This is my first book of this series although I have read others by Heather McCollum and I will say that she is a fantastic author who writes very well. She can paint a picture with her words that places the reader right in the scene and you feel like you are there. She also has done a lot of research on the time and history and incorporates many small details into her descriptions which I appreciate.

This story was slightly unique in that it had two very strong lead characters. As a warrior, there would be none better than Joshua and his reputation proves it. Then there is Kara who has had to prove herself time and again and has had a rough life. While normally I am all for strong female leads, Kara actually was a bit too much for me. I thought she was very manipulative and used herself inappropriately to get what she wanted. I actually felt sorry for Joshua falling so much for her because she seemed a bit self centered. While they definitely steamed up my e-reader, I could not see them together for the long term. It seemed this was a story for a brief few weeks in time, not a romance that would lead to a marriage or any type of future.

This is a steamy romance with a sex scene right from the start, the rest of the time it more sensual and tension. There some lengthy bits, a lot of description of landscapes and such.
Why should you read it? Strong alpha male and a never give up, can handle herself female- which the alpha male appreciates. Romance! And a great adventure on the Orkney Isles.
I received an ARC in exchange for a review

This romance started off super steamy! Kara is a strong female character. She knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to do whatever it takes to get it. I loved the banter between her and Joshua. The story was good and kept me interested. This is my first by this author but won’t be my last. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I just realized I hadn't reviewed this book and as I received this ARC in exchange for a review I definitely am trying to get caught up on my reviews. I will say that this definitely wasn't my favorite book in any way from this author. Now it had a decent plot in many aspects and I actually found the writing (which I have always found with this author) to be quite engaging and a story I didn't want to put it down.....except for the heroine. She definitely wasn't my cup of tea and came on really too strong in her personality in regards to how she treats the hero. Now I have read plenty of books where the heroine takes against or revenge against the hero. BUT, I think what is key in this circumstance is that she was very antagonistic, contrary and not thinking of the harm she was doing to someone else. Our hero is NOT a bad guy in any circumstance, one that has honor and good intentions and she treats him like he isn't worth polishing her boot and that treatment rubbed me the wrong way and to be honest kept me from fully enjoying this story as I wished to. Because I did enjoy many other aspects of the story and just couldn't get in line with this scenario.

While this book just didn't work for me, if you are a pro feminist who likes the hero being treated in such a manner, than you will probably enjoy how it develops. But this is not attractive to me in a romance and really bothered me on a fundamental level. I definitely plan on reading more of this author though, since I do enjoy her work, I just couldn't quite get on board with this story.

It is always a treat to read a Highland warrior romance novel I love the imagery that this author and fuses in the stories I love the romance I absolutely love the character development in the plot I wish I could live in the stories forever what a wonderfully sexy fun novel!

I can't believe that each book in this series just gets better and better! What a absolutely wonderful read. The extra after read was so descriptive and you could just see that dress. I can't wait for the third book.

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

The best way to describe Joshua is a diamond in the rough but the coal is cracking off this diamond. He wants peace. But then Kara walks into her life and she needs him to fight against her Clan Lord. A man Joshua knows well.

I loved Joshua. He was an alpha man but with such a good heart. He just wants to be done with the life he has led but now he also wants Kara. Kara was a bit harder to like. Once they warmed up to each other I warmed up to Kara.

I love the way Heather McCollum writes. She has a way of dragging me in from the first chapter. And I didn’t want to stop reading. I have never been a huge fan of Scottish Romance but have enjoyed a handful of authors and McCollum is one of them.

Can’t wait to read #3.

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

I knew I'd like this book because I am always here for Highland warriors and romance! This was an easy read and kept me engaged. I liked the setting and the historical context. But the characters and love story is of course the best part. Joshua and Kara's story is a little bit of insta-love (well more insta-lust!) but I didn't mind that. They had a lot going on but talked things out and really cared about each other. I definitely cared about them and wanted everything to work out! Kara is definitely stubborn, and I took a little bit to warm up to her. I loved Joshua from the start.
Overall, this is a solid historical romance with an engaging plot and great characters! I'm definitely excited to read more from this author!

Second in Heather McCollum’s Sons of Sinclair series, Highland Warrior is set largely on Orkney north of mainland Scotland in the year 1589. While this is a romance it is also a story about good triumphing over evil as Joshua Sinclair, Horseman of War, helps Kára Flett lead her people out from under the thumb of tyrannical Robert Stuart and his family. Joshua and Kára are strong characters, both passionate about their beliefs and determined to protect what is dear to them. I couldn’t help but cheer them on as their story unfolded. I loved the attention to detail in this story. The clothing, housing and food all felt very appropriate to the historical period and location as did the weaponry and fighting methods described. I also liked the Sun Tsu thread that carried through the book. It provided a very clever hint at what might be motivating Joshua’s actions. This is the first book I’ve read in this series but it’s intrigued me. It certainly kept me turning the pages as fast as I could so I’m now off to read book one while I wait for book three to come out. If you love good, powerful Scottish historical romance then this book is very definitely for you.

The Sons of Sinclair certainly have a lot to live up to, my fellow Scottish romance book loving friends. Thanks to their tough hearted daddy's expectations and the unusual declarations he assigned each of them at birth, they are saddled with some OTT big roles to play. Lucky for them (and us) they all are built like Thor and have the same swagger and attitude to back up those unusual labels.

In this instance, Joshua (Horseman of War) has it going on in more ways than I can count. What he wasn't counting on was falling for Kara, the determined clan leader desperate to save her people. We watch up close and personal this main couple's back and forth dance as they try to figure it all out. You'll have to decide for yourself if you think her tactic of seduction strategy was acceptable or not. It certainty set the stage for some verra hot, graphic smexy scenes. I'll keep most of my own musings on that matter to myself, folks, because though it was consensual it kind of belittled both of them in some aspects initially at least, IMHO.

I did ding the stars here a little for Kara not getting with the program fast enough and making what I felt seemed the obvious best choice right away. Sure, she had some pushing her to not grab such a generous life line, but I was dumbfounded at her initial hesitation.

With what appears to be a year between releases, I have to wait awhile to catch up with what Gideon (Horseman of Justice) will get into. Looks like a lovely MacKay law breaking lass is sure to shake up his world, folks.

Title: Highland Warrior, Series: Sons of Sinclair (Book 2), Author: Heather McCollum, Pages: 400, pub date: 4/27/21, stand-alone but part of series, determined desperate clan leader heroine, widow married really young has kid heroine, loved her husband, afraid of loss heroine, Thor like hero, verra graphic smex scenes early on, romance safe enough for me, OM wants to marry her, evil villain.

Book 1 - Highland Conquest (Cain), 4/28/20
Book 2 - Highland Warrior (Joshua), 4/27/21
Book 3 - Highland Justice (Gideon), 4/26/22

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

I am a big fan of anything by Heather McCollum. And I really am enjoying this series. Kára and Joshua are great together. They make a wonderful pair and the story is a fun adventure. All I have to say to please keep,them coming.

Orkney Isle off the Northern Coast of Scotland 1589
Once again, I feel like I have taken a journey to this time and place as Heather weaves her story with her historical knowledge, descriptions and characters that I could see in my mind. Joshua and his warhorse Fuill especially came alive. "Yet he walked forward with only a sash from the end of his kilt over his bare chest.. with tattoos around his muscular arms and across his back. The dark swirls on his arm in the shape of a horse... Joshua was War incarnate, the second Horseman of the Apocalypse, sent from God, to rage and win against his foes."

Joshua had just ended his training of Robert Stuart's men and he was glad to see the last of them. What he didn't expect was running into Kara, who needed him to help save her people of Orkney from the same man he had just left. The attraction between them was like lightning and her plan to seduce him into helping her seemed like it might come to fruition.

Full of emotion, betrayal, secrets, an evil villain, and two people who come together in not the best of circumstances but need each other. I really want to tell you the entire story, but you will just have to read for yourself! This is truly one of my favorite books of the year and I cannot wait for the next in this series!

I never get tired of Heather McCollum. Her writing is flawless and sweeps me away every time. I get excited whenever I see a new book by this talented author because I just know I’m going to fall in love with the characters and burn the midnight oil because I won’t be able to put it down. highland Warrior was no exception from the first I loved this book and at the end I was head over heels. This is a book I r
Will recommend to my friends for sure,

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased opinion and unbiased review.

