Highland Burn Guardians of Scotland
Paranormal Romance
Victoria Zak
July 19, 2014
ebook and print
222
Will Love’s Flame Quench the Dragon’s Fire? ...
The past never stays in the past, it rears its ugly head eventually. James the Black Douglas knows this all too well. With a past that has left him vengeful and his dragon blood thirsty, his reputation as a ruthless warrior haunts his enemies in their sleep. As his allegiance stands with Robert Bruce, the King of Scotland, he must now repay a debt to the king and agrees to marry his daughter, Abigale Bruce. The problem is he doesn’t want a wife. When flames start to burn out of control between him and the auburn-haired lass, he must decide to either kindle the flames of passion or shelter her from the truth and set her free.
It’s What Shines in the Dark That Brings Forth Your True Light...
Determined to keep his daughter safe and out of the hands of the English, Robert hides Abigale behind the safe walls of a nunnery. After eight long years of living her life in seclusion, Abigale is finally set free. But her new found freedom comes to an abrupt halt when she learns of her betrothal to the infamous Bogeyman – James the Black Douglas. She soon finds herself falling in love with the uncontainable and haunted man. Is her love enough to soften his hardened heart?
Reviewed by: Linda Tonis
Member of the Paranormal Romance Review Team
Princess Abigail Bruce was placed in a nunnery for her safety at the age of ten. It is now eight years later and her father has brought her home to advise her she is to be married. This marriage is also his attempt to keep her safe, because she is to be married to The Black Douglas, The Bogeyman, a man whose reputation is one of brutality.
James Douglas is feared by men and women alike. He earned his reputation on the battlefield. He is one of the seven Guardians of Scotland and is Dragonkine, meaning he is a dragon shifter. He has given his word he will marry the king’s daughter, in spite of the fact that marriage is something he never wanted. He is extremely loyal to the king who was responsible for saving him, his younger brother, and their mother when their kingdom was destroyed by the English. Years later, he sought revenge and won back what was his. Of course the king made his request to marry his daughter a little richer when he granted James land.
When Abigail finds out who she is to marry, she cannot believe her father would do that to her. However, when she see her groom at their wedding ceremony, she can’t help but feel an attraction for the strong, handsome man. What she doesn’t know is that James is only half human the other half is a dragon. He has no doubt that when Abigail finds out, she will run screaming. She is human and he can’t allow himself to consummate their marriage, he knows there is no future. He is immortal. Even though she would be immortal once they’re bonded, he knows she will never be able to accept who and what he really is.
The affection between the two grows stronger and keeping away from each other becomes harder and harder. Once Dragonkine and Scotland had two kings and everything went well for them until the Scot king’s son fell in love with the Dragonkine’s daughter. This brought about the destruction of all but seven Kines’ whom the Scots had every intention of using in battle. Seven Guardians, and when one dies another is made to take his place. Dragons have the ability to unleash hell on Earth, and the only thing that can control them is their women. James always feels a calmness when he is around Abigail. Will he reveal who he is? Will she accept him? Can they make a life for themselves?
This is a wonderful book filled with romance, Scottish history, dragons, and betrayal. One of the inner circle is a traitor, but who is it? I read the reviews on this book and found some of them very disheartening. One of the reviewers blamed the other reviewers for giving five stars and lying. He claimed he bought the book based on their high reviews. Every reviewer has a right to their own opinion and should not be ridiculed for it. Other reviewers disliked the story for one reason or another. I can absolutely state their reasons were wrong because what they were upset about didn’t happen. I loved the book, there is no cliffhanger, and I definitely love strong, handsome men who shift into dragons. What’s not to like?
**Winner: 3rd Place Best Shifters Paranormal Romance Novel – 2015 PRG Reviewer’s Choice Awards**
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