Wit and Sin: Heather McCollum

Showing posts with label Heather McCollum. Show all posts

Sunday, September 29, 2024

Review: The Highlander’s Untamed Tempest by Heather McCollum

The Highlander’s Untamed Tempest by Heather McCollum
Series: The Brothers of Wolf Isle, Book 5
Publisher: Entangled: Scandalous

Genre: Historical Romance
ISBN: 9781649371218
Release Date: September 30, 2024
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Entangled
Heather McCollum Reading Order

Eagan Macquarie doesn’t believe in love—nor does he want a wife. There is an entire world beyond Wolf Isle, and mo Dhia, he will seek it out. But the Macquarie curse will continue to haunt his family unless Eagan finds a suitable bride to break the hex once and for all. Now he must choose between a marriage he does not want or abandoning his family…until a comely stranger catches his eye.

Claudette Tempest Ainsworth—known as Tessa—is a learned French midwife who’s been waiting for her father to come fetch her from the harsh winds and sea of Scotland and return her to her beloved France. But with Eagan, she finds something unexpected: a flame of desire, hot and almost terrifying in its intensity. But even the brightest fires cannot sustain the inevitable distance that’s soon to follow…

Tessa seems to have bewitched them all. But when danger threatens Wolf Isle and the Macquaries, Eagan discovers that the love he never believed in might be his clan’s salvation…or its devastating downfall.

The youngest Macquarie brother will be the one to finally break the curse or doom his home forever in The Highlander’s Untamed Tempest. Heather McCollum brings her Brothers of Wolf Isle series to a close with Eagan Macquarie and Tessa Ainsworth, a mysterious woman with the power to change the course of the Macquarie clan.

Eagan loves his family but with everyone wanting him to fall in love and get married in order to break the curse, he’s chomping at the bit to leave. His bags are packed, he’s ready to set sail, and then he meets Tessa. The mysterious French beauty with a powerful voice is on Wolf Isle, waiting for her father to come back for her. Tessa is smart, talented, and a survivor, but she’s also deeply lonely. It’s lust at first sight for both her and Eagan and they have an easy chemistry that makes them an enjoyable couple to read about.

Tessa has no plans to stay on Wolf Isle and Eagan doesn’t want to be tied down, but the two of them can’t bear to be apart. The biggest obstacle in the romance is not just the two of them deciding if they want to stay on Wolf Isle and be together, but the dastardly French pirate Jandeau. The series’ main villain is back, as one would expect, and determined to destroy the Macquaries. How he plans to do so is not going to surprise readers, so really the tension is finding out how Tessa and the Macquaries will defeat him.

The Highlander’s Untamed Tempest is an entertaining romance with strong protagonists who know what they want and aren’t ashamed to go after it. I was rooting for Tessa and Eagan every step of the way and the result was a satisfying end to the Brothers of Wolf Isle series.

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: The Highlander’s Wild Flame by Heather McCollum

By Kimberly 1:59 PM // No comments

The Highlander’s Wild Flame by Heather McCollum
Series: The Brotherhood of Solway Moss, Book 1
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Genre: Historical Romance

ISBN: 9781649376541
Release Date: July 23, 2024
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Entangled
Heather McCollum Reading Order

Fearsome Highland warrior Rory MacLeod has sacrificed for his clan. But taken as prisoner―in place of his older brother, who’s meant to be laird―is more than any man should bear. So when the chance for escape presents itself, Rory risks everything for freedom. But instead of returning to the welcoming warmth of home, Rory steps into a blazing trap…

Despite her betrothal to their laird, Lady Sara Macdonald has no love for the MacLeod clan. But when her treacherous father locks the entire MacLeod wedding party into the church and sets fire to it, she cannot stand by and watch the slaughter. Saving them means turning traitor to her clan and becoming an enemy to her own blood…left to the mercy of her greatest enemy.

Now her intended husband lies somewhere between life and death, and Sara’s only ally is his younger brother: the fierce MacLeod warrior she’s forbidden to want. And as hunger blazes to life between Rory and Sara―unbidden, untamed, and hotter than the fires of Beltane―they quickly find themselves caught between honor and a love that will turn blood against blood.

Rory MacLeod knows all about betrayal. Trapped in an English prison he had to unite with three other warriors from rival clans to escape. After he returns home to heal, he catches sight of the enemy’s daughter, who happens to be intended for his brother. Sara Macdonald isn’t anyone Rory should want, but he’s drawn to her like a moth to flame. Then on her wedding day Sara’s father sets the church on fire, trapping the MacLeods inside. Only Sara’s quick actions save them, but leave her unable to return home and untrusted by the clan she’s at the mercy of. Now Rory will have to decide what to do as threats abound and he begins to fall for a woman he doesn’t know if he can trust.

Heather McCollum kicks off her Brotherhood of Solway Moss series with a forbidden romance that’s easy to fall into. Rory and Sara are both survivors; Sara from an abusive family and Rory from a horrid upbringing and an even worse time imprisoned in England. They know loyalty from one’s family isn’t ever assured but they’re still torn between wanting to protect their clans and the call to do what they know is truly right.

Rory is a strong Highland warrior who leads with skill. He’s got trust issues, that’s for sure, and it makes him unsure whether he can follow his gut and believe in Sara. Sara is independent and fierce in her own way, as equally protective as Rory. When she’s taken prisoner by the MacLeods (even after having helped them escape) she has to stay on her toes to survive. While Rory would protect her, his elder brother is as nasty and brutal as Sara’s treacherous father. Both Sara and Rory have their work cut out for them if they hope to achieve peace between the two clans.

At the heart of The Highlander’s Wild Flame is the romance between Sara and Rory. I liked them together and thought they had good chemistry. Rory makes mistakes due to his aforementioned trust issues, but overall they are a solidly entertaining couple. They are both kind, compassionate, and willing to fight for what’s right. I was rooting for them every step of the way even as I was unsure of how McCollum would make things work out with constant treachery afoot.

The Highlander’s Wild Flame is the start of a series that features four men who were imprisoned together after Soloway Moss. While only one other of the men (Sara’s brother) played a supporting role in this book, I’m very much looking forward to seeing how things come together over the course of the series. All in all I really enjoyed Sara and Rory’s romance. It’s sensual, sweet, and both Sara and Rory work to earn their happily ever after.

