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Stewart Sisters #1
Out of the Mist
Following her wildly popular Callahan Brothers trilogy, national bestselling author JoAnn Ross begins the sparkling Stewart Sisters trilogy with this fun, sexy riff on the classic movie "To Catch a Thief" -- with a Scottish twist Lily Stewart is busy planning the summer Highland Games at her family's Great Smoky Mountain resort. So the last thing she needs is some arrogant, demanding Scotsman -- no matter how sexy -- arriving to film the annual festival. It's bad enough that he's constantly interrupting her days -- but even worse that he's tempting her to rev up her nights with a Highland fling.
Filmmaker Ian MacDougall MacKenzie is actually there to steal back the Brooch of Lorn, which has gone back and forth between the Stewarts and the MacDougalls ever since it was ripped from Robert the Bruce's tartan in 1306. But when Ian realizes Lily has stolen his heart, he wonders whether love can prevail once she discovers he's been deceiving her all along....
Filmmaker Ian MacDougall MacKenzie is actually there to steal back the Brooch of Lorn, which has gone back and forth between the Stewarts and the MacDougalls ever since it was ripped from Robert the Bruce's tartan in 1306. But when Ian realizes Lily has stolen his heart, he wonders whether love can prevail once she discovers he's been deceiving her all along....
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
56 people are currently reading
482 people want to read
About the author
JoAnn Ross
241 books797 followersNew York Times bestselling author JoAnn Ross has written over a hundred novels for a bunch of publishers. Two of her titles have been excerpted in Cosmo and her books have also been published by the Doubleday, Rhapsody, Literary Guild, and Mystery Guild book clubs.
A member of the Romance Writers of America's Honor Roll of best-selling authors, she's won several awards, including Romantic Times's Career Achievement Awards in both category and contemporary single title.
Currently writing a new Honeymoon Harbor series for HQN set on the Washington peninsula, that will launch in April, 2018, JoAnn lives with her husband (her high school sweetheart, who proposed at the sea wall where her Shelter Bay books are set), in the Pacific Northwest.
A member of the Romance Writers of America's Honor Roll of best-selling authors, she's won several awards, including Romantic Times's Career Achievement Awards in both category and contemporary single title.
Currently writing a new Honeymoon Harbor series for HQN set on the Washington peninsula, that will launch in April, 2018, JoAnn lives with her husband (her high school sweetheart, who proposed at the sea wall where her Shelter Bay books are set), in the Pacific Northwest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
February 15, 2009
Again, a really good book from JoAnn Ross. Very sweet, very romantic without the hurdling highs and lows of other romance novels. It's also without the ridiculous boy loses girl antics of other writers, of which I'm heartily thankful.
Lily Stewart is busy organizing the Highland Games at her family's Smoky Mountain resort when filmmaker Ian MacKenzie arrives, ostensibly to film the Highland Games. Of course there's always another reason.
Great chemistry, good writing and did I mention the lack of stupid boy loses girl scenarios? Nothing that happens in the book feels like a huge leap in reality or a strain in believability. Her characters communicate (with words!) and never does Lily assume Ian knows how she feels about him; she always tells him or shows him. Very refreshing.
Lily Stewart is busy organizing the Highland Games at her family's Smoky Mountain resort when filmmaker Ian MacKenzie arrives, ostensibly to film the Highland Games. Of course there's always another reason.
Great chemistry, good writing and did I mention the lack of stupid boy loses girl scenarios? Nothing that happens in the book feels like a huge leap in reality or a strain in believability. Her characters communicate (with words!) and never does Lily assume Ian knows how she feels about him; she always tells him or shows him. Very refreshing.
January 15, 2019
I picked this book up at a used book sale and after finishing it, I have purchased the next two in the trilogy. This is the story of Lily Stewart, a lovely woman working in the small town of Highland Falls; running a small gallery, taking care of the family home "Stewart's Folly" a castle built by her ancestors and now running as an inn, and organizing The Highland Games. When she meeting Ian MacKenzie, a documentary maker, she tries to convince him that making a documentary of their Highland Games is a wonderful idea. What she doesn't know is that he is a member of the MacDougall clan, an enemy of the Stewarts, and he is in Highland Falls to steal the Brooch of Lorn, which was torn from the cloak of "The Bruce" back in the 1600s. The brooch has been stolen back and forth between the two families for generations. The thing neither Ian or Lily were prepared for was that they would fall in love.
