Gargoyles, tree witches, and wolf shifters have divided the Isle of Stone after a great battle twenty-five years ago. When Kayla, a tree witch, hears about the unconventional rock concerts in the gargoyle’s territory, she sneaks from her coven and into their territory to see for herself. Night after night, she returns to see one in particular shift into human form and play guitar at these unconventional shows.
For several nights, Mason has kept watch for the pixie-like female. He plans to seduce her, thinking she’s a visitor from another island. When he discovers she’s one of the tree witches, he retreats, attempting to keep his distance. The temptation is strong, but forbidden.
Kayla and Mason attempt to meet in secret, but other elements on the isle command their attention. A magical cloak created by the three clans on the island is thinning, leading to repercussions for all the clans. Kayla and Mason are caught in the middle of it, and their actions may change the fate for all.
This novella was originally releases as part of the Highland Shifters paranormal romance boxed set. 18+ due to adult content.
USA Today bestselling author Lisa Carlisle loves stories with dark, brooding heroes or quirky outcasts. Her romances have been named Top Picks at Night Owl Reviews and The Romance Reviews.
When she was younger, she worked in a variety of jobs, moving to various countries. She was stationed in Okinawa while in the Marines, backpacked alone through Europe, and worked in Paris before returning to the U.S. She owned a bookstore for a few years as she loves to read. She’s married with two kids, two cats, and too many fish.
I can never get enough of gargoyles and this one hit all the right spots!
Kayla and Mason are characters that were written with the perfect chemistry. They were made for each other and you could see this right from the beginning until the end.
The heat in this read is contagious! Honestly, throughout the novel I felt Mason's heat, his passion and most definitely what his hands were doing...
The author throws in some action that just helps you love the story even more along the way. Plus, it keeps you suspended on the edge of your seat!
This is a short read, but an amazingly written one that will keep your mind reading right until that moment at the end where you chuck a fit and scream 'what how could the author stop here! I need. more. NOW!'. This is not my first read by this author but I will definitely be reading more!
A hot tale of love that brings together all kinds. The paranormal aspect of this story made me skeptical at first. A gargoyle? But Mason is HOT! And Kayla is tough and beautiful. The sex scenes are way hot and there is a story line which makes for an exciting read.
OMG a hot gargoyle, who would have thought and now I want to read more about them.
Kayla is enthralled my the very hot and compelling rock star Mason.....And he is certainly a ROCK star, he is a gargoyle that puts on a very spectacular show with his brothers.
Mason is captivated by the tiny human who appears every night, he looks forward to seeing her and he must have her.
Are they destined to be together, they are supposed to be mortal enemies, a witch and a gargoyle. But how can that be when what they feel is so strong and passionate.
Will they be the future of their kind, the salvation?
Very moving and passionate story for adult readers, I look forward to more from the Knights of Stone.
This was fine. I didn’t care for most of it. I liked the idea of the separated island needing to join back together. However, the way it happened felt silly. The thing that kinda got them all to agree was the “human issue”, nobody wants humans on the island…and yet they were only there in the first place because the gargoyles were holding concerts for them…huh??? Once again, silly, definitely could have been better thought out.
Let talk about the main relationship too. It’s was cute I guess, and it had a fun enough concept but in reality, it was just a tad boring. Too much sex with too little relationship development. It all felt very lust driven for people supposedly in love.
dnf @ 10%... Bad formatting, lazy worldbuilding. It's genuinely insulting when it feels like an author just doesn't give a fuck tbh. It seemed like she was making it all up as she went along, with no real plan or even five minutes of thought before sitting down to write. The idea of a gargoyle in a rock band is kind of epic and that new cover is nice, but this needs better formatting and editing and the concept of the island, while cool, needs refining and improvement in its execution.
My Disclaimer: I was provided a free copy of this book from the author’s newsletter. I am voluntarily providing an honest review in which all opinions are fully my own. I am not being compensated in any way. ~ Judi E. Easley for Blue Cat Review
My Review: ✭✭✭✭ This was a fun read and I’m betting the rest of them are as well. The whole concept is such that it could either be really bloody or really fun. Since this one was fun, that’s what I’m thinking the rest will be. The setting is an island. The magic system seems a bit all encompassing with the three races. The characters develop well, but you really only have these two main ones and some peripherals that come and go.
