Wow wow wow!! I love Heather McCollum’s writing but this is my new favorite. It was a serious page turner that I could not put down. Historical romance set in the Highlands puts us in the perfect setting for this adventure. McCollum creates characters that are so complex and addictive. You want to be part of the story and with her writing you feel like you're there. To make it all even more amazing the story is her own twist on Romeo and Juliet. Families against each other, false promises, and love and passion that tears everyone apart. Is that love meant to be? Is the passion and love strong enough to overcome it all? You will love this adventure.
In this story Rory Macleod was taken prisoner, escaped and has returned home just to be led into a trap again. Lady Sara Macdonald is betrothed to the MacLeod laird. After her terrible father turns on the MacLeods during the wedding and leaves them to die Lady Sara comes to their rescue. Now she must rely on her enemy to save and protect her. When her betrothed s life is hanging on by a thread her connection to Rory becomes stronger. He soon realizes he is drawn to her, but can he trust her?
This story is full of twists, action and the perfect amount of passion creating a story you won’t forget. I didn’t want it to end.
I received this as an ebook ARC but I will have to add it to my home collection. 1000 stars from me!

I went into this blind and was immediately hooked on this story - it was hard to put down! I really enjoy historical romances and I liked the mini history lesson at the beginning. It really sets the scene for these characters.

Rory and Sara have this immediate chemistry - and wow do they clash! I loved how they went from enemies to lovers. This story has some great twists and turns. The author did a great job making me feel like I was in 16th century Scotland.

I loved Sara! She is strong and fierce and brave and everything I love in a FMC. I had to warm up to Rory. He was this warrior who had been a POW and he understandably has some serious trust issues. The walls he has up are an issue for Sara throughout this story - it is not smooth sailing!

The side characters in this book are so funny! There are some great one liners and I found myself laughing out loud several times.

✨What to Expect:
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Scottish Historical Romance
🔥Enemies to Lovers
🗡️Forced Proximity
💋Strong FMC
❤️‍🔥Steamy
💙Twists & Turns

This book started strong. Both the story and characters were able to capture and retain my interest until probably around 80% of the book. The rest 20% was just okay and that's because of Sara and the twists. Rory, on the other hand, was having a good and steady character growth but plummeted towards the end. I honestly would want a few more pages just for me to see him grovel.

What's not to love? The Highlander's Wild Flame by Heather McCollum is a captivating historical romance set in 16th-century Scotland. The story follows Rory MacLeod, a Highland warrior who becomes a prisoner to save his clan, and Lady Sara Macdonald, who defies her father to rescue Rory and his kin from a fiery trap. Their relationship evolves from mutual distrust to a passionate, forbidden love as they navigate clan conflicts and personal betrayals.

This was the perfect steamy historical romance with great Scottish Highland settings. Loved it.

What was a promising start quickly turned maudlin and fizzled out. I was excited about a quartet of books following a band of friends jailed together in England, traded in place of higher ranking family members. These men escaped together and made their way back to the Isle of Skye where their respective families have been feuding for generations. What a cool premise! Unfortunately the story felt quite shallow, we never really learned much about the characters themselves, there were token bad guys with no layers, and the romance wasn’t very convincing. Pair all this with a saccharine ending that really dialed up the creep factor and it just fell apart. It was really just so unbelievable, I won’t be investing in this series for the library unless it’s specifically requested.

So much intrigue, thrills, passion and retribution
As is her style, Ms. McCollum will jettison the reader into a complex story immediately. In this one we find Rory MacLeod, Kenan Macdonald, Cyrus Mackinnon and Asher MacNicol held in an English dungeon having been starved and beaten. They all were waiting for ransom from their families to be paid to King Henry for their release. It never comes and now they have been imprisoned for more than a year. With help they devise their escape.
These men have all come from separate warring Scottish clans but have pledged their honor and resources to each other. Kenan and Rory find out quite quickly that they are going to test that pledge. Kenan’s sister Sara has been betrothed to Rory’s older brother and chieftain of the MacLeod Clan. They are to marry on this day but Jamie and Sara do not get married and the intrigue begins…
Oh. My. Word! This book is beyond exciting. Who does Sara trust? Who can Rory trust? Toward the end of the book, I was on pins and needles! I am truly looking forward to Kenan’s book next. If you like alpha highlanders finding their one and only with intrigue galore, you must read this book. It was wonderful. More than five-stars-good. Lots of interesting secondary characters too. I loved Gus, John, Simon, and others. John and Simon remind me of the two curmudgeons on Sesame Street who sit and bicker in the balcony. So funny!
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book through NetGalley and Entangled publishing.