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: Highland Surrender by Heather McCollum

By Kimberly 7:47 PM // No comments

Highland Surrender by Heather McCollum
Series: Sons of Sinclair, Book 5
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Genre: Historical Romance

ISBN: 9781649374950
Release Date: October 24, 2023
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Entangled
Heather McCollum Reading Order

With his family’s honor on the line, Norse warrior Erik Halverson has no choice but to follow the orders of the royal house of Denmark. Now he must follow his destiny—and royal command—to sail to Scotland, find his enemy’s weakest link, and abduct her. Their mistake, of course, was thinking the Sinclair lass wouldn’t fight back.

From the moment her four brothers took control of their clan, Hannah Sinclair has learned to stand tall and defend herself. So when a big, brawny, and admittedly handsome warrior tries to abduct her, she isn’t about to give in. And the more he tries, the more she’s determined to make it as hard as possible...and enjoy it all the while.

Now Norway’s greatest warrior has a Highland hellcat on his hands, and Odin help him, he can’t resist her. But with the brutal Sinclair brothers coming after them, Erik is out of options. War is inevitable. And when a man is forced to choose between duty and passion, only one will win…

The sister of the infamous Sinclair Horsemen finally steps out of the shadows in Highland Surrender. I’ve been oh-so-hopeful that Heather McCollum would give Hannah Sinclair a chance to shine and she definitely does in this book.

Hannah is happy for her brothers and their wives and loves her nieces and nephews, but she’s lonely in the crowd. She wants a baby of her own but none of the men of her clan tempt her – not even the ones who may not be frightened of her legendary brothers. Enter silver trader Erik Halverson. The brawny Norseman is awfully fearsome for a supposed trader but Hannah isn’t going to let that stop her. She sets out to seduce him…only to find herself kidnapped.

Erik has been sent on a mission by Dowager Queen Sophie: he’s to kidnap Hannah and thus keep the Sinclair Horsemen under Sophie’s control. He doesn’t expect a strong and stubborn lass to fight back and knock him off his feet. Erik isn’t a bad person and his reason for doing Sophie’s bidding is understandable. He’s caught between a rock and a hard place and is trying to justify to himself why he’s doing something he knows is wrong.

The attraction between Erik and Hannah burns bright and hot and I liked how they went toe-to-toe with each other. Hannah has learned alongside each of her brothers and is just as brave and true as any of them. She’s Erik’s equal in every way and teaches him a thing or two along the way. If political machinations weren’t in their path, I imagine it would be mostly smooth sailing for this love story. But villains, politics, threats, and fears all make the road to happily ever after a rocky one for Hannah and Erik.

Highland Surrender is the fifth book in McCollum’s Sons of Sinclair series but you can jump in here if you haven’t read the others. There is a large supporting cast including Hannah’s brothers, sisters-in-law, a couple of mischievous children, and Erik’s brothers-in-arms who all have roles to play in the story. To her credit, McCollum never lets the supporting characters overshadow the main ones; not an easy feat with so many strong personalities. I liked all the different relationships and how each one shined and impacted the story.

Highland Surrender has passion, family drama, political intrigue, and romance. It’s an engaging story and a fitting end to the Sons of Sinclair series.

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: The Highlander’s Secret Avenger by Heather McCollum

By Kimberly 8:43 PM // No comments

The Highlander’s Secret Avenger by Heather McCollum
Series: The Brothers of Wolf Isle, Book 4
Publisher: Entangled: Scandalous
Genre: Historical Romance

ISBN: 9781649371201
Release Date: August 21, 2023
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Entangled
Heather McCollum Reading Order

Drostan Macquarie, the fierce battle-hardened Highlander, was still a young lad when his father first warned him of the ancient curse on the Macquarie clan. Should any of our kin sire a bastard, the entire clan will be cursed to die out. Drostan vowed then to live his life alone, far from the reach of the curse. But on the eve of Beltane, a sizzling kiss with a mysterious lass ignites Drostan’s blood…and threatens his vow.

Amelia MacLeod is on the run, desperate to escape her past, and an abusive family. But Wolf Isle isn’t just a place to hide, it may be her only hope of redemption—if she can doom her clan’s enemy, the Macquaries. Only, she imagined her enemy would be a hideous brute, not a big, brawny, and kind-hearted Highlander like Drostan.

Because now Amelia’s discovered a way to destroy the Macquarie Clan for good—if she can bring herself to infiltrate the clan, seduce Drostan, and bring about the Macquarie curse. Of course, she hasn’t accounted for the far-reaching consequences of her own dark past…or her traitorous desire for the Highlander she came to destroy.

A woman determined to avenge her brother falls for the very man she’s come to destroy in The Highlander’s Secret Avenger. Heather McCollum returns to Wolf Isle and the Macquarie brothers who are trying their best to break the family curse.

Drostan Macquarie rescues kittens and damsels in distress, so how can you not adore him? The Macquarie brothers must find the true meaning of love and not father any children out of wedlock in order to break the family curse. Drostan is determined to not be the cause of his family’s downfall…and then he meets Lia. The mysterious woman with secrets won’t tell him why she wants to come to Wolf Isle, but even with the red flags in front of him Drostan can’t help but fall for her beauty and strength.

Amelia MacLeod is desperate to escape her brutal brother and thinks the only way to find safety at home is to prove her worth by destroying the Macquaries. Of course, once she gets to know them and their clan she can’t bring herself to do it, but will the lies catch up with her? Drostan isn’t the monster she was raised to believe he was, and she falls hard and fast for the Highland warrior. Lia and Drostan have an easy chemistry that makes the pages of The Highlander’s Secret Avenger fly by. I really liked them together and their romance had a good mix of sweetness and spice. I was rooting for Lia’s secrets not to come between them, but what happens I’ll leave readers to discover.

Lia and Drostan’s story is the fourth in the Brothers of Wolf Isle series but you can jump in here if you like. The evil pirate Jandeau is always a threat in the background, ready to destroy the brothers and the women they love. There’s also the family curse, which features heavily in this story. I look forward to the Macquaries breaking the curse and seeing their home and loved ones safe and sound. I am very much looking forward to the youngest Macquarie brother finding love and breaking the curse once and for all.

