Member Reviews

Heather McCollum has hit all the right notes in this swashbuckling romantic adventure between a sexy Highlander and a feisty pirate lass.

I love reading highlander romance and Heather McCollum’s talent of storytelling gives us a delicious combination of adorable, fun and feisty characters with a strong and interesting plot.

This book was an absolute pleasure to read. McCollum has an art of writing charming likeable non-jerk alpha heroes and strong heroines. Beck is just so much fun as a hero. Funny, strong and cute. It took me longer to like Eliza Wentworth but she soon grew on me and I started sympathising with her. She suffered a horrifying tragedy in her childhood and burdens herself with unforgivable guilt that makes her take certain decisions. By the end, all I wanted was for Eliza to have her happily ever after and Beck and his family were just perfect for her. The romance was cute, and the leads had such sizzling chemistry that I devoured the book in one sitting. I got so lost in the story that I just wanted more and more. This was a fantastic highlander romance and is definitely a must-read.

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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.

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A wonderful adventure on the high seas! While trying to capture the infamous French pirate Jandeau, Highlander Beck crosses paths with Eliza, whose family has been killed by the same pirate who held her captive when she was only twelve. Incidentally, Beck needs a bride to break the curse of Wolf Isle, where his clan lives. All five Macquarie brothers must “learn to truly love someone”, says the curse. Can Eliza be the one for this Macquarie brother? Or is she too scarred to be able to love someone?
In this book the author does a very good job at fleshing out her characters and I found myself worrying for Eliza and Beck and suffering with them in the highlight moments of the book . Eliza is a wonderful young woman, passionate, capable and full of life and purpose, while Beck is brave and honorable. Their attraction is almost immediate and their passion scorching! The book is not at all dark despite the premise and there are quite a few funny moments. I also loved the wonderful descriptions of the Scottish coast and of the ships. I look forward to the next book and the new, sexy brother! Definitely a five star read.

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The last thing Beckett “Beck” Macquarie expected to find while sailing his ship the Calypso home was castaways on the small uninhabited island of Eilean Mor Isle. He rescues the lovely lass and her companions; an older woman and three children. He is further shocked to learn that he shares a common enemy with the lass – the wretched French pirate, Claude Jandeau and if that was not enough – she saves his ship when Jandeau confronts them on their return to Wolf Isle.

Elizabeth “Eliza” Wentworth was only 12 years old when Jandeau attacked the ship she was on with her parents and younger brother, she witnessed her father being killed and her mother raped before she was taken captive by Jandeau – she spent two hellish weeks hiding from him before she was rescued by English Privateer Capt. John Pritchard. Capt John took her aboard his ship the Devil’s Blood and for the last ten years has raised her as his own. Eliza loves life on the sea and has vowed two things – one to kill Claude Jandeau and two to never marry because she will never be able to give up the sea. But meeting Beck makes her long for things she can never have, but just because she won’t marry doesn’t mean she can’t have a lover and who better than Beck to fill that role? Especially since his family is cursed and will continue to be so if they sire any illegitimate offspring, so she won’t have to worry about becoming pregnant and ending up landlocked! It is perfect, as long as she doesn’t lose her heart to him.

This was a fantastic, well-written book that was so much fun to read. The book has curses, pirates, vows of revenge, stolen ships, great secondary characters, surprising reunions, steamy love scenes, lots of action, and finally a lovely HEA that seems to be moving the Macquaries one step closer to breaking the curse. I truly enjoyed this book, and would happily recommend it. This is the second book in the series and while it could be read as a standalone, I would strongly recommend reading the books in order.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

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Just as good as the first book!
This series is filled with everything a historical romance reader could want. It has action, adventure, highlanders, pirates and curses.
This series centers around a band of brothers trying to break an ancestral curse. The premise is so much fun and leaves a lot of room for the author to write plenty of adventures for the brothers and their loves. It makes each installment feel fresh and unique.
I loved the heroine. She was so badass and resilient. Beck was the gentlemen in warrior's clothing. I appreciated that he didn't try to change the heroine. Real man right there!
I think this read fine as a standalone since any information needed from the first book is provided as needed. This is its own story.

