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Highlander Fate, Lairds of the Isles #1
Gawen's Claim
She falls back through time... and right into the arms of a dashing Highlander...
Lila Fletcher is determined to prove the strength of her magical time traveling ability to herself, her family, and her coven.
But when she travels back in time to fourteenth century Scotland to contend with a malevolent foe, she must also battle an all-consuming desire for a dashing Highland laird...
After losing his family to illness, Gawen MacRaild has turned his back on love. Yet his obligation to duty conflicts with his growing desire to claim the bonnie time traveling lass for his own...
As Lila and Gawen work together to destroy a dark enemy intent on altering time, they struggle against their pull of mutual love and desire, while their powerful foe—and time itself—threatens their future...
If you're a fan of Scottish time travel, handsome highlanders, strong heroines, romance, and magical adventure, you'll love Gawen's Claim, the first book of the Highlander Fate, Lairds of the Isles series.
Lila Fletcher is determined to prove the strength of her magical time traveling ability to herself, her family, and her coven.
But when she travels back in time to fourteenth century Scotland to contend with a malevolent foe, she must also battle an all-consuming desire for a dashing Highland laird...
After losing his family to illness, Gawen MacRaild has turned his back on love. Yet his obligation to duty conflicts with his growing desire to claim the bonnie time traveling lass for his own...
As Lila and Gawen work together to destroy a dark enemy intent on altering time, they struggle against their pull of mutual love and desire, while their powerful foe—and time itself—threatens their future...
If you're a fan of Scottish time travel, handsome highlanders, strong heroines, romance, and magical adventure, you'll love Gawen's Claim, the first book of the Highlander Fate, Lairds of the Isles series.
254 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 30, 2019
361 people are currently reading
221 people want to read
About the author
Stella Knight
14 books94 followersStella Knight writes time travel romance and historical romance novels. She enjoys transporting readers to different times and places with vivid, nuanced heroes and heroines.
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August 18, 2019
I was given this book to review from the author I received nothing to influence my review
This is the 1st of the new series by Stella Knight
Lila is a witch from a family of witches, in present day when her coven detect a malevolent foe she is sent back to the 14th century where Gawen MacRaild who is Laird
He has lost his family to the plague some years earlier & has no love of the time travelling witches as they would not prevent/change their deaths
Gawen &Lila have to work together to defeat the foe but the attraction between them grows
I really enjoyed this 1st of the series & look forward to reading more of the series
My one thing that I feel need changing is having the glossary of magical terms used in the novel at the end as it is silly when you have already read the book
This is the 1st of the new series by Stella Knight
Lila is a witch from a family of witches, in present day when her coven detect a malevolent foe she is sent back to the 14th century where Gawen MacRaild who is Laird
He has lost his family to the plague some years earlier & has no love of the time travelling witches as they would not prevent/change their deaths
Gawen &Lila have to work together to defeat the foe but the attraction between them grows
I really enjoyed this 1st of the series & look forward to reading more of the series
My one thing that I feel need changing is having the glossary of magical terms used in the novel at the end as it is silly when you have already read the book
April 14, 2020
Good plot. The story kept me hooked till the end.
January 22, 2020
Intriguing time travel romance
As time travel romance goes, this one was pretty interesting. The time travelers are a coven of present-day witches who travel back to repair flaws in the fabric of time. They learn that a dark witch has traveled to the Isle of Skye in the year 1395 to change an event that will affect her future.
Lila is the least experienced in her group, but she desperately needs to prove herself, mainly to herself. She volunteers to go back and stop the witch who is murdering people. The first person she sees upon her arrival is the laird, Gawen, who catches her in his arms.
6
As time travel romance goes, this one was pretty interesting. The time travelers are a coven of present-day witches who travel back to repair flaws in the fabric of time. They learn that a dark witch has traveled to the Isle of Skye in the year 1395 to change an event that will affect her future.
