Highland Beast by Heather McCollum ARC Review!

 

Title: Highland Beast (Sons of Sinclair Series #4)
Author: Heather McCollum
Publish Date: April 25th, 2023
Publisher: Entangled - Amara
Source: Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC for review!

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.

Penelope's Review

I'm such a huge fan of this series and I've been looking forward to reading Bàs's story for awhile now. I'm so happy he's finally getting his turn. On the surface, Bàs appears to be cold and merciless, dedicated to his duty as executioner for Clan Sinclair. But deep down, Bàs is tormented with guilt and lives a life of solitude. When Shana whirls into his life, he doesn't know what to do with these new feelings and revelations. She gets under his skin and forces him to look deep within himself in a new light. 

I definitely liked the dynamic between these two, would have loved to see them together more! There were times when the Ivy/Edward/Erskine drama overshadowed Bàs/Shana's story but I still really enjoyed the plot. I also loved all of the animals! Bàs's love of animals was one of my favorite aspects of his personality. It added a really nice touch to the story. 

Overall, I think this was a really sweet story with some exciting plot elements. I liked the characters, and was very happy to have gotten Bàs's story. Very much looking forward to reading the sister's story!

Rating: 4/5 Devils!

Highland Justice by Heather McCollum ARC Review!

 

Title: Highland Justice (Sons of Sinclair #3)
Author: Heather McCollum
Publish Date: April 26th, 2022
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Source: Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC for review!

Without mercy, there is no love in this third installment of the Sons of Sinclair historical romance series by award-winning author Heather McCollum.

Gideon Sinclair, the third Sinclair brother, judges everything in stark terms of good and evil. There is nothing in between, and he is efficient at passing judgment without mercy. Now that his clan has conquered the warring MacKays, Gideon starts the process of integrating them into the Sinclair Clan. He will sort the people, punish the bad, and better the lives of the good. Judging is as easy to him as breathing, until he meets Cait MacKay, who steals his breath...along with his Sinclair ring.

A young widow, Cait MacKay has given her life over to helping the orphaned children in the clan. But love won’t put shoes on their cold feet and food in their stomachs. Cait tired years ago of seeing the rich get richer and the poor suffer more and more, so she decided to do something about it. An agile thief of the rich by night, when she is caught, the new conquering chief must decide her fate.

When Gideon realizes that the thief is the same woman who had already captured his attention, he hesitates for the first time in his life. Letting her get away with her deed leads to more trouble when she is accused of stealing from King James and is arrested. Now Gideon must commit his own crime against the Scottish crown if he is to save Cait. But can a man who was raised to honor and uphold justice break the law for the woman who’s stolen his heart?

Penelope's Review

This is the third book in the Sons of Sinclair series, but each can be read as a standalone. I read and loved Joshua's story in the second book and I was really excited for Gideon's story! I'm happy to say I was not disappointed!

As the Horseman of Justice, Gideon follows the letter of the law at all times. He doles out punishments and sentences based on what he feels is just and fair, based on both experience and copious amounts of time reading books. Cait, on the other hand, doesn't see the world in black and white. She understands the reality of all the grey areas that life holds and is unafraid to do what is necessary for those she loves regardless of how morally grey her actions may be. 

I absolutely loved these two together. They complemented each other perfectly, both teaching the other something of value and importance. Gideon's view of the world becomes more flexible, and Cait begins to see herself as someone worthy of love. 

There are a few arcs in the story that bring some tension and excitement, but overall it's a happy story. I like this author's writing style, and the little unique elements she adds to her stories to keep a reader turning the pages. I am quite looking forward to Bas's story - I have a feeling it may become my favorite of the series!

Rating: 4/5 Devils!

Highland Champion by Cynthia Breeding Book Review

Title: Highland Champion (Children of the Mist #3)
Author: Cynthia Breeding
Publish Date: November 15th, 2021
Publisher: Entangled Amara
Source: Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy for review!

Lorelei Caldwell is elated about her first season in London. For the next few months, she and her best friend can indulge in balls, flirting, and enjoying the delights of London society without any family interference. This season is for adventure, not marriage. But her adventures are short-lived after the arrival of her friend’s brawny, dark-haired Highlander brother, Alasdair MacGregor, who insists on standing as chaperone.

Officially, Alasdair is in London to reclaim lands that rightfully belong to his clan. Unofficially, he’s here to figure out how best to win Lorelei’s hand in marriage. But London proves to be full of complications… especially when she begins matchmaking him with someone else.

Except Lorelai’s plans have backfired and she is finding herself craving Alasdair’s attentions. Her longing for freedom could come at a high price, unless Alasdair can salvage her reputation...without destroying her independent heart.

Penelope's Review

This is the second book I have read by Cynthia Breeding and I am still a fan of her work! I was excited to see that Lorelei was getting a story, and I'm really enjoying getting to know each MacGregor brother!

In Highland Champion, Lorelei goes to London for the Season with the MacGregor sister Fiona, and Alasdair goes along as well to settle some land disputes now that the clan name has been restored. We know from previous books that there has already been one stolen kiss between the two, so I was very excited to see how the relationship between them played out given their history.

This was a slow burn romance, and aside from their own thoughts about each other, I found that there wasn't a lot of physical interaction between the two. One thing I will say is that I really wanted more - but the storyline and twists and turns is what really kept my interest here, so I didn't end up minding as much. I found that Fiona and her suitors actually seemed to play almost as big a role as Lorelei and Alasdair's which was interesting. I don't often read a book where a supporting character takes such a front stage role but I absolutely adored Fiona and I loved trying to work out the intentions of Gavin and Erik so this was honestly more of a help to the book than a hindrance in my opinion.

While I enjoyed reading the whole book, I have to say that things picked up quite a bit at the end and became very exciting! I still have some questions - mainly about Lady Melissa and Lord Westwood and what exactly the history is there but perhaps we will find out in a future book? Overall, I think this was a good read, with lots of nice little historical details scattered throughout. I look forward to continuing the series!

Rating: 4/5 Devils!

The Highlander's Pirate Lass by Heather McCollum Book Review

 

Title: The Highlander's Pirate Lass
Author: Heather McCollum
Publish Date: August 23, 2021
Publisher: Entangled: Scandalous
Source: Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a review copy!

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.

Penelope's Review

This is the second book in The Brothers of Wolfe Isle series and follows Beck and Eliza. While I definitely enjoyed this book, I have to say it wasn't my favorite Highlander romance. Let's delve into the details!

So Beck is one of the Macquarie brothers and as such, is forced to endure the consequences of the curse placed on his clan. All of the Macquarie brothers have to discover what love is, get married, and have kids! No bastards allowed or the island will never be re-populated. Beck is such a great character - he's sweet and passionate, but he's not ready to settle down yet! When he meets Eliza Wentworth, he finds his attraction to her impossible to ignore. 

Eliza is a terror on the sea and has earned her badass reputation after overcoming incredible hardships. She has no filter, saying exactly what's on her mind. I found her "unladylike" commentary hilarious most of the time. I enjoyed the connections formed between Beck and Eliza, but wasn't totally in love with their relationship. It had some good points, but also some meh points. I didn't find myself grasping onto every word they said to each other and hoping that it would all work out for the two of them. It was likeable, but not loveable.

The storyline itself had some interesting elements. The pirate element was a unique take for a historical romance, and I enjoyed it. The book moved along at a steady pace, and I was able to finish it pretty quickly. I definitely liked it, but it just wasn't my favorite McCollum book. I encourage you guys to give it a try though and form your own opinions!

Rating: 3.5 Devils!