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The second book in Allison B. Hanson's Brothers of Wolf Isle series, The Highlander's Pirate Lass finds Beck Macquarie at sea, having completed the shipbuilding he undertook after the adventures in Her Accidental Highlander Husband. While on the hunt for the nefarious French pirate Jandeau, Beck comes to the rescue of a stranded group of women and children, only for one of them to attempt to take over his ship when Jandeau appears.
Determined to protect the people she considers her family, Eliza Wentworth will do anything to defeat her former captor, Jandeau - even if that means betraying Beck. Even though she’s taken him as her first lover. But family is everything, since she witnessed her parents being killed by Jandeau and failed to save her younger brother when she herself was rescued from a future of enslavement and worse.
With Eliza’s trauma and the constant threat of capture, violence, and sexual enslavement, this story has ample reason for being less light hearted than the prior book in the series. However, one of my favorite bits is Old Adam’s repeated questions, to the consternation of the brothers and the puzzlement of Eliza who doesn’t understand why it is so important for him to know whether she is herself or has conceived an illegitimate child – until she is finally enlightened about the Macquarie’s curse.
Once again, Allison B. Hanson brings a mixture of characters old and new, with a plotline that keeps the story moving and the reader engaged. I do love an escape into a fantasy of Scottish Highlander historical romance, and this does fit the bill, while also featuring some of the more unsavory side of life in the 1500's.
I voluntarily read a digital galley of this book through NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. A positive review was not required and these are only my own honest opinions. Open door romance.

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4.5 stars
This story moved along at a very good pace. It had engaging characters and a storyline that kept my interest until the end. Eliza was unlike any woman Beck had met before. Living on a ship for ten years, she had little idea how a lady would behave or what was acceptable to be said in public. Eliza was keen to learn new things and that included reaching her new things. Beck was a strong and handsome man, who was very attracted to Eliza but knew he had to be aware of the curse on Wolf Island. There are a number of mysteries to be solved, such as, who is really Eliza’s family and what happened to her young brother. There were times of danger, when I was on the edge of my seat and some heartfelt moments as well. There was a feeling of close family bonds. I hadn’t read the first book in the series but this didn’t spoil my enjoyment of this book. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Pure romantic escapism!

Adventure, pirates, curses, and romance - everything flows together to make this an outstanding story that I read through in one sitting. Beck rescues Eliza, her friend Alice, and three orphaned children in their care and finds out they have a common enemy - the same French pirate that threatened Beck's new sister-in-law two years earlier.

Between hunting the pirate and reuniting Eliza with her adopted father, Beck also has to contend with the curse that has plagued his family for generations. Eliza isn't ready to trust any man, nor is she ready to give up her life on the high seas with the privateer she sails with, but she can't seem to resist the magnetic pull she shares with Beck.

I adored the first book in this series, and this one is every bit as engaging. I loved seeing Adam and Lark again, and seeing the entire clan working towards giving Beck and Eliza their HEA and bringing the dreaded curse one step closer to its end. I had so much fun reading this story, savoring the most romantic parts, and I highly recommend this for anyone who loves adventure on the high seas and legendary romances. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

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What a fabulous twist on the pirate trope! Eliza Wentworth, heroine of The Highlander’s Pirate Lass, does a very creditable job as a pirate, complete with excellent skills as a sailor and a wicked ability to wield a knife. Mind you, Beck Macquarie is more than a match for Eliza. Not only is he in superb physical shape but he is also clever enough to have learned how to build his own ship. These two spark off each other from their first encounter, offering the promise of passion which is certainly fulfilled, both sexually and in their conversations.
This book is the second in Heather McCollum’s Brothers of Wolf Isle series. It’s set in the Scottish Hebrides in the mid sixteenth century, a location and time in history that has always fascinated me. There are aspects of this story which may upset some readers including strong violence, rape and murder. All of this was in context and enriched the story for me. I zipped through it and am eagerly anticipating book three in the series.

