Full Description

Wild Highland Magic

She's a Scottish Highlands werewolf, but no one's ever shown her how to use her powers…

Growing up in America with a father who hates his own nature, Catrionna MacInnes has always tried desperately to control her powers and pretend to be normal. Now her father has brought her and her sisters to Scotland to reunite with the pack they fled years ago…

He's a wizard prince with a devastating secret…

Bastian an Morgaine has found sanctuary among the MacInnes werewolf clan but no relief from the soul-searing curse that haunts him. The minute Cat lays eyes on Bastian, she knows she's met her destiny. In their first encounter, she unwittingly binds him to her for life, and now they're both targets for the evil enemies that are out to destroy their very souls…

PRAISE FOR CALL OF THE HIGHLAND MOON:

"Sweeping readers along from upstate New York to the Scottish Highlands, Call of the Highland Moon tells a werewolf tale with a mysterious origin. Ms. Castle develops likeable characters, adds danger-filled mystery to a steamy romance, and keeps reader's interest to the revealing end."
darquereviews.blogspot.com

"A great pick for readers who like their supernatural romances funny, seductive, and light on gore." wordcandybooks.blogspot.com

"Nice and steamy. Props for good writing and an interesting world."
kristiej.blogspot.com

PRAISE FOR KENDRA LEIGH CASTLE:

"Castle's world-building is superb and leaves readers wanting more."
Romantic Times

"Fans of straight up romance looking for a little extra something will be bitten."
PublishersWeekly

"The Scottish Highlands have never been so sexy!"
Wild on Books.com

"The intrigue, the romance, and the good versus evil fight contained herein creates a masterpiece like no other… This is one Scottish werewolf I'd take home to Mom."
Romance Junkies

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Excerpt

Excerpt

Excerpt from the Prologue

Camp of the Dyadd Morgaine, Coracin

"But WHY must I get up, AMA?"

The boy rubbed his eyes as his mother gently lifted him from the warm, silken cushions on which he'd been so peacefully sleeping only moments before.

"Sshhhhh," Elara cautioned him, pressing a finger to her lips. The boy looked around the darkened tent that he shared with his sisters and heard the deep and heavy breathing that meant he and his mother were the only ones awake. Despite his fatigue, his curiosity began to be piqued. Though he never felt deprived of love, he was rarely singled out. Women held the power in hisfamily, he knew.

But tonight, his mother seemed to want him for something. Just him, without his sisters. Pride and pleasure swelled in his small eight-year-old chest. Straightening to look into Elara's golden eyes, he gave a sharp nod. He caught just a flash of amusement in her gaze before she pressed a quick kiss to his forehead.

"Come, Bastian," she said softly, and with her humor already vanished, he saw the troubled crease between her eyes that was hardly ever there, except when Rowan had done something particularly bad. Like the time she'd singed off the ends of Reya's hair. Bastian grinned at the memory. He loved Rowan almost as much as he loved his mother. And his troublesome sister was excellent cover for getting into less-noticeable mischief
of his own.

His grin faded quickly as Elara turned to lead him from the tent, moving with the grace of a goddess despite the belly swollen with what Bastian was certain would be yet another sister to run him ragged. He had been told that there would be no more boys; that there had never been a boy born to the Dyana an Morgaine but him. Sometimes that made him feel special.

More often it made him feel lonely.
Elara lifted the flap of the tent, and the two of them emerged into the moonlit quiet of the camp, with its dozens of high-peaked tents adorned with pennants that flapped lazily in the warm night breeze. She turned to look back at him only once, and the sorrow that flickered across her lovely face, just for an instant, gave Bastian pause. Maybe he didn't want to be the special one tonight. Maybe his Ama could pick a sister for whatever she was doing instead. After all, there were four of those and only one of him. And Lari had thrown mud at him earlier.

He opened his mouth to suggest a replacement, but his mother was moving away again, the fabric of her night robe shimmering like a ghostly beacon. Bastian shivered in his thin tunic, though the night was not cold, and ran on skinny legs to catch up. He was having the feeling again, the one he sometimes got before something really bad, or really good, was about to happen. It crackled all around him, like the sparks Rowan sometimes gave off when she was mad, prickling across his skin and making the tiny hairs on the back of his neck stand up.

He had felt this way the morning before his cousin Marisin had drowned in the river. But he'd also felt it the first time he'd found one of the secret magic places, the ones no one could get to but him. The wonderful and the terrible, though no one else seemed to be able to sense either coming.

Somehow, he thought tonight might contain a bit of both.

Instead of heading for the Great Tent, which was Elara's domain, his mother surprised him by heading for the edge of camp where the striped hershas that pulled their wagons slept peacefully in the long grass. The two of them made no sound as they walked on bare feet toward the trees ringing the clearing that was the Dyadd's current home. Soon they would depart for another part of the endless forests of the Carith Noor, in the bright whirl of color and sound that was an integral part of who they were. It was their way. This Bastian knew and accepted. But sometimes, he wondered what it would be like to just… stay.

Reviews

Reviews

Romance Junkies Cheryl McInnis
Catrionna ‘Cat’ MacInnes grew up in America, far away from the rest of the MacInnes werewolf pack. As the only one of her sisters able to shift, and with a father who refuses to discuss his unusual heritage, Cat has many questions regarding life as a werewolf and nobody to provide the answers.

Bastian an Morgaine is the last surviving member of the cursed Athin tribe of ice mages. He has found sanctuary living with his brother-in-law’s family, but Bastian knows that his time is running out, unless he finds a way to destroy the curse that has plagued every other Athin mage before him. When Bastian learns of a possible way to break the curse, he is willing to go to any lengths to try it. Even when it means harboring an enemy to the MacInnes clan and betraying the trust that the pack has given him.

When Cat’s father decides to take his daughters to Scotland to be reunited with their MacInnes cousins, Cat is ecstatic. Finally she has family members to turn to in order to learn how to use her powers, hopefully before she makes any more irreparable mistakes. Mistakes like biting the sexy and brooding Bastian, therefore bonding them together for life. Bastian doesn’t mind the idea of having Cat to himself for the rest of their lives. After all, he too felt the powerful attraction between them right away. Bastian’s dilemma is that besides deceiving the MacInnes clan, his family’s curse is coming closer to the end and he has a soul-sucking daemon breathing down his neck. He just does not feel that he makes a very good mate for Cat. What Bastian does not realize though, is that the only way to defeat the darkness is with light, and nothing burns brighter than the power of love.

WILD HIGHLAND MAGIC, the third novel featuring Kendra Leigh Castle’s MacInnes werewolves, is an imaginative and entertaining journey back to the Scottish Highlands and the fascinating MacInnes clan. With a strong, compelling plotline, engaging dialogue, an intriguing cast of characters and toe-curling sexual tension, WILD HIGHLAND MAGIC is a joy to read from start to finish. This book is sure to be a favorite with anyone looking for hunky males, sassy females, werewolves and sexy, Scottish brogues!

The Romantic Times Devon Paige
Castle revisits the highlands of Scotland in her third MacInnes werewolves book, an enjoyable and highly entertaining tale. It can be read as a stand-alone, but it’s clear that it’s part of a series, and new readers may get a little lost. The budding romance between secondary characters almost steals the show and definitely leaves you wanting more.

4/5 Stars

Book Loons Martina Bexte
Catriona MacInnes and her sisters, Skye and Poppy, are denied knowledge of their true natures after their father turns his back on his werewolf heritage and immigrates to America. As the sisters discover their real natures they desperately try to understand and control their powers and pretend to be normal, something that’s becoming harder to do with each passing day - and without much help from their tight-lipped father. It’s not until they return home to the Scottish Highlands and meet the rest of their far-flung clan at the annual MacInnes Pack gathering that Cat and her sisters realize exactly what they’ve been denied.

Bastien an Morgaine is the last of his kind and on a desperate mission to find release from a curse that could kill him. Only the blood of a dragon will lift the curse, but the only one who might be Bastien’s salvation is his sworn enemy and lies at death’s door after a long captivity amongst the foul Daemons, the very creatures who’ve doomed Bastien. He has no time for fun and games, and least of all romance, but when Cat unwittingly binds him to her, they become targets of the dark and hungry daemons that have come hunting both their souls.

Castle concludes her engaging and imaginative paranormal series on a definite high note in Wild Highland Magic. Bastien and Catriona are a lively pairing: Bastien as the powerful wizard prince who will do whatever is necessary to protect his family and friends, but whose own dark heritage, as well as his heart, he keeps closely guarded. The spirited Catriona on the other hand, has only just learned that she’s part of an ancient and powerful werewolf clan when she accidentally mates herself to Bastien. It’s fun to watch the fireworks fly as they come to terms with the consequences and the new dangers that surround them.

The second half of the story seemed a bit rushed, though, as if Castle was trying to tie up various loose ends. That seemed particularly true in Poppy and Lucien Andrakkar’s pairing. The romance between the young healer and the snarky, bad-boy dragon who caused everyone so much trouble in Call of the Highland Moon, is certainly an entertaining secondary romance, but would have been far more satisfying had the pair been showcased in a story of their own.

Even so, Wild Highland Magic is another standout paranormal romance by Kendra Leigh Castle, an author who’s put her own fresh and entertaining perspective on werewolf lore.

Debbie’s World Debbie Suzuki
It has been awhile since I have read a romance book that totally sucked me into the world the author created and drew to me nearly every character in the story. Wild Highland Magic did just that. It has a little of everything for those who like paranormal romances. You have were wolves, dragons, vampires and even a nod towards witches. You can feel the sexual tension brimming between Bastian and Cat from their first meeting and get carried along as they try to find a way to overcome the curse put on Bastian and find a way to remain together. You also meet Cat’s two younger sisters, Poppy and Skye, and also get caught up hoping Poppy and her dragon get their own happy ending. I’ll definitely be adding Castle’s other books to my to be read list!

Darque Reviews Kimberly Swan
On a family visit to the MacInnes home in the Highlands of Scotland, Catriona MacInnes meets relatives for the first time, and a man who takes her breath away. Cat’s werewolf instincts draw her to Bastian, the gorgeous man who’s more than he seems, and she knows he’s just what she wants in her future.

Bastian an Morgaine is born of mixed blood, and is the only male ever born to the Dyadd Morgaine. He also carries a daemon curse and spends his time searching for a way to break it before it destroys his soul. Falling in love with Cat could be the answer to all he seeks, or it could mean the destruction of them both.

This is the third book in the Highland series and follows Cat and Bastian as they fight to survive and ensure their future together. Ms. Castle takes readers on a fast moving journey of love and the dark secret that could destroy a relationship before it has an opportunity to begin. Wild Highland Magic will capture the reader’s attention with the strength of the characters, keep them engaged through the paranormal action, and leave them wanting another visit to this intriguing world. While part of a series, this novel can also be enjoyed as a stand alone read.

Crave More Romance Kerensa Wilson
Catrionna MacInnes’ father wasn’t the best werewolf so she’s more than a little excited for the opportunity to meet her Uncle and learn all about her wolf side. But she’s barely arrived before a handsome stranger introduces himself as Bastian, kicking her heart into overdrive. Never having had such a strong reaction to any man causes Cat to search Bastian out and in a single moment unknowingly pair them together for the rest of their lives.

Bastian an Morgaine is the last of the Athin, ice mages whose rulers were burdened with a terrible curse. Each day Bastian must fight to live against the narial who feeds off his emotions, knowing that the only way to destroy it is to take the blood of a dragon. As if that wasn’t hard enough he’ll have to convince the dragon to give its blood willingly. Worse still is that he must not fall in love. The very emotion could cause the narial to destroy him. Yet, when Cat claims him as her own he realizes to late what he’s allowed, setting the two against a powerful enemy for a chance at love.

WILD HIGHLAND MAGIC is an epic treat for paranormal romance lovers! Not only does Ms. Castle manage to incorporate everything from witches, werewolves and dragons in her newest novel she does so in a way that makes them entirely fresh. WILD HIGHLAND MAGIC is decadently layered with rich characters, enchanting landscapes, and a breathtaking plot. Don’t miss this endearing tempt me pick!

The Curious Reader Jessica West
Bastian an Morgaine is the last in a line of sorcerers who have been plagued by a curse for the last five generations. Bastian had hoped to be able to rid himself of it, and even though he takes steps to fight the curse, he truly does not have much hope. When he meets Cat, MacInnes werewolf, his life completely changes. Bastian is from the parallel world of Coracin, and Cat is from Earth. Bastian has fled to the MacInnes home in Scotland to recuperate and plan his next move, but his timing is terrible. He is there when all of the far-flung family converges for a reunion, which is what brings Cat, along with her two younger sisters, Poppy and Skye, and her estranged father. Events come to a head as old rivalries are brought up and new dangers surface. And of course there is a good amount of love at first sight (or bite, in this case).

I actually enjoyed this book a lot more than I expected to - I tend to occasionally judge books by their covers, and this one just seemed too typical. Thankfully though, the story was anything but. I also discovered that it is the third book set in the world the author has created. (The covers for the other two books are disturbingly similar to this one.) While reading this book I did not feel like I missed anything, as Castle does a good job of giving background information, but it was obvious that there was more history to the story. The other characters were clearly important to the author, as were their stories, even though they weren’t the main protagonists of this book. The romance was lovely - and it’s not just Cat and Bastian that get to fall in love, which was nice. The world as Castle has created it works very well, and I look forward to catching up and reading the other two books in this series now.

Literary Escapism Jackie Morgan
Again, this series just captivated me. I liked seeing what made Bastian click and that his actions actually had valid reasons behind them. As the only male Dyim, you knew something interesting had to be in his past and Castle doesn’t let us down. The only thing I really have against Wild Highland Magic is that Cat doesn’t seem to be as personable. She’s kind of forgettable and I remember more about Bastian than I do her. She really doesn’t make a lasting impression, but she definitely grabs the attention when she is on the page. Does that make any sense? I do have to say that I liked the fact that she didn’t whine about the injustices to her future relationship with Bastian (he’s cursed people, are you really surprised that was a possibility), but it still worried her and she thought about it. She didn’t just brush it off and say they will get past it, but she wondered if they would. I liked that insecurity since it doesn’t seem to always be there. At least not in small doses.

Speaking of the curse, that was great. Usually, when you think of a curse, it’s more mystical than what was plaguing Bastian. It difinitely added more to the story and actually helped in the end.

Overall, the story still flowed really well and kept my attention during a time when I wasn’t looking for anything dark or twisty. This was a really good pick me up and has given me back the reading bug. It’s kind of sad that, even though Wild Highland Magic is the third novel, and I’ve read the second one - Dark Highland Fire, I still have yet to read the first novel, Call of the Highland Moon. And yet again, it didn’t matter. These novels can easily stand alone, but you do get a little character development in the previous novels. I have to say, I can’t wait to see who the fourth novel is going to be about. I kind of hope it involves the dragon, but I’m not sure if Castle will put him through the ringer or not.

Star-Crossed Romance Lynda K. Scott
Oh man, I really hate to hear that this is the last book in this series. I’ve looked forward to each one as they became ’Must Buy’ books right from the start. I was so looking forward to Bastien’s story and so hoping that Kendra would do a story for Lucien. But I have to admit, while this was a great book, it fell short of my expectations (which might have been just a teensy bit high, lol). I loved the plot conflict Kendra came up with for Bastien - that was just pure genius. However, combining his story with Lucien’s story...I felt it shortchanged both of these remarkable heroes. Since Kendra is moving on, I can understand and appreciate the fact that she did include Lucien in this book otherwise we might not have ever seen what happened to him. For that, I say thank you to Kendra and her editor.

Night Owl Romance Robin
Bastian a Morgaine is the only male to ever be born into the all female Dyadid Morgaine tribe. This tribe does not mate or acknowledge the fathers of their children, that is until the Arukhin came back to their realm. Bastian never knew whom his father was until one night, when he was eight years old; his mother came to take him to meet his father. Bastian’s father had just found out about him and having little time left, he wanted to tell him of his family legacy because he is the last of their kind. He also explains about the curse that has taken each male of the family line. He hopes that either Bastian will beat the curse or let it end with him.

Catrionna MacInnes and her family are invited to Scotland for MacInnes family pack gathering. Catrionna’s father left Scotland for America where he met and married a witch. He never told them about his family in Scotland nor why he left there. They always thought their father had no other family but them. Once they arrived at the MacInnes land, they found out that their uncle was the head of the pack. The first time Catrionna laid eyes on Bastian, she knew there was something special about him and that she wanted him. Bastian feels the same way when he sees Catrionna. But he knows he needs to stay away from her until he can beat the curse. Never having been taught about her powers Catrionna unwittingly marks Bastian as her mate for life. Now with their enemies out to destroy them, they have to find a way to stop the curse before it destroys them.

This is the third installment in Ms. Castle’s series. Ms Castle’s stories are told in such a way as to make you feel as if you are a part of the family. You will find yourself caring about each of the characters and what happens to them. This story will hold your attention and the ending is very delightful. Hopefully there will be many more books from Ms Castle. This is a definite keeper.

Bitten By Books Lori
Bastian an Morgaine is used to being different. As the only male ever born to the Dyadd Morgaine, he has spent his entire life not quite fitting in. Only adding to his isolation is the curse passed on to him from his father. Bastian is the last descendant of a tribe of powerful ice mages who were wiped out by a daemon plague. After years of searching, Bastian discovers a way to break the curse, but to accomplish this, he must first rescue one of his enemies from the Blighted Kingdom and convince him to help.

Catrionna MacInnes knows all about being different. As the daughter of a werewolf and a witch, she has tried her entire life to keep her powers hidden and fit in as a normal human girl. When her father brings her and her sisters back to Scotland for a family gathering, she is finally able to embrace all that she truly is. And when Catrionna meets Bastian, she realizes that maybe being more than human is not such a bad thing after all. Nothing however, can prepare these two for the tumultuous path that following their feelings will set them on.

Wild Highland Magic is the third installment in Kendra Leigh Castle’s MacInnes Werewolves series and all I can say is WOW! Bastian, a secondary player in Ms. Castle’s previous novel is fleshed out most deliciously, and the new characters introduced are delightfully entertaining. I love the addition of the American MacInnes sisters and sincerely hope to see future novels centered around them. Wild Highland Magic is sexy, exciting, and romantic and will leave you breathless and wanting more.

Books and Needlepoint Kristi Herbrand
Catriona MacInnes, along with her sisters Skye and Poppy, are half werewolves, half witches growing up in sunny California with their father, Freddie. Never taught how to use or control their powers, never knowing they weren’t unique - they were surprised when their father announced a family trip to the Scottish Highlands. A trip to meet his brother Duncan, Alpha of the MacInnes Pack.

Upon arriving at Iargail, the ancestral home of the Macinnes’, Cat could see that it was going to take some time to mend the rift between Duncan and her father. Uncle Duncan immediately warmed to the three sisters though.

Cat soon runs into Bastian an Morgaine, a wizard prince staying in a cottage on Duncan’s land. Hiding out would be how Duncan sees it, but since he is his daughter-in-law’s brother, he lets him stay.

Bastian is hiding things though. The first being a narial - this is a shadowy creature that only prowls in the dark and has been tormenting Bastian’s family for years. He slowly takes chunks of their soul until they break. Bastian’s family had this curse put upon them by the king of the daemons. He is also hiding Lucien Andrakkar, a dragon. Bastian rescued Lucien from the Blighted Kingdom where he had been held and tortured by the daemons for a year. He is hoping that this dragon will help rid him of the narial. If Lucien will just give Bastian some of his blood, by his own free will, Bastian might have a chance to defeat the curse.

Things heat up quickly between Cat and Bastian and their kisses leave "marks" on their bodies - and souls. Unbeknownst to Cat, she has mated with Bastian for life. Bastian soon realizes that by mating with Cat, he has doomed her to his fate.

