The Woman Alainna MacLaren is the last hope of her Highland clan. According to the legend of the Stone Maiden, the ancient enchantment that protects her people will fade—unless Alainna weds a man who is willing to adopt her name.
The Knight Sebastien le Bret is a hardened knight with noble aspirations. He agrees to help Alainna in exchange for her land, and will fight to protect her people—but he has no intention of forsaking his name to marry her.
The Stone Maiden Amid Scotland's wild, majestic beauty, the two are about to discover that true love is the greatest legacy of all.
Susan King, née Longhi, is a multi-published, bestselling, award-winning author and a former art history lecturer. She holds a B.A. in art and an M.A. and most of a Ph.D. in art history, with postgraduate work in medieval studies. Her books are widely praised for historical detail and a lyrical writing style, and she has won multiple honors and awards for her novels written as Susan King, Sarah Gabriel, and Susan Fraser King. Susan visits Scotland as often as possible for research and relaxation, and lives in Maryland with her family.
Well 6 months for a romance novel, a book doesn't stay in my currently reading shelf for 6 months but gets more than a 2 star rating.
I think Susan King is a good writer with a very lyrical style. It was a pleasure to read on because King's writing is full of imagery and brings the historical background to life. What is lacking in Susan King's book, from where I see it, is the ability to weave a compelling story, which I think Monica McCarty has aplenty.
The book follows Sebastien on his journey, by the King's order, to Alaina, a Scottish lass who was the only heir to the clan leadership. Their main conflict is that Sebastien wasn't willing to give up his name to become Alaina's husband so that her clam could live on. While King painted a vivid picture for the book, the fiction itself was plain and needed more spice for its genre. It's not about sex. It's about the characters, they have no characters in my eyes. Just stubbornness and unwillingness to compromise. The plots might as well be non-existent. Clan feuds with an enemy clan, whose crule leader wanted to marry Alaina himself but this plotline had limited page space. The romance felt rather forced. I felt no chemistry between Sebastien and Alaina, especially with Alaina being the fairy type of heroine, embracing druids and such, serving the Stone Maiden, a supposedly magical feature in the clan history. The entire story has a paranomal feeling to it because legend predicted such a warrior (Sebastien) to unite with his Stone Maiden (Alaina). The bard played an important role because he told the ancient stories which somehow were supposed to carry the story. I mean all of these little pieces were supposed to carry the story forward but what they did was take the attention away from the romance.
As for the main conflict of Sebastien wanting to make his name and his ambition, I had thought of the solution to their conflict, which was mentioned only at the end of the book, from the beginning. The conflict dragged on and on. The book had to go on for 300 pages before they came to that solution. I was thinking people what is the big deal? It happens all the time and could be so very easily resolved. I think this is one of the reasons why this book dragged. There is not enough meat to the romance.
So all in all good writing and I love the historical details. But the pacing was too slow and the fiction was plain. I think what Susan King needs to be a really great writer in this genre is more complex characters and complicated plots. She has got the historical feeling nailed, but it is fiction after all, a dramatized version of life. There is not enough drama.
Caught up in a time of legends and myths, this romance pulled me from the beginning. I enjoyed the lyrical style of writing as well as the poetry and storytelling. Desperate for a knight with a strong arm, one that can speak Gaelic and is willing to take on her clan's name, Alainna petitions the King. Even as she bows before her ruler, Sebastien le Bret finds himself being drawn to her. However, he did not expect the King to appoint him as the solution to her problems. Sebastien had his own goals that he needed to accomplish, and the warring Highlander clans did not form part of them. Despite the thread of tension running through this novel, I nevertheless found it quite beautifully written and could appreciate the pictures painted with words to describe scenery and events. This romance is a standalone and comes to a beautiful conclusion. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.
Again, I must say these books are my guilty pleasure. Guilty, because I know there are a lot of things wrong with them: They are all very similar, predictable, and even corny sometimes. But still, I LOVE these. You know when you're reading a book and it gets so boring and dull and tiring? Well, whenever that happens I always have a Susan King novel in handy and they are my escape. Before I read any of them I always know what I'm up for, what to expect, but nonetheless I know I'll glad I read it when I finish it, cause they are worth it. Simple and sweet.
What can I add about The Stone Maiden in particular? Well, I've read the The Sword Maiden which is the third in the trilogy and couldn't get why people said it was the worst in the series because I thought it was g-r-e-a-t. But now I get it. It was great, but the first one is even better. Finally (in comparison with other SK novels) the woman teaches the man something! Not the other way round! Good for her :D And this time, the story was somehow very different from the others. I loved the Maiden legend, and the spell idea. I liked that Sebastien was also different from other characters and didn't belong to the forest for a change! Not that I don't like that also ;)
So, all good here. 5 stars, ah-gain. I'm turning kinda boring in my reviews of these novels. I don't know if I can recommend them because I have a weakness for these and I'm sort of biased in that way, lol.
The Woman Alainna MacLaren is the last hope of her Highland clan. According to the legend of the Stone Maiden, the ancient enchantment that protects her people will fade—unless Alainna weds a man who is willing to adopt her name.
The Knight Sebastien le Bret is a hardened knight with noble aspirations. He agrees to help Alainna in exchange for her land, and will fight to protect her people—but he has no intention of forsaking his name to marry her.
The Stone Maiden Amid Scotland's wild, majestic beauty, the two are about to discover that true love is the greatest legacy of all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Alainna is the young leader of her clan. Sebastian is a Knight. The story is poignant and whimsical. It tells of the mystical tales that surrounded many Scottish clans of old. As the bards tell the stories you get an insight into the things that made them happy. They trusted in family and nature and the cycle of life. Sebastian has to defeat Alainna’s enemy, gain her trust and have her fall in love with him.
Alainna is the chief of Clan MacLaren. Sebastien is a Norman knight. When Alainna petitions King William of Scotland for a husband, the king sends Sebastien Le Bret. Sebastien must also end a feud with a rival clan per the King's orders. To hold the land and clan, Alainna and Sebastien agree to a handfasting. The handfasting is nullified if they are apart for more than three nights. Sebastien has obligations in Brittany. Will his obligations rip them apart? Can Sebastien end the feud?
The characters feel real; even the secondary characters. The plot and subplots are believable. The dialogue flows smoothly. This novel contains explicit sex.
Another book set in the Highlands! I guess I got in the mood after enjoying Child of Mist so much. I’m happy to say that I really enjoyed this one too.
Alainna’s clan is being decimated in the feud that opposes them to a stronger and treacherous clan. To save her beloved Kinlochan she goes to petition the king for champion, a strong warrior who by marrying her will take ownership of Kinlochan and defend it from their enemies, said champion must also take her name so Clan Laren will continue to exist.
The king, however, has more pragmatic ideas. He wants a champion there yes to protect his lands and guarantee the clans fealty but he is not really concerned if he is of Celt blood as Alainna would like or will take her name. With that in mind he sends Sebastien le Bret, a trusted warrior who has proven himself, but someone whose personal problems and inclination lead him to want to travel to Brittany instead.
Both Alainna and Sebastien were not interested in marriage but his oath to the King forces him to protect Alainna and her clan. They are thrown together while thinking how they are going to achieve peace for the people and fulfill the king’s command and as they get to know each other they realize that they are not that different, they both want to care and protect their family, they are both faithful to the oaths they make but while Alainna has her clan near, Sebastien has his son in Brittany and that’s why he plans to leave as soon as he can.
Due to the feud and wanting to avoid more complications they enter in a handfast relationship. While they plan not to have a physical relationship so it will be easier to separate after a year and a day the fact is that eventually they can’t resist the attraction. Alainna will then have to fear for Sebastien while the feud is not ended and they’ll both have to examine their priorities and decide where their fate lies.
There were many things that I liked in the story; there was a true sense of clan and deep friendship between the main and the secondary characters. King included the magic and storytelling that are a part of their culture, there was the legend of the Stone Maiden who had protected Clan Laren for 700 years and all this was seamlessly intertwined with the story. The atmosphere was part of the story and their preoccupations very much in accordance with their situation.
The Stone Maiden is the first volume of the Maiden Trilogy by Susan King. However, it seems to me that each volume can be read separately, as the stories have no direct connection that requires reading the three to reach a broader concept. In fact, after scrutinizing the author’s work I noticed she even links certain volumes of a collection, with another book she wrote separately, creating a new collection. If I made myself clear. Puns aside, I'll explain what I loved. In short, everything. The scenery, the characters, the story and the history, the romance, the action, the dialogues, the dilemmas, etc.. King can put it all together so that we may well be reading simple black letters put together over white paper, but it’s a HD, color film that will unfold itself naturally in front of our eyes, as we do it. Alainna MacLaren, a main character worthy of the title, is courageous, selfless, gentle, and was she not a Scottish red haired woman, insubordinated. Head of a clan of very ancient lineage, but weakened by an endless war with the evil neighbor, is constantly anxious about the perpetuation of the name MacLaren. That is why, one day, she presents herself at the royal court and calls for the king's help. Alainna is to marry a warrior able to deal with the enemy; and so the king sends her, Sebastien. I confess that arranged marriages are among my favourite subjects in the section: To Laugh (in a good way). And if both sides can not get along for a great part of the book, even better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
The author has an enviable sense of drama, but the stakes were oddly placed and resolved too late. Resolving certain issues sooner to make way for new ones would have created a less annoying read. Sebastien's reluctance was unfounded for so much of the book that I couldn't help but roll my eyes every time it was discussed, which was far too many times. Repeatedly coming back to an issue without developing it in some way is maddening.
Loved this book. Not your typical romance novel or your highland romance either. The character were real, interesting and engaging. The plot was intriguing and unpredictable. The story, about a female highland leader trying to save her war devasted clan was a great read. Really liked this author, will read her again.
Rich with other small gems of Scottish lore intertwined, with the legend of the Stone Maiden, is a romance the stuff of fairytales. She first saw him in a dream and thought him a Faery Knight at twilight but he is not... he is instead her champion and her husband~to~be as decreed by King William of Scotland in answer to her petition for aid against her Clan MacLaren's enemy. She is the leader of a wee clan made out of old men and old women and she is the youngest and their laird. She is also the last of the MacLarens... with livestock lost to the raiding MacNechtans whilst winter is coming and the 700 years spell of protection to the women of the clan would soon be lifted leaving them vulnerable to attacks from their neighbor and enemy... clearly Alainne needs help. And help she got in the form of the King's honor guard of 20 knights from Normandy led by Sebastien le Bret in contract service to the King of Scotland. Not an exact fulfillment of her requirements of a Celtic warrior~champion~husband but the King has made his edict and all must obey.
A little bland as a romance. The elements were there - a strong female leader with an unusual hobby and a conflicted male warrior, a forced marriage that left both dissatisfied in an intriguing Scottish setting. But any conflict was smoothed over so quickly it barely registered. So it was never really enemies to lovers but more like slightly miffed to profound lovers. The hero Sebastien's heartache was serendipitously resolved by something being restored to him in Scotland when he feared he would have to leave his beloved to carry out his commitment to another.
Alainna the heroine described as wise beyond her years hardly seemed so by repeatedly ordering an experienced knight and his battalion to leave when her clan had no other defence against a predatory neighbor, being reduced to geriatric seniors aside from herself by previous losses including her father and brothers. And TWO sexual encounters on a slab of stone while gritty from chiseling? The second one seemed merely foolish though they made a joke about next time in a bed.
Although lengthy, this character-driven novel is beautifully written and well worth reading. Susan King has done a fine job of researching the Highland clan culture in this engrossing read. The Stone Maiden is a richly woven mixture of myth, mysticism, courage, longing and forever love. The hero and heroine are both strong personalities with simmering passion. Even the supporting characters are well developed and believable as they each play their necessary parts within this interesting story.
Content 411: Although this book does not contain any swearing, it does have some passionate kissing and some mildly described sexually intimate scenes.
Disclosure: I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
Un libro de esos sin muchas complicaciones en la trama que te dejan con un buen sabor de boca al terminarlos. Si bien la historia de amor no es apasionante y ninguno de los personajes tiene mucha profundidad, la manera de escribir de la autora (nueva para mi) es increíble. Su forma de describir paisajes, objetos, formas de trabajar, lugares, vestimentas... me transportó volando a la Escocia del siglo XII. Por esa razón es muy probable que vuelva a leer algo de ella en el futuro, ligero y lindo, para disfrutar por un buen rato.
A really interesting book which values Historical accuracy and good romance, well balanced between the characters. The characters are complex which gived the story a depth I enjoyed. I most certainly enjoyed the link between the stone and magic and all those tales which gave the story a vibrance in the way the culture was described. A really good love story. (Although I was disappointed when the sex scene were cut because of my fanfiction reading habits). And an overall good story, well built.
Set in the highlands of late 12th century Scotland, the plot revolves around the integration/acceptance of the Norman conquerors with the native Gaels. The king orders Norman knight Sebastien to marry clan leader Alainna and erect a stronghold. She, of course, demurs, but over the course of the story the two fall in love and overcome obstacles. Good writing, with a sweet love story, but the book is long, and starts to bog down before the climax at the end.
Short review. I didn't like it. I don't think it's poor quality by any means, it's just not my style. I do appreciate the detail put into the historical and cultural background though. Edit: Also I did finish it pretty quickly as I was interested enough to see how it finished, kind of bored today, and I did skim over some stuff. (So really I might just not be the best judge, that's all.)
This historical romance has a great amount of substance. The main characters move slow as they fall in love, becoming friends before lovers. While I see that most readers hate how slow this moved, it adds a depth that most romances do not. Between the historical backdrop and story line, this book was a fantastic read.
I look forward to reading the other books in the Celtic Knights series.
Gets a three. Not my favorite type of reading. I do not like the stories of Susan King. The other books in this series is not for mr. It is too unreal and the book makes no sense most of the time. Sorry Me King but you can keep your books.
The Stone Maiden is a lovely Scottish period romance about a Norman knight, feuding clans, and a highland lady. The love story has lots of historical details along with bits of myths and legends from the area.
This was such a good book! The obstacles that each person had to overcome was really great! Knowing the fact that each person had their own ideas of who had to come and save who was great! Learning to accept things that have been put in place is a hard lesson to learn but a good one in that!
Rarely do I offer up 5 stars. This historical Scottish romance time period is my favorite. Magic, history, romance and feuding is abundant in this tale. You will fall madly in love with all of the characters and feel like part of the family yourself. Very much worth the read. "Honor is tender"
Great read, I loved the celtic history woven throughout and the slow burn between the hero and heroine. Especially well written too. I will be reading more in this series! <3
The book is rich in history and somehow interesting but a little bit dull, it dragged a little. "I received this book from eBook discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review".
I loved this book. So romantic! It is quite different from others scotish romance's books, this one is full of magic, legends and traditions. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 my 5 stars