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: Highland Beast by Heather McCollum

By Kimberly 10:33 PM // No comments

Highland Beast by Heather McCollum
Series: Sons of Sinclair, Book 4
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Genre: Historical Romance

ISBN: 9781649373441
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Entangled
Heather McCollum Reading Order

Bàs Sinclair is the cold and brutal hand—and sword—of justice across the Highlands. He has one destiny: to bring fear into the hearts of guilty men. But when he is called to execute a midwife for her crimes, he cannot raise his weapon. For Bàs already knows this lovely, part-wild creature. After all, she gave him his first and only kiss…

Shana Drummond will do anything to protect her beloved sister. Now her cruel, merciless brother-in-law has called upon Bàs to have Shana killed for crimes she didn’t commit. She can’t reconcile the cold, lethal warrior before her with the gentle one she met—nay, kissed—only days before.

But mercy from Bàs can only lead to one thing: war among the clans. A war that will test allegiances, tear families apart, and challenge everything Bàs knows about himself and his heart. Because once this Highlander knows love, nothing will stop him from keeping Shana safe…even if it means destroying his own destiny.

Bàs Sinclair finally learns he can be more than just the Horseman of Death in Highland Beast. The quiet and somber youngest Sinclair brother stole my heart from the first Sons of Sinclair story and I was so excited to read his book. And who else could be a match for a man they call Death than a midwife who brings life into this world?

Shana Drummond doesn’t fear Bàs and doesn’t buy into all the whispers that his touch can kill. Shana has known death, heartbreak, and fear but she has survived. On the run and desperate to save her sister and nephew, she finds refuge with Bàs. Shana is strong, smart, and determined, but even she can use help sometimes. And Bàs…the poor man was raised since childhood to be Death, to be feared, to be a monster. He hides away from the world that would shun him, more at home among the beasts. I adored Bàs who was kind, considerate, and so tortured it could break your heart. Shana sees the true man for all he is and won’t stand for him treating himself as a monster when he’s got a heart of gold. They made a good match and I liked when they were alone together because we got to see their chemistry.

I struggled with rating Highland Beast because there’s a lot I like about the characters. Bàs and Shana make a good couple, but I would have loved more time for them to explore and develop their relationship without the interference of others. As much as I love the Sinclair family, they tended to take over the page. When you add in Shana’s sister and the plotline involving her evil husband and a baby in danger, not to mention politics, intrigue, and accusations of witchcraft, then you have so much going and so many vocal characters that it pulls focus from our less flashy protagonists. The story moved more slowly than I’m used to from Heather McCollum, which was a pity since I was so excited for Bàs to get his happily ever after. At the end of the day, I liked Highland Beast but didn’t love it. I was looking for the spark I so enjoy in McCollum’s writing, along with more focus on the central characters.

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: The Highlander’s Tudor Lass by Heather McCollum

By Kimberly 2:08 PM // No comments

The Highlander’s Tudor Lass by Heather McCollum
Series: The Brothers of Wolf Isle, Book 3
Publisher: Entangled: Amara Next
Genre: Historical Romance

ISBN: 9781649371195
Release Date: August 22, 2022
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Entangled
Heather McCollum Reading Order

Callum Macquarie would give anything to go back to the Highlands and Wolf Isle. Instead, he’s stuck circling an undefended English castle in too-tight breeches, longing for his bed and his plaid. But he has an oath to keep: to bring home the bonny Anna Montgomerie and her sister before that devil of a blaggard pirate Jundeau finds them first. Only the lass he’s come to rescue has no interest in going back to Scotland with him. Or ever.

To hell with Callum and his oath. Anna won’t step one foot in Scotland—no matter the danger. Not after what she’s left behind, and not while there’s a chance she can remain in England. But she has a plan. And the only hitch involves a braw, fiercely protective highlander who refuses to leave…and whose touch burns hotter than fire.

Now Anna and Callum are caught between the threat coming for Anna. Staying means danger. Leaving means death. And a blazing attraction that could spoil everyone’s plans.

The middle Macquarie brother finds love – if he can convince the stubborn woman of his dreams to come to Scotland with him – in The Highlander's Tudor Lass. Callum Macquarie yearns to be taken seriously by his brothers, which is why he’s determined to fulfill his sister-in-law’s request that he bring her sisters Anna and Dora home to Wolf Isle. Except when he comes upon the Montgomerie sisters, Anna beans him with a pomander. This is not the laughing, sweet woman he expected to find. Anna has fled Scotland and is now serving the young English princess, Elizabeth Tudor. She has no intention of going back to Scotland, not now, not ever. But with a pirate bent on revenge hunting for the Macquarie brothers and the Montgomerie sisters, Anna and her sister aren’t safe at Sudeley Castle. And the longer Anna is around Callum, the more she’s torn between the life she has told herself she wants and the promise of what could be between her and the handsome highlander.

Anna and Callum are both easy to like. Anna is strong and protective, determined to do what’s best for those in her care. She hasn’t had anyone she could lean on for a long time and she knows that evil can lurk even where there should be safe harbor. Callum has strong shoulders and a good heart. He desperately wants to be taken seriously by his brothers, which leads him to make mistakes, but at his heart he’s a strong and kind warrior. He shows Anna he believes in her and wants her to be free, not stifled like she is among the English lords and ladies. The two of them have great chemistry and it was easy for me to fall into their story.

Threats abound in The Highlander's Tudor Lass. There are court machinations at Sudeley, a suspicious lord bent on sweeping Anna off her feet, and the evil pirate Jandeau is always a danger. Heather McCollum weaves these threads through the romance, never taking the focus off Anna and Callum. I adored these two strong and sweet protagonists and was delighted by their happily ever after. McCollum’s highlander heroes always delight as do the women who love them. I’m looking forward to seeing what McCollum has in store for the next Brothers of Wolf Isle book!

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: Highland Justice by Heather McCollum

By Kimberly 8:02 PM // No comments

Highland Justice by Heather McCollum
Series: Sons of Sinclair, Book 3
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Genre: Historical Romance

ISBN: 9781649371669
Release Date: April 26, 2022
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Entangled
Heather McCollum Reading Order

As the new chief of Clan Mackay, Gideon Sinclair knows the importance of maintaining order at any cost. To keep the conquered clan in line, Gideon must mete out ruthless justice or risk losing their precious new peace. But from the moment he meets Cait Mackay—aye, from the moment the sweetness of her lips captures his—all of Gideon’s careful objectivity is well and thoroughly compromised.

Cait knows that kissing the brawny Highlander is a dangerous game. It was bad enough she picked his pocket to feed the children in her care, but sometimes a desperate woman must disguise her crimes any way she can. Only her act of deception has made things worse… Because one kiss with the Highland’s most brutal chief leaves her breathless and out of her depth.

Now Gideon must choose between his duty and his heart when his lovely thief is accused of treason against the king himself.

