Dark Highland Fire

The second novel in Kendra Leigh Castle’s Drakkyn series, Dark Highland Fire gives us the story of Gabiel MacInnes and Rowan an Morgaine. I’m having a hard time writing up the synopsis for this novel, there’s so much I could say that I dn’t really want to give anything away, but here I go.

Gabriel MacInnes has the life. He’s desired by woman; is the second son of the Alpha, so he doesn’t have to worry about pending leadership; and he has his pub that he enjoys. What else could a man ask for. And then Rowan an Morgaine, a fiery demi-goddess, is literally dropped into his arms. Rowan is on the run from a lunatic dragon who wants her as his wife. She has other plans and she’s not exactly happy when said dragon tries to get to show more her by killing off her clan. So what happens when you get two equally stubborn people together, plus a dragon who is intent on claiming the girl? Let’s just say that both Gaberiel and Rowan get thrown into some interesting battles and not all of them are the bloody kind.

I know this is the second novel of a series, and I haven’t read Call of the Highland Moon, but I never once felt like I was missing something from not having read it. There’s an obvious continuous of a story arc, but it’s done in a way that enhances the story between Gaberiel and Rowan without leaving the reader confused. In all honestly, it doesn’t make me feel like I have to run out and buy it so I know what is going on. Although, I am going to try and get my hands on a copy. Just from some of the glimpses the first part of the book gives us, I know there is a good story behind the events preceding Dark Highland Fire.

Castle also gives us some really good character development with Gaberiel and Rowan. When we first meet them, we’re introduced to two creatures who know who they are and they slowly introduce themselves to us as they get to know each other. We’re allowed into the mind of both and we’re even given a look inside the dragon’s head and the reasoning why he wants Rowan so badly. They don’t have a slow and easy courtship, but the entire thing is full of chaotic events that some how corresponds with their personalities.

Some of the twists Castle gives us to her plot are really nice to see. What happens to Gaberiel and Rowan could have been a little predictable, but instead it wasn’t. There were times I was certain I was going to see a fight and then nothing. The enemy did something I wasn’t expecting or some other factor became involved. The story kept me interested and involved throughout the entire plot and I never once got bored with the events.

Overall, I really enjoyed this novel and feel really lucky that I got to read it ahead of it’s release on October 1st. For anyone who loves a new twist on werewolves and their magical counterparts, then they should definitely check out Kenda Leigh Castle.

http://www.literaryescapism.com/2008/09/17/448/ show less

Reviewed for queuemyreview.com; book release Oct08

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 show more 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 races of both worlds and how some of them managed to cross to Earth is original and well-plotted. Each book provides more information on the customs and habits of each race. As soon as I finish one, I find myself irritated that I have to wait for the next one! Even after searching through her website (kendraleighcastle.com) and that of her publisher, I wasn’t able to get a date for her next book. I’ll just keep checking as I intend to grab a copy as soon as it hits the bookshelves!! show less

An Author to Watch, A Series to Savor (4 stars)

Rowan an Morgaine has been forced away from her home realm. Stuck on earth hiding in a nest of vampires and taking her clothes off in a seedy Reno strip-club, no one would know she's really an exiled demi-goddess. But as any strong woman knows, sometimes you have to do what you have to do to stay alive so that eventually you can have your revenge. With her family slain by Lucien Andrakkar, a dragon shapeshifter who wants her for his bride, she must remain in hiding or risk being carried back to Coracin and forced into marriage.

When Lucien finds her and her brother, Bastian, swoops in just in time to save her, she finds herself dumped on Gabriel MacInnes. As a werewolf and the second son of show more the pack alpha, Gabriel hasn't had much purpose in life save for running his bar. Bouncing from woman to woman he's certainly not known for being easy to tie down. But there's something so irritating and at the same time irresistable about Rowan. She doesn't want to be protected by Gabriel and the fact that he takes his duty seriously only maddens her. All Rowan wants to do is save what little remains of her family from further destruction at the hands of her would-be husband. If only she wasn't as attracted to Gabriel as he is to her.

I honestly wasn't quite sure what to expect from this book. Kilted highlander werewolves, maybe? Aside from Gabriel being from the highlands this book really didn't have anything to do with them. Instead this book focused greatly on Coracin and the races that call it home from the dragons and the Dyadd to the demons. What really got me into it was the well executed mythos of the world and how it tied to Earth. That can be a hard thing to pull off but Castle did this quite flawlessly. While it certainly walks the borders of fantasy as much as paranormal romance this didn't have the urban overtones a lot of paranormals have these days.

Gabriel and Rowan made a surprisingly refreshing duo. Both a bit hot-headed and stubborn they played well off one another and their attraction was very fire and ice. The romance was actually over-shadowed by the world dilemnas of the dragons and the werewolves as well as Lucien's attempts to make Rowan his. I found myself pitying Lucien long before the book was finished and I'm quite certain the plot twist relating to Rowan and Lucien will be obvious to most readers from the first hints. Even though it was predictable it was a very enjoyable plot twist that helped to settle the entire story. I am definitely looking forward to the next book which will focus on Rowan's brother Bastian. Overall a very entertaining book with a great mythology... now I just need to go back and read the first one! I think anyone who enjoys a good fantasy story with shapeshifters should check these out. show less

This was an enjoyable read, but with my same complaints from the first book - too much of the characters thoughts and not enough dialogue!! I have to go back a page sometimes after reading the 'thoughts' to work out what the conservation was once it kicks back in - it slows the story down. I really like the concept, I just need more 'real' interaction and less 'thoughts' to keep the storyline kicking. A bit more like Kresley Cole, JR Ward and Jean Johnson - their books explain through dialogue and action - not through what each character is thinking (ad nauseum). Downgraded to 2 stars due to the pain I experienced trying to follow the conversations in amongst all that 'thought'!!

First, just let me say mmm...mmm...good. This was just the book that I was looking for and didn't even know it. Dark Highland Fire begins with us meeting Rowan and her brother Baustian who are on the run from an evil dragon named Lucien. Lucien wants Rowan to be his wife and won't take no for an answer. Rowan is a demi-goddess stuck on Earth until she can figure out how to defeat the dragons (Lucien included) who attempted to kill all of her family and friends. Enter Gabriel, a wolf shapeshifter, whom Baustian entrusts to watch over Rowan while he tries to distract the dragons. Now you've got a hot (did I say HOT?!) love connection between Rowan and Gabriel that isn't as easy as I've let on. But the fun is just getting there and I just show more loved this book. I was immersed in Rowan and Gabriel's struggles from the very beginning and just fell in love with this book. Which leads me back to my original statement that apparently I was in the mood for a good romance. I'm not a huge romance fan (usually I lean a bit more toward mysteries) but Kendra Leigh Castle has a new fan in me! I couldn't get enough of this book and was actually sad when I finished it. Now I'm going to have to figure out what else she has written because it seemed to me that this was part of a series...I might be wrong but I'm too lazy to go look right now for this post. Suffice it to say that if you like romances and don't mind a bit of paranormal thrown in then this is the book for you. I loved the paranormal aspects and felt that they added to this book. But then again I really loved everything about this book :) Great read and definitely recommended and enough gushing out of me. show less

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 show more 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.

Kendra Leigh Castle has written a tremendous novel in "DARK HIGHLAND FIRE". Romance, paranormal elements, and a dream worthy hero mated to a strong heroine combine to form the ultimate read. show less

What a pleasure it was to read the second book in this series. First, I read about Gideon and Carly with the first book, which you can read my review here. And now this was about Gideon's brother, Gabriel and Rowan, the fiery temptress from another realm.

In the beginning, Rowan, who has been on the run living with some rogue vampires of Earth along with her brother - she works as a stripper. When something happens and she has to run for her life. A battle of sorts against the man that wants her as his own, Lucien - the dragon prince. But when Bastian has to save her, he takes her to the Hunting Grounds of the MacInnes werewolves clan and puts her into Gabriel's protection.

Gabriel had no idea what to do with this beautiful creature of show more his dreams. But soon realizes that trying to tame her and claim her as his mate is not going to be an easy task! They are both stubborn and pig-headed. Rowan's background has her believing that she is the one who will save her people and she is to lead them. But what about the feelings that she's beginning to have for Gabriel? But boy, there was quite the twist at the end!

If you're looking for some hot, hot romance with the spice of supernatural creatures? I do highly suggest this series. Ms. Castle's characters have a way of making you love them and feel for them. It's the kind of book that had me practically yelling at the characters because you could just feel something bad was going to happen - much like watching a horror movie and telling the actor to look behind them. The story was told through different POV's, Rowan, Gabriel and Lucien, but it was easy to follow with a lot of description. She created a world with dragons, bloodsuckers (as Gabriel referred to them as) and werewolves and how all of them were once tied into each other in this imaginative realm that is close to ours. show less