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The Charm Stone: A Novel
When it comes to love...
When expert surfer Josie Griffin has a rare wipeout, she’s shocked to discover that a real-life treasure chest is to blame—one that contains a necklace hung with the biggest stone she’s ever seen. But that’s nothing compared to the shock she gets when she places the jewel around her neck. Instantly a mysterious little kilted man appears to inform her that the charm has betrothed her to an eighteenth-century Scottish laird! It’s not that Josie has anything against handsome lairds—or older men. But three hundred plus years may be stretching things a bit. After all, she has a career to consider. And besides, she’s sure the effects of her concussion will be wearing off any minute—until the minutes turn to hours...then days...
A little charm goes a long way
The spirit of Connal MacNeil has been waiting centuries for his betrothed to appear on Scotland’s roaring shores. Josie’s arrival with the MacNeil charm stone is his dream come true. Her passion is a fiery match to his own—and her powerful body is perfect for bearing the heir he plans. He bargained his soul for this last chance at prosperity, and he won’t take no for an answer. Unfortunately the lass doesn’t quite understand that destiny has bound them for all eternity. In fact, she seems determined to deny him at every turn—when she isn’t busy with her foolhardy need to go wave hunting.
But it doesn’t take long for other, more earthly MacNeil charms to take hold. For Josie is only human—and Connal has waited long enough for the love affair of his lifetime to finally begin....
When expert surfer Josie Griffin has a rare wipeout, she’s shocked to discover that a real-life treasure chest is to blame—one that contains a necklace hung with the biggest stone she’s ever seen. But that’s nothing compared to the shock she gets when she places the jewel around her neck. Instantly a mysterious little kilted man appears to inform her that the charm has betrothed her to an eighteenth-century Scottish laird! It’s not that Josie has anything against handsome lairds—or older men. But three hundred plus years may be stretching things a bit. After all, she has a career to consider. And besides, she’s sure the effects of her concussion will be wearing off any minute—until the minutes turn to hours...then days...
A little charm goes a long way
The spirit of Connal MacNeil has been waiting centuries for his betrothed to appear on Scotland’s roaring shores. Josie’s arrival with the MacNeil charm stone is his dream come true. Her passion is a fiery match to his own—and her powerful body is perfect for bearing the heir he plans. He bargained his soul for this last chance at prosperity, and he won’t take no for an answer. Unfortunately the lass doesn’t quite understand that destiny has bound them for all eternity. In fact, she seems determined to deny him at every turn—when she isn’t busy with her foolhardy need to go wave hunting.
But it doesn’t take long for other, more earthly MacNeil charms to take hold. For Josie is only human—and Connal has waited long enough for the love affair of his lifetime to finally begin....
310 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 1, 2002
29 people are currently reading
202 people want to read
About the author
Donna Kauffman
147 books1,798 followersUSA Today bestseller and award winning author of the Cupcake Club series and the Blueberry Cove series, DONNA KAUFFMAN has been gratified to see her books get rave reviews in venues ranging from Kirkus Reviews and Library Journal to Entertainment Weekly and Cosmopolitan. She lives in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains in southwestern Virginia, where she is happily working on the next book in her brand new Blue Hollow Falls series, set right in her mountain home area. When she's not writing, she can be found recapping the popular tv show NCIS for USA Today, or escaping into her garden to play in the dirt. Donna also works as a volunteer wildlife transporter for two local sanctuaries, giving orphaned and injured wildlife a second chance at survival. You can catch up on all of her adventures via her author page on Facebook, or on Twitter, or Instagram @writerchick. Donna loves to hear from readers!
Donna Kauffman passed away on April 9, 2020 of pancreatic cancer.
Donna Kauffman passed away on April 9, 2020 of pancreatic cancer.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 5, 2021
A good weird - RECOMMEND
This definitely a weird book and not believable. Obviously, right it’s got a “ghost” but even fantasy can be written in a way that you could believe it happening. This is not that book but it was still enjoyable to read. It definitely is not perfect and has some issue but it also elicits emotions with humor, sadness, excitement, etc. The guardian and talking about Gods took away from the story and was a part of what made it weird because it was more Irish Leprechaun and Greek Gods than Scottish Highlander. Again, weird but I enjoyed it. I would not invest any money into this book, check it out at your local library for a rainy day or an airplane ride.
SEX SCENES = YES; Good, very steamy
This definitely a weird book and not believable. Obviously, right it’s got a “ghost” but even fantasy can be written in a way that you could believe it happening. This is not that book but it was still enjoyable to read. It definitely is not perfect and has some issue but it also elicits emotions with humor, sadness, excitement, etc. The guardian and talking about Gods took away from the story and was a part of what made it weird because it was more Irish Leprechaun and Greek Gods than Scottish Highlander. Again, weird but I enjoyed it. I would not invest any money into this book, check it out at your local library for a rainy day or an airplane ride.
SEX SCENES = YES; Good, very steamy
August 13, 2025
The most insane plot I’ve possibly ever read. The setting was nice as well as the non-ghost characters. However, the MMC…ick. To be fair, I did buy and read this book specifically because I knew I’d get a laugh.
Would recommend if you like reading about 300 year old Scottish ghosts who are confused by modern amenities and birth control.
Would recommend if you like reading about 300 year old Scottish ghosts who are confused by modern amenities and birth control.
October 21, 2021
Wacky plot, but Kauffman makes it work with great dialogue.
April 16, 2011
Josie Griffin is an expert surfer. One morning she wipes out, and finds it is a treasure-chest that knocks her off her board. Inside the chest is a Charm stone necklace, which once she tries on, brings visions of a little man in a kilt. She decides to return the necklace to an Island off of Scotland. When she arrives, she finds out her destiny is tangled with the Spirit of Connal MacNeil.
One of my favorite passages in the book was , "He kissed her deeply, pouring everything he felt, his confusion, his needs, his wants, into it, until they were both panting, bodies writhing for what they could not have."
I enjoyed the magical, fun and sexual tension ridden relationship between Josie and Connal.
One of my favorite passages in the book was , "He kissed her deeply, pouring everything he felt, his confusion, his needs, his wants, into it, until they were both panting, bodies writhing for what they could not have."
I enjoyed the magical, fun and sexual tension ridden relationship between Josie and Connal.
August 29, 2014
Surfer Josie Griffin recovers a chest from the ocean and inside is a jeweled amulet. She can’t help putting the necklace on, and that’s when a mysterious dwarf appears, visible only to her. He claims it’s her destiny to marry the MacNeil, leader of the clan in Scotland. But when she goes overseas on business and finally meets the guy, he’s been dead for 300 years. A romance with his ghost ensues while she teaches the folks in his village how to surf. I was somewhat disappointed this wasn’t a time travel novel and had trouble accepting her surfer persona, any woman falling for a ghost who doesn’t plan to stick around, and the modern setting. Be assured of a traditional HEA ending, but I would have preferred this story with an actual time traveling element.
September 17, 2013
"The Charm Stone" is in many ways your typical Scottish, time-travel(ish), paranormal romance novel. Kauffman's characters still don't grab me with the depth that other authors' seem to achieve and there's still an annoying amount of repetition (the characters' basic emotional and practical dilemma is established early on and then the reader gets beaten over the head with it), but this book is definitely better than "The Legend MacKinnon." I also appreciate that Kauffman doesn't go in for the whole virgin bride bit that most books in this genre feature. I give it a solid, "eh."
September 10, 2015
Cute romance about a surfer girl who meets a Scottish Highlander ghost. Different premise that was a sweet likable story 3.5/5
http://ktleyed.blogspot.com/2009/05/c...
http://ktleyed.blogspot.com/2009/05/c...
January 27, 2011
I'm starting to believe that Donna Kauffman only wrote one good book. gah. I was so excited about this read but was so disappointed. I skimmed through the last half just to get it over with.
December 4, 2012
I truly love Kauffman's time travel romance. Engaging characters. A sweet love story. And, the steamy sex scenes didn't hurt either;)
May 18, 2015
Okay, I'm a sucker for a love story involving going back in time to meet some mysterious, kilt wearing Scottish laird! Fun read!
December 7, 2016
4.5 stars!!!!
October 8, 2015
I enjoyed reading.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews