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.

Highland Horseman of Death

Bàs Sinclair is the youngest of the Sinclair brothers and prefers his solitude in the woods with his animals. He and his brothers, whose stories precede this book, are called the Four Horseman. Bàs was dubbed the Horseman of Death and he puts fear into those who get on his bad side or incur his justice.

Shana Drummond is a widowed midwife and her sister and newborn son are in danger. Shana’s brother-in-law means to kill his own son and Shana takes him on the run to save his life. While escaping one danger, she runs right into another and Bàs ends up saving them from the wilds in the woods. They share a special moment and even a kiss before Shana has to leave him in secret to help her sister.

When they are reunited, it’s a precarious situation and they have to trust each other like they’ve never had to trust anyone before.

Heather McCollum has created a great Highland series and this book was a gem to read. Full of action, danger, suspense, betrayal and romance. This story is quite captivating and the character development was on point. Overall, a great book that can be read as a stand-alone but the entire series is worth reading.

I received an advanced review copy of this book for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I never realized how much I love a Scottish historical romance, but here I am, in line for everything I can get! I've read others in this series and I loved them, but I'm a sucker for Bas! I mean, who doesn't love a broken/damaged guy when we know we can fix him? If you like historical romance, this is your next read.

Another great addition to this series. Throughout this whole series, Bas has been the one brother we hardly know much about so I enjoyed getting to know him better. And of course, Shana is another strong woman able to see who he truly is despite his infamous reputation.

Bas Sinclair was raised to yield justice across the Highlands. It's ways heavy on him and it leads him to live separate from his family, especially now that all his brothers are married with children. At his little homestead, he lives surrounded by animals, his wolf, dogs, cat, horse, cows, and now a squirrel.

His wolf alerts him to something in the woods and what he finds is a woman and baby hiding from a pack of wolves that roam the forest. He takes them in and learns that Shana is a midwife and the baby belongs to her sister, who begged her to run with the baby.

Shana takes off to look for her sister leaving the baby with Bas.

When he's called to execute someone the last person he expects to see is Shana. He manages to save her but her cruel brother-in-law will not stop spreading his lies about her, garnering the attention of the king.

Bas is willing to go to war to keep Shana safe because despite it all he's fallen in love with the woman who was able to change the way he sees himself.

Thank you so much to the author, Entangled and NetGalley for this ARC to review.

Bas Sinclair, named for death by his father as his mother died giving birth to him. Bas and his 3 older brothers were called the four horsemen. He meets Shana Drummond while she is on the run with her nephew and ends up near his cottage in the woods. After hearing part of her story, Bas promises to help Shana but she lives one night but leaves her nephew at home with Bas. Bas, who is not comfortably around people, takes the baby to his brother's castle Grinigoe for his sister to care for until he can find Shana. While at the castle, he is tasked with deciding the fate of someone that one of the clans is accusing of murdering the chief's son. Bas soon learns that the person he has been called to execute is none other than Shana. He and his family make arrangements to rescue Shana and her nephew and also end up saving her sister, Ivy, who is married to the chief of the clan holding them hostage. A very adventurous tale of love, betrayal and family/clan loyalty. It was great to see Bas experience love and overcoming the stigma he had associated with his name and the unfortunate task he was given by his sire. Looking forward to Hannah's story.

I received an ARC from Netgalley and I am voluntarily leaving a review

Don't judge a man by his reputation!

I've been looking forward to this story, as I felt the author set up the executioner side of Bàs in the earlier books while still giving us a tiny glimpse of his inner self as the youngest brother. I really loved the way his character was developed, the balance between the profession he never had a choice about and the gentle, vulnerable man he's always been inside.

Shana is light and love and life, and she's the perfect counterpart to both the dark side of Bàs and his true decency. The conflict that brought them together and the way it played out among all the clans was breathtaking in scope and drama and I loved every bit of it.

This book was everything I was hoping for and then some. If you enjoy medieval highlanders, you owe it to yourself to read this series and, really, everything by this author. Each book is an exquisite adventure with an epic love story at its heart. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

This book definitely was great! There is an opposites-attract trope happening, with Bas is "Death" and Shana is a Midwife, bringing people into the world.

Both were strong characters, and this was a super enjoyable read. I recommend!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this read.

While this is thefourth book in the series, I read it as a stand-alone with no trouble. I loved it so will now be heading back to read the first three books.
Set in the north of Scotland late in the sixteenth century, Highland Beast is a real page turner. It’s very much a character-driven story and the two leads are both immediately likeable.
Despite being known as the Horseman of Death and the Sinclair clan executioner, Bàs Sinclair is a gentle, caring man, who loves animas more than people. He has quite the menagerie living with him, inclduding Betty, the red squirrel, whose life he saved and who now lives in his house, occasionally peppering unsuspecting visitors with nuts.
Shana Drummond enters Bàs’s life early in the book after his pet wolf Beo frescues her from a pack of wolves. She’s a nurturer at heart, having trained as a midwife, and it’s very clear that her first priority is to protect her baby nephew Edward and rescue her sister Ivy. Despite her attraction to Bàs, she has trouble accepting his profession. I loved that he showed her that sometimes helping people to die is a great kindness.
The romance between these two fairly sizzles and when that’s not centre stage, there’s plenty of action to keep readers interested. I really loved this book.

𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗕𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗧 took me back to my early romance reading days. Back then I only ever read historical romance books. Once I started reading contemporary romance, I stopped. But this book reminded me of just how much I love this genre/trope.

Bàs Sinclair won me over from page one and was a strong reminder to never judge a book (or man) by its cover. I loved everything about him. He was such an amazing character. Big. Strong. Kindhearted. And so very misunderstood. He made this the five star read that it is. I also loved Shana. She was the most imperfect, yet perfect match for Bàs.

𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗕𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗧 gets the judy.ann.loves.books stamp of approval, TBR and Enjoy!

Sons of Sinclair series continues with Bas (Death) Sinclair. He swings a cold, brutal sword to serve justice throughout the highlands. He’s the tortured, misunderstood brother whose mother died birthing him. While I’ve enjoyed reading this series, this book left me a bit bored. I wanted more highlander romance and less of the story about Shana’s sister. This couple were hardly together in the story, and I wanted to witness more of Bas romantic side when alone with one who making him feel.

Thank you Entangled Publishing for the complimentary copy.

Highland Beast by Heather McCollum
Sons of Sinclair #4

Youngest of the Sinclair sons, Bàs, meets the woman that will become his mate in this superb historical romance.

What I liked:
* Bàs: given the name Death at birth, raised to be the clan executioner, had a difficult father, loves animals, is gentle inside but has had to harden himself to do his job, more than he and others realize, is rather taken with Shana
* Shana: midwife, loving sister, has suffered loss, caring, kind, strong, protective, reacts without thinking things through, slowly comes to care for Bàs
* The menagerie at Bàs’s house with cats, dogs, cows, a wolf, a squirrel and more – anything with a name is safe on his property
* Getting to see Bàs’s older brothers, their wives, and children
* The romance between Bàs and Shana and how it evolved in a believable way, their communication with and care for one another
* The plot, pacing, story, and writing
* That I was drawn into the story, felt part of it and cared about the conclusion
* Knowing that the Sinclair sister, Hannah, will have a book of her own soon
* All of it really except…

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about the era, the witch prickers, and how some people could be so evil and care so little about others

Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Definitely

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

5 Stars

The fourth Sinclair brother, Bás, the Horseman of Death, proves he hides his true self to the woman and child he saves. A man of patience, kindness and compassion, death has always been his moniker since his father told him the identity of his first victim. Bás may change as the executioner when the woman he loves brings him hope for a new life. The Sinclair band of four brothers, wives and a sister are a force to be reckoned with. The long awaited book for Bás was worth the wait.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

Wow! What a Fantastic Story! Highland Beast, the fourth in the Son's of Sinclair series will keep you spellbound as it takes you on a rollercoaster ride that weaves a story from beginning to end with threads of intrigue, suspense and family unity. Heather McCollum has written a story that's filled with characters that weave a story that will hold you entralled as their individual personalities become more than just part of the tale they come off the pages and pull you in, sizzling passion, the book flowed well from one subject to another without being forced, plot brims with tension-building twist, and great dialogue. With setting descriptions and action sequences that are wonderfully vivid that brings the story to life and as the unrest escalates the suspense builds and uncertainties abound which brings this read together perfectly!

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily reviewing it.

If you like highlander’s with passion, brawn and sensitivity, read this book
I have eagerly awaited Bás Sinclair’s story. It is so touching when we read how he became aware that his father’s expectations may have differed considerably from the child he might have been. At five-years-old Bás was more inclined to pick flowers over sword fighting, but alas his mad father has groomed all four of his boys to be the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. I will admit that when they begin to recite the verses from Revelation describing their role, it can be thrilling. Although each book encompasses its own love story, it is truly best to read them all to get a greater appreciation of their “trials and tribulations.” Lastly, there will be a book about the lone sister, Hannah. I am so glad.
Bás is the Horseman of Death. His name means death and his father named him that because his mother died giving life to him. Now he carries his title like a burden until he meets Shana Drummond. Shana is found by Bás after his wolf Beó raises the alarm. Bás finds Shana who has fallen from a tree while trying to save a baby from wolves. Shana is a midwife which is a total 180-degree shift from the Horseman of Death. Can they be friends, or more?
This was a total page-turner. Beyond the romance, there’s a very intriguing story which will have you rooting for the Horsemen and their wives as well as Shana’s little family. Some moments were so stirring, so electrifying. I LOVED THIS BOOK. When it comes out, I must read Hannah’s story who has strength in a very quiet way. I volunteered to review an ARC of this book through Entangled/NetGalley.

A spicy Scottish Highland historical romance full of highlanders, Witches, Midwives, Castles, the Horseman of Death, clans, battles, and much, much, more from the Sinclair family as they fight to survive.

Bas Sinclair is a lover of animals and a savior to those who can't speak for themselves. Growing up he associates death from his touch. What will it take to recognize that not everyone he loves will die from his touch?

Shana tries to do the right thing for her sister and winds up injured and running from those who wish her dead. What will happen when the man who rescues her is the Horseman of Death? Can she escape her fate? What will happen when she discovers her feelings and that they are meant to be?

For ease of reading Heather includes a "mini" dictionary of frequently used Scots Gaelic, Foreign, Old English words to make reading easier. In addition, the epigraphs are welcome nuggets before each chapter.

This was a highly entertaining read! It is the fourth book in the series but can be read as a standalone. It was my first read by this author, and I definitely want to go back and read the rest of the series. Bas was such an interesting and complex character, and I really felt for him. Shana was such a strong heroine, and I absolutely loved how she made Bas feel and how their relationship became and grew. I would highly recommend this book!

This was a good pace story with engaging characters. How I felt for Bas..with a father like his! What a way to bring up a small child! No wonder he felt as he did. Shana was so different, she was a midwife and was all about preserving life and caring for her sister. She did feel a connection to Bas but she didn’t really know him. Also, she had an enemy in her brother in law and he was a vicious man. I loved the strong family ties of the Sinclairs including the banter and how they always back each other up. I was hoping Bas would have some lightness in his life. There are some dangerous moments and passionate times. I enjoyed how the author described the scene, particularly when the armies were gathered, it was made it easy to imagine the scene. I’m looking forward to reading the sister’s story now. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was an exciting new adventure by one of my favorite authors. Ms McCollum writes her stories that show a true talent in her craft. Weaving so much into making the reader hold their breath while turning the pages to see what the next one will bring. I just adore this series about brothers who stick together through thick and thin. The characters were fully developed with thoughts and feelings of their own. It had me at first chapter and never let go.
You have a man who grew up to be a executioner in his clan to claim justice for any deeds that needed his skill. His name is Bas and he wears a skull face mask when doling out his duties. He is a gentle man when he's with his animals, not like that around people who are afraid of him.
One day he's to kill a woman who supposedly done away with her sister's baby. But things are not all what they seem to be. The only thing that Shana Drummond has done was to protect her sister's baby from her hellish brother in law. She finds sanctuary with Bas who will give her protection. These two find a love that will heal hearts and find a life which was meant to be together.
I appreciate Net Galley for this ARC title in which I gave an honest review.

Bàs Sinclair is the cold and brutal hand and sword of justice across the Highlands. He’s built himself a home on the edge of his family's lands where he can be himself & care for his animals. One day he finds an unconscious young woman & a young baby, when she recovers she leaves to rescue her sister, Ivy. Then he is called to execute a midwife for her crimes, he cannot raise his weapon. For Bàs already knows this lovely, young woman. Now her cruel, merciless brother-in-law has called upon Bàs to have Shana killed for crimes she didn’t commit. But mercy from Bàs can only lead to one thing: war among the clans.
The fourth book in the series & it’s easily read on its own. Bàs has been something on an enigma throughout the series & I loved getting to know the real man & it was a revelation as he's nothing like the image he's portrayed for years, he melted my heart when Hamish died. Shana is a woman who has known grief but has become stronger because of it. I loved that Shana saw the real Bàs & I loved how they grew closer & fell in love. Their journey to a HEA wasn’t smooth but it made for an enthralling read. There’s a horrid villain who did get his justly deserved comeuppance
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

"Highland Beast" by Heather McCollum is an excellent addition to the Sons of Sinclair series. This book centers around the character Bàs Sinclair, a cold and brutal executioner who has been shrouded in mystery since the first book in the series.

The story follows Bàs as he grapples with his identity and comes to terms with his past. He is a man who has been forced from childhood to become something he despises, and it takes him a long time to reconcile the different parts of himself. The author does an excellent job of showing the different facets of Bàs's personality, including his unfeeling, heartless, and distanced outward persona, which is very different from the guilty, lonely, and sensitive man he is inside.

The story also introduces the character of Shana, a brave and kind midwife who will do anything to protect her sister. When her brother-in-law calls upon Bàs to have Shana killed for crimes she didn’t commit, Shana finds safety with Bàs. Over time, the two develop feelings for each other, and Shana helps Bàs see himself as more than just a killer.

The book also has a lot of suspense and intrigue, as Shana is pulled into danger and murderous plots that go way deeper than she imagined. Luckily, Bàs and his brothers are there to help her. The author also includes a menagerie of non-human friends, and Bàs has a gift for caring for, befriending, and understanding these creatures.

Overall, "Highland Beast" is a well-written and engaging addition to the Sons of Sinclair series. The characters are well-drawn, and the story is a nice mix of action, intrigue, character growth, and romance. However, it's worth noting that the book includes elements of violence and abuse, so it may not be suitable for all readers.