Seraphina MacDonald was being married to make an alliance between her father and a rival clan, the Macleod's. She saw Rory Macleod prior to the wedding when he was walking with his dog, Gus along the water and wondered if he was the groom she was to marry. After the wedding, Sara was shocked to find that Rory was the brother to the man she married, Jamie the leader of clan Macleod. After her father, brother and his men locked her new husband, his brother and some of their people in the church and then set it afire, Sara helped them escape by finding a way out. While the leader of clan Macleod was recuperating, Rory assumed charge and Sara was faced with accusations that she along with her family planned to murder the chief and Rory to take over Castle Dunvegan, their home. A very complex, interwoven set of secrets, unknown to both Rory and Sara, make their interactions with each other trying and difficult to overcome as they are both unsure if they can trust each other. Thankfully, Rory and Sara's brother, Kenan have a bond they forged while in captivity in England which helps them navigate the treacherous plots and plans that were hatched between Kenan's father and younger brother. A good start to a new series by Heather and I am looking forward to reading Kenan's story next.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Entangled and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

4.5 stars

I read this pretty quickly (the sign of a good book). For the most part, I enjoyed the characters. Although the MMC was a bit wishy washy in the middle of the story, the FMC was solid. Loved the phoenix imagery. Definitely want to read Kenan's story next.

There are a lot of Highlander novels out there, but this one was well done. It was unique and such a wonderful historical romance. The beauty of the Scottish Highlands is breathtaking on its own, add in Lady Sara and Rory, a Highland warrior, and the romance would be more than enough to carry you through, but wait….there’s more….

If the slow burn of their romance doesn’t draw you in; if Rory asking Sara “May I love ye lass?” doesn’t melt you on the spot then the mystery of the Fairy Flag as well as some of the more magical influences of the Highlands is enough to keep you to the end.

This was one of the best Highlander Scottish romances I have read, and the beginning of this new series by Heather McCollum left me in anticipation of book 2.

The prologue sets the stage for Heather McCollum's newest series, The Brotherhood of Solway Moss. Book 1, The Highlander's Wild Flame, is an extraordinary book full of personal discovery and forbidden attraction that is clouded with distrust, and betrayals. Heather's books are always well written and fully set in time period with historical events as a foundation.
Her characters are multi layered men and women who act true to the personalities that are revealed as the story unfolds. the characters have solid backstories that are interesting and believable. Her supporting characters are written in the same manner allowing the reader to understand the motivations behind the behaviors!
As it begins, Rory MacLeod, the Lion of Skye, is settling back into his life after being away from the clan for over a year. He is the second son and the leader of the clan's warriors. He carries physical and emotional scars and is struggling to understand his father's and brother's reason for not helping him when he needed. The safety of his clan is his focus but he dreams of the day when the clans of the Isle of Skye united instead of fighting among themselves.
Lady Sara MacDonald, daughter of the clan chief, is a pawn in her father's hands. She has come to the MacLeod keep to marry the new Laird, Jamie, Rory's older brother, in order to bring peace between the clans. What she doesn't know sets off a chain of reactions that endangers her life and threatens to bring war between the MacLeod and the MacDonald clans. Who can she trust and how does she survive?
This is an enemies to lovers trope filled with humorous banter and steaming chemistry. I loved the story and the relationship that grew between Rory and Sara. Rory, however was a bit aggravating with his inability to completely trust Sara but the heart stopping last chapters made it all worth all my frustration!
Heather McCollum's Scottish Medieval stories are filled with everything a reader wants in a book! There are 3 more members of the Brotherhood of Solway Moss and I am looking forward to reading their stories soon!

They see each other at the beach and the attraction seed is sown, but Sara Mcdonald is unfortunately marrying Rory Mcleods brother.

A betrayal by Sara's clan and their abandonment of her puts her in a touch position with the McLeods. However, the attraction seed grows and slowly Rory learns to trust Sara and live blossoms. Sara is truly a good person, having been abused by her father throughout her life for being born with a large birthmark. She is against by her clans deception and works hard to build trust.

A very deeply moving and emotional book, but wonderfully descriptive.

#netgalley #thehighlanderswildflame #highlanderromance

My heart belongs in the Scottish Highlands. Any time I read a story set in Scotland… especially when it’s a historical romance… I feel like it changes me. I think it’s in my blood.. actually it is in my blood, I have mostly Scottish ancestry. These stories call to me and I love nothing more than to answer back.

The Highlander’s Wild Flame by Heather McCollum is a historical romance that will literally take your breath away.

This story follows fearsome Highland warrior Rory, and Lady Sara.

Rory was taken prisoner for over a year, and he risked everything for freedom. But upon his return home… he did not receive the warm welcome he was expecting… he also encounters Lady Sara… who is being forced to marry his brother…

As hunger blazes to life between Rory and Sara—unbidden, untamed, and hotter than the fires of Beltane—they quickly find themselves caught between honor and a love that will turn blood against blood.

Without a doubt, this is one of the most romantic stories I have ever read. This romance literally burns.

This story is incredibly well thought out. There’s mysteries playing out, intense political discussions, ravenous maddening desire, and just a hint of something more. Something whimsical and perhaps touched with magic.

I love the overarching theme of faith. Have faith. Believe in what is real, what feels right, and trust who your heart pulls you to.

There is a scene where Rory says to Sara “May I love ye, lass?” And I melted immediately.

This really is a slow burn. It makes you feel desperate for these characters to get the happy ending they deserve and want. You are truly put through the wringer. Parts of this book are scary, parts are emotional, it’s just everything I could ever want from a beautiful historical romance.

I am so happy this is book one in a new series… and the fact that I went to this author’s website and found that she has multiple finished series already out… I’m talking a lot of Scottish historical romances… she’s written them all… I’m going to read them all… if you need me… my mind will be in the 16th century with a beautiful Scottish highlander… you should stop by sometime :D

I really enjoyed part of this book, but the main male character did not do it for me. I enjoyed his backstory but felt like it was setting up for something bigger and it wasn't so that was a let down. I did enjoy the way the female main character acted and her bravery. However, it feels a little like there was so much build up and the last third of the book was where the action happened. I also did not like the quick HEA at the end. He needed to grovel more and do more. She forgave him way too fast, but that's just me. Honestly, the dynamic reminded me a lot of Jane Eyre and I ended up re-reading that to compare. Overall, good book.

˗ˏˋ3.25 ★ ˎˊ˗

This book started strong. Both the story and characters were able to capture and retain my interest until probably around 80% of the book. The rest 20% was just okay and that's because of Sara and the twists. Rory, on the other hand, was having a good and steady character growth but plummeted towards the end. I honestly would want a few more pages just for me to see him grovel.

A story with drama and families that feud through the years. Mistrust and spies will keep you on the edge of your seat. The minor characters are great ones. The action will also have your attention. The interaction between Rory and Sara is slow and then it is fast. This is a great start to the series.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Publisher and leaving a review by my own choice.

The Highlander’s Wild Flame by Heather McCollum
Brotherhood of Solway Moss #1

Great introduction to new series ~ Four men who forge a bond under duress in prison, work together to escape, and become allies instead of enemies.

What I liked:
* The prologue that sets the groundwork for the series
* Rory MacLeod: survivor, warrior, strong, lethal, dedicated to the clan, has misperceptions of a past event, treated badly by his father and brother, rather taken with Sara
* Sara Mcdonald: daughter of a clan chief, betrothed to Jamie MacLeod, saves a wedding party from being burned alive, loving, kind, feisty, not a pushover, loyal, rather taken with Rory
* Morag: Sara’s aunt, considered a witch by some, has pet crows…possibly familiars, twin sister to Sara’s mother, wise, communicates well, like her
* The backstories of both main characters and how their past impacts them as adults
* The story of the twins separated at birth
* The idea of the phoenix rising from the ashes, the wings, and the way Seraphina’s name plays a part in the story
* Some of the supporting characters and the parts they played
* That it was easy to dislike the bad guys and was happy that most were dealt with by the end of the story
* That I did NOT live in this era
* Knowing there is another book to look forward to

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about how horrible the fathers and elder brothers of both characters were

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

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

4-5 Stars

This was certainly action packed! Rory MacLeod and Sara MacDonald had at least one thing in common, dreadful fathers and sibling. I liked how brave Sara was, she knew her own mind and was determined. Rory had an attraction to Sara but events in his background stopped him from declaring himself. I found it interesting that four sons of warring clans bonded while in an English dungeon. There are a number of secrets to be revealed, some dangerous events but a satisfying ending. I look forward to reading the next in the series. There was one thing that puzzled me and that was why Winnie, the mistress had so much say. There are some things to be resolved but I assume that will be revealed later in the series. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A wonderful historical, highland romance. Its filled with warring Clans and some dangerous and devious characters. Trust is not easily given or earned. Legends and superstition are rife and set hard , especially amongst the elderly.
Both our hero and heroine have had difficulties with their father's, and still carry the emotional damage.
This series covers four warriors who escaped imprisonment and learned valuable lessons doing so. Can they take that new wisdom home and use it?. Because of that, you should definitely read the prologue.
A fabulous, action packed story. I can't wait to read the next one.
I loved it.

I really enjoyed reading this exciting book by one of my favorite authors. Ms McCollum writes highland magic like nobody's business. The characters were fully developed with thoughts and feelings of their own.
Rory Macleod has been held prisoner in place of his brother who is meant to be laird. He escapes the brutal treatment he received and heads home. He finds that his brother is to be married to a McDonald woman who are his enemies. But when the father of Sara McDonald the bride, locks the clan of MacLeod in the church and sets it on fire.
Sara can't believe that her father would be so cruel to do this, and she finds a way to get the people out of the building. But Rory's brother is hurt and lies between at death's door.
The MacLeod's hate the clan who did this atrocity and wants to get even. But Rory is the only ally that Sara has and she needs his trust. There is a slow burn attraction that grows hotter with each passing day and fate decides their love will endure no matter what.
I appreciate Net Galley for this ARC title in which I gave an honest review.

"May I love ye, lass?"

A twist on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, “The Highlander’s Wild Flame,” Book 1 of Heather McCollum’s new Brotherhood of Solway Moss series, is a wonderful (albeit somewhat “spicy”) Scottish retelling of the age-old story of true love. Rory, Highland warrior and younger brother of the Chief of the MacLeod clan, has just spent over a year imprisoned and tortured by the King of England in place of his father. Abandoned by his father, and then older brother, he manages to escape with the help of three other Scottish men, including the heir to the Macdonald clan (and subject of the upcoming second book), his family’s sworn enemy. Upon his return to Scotland, he finds himself drawn to a fiery, kind woman he meets on the beach—only to later learn she is his brother’s betrothed, Sara Macdonald.

What follows is a tale of deceits and betrayals, truths and trust, a bit of fantasy, … and love. Will there be a happily ever after?

Set in 16th-century Scotland (and England), this book was “the best of both worlds” in that there was a good balance of both historical romance and historical fiction (oftentimes, the focus is either on one or the other). If you need a refresher (or just never paid attention in history class), the infamous King Henry VIII ruled at this time (yes, that Henry VIII—his poor wives…). When trying to find a way out of his (first) marriage, the King had created the Church of England and left the Roman Catholic Church. Of course, not one to be ignored, he demanded that his nephew, James V of Scotland, also leave the Roman Catholic Church—and set fire to some Scottish border towns when he wasn’t obeyed. What ensued (amongst many, many other things) was the Battle of Solway Moss, after which 1,200 Scottish prisoners were taken back to London. Those who were “high-ranking” enough were allowed to be exchanged for sons or other pledges, which is where our story starts off. If you’re a lover of history—particularly of European history—this may be the book for you.

A quick read, I just also really enjoyed the cute interactions between the main characters and how they gravitated towards each other almost instantly and throughout all the mess that was going on around them. Even more, I especially liked the female protagonist and her attitudes towards life, womanhood, morals, etc. While a bit cheesy, and perhaps a bit crass (for you lovers of romance out there), I found myself (as always) becoming quite fond of the male lead as well! He certainly makes some mistakes (don’t they always?) and has his moments of being a “foking arse,” but he’s a sweetheart and eventually figures it out.

Content warnings include kidnapping, threat of burning alive, threat of rape, referral to past domestic abuse, and imprisonment scenes.