Kiss of Skye (Skye Druids #8)

Donna Grant

Blurb:

He’s a secret wrapped in sin—power in every step, temptation in every breath.

He moves through danger like it belongs to him. I should be afraid.

Instead, I ache.

Everything around us is a threat, but the moment he touches me, the fear disappears.

His mouth is a promise. His body a weapon.

And I don’t know which one will break me first.

I tell myself this is survival—that the heat between us is just adrenaline, a temporary madness.

But when he looks at me like I’m the only thing that matters, the truth cuts deep. This isn’t madness.

It’s obsession.

Need.

And it’s already too late to stop.

He’s my temptation.

The mistake I’ll make again and again.

Themes: Paranormal, Druids, Magick

Rating: 4.5 stars

Heat Rating:

Review:

We are finally going to get the story behind Mason’s defection and learn if he truly turned against Ferne and Carlyle or if something much deeper has been going on all along. The Druids of Skye have been fighting enemies around every corner, but the closer they get to their final battle and the deeper into their troubles, the more we learn about plans that have been laid for decades in some cases. The majesty of Donna Grant’s ingenuity and the way she pulls us into each storyline, grabbing our hearts and minds, but even more our imaginations never ceases to amaze me. I knew that I was going to love this story, but getting to experience it, falling into danger, action, and fear as Mason and Rowen fought their way through to Skye and then worked with the others to solve the mysteries coming at them was fascinating. If you are looking for a straightforward romance with two people finding one another and getting their HEA after a simple meet-cute, look elsewhere, but if you want a gritty story filled with magic, danger, tangible passion, and palpable conflicts then you’ll love this latest addition to the Skye Druids series by Donna Grant.

Mason Crawford has spent years, estranged from the only family he still has, hunting the truth behind the death of his parents, and now that he is finally close to the truth he finds out that his enemy knows too much and he can no longer run. Rowen Thornevale has traveled to London, from the Salish Druids, at the request of her leader to find out if they should align themselves with London and the truth behind recent rumors spreading throughout the Druid communities. She is immediately suspicious and unnerved with the London Druids and decides to slip out early, only to come across a Druid slipping out a hidden door and covered in blood. She knows she probably shouldn’t get involved, but if he’s trying to escape these distressing Druids—covered in blood no less—then she can’t leave him to his death. Rowen soon finds herself embroiled in a battle and escaping with Mason to the Isle of Skye only to become even deeper in the battle. Mason and the Skye Druids have their work cut out for them with all the enemies on their doorstep, but the more she comes to know them the more she comes to care for them, something she swore she’d never let herself do.

Mason has been a villain for a long time, pushing his sister and the brother of his heart away, but protecting Ferne and Carlyle meant more to him than keeping them happy with him. Now that his investigation into the London Druids is over, in fantastic fashion, with an attack that almost left him dead, there is no more reason to be away from them, so he is ready to go to them on Skye. He never imagined that he would need the help of a sexy American Druid to get them both there safely though and while he doesn’t fully trust her right away, the more she cares for him and proves to him that her heart is pure, there is no denying that he wants her. Mason must give up his investigation into the London Druids, but when he joins those on Skye, he knows that the battles will only be fiercer but fighting for what is right and those he loves are ingrained in him. Rowen knew the moment she arrived in London that something wasn’t right, but seeing a man fleeing the Druid meeting house, covered in blood, and close to death told her a lot about the people she was dealing with. Keeping Mason alive and getting them out of the hands of the London faction was difficult enough, but when they arrive on Skye and things become even stranger with voices in her head, mysterious witches approaching her, and finally a centuries old secret coming to light. Rowen doesn’t believe in love, because everybody leaves, but the more she comes to care for Mason and his friends the harder it is to deny that she is falling for him and wants to be with him. Her fears are pushing her to leave the Isle, but she knows if she does that, she will lose everything she has ever wanted for herself, so can she overcome those doubts to reach for the one thing she needs to be happy or will she forever lose that piece of herself?

I loved every minute of this story, even if there was less action than previous stories, mostly because we got to see more time where Rowen and Mason were together, learning about one another and getting to build their friendship. Often in a story as complex and interwoven as this series, we miss out on that character and relationship growth, so I was thrilled to get that in Kiss of Skye. Rowen is just the type of woman that you love to see find her power and her ability to trust in love as she learns not only about Mason and the Skye Druids, but her own past and future. Only when they both come to accept that their fears can be easily overcome with the right person at their side, do they begin to open their hearts, and accept that love is right in front of them. The passion between Rowen and Mason was evident from the moment their eyes connected, even when Mason was close to death, and the trust that lead to their love was beautiful as well. I am looking forward to seeing these two kicking butt together and with the rest of the team in coming stories, but the closer we get to the end of this series the more I wonder just how much more complicated the story can get without my losing the threads of everything, because honestly there is so much going on half the time I lose track. The love and connection between Mason and Rowen make this story unforgettable, but the truth of the matter is that a Skye Druids novel is never to be missed and if you’ve missed one already, I suggest you go back to the beginning and get started on this amazing series ASAP.

*eARC provided by author for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review. No compensation was provided.