#BookReview: A Highlander's Obsession by Vonnie Davis - 4.5 Wine Glasses

Title: A Highlander's Obsession 
Series: Highlander's Beloved #1
Author: Vonnie Davis 
Format: ebook, 302 pages
Published: Published August 19th 2014 by Loveswept 
ISBN: 0804179301 
Links: Goodreads |Kindle | B&N | ARe
Source: NetGalley
Reviewer: Linda
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Wine Glasses

Two wandering souls discover that true love needs no words in this explosive, fantastical novel from Vonnie Davis.

Somehow able to telepathically communicate with animals, Paisley Munro has found meaning in her so-called gifts by working as a veterinary assistant. But while traveling to Scotland for a relative’s funeral, Paisley fears that she really has lost her mind. Out in the highlands, she hears distinctly human thoughts coming from a wild bear. Terrified and desperate, she returns to the lodge and collapses in the powerful arms of its owner, a mysterious man with whom she shares a simmering attraction.

Creighton Matheson and his fellow shape-shifters have been roaming this land freely for centuries. Now Paisley may inherit his home, putting his kind in grave danger. His mistrust only deepens when he realizes she can read his mind. Yet he cannot deny that this tantalizing woman makes him burn with desire—and hunger for the prospect of a tender love. Now Creighton must decide which would hurt more: revealing the truth or losing Paisley forever.

Thoughts:
"Being a bear brings us more freedom." He tilted his glass and swallowed its contents.  "Sometimes I'd sooner stay a bear."

A HIGHLANDER'S OBSESSION by Vonnie Davis is the first book in her new Highlander's Beloved series.  It features hunky Highlanders who just happen to also be bear shifters and sports quirky humor galore with oodles of sweet and hot romance!   Sprinkle a bit of magic over the mix and the result is a wonderfully entertaining debut for this new series!   A HIGHLANDER'S OBSESSION is the story of American Paisley Munro and Scottish Laird Creighton Matheson.  The characters truly shined!

This tale begins as Paisley and her grandmother, Effie,  are traveling to the Scottish Highlands to attend a relative's funeral.  Paisley is a veterinary assistant and an animal communicator.  (I wish I could do that!  Just imagine!)  Paisley is a private person and prefers to keep her gift out of the limelight whereas her fiance/veterinarian/boss sees money bags associated with it.  He'd like to exploit her gift for personal gain.  As their small party travels to the castle from the airport, Paisley hears human voices and thinks she's finally going mad.   Little did she know that the humans are bears.  

Creighton has his hands full as Paisley and Effie arrive.  Effie’s inheritance of the old castle and lands will impact his people as they are used to the freedom to wander and shift at will in the remote area.  In addition, they've been finding their livestock sacrificed and need to find the culprits.  Add in a castle full of guests and a dang curse on his head and he doesn't need his bear focused on Paisley. 

Paisley's and Creighton's romance made for a fireworks show as both fought their attraction tooth and nail.  Paisley had a fiancé already.  Even so, Paisley described Creighton as "pure sex in bare feet."  He was an alpha male through and through.  She didn't know it, but she was a goner from the get go.  Paisley, herself, was independent and stubborn.  She truly cared for the animals and loved her grandmother who had raised her.  They were both realistic and likable characters.  I loved the bear shifter angle.  

Effie is was a secondary character but she was the life of the party.  As soon as Effie and Paisley arrive in Scotland, Effie declares:  "Before we leave this country, I'm finding out what they wear under those kilts, even if I have to hike one up and take a gander myself."   Effie obviously had a witty way with words evidenced further by learning that she was "as strong as stink on a pig" to stating that someone was "eager as a bee in a florist's window."   Her hair was pink and she wore colors to compliment it.  And pelican baffies, i.e., slippers, too!  She was a riot and I hope she returns prominently in future installments!  

Following please find a few of my very favorite quotes from the book:  

The bear in him roared.  Take!  He backed her against the wall, his arms caging her there.  "Is that so, lassie?"  Chest to chest, thigh to thigh, his gaze bore into her shocked eyes.  "Aye, ye'd do well to be afraid of me, for I want ye naked beneath me like I've never wanted another woman before."
---
His head tilted to the side and humor twinkled in his dark eyes.  "Turn yer back."
'Are you shy?  What's wrong, big guy?  Afraid to show me your Scottish bagpipe?  Are ye built like a moose and hung like a mouse?"
---
He splayed his fingers in her hair and stared at her for a few moments.  "I'm giving in to the need to do what I wanted the minute I saw ye exit the Land Rover with the Scottish gales blowing about yer golden hair."
"What?"
"I'm going to kiss ye."
---
"If ye place yer hand in mine, ye're saying yes to all I plan to do to ye" - he jerked his chin to the Oriental rug ---" here on the floor in front of the hearth.  I will love ye like no man in yer past ever has and like no man in yer future would ever dare to try.  For ye are mine, beloved, and from this moment until our last, a part of us will belong to the other."
---
"What is about to happen between us will be two people making love."  A kiss on the side of her neck sent an arrow of hot desire to her core.  "Few both of us, 'twill be a first."
"I... I'm no virgin, Creigh."
He puffed a burst of laughter.  "Hell, neither am I.  Far from it.  Knowing the mechanics will heighten our pleasure, but it's the love, leannan, that will bind us."

One of my favorite scenes took place at a dinner at which a private telepathic exchange between Creigh and Paisley was also heard by some others who could not hide their mirth.  I could not stop laughing along with them.   It was an uttlerly hilarious scene!  I also thoroughly enjoyed the scenes where Creigh exhibited his sense of humor when he referred to his equipment as " Big Barney and the twins" and when he said he had a " great Highland woodie."  LOL!  I want to mention one final heartwarming scene.  Creighton and Paisley were slated to attend a dance and Creighton gifted Paisley with a brooch accompanied by this note:  “In early cultures, it was thought pearls were born when a single raindrop fell from the heavens and became the heart of the oyster. For me, ye have become the pearl, the beat of me heart. The sapphires and emeralds signify me tartan and how I will always surround ye with love, Creigh.”   Excuse me while my heart melts.   :-)

The author's writing is top notch.   Her word building and characters development are first rate.  The bantering between the characters is priceless and wonderfully entertaining.   I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Highland or paranormal romances.  If you are looking for a book with lots of laughs (LOTS!), smokin' hot chemistry and a happily ever after that will leave your face sore from smiling, then look no further than A HIGHLANDER'S OBSESSION!