Kayla was born and raised on the island these magical races call home. There are magical boundaries to keep them apart, but these aren’t too hard to get around for a bored witch. On stage, these huge stone gargoyles come to life for a rock concert and play long into the night. Not ugly little Disney gargoyles, but tall, ripped, gorgeous guys and Mason has caught her eye – five nights in a row. He’s noticed her as well. So what’s a smart, ancient, magical creature do when presented with another magical creature that it’s dangerous to be near? He gets out of there fast, right?
Ha, ha. Yeah. No, not Mason. She petite and pretty and he’s curious. To Kayla, once she gets past how great looking Mason is, the best thing about him is that he’s been off the island and can tell her about what’s out there in the wide world. Do they sit and chit chat all night? Yeah, right. No, they don’t. They do kiss, a little. At first, it’s just a little. Then, of course, they get carried away. This is a paranormal romance here, folks. Should I mention that it’s steamy hot? Yeah, I should.
But they have a serious situation to resolve here, too. Their magical shield over the island is deteriorating and the outside world will find them. The other magical race on the island needs the help of these two races, gargoyles and witches, just to survive. They must get the barriers between races down and help each other. Can these two fight the Witches Council and their friends to bring peace back to their home? Well, pick up the book and find out who loses some friends and who gets turned into a toad!
I was givenan ARC by the author to beta read and to review.
I have to say that i just need more!!!
It has it all...Gargoyles,withces ,rock and steamy sex. I have to admit that i love the way Lisa writes and this story is one that will not disappoint you! Gargoyles,witches and shifters have divided the isle and there is some serious hatred going between them. When Kayla hears about those super hot gargoyle rockers playing on the island she just has to go and see them. And she keeps going back again and again. Mason is looking for her every night unable to stay away he wants to seduce her and when the two of them come together we end with an amazing hot ,funny,steamy book that will stole your heart. I really can't wait for the next brother!!!!! A must must must read.
Rock On What a wonderful HEA love story with Witches, Werewolves and Gargoyles in it. Self-contained story. Lots of stuff happening throughout the book to keep your interest. With an Island just for them and a division caused by something in the past that no one seems to know the full truth of. Can two beings from different areas come together and fall in love, and will it help gap the division or make it worst. And if things don't get any better, than the humans will for sure be making it a lot worst. Well written and very entertaining to read.
While the descriptions were lush at first, there was a vagueness to the plot and world building that kept me from immersing myself in the fantasy. I didn't get an adult feeling from the characters besides Ian even though they all are supposed to be 21 and up. Insta-lust turned into insta-love with some uncomfortable sex moments. When the H thinks that the h's pleasure through pain is exciting, I gave up on the sex scenes.
I love gargoyles but this didn't meet my expectations.
I really wanted to rate this higher because I did love the Romeo and Juliet type romance. I mean who doesn't love a good forbidden romance? However, there was one thing I did not like. The author at points seemed to say that they were together for a long time then opps only a day or two had past. It just needed a clearer measure of time.
This is a short ,sweet and sexy romance with strong characters and an interesting story line. The author brings gargoyles ,witches and werewolves together on the Isle of Stone. They've been enemies for years .... now Kayla ,a witch and Mason ,a gargoyle fall in love and will have to work together to bring peace to all and still have their HEA. It's well written with perfectly painted scenes ,moves quickly and smoothly and is an enjoyable read.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
The idea for this plot is awesome! It could've been a very good fantasy book if decently written and developed.
I know the author can write because some parts (the smexy and some emotions) are actually well written.
But the remainder made me wonder if this book wasn't destined to pre-teens or even children. It confused me, because there is some smut and it's not really a children thing... The writing is so basic and infantile that it left my mouth hanging.
Spotlights flooded the musicians powered by solar panels near a massive amplifier. The guitarist continued playing and the others joined in, playing a raucous crossover between hard rock and heavy metal. The one with long blond hair grabbed hold of the microphone and belted out a shattering cry that sounded like a call to battle. The crowd went pin drop silent to listen and then cheered in unison as the band played on. The front man sang piercing growls and low croons about the Knights in Stone, the protectors of the ancient forests, battling against the evil tree witches... Kayla's coven.”
THE KNIGHTS OF STONE: MASON by Lisa Carlisle is the first novella in her Highland Gargoyles series. It was originally released as part of the Highland Shifters paranormal romance boxed set and is set on the Isle of Stone, home to three clans of beings:, the gargoyles, the tree witches and the wolves. In decades past, the three clans had combined their magic to cloak the island so that it remained undetected by human technology. But, when a feud erupted between the witches and gargoyles twenty-five years ago, it led to a division of land. Without the clans' combined magic, the island's camouflage shield has seeped away.
Fast forward to present day. There has been no movement to re-unite the clans or to put the island's protection back into place. . Contact between the clans is still strictly forbidden. Most of the gargoyles who had resided on the island have relocated to the Highlands leaving five brothers who have formed a rock band. They had previously successfully played on the continent, but they cannot be themselves there. So, they've been playing a concert each night on their part of the island drawing more and more humans as word spreads of their fantastic show. Mason is a guitarist with the band. One woman in the band's audience has been catching his attention. He finds himself seeking her presence each night and thinks about her as he sleeps during the day. The pull between them is undeniable.
Kayla, a tree witch, has been told not to cross into the gargoyles' territory, but she can't help herself. She simply feels more alive watching the gargoyles transform and she has an unexplainable connection with one particular guitarist whose hair is as black as midnight. One evening after the concert, while walking home through the dark woods, she and 'her' guitarist meet face-to-face. Sparks fly from the get-go as he sweetly escorts her home ensuring she arrives safely - but not before he elicits a promise from her to meet him, again, the next night.
Following please find a few of my favorite quotes from this read:
“The five statutes loomed above the crowd, still and timeless. The last light of the setting sun cast an eerie glow around them. When she fixed her gaze on Mason's stone form, her heart thumped. She scanned every inch of his silhouette, wondering about the spark of life within the stone that would animate him into flesh. A warm-blooded male with a heated touch and sensuous lips that made her melt.” --- “During the show, she studied him on stage. The way he strummed the guitar, the movement of muscles in his arms and torso, the sway of the tartan fabric with his movements. Her cheeks heated when she thought about running her fingers over his torso and under his kilt. Oh, the things he could do to her with that body.” --- “I'm consumed with thoughts of you. Have you bewitched me?”
One of the scenes that has stuck with me since I finished the book occurred as Mason took Kayla on a visit to his clan's homeland in the picturesque Scottish Highlands. As they flew above the rolling terrain, Kayla had looked down at the sheep populating the landscape and inquired as to what they were - since she'd never seen a sheep. "Sheep," Mason replied. "I once heard someone describe them as floating like clouds across the hills.” That comment still resonates with me and I can still picture sheep as clouds.
I enjoyed this introduction to the characters on the island and the politics of living there. The author's concept of gargoyles is quite unlike any of the previous gargoyle books I've read. I also liked both primary characters. The couple had a sweet and hot chemistry and, even though prospects for their romantic relationship seemed sadly doomed, I held out hope. Indeed, fate seemed to have their future and the island's intertwined. I would recommend KNIGHTS OF STONE: MASON to anyone who enjoys paranormal urban fantasy romances. I've already started the next book, KNIGHTS OF STONE: LACHLAN. Lachlan is the oldest of the brothers.
Witches, shifters and gargoyles, oh my! With a little drama, good characters and lots of heat, Knights of Stone is a great start to what looks to be a promising series.
I liked Mason, really I did. However, this isn't my first gargoyle story and I (unfortunately) have a preconceived opinion of what I expect in a gargoyle character. He's got to be sexy, check. He has to follow the gargoyle legend of stone by day, flesh by night - check there as well. Protector, big check. Now here is my gripe. I get this 'innocent' impression from him. Yes I get he lives on a island. However, for someone who is suppose to be a protector that has lived a long time, I expect him to be a bit more 'worldly' (for lack of a better term). Now Kayla, as sheltered as she is, I expected to be innocent. No disappointments there. I found her character to be very sweet. Although, not to sweet if she's sneaking off to go check check out rock concerts. Now that was a play on words - gargoyles playing rock concerts. *Snickers* Setting my giggles aside, I found this story to be very sweet and sexy. The whole 'everybody needs to work together' story is always a winner. Knowing this is going to be a series, I imagine Mason's brother will be getting themselves each a story. I hope some of them involves the wolf shifters.
I know this story was originally a part of a Highland Shifters paranormal romance boxed set. I've only had the pleasure of reading a couple of books in the set and, having read Ms. Carlisle's work before, was excited to see she was taking her entry and making a series out of it. Looking forward to the next book. A definite read for anyone who enjoys their PNR characters out of the norm.
I received this book from the JeepDiva for the express purposes of an honest review. The opinions and rating of this review are solely mine and in no way was I compensated.
An Island not far away from the main land that for many years has been cloaked from humans. But when the Gargoyle Brothers decide to become Rock Stars the other inhabitants of the Island are not a where of what is going on except a Tree Witch who happens to have a crush on one of the Gargoyle brothers and she comes to their concerts all the time and she doesn't realize that Mason the brother she has a crush on has been watching her the same as she has been watching him and he decides that he is going to talk to her because he just wanted to spend the night with her. So once the concert was over they met and they both understood there was more than just a one night stand involved, problem was that the Tree Witches didn't get along with the Gargoyles and the Gargoyles new that the witches put a curse on them and they could not have children for the past 25 years and neither Kayla the Tree Witch nor Mason the Gargoyle understood why yet there was still another shifter group of Werewolves who also lived on the island none of them could really explain what had caused the rift between the three different groups. but some of the old witches knew now you will find out what happened then and what happens now to bring them all together in this delightful little tale. Loved it.
There was way more (not sexy) sex. The tension and lure of the forbidden fruit was there, but watered down. There wasn't a lot to the plot, just enough to add a bit to keep the story going, but it was too fast paced. Not enough substance. Time was a little warped, and flew by randomly. If it was meant to be erotica(ish), then the scenes shouldn't get skipped in the end, but I felt relieved when it did.
"Knights of Stone: Mason and Kayla's Fiery Tale" emerges as a uniquely enthralling paranormal romance, masterfully intertwining the worlds of magic and modern fantasy. The narrative revolves around Kayla, a resilient witch, and Mason, a gargoyle who is not just a guardian of stone but a rock star in the most literal sense. Their unlikely romance defies the ancient enmity between witches and gargoyles, weaving a tale of passionate and forbidden love.
The character of Mason is a standout, was not just another brooding supernatural but a hot, charismatic figure, bringing a new level of heat. His performances, along with his brothers, are depicted as nothing short of spectacular, captivating audiences and the heart of Kayla alike.
Kayla, on the other hand, is portrayed as a strong, determined woman, drawn irresistibly to the nightly performances of Mason. Her character adds depth and strength to the story, challenging the usual damsel-in-distress trope often found in romance novels.
The sexual chemistry between Kayla and Mason sizzles off the pages, balanced skillfully with a solid storyline that keeps me hooked. The inclusion of action sequences adds an extra layer of excitement, making it more than just a love story.
One of the most compelling aspects of this novel is its ability to make the paranormal feel incredibly real and relatable. The author's skill in character development is evident in the way readers can feel Mason's heat and Kayla's determination. The narrative is engaging and fast-paced, making it a quick but memorable read.
In conclusion, "Knights of Stone" is a passionate, fiery story that redefines paranormal romance. It's a perfect blend of fantasy, action, and erotica, appealing to adult readers who enjoy a sizzling, fast-paced narrative. The characters of Mason and Kayla are a testament to the author's creative prowess, ensuring that this novel is not just another paranormal romance but a standout in the genre. I reccommend this book.
Wolves, witches and wolf shifters all live on an island away from most human prying eyes. They have a very unsteady truce between their three peoples and they all keep to themselves. Each think that the other are responsible for the deaths of so many of their kind so many years ago and most aren't old enough to remember what actually happened.
So when Kayla who is a witch, hears music coming from beyond her side of the island she travels to where it is and is excited and scared to see gargoyles playing. Mason is one of those gargoyles and each night be is released from his stone statue, he spots her watching him play music with the other gargoyles. He thinks she is one of the humans that know about the island and come to see them play but she's actually a witch and he's more than a little surprised by that when he finds out.
They get to know one another and fall hard for each other. But the witches will never condone their relationship and he doesn't think the gargoyles will ever trust her. So when a wolf shifter comes to Kayla and Mason to tell some unsettling news, they have no choice but to enlist the help of all of their separate peoples.
I loved this romance because Kayla and Mason were so different and didn't know how to react to one another at first. The drama that ensues after their meeting just added to the entirety of this story and made it very entertaining to read.
Well, this was...fine. Don't get me wrong, the story was good, the main couple was sweet, and the typos were thankfully minimal. It's just that the story was so generic, which is such a shame since the book started off with such promise, but unfortunately, the author never really did much with the whole Romeo-and-Juliet-but-paranormal-beings premise. It's like halfway through, the author gave up on emphasizing the 'forbidden' aspect of Mason and Kayla's union, and instead pivoted towards setting up sequel-bait by introducing the werewolves that share the island with Kayla's coven and Mason's gargoyle brethren. So, even though Kayla was still sneaking around with Mason for a bit, it didn't feel like there were any stakes left regarding their coupling. Also, it felt like Kayla's coven, especially her mother and aunts, were being stubborn simply for the sake of being stubborn.