Lila is the least experienced in her group, but she desperately needs to prove herself, mainly to herself. She volunteers to go back and stop the witch who is murdering people. The first person she sees upon her arrival is the laird, Gawen, who catches her in his arms.
6
July 25, 2020
Loved the book. It’s my first book from this author and I can’t wait to read the next in the series. Lila comes from a family of witches that can time travel. She goes to medieval Scotland to take on an evil witch. There she meets Gawen. The two fall in love but have a struggle and challenge to face. They find their happily ever after. If you like magic and medieval Scottish lairds this is a book for you.
February 2, 2020
A different kind of time travel story.
I like how Gawen knows Lila is from the future. Lila comes to stop another witch from disrupting the future. Lila trained in how to dress, and, and use the manners in 1395. Lila and Garwen are attracted to each other. They work together to stop the witch from killing more people and destroying the future. I enjoyed this story.
I like how Gawen knows Lila is from the future. Lila comes to stop another witch from disrupting the future. Lila trained in how to dress, and, and use the manners in 1395. Lila and Garwen are attracted to each other. They work together to stop the witch from killing more people and destroying the future. I enjoyed this story.
August 27, 2020
This is a good Scottish time-travel romance, and a good start to The Highlander Fate, Lairds of the Isles series. I liked that the time-travel was actually intentional in this book, and that all the important characters already understood that it was possible (and knew to expect it). That was a very different plot than most time-travel books.
I liked both Lila and Gawen, but I wanted them to communicate better. Most of their issues were caused by a lack of communication, brought on partly by a fear of sharing their true selves. I liked that some of the supporting characters helped them get past that, and learn to talk to each other.
I would have liked a little more character development on both Lila and Gawen, but especially on Lila. I wanted to know what happened in her life that caused her to doubt her magical abilities.
This one get 3.5 stars from me, rounded up to 4 stars.
My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
I liked both Lila and Gawen, but I wanted them to communicate better. Most of their issues were caused by a lack of communication, brought on partly by a fear of sharing their true selves. I liked that some of the supporting characters helped them get past that, and learn to talk to each other.
I would have liked a little more character development on both Lila and Gawen, but especially on Lila. I wanted to know what happened in her life that caused her to doubt her magical abilities.
This one get 3.5 stars from me, rounded up to 4 stars.
My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
March 3, 2022
I love highlanders and I love historical romance. I wasn't entirely sure how I was going to feel about the 'witches' and 'time travel' aspects of this book and, in fairness, there were several moments where these elements did not work for me. The first rule of time travel is tell no one and change nothing... there's a lot of changing things, messing with the timeline, etc., here and that did bother me as someone that reads time travel narratives (usually not with highlander romance blended in). That all being said, I'll set that aside and "just roll with it."
My bigger issue that kept me from connecting centered around the instantaneously love the two main characters had for each other. We're told about it. I'm not sure it was explored well -- meaning, sure, they said they were in love but I didn't "feel" that throughout the novel. The fetishization of virgins also perturbs me (and here, it just felt awkward). The steamy scenes were okay however and it is a HEA story that delivered what I wanted: cute highlanders. So, overall, decent. Not my favorite. But definitely decent.
Note: Part of a BookBub free promotion.
My bigger issue that kept me from connecting centered around the instantaneously love the two main characters had for each other. We're told about it. I'm not sure it was explored well -- meaning, sure, they said they were in love but I didn't "feel" that throughout the novel. The fetishization of virgins also perturbs me (and here, it just felt awkward). The steamy scenes were okay however and it is a HEA story that delivered what I wanted: cute highlanders. So, overall, decent. Not my favorite. But definitely decent.
Note: Part of a BookBub free promotion.
July 14, 2020
Great romance, interesting plot, time travel explanation
I loved the romance between Lila and Gawen, and I enjoyed the variety and complexity of the other characters. Meaning, Lila, her coven and family in present time, and Gawen, his friend and people and the witches in his time. I also liked how Lila adapted easily to life in Gawen's time, and how their knowledge and understanding of each other grew.
