel to the Highland Talents series. Good characters and plot. Well written and worth the read.
January 10, 2021
This was a great, quick read. Marsali and Gavan's story is sweet. A Scottish highlander romance that'll have you hooked. It's short, written well and has a good storyline.
January 11, 2021
Ok
A short clean read about a young lass seeking love by using an old Scottish superstition. The handsome lad that finds her and saves her from thieves. Happy ending.
A short clean read about a young lass seeking love by using an old Scottish superstition. The handsome lad that finds her and saves her from thieves. Happy ending.
January 19, 2021
Good
For whatever reason, I read this story last..? It was good, not as exciting as the others, but a good read
For whatever reason, I read this story last..? It was good, not as exciting as the others, but a good read
February 3, 2021
Are the standing stones in Scotland magical?
Gavon comes upon young lass weaving a crown of bluebells in the standing stones. Will the wish/prediction for true love come true?
Gavon comes upon young lass weaving a crown of bluebells in the standing stones. Will the wish/prediction for true love come true?
March 25, 2021
Very good
If you like reading stories with a medieval setting you will like Heart of Stone! I enjoyed reading this one hope you do too.
If you like reading stories with a medieval setting you will like Heart of Stone! I enjoyed reading this one hope you do too.
September 20, 2021
This is a sweet short story. I am enjoying this author's talented writing and incredible way of spinning tales.
October 17, 2021
Marsali and Gavin
January 18, 2022
good love story
I enjoyed this book. It was the first I have read from Willa but will try more if they are on Unlimited. Gaven and Marsali fell in love and it was beautiful.
I enjoyed this book. It was the first I have read from Willa but will try more if they are on Unlimited. Gaven and Marsali fell in love and it was beautiful.
January 20, 2022
Gavan and Marsali
This is a good, fast read. I enjoyed the author’s character building for such a short story and I hope to see more of these two in the rest of the series.
This is a good, fast read. I enjoyed the author’s character building for such a short story and I hope to see more of these two in the rest of the series.
January 21, 2022
easy read
A short read that had a sweet romance that is started in the beginning and finds it’s way to a happy ending
A short read that had a sweet romance that is started in the beginning and finds it’s way to a happy ending
January 28, 2022
Cavan and Marsali
I really enjoyed this story and adding in the myth of finding true love at the standing stones and the dog who helped get them together.
I really enjoyed this story and adding in the myth of finding true love at the standing stones and the dog who helped get them together.
February 6, 2022
This was boring and juvenile.
June 30, 2022
Author Willa Blair continues her Scottish highland series with light paranormal accents. As always Willa writes a great read with wonderful sexy men in kilts and their strong individualistic women.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews