Dark Highland Fire is paranormal romance that throws in every magical creature you can imagine in addition to a bit of a Highland romance setting! Surprisingly the author manages to do it deftly enough to remain cohesive. (Throwing together that big a mix usually has disaster written all over it!)The story starts off with the heroine, Rowan an Morgaine, exiled from her home dimension, working as a stripper in Reno. She's a novelty stripper- a vamp!- that pulls in a big crowd, but she's not altogether happy with her life right now. (Gee, I wonder why.)Things change rapidly for her when an old enemy sweeps in to claim her as his own. Thankfully her brother, Bastian, isn't far behind and he manages to get her out of harm's way by sweeping her through a portal that lands them in Scotland of all places.When they arrive they discover the gate is guarded by a group of werewolves- beasts that Bastian instantly trust because he realizes they hail from his world. He leaves Rowan in the arms of Gabriel, the alpha's son, a lone wolf who certainly doesn't want this duty. But when she awakens in his arms, and more importantly, feeds from him, he falls hard.Because he's just met his true mate.The rest of the book follows the big bad trying to get her back and the pack protecting Rowan, which ultimately leads Rowan and Gabe back to her home world where she finds she not only the Vamp Queen of her people, she's got a little beastie in her as well!Like I said there is A LOT of mixing of worlds and myths in this book, and although it works, it is a drawback, I feel. I'm hoping the author will find a little more focus with later entries into this series. Apparently there is a book before this one, but I had no problem picking up what went on, making this fine as a stand alone.Oh, The whole stripper thing was a head scratcher for me as well, but whatever, It was fun! Book one of Kendra Leigh Castle's Werewolf Trilogy was a good book, but this one was better. In this one, we get the story of younger, carefree brother Gabriel. Gabriel MacInnes is a bit of a rake. As the younger brother of the future Alpha of his pack, his life is free of the grinding responsibility of his father and brother. He sort of drifts along, charming the ladies and cracking jokes. All of that changes when the stone his family has guarded for centuries drops two very unusual beings into his lap...Bastian, the icy cold warrior, and his fiery sister, Rowan. With his promise to keep Rowan safe, whether she likes it or not, Gabriel is thrust into the middle of an other-worldly battle between Dragons, Daemons, and the blood drinking children of the Dyadd. Not only does Rowan infuriate and torment Gabriel at every turn, she is also determined to fight her own battles and avenge the family she lost in a Dragon attack. Rowan and Gabriel clash from their very first moment, so it is with some surprise that they come to realize that they are mates. While Gabriel is quick to accept the idea, Rowan is less so. Not only does her kind not bond with any one male, ever, but she also plans on doing everything in her power to return to her home, defeat her enemies, and take her rightful place as leader of her people. Being the mate of an Earth-bound shifter does not fit into her plans.I loved Gabriel, even though he is not your "typical" hero. Although charming and gregarious, he is also a bit adrift, not sure where he belongs or what his role is. As he wanders through life, he keeps wondering if there is something more. Stubborn, proud, and determined to a fault, he finds his destiny when he finds Rowan. And Rowan was a force in her own right. She is no meek little lady in need of protection...she takes care of herself, fights her own battles, and makes her own decisions. What works between these two strong characters is that neither is threatened by the other...they fight together, save each other, and are true equals. It was a refreshing take on a relationship.There was a lot of action in this one, too. We enter the other world only hinted at in the first book. It is one of beauty, and danger, with fantastic creatures and a tenuous peace. The back characters made this one stand out, however. Lucien, the Dragon Prince obsessed with Rowan was actually a tragic character. While supposedly the villain, I felt for him the whole way through. He is as much a victim as any of the others, if not more so. Bastian, Rowan's brother, is a very interesting character in his own right, and I can't wait to get into his story. The mystery surrounding him caught my attention right away, and he stood out every scene he was in. So, all in all, a great book from Kendra Castle, and looking forward to the next one.
What do You think about Dark Highland Fire (2008)?
I didnt think Gabriel was going to be as hot and Alpha as Gideon but in his own way.. he is smokin
—ZaccyMorrissey
UGH. Urban Fantasy mixed with kilts, I thought this might be good news...no sir.
—starfire
Exciting romance with lots of dragon fire!
—bekah
better than the first in the series...
—sumdumgirl