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Yowza! What more could you ask for? A handsome, braw highlander who has to help stop a curse, a feisty lass who is bent on revenge and an exciting journey to love!

As always, Heather has the gift to draw you in quickly to a wonderful story that does not stop until the end! Beck (oh yes I love that name!) and Eliza are attracted almost upon sight and the back and forth between them is entertaining and sparks a strong bond.

She needs to be rescued off the island, and he needs wife and bairns to help break the curse on the island where he and his brothers live. Could they help each other!!

Wonderful characters, exciting action and adventure and a sizzling romance that brings true love. Sigh.

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This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was fast-paced and steamy, held my attention and I didn't want to put it down. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others.

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Book 2 of the Brothers of Wolf Isle series. This continuation did not disappoint. Once again the chase is on to find the pirate Jandeau (the vicious pirate who kidnapped Lark from book 1). Beck Macquarie built his ship The Calpyso so he could sail around his family's Isle for both protecting and hunting. He wants Jandeau bad. On one such hunt he sees a women flagging him down. It is a small deserted area near Wolf Isle and since it is storming he goes to help. There he finds Eliza, and her wee band of "pirates" (a teenager, child, baby and older woman) hiding and waiting for their captain to come back and get them. He instantly falls for Eliza but when getting to know her he learns of the complete horrors this woman has been through, at the hand of none other than Jandeau (she witnessed him kill her parents and then hid her 3 yr old brother). He brings them home and thats when the adventure truly begins. Eliza trusts no one. She sails with her Captain/adopted father (a man who rescued her from Jandeau at the age of 12) around the seas rescuing children and people from pirates who would hurt/sell/enslave those they capture. Now Beck wants in. He agrees to help all the while his brothers and crusty old friend Rabbie want him to stay away from her. NO Bastards, thats the curse (each brother must marry for love, and not sire any bastards). Since Eliza has vowed never to marry they want her out of his life, even though she and her plight are hitting a nerve with the clan. They must all work together too once and for all capture Jandeau, plus keep Beck from getting attached to this pirate lass. Along the way we meet up with old friends, a lass that would make a harpy cry and a traitor looking to redeem himself!

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The Highlander’s Pirate Lass by Heather McCollum
The Brother’s of Wolf Isle #2

A cursed family, tree that bleeds but won’t leaf or flower, brothers back to see the curse broken and their clan grow again ~ This series has action, adventure, romance, and happy endings for the brothers, the women they end up with and those that settle on the island.

What I liked:
* Eliza Wentworth: a survivor, ruthless, capable, strong, resilient, protective, outspoken, tempestuous, orphan, intriguing, never plans to marry, faced with big choices – what will she choose?
* Beck Macquarie: second oldest of five brothers, cursed, careful, craftsman, sailor, skillful, charming, smitten by Eliza but is he ready to settle down?
* The Macquarie brothers – not a lot was said about them in the book but do want to read their stories
* Captain John and his crew who were friends and family to Eliza
* Calypso – a beautiful shop built by Beck
* The writing, plot, story, and feel of the story
* The descriptions of the sea, ship, battle, characters ~ made me care and feel I was there
* That though the crew Eliza sailed with may have not been “good” men they were definitely good to her, and she felt they were her family
* The continuation of the story of the curse and finding out how the tree chronicling the changes required manages to be included in the story
* The romance between Eliza and Beck
* That “the crow” did not intimidate Eliza
* All of it really except…

What I didn’t like:
* Jandeau – ruthless, soulless, murderous, evil, sadistic, despicable pirate
* Jandeau’s crew and what they would do
* Thinking about what happened to those taken by pirates
* Having to wait for book three

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in the series? Yes

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

5 Stars

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The Highlander Pirate’s Lass


I don’t really read pirate romances or highlander romances all that often but this book/series may change that. I did read this as a standalone and it did make sense, I was not confused or lost at all.

