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Heatherstone
“We promised each other a lifetime,” he whispered. “What if this, right now, is the only lifetime we were meant to have?” Shelby has no memory of her life before the moment she stands outside Heatherstone Castle handing out bread to the village’s poor. She has no memory of how she came to be one of Master Richard’s servants, nor of the handsome stranger named Simon who risks his weekly food portions to catch a glimpse of her. While she does not know Simon, she sees him in her dreams and believes he is someone she can trust. Master Richard has his own plans for Shelby as he hides behind a royal facade of secrets, lies, scandal and unspeakable abominations. What will happen when Shelby learns that the necklace she is forced to wear is bewitched and not only keeps her memories at bay, but supposedly keeps her safe? Will she fight to retain possession of her own treasured memories and forge her own future, or will she be forced into a life chosen for her by Master Richard and lose everything she has ever held dear?
173 pages, Hardcover
Published April 30, 2022
2 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Kathleen Stone
8 books83 followersKathleen has been a freelance writer since 1999. Her work has appeared in Doll World Magazine, Apolloslyre.com, The Lake County Journals, Trails.com; USA Today, Livestrong.com, Essortment, eHow, Answerbag, Examiner.com, Suite101 and YahooVoices. She is the author of Missing From Me, Heatherstone, the award-winning novels Hey Jude, Tell Me You Love Me and Whispers On A String, and the Head Case Rock Novel Series (Head Case, Whiplash and Haven). She also has short stories published in the Secrets: Fact or Fiction I & II anthologies.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 2, 2022
This is a great story about pure evil and pure love. Of course, I’m always rooting for pure love.
This is a very creative story about one evil, rich man keeping the people poor and relying on his “goodwill” with a twist.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it was a quick read. I highly recommend this author.
April 13, 2022
Heatherstone is yet another exceptional novel by Kathleen Stone. I first discovered this author on Twitter and after reading "Tell Me You Love Me" and feeling all the feels, I knew she was bound to be one of my favorite authors. So when she published a fantasy with medieval vibes, I knew I HAD to have it! Heatherstone definitely lived up to the hype I built up in my head.
Shelby and Simon had it rough. Poor Shelby woke up one morning with no memories of her life before that day, yet when she's in the Bread Line handing out bread to the villagers, she is immediately attracted to one of the other peasants. Simon. Her one true love. I swear, that poor guy had the short end of the stick. Not only did the woman he loved not recognize him, but she was also on King Richard's bride-to-be-radar. The whole plot was engaging and I was eager to see how these two would manage to get themselves out of this horrible situation. Such an intriguing, enjoyable, and emotional storyline!
Again, I must applaud Stone's writing. I love her style because while it's descriptive, it's also concise. It's so easy to get swept up in the story and some nights I found myself still reading at 2:30 AM because I was so lost in the world of Heatherstone and The Knoll.
5 stars to this brilliant example of medieval/historical fantasy!!
Shelby and Simon had it rough. Poor Shelby woke up one morning with no memories of her life before that day, yet when she's in the Bread Line handing out bread to the villagers, she is immediately attracted to one of the other peasants. Simon. Her one true love. I swear, that poor guy had the short end of the stick. Not only did the woman he loved not recognize him, but she was also on King Richard's bride-to-be-radar. The whole plot was engaging and I was eager to see how these two would manage to get themselves out of this horrible situation. Such an intriguing, enjoyable, and emotional storyline!
Again, I must applaud Stone's writing. I love her style because while it's descriptive, it's also concise. It's so easy to get swept up in the story and some nights I found myself still reading at 2:30 AM because I was so lost in the world of Heatherstone and The Knoll.
5 stars to this brilliant example of medieval/historical fantasy!!
August 31, 2022
Wow. This was quite the unique fantasy, with so many twists and turns. Shelby is dragged through a gauntlet of turmoil throughout, never seeming to get a break. It's definitely not a light read, so if that's what you're looking for, I'd pass. However, if you enjoy dark tales of wretched leaders, devastated villages, and lovers torn apart all with a layer of magic and intrigue, then this is the story for you.
May 15, 2022
Heatherstoneis a delightful and entertaining read that blends a medieval setting with a touch of fantasy. The book starts with a bit of mystery as the reader is left to wonder about who the main character, Shelby, is and why she has no memories of her life even though those around her clearly know who she is. Once I started the book, it was hard to put down.
I always enjoy reading a classic good versus evil plotline complete with a happy ending, and this is precisely what Stone delivers. In Master Richard, the ruthless ruler of the land, she creates a malevolent leader who is selfish, deceptive, and stops at nothing to have what he wants. In Simon, the only man she truly trusts, Stone offers a hero who loves deeply and unconditionally, even to the point of sacrificing his own happiness to ensure those he loves are safe and cared for. The contrast of characters provides an interesting tension as the story plays out.
Although Shelby is young and, in many ways, naïve, she proves to be a strong main character due to her quick thinking and ability to survive. The reader watches her progression from a young girl who is unsure of herself to a woman capable of managing an environment of lies and manipulation while remaining true to her core.
Stone packs a fantastic amount of material into just 175 pages. I couldn’t help but wonder how the story could have been further developed by slowing it down slightly and diving deeper into characters, storylines, and scenes. The framework is there to support a robust novel with additional depth. I look forward to reading more of Stone’s diverse and award-winning collection of novels.
I always enjoy reading a classic good versus evil plotline complete with a happy ending, and this is precisely what Stone delivers. In Master Richard, the ruthless ruler of the land, she creates a malevolent leader who is selfish, deceptive, and stops at nothing to have what he wants. In Simon, the only man she truly trusts, Stone offers a hero who loves deeply and unconditionally, even to the point of sacrificing his own happiness to ensure those he loves are safe and cared for. The contrast of characters provides an interesting tension as the story plays out.
