Customer Reviews

Stardust of Yesterday (Haunting Hearts Series)

5 star:		(69)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Genevieve thought her life was complete with a thriving restoration business she had built from the ground up. Then out of the blue, Genevieve inherits a castle, but she must live there. Her first thoughts were to turn it down until mysteriously, her clients started firing her from all her big accounts. She gratefully accepts the inheritance and travels to England to take possession but what she didn't expect was that the castle came with an incredibly sexy 13th century knight. Unfortunately, he's a ghost, who is bent on getting rid of the last of her line so that he can finally be free of his 700 year old curse.

With no where else to go, Genevieve digs in her heels and refuses to be scared away. Soon she and Kendrick de Paiget are coexisting in the castle and Kendrick comes to admire the saucy wench's `spunk'. There are some humorous scenes here that the reader will enjoy as they learn to coexist together. ...

I was totally enjoying this book but the reason I am not giving it a better rating was the unbelievable conception that after a particularly emotional last gasp type of romantic encounter, ... I have to say that the story was quite good and it is something that I can definitely recommend. I do disagree with another reviewer that it should be tossed out after Kendrick becomes mortal again as the last half of the book is interesting in finding out who and why someone wants to kill Genevieve.

This is the third book on Ms. Kurland's that I have read, and I am still not disappointed. My favorite historical romance author is Kathleen Woodiwiss, but Lynn Kurland is fast taking her place. I love the humor most, but there is so much that makes up these books besides that. Romance, history, heartaches and happiness. After reading this one, I almost began looking for ghosts when hearing odd sounds in my home. What a fantastic author! I can't wait to read the next one. It makes it even better that the characters are all connected in some way. At the back of the book "The More I See You" Kurland even added a pedigree chart of sorts to help you keep up with how they were connected.

Reading through some of the previous reviews, I'm struck by some of the comments. One, Amazon's review calls it akin to Devereux's Knight in Shining Armor. Stardust of Yesterday is MUCH MUCH better. They are not in the same league at all. Two, this is not a realistic story; it is a work of fiction. It shows great imagination. You're not supposed to read so much into it. Just read and enjoy. Three, Genevieve can be annoying and is child-like in her innocence but that only adds to the story. So she may not be the most relatable heroine. So what! You are better able to see and appreciate Kendrick's character for falling in love with her, just as she is. Yes, she just happens to be the only woman around but who wouldn't wish that they could captivate someone enough that they wouldn't think or care about anyone else? Kendrick was known as a womanizing knave in his day. He could have had his pick for a bride. If he wasn't a ghost stuck at Seakirk or if he had met Gen in his time, he wouldn't have given her a second glance. Now, that he has no other prospects he is able to see with his heart and soul rather than focusing solely on a physical attraction.

This story is beautiful. It is full of life and imagination. Only in your wildest dreams could you believe that someone could fall in love with a ghost. Their romance is bittersweet. The sacrifice of falling in love and wanting to be with someone you could never touch, kiss, embrace is heart-wrenching.

Stardust of Yesterday was my first book by Ms. Kurland and now I have read it four times! It never gets old. It's like seeing old friends again, full of memories and shared smiles. All of Ms. Kurland's stories are like that. I don't usually re-read books but these I have and they are all wonderful, each and every time. She has a great talent for imaginative, fun, charming romances.

While this LK offering is a bit on the racier side than her newer books, it's still not on the same level as the "typical" romance book. So if you're looking for explicit love scenes and blatant sensuality, look elsewhere. Those details are better left up to your imagination; they only take away from the beauty of the story. Ms. Kurland's books are sweet romances not bodice-rippers. I can honestly say that I am never disappointed and impatiently wait for her next installment.

Kendrick de Piaget is a renowned knight in medieval England who is cursed by a witch to forever roam the Seakirk castle. The only way to undo the curse is if he truly becomes the owner of the castle. The estate was stolen from Kendrick when he was murdered. So in order to release himself and his comrades from the curse, Kendrick has been methodically eliminating the descendants of the Buchanans.

When Genevieve, the last of the Buchanans, moves in, Kendrick goes through his haunting routine to terrorize her enough to sign over the castle. Instead, she decides that he's harmless and then blatantly ignores him. They eventually fall in love but it their relationship becomes excruciatingly bittersweet because, well, he's a ghost. I won't spoil the rest of the story but, of course, there is a happy ending and also, there is far more to the curse and you find that out as the story progresses.

I just love the characters. Genevieve is feisty, naïve, fragile, but yet courageous. Kendrick is everything you'd dream a knight could be: chivalrous, egotistical, loving, gentle, and endearingly possessive.

There are parts in the story that are so funny and some that'll bring a tear to your eye. The writing is really good. It's just enough to make you fall in love with Kendrick and Genevieve. Of course, I think my favorite character is Nazir, one of Kendrick's knights. He's fierce, merciless, and as a good a fighter as Kendrick.

My only complaint is the cover. I mean...what were they thinking?

A ghost with an attitude! What a perfect plot! I agree with the reader that recomends you not to start it at bed time. You just can't put it down. The heroine is a bit confused, but who wouldn't be in her situation? This book makes you laugh, makes you cry and just feels your heart with such warmth, that you have to keep it and read it again when life becomes too much. It gives hope to everyone. I loved it and recommend it.

Lynn Kurland has come up with a unique plot: dreamy American female inherits a 13th century castle as well as its handsome "knight-in-shining armor" ghost. Ms Kurland allows her hero ghost to have a sense of humor which he displays by creating illusions so that he can joust or swordplay for exercise, appearing to unsuspecting humans in blue jeans and a Raiders sweatshirt,driving a Jag, or critiquing NFL games he watches on TV. His companion ghosts help enliven the plot. Add attempted kidnapping and murder plus a ghost that gets another chance at life, and you have a book that is hard to put down.

