Book Review: Bearing It All by Vonnie Davis

Bearing It All is a contemporary romance, and the third installment in the Highlander's Beloved series by Vonnie Davis. In the mountains of the Scottish Highlands, shape-shifter Ronan Matheson is running free when a desperate woman parachutes out of the sky, directly onto his furry, powerful chest. Instead of clawing her to death, Ronan's inner bear longs to keep her safe. Once he's back in human form, Ronan is amused by the mysterious beauty's fearless attitude, and tempted by her expertly toned physique. But what could she possibly be doing in this isolated stretch of the Highlands? French intelligence agent Anisa Brosseau never imagined she'd be on the CIA's bad side, until she's framed for treason and forced to flee in a stolen drone. Hiding out in a remote cabin, Anisa just needs some time to clear her name. What she doesn't need is a brooding, muscle-bound Scot in a skimpy kilt to drive her crazy with lust. But when Anisa's enemies come knocking on his door, Ronan calls on a secret weapon to protect his turf and the bonny lass he's come to love.

Bearing It All is a fun romance. I know I have read one of the other books in this series, but I think that they can all stand well on their own.  Ronan is a strong man, with strong family bonds, lingering pain from his father's early death, and a need to protect any that he consider part of his family. Anisa is an equally strong woman, with a unique skill set and a strong sense of honor. She has been betrayed by people she trusted, and perhaps the government that she worked for, and is doing everything in her power to make it right.  I liked the interactions between Anisa and Ronan, as well as the complications that Brother Bear adds to the mix. There were several scenes that had me laughing out loud, and I really enjoyed some of the ways Ronan tries to hide his other half. I did think the aspect of the story that has them meeting years ago was a little contrived, but it made the jump into intimacy a little less rushed overall. The continued troubles caused by operatives, and the intrusion of real life kept things interesting. I will admit that by the end I was in a little bit of a hurry for the happy ever after, but was satisfied and humored when it was delivered.

Bearing It All is another win for fans of Davis. If you like strong characters, men in kilts, shifters, or high danger romance then you will enjoy this read. 

Book Review: Faeries & Elementals for Beginners: Learn about & Communicate with Nature Spirits by Alexandra Chauran

Faeries & Elementals for Beginners: Learn about & Communicate with Nature Spirits is a nonfiction book by Alexandra Chauran. For those interested in the earth based religions or those just interested in faery lore, this guide will explain the natures of a wide assortment of Fae. If you are a practitioner looking to understand and work with  faeries and elementals and attract them to your home and garden, or just fascinated with the mere idea of them, this book is a wonderful starting point in your research.

Faeries & Elementals for Beginners is very matter of fact about the ideas of Fae, including elementals. While I am a practicing Lutheran and not one to dabble, I love reading about other beliefs and the foundations of various lore. There are far more things on earth and in the world in general than I can even pretend to understand, so I would rather research everything just in case. Also, as I read quite a bit of fiction that is paranormal, faery tale based, and urban fantasy I often will see mention and brief explanations of certain creatures in the pages, and find that more background and understanding of the lore adds an extra layer of enjoyment to my reading. So, if you do not believe that the Fae are real, do not immediately turn your nose up at the book, it is still an interesting read if approached with an open and curious mind.

For those that are interested in a practical application of the information found in Faeries & Elementals for Beginners, I have to say that it offers detailed information and would work as a wonderful cornerstone for your research. There is detailed information about the rituals, including the whys and wherefores. The wide variety of beings are well organized and described, offering more information on just about all of those listed then I have seen in any other book. There are step-by-step instructions for invoking faeries and elementals, you'll find rituals, meditations, and everything you need to begin safely interacting with these magical entities. I cannot attest to the accuracy of the methods offered, as I have not tried any of them.

I would recommend Faeries & Elementals for Beginners to anyone looking for more information of these creatures, and those looking to work with them. I think that it can also work as a great resource to readers and writers that are looking for more information on the subject, as well as to those looking for practical instruction.