The Stolen Hours: An epic romantic tale of forbidden love, book two of the Wild Isle Series: 2

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This sweeping love story gripped us from the start, so we can't wait for the next in the series. Best historical romance of 2022." — The Independent A dramatic start to a gripping new series . . . meticulously researched and beautifully told by one of our most prolific and talented writers' - Santa Montefiore, author of Flappy Investigates on The Last Summer

St Kilda will always be in my heart, no matter where I go. It is my home, my heritage, my identity. It is where I met you, where I loved you, where I lost you. It is the wild isle of my dreams."The vivid beauty and danger of St. Kilda only enhances Swan’s effortlessly intricate plotting. Toeing the line between romance and historical fiction, this gorgeous story and its unconventional heroine are sure to win hearts... A promising new series." — Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW She meets him and finds some attraction, but confusion sets in as certain feelings she experiences may not be appropriate, especially as they are not all for the man to be her intended. I thought I had it all worked out at the end of the first book however this startling new story, set over the same time period, only from a different character's POV, left me with more questions and serious doubt as to my previous thoughts. When word comes that St Kilda is to be evacuated, the lovers are granted a few months’ reprieve, enjoying a summer of stolen hours together. Only, those last days on St Kilda will also bring trauma and heartache for Mhairi and her friends, Effie and Flora. And when a dead body is later found on the abandoned isle, all three have reason enough to find themselves under the shadow of suspicion . . . There is a magic to this island that defies explanation. It is a place where time stands still, where the past and the present mingle, where the impossible becomes possible."

Powerful writing and a wonderful premise make this a novel you’ll simultaneously want to savour and race through. I loved it and can’t wait for the next in the series!' Jill Mansell Terug naar Schotland. Wat een feestje! Terug naar het eiland: oogverblindend, majestueus en sereen. Afgelopen maanden telde ik de weken, dagen, uren en minuten af. Ik telde af tot ik dit tweede deel van 'Het wilde eiland' in handen had. En wat was het weer een avontuur om op St Kilda te verblijven! Overall, The Stolen Hours is another mysterious, captivating, highly immersive tale by Swan that kept me engaged from start to finish with its rugged depictions of island living and layered, complex, romantic entanglements and even though it’s only the second book in The Wild Isle trilogy, I can already tell this is definitely going to be one of my favourite historical fiction series of all time. What a great adventure! The perfect way to tell the tale of St Kilda's population in fiction form. History fans will love the fascinating St Kilda detail woven throughout this thrilling romance. Wonderful! -- Jennifer Ryan, author of The Chilbury Ladies' Choir and The Kitchen FrontMy heart bled for Mhairi and all the heartache she endured. When things seem to go right for all her friends, she seems to be enduring more heartache and longing. She gave up everything, to be able to help her family, keep the peace in the community and basically give up on her own dreams. But she is fierce and she does what she needs for the people she loves. During this trip, Mhairi's sensibilities are challenged and she realises that is not the handsome Alexander who has taken her heart but her married chaperone Donald. She agrees to be affianced to Alexander but struggles to quash her feelings for Donald and is delighted to discover that her feelings are reciprocated. Alongside this, the government agrees to finally evacuate St Kilda so the lovers have a short time before they must leave the island. As they finally leave to make new lives on the main land, it comes to light that a dead body has been found on the island. Our heroine, Mhairi, comes under suspicion and has to make a bold decision as to what she can reveal about what occurred on the island. When Duffy promises to keep Natasha updated with pictures, a correspondence begins that soon becomes more meaningful. Sometimes, Natasha feels this stranger half way across the world understands her more than the man lying next to her. You are my stolen hours, Mhairi. The ones I cherish the most. The ones I live for. The ones I would die for."

The book is full of romance, heartache, drama, mystery, and adventure. The writing is engaging and atmospheric, making the reader feel immersed in the story. Karen Swan masterfully creates suspense and intrigue as the reader wonders how this relationship will end. The most exciting, enchanting and evocative story of forbidden love I’ve ever read. I truly loved it and am waiting feverishly for the second instalment' – Cathy Bramley This sweeping love story gripped us from the start, so we can't wait for the next in the series. Best historical romance * Independent on The Last Summer *

Advance Praise

The Last Summer is meticulously researched and beautifully told . . . a wonderfully satisfying read' – Santa Montefiore Wild-spirited Effie Gillies has lived all her life on the small island of St Kilda. But when Lord Sholto, heir to the Earl of Dumfries, visits, the attraction between them is instant. For one glorious week she guides the handsome young visitor around the isle, falling in love for the first time – until a storm hits and her world falls apart. The previous book The Last Summer unlike Swan's usual happy ending finished on a cliffhanger after the death of a central character. Met een schrijfstijl die inmiddels voelt als thuiskomen, zie je in dit boek ook alles weer levendig voor je. Het is een oase van rust die over je heen komt. Pure ontspanning. Most of you will know that I’ve been reading Karen Swan books for a long, long time now. I was really impressed by the first book in her new historical fiction series, The Last Summer, which was published last year (review here). It was left on such a cliffhanger that I was desperate for the second book. The Stolen Hours focuses on another of the inhabitants of St. Kilda and gives some more details on what, exactly, happened on that last night on the island.

Like many readers, when I finished The Last Summer, the first novel of the Wild Isles series, I was left with so many questions. It was a painful cliffhanger because I had to wait for the next book… And then it came, The Stolen Hours, and it was worth the wait. When word comes that St Kilda is to be evacuated, the lovers are granted a few months' reprieve, enjoying a summer of stolen hours together. Only, those last days on St Kilda will also bring trauma and heartache for Mhairi and her friends, Effie and Flora. And when a dead body is later found on the abandoned isle, all three have reason enough to find themselves under the shadow of suspicion . . .She also portrays the impact of the evacuation on the people, who had to leave behind their ancestral home and adapt to a new world. Since the island is small and there are scarce prospects, a man is suggested from one of the neighbouring isles. The Last Summer told the story of islander Effie, her relationship with her family, the Islanders and two men who desire her, only one of which she reciprocates. The Stolen Hours covering the same time period tells the story of Effie's friend and fellow islander Mhairi who similarly has two men who lust after her.