Genevieve Buchanan's life was going well, she owned a successful business doing what she loved most, and had everything she could ever want, except for her childhood dream of a knight in shining armor. Even the news that she had inherited a castle wasn't appealing enough to give that up. Everything was great, until the disastrous day she lost everything. One by one her clients dropped her and her co-workers abandoned her. She was left near penniless and desperate, until she received another call about her inheritance, this time with nothing more to lose, she was on her way to her new home.

1260: Knight Kendrick de Piaget was murdered on what should have been a joyful day for him, having newly acquired a keep and a fiancée. As if being murdered wasn't bad enough, he was cursed to haunt the keep until the deed is signed over to him. Seven hundred years later, Kendrick is a brooding ghost trying to get rid of the last Buchanan by any means necessary, so that he may be free of his curse. He has rid himself of all of the others, the last one should be easy, right? Kendrick doesn't expect a woman who stands up to him and refuses to leave the home she fell in love with. He admires her spirit and intellect, and soon the two form a friendship.

Genevieve and Kendrick's friendship quickly grows to love, she finally has the knight of her dreams, albeit, a non-corporeal knight, but a knight nonetheless. Kendrick has found love for the first time in his existence (or non existence), he no longer cares about the deed, he only wants to spend whatever time he has with Genevieve.

Genevieve and Kendrick are two of the greatest characters I have encountered in a romance. Genevieve is kind and caring, with a quick wit and plenty of spirit, she could have let her misfortune crush her, but she became stronger for it. Kendrick turns from a gloomy specter to a lovable and most chivalrous knight. The friendship, chemistry, and love between the two are heart melting to experience. It's as if they were made especially for each other. I haven't experienced anything as beautiful as the ghostly Kendrick "courting" his living love. It wrenched my heart that Kendrick and Genevieve's most fervent wish was that they would be able to touch, and when miraculously their wish was granted it was the sweetest scene I have read (what followed however, broke my heart).

When Genevieve did something so completely selfless, something amazing and wonderful happened. I went from heartache to happiness in just a few paragraphs. I won't give it away, you will have to read it for yourself.

If you add to this already terrific plot, a few kidnapping attempts and many other ghosts who keep Kendrick company, including his best friend and fellow knight Royce and a Saracen named Nazir (who were unfortunately cursed along with Kendrick) who is devoted to Genevieve and loves to cause mortals trouble, you have one of the most entertaining novels you could ever wish to read. I also have to mention the butler, Worthington who I thought was fantastic. It is rare that I love every character so much, but Lynn Kurland managed to make me care deeply for everyone, not only the protagonists. I should also mention one of the slimiest villain's you could find in a novel is included, but he doesn't take too much time away from the happiness of our hero and heroine.

This is the first novel by Lynn Kurland that I've read, and it most certainly will not be the last. I enjoyed it immensely. The plot, the characters, the sheer power of emotion. I was deeply moved by this novel, and it was a joy to read. I cannot say enough about Stardust Of Yesterday, if you are able to, buy the book. It is more than worth the price.

www.themysticcastle.com

I'm not really into any romance novel but I love this one. It perfectly combines fantasy with reality. Story is simple but really heart-warming. A loveless girl, Geneveive Buchenan, inherited a huge castle in England for the reason even herself didn't understand. However, she didn't realize that, coming along with this magnificent castle is a handsome ghost from the 13th century!.. Well, Kendrick de Piaget is not just a normal ghost but also an arrogant, full of hatred to all the decesdents of a 13th century witch, Mathilda of Seakirk, who cursed him 700 years ago. And as you can guess, Geneveive is , of course,his target!!... However, at the end, these two hearts finally entwined together and Love does Conquer all!! Mathilda's curse was broken!!..Lynn Kurland's writing style is full of MAGIC!! And reading this book alone can make your heart tremble with alot of emotions ..specially good ones.!! I found myself laugh and smile a lot while reading. The author is capable to describe human's feeling and put it into nicely words. And If you are reading this review for judging whether or not you should buy this book, I say, BUY IT!! Highly recommended!!

This book combines elements of paranormal and time-travel romance, two categories I'm generally not fond of. Yet I really, really enjoyed Kendrick - a twelfth century ghost with a Jag in the garage (who cares if he can't drive it) and a passion for American football. The first two hundred pages of this book are a delight. Genevieve inherits Kendrick's castle and he goes from trying to scare her to death to falling in love with her. I consider myself a grounded, logical person but I had no problem suspending disbelief for this part of the story.

Ironically, it's the next hundred pages when a human problem of Genevieve's becomes the obstacle that I wanted to throw the book across the room. Her "problem" was beyond believing for me.

Still, this has some potential as a keeper simply because Kendrick is one of the most enchanting heroes I've encountered in the last year. He kind of makes you want to have a ghost of your own.

Lynn Kurland is an amazing writer and her imagination never ceases to amaze me.

Stardust was beautifully written and was one of the most touching romances I have ever read. It now has a coveted spot on my "keepers" bookshelf and will be read many more times in the future.

Her characters are always intriguing and endearing. Kendrick has always had a special place in my heart from the moment he began appearing in Lynn's books. Most likely because his wit and off-balance humour reminds me of someone else I love dearly. His match is well met in the fiesty, adorable Genevieve.

Good ghost-love stories are often hard to come by, but this one is wonderful.