From Ash and Stone

By: Julie Daines

Narrated by: Aubrey Warner

Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

Lady Margaret Grey of Hartfell wants for nothing. The daughter of a knight, she has a loving family, wealth, and even a secret romance with the blacksmith’s son. But all that is torn from her one fateful night when her home is attacked and her family killed. She is left with nothing but bitterness, an unwavering mistrust of men, and 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 it won’t be easy. 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. But the raiders are closer than she knows, and 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....

©2018 Covenant Communications, Inc. (P)2018 Julie Daines

Good but has inconsistent volume.

I really like this story but the audiobook is annoying in that it keeps getting loud and then too quiet. I don't want to listen to it on a loud volume and disturb the people I live with but if it's not turned up I miss what the narrator is saying quietly. I don't always have earbuds and it's frustrating because Aubrey Warner reads well but I wish the volume was consistent.

Great narration and characters

I really loved the character development in this book. Angus is the best character! I absolutely love him!

The narration was well crafted. I feel as though each character was properly represented by the narrator.

Captivating story

WHAT IT'S ABOUT
Lady Margaret Grey of Hartfell wants for nothing. The daughter of a knight, she has a loving family, wealth, and even a secret romance with the blacksmith's son. But all that is torn from her one fateful night when her home is attacked and her family killed. She is left with nothing but bitterness, an unwavering mistrust of men, and 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 it won't be easy. 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. But the raiders are closer than she knows, and 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 TAKE
I loved Margaret's feistiness though she did make a couple of choices that were almost "too stupid to live." Sometimes strength of will like she has can be a weakness. If she hadn't managed to collect people who cared about her, she would have been dead.

Prime example: Angus. *sighs* He's a great hero and so persistent. Funny, but if different circumstances that fact that he keeps showing up could be considered stalking and kind of creepy. Except that he was obviously worried about her and he kept getting her out of bad situations, so you knew he wasn't creepy at all. He must have had a great relationship with his loving mother because he certainly didn't get his big heart from his father.

I listened to the audiobook, and Aubrey Warner did a great job (as always).

4 1/2 stars