The Horseman of Justice learns that not everything is black and white in Highland Justice. Gideon Sinclair was raised to believe things are right or wrong – no in between. He believes in law, order, and has no room for messiness. Cait Mackay knows nothing but messiness and complications; her life is lived in shades of grey. When the two cross paths there’s bound to be an explosion.

Gideon is a good man at his core, but his role in life was so drilled into him by his father that he has a hard time seeing the whole picture. As the new chief of Clan Mackay, he’s doing what he thinks is right to bring peace and wellbeing to his people but it’s clear from the start he’s missing some things. Cait opens his eyes to the messy reality of the world they live in. The survivor of an abusive marriage who now takes in orphans, Cait will do whatever it takes to see her children survive and thrive. She’s strong, smart, and determined – an easy heroine to like. I enjoyed watching her get past Gideon’s walls and to make him question what he’s always known. Gideon, in turn, is someone Cait can rely on. She’s self-sufficient but it’s wonderful that he can be there for her as an equal partner. The two of them just fit and watching them fall for each other was lovely.

Both Gideon and Cait are tested with the arrival of King James. Plots are afoot and both get mixed up in ways that could get them killed. How things work out I’ll leave readers to discover for themselves but suffice it to say that author Heather McCollum gives our protagonists a completely satisfying happily ever after. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed Highland Justice. Cait and Gideon are both more than others think of them and it was a delight to see them realize it. I am very much looking forward to seeing what McCollum has in store for the youngest Sinclair, Bàs.

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: The Highlander's Pirate Lass by Heather McCollum

By Kimberly 7:22 PM // No comments

The Highlander's Pirate Lass by Heather McCollum
Series: The Brothers of Wolf Isle, Book 2
Publisher: Entangled: Scandalous
Genre: Historical Romance

ISBN: 9781649371188
Release Date: August 23, 2021
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Entangled
Heather McCollum Reading Order

Eliza Wentworth is no lady. After the notorious pirate Jandeau murdered her family, she vowed to spend the rest of her life at sea, saving others. She’d rather be firing cannons than embroidering pillows—or worse, bowing to the demands of a husband. But when she’s stranded on an island off the coast of Scotland, now she is the one in need of help. And, annoyingly, that help comes not only from a man, but a man she struggles to resist.

Highlander Beck Macquarie has never met a woman like Eliza. He hasn’t met many women, period, thanks to the blasted curse set upon Wolf Isle decades ago. To save the clan, he needs a wife and bairns, and rough-around-the edges Eliza is anything but wife material. She has no intention of staying once she’s able to set sail again. He should let her go. But the desire between them is impossible to ignore.

When she asks Beck to teach her the ways of the bedroom while she bides her time on his island, he can’t say no. As they learn more about each other, though, past trauma and secrets resurface. Now, Eliza must choose between the freedom and comfort of the only life she’s ever known and sacrificing it all to save the people she loves…including Beck.

The second Macquarie finds love – or will find it if he can keep the woman of his dreams from sailing off with his ship – in The Highlander's Pirate Lass. Heather McCollum’s second Brothers of Wolf Isle is an engaging adventure with spirited characters and a lively romance.

As a girl, Eliza was rescued from the clutches of the evil pirate Jandeau. Since then it’s been her mission to sail with her adoptive father and rescue others from the same horrors her family faced. Eliza is brave, free, and does not need a man; I liked her bluntness and spine. Beck is the second eldest Macquarie and he’s immediately captivated by Eliza. But his home is cursed until all the Macquarie brothers marry and understand the true meaning of love. So falling for a woman who never wants to wed would be disastrous…wouldn’t it?

Beck and Eliza have an easy chemistry. He’s a good, honorable man. She’s a woman on a mission to rescue others. Neither tries to make the other be something they’re not. Rather, they are both faced with questioning the paths they are on. Are they doing what they truly want or what is expected of them? And will they give up what they think they want in the name of love? It’s not an easy question for either of them but attraction and growing feelings cannot be denied.

It was easy to fall into Eliza and Beck’s story because they’re likeable characters and the world McCollum has built is wonderful (the disgusting, evil villain aside). You don’t have to have read The Highlander's Unexpected Proposal to enjoy this story (though it is a delight). Fans of McCollum’s Highland Isles series will also be happy to see familiar faces pop up in this tale. All in all, I really enjoyed The Highlander's Pirate Lass. Highlanders, pirates, endearing characters, and a lovely romance are a sure recipe for success.

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: Highland Warrior by Heather McCollum

By Kimberly 2:04 PM // No comments

Highland Warrior by Heather McCollum
Series: Sons of Sinclair, Book 2
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Genre: Historical Romance

ISBN: 9781682815700
Release Date: April 27, 2021
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Entangled
Heather McCollum Reading Order

Joshua Sinclair was once the fiercest and most notorious warrior of the mighty Sinclair clan of Northern Scotland. But now there’s nothing and no one that can make him take up arms again. Except a beautiful woman, it seems.

When Kára Flett, daughter of a fallen Norse chief, finds herself unexpectedly sheltering the strongest, most brutal warrior in the land, she throws together a risky and outrageous plan to bring him to her side. Threats of violence bounce right off him. Offers of gold seem to entice him even less. Desperate enough to use the pleas of the village children to sway him, she’s shocked when he’s completely unmoved. There’s only one tactic left for her: seduction.

Her hasty proposition falls completely by the wayside, though, as she and the Highlander come together in a carnal inferno. But bringing him into her life also brings his enemies to her clan’s doorstep—the very clan Kára is trying to protect. And as their feelings deepen, Joshua will have to decide between duty and love once and for all.

Can the Horseman of War ever truly find peace? Joshua Sinclair is certainly going to try. He was raised by his father to be a warrior and to aid his clan in conquering Scotland. After disagreeing with his eldest brother in Highland Conquest, Joshua has set out on his own, training other warriors. But after truly seeing the cost of war Joshua is worn in spirit and looking for peace. It’s unlikely he’ll find it on Orkney Isle. After training the Lord Robert Stuart’s men to defend themselves against the locals, he sets off for home…only to find himself captivated by Kára Flett, Chief of the Orkney people. Kára will do anything to defend her people, including seducing and trying to sway the Horseman of War to her side. Joshua cannot be swayed by anyone. Who will win the battle of wills?

