Book 2 in the Campbell series answers some of the questions raised in book 1. Grey, Evelyn, and Nathaniel left Scotland to travel to English court after dismembering a nest of English traitors. Grey has left his cousin, Aiden in charge. How does he deal with Scarlet, since he has no use for English women especially nobles. His dislike is more than sustaining burns when he was almost burned alive when English soldiers burned Finlarig Castle. His reasons are much deeper and of much longer duration. It was at Scarlet's urging that she and her sister left the English Court in the middle of the night. One of the classes at the Roses school is self defense. Why does Scarlet feel so strongly that each student know how to bring down a man if needed. Of course, Scarlet excels at these lessons. Just what happened at court? As Aiden and Scarlet spend more time together, they learn that maybe the other isn't so bad. They have to stick together when Finlarig Castle gets an unexpected visit from England's King and Queen, a couple of surprising guests, and a new assassination plan. It all makes for a tale that holds the reader's attention as questions are answered and dangers endured. If you want to read excellent Scottish stories with brawny Highlanders and strong, intelligent women, look no further than this author. Always a great read.

I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book 2 in the Highland Rose series. I didn’t think I was going to like the series but I did actually enjoy it. In this book we get Scarlett’s tale. I loved it and couldn’t put it down.

I didn't realise when I requested this book, that it was the second book in the series. That didn't bother me too much though, as it caught you up on what had happened in the last book and this one was about different characters.

I really love how Scarlet and Aiden were made for each other. They both have scars, Scarlet's are mental and Aiden's are physical and they have to fight against them in this book.

It's not the most historically accurate book I've ever read but it was a really good read and I really enjoyed it. It was so much more than a romance novel, there were some really deep-rooted issues that the characters had to come up and fight against, and I loved the high-stakes action and the strength and determination of all of the characters to overcome it all.

But the thing I loved most about this book was Scarlet. Whenever I have read a Scottish romance before, and even when watching Outlander on TV, they try and make the female leads strong and independent but usually they just comes across as whiney and annoying, and not the feminist heroes we want to see. Scarlet, however, was a fierce kick-ass heroine that any girl could look up to. She's got a strong mind, strong morals and she knows just what she wants. And even though she does get nervous and afraid, she doesn't ever want a man fighting for her, she tackles her demons herself.

The Highland Roses are epic.

There were a lot of twists and turns to the story that kept me engrossed until the end, and the romance fit really well within the story.

Let's just give this one a big, heartfelt sigh and a big, goopy smile. This, to me, is excellently-written romance with both a heroine and a hero that feel realistic. Reading this, you WANT them to get their HEA.

I thought that book one of this series was great until I read book 2 (this book). Book 2 was even more awesome than the first one!! This book had so much packed into it: emotion, drama, suspense, action, humor and romance! It had a couple of unexpected twists too. This book was so good with it's complex story/plot and wonderful characters. I can't wait to read the next installment of this series. This is a very talented author and I highly recommend this book.

Review excerpted from my blog post over at FanSciHist (https://fanscihist.wordpress.com/2019/02/21/a-protector-in-the-highlands-by-heather-mccollum/)


My Rating: 3.5 stars

Library recommendation: Recommended for public library historical romance collections.

Warning: Hereafter, you chance spoilers. I will try never to reveal major plot points, but to review any book, you must reveal some parts of the story.



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Number of titles I have read by this author: 2

Love story speed: Medium burn

Relationship dynamics: The King’s Unwilling Flavour-of-the-Month on the Run (h) / The Scarred, Prejudiced Second-in-Command (H)

Sexual content: Some; sex between H and h is romantic, “onscreen” and explicit. See Triggers for other sexual content.

Triggers: Sexual assault survivor trauma (h); some PTSD (H); explicit description of sex acts between other couples and groups; non-consensual and consensual voyeurism; explicit description of battle.

Grammar/Editing: No typos noted. Grammar was fine.

Review: Like the first book in the series (see review here: https://fanscihist.wordpress.com/2018/08/10/a-rose-in-the-highlands-by-heather-mccollum/), this book sets a medium pace. This book did not seem as well-written as the first, however. The sudden changes in perspective were somewhat hard to follow, requiring me to re-read in spots to sort out whose head I was in, and some details were repetitious; for instance, you will know without a shred of doubt that the lone male dog in the book is named Robert. These details aside, the action in this book seems plausibly set within its historical context, as cursory research revealed little information as to how Charles II spent the last few months of this life.

Scarlet and Aiden are interesting characters and I was a bit surprised at the relatively easy progression of their relationship. While Scarlet is certainly a determined individual as described previously, Aiden, even though billed as a sassenach-hater (particularly in the first book), is an incredibly reasonable man. I also found that the backstories for Scarlet and Aiden were unevenly revealed. Aiden’s backstory was meted out in a rather miserly fashion, which was somewhat frustrating. Further, Scarlet’s preoccupation with learning self-defense was a little excessive and felt overly modern for a historical romance. On a positive note, the supporting characters, particularly the antagonists, are fairly well-developed.

While I didn’t enjoy this book as much as the first, I will continue to read the series.