The connection of witches with psychic abilities to time travel is original and makes sense! I loved how the various Gaelic terms used fit so well with time travel as it occurs in this story and with Scottish lore and history.
All in all, a great book.
I loved the romance between Lila and Gawen, and I enjoyed the variety and complexity of the other characters. Meaning, Lila, her coven and family in present time, and Gawen, his friend and people and the witches in his time. I also liked how Lila adapted easily to life in Gawen's time, and how their knowledge and understanding of each other grew.
The connection of witches with psychic abilities to time travel is original and makes sense! I loved how the various Gaelic terms used fit so well with time travel as it occurs in this story and with Scottish lore and history.
All in all, a great book.
May 9, 2022
I always enjoy time travel romance stories and this one had an added surprise...the heroine is a witch who can time travel, how cool is that!! I really enjoyed Gawen and Lila's story, it's filled with action and danger as well as heated passions.
Lila is sent back in time to try to stop an evil witch who is trying to mess with history and she literally lands in the arms of Gawen, the laird who will be helping her. It's pretty much love at first sight and as the attraction heats up, they must also fight the evil force that is killing innocent people.
Definitely a page turner!! I now look forward to reading the other books in this series.
Lila is sent back in time to try to stop an evil witch who is trying to mess with history and she literally lands in the arms of Gawen, the laird who will be helping her. It's pretty much love at first sight and as the attraction heats up, they must also fight the evil force that is killing innocent people.
Definitely a page turner!! I now look forward to reading the other books in this series.
July 14, 2020
Loved this story of a traveler to another time to help a clan with a black witch causing havoc.They needed to send one of there own back to Scotland to help The Laird to get-rid of the black witch causing deaths in that time.Lila new she had to go, but she new she was the weakest witch of the coven.But she still was chooses by the leader to do so. Gawen was the Laird of the clan she was going to.This story was a great read and was enthralled right to the end.Now have to read book 2 again.I know I read it awhile ago but want to read again.Stella Knight keep these books coming.
July 14, 2020
3.5☆
A story full of magic, intrigue, passion, mystery, love, and HEA. The story was well written - even if a bit repetitive at times - and it draws you in and entices you to figure out who is causing the evil. Gawen and Lila have an instant attraction but each tries to deny it for their own reasons. They are fairly well developed characters but I had a hard time connecting to them.
A story full of magic, intrigue, passion, mystery, love, and HEA. The story was well written - even if a bit repetitive at times - and it draws you in and entices you to figure out who is causing the evil. Gawen and Lila have an instant attraction but each tries to deny it for their own reasons. They are fairly well developed characters but I had a hard time connecting to them.
December 29, 2020
Something that just makes you feel better and happy
This is a gift from a wonderful person who has the abilities to touch you in a way that made me feel better and happy. It sounds to good to be true but I could not have read this without being drawn into the story and the feeling you get from it is amazing. It's a a story about love and differences between them and those around them. About acceptance. Told in such a very gifted way. This is one you do not want to miss.
This is a gift from a wonderful person who has the abilities to touch you in a way that made me feel better and happy. It sounds to good to be true but I could not have read this without being drawn into the story and the feeling you get from it is amazing. It's a a story about love and differences between them and those around them. About acceptance. Told in such a very gifted way. This is one you do not want to miss.
June 16, 2020
His lila
A witch who is uncertain of her powers gets her one chance to prove to herself and others that she has what it takes to complete her mission and save the lair and his people but does she get more than she bargained for?
A witch who is uncertain of her powers gets her one chance to prove to herself and others that she has what it takes to complete her mission and save the lair and his people but does she get more than she bargained for?
July 13, 2020
Loved it
It was a great book. I kept reading it til I was done. The story always kept moving. Great ending to set up the next story
It was a great book. I kept reading it til I was done. The story always kept moving. Great ending to set up the next story
August 18, 2020
What a fantastic story! I haven't read too many time travel stories but this one had me captured.
August 19, 2020
A satisfying time-traveling paranormal tale. I liked the H/h and didn't want them to die for being TSTL, so there's that. I'm considering reading the next book.
May 11, 2021
Very enjoyable!
February 7, 2022
A great story with magic, romance and time travel. A winning combination and well written.
May 27, 2020
Stella knight brilliant writer l read all her books big strapping Scottish highlanders women going back into the 16th century falling madly in love very romantic.
November 21, 2019
Time Travel and Romance.
Scottish Highlands the backdrop of this Time Travel Historical Romance. Lily a witch with more power than she realizes. The Laird literally catches her in his arms. Read the book to find out more.
Scottish Highlands the backdrop of this Time Travel Historical Romance. Lily a witch with more power than she realizes. The Laird literally catches her in his arms. Read the book to find out more.
August 19, 2019
A really great time travel book but this time the time traveler is a witch named Lila. It is a departure from the other time traveling historical romances that I love in that there are no fae's involved but there are time traveling witches referred to as "stiuireadh, defendants of Druid witches able to travel through time." Side note, sounds fascinating.
Lila is sent to the time May 1395 on the Isle of Skye in Scotland where an anomaly in time has been. Another stiuireadh went to 1395 and is trying to change a future event. Lila needs to locate the errant stiuireadh and deal with her as needed, which could include killing the stiuireadh.
Lila is the youngest member in a family of time traveling witches. She has always been unsure and insecure about her powers and has not had a lot of opportunity to use them. Her sister, Avery, however, loves time traveling.
Lila will be going to the MacRaild Clan, where the Laird Gawen MacRaild is expecting her and will assist as needed. Gawen lost his entire family, parents and sister, from a plague three years prior. He contacted a stiuireadh because he wanted to change the past and save their lives but they turned him down because certain events cannot be changed. Because of that, he is not happy about another stiuireadh coming to his Clan but will assist due to a pact between the Clans on the Isle of Skye and the coven of stiuireadh.
So, now that I have set up the book's plotline, I know that you are dying to know what happens. Will Lila be successful? Or will she be defeated? Or will the clan members discover she is a witch and expose her? You will need to read the book yourself and get all the details. I will reveal one thing: this is the first book in a new series with the Isle of Skye clans. I can hardly wait.
I was given an ARC to read and give an honest review. This is going to be the start of my next favorite series.
Lila is sent to the time May 1395 on the Isle of Skye in Scotland where an anomaly in time has been. Another stiuireadh went to 1395 and is trying to change a future event. Lila needs to locate the errant stiuireadh and deal with her as needed, which could include killing the stiuireadh.
Lila is the youngest member in a family of time traveling witches. She has always been unsure and insecure about her powers and has not had a lot of opportunity to use them. Her sister, Avery, however, loves time traveling.
Lila will be going to the MacRaild Clan, where the Laird Gawen MacRaild is expecting her and will assist as needed. Gawen lost his entire family, parents and sister, from a plague three years prior. He contacted a stiuireadh because he wanted to change the past and save their lives but they turned him down because certain events cannot be changed. Because of that, he is not happy about another stiuireadh coming to his Clan but will assist due to a pact between the Clans on the Isle of Skye and the coven of stiuireadh.
So, now that I have set up the book's plotline, I know that you are dying to know what happens. Will Lila be successful? Or will she be defeated? Or will the clan members discover she is a witch and expose her? You will need to read the book yourself and get all the details. I will reveal one thing: this is the first book in a new series with the Isle of Skye clans. I can hardly wait.
I was given an ARC to read and give an honest review. This is going to be the start of my next favorite series.
November 10, 2019
Lila and Gawen
Lila is a witch from the future sent to take care of a bad witch, which has disrupted time. She meets the Scottish laird, Gawen and falls for him. As they fight to find the bad witch,they grow to love each other.
Lila is a witch from the future sent to take care of a bad witch, which has disrupted time. She meets the Scottish laird, Gawen and falls for him. As they fight to find the bad witch,they grow to love each other.
