Dark Highland Fire

Author Castle has really hit her groove in the second of her highland werewolves books. Unlike the first book, Call of the Highland Moon, (which I liked despite a slow start) Wild Higland Fire jumps straight into the action, and hooked me from the very beginning -- I absolutely loved it. Second son fun-loving werewolf Gabe who, unlike his older alpha-to-be brother, has enjoyed the from freedom pack responsibilities and has spent his years persuing a carefree self-indulgent life. That all changes when magical stranger Bastian enters through the gate between worlds guarded by Gabe's pack. When Bastian places his unconscious sister under Gabe's protection, Gabe is taken aback - he has never taken responsibility for anyone other than himself. Gabe is sure that a mistake has been made, surely his dad or brother would be better suited to keep the woman safe from the dragon shifting prince seeking to possess her. And when she regains consciousness, blood-drinking part goddess Rowan is less than pleased to be in anyone's keeping - she is powerful in her own right and doesn't believe that she needs any keeper - much less a virile stubborn werewolf guardian. The relationship between Rowan and Gabe is tempestuous from the moment they meet. I enjoyed their verbal sparring and Castle did a really good job of building the tension between them as they continuously rub each other the wrong way. Both the leads are really good here, especially the smart and stubborn Rowan who was a great leading lady and no damsel in distress. Gabe is uber sexy as he discovers he's been selling himself short and is more than capable of handling responsibility now that he has someone to fight for. And he's going to have a battle on several fronts, because now-former-ladies-man Gabe recognizes the fiery Rowan as his once-in-a-lifetime mate, but Rowan is determined to fight him and in order to resist their bond. Unlike the previous book, Dark Highland fire takes place in both Scotland and an alternate world with dragonshifters, demons and dryad warrior maidens giving it some fantasy overtones. I gobbled this one down and immediately went hunting Castle's site to see what is in store for us next. I was happy to see that there is already a book in the works for Rowan's intriguing brother but even happier to find out that Wild Highland Magic also stars the amazingly sympathetic bad guy dragon-shifter prince Lucien. I hope Castle finds a way to redeem Lucien because I love it when bad boys go good.

I have to confess that I am not hugely fond of vampire and/or werewolf stories. It seems hard to find one that offers anything unique. I DO like fantasy novels though, and was very pleased to find that the 'vampire' and 'werewolf' of Kendra's tale are not of-this-world. That double dimension idea gave her freedom to go wild with her mythology, and I thought it was terrific. Rowan is a bit rough around the edges, and it did take me a while to warm to her. But the interaction with Gabriel sizzles and is so moving at the same time. I loved the connection between the two, how it was taken beyond mere physical to a spiritual bonding. Excellent! I started with this one, but can't wait to read her first novel and anything else she writes. I highly recommend this one, and if you are like me and not so sure about another vampire tale, take a chance. You won't be disappointed.

Book was new and I have read it and I will be passing it on to a friend. I do like this author

Reviewed for queuemyreview.com Goddesses, dragons, werewolves, prophecies, magic...this series has all those things that make my heart go pitty-pat. "Dark Highland Fire" is the second book in Kendra Leigh Castle's exciting tale of an alternate world where the balance has gone horribly wrong, and its connection to Earth. I read and loved her first book, "Call of the Highland Moon" which introduced a world just like ours where paranormal creatures run amok. Although it's not necessary to read the first book to enjoy this story, I'm glad I did. This second book continues and expands Castle's vision of both worlds which are exciting places I really enjoy visiting. Rowan is a demi-goddess who is being chased by a dragon prince who wants her for his mate and isn't taking no for an answer. She barely escaped his first raid which resulted in the death of her mother and many of her tribal `sisters' and then only when her brother managed to `jump' into this strange Earth world. When her brother rescues her again, this time his jump lands them in another Earth land called Scotland. Then her brother has the nerve to leave her with an Arukhin (werewolf) named Gabriel! Even if Gabriel is stunningly gorgeous and makes her body tingle, she certainly doesn't need anybody's help...she's a demi-goddess for crying out loud! Gabriel is the happy-go-lucky MacInnes. He's always been content to drift through life with heaping servings of wine, women, and song. Since his brother is next in line to be Alpha, he doesn't have to do anything more taxing than run his bar. Until the night a strange couple appears near the magic stone his clan guards and the male dumps his sister into Gabriel's arms with the responsibility to keep her safe and make sure she `feeds'?! Next thing Gabriel knows he's in it up to his furry ears with a woman who shoots fireballs from her fingertips and drinks blood! Who cares how sexy she is or how she makes him feel...did you not hear the blood part? I'm enjoying the pace and plotting Castle has put into her world. Her characters are vivid and individual. Although Rowan's whole `don't need anybody' stance irritated me at first (hello? Your brother already saved you twice.), I guess if I was a demi-goddess, I'd feel the same way. And the more I learned about Rowan's character, the more her actions made sense. Same goes for Gabriel. Both have distinct traits and personalities which translated into the course and pace of their relationship. I like the contemporary setting and you'll laugh at Rowan's first `job'...but it made sense considering. Castle also has a wicked pen and the tension and sexual overtones on almost every page are enough to require a fan! Her secondary characters have major roles in the story and make you hungry for a book about each one to see their fates. Thankfully, there are plenty of characters and I can only hope, plenty more books to come. I'm enthralled by this series. Her history of the various ra

Dark Highland Fire by Kendra Leigh Castle is a romantic paranormal fantasy that draws you so deep within the soul of the story that all reality around you is completely shut out. Intensely romantic, sexual, breathtaking and crawl under your skin, mouth watering don't put it down, this novel should be on the New York Times Bestsellers list without a doubt. If you miss this novel and it's previous installment you are missing the most delicious books of the Century. Rowan an Morgaine is a Goddess to be by birth and in her own right. A feminine warrior of sharp wit and equally sharp tongue, beauty befitting her station and that of her people, fearless of death, she is a woman to be reckoned with. Tall, long legs, flowing red hair that radiates fire and emerald green eyes that seer you to your soul, Rowan is so much more than delectably exquisite. Gabriel MacInnes is second son of the pack of Werewolves designated to protect an ancient artifact that is the bridge to their ancient homeland in another world. Breathtaking is the understatement for this man. Tall, bronzed, long dark hair and eyes to melt your soul should the right women capture him. Most certainly a ladies man to the max. Though his station is second son it doesn't diminish the fact that Gods have a very special task made just for him. Will he be able to survive it is the question. Rowan and her brother Bastien escape by the skin of their teeth from the slaughter that is befalling their people by the Andrakkar, the Dark Dragons. Their escape is short lived however once Lucien Andrakkar enlists the help of the daemon, creatures even more vile than the dragons themselves. Again Rowan is found and is saved at the last moment by her brother only to be dropped into the hands of Gabriel MacInnes. Bastien makes Gabriel promise to protect his sister and feed her starving form. Gabriel cringes at the thought of having to protect a blood sucker as vampires and werewolves are mortal enemies, but he swears to do so anyway. So the war is to begin between two worlds and creatures so vile just to think of them will make you cringe and want to hide beneath the covers. All this over the love of a stubborn pig headed woman that has crawled into the blood of two very dangerous adversaries. A war that is needed to right the wrongs of a species so noble and to unite two races unknown to each other for over a thousand years. Good vs. Evil, right vs. wrong, light vs. dark, but who will be the victor? A love so pure that Rowan and Gabriel will be stunned that the Gods have chosen to throw the two of them together. Two people, one Werewolf, one Vampire that are so alike you wonder how this could possibly work. "And are you always such a charming conversationalist, or is it just me?" he shot back, keeping his voice deliberately even. He didn't think it wise, when he knew so little of her, to let Rowan know he felt like throttling her every time she opened her mouth. "It's you," she replied, not quite suppr