Highland Beast
Sons of Sinclair #4
Heather McCollum
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Bàs Sinclair has always been the cold and brutal hand of justice across the Highlands. He is the horseman of death, and he has one destiny, and that is to bring fear into the hearts of men who are guilty. But when he's called to execute a midwife for her crimes, he goes but he can't do it. For Bàs already knows this beautiful woman. Considering she gave him his first and only kiss, there is no way he can lop off her head.

Shana Drummond will do anything and everything to protect her sister Ivy and her newborn son, even if it means dying for them. Now, her cruel and merciless brother in law has called upon Bàs as the horseman of death to kill Shana for crimes that she didn't commit. Shana can't reconcile the cold, lethal warrior before her with the gentle one she met and kissed only days before.

But mercy from Bàs can only lead to one thing, and that is war. War among clans that will not only test allegiances but tear families apart and challenge everything Bàs knows about himself and his heart. Once this Highlander has known love, nothing, and I mean nothing will stop him from keeping Shana safe, even if it means destroying his own destiny in the process.

Oh my gosh, this book is phenomenal. I've been waiting for Bàs's story, and it didn't disappoint. Heather McCollum is absolutely brilliant. What a book. There was never a dull moment. It's chalked full of non-stop action. Once I started reading, I was lost. You couldn't pull me out of it if you tried. I've always liked Bàs and it seems that Shana was the perfect partner for him. I also really enjoy the fact that the rest of the family is in the book. It's like re connecting with old friends. All in all, this was an amazing book, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading historical romance. Ms. McCollum, once again, you have blown my socks off and left me in love with Bàs Sinclair. I can't wait for his sisters story.

I didn't like this penultimate volume of the series at all, and in fact I don't even know if I will read the one about Hannah. Trivial characters, ridiculous story, in short, meh, and to think that I liked these four brothers of the apocalypse quite a lot at the beginning....

Questo penultimo volume della serie non mi é piaciuto per niente e infatti non so nemmeno se leggerò quello su Hannah. Personaggi banali, storia ridicola, insomma, boh, e pensare che questi quattro fratelli dell'apocalisse all'inizio mi piacevano parecchio....

I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

4.5 stars

I missed out on Cain's and Joshua's stories, but I was lucky enough to read an ARC of Gideon's and really loved it. I read a lot, though, and I've logged thousands of pages since then, and I'd forgotten quite a bit. Therefore, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect here. I shouldn't have worried. What I got was a lovingly crafted novel about two fundamentally gentle people finding peace together.

I know, I know. Bás is an executioner, raised to kill when called to do so, and yes, that element of his is hard to get past at first, both for me and for Shana. Honestly, I'm not sure if I ever got fully past it. I think that's rather the point though. It would be unrealistic if we were accepting and not horrified by his profession and by the stone cold way he carries it out. Seeing his softer side--animal lover, sigh-- helps quite a bit, but it doesn't fully balance out the blood on his hands.

Instead, we need him to learn from his past and strive to do better, and I'm glad to say he definitely does so. Shana too. As a midwife, she has a hard time accepting that death can be as beautiful as life, but there's a great scene where her perspective changes.

I feel like I'm babbling (I'm blaming everything on perimenopausal brain fog these days), so I'll end with this: The blurbs the come at the beginning of each chapter are extraordinary. For the story itself, we can suspend our disbelief and accept that Bás is truly gentle and compassionate because it's fiction. But the real-life glimpses into what real people did and believed in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries made me uncomfortable, exactly as they were supposed. Executioners were brutal, but the things "regular people" accepted and even participated in clearly prove that they weren't any better.

I'm looking forward to Hannah's story because I'm not quite ready to say goodbye to the Sinclairs.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and Netgalley. I'm writing this review voluntarily, and it reflects my honest opinion. Thanks!

Highland beast was soo good! I'm so happy we finally got Bas' story and I think it's my favorite so far! How could you not fall for a man who rescues squirrels, hand feeds baby animals, saves a lady and her baby treating them all with the gentlest of care... then go out and kill your enemies?

Bas has been the Horsemen of death since age 5 when his father gave him a mask made out of a human skull and told him his first kill was his mother... what all great dads dad. Insert big ol eye roll here.
And even though his brothers have all found a way to put their father's beliefs about them into new perspectives, they sometimes treat bas like he is death.. the clan's executioner... sent to dispense justice. When he finds a young woman unconscious in the woods and a baby tied to a tree he has no idea everything is going to change.
Once Shana realizes who has saved her saying she was a bit upset might be an understatement. However, after spending some quality time with him and seeing how he treats his animal companions and the other members of his clan she realizes what an amazing guy he is and starts falling for him. Bas never thought he would meet someone he likes let alone that she would like him right back, so Shana is like this amazing miracle who is slowly showing him that he's more than the horseman of death and that his dad was full of horse poo.
I really loved them together, they brought out the best in each other.
I can't wait to see what happens in the future for them. Hopefully, they will have an adorable baby or two when we get to the next book and I'm so excited to see who Hannah will end up with and how she will shake up his life.

Although I have absolutely adored the first 3 books in the Sons of Sinclair series, I must admit that this one, Bàs' story, is my very favourite. His backstory is so heartbreaking and I actually sobbed at picturing him as a 5 year old and being told by his own father why he was named "Death". All he ever knew from that moment was being executioner and feared by all but in truth, he's a man who takes in animals and trusts them more than he would a human being.

When he rescues Shana, he recognizes that she is a tender hearted but strong woman who will fight to protect her loved ones. Between animals, babies, battles, twists and turns, humour, and passion, I thought the whole story absolutely amazing. Oh, and I'm still giggling at "But don't ask her to neigh"!!!

The Sons of Sinclair series will forever have a special place in my heart. I now look forward to reading Hannah's story!!

I booked a trip to Scotland recently, so I am all about the Scottish/highlander romances lately which made me want to pick up Highland Beast. Well, that and all the rave reviews!

I was really impressed by Highland Beast. We have two main characters that are captivating, dynamic and easy to love. I especially swooned over Bas. I mean a man who loves animals as much as me?! Swoon! Shana was a capable, wonderful heroine. I loved how confident she was.

The plot is interesting and exciting. It held my attention until the very last page.

Would recommend if you enjoy highland romances, Scottish/highlander heroes, heroines that a similar to Claire from Outlander, a hero who loves animals, a gentle giant, virgin hero, steamy romances and historical romances.

This was an absolutely-delightful, romantic romp. It had all the essential elements that make for a great, historical romance read. The story line was interesting, and the characters were complex and rich with life. I enjoyed this book immensely!

This is an awesome story! Everything that'd you want in a Scottish romance: a sensitive, hunky hero; a caring, capable heroine, action, humor, and an interesting storyline. Bas is perfect! You won't want to say goodbye to him when it's over. Hopefully, we get to see him in the next book!

Executioner, Family, Beasts, Magnificent Romance
Fantastic from the start. I can't say enough about this story other than it is magnificent in every way you can imagine. A blockbuster story that is like a whirling carousel meets a turbo charged roller coaster ride.
The characters are thrilling. Bas is incredible. How can you not love a strong highland warrior who loves animals? I fell in love with him myself. He will stay in my dreams for a long time. This thrilling sensitive story with stay with me forever.
Shana who is a midwife with wonderful skills that had my tummy gripping right along with some of the many babies that arrive, and her time in the dungeon is heart pounding terrifying.
I will say this might be the best gripping beautiful love story I have read in a long time or maybe ever.
The animals, the emotions Bas went through growing up with an abusive father, the horrible villain, the fantastic family, and so much more.
This book would make a blockbuster movie with the 4 Horsemen and all of the family of warriors and the wonderful animals.
Special mention goes to Betty the squirrel, Beo the wolf, Aunt Merida, and Hamish's burial scene which made me cry.
As you can see, I would give this story more than 5 stars if I could.
Suggestion: Ladies get out your fans.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy for my honest opinion.
A fantastic story that gave me several hours of enjoyment.

This is an excellent tale of hopelessness turned toward hope, despair giving way to a chance at something more, and love for a man who so richly deserves it. Bàs might be known as Death, but Death isn’t always dark and evil and scary. After all, all that dies makes way for the next thing to live, and this man is far more adept at ushering both the exiting and the arriving on this earth than anyone would imagine.

Bàs and Shana have a bit of an odd first meeting, then a near disastrous second one. And yet, she’s not afraid. She sees the lost boy in his eyes. The child who only wanted love and acceptance, yet was saddled with guilt from the start. Shana is strong and smart, though, and she’s been on the other side of Bàs’s misery, so she can give him some peace and logic that no one else has so far in his life. But while their love grows, someone wishes to destroy everything and they’ll stop at nothing to accomplish their goal.

Enjoy this trip through the past. And the love that balances war. Even the humor that comes with sadness and grief. Because these two and their families manage to deliver a story I didn’t want to put down!

What do a 🐿️ Squirrel, two 🐂 cows, two 🐈 cats, several 🐓chickens, two🐕 doggies, a horse 🐴, and a 🐺 wolf - have in common?

Death aka Bás Sinclair … the Horseman of Death 💀

This story is perfection!

5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 5 Flames 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 | Top Contender of 2023 🏆🏆

Full RTC - Highly Recommend this series!


📚Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from Entangled Publishing via Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, comments, and interpretations of the story are my own and bias free. I did not receive any money in exchange for this review. Thank you to the publisher/author for allowing me the opportunity to review. Reviews are usually cross-posted to social media, goodreads, and blog. 🦄

If you know me, you know that I 100% dropped everything, cancelled my plans, and skipped a school project so I could finally read Bas (Death's) story. I have to tell you it did not disappoint. 5 star read all the way!

Bas Sinclair is the youngest of the four Sinclair brothers, whose father went mad and decided to raise them to be the four horsemen right out of the bible. Each book you get more information from each brother about what that was like for them and the struggle now to find their own paths. There couldn't have been a better heroine for Bas in Shana. Shana is a midwife, who sees the love and life in the world, while Bas sees the evil and death within the world of man. I loved how through the dual POV you really got to know Bas and understand what is has been like for him his whole life, being Death, and the loneliness that comes with it.

While these books can be read as stand alone, you are doing yourself a disservice if you don't read the whole series so far in order. All the brothers and their wives come into play with each book, building a deeper world for you to fall in love with.

4.5 STARS!!!!!!!!!!!
The moment I read the word 'midwife', I knew this book was for me. I did not read the rest of the blurb. I knew I wanted to read it. (I have a particular interest in midwifery and other early practices of medicine.) So I pretty much went in blind.
Imagine my joy when this also turned out to be an absolute DELIGHT of a novel.

Set in 16th century Scotland, this is the story of Bas and Shana, two people with sad pasts, who meet when Bas' pet wolf saves Shana and a baby from non-pet wolves. What follows is a whole bunch of adventure and romance! Peppered with humorous dialogue, lots of yearning and a saucy squirrel, Highland Beast is a captivating read.

Now. Let's come to the best part of this book. AKA Bas Sinclair.
So, you know that graph with 'looks like a cinnamon roll' etc, right? On that graph, Bas would be dead center. He looks like he could kill you (scars and thunderous expression and huge man in width and length and ahem, male-parts), could actually kill you (trained to be 'death' since age 5) BUT GUESS WHAT he is actually a cinnamon roll, himbo-ish, virgin-adjacent giant of a man who has read books on how to pleasure a woman and saves and names animals on a regular basis.
He is basically a mixture of a farmer and a hit man. What a dreamboat.

Shana is magnificent, too. She tries to drug Bas like five hours after meeting him (with good reason, of course.) Total boss babe.

The book has amazing writing, an engaging plot and great characters! And the chemistry between Bas and Shanna - phewwww*fans self*. Their banter is adorable, and the sex scenes are juicy and luscious! The book also offers a great view of midwifery in the 16th century, all intermingled with a riveting romance, which I loved!

My thanks to the author, the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC!
PS - I need to read Hannah's book SOON.

5 Stars! Heather McCollum has absolutely killed it yet again! I read this book in less then 2 days! This entire series is amazing and I HIGHLY recommend it, especially if you like historical Scottish romance. This book is number 4 in the ‘Sons of Sinclair’ series and can be read as a standalone but is better if you read the series in order. I’ve been waiting for this brothers story and I’m not a patient person! This books main characters are Bás & Shana. I always felt bad for Bás, being the executioner and Horseman of Death. Shana was a wonderful, strong female main character, exactly what Bás needed and I easily fell in love with both of them. The last book in this series is the often forgotten sister Hannah and I can’t wait!! Sexy, powerful, strong Scottish warriors. Smart, strong and capable Scottish women. Fighting, battles, babies, animals, witches, hot ‘sexy times’, brotherly love, with a smile inducing HEA ending. 100% MUST READ SERIES!! Trust me, you’ll thank me!
*I received this at no charge & I voluntarily left this review.*

I enjoyed this one! Scottish/Highland romances aren't a thing I read a ton of, but I'm happy I picked this one up. Bas and his brothers were tons of fun! I wasn't sure about the Horsemen thing, and I'm surprised by how much I loved it. I do wish Bas and Shana had admitted their feelings earlier, as we spent most of this book knowing they loved each other, but not actually witnessing them in love. Despite that, I really enjoyed this and I'd recommend it!

Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!