I adored this book. I loved the way that it was set in the Scottish Highlands, which you immediately think "past-times" - but it is set in the present, so there are different references to pop culture which made it amusing. The characters were werewolves, or dragons, or wizards - but this didn’t read like a fantasy novel. The characters were so human, the emotions so strong, that this is who I would expect to run into in the Scottish Highlands! I was 2/3rds of the way through the book, when I mentioned to Danielle that I hoped it was the beginning of a series. She told me it was actually the third book! It read very well as a stand alone. Now I can’t wait to get my hands on the first two books of this series - Call of the Highland Moon and Dark Highland Fire!

The Long and Short of It Poppy
In this third novel of Kendra Leigh Castle’s "Highland" series, we finally get Bastian’s story! I couldn’t wait to open this book and read it. Even better? She does double duty and gives us some of Lucien’s story, too.

In book two, previous to this one, we got hints of Bastian’s problems and some of his backstory... just enough to whet my appetite. Though this book might stand alone, I’d highly recommend reading at least the second book, but possibly the first as well. Trust me, you won’t be sorry that you did!

The author is one of the most talented I’ve read when it comes to creating intriguing and three-dimensional characters, especially when you consider she’s working with werewolves, dragons, Dyim and more. I loved meeting the three half-werewolf, half-witch MacInnes sisters! They were clearly related, but so utterly different from one another. And, since they were never allowed to discuss their unusual backgrounds, they did a bit of stumbling around to find their way in life.

And Bastian... poor Bastian. He’s been carrying around a curse that has haunted his family and caused their near-total annihilation. He is the last of his father’s kind and is followed through life by a soul-sucking demon who will destroy him after stealing all his joy and will to live. Worse, he can’t allow himself to fall in love, both because he knows his life will be short and filled with sorrow, but also because the demon will hurt his lover, too. Still, it seems he can’t turn away from Catrionna, and there is no question that she feels the same. From the moment they meet the sexual tension is palpable. And so, he must banish the curse.

Unfortunately, the only way to destroy the curse requires something he can only get from a sworn enemy—an enemy he must rescue from the dungeons of other demons.

Throw in a family quarrel from twenty-five years earlier, a sarcastic and wounded dragon, a few annoyed demons, lots of rambunctious werewolves and you have one heck of a cast of characters to compliment this amazing book.

I’ve read all three books of this series, and each one is better than the last. I can’t recommend them highly enough to any fan of paranormal romance. There is nothing standard or typical about them. They are unique, humorous, hot, tension-filled and oh-so well written. Do yourself a favor and grab a set for your keeper shelf. You won’t be sorry you did.

A Romance Review Lakisha
Catriona MacInnes and her sisters, Skye and Poppy, are untrained arukhins (werewolves). Their dad is finally allowing them to explore their roots by taking them to the MacInnes gathering in the highlands of Scotland. Cat and her sisters have always tried to pretend to be normal, which is what their father wanted. However, it is impossible to be normal when your father is a werewolf and your mother is a witch. When she lays eyes on Bastian the Wolf she awakens a passion she has never felt in her life.

Bastian an Morgaine is the descendant of blood drinking sorceresses and powerful ice mages. However, he is guarding a secret that is slowly eating away at his soul. A narial, a soul sucker, is after him and have devoured his father and his ancestors. Anyone that gets close to him is in grave danger and he has been able to distance himself from everyone until he meets Cat.

One night Catriona and Bastian meet and they unknowingly bind themselves to each other for life. This opens the door to daemons, dragons, and past grudges.

Kendra Leigh Castle writes a adventurous, romantic story about two people who find each other under unusual circumstances. This story is both touching and funny. When I was finished, I felt like I had been fed a wonderful meal.

Book Reviews by Bobbie Bobbie Crawford-McCoy
Wild Highland Magic is a very satisfying read. I was a little apprehensive about this book because often times it is very difficult to blend fantasy together with real life and make is convincing; lucky for us, Kendra was able to write this story with seamless ease and it is riveting! This smoothly flowing novel has a few plot twists, though nothing much unexpected. I found it a little difficult to keep all the different tribes/kinds of characters, apart; initially, I had to refer to the helpful descriptions at the front of the book. These vivid, unique worlds that Kendra has created are really something to behold; it’s very difficult to describe how fantastical yet believable these places are and I was intrigued by all of the different aspects of this novel. Each of the characters is well developed. I enjoyed the sizzle between Catrionna (Cat) and Bastian; they give new meaning to love at first sight. The sex scenes are piping hot with sensual aggression and steamy love-play. Poppy (Cat’s youngest sister) and Lucien are a wonderful contrast to the type of relationship that Cat and Bastian have; they are both sarcastic and somewhat unwilling in love. I didn’t want this story to end and when I reached the final page, I still wanted to read more about these amazing characters…I’m looking forward to many more books in the series, I hope!
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel from beginning to end and I highly recommend it!

????????? (9 out of 10 Diamonds) - Loved it!

The Burton Review Marie Burton
“Wild Highland Magic" is actually the third book by Kendra Leigh Castle along these same lines of sexy shifters of werewolves and sorceresses. I see your raised eyebrows. Keep reading. I myself do not typically (have not ever) read paranormal romances. But I have broadened my horizons and I am glad I did. Featuring your predictable love story it is told with a unique setting and circumstances, obviously unlike anything I’ve ever read before. Instead of getting turned off by the fantasy worlds I was quite absorbed. First off let me explain that there is no gore, bloody stuff which some may think of when they hear of ’paranormal’. There is nothing here to be afraid of.

This novel is focused on the romance that immediately occurs between Catriona, a woman who has the ability to shape into a werewolf, and Bastian, who is a sexy mysterious powerful mix of man and magician. He can jump worlds. (I just wanted to see myself write that phrase with all seriousness.) Oh and he can make water move. But Sexy Bastian is lugging around the Family Curse, aka a vicious shadow who swears to eat him up and whoever loves him as it has done to generations before him. Catriona’s family of werewolves get involved in trying to save Bastian and Catriona from dragons and evil shadows with a fight to the death. Their attraction is extreme and that’s where some of the ’bodice-ripper’ stereotypical scenes come in, and it gets hot and heavy a few times. Mini sub-plots occur with Cat’s family members with love affairs and secrets, and the actual magic itself which were all entertaining. The main characters are appealing and the dialogue is modern and witty. I enjoyed the paranormal factors more then I expected I would, some of the magic described was wonderful to imagine. One drawback is the non-development of the character of Cat’s father. I kept expecting more to be said about him with insight into his secrets and personal life. And although this is set in Scotland, there isn’t a lot of "Scottish" characterizations except for kilts at a gathering... and then the other settings are indeed out of this world.

After getting halfway through the book is when I realized that were two books before that focused on some of the same characters, but knowing that did not detract from the current plot. I will just have to go hunting for those other two. On Kendra’s site there is a summary of the books and how they relate to one another. This is a great summer read, this came out May 1 in paperback for a great price, so you really can’t go wrong. I know some readers will balk at the phrase paranormal romance, as I have done myself, but I recommend this one for anyone who wants to let go of the typical romance and go for a ride on the other side where demons and love at first sight mixes into an uncommonly great story. I definitely believe that Paranormal Romance Readers will love it. Overall a good ride, and I enjoyed it.


Kendra Castle’s books: ’Call of The Highland Moon’ released 5/2008, and ’Dark Highland Fire’ released 10/2008, and the new one releases May 1st available here on Amazon.

Ramsey’s Book Reviews Amy Ramsey
Born as the only male in a tribe of blood-drinking sorceresses, known as the Dyadd, Bastian’s life has never been easy. Unfortunately, when he encounters his father for the first and last time, Bastian discovers how problematic and challenging his life will soon become. His father, Adryn, is an Athin; they are known for being powerful ice mages and for their abilities to bend time and space to their will. Adryn informed Bastian that, as his only heir and the last of their kind, he has came to pass on their legacy, but along with it comes their curse, bestowed upon their kind by a vengeful, blood thirsty Daemon King, Cadmus. The curse is known as the narial, a soul-eating shadow creature that hates and destroys everything that is beautiful and pure, slowly devouring the soul of its victims, ultimately resulting in their death.

Since obtaining this horrifying curse, Bastian has learned to guard his emotions, but in doing so has alienated himself from his family, friends and potential relationships. His main objective is to seek a way of breaking his curse or destroy the narial before it has a chance to destroy him. Bastian’s quest leads him to Lucien Andrakkar, a feisty, stubborn and sarcastic dragon shifter. And of course, with Bastian’s kind of luck, Lucien is being held captive by the Daemon. Daemons are known for being flesh-eating sorcerers that cannot tolerate sunlight; they specialize in curses and are keen on torturing their enemies to death. Lucien is hidden deep within the lair of the Blighted Kingdom and has, thus far, suffered a year of torture. Bastian is capable of realm hopping, traveling to other worlds in the blink of an eye and was able to rescue Lucien from the depths of his prison. Bastian needs Lucien’s blood in order to gain strength to defeat the narial, but it has to be freely given and Lucien’s fragile and broken body needs to be healed before doing so.

No matter what choices Bastian makes, it seems to lead him further into disaster. Not only is he dealing with a grouchy, pompous and arrogant dragon on the edge of death, but he chose to hide Lucien amongst his enemies, known as the Arukhin, a pack of shape-shifting were-wolves. When Duncan, the pack’s Alpha, introduced Bastian to his niece, Catriona, his predicament went from bad to worse. The extremely intense and hypnotic, sexual connection Bastian and Cat experience will ultimately bind them together as true mates for life. Bastian’s strength is rapidly decreasing, while the narial is lurking in the shadows waiting for the opportunity to fulfill the curse by feeding from Bastian’s happiness, devouring his soul in the process. Bastian has to find a way to save himself and his true mate, but will he be able to persuade a stubborn old dragon into offering him his blood? And will it be the cure that is needed to finally end four generations of his families curse?

Wild Highland Magic is a well written, intoxicating read. I was completely engrossed within the pages of the story and was impressed by the depth of description and sense of emotions, vividly expressed by the author. Mrs. Kendra Leigh Castle has created a remarkable, fascinating and enjoyable story that any reader will gain a sense of satisfaction from reading. I definitely recommend this book.

The Midwest Book Review
The Athins were once a powerful clan ruling the Northern Plains. They fell into ruin when Cadmus ruler of the Daemons of the Blighted kingdom visited their High Mage to unite their tribes. To anchor an agreement, Cadmus demanded the High Mage to unite their tribes. To anchor an agreement, Cadmus demanded the High Mage give him his sister, but the Athins’ leader refused. Cadmus placed a curse on the Ice Mage males. They are a dying group down to their last male wizard Bastian an Morgaine, who hides away amongst the MacInees shapeshifting pack in Scotland.

Twenty-five years ago a dispute between brothers led to one taking his family across the ocean. Now he wants to reconcile so his daughter Catrionna MacInnes can learn to be a werewolf amidst family. When Cat and Bastian see each other for the first time they are attracted to each other. She recognizes him as her lifemate; he fears his feeling for her as he believes Cadmus’ curse will activate as it did leading to his dad’s lament of regretting love and eventually his death.

This is a fast-paced romantic fantasy that sub-genre fans will appreciate. Although a cast of zillions with several major subplots like the feuding brothers add complexity to the tale, the story line belongs to Cat and Bastian who will have readers humming the Flack version of The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face. WILD HIGHLAND MAGIC is a tremendous romantic fantasy that will send new fans seeking Kendra Leigh Castle’s previous Highland stories (see CALL OD THE HIGHLAND MOON and DARK HIGHLAND FIRE; neither read by me).

Harriet Klausner
Senior Reviewer

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Trade Paper Specfications

• Length: 6.88 in
• Width: 4.19 in
• Height: 0.00 in
• Weight: 6.00 oz
• Page Count: 384 pages