The romance here was nice, the fact that its as built on mutual respect and similar passions as well as attraction was really neat.

I loved how passionate and driven the heroine was as well as the found family trope there. So good.

I also think the curse aspect of the storyline was interesting and I am excited to see how it pans out in the rest of the series.

Overall it was interesting and very well written! I would definitely suggest you check it out! I am excited to go back and read the first book and check out the rest of the series once they publish!!

Thank you to Netgalley and Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to review! All thoughts are my own!


Review will be posted on my Instagram on either the 22nd or 23rd of August

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I really enjoyed Eliza and Beck's story! I loved how strong a woman Eliza was and that she would do anything to avenge the death of her family even if it meant stealing Beck's ship, LOL! I just loved watching these two together. The bantering had me laughing out loud and the chemistry between the two was read hot! This was a great addition to the Brother's of Wolf Isle series!

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The Highlander's Pirate Lass, book two of The Brothers of Wolf Isle, was so entertaining that I didn't want to stop reading it. The shenanigans of Beck and Eliza were vivid. These two characters were such a good combo and Eliza breaks all the moulds making some scenes absolutely hilarious. The Highlander's Pirate Lass is another top addition in an already fabulous series by author Heather McCollum.
Review copy received from Entangled Publishing via Netgalley

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This insta-love romance is packed full of high seas adventure and I was along for the ride. Heather McCollum's writing is fast paced, accessible and filled with intrigue. The backdrop of pirates and the wide open ocean make for a delightful romp of action packed situations. This is the second book in a series that has the interlinking mystery of a curse surrounding a group of brother's which is leading them to find their true loves.

I really enjoyed Eliza, the heroine, she is bold and brash, she stands tall and strong when she is fighting for herself and those she loves, she takes matters into her own hands, she is not afraid of hard work and she is fiercely protective of those in her care. Beck, the hero, is immediately draw to her, he is open and careful with her, he is a kind leader, and he is non judgmental. I love that Eliza and Beck always seem to be on the same footing and that he does not look down on her because she is female, but rather sees her strength and strong will.

This book clips along at a fast pace, it feels like the span of time in this book is barely a week which really leans into the insta-love aspect of this novel. Eliza and Beck are pretty immediately attracted to each other, they enter into a physical relationship quickly (but I feel like there is some underlying trust that Eliza feels for Beck), and then they are off on a high seas adventure after the French Pirate who has wronged them both. I think this novel is a fun and quick way to spend an evening. I don't think it is has the strongest romantic relationship at it's heart, but I did enjoy it.

Overall, I would recommend this book if you are interested in some pirate adventures, love a strong and bold heroine and love watching her quickly fall in love and discover a new idea of home.

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Loved this second book in the Brothers of Wolf Isle series. There is plenty of tension building up between Eliza and Beck. And despite her traumas, Eliza is a strong woman and ready to take out any man who tries to get too close. And there is lots of action/adventure in this book.

Years ago Eliza Wentworth watched notorious pirate Jandeau murder her family and when she was rescued weeks later she swore to spend the rest of her life trying to help others. Her adopted father left her and her little family of abandoned children on an island off the coast of Scotland while he went in search of Jandeau.

After waiting for Captain John's return longer than expected, Beck Macquarie is sailing by and helps them. He takes them all to Wolf Isle before he plans to take her to search for Captain John.

But before they leave the Isle Eliza asks Beck to teach her the ways of the bedroom. And Beck cannot resist.

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A fiery pirate lass and a hot blooded highlander, what a riot. Eliza has spent the las ten years living on a pirate ship and learning how to defend herself. Beck is trying to rebuild his family’s cursed island. This is a really awesome story. You will miss some subtle nuances if you have not read the first book in the series but you can get by without it. The characters are just marvelous. You don’t want to miss the “crow”. It is a spicy read with moments of hilarity. Family and friendship is important and love is hard won.

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I really enjoyed this. I loved the first book in the series and I have to say I love Beck and Eliza's story more. This was so cute and I got Outlander vibes.

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