Concerning the four brothers we met in the first volume, Highland Conquest (see review here ), Joshua seemed to really possess the personality corresponding to the horseman he’s meant to represent, and I must say I was somewhat dreading his story. But in fact he has already evolved between the end of the first volume and the beginning of this one, and he has started to take a good look at what he has believed his whole life. Even if he still has warrior’s reactions and is quick to be angry, he’s also likeable with a kind heart well hidden, and sometimes he’s too candid which can be badly taken. He goes on using his reputation as the Horseman of War, even if inside he curses the cold or the lack of comfort of the role, and he’s reluctant to teach fighting to the villagers.

Kára is a strong heroine, obstinate, who tends to rush headlong when it’s about protecting those she loves. She has suffered a lot of loss because of the bad guys – her husband, her parents, and her sister – and she refuses to go on hiding in order to survive. She’s ready to use seduction to convince Joshua, and she needs a lot of time before listening to his advices.
Between them the attraction is immediate and the first love scene comes very early, but in the rest of the book there’s more sensuality than sex.

As for the secondary characters we see the heroine’s clan, villagers bullied by the new lord of the island, and who hide in secret caves, and most of all the last members of her family: her son, her brother, and their grandmother, plus their best friends. At the opposite there are two kind of “bad guys”: the soldiers who’re only there to earn their living and appreciate Joshua, and the lord and his sons each more vicious than the next. There’s lot of violence and battle – and lots of nudity, the bad guys belittling the prisoners by having them stripped naked outside in the middle of winter…

I was waiting for the hero’s brothers to intervene, but the author preferred to give prominence to the villagers and have them save themselves, even if we see the brothers at the end, and finally I wasn’t disappointed. I still found there were some lengthy parts, but I have a hard time reading actually so it can be me. In any case I liked this second volume and can’t wait for the next.

4 1/2 STARS*
Joshua is one of four clan Sinclair brothers named for the four horsemen. He is the Horseman of War. Taking his name as his creed, he never loses in battle. Hired for his fighting ability, he trains soldiers to defend themselves. When seduced to help the people of Orkney Isle fight against Robert Stuart and his castle, Joshua hesitates to start a war. The beautiful woman who entices him will put her life first to protect her people. Can he do any less for the woman he loves? Passionate sexual encounters from the beginning set the relationship between Joshua and Kara amid a violent life of survival. Great read for fans of Scottish medieval romance.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

Heather McCollum has written an exciting book in book two of The Sons of Sinclair Series. I enjoyed the characters in the book. They were very intense at times. There was a great story involved between the history and the love story. I think you'll enjoy the book very much. I did.
Thank you for your review.

Heather McCollum sweeps readers into a seductive world of high stakes, passion and danger with her latest captivating Scottish-set historical romance, Highland Warrior.

Joshua Sinclair’s prowess on the battlefield is legendary. Joshua’s exemplary skills with a weapon earned him the reputation as the Sinclair’s clan’s fiercest warrior. All of Northern Scotland knew about Joshua’s exceptional abilities, however, Joshua’s days as a warrior were behind him. Nobody was ever going to convince Joshua to take up his weapons ever again – until he crossed paths with the daughter of a fallen Norse chief who might just manage to change his mind: Kára Flett …

When she finds herself sheltering the strongest and most powerful warrior in the land, Kára vows to bring him over to her side. However, convincing Joshua quickly proves to be easier said than done. He will not be so easily persuaded to take up arms again. He scoffs at her threats of violence and finds offers of gold laughable; even the pleas of the village children cannot sway him leaving Kára with no other option but to use the last weapon in her arsenal: seduction!

The tension between Joshua and Kára had been palpable from the very first moment they met, but when they finally come together the explosive chemistry combusts into a passionate union that quickly gives way to something far deeper than either one of them was expecting. Yet Joshua’s presence in Kára’s life brings her ruthless enemies to her doorstep who will stop at nothing to wreak mayhem and destruction on the clan she is desperately trying to protect.