September 10, 2019
I finished Gawen's Claim this evening, the first in a new series from Stella Knight. It's a great romance for a number of reasons.
First, the basic story is a fab one. A modern day witch goes back in time to solve a time fracture, essentially a whodunnit. A dark witch is out there and needs tracking down before more deaths occur. Our heroine goes back not just to solve the problem but also to prove she can be just as good a witch as her elder sister.
Once she arrives she meets our hero who's not looking forward to dealing with a witch. Of course, as they get to know each other sparks fly.
It's a great story and I loved the fact I didn't guess in advance whodunnit. You get a happy ending and a final chapter which sets up the next book in the series (which I will be looking out for). It's well written, well structured and the characters are well fleshed out.
The only downsides for me were a couple of historical inaccuracies, mainly kilt wearing in the 1300s when kilts weren't a thing until the 1600s at the earliest. Also I'm not a fan of that much heat as there are some very steamy sex scenes. I prefer cleaner romances but if you like steam, you'll love it. Overall I really enjoyed it.
First, the basic story is a fab one. A modern day witch goes back in time to solve a time fracture, essentially a whodunnit. A dark witch is out there and needs tracking down before more deaths occur. Our heroine goes back not just to solve the problem but also to prove she can be just as good a witch as her elder sister.
Once she arrives she meets our hero who's not looking forward to dealing with a witch. Of course, as they get to know each other sparks fly.
It's a great story and I loved the fact I didn't guess in advance whodunnit. You get a happy ending and a final chapter which sets up the next book in the series (which I will be looking out for). It's well written, well structured and the characters are well fleshed out.
The only downsides for me were a couple of historical inaccuracies, mainly kilt wearing in the 1300s when kilts weren't a thing until the 1600s at the earliest. Also I'm not a fan of that much heat as there are some very steamy sex scenes. I prefer cleaner romances but if you like steam, you'll love it. Overall I really enjoyed it.
August 30, 2019
Gawen's Claim is the first installment in a Scottish time travel romance series that features stiuireadh or time-traveling witches. In this book, Lila is a modern day stiuireadh living in the shadow of her more powerful family members. She goes back in time to eliminate a dark, malevolent witch and prove to them and herself that she has a right to her powerful legacy as well. Little does she expect that upon arrival, she falls straight into the arms of Gawen, a Scottish Laird, who just happens to be the one Lila was sent back to help. The two wind up falling for each other as they team up to identify the malevolent witch, clean up after her, and try to eliminate her. Lila discovers her powers and gains confidence as she works through her feelings for Gawen and stubbornness in proving herself. I liked the concept of the book being told from the point of view of the stiuireadh. I think it would be really interesting to get some insight into these time traveling witches and their origins in future installments. Good pace and enjoyable characters. Would definitely be interested in reading more in this series.
I received a copy of this book from the author.
I received a copy of this book from the author.
August 23, 2019
Don't miss this Friday night story.
Do you love stories about Highlanders? Do you love time travel stories? What about witchcraft, love, deception, murders, & a battle to the death? What about a book with all of that with a slightly different approach. You would expect with these elements that those rough, tough Highlanders are responsible for the murders & battle but not in this book. Stella Knight knows how to mix up these ingredients and produce a book you won't want to put down. In fact, it is best to start this book on a Friday night so you don't have to worry about getting up in the morning to go to work. I know I have had to "call in sick" a few times when I could not put a book like this down resulting in my not being able to get up the next day. So you have been warned, read on a work night at your own risk. 😃😀😴😴
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for voluntarily leaving my honest opinion/review.
Do you love stories about Highlanders? Do you love time travel stories? What about witchcraft, love, deception, murders, & a battle to the death? What about a book with all of that with a slightly different approach. You would expect with these elements that those rough, tough Highlanders are responsible for the murders & battle but not in this book. Stella Knight knows how to mix up these ingredients and produce a book you won't want to put down. In fact, it is best to start this book on a Friday night so you don't have to worry about getting up in the morning to go to work. I know I have had to "call in sick" a few times when I could not put a book like this down resulting in my not being able to get up the next day. So you have been warned, read on a work night at your own risk. 😃😀😴😴
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for voluntarily leaving my honest opinion/review.
