Highlander’s Hope by Mariah Stone

Called by a Highlander Series, book 2

Highlander’s Hope features ex-marine Konnor and Marjorie, now temporarily in charge of the castle while her father and brothers are fighting with Robert the Bruce. Both Konnor and Marjorie have experienced trauma and violence in their pasts and they believe they are too damaged to find love. An injured Konnor is sent to the past by Sineag. Marjorie finds him and takes him back to her castle for shelter and healing.

Marjorie has a big problem. While she was hunting, she heard some men talking in the woods about the castle’s weaknesses, which they plan to report to their commander. Now the untried Marjorie must prepare the castle for an attack by the clan’s enemies.

Konnor is surprised by his attraction to Marjorie but tells himself he can’t pursue it. However, after thwarting a kidnap attempt on Marjorie’s son, Colin, he knows he can’t leave until Marjorie and Colin are safe.

Can Konnor and Marjorie get beyond their old wounds and find the courage to try to love? And can they defend themselves from the enemies that outnumber them?

I really enjoyed this book. Watching Konnor and Marjorie balancing fear and attraction was very moving and entertaining. Both know this relationship will probably be temporary, and it takes a lot of courage to take the risks needed.

I look forward to other books in this series. Each story stands alone, but is in the same world.

The Marriage of Time, by Mariah Stone

In The Marriage of Time, by Mariah Stone, Mia is a modern woman in need of a rescue, and in a hurry. Her ex boyfriend/mafia boss just found out she is pregnant and is dragging her back to his lair. Help can come from strange places and in strange ways. After a brief interaction with an old woman, she finds herself outside a Viking village, threatened by a bear, an grabbed by a Viking as he thunders by on horseback. Shocking, but she an her baby seem to be safe, for now.

Hakon “The Beast” believes he is cursed. He has been told so since he was born. After a defeat in battle, he agrees to meet a daughter of the king the next summer in the secret grove and then to marry her. This happens to be the very day Mia arrives after touching a golden spindle.

Both Mia and Hakon have bad histories, trust issues and secrets of their own. Do they have it in them to look for the happy ending neither believes they can have?

I really enjoyed this book. The plot was varied with a lot of surprises and a complicated arc that kept my interest. The dialog is engaging and the mythology seems to be well-researched. I recommend this book. It is book 3 in the called by a Viking series. I’ll be checking the rest of the series out soon.

I received an advance copy of this book. My opinions are, as always, my own and freely given.