The story is told in the present by Lily and Ian, but there are several flashbacks to various times narrated by ancestors of both of them. This is a very character driven story. I enjoyed meeting the various member of the Stewart family. Lily's grandmother, Annie, is blind but functions so well in the home, it is hard to tell. Her aunts, Zelda and Melanie are so different from one another, but family is important to both of them. We briefly meet Lily's sisters, Lark and Laurel, but their stories will be told in the next two books. When Ian's grandfather shows up in drag, it adds a humorous dimension to the story. This was a wonderful story of family, love, dreams and taking chances. There were a few sexual encounters that were quite well described, so if that is not to your liking, you can skim them or perhaps skip this book. I recommend it to those who enjoy a good romance.
The story is told in the present by Lily and Ian, but there are several flashbacks to various times narrated by ancestors of both of them. This is a very character driven story. I enjoyed meeting the various member of the Stewart family. Lily's grandmother, Annie, is blind but functions so well in the home, it is hard to tell. Her aunts, Zelda and Melanie are so different from one another, but family is important to both of them. We briefly meet Lily's sisters, Lark and Laurel, but their stories will be told in the next two books. When Ian's grandfather shows up in drag, it adds a humorous dimension to the story. This was a wonderful story of family, love, dreams and taking chances. There were a few sexual encounters that were quite well described, so if that is not to your liking, you can skim them or perhaps skip this book. I recommend it to those who enjoy a good romance.
April 13, 2021
This was in a pile of books someone gave me.
Do you ever read a book and just think...who was that written for? I know the target audience was women but even with a female author it is very much appealing to the male gaze.
For example. Ian. Not too much description of him but we have to have every outfit of Lily's and every swish of her hair described. Also the author found it appropriate to explain how he lost his virginity. At 16 his mom's friend, ten years older than him, 'initiated him'. At his parents funeral two years later she acts childlike. This seems more like the male fantasy of hooking up with some model or actress and not like the actual pedophilia it was.
And then you have her 55 year old father marrying a 25 year old. And don't try saying well it's true love because it literally was manipulation.
The author also does that thing where she picks on geeks. When your most serious relationship to date was a married man who died in a boating accident...maybe a nice man with a stable job who loves his family history is where you should actually be looking? I just get so annoyed when people are like that. Not just the 'smart' ones. But the girl who likes fashion is a bimbo, the woman who wants kids is appressed, that sort of thing.
It also seems to me this is a book built on stereotypes. Scottish temper, that sort of thing. I'm not Scottish but I do have another ethnicity also stereotyped in this book and in my experience what happens is sometimes those blanket statements are used to excuse bad behavior. I can't behave because my ancestors were tough. So were mine, and probably so weren't everyone's. I'm just saying, be proud of your roots but leave the toxicity behind.
Do you ever read a book and just think...who was that written for? I know the target audience was women but even with a female author it is very much appealing to the male gaze.
For example. Ian. Not too much description of him but we have to have every outfit of Lily's and every swish of her hair described. Also the author found it appropriate to explain how he lost his virginity. At 16 his mom's friend, ten years older than him, 'initiated him'. At his parents funeral two years later she acts childlike. This seems more like the male fantasy of hooking up with some model or actress and not like the actual pedophilia it was.
And then you have her 55 year old father marrying a 25 year old. And don't try saying well it's true love because it literally was manipulation.
The author also does that thing where she picks on geeks. When your most serious relationship to date was a married man who died in a boating accident...maybe a nice man with a stable job who loves his family history is where you should actually be looking? I just get so annoyed when people are like that. Not just the 'smart' ones. But the girl who likes fashion is a bimbo, the woman who wants kids is appressed, that sort of thing.
It also seems to me this is a book built on stereotypes. Scottish temper, that sort of thing. I'm not Scottish but I do have another ethnicity also stereotyped in this book and in my experience what happens is sometimes those blanket statements are used to excuse bad behavior. I can't behave because my ancestors were tough. So were mine, and probably so weren't everyone's. I'm just saying, be proud of your roots but leave the toxicity behind.
September 7, 2009
To me this story was just borderline ok. There was no real spark, no chemistry between the two main characters. The "mystery" backstory wasn't very interesting and I never really bonded with ANYONE in the book.
The only highlight I can praise is the very short backstory of the heroine's grandmother and grandfather reuniting after WW2. Would have LOVED to read that story!
The only highlight I can praise is the very short backstory of the heroine's grandmother and grandfather reuniting after WW2. Would have LOVED to read that story!
July 19, 2016
3.5. I really liked this book! I thought the author did a great job of tying together what happened in the past with the the present day story. The characters were also really well done. I enjoyed the main and supporting characters. I am looking forward to reading about the other two sisters.
February 25, 2008
I started out not liking this one, as it started slow. However as I got farther, it became a page turner. A good tale!
June 13, 2011
this was an ok story. I likes the setting and the premise, though I'm not sure it fully came together. I did enjoy the moments where the h/h were alone together.
