Her winged savior was no angel.When death nearly claims Brianna at the tender age of eight, a being that shouldn’t exist saves her. Twenty years later, she becomes an architect specialized in historic buildings, still searching for evidence that the one who saved her—the one who haunts her increasingly wild dreams—truly exists. When a mystery man hires her for a major project in the catacombs of … the catacombs of an old church turned exclusive, gothic nightclub, Brianna believes she may have her chance at long last.
Alkor has grown weary of this era. Forced to hide in plain sight, forbidden from ever claiming the only woman to have stirred his mating instincts, he considers going back into hibernation rather than pining for her from afar. But the sudden activation of the beacon changes everything. Rescue is on the way! With his only means of reaching the rendezvous point trapped in the catacombs, Alkor hires Brianna to help recover his treasure. However, his lost sigil isn’t the only thing he intends to take back home with him.
Time is running out, and the evil forces conspiring to capture him will stop at nothing to achieve their goal, even using Brianna. Did Alkor save his true mate only to lose her now that they might have a chance at a future together?
———-
Heart of Stone is a standalone novel part of the collaborative series the Khargals of Duras.
A thousand years ago, a Khargal scouting party left Duras, only to crash on a planet called Earth.
Injured and outnumbered, the stranded Khargals hid among stone effigies and observed the slow evolution of the planet’s primitive inhabitants. With no means of returning to Duras, they watched from their shadowy perches and faded into legend, becoming the mythical gargoyles.
Until today. Long after any hope for rescue had died, the distress signal has finally been answered.
It’s time to go home.
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Sexy gargoyles, ancient paths, fated mates, hawt sex. Plus the story is great.
I had a lot of fun reading this series. Always a surprise waiting .
Unfrozen competes with Undying as my favourite of the Sonhadra novels. The heroine is selfless and brave, the hero patient and sweet. It’s a lovely story and over a year after I first read it, I still think of it occasionally.
If you haven’t read the full series, I highly recommend them. They’re so good.
I liked it
I liked the characters in this book.
To begin, I have already read Gravel and Grit, Hard as Rock, and Sticks and Stones before reading this addition to a wonderfully unique undertaking by a group of authors. This is my first real experience with this ‘shared’ storytelling method, and I have to say that I have enjoyed it thoroughly so far. That being said, I can also vouch that they can be read in any order without issue.
This story does a wonderful job of staying in sync with the other authors and their stories, and this yet again makes me very happy in that it feels truly like one cohesive world. I think my favorite thing about all of these stories is the difference in anatomy (wings, horns, tail, etc) between the Khargals and humans and how the humans deal with them. There is just enough wiggle room in the structure that there are different branches of Khargals so the authors have some room to stretch, if you will.
This book is about Alkor and Brianna, a structural engineer obsessed with old churches and gargoyles since she was saved by one as a child. Note that nobody believed her so she’s seen as a bit odd in her life. I liked that she was so dedicated though I suppose it could be construed as obsessed as well. Alkor on the other hand, has to be the most ‘out in the open’ gargoyle I’ve read of so far, owning and even running several Gothic style night clubs.
My favorite aspect of Alkor had to be his relationship with Lana and her family. They’re the ones who have been helping him for centuries to stay hidden and still interact with the world. His obvious love of his ‘adopted’ family (and later his actual) is really very touching. I think I cried at one point. He also had a few more gadgets than the other three Khargals have (though some spoke of them) and that was fun.
Something to note, this story felt more like a drama/romance where the other so far have been action/adventure/romance. Don’t get me wrong, there is a fight scene or two and they are well done, but overall the book is mostly about the relationship between our two leads. That being said, this book wasn’t quite as fun for me as the other three have been, but I still liked the continued world building. My biggest issue with this book is that it was written in first person perspective. I will give it was certainly one of the better done first person perspectives that I’ve read, but there’s still something about the writing style that turns me off. The characters were a bit quick to jump in bed, but other than that, it felt like the romance was pretty steady.
Bit of a spoiler here: This book had an epilogue that took us to Duras (the home planet) and I really enjoyed that. Sticks and Stones also has one like it (though a bit further in the future) and I adored it. This gave us a little closure. So thank you Mrs. Abel! Also, I have to say I absolutely loved that Brianna took on a few Khargal traits that weren’t just heightened senses and faster healing. That definitely made the story more fun!
I am definitely a fan of Gargoyles as shifters either alien or earth bound. Alkor a long time lonely soul with a huge capacity for love finally gets his Mate. I couldn’t wait for the mate bond to take hold and the method used is what makes it realistic. The mystery that unfolds with the Rose is what makes the story a page turner.
Alkar and Brianna’s story is well written with suspense, drama, danger, villains, and romance. The Rose Group is still after the Khargals they try to capture Alkar by kidnapping Brianna. A book that held my interest throughout. I read this book through K U and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Alkor is not human. He is a Khargal or Gargoyle to humans. He has been here since the ship bringing the crew to Earth crash landed thousands of years ago. Brianna is his mate that he met when she was a child. He tried to stay away from her as she grew into an adult. Brianna is an architectural engineer and hired to clear a room in Alkor’s nightclub. She remembers Alkor from that horrible night when she was saved and lost her mother. Now things are changing and the couple must decide to return to Alkor’s people or stay on Earth. This was a great read and I am looking forward to more about this world.
I received a copy of this book and am leaving a review.
Having ‘attended’ the party announcing this shared World Series…and watched the almighty teaser of a trailer setting the story for these books in motion I knew without a shadow of a doubt that I would be reading and reviewing these books..
Alien Gargoyles
Stranded on earth
Hiding in plain sight
Mating instinct
Each book is standalone in same world
A race against time and possible enemies
Authors that have kickass standalone books
Having read a number of shared World Series books previously I knew I was in for a great read.
Regine Abel is a brilliant writer, with a number of fantastic books of her own. I am a die hard fan and follower of her work and As Regine had previously taken part in the brilliant Valos of Sonhadra shared World Series I was waiting ‘not-so’ patiently for addition.
Alkor has been stranded on earth for a thousand years, having made the best of a bad situation he has built himself a home and a small family of sorts… but he grows listless and tires of having to hide from the world that is his home… on top of that he has fought to stay away from his mate…the one person who could make his existence on earth more bearable but being with her on earth would condem her and any future children to his very same fate…so the choice is taken out of his hands… he will fight to stay away.
Until the long wished for happens…. his sigil…sparks to life….he and his remaining Khargals brothers are to rescued.
This book did not disappoint… it lived up to and surpassed my expectations and I adored every bit of it!
The original concept and creativity that fills this book was mind bending good. That Alkor was ‘hiding in plain sight’ and being creative with his business was just too good to be true and really tickled me.
He and Brianna made a wonderful couple, their chemistry and intense feelings for each other made for great reading… HOLY TAILS!
The underlying theme of this book is choice. Alkor refuses to take away Brianna’s choice, despite his own dreams and wishes and I absolutely adored that he did…he’s a great big hunk of a book boyfriend that was a great mix of empowering, protective and dominant.
WHAT AND ADDITION….Heart of Stone is a fantastic instalment in this series.
Filled with the wonderful world building and atmosphere that oozes from all of Regine’s books.. this book cannot help but paint a vivid picture in your brain.
It is a wonderful read that blends sci fi, action and romance that makes for a truly fantastic read.
Emotions run high – so thrilling!
A winged being saved Brianna and her father from certain death when she was 8. What a determined young woman she is – even choosing a career that would take her where he might be found. Her inner strength shows, even during the most difficult situations. Alkor realizes he’s drawn to Brianna, but chooses a path safest for her, regardless of his feelings. He’s such a protector!
This is one of those books I just couldn’t put down. The action is nonstop, moving from the excitement of a newfound love to the danger of enemies attempting to steal from them, capture or kill them. An excellent book in the Khargals of Duras series!
I found this book so enjoyable! I thought the whole gargoyle/alien mash-up was inspired and it worked very well. Alkor and Brianna were both very likable and they had such sizzling chemistry. The story itself offered an enticing blend of poignant emotions, drama, action, suspense and a charming romance. Alkor’s pain and loneliness was incredibly moving and that he had to wait so long for his fated mate was sweet, beautiful and heart aching. A really wonderful romance.
Heart of Stone, by Regine Abel, is part of the Khargals of Duras shared world series. I very much enjoyed this story and her characters. I think the Khargals’ story, as the authors have envisioned it, is fascinating and certainly speaks to the collective fascination with Gargoyles (that has also been lurking in many a geeky heart since the animated series.) Regine brings her magical touch to the story and has created characters we can appreciate and empathize with. And who knew tails, horns, and wings could be so sexy? I’ve only read 2 of the series so far but intend to read more.
Love the story it’s my first of the series. And I can only say that if the other stories are as good as Alkor and Brianna. I will definitely be reading them. I hope there is a bit more description of their world. But still I love reading of the khargals of this mythical creatures that are so desperately anxious to return to they world.
Regine Abel takes us to a different place where gargoyles exist. And it’s freaking amazing! I couldn’t put it down, I had to know what was going to happen. There were several things going on and they all revolved around Alkor. Alkor just wanted to be left alone, having met his mate at an early age. He had to wait fir her to grow up.. And when they finally meet again, the chemistry is undeniable!! Their first time together was smokin’ hot!!! I didn’t think it could get any sexier!! The tail play was on point!
It was so much more that a love story, it was a roller coaster of emotions that had me yelling NOOO and then gasping as something else happened. The scene with Brianna fighting was amazing and terrified me. I didn’t know where it would end up going…. Then the ending left me in tears… LOVED, LOVED IT!! Another hit for Regine Abel!!!
Interesting story but I just really didn’t like the characters that much, so I just wanted to finish it. I’m afraid I didn’t find either character very appealing.
Could not even finish it. Bleh!
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and since I usually don’t choose alien-shifter-paranormal romances, I was unfamiliar with the Khargals of Duras series. The story sounded intriguing and I always found gargoyles seen atop centuries old buildings and cathedrals in places like Great Britain and Europe very interesting. From the intro, the story held my attention as I learned more of the main characters, while they and the entire plot developed intensely. Every chapter became more suspenseful especially once Alkor and Brianna left on their dangerous journey to reach the “rendezvous point.” This was an easy read that’s not too long in comparison to other romance novels. The only thing is that I felt the content of the epilogue should have been the last chapter with an epilogue that instead described their new life together perhaps some time later for a more complete finality. I just think many who enjoyed this story would have wondered how the new couple were doing and adapting to their new life together. I will certainly check out more books from this author and others in the Khargal series.
Unless the author has popped up with a new episode recently, I believe I’ve read this entire series – they are delightful, entertaining and very different.
Great enjoyable escapism reading – all of them.
I like this series because each author puts their own spin on things but they tie in well.