Although Shelby is young and, in many ways, naïve, she proves to be a strong main character due to her quick thinking and ability to survive. The reader watches her progression from a young girl who is unsure of herself to a woman capable of managing an environment of lies and manipulation while remaining true to her core.
Stone packs a fantastic amount of material into just 175 pages. I couldn’t help but wonder how the story could have been further developed by slowing it down slightly and diving deeper into characters, storylines, and scenes. The framework is there to support a robust novel with additional depth. I look forward to reading more of Stone’s diverse and award-winning collection of novels.
November 4, 2022
Heatherstone is a unique fantasy of turmoil, evil, misery, lies, secrets, and love, with a smattering of magic. The twists and turns keep the pages turning. A tale of pure evil and true love—how would Shelby and Simon escape this hopeless situation? The plot was dark, intriguing and pretty emotional. If you are looking for a quick and enjoyable fantasy read, I’d highly recommend.
April 11, 2022
Romantic fantasy at its best
I fell in love with fantasy a couple of years ago. While this isn’t high fantasy, it is fantasy at it’s best. Stone crafts a story of love, suffering, protection and perseverance. Shelby has no memory and is lost in the clutches of everyday life at first. But as she finds the clues to her empty past, she realizes who she is and who is truly on her side. I couldn’t put this story down. Stone had me from page 1. Don’t skip this read, it’s well worth your time
I fell in love with fantasy a couple of years ago. While this isn’t high fantasy, it is fantasy at it’s best. Stone crafts a story of love, suffering, protection and perseverance. Shelby has no memory and is lost in the clutches of everyday life at first. But as she finds the clues to her empty past, she realizes who she is and who is truly on her side. I couldn’t put this story down. Stone had me from page 1. Don’t skip this read, it’s well worth your time
April 10, 2022
for all ages
This was another good read by Kathleen Stone. Her books are of more true romance. With no graphic sex so they are an excellent read for all ages.
This was another good read by Kathleen Stone. Her books are of more true romance. With no graphic sex so they are an excellent read for all ages.
June 20, 2022
Excellent!
March 14, 2022
If your looking for a great fast read this has a little bit of everything. From lies and secret. To love and hate. To twist and turns. And you know a book is great when you have all the emotion at some point.
February 3, 2023
I'll begin by saying that I never read this genre. I prefer stories set in the 1900s and later. However, author Kathleen Stone has made me a fan! I found myself reading late at night, and way past my bedtime. "Heatherstone" is one hell of a page turner! It's mysterious, thrilling, romantic, and often frightening- everything you want in a novel, you'll find it between the covers of "Heatherstone".
What I love about Stone is her ability to put so much action onto one page without making the story feel rushed. In fact, the reader feels immersed in the story. I felt like I was RIGHT there, standing on the sidelines and watching things unfold with my own eyes.
Reading is meant to be a pleasurable escape, and Stone never disappoints. With "Heatherstone", she's crossed into a new genre effortlessly, and flawlessly - a testament to her talent.
Her female protagonists are often strong, capable women, and although I adored Simon (Shelby, our heroine's true love) it was Shelby's personal guard, Maxwell, that stole my heart.
My bookshelf is filling up with this author's works, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I'll buy another bookshelf if I have to. Stone's books are addictive. They are timeless treasures you'll want to read again and again, and I'm grateful to have spent some time with one of my favourite authors. 5 enthusiastic stars!
What I love about Stone is her ability to put so much action onto one page without making the story feel rushed. In fact, the reader feels immersed in the story. I felt like I was RIGHT there, standing on the sidelines and watching things unfold with my own eyes.
Reading is meant to be a pleasurable escape, and Stone never disappoints. With "Heatherstone", she's crossed into a new genre effortlessly, and flawlessly - a testament to her talent.
Her female protagonists are often strong, capable women, and although I adored Simon (Shelby, our heroine's true love) it was Shelby's personal guard, Maxwell, that stole my heart.
My bookshelf is filling up with this author's works, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I'll buy another bookshelf if I have to. Stone's books are addictive. They are timeless treasures you'll want to read again and again, and I'm grateful to have spent some time with one of my favourite authors. 5 enthusiastic stars!
November 7, 2024
HEATHERSTONE is a captivating work of medieval historical fantasy with lovely descriptions and detailed worldbuilding. Shelby is a servant girl who lives in a village next to the castle. She works handing out bread to the poor in a bread line and has no memory of her past. When a strange woman and a handsome man approach her in the bread line, she has no memory of them. I really like how versatile Kathleen Stone is as an author. Each of the books I have read by her has been completely different and all of them have been well written. I liked the slow reveal of information throughout the book, including relationships between the characters, and thought the magical necklaces were a neat touch. Shelby and Simon were once engaged, and Richard, the current monarch, controls the kingdom by use of magical necklaces that erase memory. He’s also banned poetry and music and wants Shelby to become his bride. Shelby is trapped in a bad situation where she has little other way to get food other than to go along with Richard, and at times, little agency, yet she keeps fighting back with the help of allies like Maxwell and Gwen. I loved the theme of perseverance through times that seem all but impossible to endure. 5/5 stars.
May 15, 2024
Author Kathleen Stone kept me on my toes as I read Featherstone. Just as I felt I had the plot figured out and who was supposed to be doing what, she threw in a curve ball, and I had to backtrack my thinking. More twists and turns than curly fries in this novel. This was the first novel I have read by Ms. Stone and I am eager to read another. I am sure wherever she dwells, she could hear me screaming at Shelby: "Do NOT go there." Alas, my words were ignored. This is an intriguing novel that I could not put down, and my schedule for the day was totally ruined. Happily, I want to add. Easy 5 stars for this extremely talented author and a well-written book!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews