Two life changing events. Riddles to be solved. Obstacles to be overcome. In the Scottish highlands, two strangers come together in order to find the answers, willing to leave behind the country they love and families for their individual quests. Lexi must discover why her father disappeared without a trace. Duncan must find the woman he vowed to protect even if the journey takes him to the other side of the world. But can they get past their mutual dislike and distrust and work together to solve both mysteries and right the wrongs that have derailed their lives?
Few things intrigue me like historical fiction. It’s the tale that’s based on “facts” with just enough lies and half-truths from the author’s imagination. You see, there’s no way to really know everything that happened unless you were actually there. But a well researched historical novel speaks with authority. Such is the case with The Oathing Stone.
With her debut effort, Elizabeth Carola paints a convincing picture of the past, spanning from the Highlands of Scotland to the gold mines of Australia and weaves a compelling tale along the way. There’s something for everyone here; some enemies to lovers romance, some adventure, and some truth as well. The events in this book were inspired by the author’s own genealogy research, giving the story a wholly personal touch that I thoroughly enjoyed.
We follow Lexi, a governess in Scotland, as she begins searching for her father whom she believes to still be alive years after going missing, and Duncan, a soldier who has made a vow and must uphold it now that he is out of the military. This book was well researched and frequently brought Scottish holidays and traditions alive with their detail. I enjoyed the progression of the characters as they all became acquainted throughout the story. The author definitely got me emotionally invested and I couldn’t sleep at the last half until I knew how it ended. This book isn’t for the faint of heart however, as it does cover real historic events and how people lived and were treated in these times. Be prepared for a couple of tough scenes, but they do add strength to the book’s development. This makes a good weekend read, especially for history lovers like myself.
A fascinating first novel. Intriguing characters that quickly drew you in. I learned so much about the history of the time and Scottish customs. Alexina and Duncan as the main characters are people you want to know. Their story is engaging but the Author doesn't stop there as she introduces the reader to additional characters that you find yourself wanting to get to know.
Based on historical records, The Oathing Stone is the story of teacher Alexina McDonnell and soldier Duncan McKenzie. They grew up and met in the highlands of Scotland where she is teaching is sister's children and he's returned from fighting overseas. Both have a reason to emigrate to Australia. Lexi wants to find her father and Duncan promised a woman to help her, but neither trusts the other. The writing is excellent with fascinating details of Scottish customs such as the oathing stone of the title. All the settings, whether the highlands, life on shipboard, or prospecting in the goldfields of Australia, are historically accurate and interesting. Lexi and Duncan are strong protagonists and a great match for the other. The other characters are well-defined, adding to the overall story. If you like historical fiction with some romance, I think you'll find The Oathing Stone an enthralling read.