Charming a Cursed Highlander (Highland Shifter 2) by Vonda Sinclair-review & excerpt
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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 14, 2024
The myth and magic of the Scottish Highlands comes to life in this fun, historical, fantasy, paranormal romance.
A Determined Lass…
Since Catriona MacCain was a young girl, she has been in love with Torr MacElrath, but he doesn’t seem to realize she exists. His recently acquired curse of shapeshifting into a kelpie, or water horse, at night doesn’t deter her. Brodie, her older brother and the MacCain chief, is also entangled in the curse. He has abandoned the clan, and in his absence, their mother negotiates a marriage alliance for Cat with the cruel Chief MacPeter in exchange for his protection. After rejecting the atrocious marriage plans and learning what will destroy the curse, Cat runs away to find Torr and gain his help.
A Cursed Highlander…
Torr, trapped by the curse, hates his dark and lonely existence. With her ginger hair and sunny enthusiasm, Cat bursts into his life like a fiery explosion. He remembers her as a wee lass and can hardly believe the beautiful, tempting young woman Cat has grown into at age twenty. He wants to help her escape marriage to a vicious beast, but how will he resist her, especially when she’s determined to captivate him and shatter his curse? Falling for her would surely destroy his friendship with Brodie and bring destruction upon their clans.
The previous year…
Lady Wilona MacRae has been honing her malicious witchery skills for years. When three friends—Gavin MacTavish, Torr MacElrath, and Brodie MacCain fight in a battle in which her son is killed, she accuses them of murder and condemns them to live under a curse for the rest of their lives. Against their will, they transform into beasts daily.
Gavin’s story: Dreaming of a Devilish Highlander
Torr’s story: Charming a Cursed Highlander
Brodie’s story: (coming soon)
A magical, opposites attract, grumpy-sunshine fairytale romance novel with shifters, a witch, a sorcerer, Scottish legends, steaminess, adventure, madness, and mayhem.
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REVIEW:Torr and Catriona work hard to achieve their HEA, but things don’t go according to plan….
This is the second book in the trilogy. It’s not really necessary to read book one. It gives you a little background on the curse, but you get just as much info in here, so it’s really your choice. I read (and loved book one) and I’m looking forward to book three.
Torr is best friends with Brodie and Gavin. They’ve been friends and allies for years. Being cursed because of a mothers broken heart isn’t how the three friends thought their lives would turn out….
Gavin was cursed to live his life a Hawk (first book in the series) His two friends have different curses, Torr turns into a kelpie (water horse) so having a relationship isn’t in his future, slowly turning him into a grumpy and angry character.
Catriona has loved Torr for years, but has convinced herself that he never really saw her other than the annoying little sister of his best friend.
After her brother was cursed and abandoned his clan, his mother decided to marry off Catriona to protect the clan. But she has no wish to marry the vile MacPeter. So Cat needs to find and break their chiefs curse.
I have to admit I would have like to have seen more action between Cat and MacPeter, we only really got snippets! ?
Lady Wilona doesn’t see the curses as being enough. They killed her son, revenge will be served…..
I liked the fact we got to see the villains points of view and thoughts.
It’s a fast paced read with lots of humour. A feisty female that drags Torr back to life. But can they really break the curse? Or will Torr return to the water and never know love again?
A highly recommended read. ??
Click HERE for Julie’s review of book one DREAMING OF A DEVILISH HIGHLANDER
Copy supplied for review
Reviewed by Julie B ?
She had not told Hamish their true names lest he tattle if her clansmen came searching. At the moment, no one would guess she was a lady, thanks to the cow dung aroma from the byre that clung to her old clothing and her grimy face.
Despite the chill breeze, she could not help but admire the stark white full moon and the millions of stars that twinkled in the midnight blue sky. She focused on the splash of the oars leaving the water and plunging in again. She prayed no giant loch monsters lurked beneath, waiting to rise up and devour them. She forced herself to take a deep breath of air scented with fish and peat bog.
Aggie gripped her hand and scooted closer. Despite her maid’s physical toughness, it seemed she was losing courage on the water and in these strange surroundings. She had never traveled far from home before.
“‘Tis all right, Aggie,” she whispered, squeezing her hand. “We shall be there forthwith.”
Hamish huffed as his robust arms pumped the oars. She’d told him she wanted to arrive quickly. And, of course, he wanted to hurry home and eat his supper.
When they arrived an hour later, Hamish jumped into the shallows and tugged the boat toward the bank. He held a hand up and helped her alight. Icy-cold water splashed onto her shins and filled her shoes.
She released a short scream. “Blast! I hate getting wet.”
“Pray pardon. ‘Twas as close as I could get.”
“Grrr.” Catriona dug into her pocket for the number of coins they’d agreed upon and pressed them into his palm.
“Many thanks.”
While he helped Aggie off, Catriona lifted the bottom edge of her skirt and squished onto dry land. She convulsed into shivers.
“Hurry, Aggie. My feet are like blocks of ice now. And we need to reach Castle Dubhuisge before it gets much darker.”
Aggie grabbed her arm, stopping her. “What’s that?” she whispered.
Catriona followed her gaze to a large white horse standing in the moonlight at the wood’s edge.
Hamish cried out a prayer and paddled away quickly. Why had he done that?
The horse snorted, then pranced before them, showing off his long mane.
“Oh, he’s magnificent,” Catriona breathed.
“Lass,” Aggie whispered, her eyes as big as the moon overhead. “Is that a kelpie?”
“Nay! ‘Tis but a beautiful horse. Someone’s prized stallion who’s escaped his stall. ‘Haps he belongs to Laird MacElrath.”
“And what do you think kelpies appear as? Bonny white horses. Look, his eyes glow evil green. ‘Tis a kelpie, I vow. Come! He will eat you alive.”
Aggie dragged Catriona away from the loch shore and toward a path. They ran a short distance.
“Are kelpies real?” Catriona paused and glanced back at the white horse that now calmly nibbled grass in the distance.
“Aye.” Aggie caught her breath as they continued to walk. “Selkies are real. So why would kelpies be only a legend?”
“But selkies are nay a threat to people.”
“‘Tis how they differ. A kelpie will lure you onto his back with his beauty and friendliness, then he’ll dive into the loch and eat you! Does nay matter to him if you’re alive or drowned when he has his meal.”
Catriona scowled at the images Aggie’s words conjured. “But horses neither eat meat nor live in lochs.”
“He’s nay a horse, lass; he only looks like one! You cannot apply reason to the world of magic.”
A stick snapped behind them. Catriona jerked around. The white horse stood close, watching them, his sleek coat glowing in the moonlight. His head held high, he sniffed the air and switched his tail. His breath fogged the chill night air.
“He’s following us,” Catriona whispered, now a bit uneasy because she hadn’t heard him approach.
“Run!” Aggie grasped her sleeve and took off.
Catriona had no choice but to sprint alongside Aggie if she wanted to keep her sleeve. “We cannot outdistance a horse!”
“If ’twas only a horse, I would nay be running.” Aggie huffed.
