From Ash and Stone by Julie Daines

From Ash and Stone by Julie Daines ISBN-13: 9781524407469 Paperback: 240 pages Publisher: Covenant Communications Released: Dec. 1, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Lady Margaret Grey of Hartfell was the daughter of a knight with a loving family, wealth, and even a secret romance with the blacksmith's son. But all that was torn from her one fateful night when her home was attacked and her family killed. She escaped but only after a head injury leaves her with a strange and mysterious curse that allows her to feel the thoughts of anyone who touches her.

Now, after six years away, Margaret is returning home for one reason: revenge. She hopes that by avenging her family's deaths, she will somehow be freed from her curse. But the identities of the raiders are still unknown, she has little left to her name, and traveling alone in the Northumbrian hills during the border wars is dangerous. Matters are further complicated by handsome Angus Robson, a Scotsman whose charm threatens to distract her from her plans. Margaret soon realizes that what she believed to be a curse may be the key to finding those she seeks. One touch will reveal the truth.


My Review:
From Ash and Stone is a romance set in 1543 along the border of England and Scotland during the border wars. Margaret's family died in one of the raids common at that time, and she's left with the curse that every time she touches her bare skin to someone else's bare skin, she knows their thoughts but she's left with a bad headache. She wears gloves and avoids human touch, which has left her lonely and miserable. She decides to use the curse to discover who killed her family in the hopes that killing their murderer will lift the curse. And if she dies, at least she will be with her family again.

Two kind and caring neighbors, Angus Robson and his brother, help her with things like food and their watchful protection. She rejects their help and asks them to leave her alone, but their continued kindnesses slowly work on her heart. She cannot marry with her curse, so she's even more determined to get her revenge. Yet Angus repeatedly tries to stop her in order to save her life.

The characters were complex and likable, and I cared about what happened to them. The story was interesting and showed what life was like in the area at the time. The romance develops slowly. The two challenged each other to become better people and find healing from past hurts. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.