September 3, 2019
She falls back through time . . . and right into the arms of a dashing Highlander...
Lila is a modern day woman with the ability to time travel. In fact her whole family has that gift. She, however thinks herself a total failure when it comes to casting the spells needed to help her carry out her mission.
When the man she has come to love is in danger her abilities kick in.
Gawen is a warrior who detest time travel witches until Lila falls into his embrace.
This is another book in this exciting time travel series that was difficult to put down.
I gave this book 4.4 of 5.0 stars for story line and characterization.
There is a good deal of intimacy so if that's not your cup of tea this isn't the book for you.
I received a complimentary copy of this book after I had pre-order it.
This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
Lila is a modern day woman with the ability to time travel. In fact her whole family has that gift. She, however thinks herself a total failure when it comes to casting the spells needed to help her carry out her mission.
When the man she has come to love is in danger her abilities kick in.
Gawen is a warrior who detest time travel witches until Lila falls into his embrace.
This is another book in this exciting time travel series that was difficult to put down.
I gave this book 4.4 of 5.0 stars for story line and characterization.
There is a good deal of intimacy so if that's not your cup of tea this isn't the book for you.
I received a complimentary copy of this book after I had pre-order it.
This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
August 30, 2019
Love time travel stories especially those who take you back to Scotland. Lila is a witch sent back in time to banish another witch who is there to change future events which is not allowed. This bad witch is also killing people. Here is where Lila meets Gawen the Laird of the castle where this is taking part. He is not happy about what is happening and of course of having a witch a beautiful as Lila there. He is attracted to her and does not want to be.
The story continues as each of them fight their own battles of trust, love, and for Lila the knowledge she is as good a witch as the rest of her family. I enjoyed the book it held my attention from start to finish and I look forward to the next one.
The story continues as each of them fight their own battles of trust, love, and for Lila the knowledge she is as good a witch as the rest of her family. I enjoyed the book it held my attention from start to finish and I look forward to the next one.
September 19, 2019
I loved reading this ...a time traveling witch with very low self confidence, and an angry Scot laird who is her protector while she attempts to complete a task she was sent to do.....
Scotland , men in kilts , witches , time travel ...what more could you ask for in , what I felt was a well done tale...
Amazing STELLA KNIGHT!! Of the books you've written and I've had the opportunity to read , this is my favorite by you so far!
*Thank you for letting me read an ARC and this is my review given freely. My apologies for taking so long ...family crisis had gotten the upper hand and needed precedence *stella-knight
Scotland , men in kilts , witches , time travel ...what more could you ask for in , what I felt was a well done tale...
Amazing STELLA KNIGHT!! Of the books you've written and I've had the opportunity to read , this is my favorite by you so far!
*Thank you for letting me read an ARC and this is my review given freely. My apologies for taking so long ...family crisis had gotten the upper hand and needed precedence *stella-knight
August 30, 2019
Lila is a 20th century time travelling which that is on a personal quest to gain self-confidence and prove to her family that she does have strong witchcraft abilities ,the same as her sister .She is sent back to the year 1395 on the isle of Skye in Scotland to find a witch that is causing abnormalities of time.
Gavin laird of the clan MacRild of the isle of Skye feels a personal bitterness and resentment to the time travelling witches, when Lila and Gaivin meet there is a lot of emotional self discovering ,mystery ,action and love along the way.
Stella night gives us a captivating and powerful can’t put down book
time traveling book.
Gavin laird of the clan MacRild of the isle of Skye feels a personal bitterness and resentment to the time travelling witches, when Lila and Gaivin meet there is a lot of emotional self discovering ,mystery ,action and love along the way.
Stella night gives us a captivating and powerful can’t put down book
time traveling book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews