Long and Short Reviews

Dark Highland Fire by Kendra Leigh Castle
Sourcebooks
Contemporary, Paranormal
Full Length, Spicy
Review by Poppy

Gabriel MacInnes has led a charmed life. A Highland werewolf of Alpha lineage, he'd always thought that, as the second son, he would never have to worry much about responsibility. But with his Pack now squarely in the sights of an ancient and rediscovered enemy, everything has begun to change.

Exiled from the Drakkyn realm, on the run from the dragon prince who claims her as his own, the last thing Rowan an Morgaine wants is to deal with a bunch of overbearing shifters in the middle of nowhere. But when her hiding place on Earth is discovered, and with blood the only thing that can restore her waning power, the fiery demigoddess has little choice but to accept Gabriel as a protector ...

As the Earthly and Drakkyn realms converge, Gabriel and Rowan must decide how much they're willing to sacrifice for fate...and for one another.

♥ ♥ ♥

Having read the first book in this series, "Call of the Highland Moon", I couldn't wait to get my paws on this book! Gabriel was such fun in the first book, and I was all but foaming at the mouth to watch him find the one woman who could tame him. Rowan an Morgaine was up to the (very difficult) task.

Gabriel is a gorgeous man with a snarky, sarcastic sense of humor and is beyond stubborn. He also has women falling at his feet on a regular basis, so when Rowan is dropped into his arms (literally), and refuses to have anything to do with him, he's a bit gobsmacked. He's also incredibly turned on, and determined to have her despite the fact she's a nasty bloodsucker (and werewolves do NOT like vampires).

Yep that's right. Rowan is a vampire (of sorts) from a different realm who refuses to drink blood. And it's slowly killing her. Can I tell you how much I loved this woman? She was principled and bitchy and hot and sarcastic and just the perfect mate for Gabriel. However, Lucien (one of the villains from the first book) is equally sure that Rowan is his perfect mate and will do anything -- even make bargains with demons -- to have for his own.

So... what happens when you take a wildly sexy, stubborn werewolf who's certain Rowan is his mate, mix in a vampire demi-goddess who has already lost people she loved because of the warped desires of an evil dragon-shifter, and throw in Lucien (said dragon) who is more than a little imbalanced and already has a grudge against Gabriel's clan?

Lots of action. Excitement. Tension. And not a little humor. My absolute favorite part of this book -- a part that made me snort with laughter in an utterly un-ladylike fashion was when Rowan confronted Gabriel's ex-girlfriends. What a hoot!

Kendra Leigh Castle has penned another story with amazing characters, a fascinating and page-turning plot that was utterly unpredictable and some hot, hot, hot sexual tension! She even manages to help us understand why the villain does what he does, and by the end made me feel more than a little sorry for Lucien (enough to hope that he is redeemed). Also, Rowan's mysterious brother, Bastian -- do I dare to hope that his is the next book in the series?

This book stands alone nicely, and I don't believe you have to read the first, but I also highly recommend the initial book in this series -- not only because it was wonderful, but because it will make reading "Dark Highland Fire" even richer. Do yourself a favor and grab this book the moment it's available. You won't be sorry.