Rocky IV version: In a cabin in the woods, the hero and heroine train for battle against the insurmountable baddie. Cue Eye of the Tiger. *TRAINING MONTAGE.*

Full disclosure: I received a free advance review copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Great highland story. Enjoyable characters. Lived that women were being trained to protect themselves. Some clever ideas for hidden weapons. A bit spicy in spots

I always enjoy Heather McCollum books and this book is not an exception! Gteat characters and plot!!! Looking forward her next book!

A good story, the second in the series. This one has Scarlett teaching at her sister's school in Scotland, and Aidan is the hunky highlander sworn to protect her. At times a bit repetitive, and therefore skimmable, but overall an enjoyable highlander story. Would recommend.

Heather McCollum is one of my go to authors for a great Scottish Highlands romance! She is one of the best. This book is part of a series but can be read individually. The characters were great and of course, our hero, is sexy and swoon worthy. I won't go into the plot here, but I highly recommend and know you will fall in love with this author!

Standard highland fare, well told. I kept feeling like this was a continuation of something else, but if so, the details didn't completely mesh with what I remembered.

I received an arc from Netgalley. While I loved the characters in this book and the overall storyline it was a little bit slow at times. After about 60 percent of the way through I found myself skimming and pacing through.

Again, even though it was slow moving at times I would definitely read more by this author.

A Protector in the Highlands is a solid historical by Ms. McCollum. Interesting plot and characters. Truly enjoyed it.

Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

I have McCollum to thank for showing me that the Highlander Romance genre is one that I truly enjoy.

I picked up her previous series and now I believe I am reading everything she writes.

This is the second in a new series by McCollum and I was so excited to read it since I enjoyed the first one. And I was not disappointed again. The characters are so real and likable… well except for the ones that shouldn’t be liked…. Then they are delightfully unlikable. Even the background characters are fun to read.

Another wonderful addition to the Highlander Romance genre! Grab it before the next one comes out. Where is #3???

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I received this book through Net Galley. Aiden is a great hero. He is traditional except when it comes to Scarlet. He is training this Englishwoman to become a warrior. Scarlet suffered abuse at the hands of a man, so she knows she must learn to defend herself. Lovely story, wonderful characters!

Book: A Protector in the Highlands
By Heather McCollum

Series: Highland Roses School, Book #2

Reviewed by: Barb Massabrook (of)
1)Tartan Book Reviews
2)Purple Tulip Book Reviews
3) Celtic World of Historical Book Reviews 4)Celtic Barb’s Tartan Book Review Blog

Heat Rating: 🔥

Book Rating: 5/5 Stars/Kilts






Finlarig Castle
Killin, Scotland
November, 1684

Scarlet Worthington was on the run when she ran away from England to be with her sister Evelyn in Scotland. This was perfect timing to help her run the Highland Roses School. Evelyn and Grey are off to England to prove his parents innocence. However To prove this: they must bring the two traitors heads - to show who the real villains are! Let us just hope this quote does not apply: “Confidence is like a dragon where, for every head cut off, two more heads grow back.” Except in this story this quote seems very true.

Aiden Campbell is finally out of confinement! Finally healed from after being badly burned from the castle fires, which nearly cost him his life. In his brother Grey’s absence, he his now to take charge as Chief, while his brother is in England proving their parents innocence. Now Aiden hates all Sassenach especially English women, which is a mystery as well. You would think he would hate the English soldiers the most, for nearly killing himself and his clan by setting fire to Finlarig castle. He does hate everything English but his hatred for English women is more intense and possibly personal?

He does not believe Scarlet Worthington will remain in cold Scotland forever, yet the more he gets to know her the more he finds her charm, wit, bravery and courage to match her exquisite beauty. He, like Scarlet also continues to be tortured by night terrors as some call nightmares. Scarlet’s nightmares continue and her reason for running to Scotland is soon discovered. Scarlet does not trust any man except for maybe her brother Nathaniel, the Viscount of Hollings Estate, in Lincolnshire. Yet as Scarlet soon discovers that she and Aiden have more in common than she thinks. She is now the sole teacher while Evelyn is away at her Highland Rose school and wants to teach the ladies to become warriors. So they will never fear men or anyone else who might prey on their feminine weakness. For this she asks Aiden for his knowledge and tutoring to teach ladies to become warriors. To do this they must wear breeches for agility, have hair picks, which are sharpened daggers, to kill or at least maim their would be attacker.

Aiden knows Scarlet is also keeping secrets, especially her conviction that she will never return to England again! Of course Aiden doesn’t believe her. As all English woman always leave cold Scotland. Unfortunately soon the past catches up to Scarlet. Yes she escapes England, but soon her worst night terror becomes a reality! Showing up at the Castle gates in Scotland uninvited. All Scarlets fears and horrific nightmares comes to life. The only man besides her brother she trusts and turns for protection is a man who hates but desires her. He is none other than Aiden Campbell! The one man she is most attracted to, yet hates her just because of the country of her birth!