Despite all that, though, I still stand by my statement that the story was fine. If y'all are in the market for a sweet paranormal romance with some suitable love scenes — perhaps as a mental and/or literary palate cleanser — then this book should suffice.
Overall Verdict: 6 gargoyle rock concerts out of 10
Mason and his brothers performed a live concert in from of humans. They played on there side of the island. They were gargoyles. They shared the island with tree witches and wolf shifters. Kayla, a young tree witch loved crossing over to the gargoyle clan to watch the concert. She went often and knew she would be in deep trouble with her witch clan. She was fixated on watching one in particular, Mason. Each concert, she would get closer to the stage. Mason noticed the pretty woman who would frequently attend. She would disappear quickly after each show. Where did she go off to? Wanting to find out, he quickly found he in the forest. She was going the wrong direction as the ferry boat? Come to talk with her, she was a tree witch! He had never actually meet one. This was forbidden, but he was curious. Could this beauty be what he was told in his youth, horrible and evil? Surely not.
The Isle of Stone is home to three clans: Gargoyles, Tree Witches and Wolves. They lived in peace until the magic veil was torn during a war that raged 25 years ago. They are not to cross onto each others' land without facing possible death. Kayla, a tree witch, is drawn to the rock music she hears and she can't take her eyes off Mason, the sexy guitarist. His energy and his kilt kept her attention and he could see, from the stage, that she was someone special. But it's forbidden for them to be together and they could face serious consequences should they be caught. Kayla and Mason refuse to abide by the "old rules" and continue to see one another, growing closer each day. Once the witches get wind of Kayla's deceit, the confrontation results in punishment, but this is a love story and it has a very sweet happily ever after.
Kayla attends a rock concert put on by gargoyle shifter brothers. She shouldn't be there because this part of the isle and the shifters are off limits to her and her witch coven. She's attracted to Mason and they start a secret affair.
This is a simple forbidden relationship, lust to love story with the addition of witch magic and shifter characters. The magic is minimal and everyone is a potential bad guy including the neighboring wolf shifters. This is the first in a series and ends with no real resolution of the impending conflict for the residents of the isle. Mason and Kayla are happy for now and I assume they will appear in subsequent books in the series, however their relationship is resolved enough to move on to another gargoyle brother.
This is the first book of Knights of Stone. This was a sweet, short paranormal love story of the love between a Gargoyle and a Tree Witch. Kayla hears the rock music and when she crosses into their lands she can't take her eyes off of the lead guitarist, Mason. He noticed her in the audience and follows her. But it's forbidden for them to be together. Mason and Kayla continue to see each other and they grow more in love every day. They get caught and must fight to convince their people that they need to work together. Will Kayla and Mason get their HEA? This was a great story and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I have read this author's books off and on for a while now, and I typically enjoy them. She has a great way of setting the scene and writing characters with chemistry that sizzles off the page. This book hooked me from page one. What a fun idea to have a rock band (pun intended, I'm sure!) that is actually gargoyle shifters who transform right on stage, with kilts placed just so as to make sure the audience doesn't see too much! This is a super quick-read novella and is just plain fun. If you like shifter romance and enjoy visits to mysterious Scottish islands, you will probably enjoy this book as much as I did.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
It's not the Hatfields and McCoys but the Gargoyles and the witches (and the wolves) a quarter century old feud has kept the three groups apart. Most of the younger ones don't even know why. When sparks fly, and we aren't talking about witch magic, the attraction between witch and stone man the quarrel and settlement are questioned by the two lovers. Can they make their leaders understand that things are not as they were or seemed? They don't have to keep separate? I've had this on my TBR list for a while and just had to read it. What a mistake to wait so long. I plan to read every one available and recommend you do the same.
A nice short paranormal story that involves and island that has Werewolves, Gargoyles, and Tree Tree Witches who need to come together to save their island. It starts with all sides separated by betrayal, misunderstandings and ignorance of the initial separation of their alliance 25 years prior. The main characters fall in love, when a tree witch comes to the Gargoyles side of the island to listen to their concert for humans. Can they convince their respective people to see they need to work together or will they be separated by time honored bigotry. Good story
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.