Is a future for Kára and Joshua possible? Or will the heavy burden of duty lead the two of them to lose out on the love of a lifetime?

Heather McCollum never fails to bring the magic, mystery and majesty of Scotland to life and in Highland Warrior, she once again weaves a beguiling spell upon her readers by writing a powerful and passionate historical romance that exquisitely blends drama, emotion and desire.

Kára and Joshua leap off the pages and their love story is fiery, compelling and unforgettable and will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Heather McCollum’s Highland Warrior is an evocative and enthralling Scottish historical romance from a very gifted storyteller.

4.5 Stars

Another wonderful story with the Highland backdrop, full of action and adventure, loved it

I received a copy from Netgalley and I am voluntarily leaving my own honest opinion

Joshua Sinclair the second male of the Sinclair Clan and one of his father’s sons the four horseman. Joshua is known as the Horseman of War, trained by his father to be one of four Horsemen from Revelations in the bible. Joshua has had enough of war and killing, but he simply wants to go home and live his life in peace. Kara Flett is trying every trick in the book to get him to change his mind and train her people to fight, to protect their lives and their land against Robert Bruce. What a pair these two are Joshua the man of war who doesn’t want to become involved in there war, but finds himself pulled by Kara in and out of bed and her plight to save her family and friends. He’s no their savior, but she might be his! A captivating story of love, war and romance in the Highlands. I voluntarily read and reviewed this excellent book filled romance.

Highland Warrior by Heather McCollum
Sons of Sinclair #2


In days of old
When men were bold
And women even bolder

Came a warrior
To an island
To train soldiers on that land

A fair woman
To save her men
Asked said warrior for a hand

Is he swayed?
Does he help?
Or will he leave them to their fate?


What I liked:
* Kára: strong, smart, steadfast, capable, warrior, widow, mother, leader – great partner for Joshua.
* Joshua: disillusioned, homesick, lethal, warrior, proud, seeking peace, honorable, brother, HOT – great partner for Kára.
* The setting
* That the story was based around historical figures and could have taken place in history
* The idea of underground living as a way to avoid capture
* The outsmarting of the Stuarts
* The horses – hope to see more of them
* The birth scenes and the new way of birthing that I was introduced to
* That Kára was able to defend herself fairly well even against odds that were against her
* The strategic moves and plans that were made to free a kidnapped soul or two and also to save a “couple”.
* Knowing that there are at least two more books in the series to look forward to.

What I didn’t like:
* The Stuarts…all of them…deserve all that happened to them in the book…and in history
* The oppression of people…and knowing it still happens in some parts of the world today
* Having to wait for the next book in the series

Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

Well-written descriptive narrative of characters you will truly care about. Psst…with steam;-)
This is the second in the Sons of Sinclair series. After their mother died and their father went crazy with grief, the four boys were trained to be one of the Four Horsemen from the book of Revelations from the Bible: Conquest (Cain); War (Joshua); Justice (Gideon) and lastly Death (Bàs). There is more back story which you will find in HIGHLAND CONQUEST, book #1. The glossary in the front and the history in the back help with the colloquial words and story.
Joshua Sinclair, the Horseman of War is unsettled after what happened at South Ronaldsay so he moves around selling his war skills as a mercenary. After living under the thatch roof of Lord Robert, Joshua has become disgusted with his treatment of people. As he travels through the small town of Orkney to hire passage on a boat to take him home, he becomes attracted to the bar wench, or so he thinks. She is really the “queen” as her uncle was taken prisoner, which Joshua had witnessed on his way out of Lord Robert’s castle. Whoa! This part sizzles. She needs his skills to rid their people of Lord Robert and he likes her “skills” elsewhere.
Truly I was on the edge of my seat starting about 30% in. Joshua and Kára fight so many seen and unseen battles until they get their HEA. Best ending EVER! I’m sure this is a romanticized version of what life might have been like back then but so stirring. McCollum has made Joshua a very intimidating warrior with finesse like “007” and grit like “Rambo” with Kára his equal in fortitude. I can’t wait for Gideon’s book now. If you like historical Highlander fiction with limited steam (just enough really), read this book. I volunteered to review an ARC of this book through Entangled/NetGalley and give it high praise.