Review: 3.5 stars
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 25, 2014
Though their names are familiar I’d never read any of these authors.  THE WINTER STONE features three historical novellas surrounding a legendary stone.ONCE UPON A HIGHLAND LEGEND (Guardian of the Stones novella) ~ Tanya Anne Crosby ~ 3.5 starsAnnie McPherson has returned to Scotland in search of the Destiny Stone.  Browsing in a shop while waiting on her cousin, Kate, Annie’s given an odd stone by the shop keeper.Travel back in time with Annie to an era capable of answering all her questions about the Destiny Stone.  An era that introduces her to Callum, a man the future could never produce.ONCE UPON A HIGHLAND LEGEND is a magical journey sure to thrill lovers of Scotland, history, and time travel romance.MACALISTER’S HOPE (A Kilmartin Glen novella) ~ Laurin Wittig ~ 3.5 starsWee Fia MacLachlan, fostered by Symon (the Devil of Kilmartin) and his wife Elena is called upon to use her healing abilities to save the chief of the MacAlister clan.  Her past kindness has a definitive impact on her present and her future if she’s willing to allow it.Kieron MacAlister is the valued right hand and cousin of Tavis MacAlister, the chief’s son.  Fia’s past kind words helped shape Kieron into the man he is today.  He’s the man in whom Fia’s past, present, and potential future collide.Fia and Kieron’s story is charmingly romantic. Highlighting how belief in yourself and kindness to others produces positive ripples with far-reaching long lasting repercussions.Sure to please lovers of sweet romance where the hero has carried a torch for quite a while.THE OUTCAST ~ Glynnis Campbell (A Shadow of the Queen novella) ~ 3.5 starsLaclan Mar isn’t Biera’s idea of the rightful one to ensure the Winter Stone is safely delivered to its new keeper.  He looks wrong, it feels wrong, but the Winter Stone has chosen and she has to have faith.Lachlan Mar isn’t your traditional hero.  He’s been crippled by the loss of his leg, his heart, and his will.  This is his penance for being unable to keep the vow made to his father.  All four of his brothers died on the battlefield.  He should have too.  Since Margaret left it’s just him and Campbell, his wolfhound, in the cabin.  I confess to being especially fond of Campbell.Alisoune inherited her family’s spectacle making business and is independent.  She’s also intelligent, curious, and considers herself a scientist.  The latter isn’t the safest thing to be in 1542.  That’s how she winds up at Lachlan’s cabin with the priest and villagers hot on her trail ready to burn her for a witch.Lachlan and Alisoune are the perfect blend of faith and science; a handicapped hero and least likely to be a heroine heroine.  This is also the story the Winter Stone features in the least.THE WINTER STONE has a Highlander romance for every taste.  An overall charming read.  I’ll be looking for other books by these authors.Reviewed by IvyD for Miss Ivy's Book Nook