Heather McCollum had a bit of a hard task in Highland Warrior. Joshua was not the most likeable character in the first Sons of Sinclair book. Hot tempered and ready for war, I wasn’t sure he’d make a great hero. I was so glad I was wrong. The Joshua in this book is a wise warrior seeking peace. He has come into his own and is trying to do what’s best. He knows that isn’t working for the evil Lord Robert Stuart but he also knows he needs to extract himself diplomatically as the man is the king’s uncle.

Kára has known so much pain and loss and she still keeps fighting to protect her people. I loved her spirit and determination. She’s doing what she can to save her people and years of pillaging, death, and the threat of rape have not broken her. She and Joshua come together explosively at the beginning of the story and from there things only get more interesting. The two of them make a good pair – each of them is honest, strong, and protective by nature. They aren’t perfect, but they’re doing their best. I liked them together and their love story developed organically.

McCollum weaves fact and fiction together wonderfully in Highland Warrior. She also manages to keep this book moving at a fast pace despite the heavy topics and the threat Kára and her people are under – not an easy feat. I truly wasn’t sure how Kára and Joshua would make it out alive and though I won’t spoil it I will say McCollum made the ending feel earned. I finished Highland Warrior a well-satisfied reader and I’m looking forward to seeing what is coming for the next two Sinclair brothers.

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: The Highlander's Unexpected Proposal by Heather McCollum

By Kimberly 8:00 PM // No comments

The Highlander's Unexpected Proposal by Heather McCollum
Series: The Brothers of Wolf Isle, Book 1
Publisher: Entangled: Scandalous
Genre: Historical Romance

The Highlanders Unexpected Proposal cover

ISBN: 9781649370594
Release Date: October 19, 2020
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Entangled
Heather McCollum Reading Order

A lass begging to marry him might top the list of “oddest things to happen,” but Chief Adam Macquarie is desperate. And no matter how much he hates to do it, he’s not above lying to get what he wants. Starting with the fact that he just omitted the truth about the situation back at his home—where there are no women and only a handful of other people. Because he has a secret need for a wife himself, one she won’t be too happy about when she finds out.

Lark Montgomerie is thrilled the brawny chief agrees to save her from her drunken father’s machinations of wedding her off to the first fool that agrees. He’s easy on the eyes and no one can be worse than her current options. Now a new life awaits her, on an exciting Scottish isle no less, and nothing will dampen her spirits. That is, until she arrives in her new homeland and realizes more than a few things are amiss…

I’ve adored every journey to the Highlands author Heather McCollum has taken me on and The Highlander’s Unexpected Proposal is no exception. Secrets and curses have no chance against two such endearing protagonists as Lark and Adam.

Lark Montgomerie is in a desperate situation at the beginning of the story. Her drunken, abusive father is determined to sell her into marriage and she has to be wed by sundown. Rather than the fools her father has promised her to, Lark takes a chance and marries handsome stranger Adam Macquarie. Adam has his own reasons for needing a bride and Lark’s spirit, beauty, and plain-speaking appeal to him right from the start. The two are strangers, but it’s clear they’re well matched from the start. I loved the sparks between them and the simmering sexual tension.

Lark and Adam make a great match from the start. They’re both hardworking, focused, and have good hearts, but each has secrets they need to reveal in order for love to be able to grow between them. My heart broke for Lark more than once, but at every turn Adam was steadfast and honorable, which I just loved. More than anything, Lark wants to build a life based on trust with her new husband. That’s easier said than done when she arrives at her home on Wolf Isle and discovers she has married into a cursed family. The Macquarie clan was cursed over a century ago and they’re close to dying out. I won’t spoil the state of Wolf Isle, but suffice it to say Lark and Adam have their work cut out for them if they want to make their clan strong again. I enjoyed learning about the curse and watching the Macquaries figure out what it would take to break it.

Hidden dangers, possible witches, and political plots weave through The Highlander’s Unexpected Proposal and help make it an addictive read. I thoroughly enjoyed each twist and turn this story took. And if you’re a fan of Ms. McCollum’s, you’ll be delighted to learn that some of your favorite faces from the Highland Isles series play strong supporting roles in this tale. I couldn’t be happier to revisit the Isle of Mull and I hope to see more of it in future Brothers of Wolf Isle books. It would also be remiss of me to talk about this story and not mention Adam’s brothers. The four younger Macquaries charmed the heck out of me and once Lark arrives on Wolf Isle there are some nods to Seven Brides for Seven Brothers that made me smile.

I sincerely enjoyed The Highlander’s Unexpected Proposal from beginning to end. It’s romantic, action-packed, and a true delight. I cannot wait to see what Ms. McCollum has in store for the rest of the Macquarie men!

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Heather McCollum Book Order

By Kimberly 7:07 PM // No comments

Click on series title to jump to a particular reading order:

The Brotherhood of Solway Moss
The Brothers of Wolf Isle
Sons of Sinclair
The Queen’s Highlanders
The Campbells
Highland Isles
Highland Hearts
Dragonfly Chronicles
The Guardians (Young Adult)
Anthologies

