Customer Reviews

My Heart Stood Still

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Now did anyone notice how this is almost the EXACT same story line as Stardust of Yesterday?? Except the roles are switched and now the ghost is female! I mean come on .. how far do you have to reach!

I loved this book. It proves that you can write a wonderful romance without steamy sex scenes. The hero has an unusual gift which allows him to see ghosts, which is how he sees the heroine. This gift can also lead to amusing situations.

I won't ruin it for others, but the secondary characters are great. They bring a lot of humor to the story. I also loved how Kurland tied these characters in with those from "Dance Through Time." I can't wait to read more of her books.

The story: Betrayed by her new husband, lovely Scottish bride Iolanthe MacLeod dies by the sword in the fall of 1382 in a landlocked keep on the English moors, far from the sea she loves. She gives up on her dreams of a man coming to rescue her and spends the next 600 years haunting the castle were she was killed. However, when Thomas McKinnon arrives to see the castle he purchased in 2001, she recognizes him as the man from her dreams. At first all Thomas wants to do is restore his crumbling old castle, but he finds himself falling in love with a ghost. Now all he has to do is find a way for Iolanthe to become a permanent part of his world.

This is my first book to read by Lynn Kurland, and to be fair, it would have been better if I had read her other books first. She has a whole series on the MacLeods/MacKinnons/De Piagets. However, I do think that books in a series should be able to stand on their own and this falls a little short. There are too many back stories that need to be explained, and a lot of loose ends that are not tied (presumably these will be explained in later books).
This story does invovle time travel, and ghosts, so it requires a lot of imagination on the reader's part. The relationship between Thomas and the ghost inhabitants of the castle is quite funny and some of the supporting characters are quite likable. I loved the part where Iolanthe uses Thomas's computer to teach the garrison how to read. The part of the story where Thomas rescue's Iolanthe is also quite exciting and romantic. There are no love scenes in this book, only a few kisses and embraces. There is some violence and descritpions of battle scenes. If you like books in a series, I would recommend this book, but if not, then you may want to skip this one.

JBogue
paper-and-lace
Specializing in paranormal romance and fiction

In the fall of 1382 Scottish bride Iolanthe MacLeod, newly wed would be taken away frm her home to England and die by the sword of the Englishman who wed her when she refused to reveal the secret of the clan McLeod. It would be in this landlocked keep on the English moors, the place of her death, far from the sea she loved, where she would be doomed to roam and haunt for six centuries.

It is now 2001 and not knowing why, only that he felt compelled, Thomas MacLeod MacKinnon has bought the castle with the intention of restoring it. Since a child, Thomas had been 'fey', with the sight and while expecting to find a ruin of a castle he was not disappointed - but to find a garrison of assorted ghosts residing in this same castle did give him pause. It was the sight of Iolanthe that he was quite unprepared to deal with and his feelings for her - not only did she take his breath away but he was stunned when after a short time he realized that he'd fallen in love with her.

Although Iolanthe was somewhat content with having Thomas in her 'life' such as it was he wanted more - to hold her in his arms. Through a chance encounter with other McLeod kin he realizes that the only chance he has is to find a way to go back in time and prevent her death--and his kin can help him to achieve it.

My Heart Stood Still is a terrific story with a splendid cast of secondary characters 'ghosties' if you will. It is exciting, poignant, romantic and funny. The plot is wonderfully robust and I found myself comparing this to the 'Ghost and Mrs. Muir' (with the roles reversed) which was one of my favorites - only this has a much better ending! The delightful humor of Thomas dealing with the ghosts and their 'ghostly squabbles' was hilarious! A most warm, fuzzy, and excellent novel I highly recommend

If you're familiar with Lynn Kurland's work, you're good to go with this book. The author recycled her ghosty hero from 'Stardust of Yesterday' and time-travelled concepts. But this time, Thomas McKinnon, a wealthy, handsome, sentimental gentleman (who, of course, is a descendant of McLeod line) accidentally bought a medieval english castle near Scottish border. However, he never knew that, coming along with this ancient keep, is a beautiful, head-strong spirit, Iolanthe McLeod, with her entired ghosty garrison!!. Well, as you can guess, Thomas fell in love with Iolanthe but.. one problem still remained. As long as Iolanthe's a 'ghost', he would never, ever have a chance to hold her in his arms.. So Thomas set off for a little quest to rescue Iolanthe,... to make her his!!
The storyline of this book sounds good, isn't it? However, you should previously experience other of Lynn Kurland's works, specially, 'A Dance Through time', 'The very Thought of You' and a couple of her novellas before starting this book, in order to understand the content of the book more.
So if you're just looking around for something good to read but still a newbie for Kurland's work, look for something else!! or start out with her previous works, as indicated. But if you're already familiar with the author's work, well, this book is worth your money for something to read on your 'stress free' day!! It can put smile on your face!

If you aren't into a ghost of a former Scottish Laird dressing up as Mickey Mouse than don't read this book. I found it to be a waste of time and money. While I don't expect romance novels to be the most realistic of book choices this one required a tremendous suspension of belief. I've read a Kurland book that I did like but this one was a true dissapointment.

This is the first book by Kurland that I have read and it was indeed a good story that kept me interested for the most part. The romance between Thomas McKinnon and Iolanthe MacLeod is a good old fashioned love story with a twist--Iolanthe is a 600 hundred year old ghost!

The story begins quick and alot of characters (some ghosts)are introduced in the opening chapters and add substance to the story. Thomas has the ability to see spirits that other people cannot and he strikes up friendships with many of them. The setting is England/Scotland and after reading this tale I have a strange desire to learn Gaelic!

However, there are some bad points in the tale. For one stories that were being developed in the beginning were left hanging in the end and many questions went unanswered (I hate loose ends!). The story also seems to speed up near the end and some good ideas were never fully developed. Since this is part of a larger story by Kurland, I am thinking that maybe these questions were answered in previous books or will be answered in future ones. I do highly recommend this novel and I will probably read more Kurland in the future.

I have loved the time travel romance genre for a while, but this one had a new twist...a pair of star crossed lovers, one of whom was a ghost. I did find the plot a bit unbelievable, but it was entertaining and delightful. My only criticism has little to do with the story but with the character of Iolanthe. I just had a hard time with her continued hostility towards Thomas...who was truly a "knight in shining armor".

This was the first Lynn Kurland book that I read, but now I plan to read many others.

it was not what I've been waiting for. and I hope that the other stories are better because I do think that Ms. Kurland is a good writer and I've ordered the earlier works and looking forward to read them.
In "My Heart stood Still", I didn't like the heroine because it seemed like the man was doing everything possible for her but she was not even sure about her own feelings...or maybe I've missed it when I was reading.
Anyway, this was well written so it's worth reading.

I must say that Lynn Kurland's books are some of the best.
I rember reading alot of hot book's when I was in my teens and I kind of wish that my mom or sisters would have pulld me aside and told me to start off with books like these! There is no sex in these books, just alot of strong people and adventure!