4.25 stars-SHOULDER THE SKYE is the second instalment in Donna Grant’s contemporary, adult SKYE DRUIDS paranormal/fantasy romance series-a spin off from the author’s REAPER series which in turn is a spin off from the author’s many interconnected series and stories. This is Druids Elias MacLean, and drough Bronwyn Stewart’s story line. SHOULDER THE SKYE should not be read as a stand alone- I recommend reading DARK ALPHA’S COMMAND (Reaper 15) for back story and cohesion as many of the events of the current time line are as of a direct result of the events in Dark Alpha’s Command. Several characters from the other series including Reaper Balladyn and Druid Rhona (Dark Alpha’s Command) and some of the original Dragon Kings and Reaper characters appear as secondary and supporting characters.


SOME BACKGROUND: Months earlier, betrayal and vengeance forced a take-over of power on the Isle of Skye but someone or something is killing the Druids, not only on the Isle of Skye, but around the world including Edinburgh Scotland. With the focus on the death of the Druids on the Isle of Skye, Balladyn and Rhona (Dark Alpha’s Command/Reaper 15) begin an investigation that reveals a danger targeting the Druids and the MacLean family, in particular.

Told from third person perspective SHOULDER THE SKYE follows numerous interconnected and soon to be connected pathways as the Druids on the Isle of Skye search for the truth behind a magical and powerful mist that is targeting and killing their own. Elias MacLean is a member of a group known as the Knights but Elias has been accused of several murders, murder he knowns nothing about but Elias’ return to the Isle of Skye comes with the darkened memories of the past including the memory of a young woman bullied by the others at school. Bronwyn Stewart is a drough, a Druid who has turned to the dark side, a Druid who has been targeted for who she is, and what she knows, but a Druid who has been forced into a position from which she cannot escape. Protecting Bronwyn has become paramount in the eyes of Elias MacLean such that Elias is pulled into the world that is threatening to take down our story line heroine. What ensues is the building relationship between Bronwyn and Elias, as the danger to everyone is expanding and growing throughout the world.

Meanwhile, the death and destruction of the Druids is mounting, and no one is safe from the impending wrath. Someone is controlling the mist, the Droughs, the Druids, and amassing another group of Druid Others, such that their power and magic is pulled towards the Isle of Skye.

The relationship between Elias and Bronwyn begins by accident as Elias has claimed himself guardian and protector of a woman who has been targeted by a number of people.Elias himself has been accused of several murders around the world, and for his own protection, he has taken up residence with our story line heroine but Bronwyn is much more than she appears to be-her power and abilities are unlike anything Elias and the Knights have ever seen. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

Once again, there is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters many of whom cross over from the author’s numerous interconnected series including Druids, Reapers and Dragons. We are reintroduced to the TruthSeeker Esther and her mate Nikolai (Heat/Dark Kings 12); Elias’ siblings Elodie and Scott, Edie and Trevor; Rhona and Balladyn, as well as the Knights: Sabryn, Carlyle, and Finn, as well as Bronwyn’s sister Beth. The requisite evil has many faces.

SHOULDER THE SKYE is another complex, detailed and multi-layered story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, madness and murder, magic and the supernatural. The premise is intricate and intriguing; the romance is seductive; the diverse characters are magical, powerful and determined.


THE READING CAFÉ: http://www.thereadingcafe.com/shoulder-the-skye-skye-druids-2-by-donna-grant-review-excerpt/


GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5037233172


AMAZON COM: https://www.amazon.com/review/RJEHAVZE527Q6/ref=cm_cr_srp_d_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B0BB8HD47D


BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/3907226303


B&N (Sandy_thereadingcafe) posted

Ibooks (Sandy Sch) posted

GOOGLE PLAY (Sandy Sch) posted

A gripping and highly entertaining paranormal romance, the first I read in this series but not the last.
Fast paced, full of action, featuring a cast of interesting characters.
I enjoyed it and liked the characters and the world building.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

Bron and Elias' romance. On the Isle of Skye the Druids have power but are also in a battle against different fractions for that power. Enjoyed this one, although at times felt like I was missing a few pieces of other books in the series. However, I still liked it and wanted to see how it ended. Would recommend.

Oh Donna, you've done it again.
By far my favourite author. Another fantastic read. The right amount of drama to keep you turning the pages. Plus the show love burn. Absolutely perfect. I devoured this over a few hours.
Well worth the read

Although a bit confusing and repetitive at the outset, Shoulder the Skye brings a whole new set of conflicts to the Skye Druids series. While Bronwyn and Elias find their HEA, there is still much that remains unresolved: the basis for George's allegations; Kerry and the Mist; Beth's animosity towards Bronwyn; Edie's perpetual foul mood and her growing antagonistic relationship with Trevor; Ferne's fears for Kirsi and the Druids of Skye; as well as Mason's search for proof on his suspicions regarding the London Druid community. There is so much developing in this newest series by Donna Grant. Will just have to wait (impatiently) to see what develops next.

This series is going to be a favorite. Just nervous cuz with the way it’s developing, I know it’s gona be a big one.

I love Elias and Bronwyn’s budding relationship and honestly everything about the two of them. They complement each other so well without drowning out each others storyline.

All the supporting characters are so much fun. The Knights are my absolute favorite. And I kind of love how the Manor is it’s own sentient being. For a magical community, that just makes perfect sense, especially for Bronwyn’s storyline.

I’m so nervous about Edie 😬 mainly because I see a lot of myself in her (follows the rules, wants the white picket fence and the perfect family image and does everything right, but still ends up feeling lacking and neglected).

I am loving where this series is going and I can’t wait to dive further into it.

Not even gonna lie, I read this book without realizing that it was the second book of a series so I had no idea what was happening half the time LMAO. Still enjoyed myself tho.

Another wonderful read set in the world of the Druids and the Drough a world that Dionna has definitely made her own

Trying to escape a man who promised much but delivered little druid Bronwyn Stewart does the unthinkable to scape she starts to perform blood magic becoming a drough even though she knows this will lead to her death and a painful one at that. Shortly after she meets druid Elias MacLean a man who carries his own baggage there is an instant connection between them but no real chance of a future. Now with danger closing in on them both they will have to work together if they have any chance of surviving and in the process we get to meet some old friends.

This is a wonderful read! It had my heart pounding in places and there was never a dull moment. The mist was creepy and weird but effective. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Shoulder the Skye (Skye Druids, #2) by Donna Grant
This second book in the Skye Druids did not disappoint. This is Bronwyn Stewart and Elias MacLean's story. So many interesting characters some old and some new. Lots of angst, both of them have a ton of baggage, some laughs and tears, mystery, danger, some evil and lots of good, and plenty of steam to get us to a very HEA. I can't wait for the third book HEART OF GLASS - there are many mysteries' yet to be solved.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Action-packed Romantic Funny Wonderful characters Unpredictable Great world building Page-turner Happily Ever After Twisted Tear-jerker Haunting Informative Steamy Tragic Entertaining Easy-to-read Scary.

Adventure, romance, great characters and a smart, imaginative story. I was quickly absorbed and didn't stop reading for two days.