The Brotherhood of Solway Moss

1. The Highlander’s Wild Flame
Rory MacLeod and Sara Macdonald
My Review

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The Brothers of Wolf Isle

1. The Highlander’s Unexpected Proposal
Adam Macquarie and Lark Montgomerie
My Review

2. The Highlander's Pirate Lass
Beck Macquarie and Eliza Wentworth
My Review

3. The Highlander's Tudor Lass
Callum Macquarie and Anna Montgomerie
My Review

4. The Highlander's Secret Avenger
Drostan Macquarie and Amelia MacLeod
My Review

5. The Highlander’s Untamed Tempest
Eagan Macquarie and Claudette Tempest "Tessa" Ainsworth
My Review

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Sons of Sinclair

1. Highland Conquest
Cain Sinclair and Ella Sutherland
My Review

2. Highland Warrior
Joshua Sinclair and Kára Flett
My Review

3. Highland Justice
Gideon Sinclair and Cait Mackay
My Review

4. Highland Beast
Bàs Sinclair and Shana Drummond
My Review

5. Highland Surrender (available 10/24/23)
Hannah Sinclair and Erik Halverson
My Review

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The Queen’s Highlanders

1. The Highlander & The Queen’s Sacrifice
Kerr Gordon and Maggie Darby

2. The Highlander & and The Lady of Misrule
Greer Buchanan and Lucy Cranfield

3. The Highlander & and The Counterfeit Queen
Marcus Ruthven and Cordelia Cranfield

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The Campbells

1. The Scottish Rogue
Grey Campbell and Evelyn Worthington
My Review

2. The Savage Highlander
Aiden Campbell and Scarlet Worthington
My Review

3. The Wicked Viscount
Cat Campbell and Nathaniel Worthington
My Review

2. The Highland Outlaw
Alana Campbell and Shaw Sinclair
My Review

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Highland Isles

1. The Beast of Aros Castle
Tor Maclean and Ava Sutton

2. The Rogue of Islay Isle
Cullen Duffie and Rose

3. The Wolf of Kisimul Castle
Alec MacNeil and Mairi Maclean
My Review

4. The Devil of Dunakin Castle
Keir MacKinnon and Grace Ellington
My Review

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Highland Hearts

1. Captured Heart
Caden Macbain and Meg Boswell

2. Tangled Hearts
Ewan Brody and Pandora Wyatt

3. Untamed Hearts
Will Wyatt and Jonet Montgomery

4. Crimson Heart
Searc Munro and Elena

5. Highland Heart
Alec Munro and Rachel Brindle

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Dragonfly Chronicles

1. Prophecy
Keenan Maclean and Serena Faw

2. Magick
Hauk and Merewin

3. Masquerade
Toren MacCallum and Kat

4. Surrender
Jackson Black and Kailin

5. Sacrifice
Drustan MacDruce and Anna Pemberlin

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The Guardians (Young Adult)

1. Siren’s Song

2. Broken

3. Awaken

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Anthologies

"Rohaise the Red" in Upon a Midnight Dreary
The Mammoth Book of Scottish Romance

Scribbling Women and the Real-Life Romance Heroes Who Love Them

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Please note: This page was written by me, so as always, please visit the author’s website for up-to-date, author-verified information as well as for information books that have not yet been included to this list.

https://www.heathermccollum.com/

Review: Highland Conquest by Heather McCollum

By Kimberly 7:50 PM // No comments

Highland Conquest by Heather McCollum
Series: Sons of Sinclair, Book 1
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Genre: Historical Romance

ISBN: 9781640637474
Release Date: April 28, 2020
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Entangled
Heather McCollum Reading Order

Cain Sinclair has a plan. In order to finally bring peace to his clan, he will wed the young female chief of their greatest enemy. Only problem: capturing her and forcing her back to Sinclair castle doesn’t exactly make her want to say yes. Ella Sutherland may be clever, passionate, and shockingly beautiful, but what she isn’t is willing.

Every attempt Cain makes to woo her seems to backfire on him. A gift? The kitten practically claws his eyes out. A competitive game of chess? Even when he wins, he loses. It seems the only time the two ever see eye to eye is when they’re heating up Cain’s bed. Still, the only thing Ella truly wants is the one thing he cannot offer her: freedom.

But when Cain discovers she’s been harboring a secret—one that could threaten both clans’ very existence—he’ll have to decide between peace for the Sinclairs or the woman who’s captured his heart.

Two strong, clever heads of opposing clans are the perfect match on and off the battlefield in Highland Conquest. Heather McCollum has kicked off her Sons of Sinclair with an engaging enemies-to-lovers tale.

Cain Sinclair was raised to be a conqueror. After the death of Cain’s mother, his father raised his sons to be the biblical Four Horseman, determined to see the Sinclairs rule a united Scotland. As the new chief of the Sinclair clan, Cain’s first order of business is to take over the holdings and people of their enemies, the Sutherlands. When he captures Ella Sutherland, the Sutherlands’ chief, Cain decides marrying her and absorbing her clan would be the best and most peaceful solution. Only Ella has no intention of submitting and giving away the birthright she’s held onto. It’s the perfect stage for a battle of wills, mostly because Cain and Ella are perfect for each other. If their clans weren’t warring, their love story would be a simple one. But duty and family are heavy burdens for each to bear.

Cain and Ella are strong, honorable characters who have their work cut out for them. Cain is trying to not only do right by his clan, but to live up to the legend his father wanted him to be. Ella was raised by a monster and has spent her life protecting others. Cain and Ella are easy to like and they have wonderful chemistry. Cain’s wooing and Ella’s escape attempts bring a liveliness and energy to what would could otherwise be a heavy book. There is a core of respect to the romance that I really enjoyed. And though Ella is Cain’s captive, there is expressed consent when things turn carnal. Everything about Cain and Ella’s romance worked and I was rooting for them to find a way to get their happily ever after. Both have hard choices to make throughout the story and sometimes the easiest road isn’t what’s best or what’s right for the one you’re coming to love and the people you hold dear.

Highland Conquest is the first book in the Sons of Sinclair series and I finished it looking forward to more. In particular, I cannot wait to see what Ms. McCollum has in store for the youngest brother, Bàs.

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: The Highland Outlaw by Heather McCollum

By Kimberly 8:35 PM // No comments

The Highland Outlaw by Heather McCollum
Series: The Campbells, Book 4
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Genre: Historical Romance

ISBN: 9781640638716
Release Date: October 21, 2019
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Entangled
Heather McCollum Reading Order

Shaw Sinclair, chief of the outcast clan of Sinclairs of Caithness in northern Scotland, has made a deal with the devil. Despite his strength and lethal skills, he needs help—specifically from a woman—to accomplish his mission to bring a bairn to safety to the coast. When he meets the brave and beautiful Alana Campbell at a Samhain Festival, he decides she's the one.

Alana Campbell is ready to show the world she's just as skillful with a sgian dubh as any man. Attracting the attention of the brawny chief who coerces her to join him on his journey to the coast of Scotland gives her that very opportunity. Sparks flash between them as they're forced to act as husband and wife to accomplish the deadly mission. However, when secrets threaten to tear them apart, they have to decide if their differences outweigh the reality of their feelings…

Shaw Sinclair grew up under the brutal thumb of his wastrel uncle who sold the Sinclair lands to the Campbells. Shaw takes his duties as chief of the Sinclair clan seriously and is determined to protect his people at all costs. His fears for their welfare are well-founded so when the chance to reclaim his lands and guarantee health and safety for his people is offered, he jumps on it. All he has to do is deliver a very important newborn to the coast where she’ll be taken to France. But when the baby is delivered to Shaw, starving and clearly in imminent danger, Shaw knows he and his trusted warriors are going to need help. Chance throws him in the path of Alana Campbell and when her problem-solving skills and kind heart show she’d be perfect to help with the baby, Shaw kidnaps then bargains with her to gain her assistance. Their journey is fraught with danger as they work together to care for and defend the child in their care. Threats they expect, but their mutual attraction is something neither could anticipate. Sinclairs and Campbells are enemies, so there’s no way anything could happen between Shaw and Alana. Is there?

The Highland Outlaw is an exciting, engaging ride thanks to its two leads. Alana and Shaw have great personalities and fantastic chemistry, making the pages of their story fly by.

Alana has a generous heart, a spine of steel, and a deadly aim. She’s exactly the kind of heroine I enjoy and I liked her resourcefulness and spirit. As for Shaw, he’s a chieftain desperate to save his people and will go to great lengths to do so. He’s also as protective as they come and has more honor than he gives himself credit for. He and Alana clash, then become allies in the name of protecting the baby in their charge, and then they become something much more. Their dialogue made me smile, their romance made me sigh, and the way they cared for their vulnerable charge absolutely melted my heart. I loved every bit of Alana and Shaw’s journey and hated it whenever I had to put The Highland Outlaw down because I so wanted them to get their happily ever after.

Feuding clans aren’t the only problem in Shaw and Alana’s way. There are also the men hunting the child they’re sworn to protect, whose origins I’ll leave readers to discover. Alana and the Sinclair warriors with her are outgunned and outnumbered, but I’ll put my money on these fearsome Highlanders any day of the week. And though I must be purposefully vague so as to avoid spoilers, I enjoyed how the secrets, questions of loyalty, and various plots unfolded over the course of the book. Author Heather McCollum balanced the action and the romance perfectly there was never a dull moment in this book.

The Highland Outlaw is the fourth book in the Campbells series, but it can easily be read as a standalone. I’ve adored every single outing with the Campbell clan and the Highland Roses School, where women are taught everything from reading to self-defense. Alana and Shaw’s story is no exception and I dearly hope Ms. McCollum has more adventures in store for the Highland Roses. Ms. McCollum’s strong, compassionate, and skilled heroines and the brave, protective warriors who love them are always a draw for me.

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: The Wicked Viscount by Heather McCollum

By Kimberly 7:53 PM // No comments

The Wicked Viscount by Heather McCollum
Series: The Campbells, Book 3
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Genre: Historical Romance

ISBN: 9781640637979
Release Date: May 27, 2019
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Entangled
Heather McCollum Reading Order

1685, Scottish Highlands

Cat Campbell knows all about Nathaniel Worthington, fifth Viscount of Lincolnshire. The determined Englishman is never far from Finlarig Castle, where his sisters train women to do more than read and write. And thanks to the fiery kiss they shared nearly a year ago he is never far from her thoughts. No one ever trained her how to forget an irresistible man.

Nathaniel knows he should keep his distance from the fierce Scottish lass, but when an urgent letter from Queen Catherine calls Cat to London, he can’t resist volunteering to escort her. The tension between the two has simmered for months, but the long journey in close quarters creates a raging wildfire that could burn them both.

Secrets of their past and the treachery lurking at court put both their future together and their very lives at risk.

Cat Campbell is a healer, a fighter, and a Highland Rose. She’s a plain-speaking woman who fights with bow and arrow or dagger rather than words. But when Queen Catherine needs the help of a Highland Rose in court, Cat is the best candidate to go to her aid. Whitehall is a world away from what Cat knows, filled with scheming, politics, and words that could be far more deadly than a knife. The only person she can trust is her escort, Viscount Nathaniel Worthington, whose sisters run the Highland Roses School. Nathaniel drives her mad, mostly due to the attraction that’s been simmering between the two of them for over a year. Close quarters make the pull between them harder to resist. But can their burgeoning relationship survive the danger that awaits them at court?

Two strong-willed characters with excellent chemistry find love in The Wicked Viscount. Heather McCollum has brought both the glamour and the seedy underbelly of seventeenth century court life to life in this book, but it’s the Nathaniel and Cat who grabbed my attention from the start and made the pages of the story fly by.

Cat is very much a rose with thorns; beautiful but deadly. She’s smart, honest, and even when out of her depth and under pressure she stands strong. Cat has survived tremendous loss and hardship and has vulnerabilities, yet she remains a fierce protector willing to stand up for anyone who needs it. I adored her from the start and I couldn’t wait to see her fall in love with Nathaniel. Nathaniel was raised in his father’s image, but he’s a far different man from his sire. He has a strong core of honor, a protective streak a mile wide, and a distaste for the machinations at court. I was excited to see Nathaniel and Cat get together, as they struck sparks off one another in previous Campbell books. The two of them did not disappoint. The energy between them crackles and their dialogue as they travel to London made me smile more than once. When they give into their desires, The Wicked Viscount gets deliciously – dare I say it? – wicked. While it’s clear they’re made for each other, the ghosts of Cat’s past and the bindings his father’s will have placed on Nathaniel mean that love may not be enough for them to get their happily ever after.

Queen Catherine did not call for a Highland Rose out of misplaced alarm, which means much of The Wicked Viscount deals with unearthing traitors, palace politics, and venomous mean girls. Much like Cat, I’m not one for court gossip, deception, or intrigue but I was still engaged in the story, especially when seeing things through Cat’s eyes. I cannot say much about what happens at court for fear of spoiling the story. Suffice it to say that Ms. McCollum kept things interesting and I enjoyed watching the action build to an exciting climax.

The Wicked Viscount is the third book in the Campbells series (previously known as the Highland Roses School series), but it can easily be read as a standalone. I’ve enjoyed every book in this series with its brave Highland Roses who defend themselves and others and the men who love them and do the same. I cannot wait to return to the Highlands and see what Ms. McCollum has in store for the next Campbell hero or heroine!

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: A Protector in the Highlands by Heather McCollum

By Kimberly 8:30 PM // No comments

A Protector in the Highlands by Heather McCollum
Series: Highland Roses School, Book 2
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Genre: Historical Romance

ISBN: 9781640637108
Release Date: November 26, 2018
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Entangled
Heather McCollum Reading Order

With few other options, Scarlet Worthington flees from her home in England to the wild Highlands of Scotland to help her sister run a school for ladies. There, Scarlet begins to rebuild her own shattered confidence by recruiting a fierce Campbell warrior to teach her and the students how to protect themselves from villains and scoundrels. The intimidating Aiden Campbell both infuriates Scarlet and ignites a fire inside her as she works closely with him to hone her new skills.