Aiden has a lot on his shoulders stepping up as Chieftain, for it isn’t only his heart he needs to protect but the safety of the clan. He doesn’t know how Grey handles this responsibility everyday. In addition the relationship between and Scarlet is a bit of a tug of war. Yet soon this thing between them grows even bigger, but will it last? Aiden knows she won’t stay in Scotland. The English women never do, another reason he doesn’t want to involve his heart. The problem is his heart is already involved and soon the two star crossed lovers find outside dangers and possible clan wars and even death.Yet to catch a rose you must be weary of its thorns…

Heather McCollum pens another brilliant novel with that golden pen of hers! A book that readers definitely don’t want to miss. I always love whatever this author is currently writing. I loved every book in The Highland Isles series and I have loved each book in her new Highland Roses School series. This is the second book in the series which is absolutely mind blowing in my opinion!

I think every woman should have a hair pick on them for protection! Plus you can’t help but fall in love with the swoon worthy,English hater with burn scars, Aiden Campbell! Any fans of Heather McCollum definitely do not want to miss this masterpiece.

This book is probably my favorite at the moment. A definite shelf keeper that readers will want to revisit and read again. A fast moving riveting, romantic, action filled, suspenseful, adventure, that I absolutely loved. It has so many twists, turns, including ups and downs, that readers will be holding to the edge of their seats! I was holding my breath with bated breath, not knowing what could possibly happen next!


There is more that one villain and more than one plot. I love the idea of independent women in seventeenth century Scotland. It was absolutely brilliant and awe-inspiring that will make you laugh and cry and cheer this special heroine on!

I can’t recommend it enough! I absolutely and unequivocally loved A Protector in The Highlands by Heather McCollum.

Highland Roses School Series
By Heather McCollum

1# A Rose in the Highlands-Grey and Evelyn

2# A Protector in the Highlands-Aiden and Scarlet

Disclaimer: I received an advance reader’s copy from Entangled Publishing. I voluntarily agreed to do an honest, fair review and blog through netgalley. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.


Amazon Buy Link:
https://www.amazon.com/Protector-Highlands-Highland-Roses-School-ebook/dp/B07K6DSGBL/ref=mp_s_a_1_26?ie=UTF8&qid=1541998793&sr=8-26&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=heather+mccollum+kindle+books

I received this book through Netgalley. I really liked this story set in old Scotland where a budding romance between a Highlander and an English lady comes to life. Scarlet has had some bad experiences in her past, and Aidan is trying to help her work through them. Nice romance novel with some spice.

Make no mistake. I normally enjoy this author’s writing style. Scarlet and Aiden’s back and forth banter and conversations are what made this story for me, my fellow Scottish romance book loving friends. It slowly but surely set the stage for them to become a caring couple. This author has proven to me she can hold my interest by establishing a genuine connection between the main couple. It also helps she uses just the right amount of Scottish brogue to make it feel verra authentic, as well.

However, this time I had some issues. The namesake of this series received too much focus and attention, IMHO. To the point I found it eye rolling at times. I grew weary of the repetitiveness in discussing why a woman needed to know self defense and the lengthy practice demonstrations. We get it, OK! We do not need to be told over, and over, and over how to knee a lad in his ballocks. It got to the point I expected Scarlet to start stopping every woman she came across and matter of factly inquire, “Have you kneed a lad in the bollocks today? No? Well, let me show you the correct way to do it.” Rein it in, Scarlet, honey, that’s all I’m saying.

The concept of what this storyline morphed into and how it all wrapped up was basically too far out there for my tastes. For example, I’m all for empowered women, but I didn’t think the latter portion was all that well scripted. I stopped reading around 94%. It became a “Yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever” read.

Content warning: Some sexual assault material. Some graphic bloody fighting.

Title: A Protector in the Highlands, Series: Highland Roses School (Book 2), Author: Heather McCollum, Pages: 386, stand-alone but part of a series, virgin heroine, alpha protective hero, overkill on the series theme, sexual assault flashbacks and current attempted one, no cheating, no love triangle, no OW/OM drama, wasn’t as good as I had hoped.

Book 1 - A Rose in the Highlands
Book 2 - A Protector in the Highlands

(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review. There is no affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)

Scarlet Worthington was all set to flee to Scotland when her sister Rose decided to head to Scotland to set up a school. In the first book A Rose in the Highlands is was very clear Scarlet was fearful to leave her home and her need to leave England like the hounds of hell were after her. Aiden Campbell has finally healed after a fire set by the English soldiers, he despise anything English, but when Scarlet comes to recruit him to teach her and the school’s students the art of self-defense he’s intrigued by the feisty Sassenach. Love these two they are both trying so hard to return to a normal life, trying to redefine what a normal life is when Scarlet’s past and worst nightmare finds her in Scotland. Will Aiden be able to overcome his past in time to save her? A great story with adventure, intrigue, traitors and betrayals, and a healing that only unconditional true love can provide. This is my honest opinions after I voluntarily read a copy of this book that was provided to me with no requirements for a review.

Author Heather McCollum never disappoints in the stories she creates and the characters within. Romance, action and moments that entertain. A top pick in reading.
Review copy received from Entangled Publishing via Netgalley