July 28, 2020
Ian MacDougall Mackenzie, a renowned filmmaker, is sent by his grandfather to steal a brooch stolen between two families throughout centuries. Currently in the possession of the Stewarts, Ian uses filming their Highland Games as an excuse to infiltrate the castle and steal the brooch.
Sparks fly the minute he sets eyes on Lily Stewart and the feeling is mutual. Love blossoms but, as always, love is complicated.
I enjoyed this book but found the brooch portion of the story uninspiring. I also found the grandfather's appearance in the end defies reality and the ending disappointingly brief.
Sparks fly the minute he sets eyes on Lily Stewart and the feeling is mutual. Love blossoms but, as always, love is complicated.
I enjoyed this book but found the brooch portion of the story uninspiring. I also found the grandfather's appearance in the end defies reality and the ending disappointingly brief.
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July 12, 2021Awesome read
Being from the Gatlinburg area, Ms.Ross has captured the environment and people in this town, what a fun adventure and riveting read. Loved this book and the author. I can't wait to read the rest of the trilogy.
Being from the Gatlinburg area, Ms.Ross has captured the environment and people in this town, what a fun adventure and riveting read. Loved this book and the author. I can't wait to read the rest of the trilogy.
July 8, 2018
Hoping to like it since it was in the Smoky Mountains. Wasn’t very impressed. I did enjoy the part with synchronized fireflies.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2021
I didn't like this book at all. The only thing interesting was the part about fireflies mating.
January 11, 2022
surprisingly good. not my usual genre.
June 10, 2022
Story was wonderful! Giving only 3 stars because I hate when an author uses the Lord's Name in vain!
December 9, 2022
Ending felt rushed.
June 2, 2010
Lily Stewart is busy planning the summer Highland Games at her family's Great Smoky Mountain resort. So the last thing she needs is some arrogant, demanding Scotsman -- no matter how sexy -- arriving to film the annual festival. It's bad enough that he's constantly interrupting her days -- but even worse that he's tempting her to rev up her nights with a Highland fling.
Filmmaker Ian MacDougall MacKenzie is actually there to steal back the Brooch of Lorn, which has gone back and forth between the Stewarts and the MacDougalls ever since it was ripped from Robert the Bruce's tartan in 1306. But when Ian realizes Lily has stolen his heart, he wonders whether love can prevail once she discovers he's been deceiving her all along....
Filmmaker Ian MacDougall MacKenzie is actually there to steal back the Brooch of Lorn, which has gone back and forth between the Stewarts and the MacDougalls ever since it was ripped from Robert the Bruce's tartan in 1306. But when Ian realizes Lily has stolen his heart, he wonders whether love can prevail once she discovers he's been deceiving her all along....
February 21, 2014
I first read the second book of this series, back in 2011. I remember liking everything about it but a couple of explicit scenes, because the rest of the book was Mystery/Thriller.
This one, on the other hand, was completely different. I had to skim through a lot because of the explicit scenes (I don't like reading that stuff), and the rest of the plot was something that's a cross between Historical Fiction and Mystery.
It's about this feud between two old Scots clans, fueled by the mutual stealing of a brooch that belonged to a medieval king.
Overall, it was okay, but I don't recommend it to people who don't like reading explicit scenes - there's a lot of PG/PG-13 great historical fiction out there. :)
This one, on the other hand, was completely different. I had to skim through a lot because of the explicit scenes (I don't like reading that stuff), and the rest of the plot was something that's a cross between Historical Fiction and Mystery.
It's about this feud between two old Scots clans, fueled by the mutual stealing of a brooch that belonged to a medieval king.
Overall, it was okay, but I don't recommend it to people who don't like reading explicit scenes - there's a lot of PG/PG-13 great historical fiction out there. :)
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September 23, 2009JoAnn Ross shares Roberts's interest in relationships — friends, family, and lovers — in her steamy contemporary love stories. Bad boy heroes, career women whose interesting jobs often add an intriguing frame to the stories, and well-described landscapes make these a good choice for Roberts readers. Try Out of the Mist, first of the Stewart Sisters Trilogy. Here, Lily Stewart awaits the Scottish film maker who she believes is coming to the Great Smoky Mountains to film their Highland Games. What he really wants is the historic Brooch of Lorn, connected to Robert the Bruce. Fascinating background details, engaging characters, and satisfying romance make this an engaging read.
August 15, 2011
Nice, fun romance. Has a few steamy scenes, but that is not the focus of the book.
Ian gets sent to Tennessee by Duncan Macdougall to steal the special Brooch of Lorn which has gone back and forth between the Stewarts and the MacDougalls for centuries. On the guise of working on a documentary film, Ian discovers the beautiful Lily Stewart and actually begins to fall in love with her, a very atypical thing for Ian who doesn't like to settle down. Family battles spice up the story, along with the romance and mystery of where is the real brooch and do the Stewarts really have it.