Burned in a fierce fire, set by English soldiers, Highland warrior, Aiden Campbell, has finally healed enough to take temporary command of his clan. That's where his focus should be instead of dealing with the feisty, beautiful Sassenach who asks him to teach her students.

When Scarlet's past stalks her up into Scotland, her nightmares come alive, and Aiden's lessons are put to the test. With his own ghosts from the past making him despise English women, Aiden fights the inferno of passion that's grown between them, a different kind of wild fire that could prove just as deadly.

Note: This book has been renamed The Savage Highlander and the series has been renamed The Campbells.

Betrayed, sexually assaulted, and threatened by those of the highest power, Scarlet Worthington does the only thing she can do to protect herself: flee her home. With the help of her brother and sister, Scarlet has found peace, safety, and purpose in Scotland, where she and her sister are running the Highland Roses School. Scarlet is determined to never again be someone’s victim and she wants her students to be able to protect themselves as well. With her new brother-in-law away, the best candidate to teach Scarlet and her students self-defense is the oh-so-handsome (and stubbornly closed-mouthed) warrior Aiden Campbell. Scarlet and Aiden strike sparks off one another immediately, but each has a past that makes them wary of trusting the other. However, some passions are simply impossible to deny…

A Protector in the Highlands grabs your heart and doesn’t let go. Heather McCollum has delivered an emotional, satisfying romance with two incredibly strong leads who are impossible not to root for. Scarlet saved herself from a horrible attack once, but she knows she cannot rely on luck should she be threatened again. I loved her strength, spirit, intelligence, and her determination to learn how to protect herself. She’s clever in coming up with ways for her students to arm and defend themselves and by the end of the book I really wanted a pair of the hair sticks she designed. Her confidence has been badly shaken, but I really enjoyed watching her find herself again. As for Aiden, he’s a fantastic hero. He’s strong, protective, and handsome, to be sure, but what melted my heart was how he acted around Scarlet. He doesn’t even blink when Scarlet asks him to teach her and her students how to defend themselves, even when others are scandalized. He doesn’t know what happened to Scarlet in the past, but he’s always clear that he’ll never make her feel pressured or unsafe and that’s a sexy as hell hero right there. Aiden has ghosts of his own, ones that make him reluctant to trust his heart to Scarlet. But it’s clear that these two are made for each other and I just loved watching them fall madly, passionately in love.

Politics, intrigue, and danger are woven into the story, though to say exactly how would spoil the tale. I liked how these elements rounded out the story, slowly adding intensity until the action-packed climax. All in all, A Protector in the Highlands is a truly satisfying historical romance. Scarlet and Aiden make this story shine and their romance was wonderful to watch unfold. I cannot wait to see what comes next for the brave Highland Roses!

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: A Rose in the Highlands by Heather McCollum

By Kimberly 8:36 PM // No comments

A Rose in the Highlands by Heather McCollum
Series: Highland Roses School, Book 1
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Genre: Historical Romance

ISBN: 9781726414654
Release Date: September 24, 2018
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Entangled
Heather McCollum Reading Order

1684, Scottish Highlands

Englishwoman Evelyn Worthington is resolved to build a school for ladies in her brother's newly purchased Scottish castle. But when she arrives, not only does she find the castle scorched by fire, but a brawny Highlander bars her entry.

Clan chief Grey Campbell would rather die than see his family home, Finlarig Castle, fall into English hands, so Grey must win the battle of wills with the beautiful Sassenach who flashes a bill of sale before him.

When the war between Evelyn and Grey escalates, passions flare. But outsiders have their own plans for Finlarig. After secrets are revealed, and muskets are lit, the fates of the Campbell Clan, the school, and a possible future for Grey and Evelyn are in as much jeopardy as their lives.

Note: This book has been renamed The Scottish Rogue and the series has been renamed The Campbells.

When Evelyn Worthington flees England and an unwanted suitor to start a school in her brother’s newly-purchased Scottish castle, she doesn’t expect to find the castle’s previous owner to still be living there! Clan chief Grey Campbell is dark, brooding, and determined to keep his place in Finlarig Castle, which he claims was unlawfully seized by the English. Evelyn isn’t quite sure what to do about the handsome, irritating man, but she’s not about to let him ruin her future…

Get ready for an entertaining battle of wills! A Rose in the Highlands crackles with energy thanks to the excellent chemistry Grey and Evelyn have. I adored Evelyn’s spirit and her determination to set up a school where girls can learn a host of skills from reading to self-defense. She’s an intelligent woman who won’t be cowed in a time where silence and obedience were demanded of her peers. And while Grey starts out as her enemy, it’s clear these two won’t be able to resist the pull between them for long. Grey has reason to hate the English. His parents were murdered, his castle seized, and he and his family and friends were nearly killed. So even while I was rooting for Evelyn to succeed in starting her Highland Roses school, I understood where Grey was coming from in the beginning. He’s a strong, proud man, but he’s also protective and caring. He and Evelyn make a great match and I enjoyed watching them fall in love. Add in secrets, conspiracies, and a healthy dose of suspense and you have a truly well-rounded story that’s incredibly difficult to put down.

Grey and Evelyn are the heart of A Rose in the Highlands, but the residents of Killin – not to mention Grey and Evelyn’s siblings – add further life to the tale and made me look forward to more Highland Roses School books. So while I finished A Rose in the Highlands a well-satisfied reader, I’m eager to learn Scarlet Worthington’s secrets in A Protector in the Highlands.

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Best Books of 2017

By Kimberly 12:00 AM // No comments

2018 is here and with it comes a batch of highly anticipated reads. But before I fully dive into the new year looking for some new favorite books, it’s time to take a look back at the best books of 2017. I read 138 books last year, including quite a few re-reads that I fell in love with all over again. I tried 31 new (to me) authors and discovered some wonderful authors (like Rebecca Brooks, Santino Hassell, Stefanie London, and Heather McCollum) whose backlists I cannot wait to dive into. And finally, I participated in my eighth A to Z Reading Challenge, a fun challenge that usually leads me to at least a couple of books I might not have moved to the top of my TBR pile otherwise.

I read a number of excellent books in 2017, but I did manage to narrow the list down so I could spotlight my 17 favorites of '17 – the ten best new reads and the seven best re-reads.

Top Ten Books of 2017
Top Re-Reads of 2017

My Top Ten Books of 2017

Note: My picks weren’t all published in 2017 (one is even a 1930s classic), but all were new-to-me reads for the year.
Also note: The books are alphabetized by author as I love them all equally.