ARC Review…Bound by Wish and Mistletoe by Kat Bastion

Book links:

amazon ~  Barnes & Noble  ~  Goodreads

Synopsis:

The holiday novella, Book 1.5, following the award-winning debut of Forged in Dreams and Magick in the Highland Legends Series:

Desperate to honor a life-long promise, Susanna MacEalan escapes her abusive clan with the fierce determination of never falling under the power of a man. Ever.

Aggravated by shallow-hearted pursuing lasses, Robert Brodie, commander of his clan’s elite guard, has foresworn scheming women. Forever.

When magick transforms Brodie Castle into a Christmas wonderland, the two despondent souls find solace in a most unexpected place . . . each other’s arms.

Amid a whirlwind of escalating events, Susanna’s traumatic past threatens Robert’s ability to protect the one woman meant for him. In a harrowing moment, as her fears and demons coalesce, will hope, faith, and love be enough to save them?

My review:

Bound by Wish and Mistletoe by Kat Bastion follows the fabulous Forged in Dreams and Magick.  I was drawn back into Kat’s gorgeous Highland world from the very first pages and was so happy with this novella and being able to have another taste of the Brodie Clan.

Susanna MacEalan is in the midst of a desperate escape from her horrid clan and her father.  She refuses to live another minute with the barbaric and ignorant people she is supposed to call a family.  The last thing she expects to run into is a group of men in the woods along her escape route.  Now she finds herself at their mercy and in need of their help if she stands any chance of getting away for good.  Will she be able to trust a man?  It’s men that have caused her to run in the first place.  Without many options, she will have to swallow her pride and fears and trust this Highlander, whether she likes it or not.

On a ridiculous mission for something called a Christmas tree, Robert Brodie is annoyed, cold and tired…but not just for having to traipse through the winter woods looking for a tree.  He’s also annoyed with women and has officially sworn them off for good.  Now, with the tree procured, and his task just about complete, he is caught by surprise by the young and beautiful lass waving her dagger at him after stumbling upon him and his men in the woods.  He realizes she’s in need of help and he’s realizes he would do anything to keep her safe.  Struck by a sudden wave of emotions, he also realizes there is no way he’s going to let this woman go.  She may not know it yet, but fate has sent her to him.

The fates and magick, it seems, have brought Susanna and Robert together for many reasons.  The most important reason is simply that they were made for each other.  The attraction and intense emotion they share for one another is a gift, and one they both will treasure.

I wrote earlier that I was so happy to be back in Kat’s gorgeous Highland world.  I adore Kat’s writing and this novella is a prefect addition to the Highland Legends Series.  Susanna broke my heart.  The poor girl has been through so much at the hands of the very people who are supposed to love and care for her.  Reading her stories of the abuse she and her mother endured was so very sad.  I admired her tenacity and resolve in deciding to leave her old life behind in search of happiness and freedom.  She sure is a spitfire!  Robert is amazing.  He’s a warrior though and through with a huge heart and soft side that had me swooning.  He knows he has to work really damn hard to win Susanna over and he’s up for the challenge.  Oh, how I loved his drive to win Susanna.  Together, they are a beautiful match and make a fantastic couple.

I also loved seeing our favorite characters form Forged in Dreams and Magick.  We get to see a bit of what the Clan Brodie has been up to and get a glimpse of what’s to come for them.  Oh, I can’t wait!

Thank you, Kat, for another beautifully written story.

Four Loves

About the Author :

Kat Bastion is an award-winning paranormal romance writer, poetic warrior, and eternal optimist who loves getting lost in the beauty of nature. On a never-ending, wondrous path of self-discovery, Kat throws her characters into incredible situations with the hope that readers join her in learning more about the meaning of life and love. Her first published work, Utterly Loved, was shared with the world to benefit others. All proceeds from Utterly Loved, and a portion of the proceeds of all her other books, support charities who help those lost in this world. Kat lives with her husband amid the beautiful Sonoran Desert of Arizona.

Visit her blog at www.talktotheshoe.com, her website at www.katbastion.com, and her Twitter account at https://twitter.com/KatBastion for more information.