#Review: A Highlander's Passion: A Highlander's Beloved Novel by Vonnie Davis - 4.5 Wine Glasses

Title: A Highlander's Passion 
Series: Highlander's Beloved #2
Author: Vonnie Davis 
Format: Kindle Edition
Published: April 7th 2015 by Loveswept
ASINB:00N6PD78S
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N
Reviewer: Linda
Source: Netgalley
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Wine Glasses

As a bear-shifter in a pack roaming the Scottish countryside, Bryce Matheson embodies brute force and untamed abandon. As a widower, he's running scared. When Bryce attempted to open his scarred heart to another, she grew tired of waiting for him to state his intentions, and the unearthly beauty spurned him for someone who wasn't worthy. But now that fate has conspired to set Kenzie Denune free once again, Bryce vows to finally win her love.

Kenzie is a witch who summons her powers to protect those too weak to care for themselves. After surviving an abusive husband, she swears off men—even men like Bryce, whose iron muscles make her knees weak, and whose piercing eyes fill her with longing. Her life's purpose is to help others. However, dark forces have different plans for her gifts. To save herself, Kenzie must team up with the shifter who has always stirred her soul—and trust in a passion powerful enough to set her blood aflame. 

Linda's Thoughts:

Kenzie Denune pedaled the bicycle harder, her thighs burning from the exertion. Thanks to a car that refused to start, she was going to be late for her job interview at Iverson Loch Manor. Grunting and pounding from the shrubs ahead, near the road's edge, snagged her attention.

Naked shoulders glistened in the afternoon sun. Back muscles bulged and undulated with every thrust. “Bloody hell. Come fer me. Come.”

In all of Mathe Bay in the Scottish Highlands, only one deep masculine voice had the power to raise the hair on her arms like this. A man with braided russet-colored hair that brushed broad shoulders inked with a bear's claw marks, woven into an intricate tribal design - Bryce Matheson.

Damn him to hell. Who's he shagging in broad daylight? Out in the open, no less. Has he no shame? ...

“I canna keep pounding at ye like this all bloody day. Me back is about to give out.” 
Bryce moaned and groaned again, obviously in the throes of ecstasy. The bear-shifting bastard. She eased up on the brakes to whiz past his love nest of bushes and brambles.
“I'll not give up until I get ye wild cherry. Let me push both me thumbs and most of me fingers in here and....."

My God, what's he doing to her?

Kenzie couldna resist one fleeting glance over her shoulder. 
Her front wheel plunged into a pothole and the bike pitched... as she toppled across the grit. The force of the impact, combined with the slant of the narrow road, caused her to roll toward Bryce and his current conquest. No! No, God, no!

A HIGHLANDER'S PASSION by Vonnie Davis is the second book in the author's Highlander's Beloved series and just as entertaining a read as the first! Even though there are interconnected characters, A HIGHLANDER'S PASSION can be easily enjoyed as a standalone. Just a warning, though... once you read this one, you will want to go back and read the first, A HIGHLANDER'S OBSESSION! It introduced the clan's characters and was a fabulous beginning to the series. Be sure to see my review of it! This time, in addition to the awesome clan of bear-shifters, the author has added in some magic with witches and devilish dark forces. It's a delightful combination!

This is the story of Bryce Matheson and Kenzie Denune.  I loved them both! Bryce is the youngest of the three Matheson brothers. He and Kenzie were an item a while ago, but Bryce had commitment issues and broke it off, breaking Kenzie's heart. He's regretted his actions ever since as he really loved Kenzie. Bryce comes with some baggage including an adorable, rambunctious daughter, Colleen, who just happens to be a wily matchmaker too. One of my favorite scenes featured Colleen as she orchestrated a princely proposal; He had to be dressed in satin breeches and buckled heels and he had to be on his knee on a pillow. LOL! In case you can't tell, Colleen is a huge fan of fairy tales. She's also quite the purveyor of knock-knock jokes and an eagle-eyed maid! Wait until you read about what she finds hidden under Ronan's bed! But, I digress. Back to Bryce: He's handsome with broad shoulders marked with a bear's claw, sweet, kind, and handy to have around. 

Kenzie Denune has been dealt some life blows. When Bryce dumped her, she was quickly courted and married another. Stating that her husband was a cad is a huge understatement. She's had it with men. Her heart has been broken too many times. Kenzie is a survivor, spirited and wonderfully witchy - but she doesn't know that part yet. Her Wiccan purpose is to protect those unable to care for themselves.  She is nicknamed "Sparrow." I had to fan myself when Bryce explained to Kenzie how awesome a sparrow is. This is just part of his dialogue: "Havna ye heard how the ancient Greeks associated sparrows with Aphrodite, the goddess of love?"... "Och, 'tis no story. 'Tis the truth I give: When sparrows mated, it was due to their abandoned nature." His head inclined so he could whisper a kiss to her neck, sending shivers from her shoulders to the soles of her feet. "Even Chaucer and Shakespeare wrote about the sparrow's lustful conduct." A word to the wise: Make sure you place a powerful fan nearby while reading this tale, as you'll need to circulate some serious air to dissipate the heat.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention Effie. She's awesome and I'm so glad she's b-a-c-k complete with her pink hair and pink baffies! She's a laugh-a-minute scene-stealer, horny as ever and has a momentous revelation in this installment. I fervently hope that she finds her own well-hung Highlander before this series plays out. She's not been shy about expressing what she wants. In her own words: "While we're out shopping this afternoon, maybe we can find a Scottish man for me." Effie waggled her eyebrows. "I know just the size I want."

Following please find a few more of my favorite quotes:

"Tell me about Bryce, Sparrow." Effie bit into a cookie and aimed blue eyes her way.
She shrugged.
"What's to tell? He's the youngest of the Matheson brothers, but then maybe ye ken that since yer granddaughter is married to the eldest."
"No. Tell me about your relationship with him and how you ended up with his muddy hand prints on your boobs. I'm betting that story is a barn burner."
---
"Och, my potion is boiling. I need to say good night and keep an eye on the pot. Ye canna overboil newt's eyeballs."
---
"I intend to make love to you. Fast and furious the first time. Slow and sensual the second." He smiled against her neck. "Gentleman that I am, I'll let ye decide on how ye want the third."

Vonnie's A Highlander's Beloved series is incredibly original and well-written. Each book has lots of laughs (LOTS!), passion galore, and a happy ever after that will leave you deliciously entranced. If you crave sensational sexy mayhem in the Highlands with hunky Scottish bear-shifters, you've found it! Rush to whatever bookstore you use, buy A HIGHLANDER'S PASSION and let Vonnie transport you to her Highlands! 

Ronan is the middle brother and his story is next! He's sworn that no female can capture his heart! I can't wait to have him proven wrong! Watch for BEARING IT ALL, a Highlander's Beloved Novel, scheduled to be released by Loveswept in late October 2015.

Suggested Reading Order:
A Highlander's Obsession (Highlander's Beloved, #1)  REVIEW | AMAZON
A Highlander's Passion (Highlander's Beloved, #2)