Flashbacks to 14th century Scotland tie the current quest to steal back the jewel to its origins.
Ian gets sent to Tennessee by Duncan Macdougall to steal the special Brooch of Lorn which has gone back and forth between the Stewarts and the MacDougalls for centuries. On the guise of working on a documentary film, Ian discovers the beautiful Lily Stewart and actually begins to fall in love with her, a very atypical thing for Ian who doesn't like to settle down. Family battles spice up the story, along with the romance and mystery of where is the real brooch and do the Stewarts really have it.
Flashbacks to 14th century Scotland tie the current quest to steal back the jewel to its origins.
Read
December 7, 2012JoAnn Ross is often a favorite of Nora Roberts fans. Both authors write fast-paced romances filled with strong heroines and bad boy heroes. This is the first in the Stuart Sisters series.
If you prefer Nora Roberts’ lighter, flirtier books, then you might enjoy JoAnn Ross. Out of the Mist is the first book in the Stewart Sisters trilogy.
Although this title is lighter in tone than many of the suspenseful novels we’ve already recommended, the romance and mysterious plotline may appeal to you. The book also features the Scottish setting and characters sometimes seen in Nora Roberts’ books.
If you prefer Nora Roberts’ lighter, flirtier books, then you might enjoy JoAnn Ross. Out of the Mist is the first book in the Stewart Sisters trilogy.
Although this title is lighter in tone than many of the suspenseful novels we’ve already recommended, the romance and mysterious plotline may appeal to you. The book also features the Scottish setting and characters sometimes seen in Nora Roberts’ books.
August 21, 2014
Ian is a documentary filmmaker who has come to Highland Falls to make a movie about the annual Highland games or that is what he is telling the Stewart family. They need him to make this movie so they can get more tourists to come to the town and to their castle. Lily is attracted to Ian right away. He likes her too but he is not there to meet a woman, much less fall in love with one. Guess again buddy! How will Lily react when she finds out the real reason he is there? Will he make the film?
October 5, 2015
This was a very different book. I really enjoyed it. It follows a brooch from the early Scottish battles and its first king all the way to the Great Smoky Mountains. The story begins and ends with Lily Stewart who is planning the Highland Games at the resort her family owns. Ian MacKenzie was asked to come there and film a documentary on the area and the games in hopes that it would help the tourists come and save their home.
Of course nothing happens like it is supposed to. You will enjoy the romance and the tale of the heirloom.
Of course nothing happens like it is supposed to. You will enjoy the romance and the tale of the heirloom.
May 19, 2012
Mmm not sure abt this to be honest. it did pick up and was very sweet at the end. I learned more abt Scottish History and Highland games than I knew and Im a scot lol.
I would have given it 3 and half i s'ppose as did enjoy it in the end and kept me turning the page. And the tho scenes were pretty hot, but def not as good as Virgin River Series.
Will be reading the next 2 books in series as want to find out about Laurel and Lark.
I would have given it 3 and half i s'ppose as did enjoy it in the end and kept me turning the page. And the tho scenes were pretty hot, but def not as good as Virgin River Series.
Will be reading the next 2 books in series as want to find out about Laurel and Lark.
March 18, 2009
My first JoAnn Ross book! I can't believe how fast I read it...it seemed like I had just started it and then it was nearly over.
It was a good story that was fast paced and interesting. The history was interesting as were the characters. Good interaction with a bit of humor thrown in. I'm interested in the rest of the trilogy.
It was a good story that was fast paced and interesting. The history was interesting as were the characters. Good interaction with a bit of humor thrown in. I'm interested in the rest of the trilogy.
May 24, 2010
The setting for this book is in the Smoky Mountains. What was so neat about reading it was that I was vacationing in the Smoky Mountains while all the sensory descriptions. It was like experiencing the scenes personally. That was fun!! The story was a good one. Romance, a little mystery and some funny characters. What more could you ask of a book?
March 18, 2015
This book was just ok. The story was decent, the setting was good, some of the characters were interesting. None of the book really got me fully interested or excited. I have the other two books in the series but will wait before reading the other two.
April 7, 2007
Bagpipes, kilts, caber-tossing....what more could a girl ask? (Except maybe more haggis and a relocation to the real Highlands, instead of NC.)
Currently reading
December 6, 2008good read
Want to read
May 15, 2009Just got this book from the book exchange at Starbucks today. The cover says she writes like Nora Roberts. This book is the first of 3.
November 12, 2017
Modern
June 8, 2010
Sometimes, love overcomes history of family conflicts and vengeance. I enjoyed reading it. I wished I could have bought the next book of the Stewart Sisters..
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews